Thursday, October 31, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Mission One of Auggie the Alien by Leah Spiegel & Megan Summers

Today I am kicking off the Mission One of Auggie the Alien Tour.  See why this delightful book has garnered all 5 star reviews on Amazon!

Book Description:


Publisher: CreateSpace (June 4, 2013)
Category/Genre: Light Sci-fi Humorous Middle Grade
ISBN: 978-1490377100
Tour Date: November, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 145 Pages
This is the humorous story of a 4th grader, seen through the eyes of a human hybrid alien child, sent to Earth to study our culture – to see if they could coexist with the humans.
Auggie has to try and understand 4th graders slang, body language, and the unwritten protocols of the classroom; all in an attempt to blend in. He upsets his teacher, Mrs. Malumrector, who constantly thinks Auggie’s trying to get smart with her when getting stupid with her would be counterproductive. Not only does Mrs. Malumrector not get Auggie’s literal logic, nor do any of the other students in his class. That is except for Left Hand Chuck who thinks Auggie’s hysterical and helps him by teaching him how to use human slang.
But if Auggie truly wants to complete his mission of blending in with the other children he needs to cheer for both teams, except if they’re losing. He needs to learn not to wear the ‘P and the J’ with the feet conveniently attached to school because they’re for sleeping in only. That ironically enough, Grandpa isn’t going to faint from low blood pressure even though his eyes often tend to roll upwards whenever Auggie is speaking. ‘Pop-a-Squat’ isn’t a good name for a dog, even though he’s great at it. And under no circumstance is he to bring his pet to school even if his teacher has her own pet there, Emily, another student in his class who is neither a gerbil nor a fish.
My Thoughts:
Auggie lives in an alien world with his alien father and mother, from Earth.  That makes him a human hybrid.  Their alien world will soon be uninhabitable so it is time to study other planets to see where they might be able to move to.  Earth seems like the most viable option.  
Because Auggie is part human, he is chosen for the first mission to earth.  He is told to blend in and not let anyone know of his mission.  The hardest part seems to be learning slang.  He also finds out that a meal on earth is not electricity but food.  He is caught putting finger in an electrical socket.  His teacher finds him practically unbearable.
This is such a warm and humorous story about one boy who has to learn to fit in against all odds.  It really is a universal story about fitting in with other children that brought back some memories for me.  I was always the last person picked on teams for sports, for instance.  I found myself feeling sorry for some of the other children, not just Auggie, as they struggled to fit in and make friends.  At the same time I laughed out loud at some of the things Auggie said and did.  His struggle to pick up on slang was side splitting!  Highly recommended!
5/5
I was offered an ebook copy for my honest review.
About Leah Spiegel & Megan Summers:
Although we moved down to North Carolina several years ago, we’re originally from the Pittsburgh area. (That’s why a lot of our characters either live in the Burgh or reference our hometown football team, The Pittsburgh Steelers.) And yes, we even have the Southern accents to show for it now. Although Megan’s is considerable thicker, Leah still can’t understand the locals.
We are known as ‘the sisters’ among our neighborhood; when actually we’re probably reallyknown as ‘the sisters with the Yorkies’. Our pups, Skippy Jon Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow, were given long names to compensate for their small size but not their large personalities.
If Leah’s not glued to her electronic devices, AKA her Kindle Fire and various laptops, you can find her training ‘the attack dogs’, running on the treadmill while conceiving the next great book idea with the Dave Matthews Band, Muse, Florence and the Machine, Lorde, The Lumineers, and Pink (just to name a few) blaring out of her earphones.
If Megan’s not glued to her electronic devices AKA her iPad and Nook Color, you can find her teaching fourth graders, swimming marathon style at the pool, or cuddling with ‘the attack dogs’ as she watches Duck Dynasty, Gold Rush, Scandal, Person of Interest, Morning Joe, etc.
Leah graduated from Edinboro University with a BA in Art Education. Megan received her teaching degree from Edinboro University and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Technology from Grand Canyon University.
Watch Leah  Read Auggie on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/user/LeahSpiegelVideos/videos
This giveaway is for one print copy or ebook. Print copy is restricted to the U.S. and Canada only.  U.S. and Canadian winners can choose either print or ebook.  ebook is available for international winners. This giveaway ends on November 28, 2013, 12:00 am pst.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Giveaway: Declaration by Rachael Wade

Thanks to Samantha Lien of JKS Communications, I am giving away one ebook copy of Declaration.

