Book Blast for Orphans, Assassins & the Existential Eggplant by J.T. Gillett

Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant

by J.T. Gillett

Publication Date: February 19, 2015 

Publisher: Homunculus Press 

Formats: Kindle eBook, Paperback 

ISBN-13: 978-0692391662 

Pages: 279 

 Genre: Historical Fiction 

      

About the book:

Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant explores the quirky side of historical fiction. The novel takes you on wild ride through the early 13th century with a female alchemist, orphan teenager and a 600-year-old, shrunken eggplant that can speak to whomever wears it. 

In search of the fabled Lost Stone of Eden, they cross Europe and the Mediterranean with the Children's Crusade, hijack a caravan in the Sahara desert, live with hashish-fueled Assassins in the mountains of Persia,  and rediscover paradise on the island of Bahrain.

EXCERPT

Aaron and the girls slept for a few hours during the hottest part of the day, then rode through the evening and the entire night, taking only a few breaks to rest the camels. They didn't catch up to any slow-moving caravans, come upon an oasis or see fires in the night. Everything around them seemed the same, day after day.

Same mirrored sky.

Same scorching sun.

Same sound of camel farting and plodding.

Same sad, ivory scent of emptiness.

"Are we dead?" asked Donatelle as they shared the last of the water. They were sitting atop a tall dune and could see nothing but more dunes in every direction.

"Do you feel dead?" Aaron had to ask, knowing that in the middle of this terminal landscape, it was a good question.

"I can't tell because I don't know what it's like to be dead, but it might be like this. Just nothing," Donatelle shrugged.

"Death is much different?  and much luckier?" guessed the eggplant.

Aaron hoped the eggplant was right, but he chose a different answer for Donatelle, "Whenever I?m not sure, I listen for my heartbeat. The pounding inside me says I'm alive in this world and even though we're in a dead place, we'll survive. We'll find something soon, or something will find us."

Something took the form of a humming dark cloud on the horizon. They watched as it grew darker, stretched across the dunes and started to roar like steady, rolling thunder.

Praise for Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant

"Good stories rise and fall like empires in the endless pursuit of happiness, like armies of lovers marching to paradise - good stories change the world." So begins Part One of Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant. This book is such a good read. I read it on the plane to Hawaii, and it soared with me through the sky. My wife kept asking what was so funny as I giggled and laughed in my seat. This story changed me, in that flying is such a drag these days, and this book kept coming up with surprises, weaving together stories of gods, goddesses, orphans and assassins, the pursuit of the unattainable, and existential conundrums. I have had the opportunity to read some of Mr Gillett's poetry (especially "This is My Last Poem" - I hope this is not his last novel), and in this novel, he brings his poetic ability to sublimely transport the reader to new views of the mundane, new opportunities for transformation, and new ways of understanding my own self. What more could I ask for in a book. Steal this book if you need to, but get it and read it with joy." - Paul Rerucha, Amazon Reviewer 

"I don't read a ton of books for pleasure but I did read this one on the recommendation of a friend. It kept me captivated and I ended up finishing it in 2.5 days. This is the kind of book that makes me want to read more often." - B. H., Amazon Reviewer

Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant Available at Amazon

Kindle eBook    Paperback

About the Author

J.T Gillett holds degrees in philosophy and journalism from the University of Oregon and studied at Naropa Institute?s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. His stories and poems have appeared in a variety of Literary Journals, including City Lights Journal, edited by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. For more information please visit the Orphans and Assassins website and blog.

Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant Book Blast Schedule

Monday, June 22
Passages to the Past
Tuesday, June 23
100 Pages a Day
Wednesday, June 24
Unshelfish
To Read, Or Not to Read
Queen of All She Reads
Thursday, June 25
Boom Baby Reviews
Friday, June 26
Book Nerd
What Is That Book About
Saturday, June 28
Diana's Book Reviews
Sunday, June 29
The Never-Ending Book
Tuesday, June 30
A Book Geek
CelticLady's Reviews
Wednesday, July 1 Room With Books
Thursday, July 2
Just One More Chapter
Friday, July 3
Thoughts From an Evil Overlord

Virtual Tour & #Giveaway for Footprints in the Frosting by Laura Pauling

Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Tour, presented by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, for Footprints in the Frosting by Laura Pauling.  Please leave a comment or question for Laura to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway, for an Amazon GC, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  You can also follow all of the stops on Laura’s tour by clicking on the banner above.  The more stops you visit, the better your chances of winning.

