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Monday, June 30, 2014

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Lost Then Found by Christina Freeburn


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour, hosted by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, for Lost Then Found by Christina Freeburn.  Please leave a comment or question for Christina to let her know you stopped by.  My review of Lost Then Found will post tomorrow. 



The Self-Rescue Princess Heroine
By Christina Freeburn
         
When I first started writing inspirational fiction, I wanted to create heroines who were in the role of protector rather than being saved by the hero. It wasn’t easy as traditional publishers of Christian and inspirational fiction wanted woman-in-jeopardy type of storylines.  
Women often find themselves in the role of protector during their lifetime, so I wanted to portray those types of heroines in my books. I wanted to show that women, even Christian women, were capable of changing their lives on their own, and didn’t need to wait around for a man to better their circumstance.

For me, a heroine is a self-rescuing princess not just by kicking butt, or not needing anyone, but a willingness to confront the problems in their personalities and life. I wanted to write about heroines who wouldn’t allow anyone to push them around, yet weren’t a “my way or the highway” kind of person.

I enjoy reading about heroines who embrace themselves flaws and all, even when being truly, completely themselves has others judging them for it. I love heroine who know they are flawed and see not only the flaws in others, but also in themselves and work on changing those characteristics. 

A self-rescuing princess heroine isn’t one who is all good, pure, and never makes a mistake, but one who has struggled with the world – and herself – and decides to grow and change because she wants more from life. She doesn’t wait around for someone to lead the way for her, but goes and finds it herself and fights through the obstacles others (and maybe even herself) puts in her way.

Christina is the author of the New Beginnings Series published by Desert Breeze Publishing. The books in the series are: Lost Then Found, Led Astray, Safe and Sound, Long Gone, and Far and Away. She is also the author of the Scrap This Mystery Series published by Henery Press.  

Lost Then Found
By Christina Freeburn
New Beginnings, Book 1

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc
Release Date: April 13, 2014
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Paperback: 180 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1612527505
E-Book File Size: 479 KB
ASIN: B0061XJJKC
Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Desert Breeze

Add to Goodreads

About the book:

The hope of a future for the broken begins in Mourning.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight’s life plan changed upon her sister’s murder. Instead of using her skills to find people, Renee opened New Beginnings a firm specializing in “vanishing” abused women. Now her ex-husband -and former business partner – Jonas Knight reenters her life asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and intends to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client’s reason for finding his niece.

In order to uncover the secret a teenager girl disappeared to keep, and a killer wants silenced, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of teenage girl – and their own.

Excerpt

She entered into the small room and Jonas followed, stepping into the dark office. The room had one small window near the top of the wall. A coat of dust blocked out most of the sunshine.

“Thanks for talking to me.”

“Hold the thanks.” Renee pressed the door closed then turned to face him. Renee jabbed a finger toward a plush chair across the room. “Sit.”
Without a word, Jonas complied.

Sweat coated her hands and her stomach clenched. Give her a screaming, profanity-spewing ex-husband of one of her clients instead of an indifferent and calm Jonas Knight. To hide the tremble wanting to buckle her knees, she slid onto the desk and thumped her heels against the marred wooden legs of the hand-me-down furniture.

“All I want to do is help you.” Jonas leaned forward, decreasing their distance.

“I can handle a man like Howard.” She scooted back a few inches. “And I did. I don’t need you showing up here putting my staff and my clients in danger. What if he followed you again? I thought you were better than that.” The baiting words flowed from her before thought stopped the spitefulness.

Blankness filled his gray eyes. Jonas steepled his fingers and pressed them against his lips. Renee had always assumed the lack of readable emotions came from being a top-notch skip tracer, not an ingrained personality trait. She learned otherwise, discovering love couldn’t…and wouldn’t…change it.

She pressed her hands onto the wooden top to stave off the tremor building in her body. “I have no information for you. I want you to stop harassing me. Leading people to me.”

His brows rose. “Little dramatic, aren’t you? This is not harassment. This is one professional coming to talk to another professional about a common case.”

“We have nothing in common.”

A hint of an unreadable emotion jumped in his eyes. “We have a lot in common. Denying it doesn’t change the fact.”

Something fluttered in her heart, and she refused to acknowledge it enough to define it. “We’re not here to talk about us.”

Jonas settled into the chair and rested one jean-clad leg on top of the other. “Aren’t we? Isn’t this whole issue about us?”

Renee clenched her hands, knuckles jamming into the desk. Pinpricks of pain traveled up her arms. Why did Jonas turn everything into a battle? “Not on my end. Is it on yours?”

