Archive for the ‘giveaways’ Category

Giveaway ~ i have people ~ Review & Prologue

Posted: April 16, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Mystery, reviews, Romance
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Feeling forgetful? Can’t remember where the heck you set down your keys? Your glasses?
 
We’ve all been there.
 
But . . . what if you forgot your life?
 
What if that life wasn’t worth remembering?
 
In spite of the happy cover, I HAVE PEOPLE deals with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse. It is about learning to recognize a good man versus a bad one. It’s about second chances and finding love, real love. 
 
The overpowering message behind I HAVE PEOPLE is that verbal, mental, and physical abuse is NOT OKAY! EVER!
 
Read along and learn Holly’s story. It will change your life.

The Book:

23349309I Have People

by Taylor Dean

Paperback, 366 pages

Published September 19th 2012 by Create Space



Premise:

Missing any memories? 

Holly Sinclair is happily married to the love of her life, Gabriel. Young and in love, Holly hopes to have their first child soon. Of course, Gabriel wants to wait till Holly’s health is restored, much to Holly’s dismay. She feels perfectly fine. So what if she just woke up from an eight-month coma? So what if some of her memories are missing? She remembers Gabe and that’s all that matters, right?

That is, until HE enters her life again . . . she forgot about HIM.

The Prologue to I Have People 


When I write, I like to catch the attention of the reader immediately. Hopefully the prologue to I Have People does just that. The prologue begs several questions:

“Who is HE?”

“What happened between HIM and Holly?”

“Why is there a restraining order?”

“Who is the HE who should be there by now?”

“What is it that the perpetrator ‘never meant’ to do?”


Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One short prologue = five questions–and I’m sure you could come up with even more! With any luck, it’s exactly what’s needed to reach out and grasp the reader’s attention! The greatest compliment an author can receive is when a reader says, ‘I couldn’t put the book down.” Love that!

Below is the prologue to I Have People. Tell me what you think–does it whet your appetite and make you want to read more? Love to hear from readers!

 
A knock on the door startled Holly. He was
early. She smiled to herself, then ran to the door as the knocking became
insistent. Maybe he couldn’t wait to see her, maybe he was just as excited
about tonight as she was. Maybe. She opened the door eagerly, a mid-October
chill meeting her skin.
Her smile died on her face. It wasn’t who
she was expecting. In her excitement, she’d let her guard down.
“Hello, Holly Noel.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Aw, c’mon, I just want to see you, baby.”
“It’s over and you know it. Please leave.”
Fear trickled down her spine. How far would he go this time? Holly began to
slam the door shut, to close him out of her life, to remove him from sight, to
push him into non-existence. If only it could be so. The edge of the door
bounced against his foot and slammed backwards, hitting her directly in the
face. She felt her lip swell as blood trickled down her chin.
Oddly, she thought about the mess it would
make on the carpet.
“See what you made me do? If you wouldn’t
be so unreasonable, these things wouldn’t happen.”
“Please leave. You’re violating the
restraining order. I’ll call the police.”
“You and I both know you won’t do that. You
love me, I know you do.” He pushed his way into the apartment. She didn’t
follow. “I don’t want to fight with you, baby. Why do you always have to make
things difficult?”
Holly knew she was in trouble. She’d known
it since the moment she’d stupidly opened the door without checking to see who
it was. It wasn’t a luxury she could afford. Ever.
 “Don’t do this, it will only make things
worse. If you leave now, I won’t press charges. Just leave, peacefully and
quietly . . . please,” she begged.
His lips formed a wicked leer as he
scoffed. “You’ll always be mine, Holly. Why can’t you see that?”
Holly stepped outside the apartment door
and he followed, standing too close. If she made a mad dash for the stairs,
could she escape him? She wasn’t sure, but she doubted it.
“Stay back! It’s over. I want nothing to do
with you. Just let it go.” Where is he?
He should be here by now.
The expression on his face turned stricken.
“How can you say that? After all we meant to each other. I know you don’t mean
it.”
“I mean it. I hate you. I want you out of
my life,” she told him with steely determination.
“Don’t say that.”
“I hate you! Leave me alone!” she said,
this time louder, hoping to attract attention.
He walked closer and shoved her, making her
stumble. “Stop it,” she warned. They were making a scene on the landing of her
second story apartment and she knew he was very aware of the neighbors opening
their doors and peeking out with curiosity.
A mask of twisted rage contorted his
features. She knew that look all too well.
“I can’t believe you would say that,” he
said through gritted teeth, his face red with anger.
He shoved her again, but she maintained her
footing. “It’s over,” she reiterated bravely. “Leave me alone.”
Another shove, this time hard. Her back hit
the railing with surprising force. Holly knew in that moment he’d finally done
it.
He’d finally killed her.
She felt the railing give way and knew she
was going down and there was nothing to stop her fall.  Even though a blood curdling scream rent the
air, even though her hands flailed wildly in an attempt to grab hold of
anything that might save her from this outcome, a strange feeling of peace
washed over her. In that moment, time stood still. She seemed to fall in slow
motion as her life passed before her eyes.
This wasn’t her fate. It couldn’t be. Where is he?
“Holly!” he screamed when he realized what
was happening. His remorse over his actions always came too late. The damage
was done. And this time it was irreparable. Really, it always had been. He
attempted to catch her, desperately groping the air for any piece of her that
might stop her descent.
It was too late.
He didn’t mean to do it.
He never meant to do it.
~
My Review
From the synopsis and the prologue you get what this book is about, or do you?
Yes, it’s about domestic abuse, about spousal abuse. A tough subject to write about.
Taylor does it as gently as she can. You read about the abuse Holly suffers at her husband’s beefy fists. The physical and emotional terror he inflicts.
You also read about Holly’s courage, her spirit that rises up when she’s had enough.
She awakens from a coma 8 months later and the first thing she says is “Gabriel.”
Where is her angel, her husband.
This is where you discover you don’t quite know where the story is going.
There is a mystery to be delved into. One that Holly’s husband , Gabriel, and her best friend, Angela are keeping hidden from her.
On several occasions, Holly catches them whispering when she enters the room.
I was waiting for her to get mad, to finally yell at them to tell her what they were hiding from her.
She knows they won’t tell her. Insisting she must remember on her own, when her mind is ready.
At first I thought she gave in too easily. But the more I thought about, I could see where she was probably terrified to remember. She knew it would be painful.
One scene I really liked was where Holly was explaining about her imagination and how it worked.
“Well it goes something like this. I’m in the elevator, staring at the back of a woman’s red coat, and I begin to think that maybe I should paint my living room wall red which leads to thinking that I really need to vacuum the living room, which leads to wondering what I’ll do this weekend…….” I’m just like that! My mother always told me, I think too much.
I adore Gabriel. He really is the boy scout Angela accuses him of being.
And who wouldn’t want a friend like Angela. She’s sweet and funny and a loyal friend. I’d like to read her story. And I’d like to get to know her pack of brothers too, especially Dimitri.
Maybe we’ll here from these characters again.
Until then, I urge you to read i have people. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, you’ll want to kick someone, but most importantly, you’ll want to hug someone.
You’ll want to hug “your people.”
 5 Stars for i have people
While I received this book to review, I went ahead and bought it so I could read it on my kindle. I have most of Taylor Dean’s books as paperbacks and will soon be adding this one to my bookshelf. Her covers are beautiful and when I love a book I have to be able to hold it. I’ll be adding more of Taylor’s books to my shelves as she releases them. Each and every one:)

