Showing posts with label rafflecopter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rafflecopter. Show all posts

Thursday, April 6, 2017

From Ant to Eagle by Alex Lyttle (Spotlight & Giveaway)


My name is Calvin Sinclair, I'm eleven years old and I have a confession… ...I killed my brother.


It's the summer before grade six and Calvin Sinclair is bored to tears. He’s recently moved from a big city to a small town and there's nothing to do. It’s hot, he has no friends and the only kid around is his six-year-old brother, Sammy, who can barely throw a basketball as high as the hoop. Cal occupies his time by getting his brother to do almost anything: from collecting ants to doing Calvin’s chores. And Sammy is all too eager - as long as it means getting a "Level" and moving one step closer to his brother's Eagle status.

When Calvin meets Aleta Alvarado, a new girl who shares his love for Goosebumps books and adventure, Sammy is pushed aside. Cal feels guilty but not enough to change. At least not until a diagnosis makes things at home start falling apart and he's left wondering whether Sammy will ever complete his own journey...

From Ant To Eagle. 



Praise:
"An honest portrayal of love, loss, and friendship in the face of a life-changing journey." — School Library Journal


"Lyttle’s debut is an uncommonly honest examination of mortality and the ways in which growing up complicates sibling relationships. ... Lyttle delicately tackles the subjects of grief and death, trusting middle-grade readers with a sophisticated story that includes notes of humor. A moving and ultimately hopeful book." — Booklist



"Lyttle's voice for Cal is appealingly direct and articulate ... and his account of his struggle to cope will appeal to readers. Tender, direct, and honest." — Kirkus Reviews

Purchase at Amazon HERE

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Excerpt:
My name is Calvin Sinclair, I’m eleven years old, and this is a story about my brother.


I wanted to start at the beginning—the day Sammy was born—but I can’t remember the day he was born and anyway, I can’t start there.
There’s only one place I can.



Last summer.



Before the Ontario heat began to smolder, before the corn was much higher than my shoulders, before I’d ever met a girl named Aleta Alvarado.



Before everything fell apart.



Let me get two things straight before I begin:



First—I loved my brother. I loved him more than I knew and more than I knew how to show. Sure, I picked on him, manipulated him, excluded him, neglected him, but deep down, I loved him. It’s hard to explain so I’ll just leave it at that.



Second—and this is the hardest part to write, but it needs to be said.



I’m the one who killed Sammy.

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Alex Lyttle is a pediatrician living in Calgary, Alberta with his wife and three children. He was raised in London, Ontario – the setting of his first novel, From Ant to Eagle, which he wrote based on his experiences working in the Pediatric Oncology unit. When he is not working, writing or playing basketball, he enjoys learning new magic tricks to perform for his young patients. 

http://alexlyttle.com/

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GIVEAWAY


$100 Bookstore or Paypal ! Enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck!

Friday, March 17, 2017

Luminous Spirits (Shadow Eyes, #2) by Dusty Crabtree Review & Giveaway




Old habits die hard. Old enemies, even harder.


Iris must now perfect her newfound abilities in order to help her shadow-oppressed family and friends, but more importantly, she must prepare for an impending fight with her most hated adversary. After the arrival of a new mean girl who seems to have history with Iris’s boyfriend, Iris quickly figures out that she is anything but the typical mean girl. She not only creates havoc and conflict among Iris and her friends, but her presence also means that Iris’s inevitable confrontation with her enemy may, in fact, be closer than she thought.

If Iris can figure out why the new girl is there and what her enemy is planning, she’ll at least be one step ahead of their game. But will she be ready when the time comes to face her biggest challenge yet? Or will they succeed in tearing Iris apart before she even has the chance?






My review of Shadows Eyes in 2012 is here. 