Footprints in the Frosting

By Laura Pauling

Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series, Book 1

Publisher:  Redpoint Press (ebook) Laura Pauling (Print)

Release Date:  May 3, 2015

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length:  194 Pages

ISBN:  978-1511658102

ASIN:   B00X457QW8

About the book:

Introducing the Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series!!

Cheesecake, Love, and Murder!

It’s the Grand Opening for Holly Hart’s new business, Just Cheesecake. When footprints in the frosting lead to a body face down in one of her cheesecakes, Holly becomes a prime suspect.

With her opening day delayed, Holly deals with a nosy no-good reporter and the local cop, the handsome Officer Trinket, as she puts her sleuthing skills to the test to save her business and her name. With the help of her dog, Muffins, she needs to find the real murderer, before the killer looks to frost someone else.

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

A comedic cozy in a small town setting, Footprints in the Frosting by Laura Pauling is full of colorful characters, a cute little “crime hound” and plenty of laughs.  The first book in a new series, Footprints in Frosting is lighthearted and the perfect beginning for the Holly Hart character.  Teasing the reader with descriptions of tasty coffees and pastries, this is a quickly paced book which can easily be read in a couple of hours. 

Ms. Pauling does a good job developing her primary character, Holly Hart, right from the start.  A woman, whose dreams of living in a small town, owning her own business, and living life on her own terms, Holly is young, attractive and a more than adequate baker.  When a dead body is discovered in her new “Just Cheesecake” shop right before its grand opening, by her mischievous dog no less, Holly finds herself the talk of the town, the prime suspect and the focus of the local newspaper’s headlines.  I easily connected with Holly and found her to be a real gem.  She’s got a wicked sense of humor, an inquisitive mind and refuses to be sidelined by adversity.

The secondary characters were very colorful and I found them to be a real hoot!  From Officer Trent Trinket, whose mother turns out to be the “crazy cat lady” in town, to Mason Carlton, the scion of the town’s richest family and a fellow suspect, to the town’s newspaper reporter, Millicent, who first approaches Holly as a “friend” and then proceeds to paint her as the “out-of-towner”, who makes the best suspect.  The mystery portion of the book is very well done and takes several twists and turns and features more than one dead body.

Who will solve the murders that began at “Just Cheesecake”?  Will it be Officer Trent?  Or will Holly’s private investigation lead her to discover the killer’s identity?  You’ll have to read Footprints in the Frosting to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this cozy series.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns 

About the Author

Laura Pauling writes about spies, murder and mystery. She’s the author of the young adult Circle of Spies Series, the Prom Impossible Series, the time travel mysteries, Heist and A Royal Heist, and the Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series: Footprints in the Frosting and Deadly Independence with more coming.

She lives the cover of a suburban mom/author perfectly, from the minivan to the home-baked snickerdoodles, while hiding her secret missions and covert operations. But shh. Don’t tell anyone. And she may or may not actually bake cookies. You decide.

Visit Laura at http://laurapauling.com to sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Holly Hart cozy mystery novella.

Author Links

Website/blog

Newsletter

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

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Release Blitz & #Giveaway for Unlikely Allies by C.C. Koen

Unlikely Allies 

by C.C. Koen 

Publication Date: June 13, 2015 

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Buy Links:  Amazon • B&N • Kobo • iBooks

About the book:   

What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?

Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts.

Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?

Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multi-billion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder.

Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one. Two auburn beauties stumble into his life. One will break his heart. The other—heal it.

Will he love or leave them?

About C.C. Koen

C.C. Koen writes contemporary romance with a twist. An avid reader who enjoys mystery and suspense, her stories will never be what you expect. Determined to find adventure in her dreams and life, she enjoys skydiving, sailing and any activity that challenges her. Teacher by day, romance writer at night produce an active imagination that comes to life in her writing.

Website • Blog • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

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Virtual Book Tour w/Excerpt for Tragically Broken by N.J. Danner

Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour, presented by Reading Addiction Book Tours, for Tragically Broken by N.J. Danner.  Please leave a comment or question for N.J. to let her know you stopped by.  You can follow all of the stops on N.J.'s tour by clicking on the banner above.