Book Description:

Featuring characters from Love and Relativity.

Carter Montgomery spent most of his life blending in, and he liked it that way. It was always better to be seen, not heard. And while a theatric streak and friendly demeanor might have fooled most people, he knew the truth—he was the shy one. The quiet kid most people forgot about. Some might have considered that a bad thing, but those people all wanted to be in the spotlight.

The only place Carter didn’t mind attention was on stage, with The Hellions. Once content in his comfort zone in Seattle, Washington, he only knew three things: confrontation was to be avoided, keeping the peace was priority, and the moment he lost Kate Parker to Professor Ryan Campbell, he had no clue what to do with his life. Playing gigs, working at Pike Place Market, and watching BBC after the love of his life sailed off into the sunset just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.

Desperate to escape his rut, he takes a cue from Kate and chooses a random place to relocate—a small island across the country, where no one knows his name and memories of unrequited love aren’t found at every turn. Just when he thinks he’s found the perfect place to unwind and sink back into the shadows, in bursts Whitney Sinclair, a saucy firecracker who loves life and refuses to settle for second best. Full of contagious energy, she dares him to be brave, convincing him that it might finally be time to tell the world what he wants.

It might be time to make a declaration.


About Rachel Wade:

Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, Love and Relativity, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keepers Trilogy. When she's not writing, she's busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Visit her at www.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade.

This giveaway is for an ebook and is open internationally. It ends on November 13, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Review: Journey To Jazzland by Gia Volterra De Saulnier

Welcome to my tour stop for the Journey to Jazzland Tour stop.

Book Description:



Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Flying Turtle Publishing
Release Date: July 1, 2013



Join Windy Flute, Spitz Trumpet and their friends as they travel to a legendary place where music is joyous, creative and free.

My Thoughts:

Journey to Jazzland is a delightful picture book.  I think it would be a great story for parents and children together for a entertaining way for children to learn about music and musical instruments.  It is well written, entertaining and includes vibrant amazing illustrations  This book is one children are sure to cherish!  Highly recommended!

5/5

I received the ebook version for my honest review.

Read an Excerpt:

One day during an orchestra rehearsal, Windy Flute was playing a piece of music and her mind started to wander. Over and over, she had practiced this piece and played this piece. Feeling bored, she felt that she wanted to be a little different.
Then something special happened. She began to hear notes that weren’t on the page of sheet music on her stand! When she started playing what she heard, Windy realized these new notes made her feel better. The harmonies and the melodies were the same, but the music moved differently. Before she could figure things out, she was interrupted by a stern voice.
 “Excuse me, Ms. Flute, do you mind playing with the rest of us? Where do you think you are — Jazzland?” said Mr. Conductor, scowling down at her.
After the rehearsal, Mr. Conductor gave Windy a severe look and stomped off the stage.
Windy turned to her friends in the woodwind section. “What’s Jazzland?” she asked. She was still thinking about the good feelings she got from playing different notes.
“It’s a myth,” said Mr. Bassoon.
“That’s right,” said Mr. Oboe, “It’s a legend. It doesn’t really exist.”
 “I think it exists,” said Spitz Trumpet.

About the Author:

Born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and attended University of Lowell (now University of Massachusetts, Lowell). It was there that I learned to love jazz. I have been performing jazz and other kinds of music for over 20 years, throughout the New England area. I live in North Reading, Massachusetts with my husband Richard, and my son Charlie.


Enter the Giveaway to Win It:

Signed paerback & matching book thong, 3 Journey To Jazzland Book thongs.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Giveaway: RUDE BITCHES MAKE ME TIRED by Celia Rivenbark

Thanks to Sarah Goldstein of MacMillan, I am giving away one print copy of Rude Bitches Make Me Tired.