The Tour:

8 –  Launch!
9 – Snuggling on the Sofa – Review; Amnesia
–          Sylv Jenkins – The Cover of I Have People
10 – PauseTime – Review; The Music that Inspired I Have People
11 – TheBroke Book Bank – Ten Things You Don’t Know About I Have People
12 – Mel’sShelves – Review; The Worth of a Soul
14 – TheReaddicts – Review; Two Kinds of Love
15 – Paulette’sPapers – A Gentleman Who Says “Gosh”
–          Christy’s Cozy Corner – Review; The Inspiration behind I Have People
16 – fuonlyknew – The Prologue to I Have People
17 – Tressa’sWishful Endings – Review; The Locations Featured in I Have People
18 – LiteraryWinner – Review
19 – GettingYour Read On – Review; Soooo Cliche!
21 – That Girl Reads – Review; Two Kinds of Men
22 –  A Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner – My Favorite Character in I Have People – Beck Valley Books – The Title of I Have People
23 – Deco MyHeart – Review
–          Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Book Reviews – Review
24 – GreenMountain Couple – Review
25 – icultgen – Friendship
  – I Am a Reader, Not a Writer  – When is it Abuse

26 – Grand Finale Blast!

 

The Author:


Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up. 

The Giveaways:

5 prize packs to US winners: 1 signed paperback, 1 tote bag, 2 bookmarks, 1 “I Have People” pencil, and 1 “I Have People” pink dog tag necklace.
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10 ebooks to US or International winners

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Rafflecopter and Grand Finale posts as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours and sponsored by Taylor Dean. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck ya’ll!

Gateway to Reality ~ Scavenger Hunt Giveaway

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, otherworldly, Romance, Science Fiction
Tags: , , ,
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Welcome to my stop on the Scavenger Hunt for Gateway to Reality by Becca Campbell. Please, enjoy the post, enter the giveaway and read on for details about bonus entries in the scavenger hunt!

GATEWAY TO REALITY; A MIND-BENDING URBAN FANTASY TALE BY BECCA J. CAMPBELL

GtR kindle cover final websize scavenger hunt

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Gateway to Reality, now available at Amazon US and Amazon UK and Barnes and Noble.  Keep reading for a chance to win one of three prize packs!