MY THOUGHTS




I've waited patiently for five years for the sequel to Shadow Eyes. I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Dusty's writing is even sharper and more compelling than her first foray into the world of light and shadows.  The age-worn tale of good versus evil, dark vs light, angels vs demons rises once again with Luminous Spirits. But it's not a worn tale as Dusty puts her own unique spin on this gritty young adult tale that is layered with more than just fighting.


Iris has had time to to learn and practice her talents but she still has room for growth. She and her friends are still kicking butt and taking names, but Iris figures she has plenty of time to figure out her enemies next move.  Lucas and Donovan are evil incarnate and they need to be taken out but Iris has to figure out what the new girl in school has to do with it first. While she and the rest of the team continue to shadow hunt, Iris hones her skills as well as as do some internal soul searching and thinking.


Luminous Spirits is classified as a young adult novel but as an adult, I quite enjoyed it.  Also, you don't need to read Shadow Eyes to read Luminous Spirits. It reads well as a standalone.  Plenty of action, romance, supernatural elements and striking writing. There are certain scenarios and elements sown throughout that bring about a myriad of emotions, including but not limited to  triumphant, forlorn and empathic. The character building and how they interact with one another are the solid foundation for this series, in my opinion. Dusty has portrayed some growth with them but leaves plenty of room for more development. If you are looking for a new series or author to try, definitely pick up Dusty's Shadow Eyes or Luminous Spirits. She has a  knack for drawing you into her world and it's well worth the ride! 





Dusty Crabtree loves a good story, but she also loves young people. These two loves are evident in all parts of her life. She has been a high school English teacher since 2006 and a creative writing teacher since 2014. She's also been a youth sponsor at her local church for as long as she’s been teaching. She feels very blessed with the amazing opportunities she has to develop meaningful relationships with teens on a daily basis. With her love of reading in the mix, becoming an author of young adult books was just a natural development of those two passions in her life. She lives with her husband, Clayton, in Yukon, Oklahoma, where they often serve their community as foster parents.


Check out Dusty’s blog at http://dustycrabtree.wordpress.com/
Follow her on twitter at https://twitter.com/dustycrabtree
Follow her on Instagram – dustycrabtree12
Check out Luminous Spirits on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34533934-luminous-spirits
View the book trailer for SE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7UP9A0Fm78&t=2s
View the Book trailer for LS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_C1o113Ok&t=9s
Buy Luminous Spirits on Amazon (eBook or print) – https://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Spirits-Shadow-Eyes-Book-ebook/dp/B06XGTSS34

GIVEAWAY
Win a paperback copy of Shadow Eyes or Luminous Spirits (USA Only)

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

A Limited Engagement by Bethany Michaels Book Blast & $25 Amazon GC Giveaway!


Meet the Author:

Bethany Michaels is the author of over a dozen contemporary novels and novellas as well as a handful of Regency-set historicals and light paranormal romances. The first book in her Nashville country music series, Nashville Heat, was an RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award nominee. When not working on her next book, Bethany enjoys movies, traveling, camping, hiking, and volunteering with her kids' scout troops. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and four teens.
Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book:

Derek Sawyer, sexiest bad boy on the racing circuit, is about to land a huge sponsor. The only problem is the oil baron’s daughter wants to make Derek part of the deal. Worried he’ll offend the old billionaire if he rejects his daughter, Derek comes up with the perfect plan—pretend he’s already engaged to his friend Lilly.
Lilly Harmon used to daydream about her childhood crush Derek proposing to her…but not like this. Of course, she just lost her boyfriend and her job, so her five-year plan is already smashed to hell. Pretending to be with Derek might help her get her PR career back on track.
But the oil baron’s daughter won’t give up that easily, and Derek’s parents believe the engagement proves he’s become the son they always wanted.
Money. Family. Love. The truth could destroy everything. And to think this engagement was supposed to be the easy way out.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Giveaway:

  • $25 Amazon Gift Card

Monday, February 20, 2017

The Rise of Miss Notley b Rachael Anderson Book Blast & $50 Amazon GC or Paypal Giveaway!

  the-rise-of-miss-notley-gr  

The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow. The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe?
    