Book Description:

In this always sensible and mildly profane etiquette manual for the modern age Celia Rivenbark addresses real-life quandaries ranging from how to deal with braggy playground moms to wondering if you can have sex in your aunt's bed on vacation to correctly grieving the dearly departed (hint: it doesn't include tattoos or truck decals).  Rude Bitches Make Me Tired will provide answers to all your mannerly questions as Celia discusses the social conundrums of our day and age, including:

  • Navigating the agonies of check splitting (“Who had the gorgonzola crumbles and should we really care?”)
  • The baffling aspects of airline travel (such as “Recline Monster” and other animals)
  • The art of the visit (always leave them wanting more . . . much more)
  • Gym and locker etiquette (hint: no one wants to talk to you while you’re buck naked)
  • Office manners (“Loud talkers, cake hawkers, and Britney Sue’s unfortunate cyst”)
  • And much more!
Good manners have never been so wickedly funny!

For more information: http://us.macmillan.com/rudebitchesmakemetired/CeliaRivenbark

About Celia Rivenbark:

CELIA RIVENBARK is the author of You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat GirlBelle WeatherStop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like A SkankWe're Just Like You, Only PrettierBless Your Heart, Tramp; and You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In The Morning. She lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada and ends on November 5, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Friday, October 18, 2013

Review & Giveaway: The Thunderbird Conspiracy by R.K. Price

It is my pleasure to kick off The Thunderbird Conspiracy by R.K.Price Tour!


Book Description:


Publisher: Quiet Owl Books (June 29, 2012)
Category/Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0615658353
Tour Date: October 21/November, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 338 Pages
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death!
The Thunderbird Conspiracy is the remarkable tale of Robert Kaye, a Hungarian freedom fighter who claimed he knew and collaborated with JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. R. K. Price’s second novel is also a tale of a Nebraska farm boy who was a great admirer of President Kennedy and a true patriot who desperately wanted to believe his government’s hurried conclusion that Oswald had no accomplice. Yet his own harrowing experience at the hands of his government created profound doubt in his mind, and it haunted him to his death.
These two men, one willfully acting, the other a true victim, became entangled in the most notorious crime of the 20th century. This saga of intrigue and murder was revealed to the author on a wintry Colorado day about three weeks before the farm boy’s ravaged heart gave out.
That man was R. K. Price’s uncle. His name was Bud Carlson. Price stashed away Bud’s account of Robert Kaye, letting it lay dormant for nearly forty years until he could corroborate his uncle’s story with the release of previously secret FBI files from the National Archives.
Now nearing the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination Price has brought Robert Kaye and Bud Carlson back to life. Their incredible story will leave you questioning just how and why JFK was taken from America far too early.
My Thoughts:
The Thunderbird Conspiracy weaves fact and fiction about the JFK assassination.  Years ago Bud Carlson, R.K.'s uncle, told him about an an employee of his that may have been involved in a conspiracy to kill JFK.  R.K. sat on what Bud told him because there was no hard proof.  However, about 20 years ago, more information was becoming opened up to the public.  Since then, every so many years more information has been release.  Using what Bud told him, the release information, and his imagination, R.K. Price has pieced together a compelling story.
Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone or was there a conspiracy?  We may never know for sure.  However, that fateful day has captured our imagination and theories still, 50 years later.  
Brimming with believable characters, exciting twists and turns, and a well developed plot, R.K. Price weaves together a possible theory.  I only have one slight complaint, that I think it could have been edited down just a little bit.  Some of the dream sequences seemed a bit repetitive. However, I highly recommend The Thunderbird Conspiracy!  It is a highly charged exciting read!
4.5/5
I received an ebook copy for my honest review.
About R.K. Price:
R.K. Price is a Colorado native. He lived in Pueblo for a number of years, earning his way through college as a radio/television and newspaper reporter. He moved north to Denver in the mid 70s, joining a major advertising/public relations firm as a writer, producer and press agent. Later, he formed his own media relations and political consulting firm. He spent the early 1980s in Washington D.C. actively involved in national politics, and returned to Denver in the mid 80s to become an investment and mortgage banker — a profession he remains in today. He now lives in the Washington D.C. area with his wife Janet and daughter Sara in Alexandria, Va.
R.K. Price Website: http://rkprice.com/
R.K. Price Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkpriceauthor
R.K. Price Twitter: https://twitter.com/RK_Price
Thanks to Quiet Owl Books, I am giving away one copy of The Thunderbird Conspiracy.  This giveaway is international.  If the winner resides in the U.S., there is the choice of print or ebook.  An international winner will receive ebook.  This giveaway ends on November 14, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Oct 18 Review & Giveaway
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Oct 21 Review
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Oct 22 Interview
Deal Sharing Aunt Oct 23 Review
Ordinary Girls Oct 24 Review
Rainy Days & Mondays Oct 25 Review
Fundimental Oct 28 Review
Fundimental Oct 29 Guest Post & Giveaway
Joystory Oct 30 Review
Serendipity Oct  30 Review
Serendipity Oct 31 Interview
Reviewing Novels Online Oct 31 Review
Rose & Beps Blog Nov 1 Guest Post & Giveaway
Cozie Corner Nov 4 Review
Library of Clean Reads Nov 5 Review
Tea & Inspiration Nov 6 Review & Giveaway
Romance & Inspiration Nov 7 Review & Interview
Kate Eileen Shannon Nov 8 Review
Kate Eileen Shannon Nov 12 Guest Post
Indies Behind the Scenes Nov 9 Live Interview
Tales of a Book Addict Nov 13 Review      