Description

Talented artists shouldn’t be waiting tables, scraping by, and living mediocre lives. But that’s exactly what art school graduate Wes Teague is doing.

Then he wakes from a bizarre dream, haunted by the sense that his life isn’t real. A harrowing truth presents itself–the real world lies in his dreams, not when he’s wide awake.

The dream world he enters each night is rich and vibrant. Chicago appears the same on the surface, but chaos runs rampant as gravity, physics, and other laws of nature become fluid, changing unexpectedly. There, Wes’s parents, brother, and sister are strangers. His girlfriend Emily doesn’t recognize him. Wes longs to return, to unlearn the truth about his dual reality.

Wes would sacrifice almost anything to get back to blissful ignorance in a false world.

But now he has feelings for the real Emily.

My Review

Are our dreams real or are our lives a dream?

That’s what Wes Teague is about to discover.

He’s a struggling artist waiting for his big break.

Then he wakes up one day and everything appears out of focus, like peering through a cloudy lens.

Everything familiar feels out of sync and his life feels ,just, wrong.

He’s about to learn his current life is a dream, and the bizarre dreams he’s been having are real life.

In the world of his dreams, he’s lost his love, Emily. In real life, she doesn’t even know him.

Whew, what a step out of reality.

I felt like Wes. It was overwhelming to contemplate the ‘real’ world. Everything was chaotic and seemed without purpose.

Why would he choose this world? Maybe because he can have a fresh start with the new Emily, and his job is to create worlds. What better task than to imagine other worlds and build them?

fantasy worlds photo: Nature_in_Live_Dance.jpg

But he still yearns for Emily. The Emily he loved and lost in his dreams.

Does he have a choice of which world to live in and which one should he choose?

Gateway to Reality is like peering through a kaleidoscope, dazzling you with its possibilities.

Rebecca gives you a love story and  a search for one’s self,  with a science fiction flavor. I can honestly say, I’ve never read anything like it.

The author showed me a new reality in a way I could understand without becoming confused. It kind of reminded me of The Matrix as far as the dreaming, but it also made me think of an old Twilight Zone episode where a girl could create different realities.

I enjoyed feeling like I had stepped out of this world to read Gateway to Reality, but I’m glad I’m still here in mine.

It is just a story….. right?

Four Stars for an out of this world story.

kaleidoscope photo: me agen kaleidoscope.gif

~

Giveaway
~
I’m really excited about the giveaway. For those of you who may not know, the majority of the story takes place in Chicago, and it is heavily intertwined with the Cloud Gate sculpture (aka the Bean). All that comes together in the big prize pack. Here’s a peek at the prizes:
  • Grand prize: Chicago theme prize pack (autographed paperback of Gateway to Reality, a journal with an artistic representation of Chicago on the cover, Cloud Gate button, Gateway to Reality button, Gateway to Reality postcard, Cloud Gate postcard, and Crown Fountain postcard. (US only)
  • Second prize: autographed paperback of Gateway to Reality and Gateway to Reality postcard. (US only)
  • Third prize: entire Becca J. Campbell eBook library (Gateway to Reality, Foreign Identity, Not the Norm, and Unmasked Alloy). (All countries)

 Enter the rafflecopter giveaway

Visit all of the stops, collect the clues, and Good Luck

detective photo: LEGO Series 5 Detective Detective_zps02188e7a.jpg

Happy Hunting!

The Scavenger Hunt Blog Tour

You can enter the giveaway now, but to really amp up your odds at snatching one of these prize packs, check out each site along the blog tour.

April 1st     Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Reviews

April 2nd     The Peasants Revolt

April 3rd     Catharsis of the Bogue

April 4th     The Pen and Whisk

April 5th     Write for Life

April 6th     S.M. Boyce

April 8th     Paranormal Lounge

April 9th     Lisa Is a Bookworm

April 10th     Jade Kerrion

April 11th     Paper Book Princess

April 12th     Now is Gone

April 13th     Worlds Away Book Blog

April 15th     FU Only Knew

April 17th     Sarcasm and Lemons

April 18th     Brandon R. Luffman

Your Thirteenth Clue

Wes visits many worlds in the Existence. Here’s your challenge in this scavenger hunt:

Collect the names of the fifteen worlds in Gateway to Reality (one will be revealed each day).

Following the schedule above, collect a world name at each stop, and when you have them all, plug that list of 15 worlds into the giveaway below to win a BONUS TEN ENTRIES.

HERE’S YOUR THIRTEENTH WORLD:  Crestview Drive

Continue with your hunt tomorrow at Sarcasm and Lemons. Good luck!

About the author

Becca J. Campbell

An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca J. Campbell looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity.