A smile inched up the corners of Jonas’ mouth. Her heart fluttered. His smile always affected her. The first time she saw it, he stood in front of the classroom listing his credentials. The grin grabbed her and reeled her in. She focused on the shape of his mouth rather than the words coming out of it. The paper in front of her remained blank, and she had to take that particular seminar again. The next time, she chose a different instructor as the handsome, renegade Jonas Knight distracted her attention and captured her heart.

In three months, he swept her off her feet and to the altar. Her heart had never known such happiness. A memory of her sister’s funeral trickled into her mind. Or pain. Jonas had stood beside her, arms crossed, staring into the distance without a flicker of emotion on his face or in his eyes. Renee had needed the feel of his arms around her, to lean on him and gather strength, but Jonas denied her comfort that day. He closed himself off to her, to her parents, to Alex. Her husband turned himself into a stranger the day she needed him most.


About This Author:

Christina Freeburn is a full-time writers and focuses on stories with characters, especially heroines, overcoming their pasts and striving to help the down-trodden turn around their lives. The stories are sometimes told with humor, other times serious, but always with heart.

The New Beginning Series includes the books: LOST THEN FOUND, LED ASTRAY, SAFE AND SOUND, LONG GONE, and FAR AWAY.

She lives in West Virginia with her husband, children, dog, and rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid or allergic to felines.

Author Links:




Tour Participants
June 30 – Queen of All She Reads – Guest Post - Review July 1
July 1 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
July 1 – i blog 4 books – Review, Giveaway
July 2 – readalot – Review
July 3 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
July 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
July 4 – off
July 5 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s blog – Guest Post
July 6 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway
July 7 – deal sharing aunt – Interview


Bewitching Blog Tour & Giveaway for Dangerous Reflections by Shay West


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Blog Tour, presented by Bewitching Book Tours, for Dangerous Reflections by Shay West.  Please leave a comment or question for Shay to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.

Dangerous Reflections
By Shay West
Adventures of Alexis Davenport Series, Book One

Publisher:  Booktrope
Date of Publication:  June 23, 2014
Genre:  Young Adult/Teen Fantasy
Length:  212 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-62015-404-5
ASIN:  B00L2MQKP4
Cover Artist:  Shari Ryan

Buy Links:  Amazon * B&N

Add to Goodreads


About the book:

Alexis Davenport wants to go home. She hates her new school, her mother for moving her away from her friends, and her father for walking out.

To make matters worse, Alex is haunted by images of strange girls reflected in her mirror. It’s bad enough juggling homework, a relentless bully, boys, and a deadbeat dad; now, she must save the world from an evil presence hell-bent on changing the past – and our futures. Who knew her A+ in history was going to be this important?

Excerpt

“Let’s go, Alex! We can’t start the party without the birthday girl, ya know.” Jennifer said, knowing exactly why Alex was holding back. She knew the only reason Beau was nice to Alex was so she would do his homework. He would flash his pearly whites and Alex would sigh and tell him the answers. She also knew he would never in a million years come to Alex’s party, but she didn’t have the heart to say so. She figured the only way for Alex to find out was for him to just not show up.

Alex heard footsteps coming from behind and whirled, ready to tease Beau for keeping her waiting, and her breath caught in her throat.

It was Catelyn and a group of the cheerleaders, holding a piece of paper and laughing hysterically. When Catelyn spotted Alex and her friends her eyes narrowed and she whispered conspiratorially with the other girls.

“Oh, look! If it isn’t little miss birthday girl,” Catelyn looked Alex up and down, a look of disgust on her face.   "Apparently your parents can’t afford to even get you decent clothes for your birthday. Lame.”

Alex was in fact wearing a new outfit she had just purchased with the money she had earned from working at her aunt’s store.

Catelyn widened her eyes. “Oh, sorry! I said parents. I meant to say mother. Must be tough, having a father just up and leave, and having to rely on the pity of your aunt to get by.”

Alex couldn’t breathe. Catelyn’s words were like slaps to the face. Alex could feel them like actual physical blows.

“You shut up about my family.” How did she find out about my dad leaving?


“I wouldn’t exactly call you and your mom a “family”, but whatever.”  Catelyn waved her hand dismissively. She beckoned to the other girls who were laughing and texting on their touch-screen phones.


Alex’s friends had formed a circle around her, as if trying to protect her. Jennifer and Amy stood to either side of her. Jennifer looked like she was going to cry.