Tragically Broken
by N.J. Danner

Publisher:  N.J. Danner
Release Date:   February 28, 2015(2nd Edition_)
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Length:  292 Pages (97,820 Words)
ASIN:  B00U4X2QH8
ISBN:  978-1-310176067

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON * B&N * KOBO * SMASHWORDS



About the book:  

Tragedy destroyed Alex Kohen’s life, until fate offered her a chance to escape her nightmares and possibly find love…

Beautiful, compassionate Dr. Alex Kohen had the perfect life – until, in an instant, it was tragically ripped from her. Plagued by her demons, Alex moves to a new city and devotes herself to her work and her patients. But her secrets continue to haunt her, making her afraid to build a future outside of her career. Convinced that her heart is irreparably broken, Alex has closed herself off to the possibility of love.

That is, until she meets sexy, confident Kellen Rhion ­– a wealthy CEO with a reputation as the ultimate playboy. Kellen, plagued by personal tragedies of his own, knows from the moment they meet that Alex is the woman he wants. And with patient determination, he slowly begins to break down her long-fortified defenses.

Although they meet under tragic circumstances, out of that catastrophe is born a connection that neither can deny. And despite the challenges of their demanding and busy careers, Alex and Kellen find the time to nurture their growing relationship. They struggle through obstacle after obstacle, including Kellen’s celebrity lifestyle and Alex’s emotional baggage.

But after Kellen’s supposed betrayal and brush with death, can Alex really trust him with her heart? And can Kellen accept that she will always, in a way, be broken?

EXCERPT

“Dance with me?” Kellen extended his hand.

“Seriously? To this? I can’t Irish dance.” She shook her head.

Ignoring her protests, Kellen stood and pulled her into his arms. They seemed to fit perfectly together, her nestling easily just below his chin. He guided her through the complicated moves, twirling her expertly. Alex was pleasantly surprised to find that Kellen was quite obviously a practiced dancer. No longer able to contain the happiness that had been building throughout the day, she started laughing – a real laugh, something she had not done in a long time.

Kellen pulled her close with a sparkle in his eyes. In the privacy of the balcony, there was only one thing he could do at that moment; he leaned in and softly pressed his lips to hers. With the alcohol buzzing through her system, Alex couldn’t think clearly enough to push him away, and truthfully, she didn’t know if she could have done so even with complete control of her faculties. He was an amazing kisser, and Alex’s breasts soon grew heavy with arousal, waves of heat shooting to her lower belly. His tongue softly caressed her lips, but she felt it in her most private parts. A moan escaped her, and Kellen’s onslaught became more aggressive. His hands gripped her small waist as if he feared she was an illusion.

Alex reached up to touch his tousled hair, as she had been yearning to do all night. It was as soft as she had imagined, like silk, and Kellen released an involuntary gasp of pleasure as she threaded her fingers through it. She could feel his hard length against her and leaned into it, craving the pleasure he could bring her.

Kellen ran his long fingers down the side of Alex’s face, her neck, her collarbone. When he reached her breasts, she froze. No one had touched her this way in years, and though she desperately wanted to continue, she knew she needed to stop. As gently as she could, she stepped back, resisting further advances. Understanding her intent, Kellen pulled her into an embrace; she rested her head on his chest, inhaling his scent.

After a moment, she pulled back far enough to look up at him. “I’m sorry, Kellen. This has been an amazing night, but I have to go. I have to work tomorrow. Thank you for dinner and…well…thank you.”

Kellen took her hand. “Let me see you home.”

“That’s really not necessary.” Alex, who had been living alone in the city for four years, was more than capable of getting home by herself.

“My grandmother raised me well, and she would roll over in her grave if I didn’t make sure you got home safely.” Kellen smiled, knowing she wouldn’t resist when he put it that way.

About the Author
If you have already read my book, then you have already seen into part of my soul. Each of my characters is a part of me. They each have some aspect of my personality, or represent who I wish I could be or would hate to be.

I have always been an avid reader, even as a child, and I’ve always loved to get lost in a good book. Reading a book would take over my life, and at times it still does. It is my addiction. Once I start a book, I cannot put it down until I know the end of the story … which may be a few books later. Same thing with writing – once the story pops into my head, I obsess about it until I have it down on paper. I have notes on scenes all over. Some have already been developed into a book, and some are waiting for the rest of the storyline to be written in order to find their journey and see where it ends.