Excerpt Cora nodded and followed Mr. Ludlow into the parlor. He closed the doors and stood in front of them with his arms folded, looking far more intimidating than he had during their last meeting. He said nothing, merely lifted an inquiring eyebrow and waited. Caught unprepared, Cora stared at him, trying to organize her thoughts into words. After a few moments of awkward silence, he lost patience. "What is it you wished to speak with me about, Mrs. Notley? Or are we to stand here staring at each other all afternoon?" Not knowing how else to begin, Cora blurted, "Why have you hired me, sir?" He blinked a few times before frowning. "I believe I have made that perfectly clear. You are to be the housekeeper, are you not?" This was going to be more difficult than she had imagined. "Yes, of course, but there has been some talk about, or rather concerns expressed . . ." How did one put this delicately? "About . . .?" he prodded, obviously not thrilled that his morning regime had been waylaid. "About the reasons I have been offered the position," she quickly said, hoping that would be enough to make him understand her meaning. Unfortunately, his brows drew together in confusion. "What are you saying, Mrs. Notley? I have hired you to do certain duties that will hopefully make my household run more smoothly. What other reason could I possibly have for offering you the position?" "You have hired me to do a job I am untrained to do," she said. "While I am grateful for the opportunity, I also find it necessary to clarify that I have come here to be a housekeeper and only a housekeeper. Even though I am young and . . ." Her voice drifted off. Had she almost referred to herself as pretty? Goodness, this was proving to be very awkward indeed. "Beautiful?" he finally guessed, not looking at all pleased with the direction the conversation was taking. "I was going to say not repulsive," she fibbed. "Very well," he said. "Even though you are young and not repulsive . . ." He moved his hand in a circular gesture, urging her to finish her thought. Cora straightened her shoulders and forced herself to continue. "I am not the sort of girl who would ever . . . fraternize with her employer." Her face infused with heat, but she forced her gaze to remain steady. "I see." He walked slowly towards her, rubbing his chin with his hand. A few steps away, he stopped and eyed her quizzically. "Have I made any improper advances towards you?" "No, sir." "Have I spoken to you in an unprofessional manner?" "No." "Have I looked at you in a way that has made you feel uncomfortable?" "No." Cora suddenly wished she had not felt the need to clarify anything. He made her feel as though she had put the cart before the horse when what she had been trying to do was see that the cart and horse simply stayed in their proper places. Was that so wrong? "Might I ask who, exactly, has led you to believe that I am the sort of man capable of—how did you put it? Fraternizing with my help?" "I, er, would rather not say, sir." Though Cora felt no loyalty towards Sally, she refused to bring Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd's names into the conversation. "I did not mean to besmirch your name or cause any offense, Mr. Ludlow. I merely wanted to make my feelings on the matter clear." "And you have." "Good." Cora dropped into a quick curtsy, anxious to get away. "I shall go and find Watts now." She was almost to the door when his voice stopped her. "Once again, you are attempting to scuttle away before we have completed our conversation." Slowly, she turned around and lifted her eyes to his. "I never scuttle, sir." "What would you call that rapid walk of yours?" "A rapid walk."
 
   Rachael 
Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
    amazon or paypal $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/15/17 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World Book Blast & Giveaway

Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World

by P. F Citizen One

Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World by P. F Citizen One
Unexpected is a collection of true life short stories inspired by the author's travels around the world and the people he has met. The book features seven thought-provoking, humorous and engaging stories that end with the most unlikely twist.
In one of the stories, The Wedding Contract, the author tells the story of a man who was forced to sign a pre-nuptial agreement simply because his wife was wealthy and he was considered poor. As time went on, fortunes changed and the man became far wealthier than his wife. His wife and friends dreaded the worst from him because of his new financial position but what he did next was shocking.