Becca’s journey into writing began as many of her other creative endeavors do – by daring herself to try something new. The question “what if I wrote a novel?” and some hastily scribbled notes on a church handout were the inspirations that jump-started her first book. Since then, she has written three additional novels and several shorter works.

As the wife of a musician and mother of three young boys, Becca’s life is never dull. Whether it is writing, painting or knitting, she enjoys making stuff that wasn’t there before. You can find her blog, Inspiration for Creation, at http://www.beccajcampbell.com.

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What’s New on my Bookshlelf # 14

Posted: April 14, 2013 in Book Promos, giveaways, Meme, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
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This is my own version of a weekly bookhaul post where  I’ll be telling you about all of the books I got this week, whether print or e-book plus all things bookish.

I got a few books this week, some free, some for review, and some I purchased just for my reading pleasure.

I also post reviews on another blog aknifeandaquill . It’s all about horror. If someone doesn’t die, we don’t do it here!

Here’s one I picked up to review on both blogs. Double exposure for the author:)

The Seething Place

Here are some freebies I picked up to review on fuonlyknew.

Abraham Road: A Novella  Dead Hunger: The Flex Sheridan Chronicle

Got some good ones!

~

Books I received for Review.

Water's Blood  Halo of the Nephilim  Bitter Angel

I had to have these!

~

Books I won.

I didn’t win any books this past week:(

~

These are books I reviewed.

Grim

You can read my review of Grim here.

~

Halo of the Damned

You can read my review and enter the giveaway here .

To Tame a Montana Heart

You can read my review here .

These are my scheduled Reviews for next week.

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You can find my review and enter the giveaway and scavenger hunt here on Monday, April 15th.

I Have People

Enter the super giveaway and read my review here on Tuesday, April 16th.

~

Go here to find all of my giveaways. Enter one or enter all of them!!

Busy, busy, busy. So many delicious reads! Some I’ve read and will be posting my reviews soon.

So what did you get this week? See something you like? Do you have any of these? Leave a comment and let me know.

Related articles

Winners of The Dark Inside Giveaway!

Posted: April 13, 2013 in giveaways, Winners!
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It’s that time again.

Time to announce the winners!

The Dark Inside (A Human Element)

The winners of an e-book copy of The Dark Inside are

Stephanie Anne

Neil S.

Melanie

Kay L.

demonkittiereads

~

A Human Element

The winner of the paperback copy of The Human Element is

Tori

Congratulations!

All winners have been notified.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

I do love reading them and hope you continue to visit fuonlyknew!

Thanks so much to Donna for her wonderful books and for letting me host her giveaway.

*****For all of my giveaways go here*****

I’d love to keep telling ya’ll about some really great books.

Subscribe by email and lets talk!

Win Spare Change! Bring your own Kleenex!

Posted: April 12, 2013 in Contemporary Literature, giveaways, reviews, Romance, suspense
Tags: , ,
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Keep a box of Kleenex handy.

This one will tug at your heart-strings.

Spare Change

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Literary Awards
 

My Review

In the early 1920’s Olivia Ann Westerly rebels against her father and moves out on her own, despite his threats to disown her. She never looks back. Working at the telephone company for many years, she sees her friends get married, and become mothers shortly after.  When she questions them about it, they say, sure, that’s what’s expected:

1) Get married

2) Get pregnant

3) Have a baby

4) Have more babies…

The thought terrifies her.

But she does fall for Herbert and excepts his proposal. But then she gets to thinking about what her friends told her, and breaks off the engagement.

“I told people the thought of being tied down to a man who expected a clean shirt and dinner on the table at the dot of six was something I simply couldn’t face; but the real truth of the matter is that I’ve grown petrified of babies. They look all cute and cuddly in their little pink and blue buntings, but I’ve seen what they do to women.”

So, that’s how it went, year after year, relationship after relationship. Until 1956.

That’s when Charlie Doyle steps into her life. His son, Benjamin,  is grown and married with a boy of his own, so children aren’t in the picture. So Olivia, at 58 years old, lets herself fall in love and get married.

What should have been the beginning of the rest of her life, ends abruptly when Charlie dies suddenly during their honeymoon. A massive heart attack takes him from her arms and her future.

She returns to Virginia and quickly realizes she can’t go home again, so she settles into Charlies apartment in Wyattsville and begins to make friends, until something happens that changes everything she ever believed.

Ethan’s mother, Susanna, never grew up. She was what you called a free spirit, fun to be around.

His father, Benjamin Doyle, was the opposite. He dished out tough love, sometimes violently.

His best friend is Dog, his loyal canine companion.

A violent argument turns deadly and Benjamin hits Susanna so hard, she never wakes up.  Ethan has been hiding in the woods, afraid to come home when he sees a man pull up to the house, Shortly after, the man comes out, attacks his father, and beats him to death before tearing off in his car.