“Just leave us alone,” Amy said.

Catelyn turned and glanced at the piece of paper in her hand. “Beau wanted me to give this to you,” She tossed the paper at Alex’s feet. She laughed and said loud enough for Alex to hear her: “She actually thought he would come. I don’t think I have seen anything more sad and ridiculous.”

Alex couldn’t breathe, even after the girls had left, the door closing off the sound their laughter. She didn’t make a move to pick up the paper. She knew it was her invitation, crumpled up like it was garbage.

Guess he thinks I am nothing but garbage too. Alex hugged herself as she turned to go.

“I don’t feel like having a party. Sorry guys.” Alex cried as she ran for the door.


About the Author: 


Shay West was born in Longmont, CO and earned a doctorate degree in Human Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical. Dr. West currently lives in Grand Junction, CO with her two cats. When not writing novels, she plays with plushie microbes and teaches biology classes at Colorado Mesa University.

She is the author of the Portals of Destiny series and the Adventures of Alexis Davenport series. She has also been published in several anthologies: Battlespace (military scifi), Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior (fundraiser), and Ancient New (steampunk/fantasy).

You can find Dr. West and more of her work at Shay-West.com.












Tour Schedule

June 23 Letter to the Readers of Night Owl Reviews
Night Owl Reviews

June 23 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!  http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com

June 24 Spotlight
More Romance Please

June 24 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

June 25 Guest blog
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

June 25 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt

June 26 Guest blog
Mia Hoddell


June 26 Spotlight
The Writer's Nook

June 27 Guest blog
Fang-tastic Books

June 27 Spotlight
Cassandra M's Place 

June 30 Spotlight (possible review)
Mom With A Kindle

June 30 Spotlight
Queen of All She Reads 

Friday, June 27, 2014

Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tour for The Gull Motel by Amie Denman


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour, hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours, for The Gull Motel by Amie Denman.  Please leave a comment or question for Amie to let her know you stopped by.  You can follow the rest of her tour here.

The Gull Motel
by Amie Denman
A Barefoot Book

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Release date: May 29, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 143 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-62237-271-3
ASIN: BOOKNDYR90

Add to Goodreads

Buy links:  Amazon * B&N * Smashwords * Turquoise Morning *
All Romance eBooks




About the book:  

Savvy Thorpe needs a vacation. Finally finished with college, she heads to her favorite shabby motel on Florida’s Gulf Coast where her aunt and uncle always save her room twenty-four. She quickly finds out, though, that The Gull Motel is not just her home away from home. It’s hers to manage while her aunt and uncle take an extended trip.

Skip McComber, The Gull’s former maintenance man, has been working on Savvy’s nuts and bolts for years. Now the new owner of the bar next door, his mission is to renovate a pirate bar while being a walking temptation for the girl he can’t get off his mind.

For Savvy, keeping her cool running a motel in Florida heat is one thing, but navigating the steamy waters of a former fling takes a whole other kind of savvy. In addition to the motel and the man next door, Savvy stumbles on a plot to swindle land from the residents of Barefoot Key. Devalued properties tumble like dominoes until Savvy musters her colorful crew from The Gull Motel to make the pillagers walk the plank.


About the Author:

Amie Denman lives in a small town in her native Ohio with her husband and sons. Her two cats and large yellow labrador are kind enough to share a sunny office where she lets her imagination run wild. Reading books was her favorite escape as a child, and growing up four houses away from the community library encouraged her addiction. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys walking and running outside. The helpless victim of a lifetime of curiosity, she's been known to chase fire trucks on her bicycle just to see what's going on. Amie believes that everything is fun: especially roller coasters, wedding cake, and falling in love. 

Amie is the author of five contemporary romance novels: 
The Gull Motel
Blue Bottle Beach
Her Lucky Catch
Her Lucky Prize
Will Work for Love
He’s on Her Trail

Please visit her at www.amiedenman.com
On Twitter @amiedenman

A perfect summer beach book, The Gull Motel by Amie Denham is a light, sweetly romantic look at two friends who spent their summers growing up together and realize there’s more to their friendship than meets the eye.  Set in Florida around the Eastern coastline, Ms. Denham’s story is filled with interesting characters, light humor, and a real-estate mystery too.  Hopefully we’ll see this setting and characters again.