Buy The Thunderbird Conspiracy:



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Ghost of Lost Eagle by Dean Sault

Today, I am kicking off the book tour of Ghost of Lost Eagle by Dean Sault with my review and a book giveaway.  The tour goes through November 7th.

Book Description:


Publisher: American Writers Publishing Company (July 8, 2013)
Category/Genre: Western Romance
Sub Category: Paranormal elements
ASIN: B00DUEQJYY
Tour Date: October/November, 2013
Available in: Kindle/Mobi and PDF, 336
Mason “Tuck” Tucker meets Sass Thornton when she lassos him and drags him from certain death in a flashflood. She dubs him “dumbass” for entering a box canyon during a rainstorm. This label he will hear many times as she struggles against her unwanted attraction to him.
Sass’s father, Phil, owns the cattle ranch that she runs with an iron fist. Her father has been keeping two important secrets from her; one about her mother’s murderer, the other about a killer in his bunkhouse who has romantic interests in the attractive young woman.
Phil hires Tuck, over his daughter’s strong objections, to run the bunkhouse and control growing racial tension between white cowhands and Mexican vaqueros. The young man surprises Phil with his easy, yet tough and effective, management style. The ranch owner takes Tuck into his confidence, revealing the truth about a deadly gunman terrorizing the bunkhouse. He insists that Tuck deal with the threat without letting Sass know of the danger.
Throughout the book, Tuck is haunted by howls of a lone wolf, but only one other person can hear it. The wolf often accompanies life-like dreams of an old Indian ghost named Lost Eagle. The spirit medicine-man repeatedly warns him about a strange destiny he must soon face. When Tuck reveals the dreams to Sass, she cautions him to avoid the cave where the ghost of Lost Eagle is thought to haunt. Despite her distrust of the Native American phantom, the apparition saves Tuck by waking him when an assassin approaches. Lost Eagle prepares Tuck for his fate, foretelling that the young man will soon have to choose life or death between friends. His choice will result in the death of one.
Read what happens when Lost Eagle’s ghost, the lone-wolf spirit-guide and Tuck’s new found love, Sass, come together in a life and death struggle. How does the murderer in the bunkhouse seek revenge against Sass and her father? What happens when Phil’s secrets are revealed to his daughter? Will Tuck leave the woman he comes to love to save his aunt who raised him as the only mother he’s ever known? Find the answers by reading the Ghost of Lost Eagle.
About Dean Sault:
Author Dean Sault lives in Northern California with his wife and her menagerie of pets. Every day for the past thirty-five years, he could not wait to shut down his insurance office, so he could spend time with his family, go fishing, or retreat into his private world of writing fictional places and people.
In 2007, severe vertigo took away Sault’s beloved avocation of bass fishing and writing for Inside Line magazine. Sault refused to let vertigo stand in the way of his love of writing. He decided to dust off his stories and share his literary creations with the world.  He began by publishing his science fiction space opera, The Last Human War.
After twenty years of writing in the dark, Sault was ready to step out and share his work with the world! He says, “2013 will be the year my readers experience a diversity of genres I’ve kept hidden from the world. From sci-fi to western romance, some with paranormal elements, this will be an exciting year.”