When Ethan ends up placed in the murderers home, he steals off in the night with nothing but his dog. He comes upon a tired looking gas station and a kindly man who gets him a ride right to his grandfathers apartment building. Charlie Doyle’s apartment building.

That’s where Olivia finds Ethan and Dog, fast asleep at her doorstep.

This is where it gets fun. There are no pets or children allowed in the apartment complex and Olivia is scared of being kicked out. Also, she has no clue what to do with this stubborn, taciturn boy and his raggedy dog.

Soon enough, some friends learn she’s hiding them in her apartment, and before you know it, everyone is clambering to help her keep her secret.

One detective back home suspects Ethan knows what happened to his parents and keeps searching for him. The killer is looking for Ethan to silence him for good.

There’s no avoiding it. They will all meet again.

There is a lot I didn’t tell you about Spare Change. About Olivia’s trip home from her honeymoon and the mysterious and kindly woman who gives her advice or about her eccentric and mixed bag of neighbors. I can’t tell you everything or I’d spoil it.

I wanted to gather Ethan Allen up in my arms and take him home with me. He may be double tough but he’s just a boy. A scared little boy who’s just witnessed the horrifying deaths of both parents. He shows a taciturn front, but inside he’s scared.

Olivia. She deserves a hug and a big pat on the back. Here she is confronted with her worst fear, and she handles it so sensitively and wisely. I bet she didn’t know she had it in herself.

I was swept away by Bette’s writing. The South oozes from the pages. I swear she writes with a southern drawl.

Bette’s characters are so real, so genuine. They have the same fears and insecurities as you or I. They all have their flaws. They are so real you might think you recognize one as someone you know.

The ending. You are going to love the ending! It left me smiling as tears ran down my face. It is one of the best endings of any book I’ve read and filled me with happiness and hope.

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Five Hugs for Spare Change.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKcJGgu4lig]

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Giveaway

I have one paperback copy to giveaway.

*****Us/Canada Only. Sorry to my International friends.*****

Good news!

I also have one e-book to giveaway.

***Anyone can enter for the e-book!***

To enter, please leave your email address, specify if entering as for the paperback or e-book,  and answer this question,

“Has a book ever made you cry?”

Giveaway ends April 19th.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonly and Good Luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bette Lee CrosbyBette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Spare Change  The Twelfth Child  Cupid's Christmas  Cracks in the Sidewalk  What Matters Most  Life in the Land of IS...the amazing story of Lani Deauville, the world's longest living quadriplegic

Happy Birthday Gretchen!! Surprise!

Posted: April 11, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways
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On tour with Prism Book Tours…
Happy Birthday, Gretchen!!!!
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We’re having a PARTY over at Gretchen’s Facebook!!!  To participate, hop over and comment about what you are bringing.  Like this… “I’m going to Gretchen’s birthday party and I’m bringing …” and then add something creative. It’s fun! Go for it!!  Get an extra entry in the giveaway, while you’re at it. Hey… it’s a party!!!!!!!

For extra fun, we asked Gretchen for a speed-interview. She had to give us the first word that popped in her head. Lol. This is great…

First some FAVORITES:
   Color?    Purple
   Lunch?    Sushi
   Jewelry?     Necklaces
   Movie?    Singin’ in the Rain!
   Season?    Autumn
Next… either/or…
   Sunset or sunrise?  Sunset
  Sandals or boots?    Sandals (flip flops forever!)
   Coffee or tea?    Both. 🙂
City or country?   City
Milk or dark chocolate?   Dark!
Now… your dream guy… 😉
Height:   6′ or taller
Hair color:   Dark brown
Eyes:  Blue
First sighting: Reaching for the same book in a library/bookstore
First word:   Um, hey?
Ok… now that we’re warmed up… share the first word that comes to mind when I say…
Family:   Close
Books:   Oxygen
Dogs:   Love
Next:   Sequel!
Party!   Hunger Games-themed (no, seriously, my birthday party is this weekend and it’s HG-themed, hahaha!)

There you have it!!  A speed-interview with our own birthday gal! Make sure to “bring” something HG related to her Party on Facebook!!  😀

Find info on the tour and giveaways at any of the stops below.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 – Colorimetry

– I Am a Reader, Not a Writer Excerpt on Eye Color, Collection 2

– fuonlyknew Excerpt on Scavenging, Collection 3

2 – A Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner Review

 – Pause Time – Review

3 –Jessie’s Book Place Excerpt on Rain, Collection 4

– The Reading Diaries – Review & Excerpt on Shopping, Collection 5

4 – Mel’s Shelves – Review

5 – Lovin’ Los Libros – Review

7 – Christy’s Cozy Corner – Review

– Total Book Geek – Excerpt on Brown Eyes, Collection 1

8 – The Quiet Concert – Review

9 – LDS & Lovin’ It – Review

10 – Jessabella Reads – Excerpt on Rations, Collection 6

11 – Gretchen’s Birthday Party!!