Book Details

Genre: Anthology, Short Stories
Published by: BookBaby
Publication Date: October 7th 2016
Number of Pages: 23
ISBN: 1483577856 (ISBN13: 9781483577852)
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 Barnes & Noble 🔗 Goodreads 🔗

Excerpt:

Julie’s parents were concerned. Julie was a single child from a pretty wealthy family with many properties and stores. So, her parents, her family, and her friends convinced her to protect herself by writing a prenup agreement. Should they get divorced, Julie would keep all her family’s belongings. All her entourage pressured her so much that Julie finally arrived at the idea that it was necessary to sign a prenup.
Jean-Pierre didn’t accept it at first, but in the end, he had no choice: Was it worth losing the woman he considered to be his soulmate?
Jean-Pierre and Julie finally got married and had two gorgeous daughters. But Jean-Pierre was still a little bit sad. After all, if they insisted on a contract, it was because her family didn’t completely trust him.
Jean-Pierre had been writing for a few years, and he had written many books. He was also working as a French teacher to get some additional revenue. However, he decided to stop writing to become a full-time teacher and contribute more to the family expenses.
He threw himself into his work as a teacher. One day, as Julie was watching television, she saw that the press was looking for the anonymous author of three books. From their description of the writing, she immediately recognized her husband’s style. After he was identified as the author of these books, he was given royalties for the book sales.
Jean-Pierre soon became very rich and famous, so much so that Julie (and, indeed, the press) was now waiting for the day when Jean-Pierre would cheat on her. She expected that he would eventually divorce her to marry another girl—probably an actress or a model or simply a younger woman. He was now famous and powerful, far richer than his wife and her entire family.
Rumors of cheating grew more and more persistent. The rumors said that Jean-Pierre would ask for a divorce and that he was getting ready for another wedding.
During a press conference, Jean-Pierre was asked about the rumors. He answered that he would act like a man and not hide anything anymore. In front of everyone, he told his wife:
“Honey, since the very first time I met you, I loved you more than I loved any other woman. Then, we got married and had two wonderful girls. I love them so much Over the years, I always thought about…that prenuptial agreement I had to sign because I was poor. Today, I am very rich… I am sorry, honey, but I am announcing...

Author Bio:

P.F  Citizen  OneP.F. Citizen One is a writer. He works as a petroleum engineer, which requires a lot of traveling to different countries, and he uses the situations and varied people he has come across as an inspiration for his great love of writing. His interest in travel has meant that he has picked up some useful languages along the way, and he is now fluent in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and German, allowing him to go just about anywhere and still be understood. Most of the time. He lists his great fear as ''being stranded alone on a desert island'' and, as a result, he avoids traveling by boat whenever he can.
P.F. Citizen One’s new book, Unexpected, was published on October 7th and is a book of short stories, inspired by his travels throughout the world and the people he has met.
Catch Up With P.F. Citizen One on his Website & on Facebook!

Book Blast Participants:

Stop by these great hosts to learn more & enter to win!

Book Tour Coming Soon!

In February Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World will be featured in a virtual book tour. Visit the sites below for great features, reviews, and giveaways!

Don't Miss Out On Your Chance to WIN!

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for P. F Citizen One. There will be 2 US winners of one (1) eBook copy of Unexpected: Short Stories from Around the World by P. F Citizen One. This is subject to change without notification. The giveaway begins on November 20th and runs through December 3rd, 2016.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

SPOOKY READS HALLOWEEN BASH GIVEAWAY!!


READS HALLOWEEN BASH GIVEAWAY!

Greetings everyone! It's that time of the year when the leaves are falling,  there is pumpkin everywhere ( as well as clowns, it would seem), a crispness to the air and a time to enjoy some spooky reads!

I've partnered with Literary Litter and a multitude of  immensely talented authors and a few publishers to bring you a wonderful variety of spooky reads to win!  So let's get to it!