Sault brings his unique writing style to every story he creates. With crisp, fast-paced prose, he employs Hemingway-like simplicity as he weaves complex characters into fascinating worlds. Readers often comment that once begun, they cannot put his books down. “I learned this skill, believe it or not, from writing bass fishing articles and columns for Inside Line magazine during the time when I chased professional fishing and guiding,” Sault says. “In fact, many of the stories we are making available to readers today, found their beginnings in dusty motel rooms, late at night, while at distant bass tournaments.”
This breakout author shows promise to be one of the great writers of our time. From action-adventure to terror in his thrillers, his masterful handling of fast-paced prose compares with great writers like Tom Clancy and HG Wells. His western-romances share the strong pacing, but they slow at just the right moments to build touching love connections that tug at the readers’ heartstrings.
Dean Sault’s Website: http://www.authordeansault.com/
Dean Sault Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/oxc7uep
Dean Sault Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorDSault 
My Thoughts:
When Mason “Tuck” Tucker and his horse get caught in a flash flood in Sweetwater Canyon, Sass Thornton saves him.  Sass is a strong woman rancher who lives and works with her father on a nearby ranch.
Tuck lost his sattle bags with all of his possessions including his money in the flood. He is trying to make his way to his aunts ranch.  Her husband dies and the rnach hands all quit because the refuse to work for a woman.
With little alternative, Tuck agrees to work for Sass's father, Phil Thornton for the rest of the cattle season.  Phil tells his troubling secrets and puts him in charge of protecting Sass and well as trying to cut the racial tensions between the white cowhands and Mexican vaqueros.
I don't read romance novels very often, unless something else to offer besides the romance part.  Ghost of Lost Eagle fit the bill for me.  It is part romance, part western, part historical fiction, with just a dash or supernatural   It has something for just about everyone.  The characters are well drawn out, including Sass, a free spirited strong female character. Dean Sault captures the sense of time and space wonderfully.  I felt like I was right there in the rugged, yet beautiful landscape.  I was drawn in from page one. This is the first book in the Sweetwater Canyon Series.  I can hardly wait to read the next!  Highly recommended!
5/5
I received this ebook for my honest review.
Dean Sault has a special offer, just for you, my readers.  Here is how to get your very own autographed print edition or ebook of Ghost of Lost Eagle:
Thanks to the author, Dean Sault, I am giving away one ebook copy of Ghost of Lost Eagle.  This giveaway is open internationally and ends on November 7, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious books Oct 16 Review & Giveaway
Ordinary Girls Oct 17 Review
Ordinary Girls Oct 18 Guest Post
Two Kids & a Migraine Oct. 21 Review & Giveaway
Paperback Writer Oct 21 Guest Post
Genuine Jenn Oct 22 Review
From Isi Oct 24 Review
Butterfly-o-Meter Books Oct 25 Interview
caroleraesramblings.com Oct 28 Review
Faerietale Books Oct 29 Review
Books, Books & More Books Oct 30 Review
Rose & Beps Blog Oct 30 Guest Post
Lauries Thoughts & Reviews Oct 31 Review
Lauries Paranormal Thoughts Nov 1 Interview
Joy Story Nov 4 Review
Tracy Riva Books & Reviews Nov 5 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 6 Guest Post & Giveaway


Buy Ghost of Lost Eagle:

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