– Passion & Life – Excerpt on Jobs, Collection 7

12 – Tressa’s Wishful Endings – Review

 – Living a Goddess Life – Review

14 – Living a Goddess Life – Blueberry Lemon Preserves

– Books, Books and More Books – Review

15 – Marked by Books – Excerpt on Education, Collection 8

16 – Blood, Sweat and Books – Review

– My Seryniti – Review

17 – Bookworm Lisa – Review

– Mortality Bites – Excerpt on Groundworld Job, Collection 9

18 – Getting Your Read On – Review

– The Broke Book Bank Interview w/ Gretchen on Underground, Collection 10

19 – Grand Finale Blast!!

 
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January Black ~ Blog Tour & Giveaway

Posted: April 10, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, YA
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January Black

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.

Praise

Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun!

I lost a few hours as I read this book. It’s a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out.

~Christine Ashworth, Amazon Review

The mystery was intriguing – I loved how Wendy Russo weaved in all her secrets throughout the book, how she incorporated just enough to keep you reading, while never actually divulging much of anything. I was guessing for most of it and that’s pretty hard to make me do.

~Julie, Clean Teen Reads

Wendy Russo has created a masterpiece.

~Ivan Amberlake, Author
Book Trailer

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q1kwpZI-vg?rel=0]

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Author Wendy S. Russo

Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.

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BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/5/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck ya’ll!

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Murder on Olympus ~ They’re all jerks! ~ Paperback Giveaway

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, giveaways, Mystery, New Release, otherworldly, Series, urban fantasy
Tags: , , , ,
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Murder on Olympus Blog Tour Banner

I love greek mythology. So many fascinating beings and stories.

I just had to read this book and when I spotted the tour, I signed up immediately.

While I haven’t read the book, YET, I will be soon and I’ll be telling you all about it!

Murder on Olympus (Plato Jones #1)

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Description

At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them.

They’re all jerks.

After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he’s drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer’s targets are the Gods themselves.

Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?

A Character Profile

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Zeus:

Zeus is the King of Olympus, and President of the Olympic World Council. Ageless and wise, he has brought about a golden age for mortals and immortals alike.  Along with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, Zeus is one of the most powerful beings in existence, if not the most powerful. He possess a plethora of superhuman abilities, which include immense strength and speed, invincibility, flight, enhanced senses, astral projection, regeneration, telethapy, telekinesis, shape-shifting, mind-control and  teleportation. But most notable is his ability to wield lighting. Having defeated the Titans thousands of years ago, Zeus believed that no one would ever become strong enough to challenge his rule. But when a God of Olympus is slain, Zeus and his fellow Olympians must face the most dangerous enemy they’ve ever known: mortality.

Giveaway

I have one paperback copy of Murder on Olympus to give away!

Us/Canada Only ~ Sorry to my International friends.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question –

“Who is your favorite mythological being?

Giveaway ends April 14th.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter to win an e-book.

It’s an International Giveaway.

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Thank you for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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About the author

A fan of thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction, Robert B. Warren has been writing stories ever since he could hold a pencil. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He currently lives in the South.

Links

Twitter

Facebook

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Giveaway ~ Halo of the Damned ~ Darkness and Nephilim

Posted: April 8, 2013 in Adult Fiction, angels, Dark Fantasy, Demons, giveaways, otherworldly, Series
Tags: , , , ,
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book_banner halo

I’ve had this book for a while and when I spotted this tour, I just had to be a part of it.

Now that I’ve read it, I wonder how many other fantastic stories are awaiting me in my kindle.

It drives me crazy thinking about this book having sat in my eReader, waiting for me to find the time to open it up.

I may have to take time off of work to read the second book in this series, Halo of the Nephilim. It’s soon to be released and I can’t wait!

HaloOftheDamned - Book One

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A chain of advertising agencies, a new breed of humans, and a fallen angel to worship… Andel Talistokov is known for his slick advertising agencies across the globe. He is a fallen angel that uses advertising as a weapon for Satan‘s work. His growing power emboldens him to break several of Hell‘s Commandments. Furious with his arrogance, Satan commands him to return to Hell after finding his own replacement. Yezidism, an ancient angel worshiping religion, quietly expands throughout the West. Armaros appears as a guest of honor during their ceremonies. He mates with young women to produce nephilim, a mixed race of humans and angels. They are alone and unprepared for their supernatural power. Joanna Easterhouse, a recovering drug addict, steps out of prison shortly after her mother’s fatal accident. She and her sister, Kim, unravel their mother’s secretive past. Intrigued, they learn their bloodline is part of a celestial legacy. Both worlds collide. Halo of the Damned is a horrifying tale that weaves research together with suspenseful twists and turns.