Ascent of the Unwanted by Nathan Boyce - Autographed Print Copy
Exit Strategy by L.F. Falconer - Autographed Print Copy
Trinity by Paige Ambroziak - 1 Print copy
Coldheart by Justin Robinson - 1 Print copy
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
Vampire Esquire's War Book 1 & 2 by Michael Wells Jr
At Hell's Gate by many authors
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Treasure Island: Zombies by Phillip Tomasso
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Treasure Island: Zombies by Phillip Tomasso
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
10 Random E copies from Satalyte Publishing
Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree
All Darling Children by Katrina Saete 

Grand Prize 1 - Sponsored by Literary Litter
Ghostbuster Set, Assorted Snacks and Steve Kuhn Zombie Series (Ecopy)

Grand Prize 2 - Sponsored by Minding Spot
Jack Skellington Travel Mug, Pumpkin Spice Tea, $5 Amazon GC

Grand Prize 3 - Sponsored by Ragnarok Publishing

All eBooks: Jennifer Brozek - 1 The Last Days of Salton Academy, Edward M. Erdelac - 1 Emergence, Seth Skorkowsky - 1 each of the Valducan Series + 1 audio credit for Damoren, C.T Phipps - 1 Audible credit for Cthulhu Armageddon, James Walley - 1 Forty First Wink, Michael Pogach - 1 The Spider in the Laurel, Rob J Hayes - 1 The Heresy Within + 1 Audible code, Marquit/Martin/Soward - The Dead West Omnibus 1, Edited by J.M Martin - Blackguards.



Monday, August 29, 2016

Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree with Giveaway!



Iris thought she could ignore the shadows…until they came after everyone she loved.

Seventeen-year- old Iris Kohl has been able to see both dark and light figures ever since a tragic incident three years ago. The problem is, no one else seems to see them, and even worse…the dark figures terrorize humans, but Iris is powerless to stop them. 

Although she’s learned to deal with watching shadows harass everyone around her, Iris is soon forced to question everything she thinks she knows about her world and herself. Her sanity, strength, and will power are tested to the limits by not only the shadows, but also a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows, a new friend with an awe-inspiriting aura, and a mysterious, alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend. As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, Iris must ultimately accept the guidance of an angel to revisit the most horrific event of her life and become the hero she was meant to be.



My thoughts - - Crabtree's debut will keep you up late immersed in a world of secrets, shadows and mystery. Not only are the characters modern and realistic, but they are bright,  unique and palpable.  What drove me to keep turning the pages beyond the great writing and characters, though, is the purpose of discovering what happened to Iris in her past to give her this rare affinity to see the shadows.

How Iris adjusts her life with the shadows, the glowing light figures and the addition of peer pressure is a testament to her inner-strength.  Her friends really are great support for her and although sometimes teens will do as teens do, there are many messages within Shadow Eyes to relate to the teenage reader.  However, as an adult, I found myself enthralled with the storyline and can't wait for the next in the series.  And just a warning - big cliffhanger! Love em and hate em! Dusty Crabtree has ensconced herself firmly in the young adult genre and I can't wait to see what she has in store next!


Dusty Crabtree loves a good story, but she also loves young people. These two loves are evident in all parts of her life. She has been a high school English teacher since 2006 and a creative writing teacher since 2014. She's also been a youth sponsor at her local church for as long as she’s been teaching. She feels very blessed with the amazing opportunities she has to develop meaningful relationships with teens on a daily basis. With her love of reading in the mix, becoming an author of young adult books was just a natural development of those two passions in her life. She lives with her husband, Clayton, in Yukon, Oklahoma, where they often serve their community as foster parents.
Check out Dusty’s blog 
Find her on facebook 
Follow her on twitter 
Follow her on Instagram – dustycrabtree12
Check out Shadow Eyes on Goodreads 
View the book trailer at Shadow Eyes Book Trailer 

buy Shadow Eyes on Amazon or other major online bookstores like Barnes&Noble and Apple (print will also be available on Amazon by the release date – 9/2/16)
Apple -