Recent college graduate Savannah “Savvy” Thorpe heads for the Gull Motel on the Florida coast while waiting to find out if she’ll be accepted for a prestigious training position at the hotel of her dreams.  Owned by her Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike, Savvy has spent most of her summers at the Gull Motel and grew up there along with the hotel’s “repair” man Skip McComber, the son of a local business owner.  Friends, who’ve always been close, Savvy and Skip have crossed the “more than friends” line once and neither knows what to do about it.  Spending her vacation running her aunt and uncle’s hotel wasn’t a part of Savvy’s summer plans.  Neither was falling in love with Skip and discovering a real-estate scam swindling property owners of Barefoot Bay.

Ms. Denham does a great job developing both Savvy and Skip’s characters; it’s clear from the start that they have great emotional and physical chemistry.  While they are both clearly attracted to each other, they had a one night fling during Savvy’s last Spring Break, neither one has reached out to the other since.  Spending the summer in close proximity, they’ll have to decide if they want to take their relationship from friends to something more.  Ms. Denham also does a good job developing the romance between the two characters and it’s sweet to watch their relationship grow. 

Ms. Denham does a good job developing the secondary characters and I really enjoyed getting to know the long time employees of the Gull Motel.  I especially enjoyed getting to know Rita, the receptionist slash assistant manage, and LeeAnn and Maria, the two full times maids.  While they are employees, they are also Savvy’s friends and give her advice, whether she needs it or not.  The mystery takes a back seat until about half way through the story but begins to pick up the pace and it was fun watching Savvy and her “gang” confront the city manager about what was going on.

Will Savvy be able to stop the crooked land scheme that might ruin their businesses and change the Barefoot Bay they know into the next Miami?  Will Savvy and Skip’s relationship turn into something more permanent?  You’ll have to read The Gull Motel to find out.  I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Denham’s work.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns




FTC Discolosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Book Blast & Giveaway for True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager

True Colors Cover
True Colors 
By Krysten Lindsay Hager

Publisher: Astraea Press Publishing
Release Date: June 16, 2014
Genre: Older YA/NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 245 Pages
ISBN: 9781621353027
ASIN: B00L2G0YJS

Buy Links: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords * Kobo


About the book: 


Landry Albright enters a modeling competition with her two best friends, but runs into jealousy when she advances to the next level without them. Enter the gorgeous Devon, who also makes the first cut of the modeling contest. Devon seems like the perfect new best friend, but can their friendship survive the competition? Throw in a new boy, jealousy and loyalty issues, and insults from hair stylists. How’s a girl to deal?

Excerpt

The competition was for girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, but it felt like Ericka, Tori, and I were the youngest ones there. I only saw a couple of girls from school, and the lineup looked more like something you’d see on a music video set. All the girls were gorgeous, and they had these curvy womanly bodies. I looked like a skinny little kid next to them.

The first girl walked out, and I heard the judges say she “owned the runway,” and, “walked like a gazelle.” I was starting to feel ill. I wasn’t sure which way it was going to come, but I knew I had to find a bathroom — fast. I started to get out of line when Ericka grabbed my wrist. “It’s almost time,” she said. A tiny bit of spit flew out of her mouth and hit my cheek. I wasn’t sure why she was so intent on me going through with it, but she had a death grip on my arm, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

Her number was called and she walked out to the stage. One of the other girls said she walked like a kid with sand bucket stilts on her feet, but she came back with a smirk on her face like she knew she’d get chosen. “They said they had never seen such long legs,” she said. Tori was next. “She walks like a gorilla at feeding time,” said the girl behind me. I went next, and I tried to focus on not tripping over my feet. My mom’s pumps had a rubber sole on the bottom, which probably wasn’t the brightest idea seeing as my shoes were making squeaking noises as I walked.

I was so nervous I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked. I looked like the plastic clown who blows up balloons with its mouth at the Pizza Palace. When I got to the end of the runway, I tried to cross my feet to turn like the other girls had, but I over rotated and ended up doing a full spin which made my kilt fan out and gave the mall walkers a view of my blue underpants. I tried to act like it was intentional and did an extra turn. One of the judges put her hand up to stop me, and I held my breath as she started to speak.







add to goodreads






Author Biography:  Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and also writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. Her debut novel, TRUE COLORS, will be out June 17th from Astraea Press. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows.



book blast button
     

Blast Giveaway 
  • $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/8/14
  • 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 publisher.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

Goddess Fish Super Book Blast & Giveaway for Ten Brides for Ten Heroes


Welcome to my stop on the Super Book Blast, hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions, for the Ten Brides for Ten Heroes Boxed Set.  Please leave a comment or question for the authors to let them know you stopped by.  The authors will be awarding two $25 Amazon GCs to randomly drawn winners via Rafflecopter.  You can follow the rest of the tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.  