 My Review

Armaros, or Andel as he likes to be called, has been around for a long time. If you asked him he’d tell you, “I was made at the very beginning, with all of God’s angels…. So to answer your question, I’m as old as old can be.”

Andel is one of the fallen. He was sent to Hell along with one-third of the rest of the angels, those who stood alongside Satan in a war to defy God. Which they lost.

fallen angels photo: FA9 Fallen-1.jpg

Now he’s got this huge advertising company, The Evil Empire, which he uses to trick and steal the souls of thousands. He sends these souls to his master, who adds them to his army of evil warriors.

Andel is despicable and so horrendous. He doesn’t have to eat his victims to obtain their souls. He does it because he enjoys it, revels in it.

This scene from the beginning shows his real colors behind the suave business man facade he presents to others.

You’ll find him sitting in his office, calmly gazing at the young woman lying dead on the floor in a growing pool of blood.

After he licks his knife clean, he slithers over, slurps up all of her blood and consumes most of her remains. He’d had high hopes for his daughter, but, she didn’t work out.

fallen angel photo: fallen angel Fallen_Angel.jpg

Then he calls in his trusted assistant, Marcus, to clean up after him.

Marcus is the worst of humanity, if you could call him human. He’s been killing since he was 10 years old. And now he’ll do whatever Andel asks of him, with pleasure, because of the promise to be made like him.

Next, you’ll meet Joanna, fresh out of a two and a half-year prison term for intent to distribute cocaine. At least one good thing came of her incarceration. She’s clean for once.

Her sister, Kim, picks her up outside the prison and takes her to their mother’s house. It’s now theirs, since her mother left it to them when she died. Joanna is torn up about missing her funeral.

Joanna and Maria, Kim’s young daughter, hit it off right away and it looks like they might all be living together for now.

When they go for the reading of the will, both sisters are surprised to discover their mother had an estate on Lake Geneva. She’d had it all along and never told them about it. The lawyer reveals there is also a painting of celestial beings somewhere that is quite valuable. A stipulation in the will states they can’t sell the homes or paintings unless they are forced to financially. And she’s left her special collection of stones to Maria, knowing the young girl will keep them safe.

The girls soon discover the painting in the lake house and the secrets hidden in the wall behind it.

Right then I had an inkling what their mother, Lydia, was and where this story might be going. I couldn’t wait to read further . This was getting really good.

Coincidence, or maybe not, lands Joanna in an important  position at Andel’s Evil Empire. That’s when she starts to hear the voices again, the ones she’d drowned out with booze and cocaine.

Between the voices, the doll talking to Maria and the startling events with a séance, things really start ramping up.

The chapters are short and really make this a fast read. I never slowed down and learned a lot about Heaven and Hell and it’s denizens.

I loved this story. Good and evil angels, nephilim, family secrets, and mystery and terror aplenty. Halo of the Damned is an exciting and  gripping tale of light and dark, good and evil, and those that stand against the Lord of Lies.

Dina Rae’s Halo of the Damned gets 5 Stars

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p89LXZNxOs]

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Sequel Halo of the Nephilim out May 2013

HalooftheNephilim - Book Two

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Dina Rae is running from website to website, trying to outrun the demons at her heels. Run with her on the Tour of the Damned and read special guest posts, excerpts, reviews and more from her hit novel Halo of the Damned. If you are lucky, you may be able to walk away… With a special prize pack from author Dina Rae herself.

Giveaway

Dina has a super giveaway!

Here’s what you can win.

1st Place(one winner):

Decorative box containing peacock themed items: file folders and holder, beaded shawl, scarf, brooch, silver wing earrings, note block, jeweled pic frame, hairband, hairclips, stationary.

2nd Place(one winner):

Rhinestone angel wing “Halo of the Damned” ladies black t-shirt.

3rd Place(two winners):

Peacock candle, dishtowel, pen and journal.

Go here to enter the giveaway and view all of these awesome prizes!

Tour of the Damned Stop List

April 7 – Krystal’s Enchanting Reads – Guest Post from author Dina Rae

April 8 – FUOnlyKnew – Review of ‘Halo of the Damned’

April 9 – Zombie A.C.R.E.S. – Excerpt from ‘Halo of the Damned’

April 10 – A Girl and Her Kindle – Excerpt from ‘Halo of the Damned’

April 10 – So Much to Write, So Little Time – Guest Post from author Dina Rae

April 11 – Free Book Dude – Excerpt from ‘Halo of the Damned’

April 12 – The Cerebral Writer – Guest Post from author Dina Rae

Biography of Dina Rae

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Dina Rae is a new author here to stay.  As a teacher, she brings an academic element to her work.  Her three novels, Halo of the Damned, The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense throughout the plots.  Her short story, Be Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character.  In the spring of 2013, her latest novel, Halo of the Nephilim, will be released.  Dina also freelances for various entertainment blogs.

Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago.  She is a Christian, an avid tennis player, movie buff, and self-proclaimed expert on several conspiracy theories.  She has been interviewed numerous times in e-zines, websites, blogs, newspapers, and radio programs.  When she is not writing she is reading novels from her favorite authors Dan Brown, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Brad Thor, George R.R. Martin, and Preston & Childs.

Links

http://dinarae.co

www.dinaraeswritestuff.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dinaraebooks/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DinaRaeBooks

@haloofthedamned

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Book Buy Links

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Goddess Girls Giveaway ~ Oh, to be young again.

Posted: April 8, 2013 in Blog Tour, Children's books, giveaways, Series, YA Fantasy
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Do you ever wish you could be young again? Go back in time, even for a little while? Of course you do!

Every now and then I pull a much-loved book down from my bookshelf. Something all tattered and worn from so many readings. Revisiting these stories I loved as a young reader keeps me young. I relive those youthful thoughts and just have a blast!

I do have to remember I’m not that young anymore though. I wouldn’t want to end up in the hospital after trying to do a cart-wheel, or God forbid, the splits!

Goddess Girls #10 – Pheme the Gossip

Get to know Goddess Girl Pheme…the original “gossip girl”!

As the goddess girl of rumor and gossip, Pheme prides herself on being “in the know” and having the most up-to-date info on anyone and everyone at Mount Olympus Academy. To make sure that people really get her VIP messages, her words tend to linger in cloud letters above her head—just in case people don’t catch what she says!

But not everyone is thrilled with Pheme’s insider knowledge on everything MOA—including the Goddess Girls. Can Pheme ever be trusted? Or will this “gossip girl” find herself on the other end of the rumors?

Purchase
Praise for The Goddess Girls

“…a clever take on Greek deities…”

~ Booklist

“Readers familiar with Greek myths should get a kick out of this plucky restaging.”

~Publisher’s Weekly

“…an enchanting mythological world with middle-school woes compounded by life as a deity…”

~ School Library Journal

The Goddess Girls Series

The Goddess Girls series, by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

  • Athena the Brain Finding out she’s a goddess and being sent to Mount Olympus brings Athena new friends, a weird dad, and the meanest girl in mythology—Medusa!
  • Persephone the Phony Hiding her feelings works fine for Persephone until she meets a guy she can be herself with—Hades, the bad-boy of the Underworld.
  • Aphrodite the Beauty Sure Aphrodite is beautiful, but it’s not always easy being the goddessgirl of love.
  • Artemis the Brave She may be the goddess of the hunt, but that doesn’t mean Artemis always feels brave.
  • Athena the Wise Zeus says Heracles has to do twelve tasks or he’ll get kicked out of MOA! Although she’s not sure it’s wise, Athena agrees to help out.
  • Aphrodite the Diva Isis claims she’s the goddess of love? Ha! But to keep the title all to herself, Aphrodite has to find the perfect match for Pygmalion, the most annoying boy ever.
  • Artemis the Loyal It’s time for the annual Olympic Games, and Artemis and her friends are not happy. It’s boys only. Not fair!
  • Medusa the Mean Medusa wants to be more like her two sisters and the other kids at Mount Olympus Academy — immortal. Is that too much to ask?
  • The Girl Games (Goddess Girls Super Special) Listen in on what all four goddess girls are thinking as Mount Olympus Academy hosts visitors from many lands–including an adorable kitten!The first-ever standalone superspecial in the Goddess Girls series!
  • Pandora the Curious Pandora is one of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy—and probably the most curious of all the students in school.

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Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/21/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

To enter, click on the rafflecopter link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Suzanne Williams

Suzanne Williams is the award-winning author of nearly 40 books for children, from picture books and easy readers to chapter books and middle grade fiction series. A former elementary school librarian, she lives near Seattle. Her picture book Library Lil (illustrated by Steven Kellogg) won the New Mexico children’s choice award in 2000 and was on several other state award lists. She is co-author (with Joan Holub) of the popular Goddess Girls series(for ages 8 – 12) and Heroes in Training (ages 6 – 11). Other series include Fairy Blossoms and Princess Power.

Author Joan Holub

I graduated from college in Texas with a fine arts degree, and then freelanced as an art director at a graphic design firm for eight years. I dreamed of working in children’s books, so I moved to New York City and became associate art director in Scholastic trade books, where I designed books for children and worked with editors and illustrators. It was a great job.

I illustrated my first published children’s book in 1992 and soon began illustrating full time. I began completing manuscripts and mailing them out to publishers in the early 1990s. In 1996, I sold my first two manuscripts — Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book (Scholastic) and Pen Pals (Grosset & Dunlap). Yippee!

Now I write full time and have written and/or illustrated over 130 children’s books. Creating books that entertain, inform, and interest children (and me) is a fabulous job that I truly love.

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