Ten Brides for Ten Heroes
By Teresa Ragan, Donna Fasano, Patrice Wilson
Rebecca York, Helen Scott Taylor, Rita Heron,
Mona Risk, Annie Jones, Alicia Street, and Mimi Barbour

Publisher: Hard Knocks Books
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 1450 Pages
ISBN:  978-1-93900-025-5
ASIN:  B00KXFTOJU

Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes



About the book: 

Ten Brides for Ten Heroes spans the gamut of the ever-popular wedding romance genre—from heartwarming laughter to thrilling adventure, from sweet to steamy. This 10-book bundle features novels by New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. So get ready to toss the bouquet and say, "I do!" as ten brides risk it all to find their happy ever after. 

Patrice Wilton:

Wedding Fever by Patrice Wilton - The romantic comedy series, Serendipity Falls.
Mila O’Reilley owns Wedding Fever, a bridal boutique in Serendipity Falls Mall. She sells more than dresses, she sells dreams along with the belief in happily-ever-after – a sentiment she personally doesn’t share. Can a jaded bridal consultant and a cynical news reporter uncover the true mystery of Serendipity Falls without being swept away in the madness?

Find Patrice at: www.patricewilton.com

Helen Scott Taylor:

The Army Doctor's Wedding by Helen Scott Taylor - The Army Doctor's Series
Major Cameron Knight throws himself into the danger of front-line, battlefield medicine to keep the demons from his past away. When he rescues an injured charity worker who's saved a tiny newborn baby, he marries her so they can take the orphan back home for surgery. With this brave woman he finally has the chance to redeem himself and find love.


Mona Risk:

Wedding Surprise by Mona Risk – The Holiday Babies Series
Claire and David faced many challenges over the years. Finally, Claire's dream of a wonderful white wedding to the man she loves is about to come true. Two weeks before the wedding, Adriana, the high-school classmate who’s tried to snatch David several times, makes an announcement that threatens to destroy the couple's happiness. Is Claire and David’s love for each other strong enough to turn the worst wedding surprise into the best?

Find Mona at: www.monarisk.com

Alicia Street:

Tomboy Bride by Alicia Street – The Dance 'n' Luv Series   
Kendra returns home for her brother’s wedding determined to get her age-old crush to finally see her as more than a tomboy. But will her game of making him jealous with a hot and handsome faux-beau make him fall for her—or backfire and leave her in ashes?


Rebecca York:

Destination Wedding, by Rebecca York – The Decorah Security Series
From the moment Nick Cassidy signed on as one one of Camille Norland’s bodyguards, sexual sparks flew between them. Although determined to keep his emotional distance from her, Nick is forced to admit his real feelings when she’s kidnapped by a ruthless Russian mobster with matrimony in mind.  Can Nick rescue her before the wedding night?  Can they escape from Victor Zanov’s tropical island death trap?  And can they come to terms with their complicated relationship?

Find Rebecca at: www.rebeccayork.com

Annie Jones:

Summer of Love by Annie Jones
Brides, Beehives and Barbecue! Can mother daughter mayhem be far behind? Bless her heart, it's 1967 and a determined southern bride isn't sure love is really all she needs.

Find Annie at: http://theanniejones.com/

Donna Fasano:

Return of the Runaway Bride by Donna Fasano
Savanna returns to her hometown to explain why she fled on her wedding day, but she never imagined how her escape all those years ago changed Daniel. Can she make him understand—and forgive?

Find Donna at: www.DonnaFasano.com

Rita Herron:

Single & Searching by Rita Herron
A woman looking for love... A reporter looking for a story... A mad rush to find a criminal... When the truth comes out and danger strikes, will they succumb to the passion burning between them?

Find Rita at: www.ritaherron.com

Theresa Ragan:

Here Comes the Bride by Theresa Ragan
Samantha Johnston, a reporter for the LA Beat, attends the wedding of one of America’s hottest actors in hopes of learning the identity of his mystery bride, and ends up saying, “I do.”

Find Theresa at: www.theresaragan.com

Mimi Barbour:

Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour – The “Elvis” Series
After her year in Texas as an exchange student, Annie leaves pregnant and heartbroken. Nine years later she returns to introduce her eight-year-old son to his American family. And to the man who still haunts her dreams – the handsome, embittered rancher who never knew he’d fathered a son.

Find Mimi at: www.mimibarbour.com