For a decade, or more, I had to put all that creativity on hold while I dedicated my life to my professional career and creating my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and two angelic children. Supporting and nurturing them is now my number one priority.

Once my life reached a stable point, I was finally able to find time to rekindle my love of books. Twilight took me by storm, which then catapulted me to Fifty Shades of Grey. “It all started with a vampire who was replaced by a man with a whip.” Reading tales written by my favorite authors reignited my own creativity, my mind wandered into stories of my own, and now, amazingly, I am an author.

When my time is not consumed watching my daughter dance or my son play hockey, spending time with my husband, or working, I am lost in either reading a good book or writing. Disney World is my respite and I love all things Mickey. My family and friends are incredible people and support me in all that I do. I have learned that life is too short, and we have to take time to enjoy its simple pleasures.


Website: njdanner.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nj.danner

Twitter: twitter.com/NJDanner

KINDLE KANDY - June 19, 2015

Kindle Kandy is a Friday weekly bookish feature hosted by The Book Dame. We scan our shelves and e-readers to rediscover books we own that have not yet been read,  and have thus far been little more than shelf or Kindle Kandy. Too many books…too little time…..and all that jazz.  Please list one or two of your Kindle Kandy books in the comments or leave a link to your Kindle Kandy post below.  Don’t forget to link up at The Book Dame so you can check out all of the Kindle Kandy participants. 

Sushi for One

Camy Tang

The Sushi Series, Book 1 

Pub: September 1, 2007

'Sushi for One? is an entertaining romp into the world of multi-culturalism. I loved learning the idiosyncrasies of Lex's crazy family---which were completely universal. Enjoy!' ---Kristen Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

'In Lex Sakai, Camy Tang gives us a funny, plucky, volleyball-playing heroine with way too many balls in the air. I defy anyone to start reading and not root for Lex all the way to the story's romantic, super-satisfying end.' ---Trish Perry, author of The Guy I'm Not Dating

Sports-crazy Lex Sakai isn't too worried about "winning" the unofficial family title "Oldest Single Female Cousin" when her cousin Mariko marries in a few months. Her control-freak grandma is easy to ignore, until Grandma issues an ultimatum--if Lex can't find a date for Mariko's wedding, her ruthless Grandma will cut off funding to the girls' volleyball team that Lex coaches.

Lex isn't about to look desperate by dating every player in the dugout. She comes up with a stringent list of requirements from her Ephesians Bible study in her search for The Perfect Man. She always wins in volleyball--if she ups her game, she's sure to succeed.

Then her brother introduces her to non-Christian, non-athletic, no-immediate-physical-appeal Aiden.

Aiden's on the rebound from a girl named Trish, who dumped him because he wasn't Christian. Then he discovers that Lex is 1) not attracted to him at all, 2) Christian, and 3) Trish's cousin. No way is he hooking up with anyone from that crazy family, much less another hypocritical Christian chick. He's certainly not masochistic.

Time is running out for Lex, and no matter what she does, she can't find the right guy. Especially when she keeps running into Aiden everywhere. If only the list would stop getting longer and longer...

I got this as a kindle freebie back in 2010 and I've known I've had it for a while, I just haven't been able to get to it.  I did have my eyes on it and was planning on buying it and when it came up free - I had to snatch it.  It came highly recommended by my sister and I will get to it sooner or later.  

The Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romance 

by Trisha Telep, Editor

Anthology

Pub: May 11, 2010

Mary Burton's crime novel "Dying Scream" gives new meaning to the word suspense.

Adventurous stories of romance all feature the heroes of the Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Air Force Para-Rescue, Green Berets, Army Rangers, and other special forces. This collection includes the work of bestselling romance writers such as Laura Griffin, Marliss Melton, Cheyenne MacCray, Shannon K. Butcher, Stephanie Tyler, and Larissa Ione (writing as Sydney Croft).

I bought this as a pre-order on  March 29, 2010 right before it came out and I can't believe I forgot that I had this.  I forked over $10 to buy it in ebook form, which back then was a lot of money for an ebook.  I got it because I was reading the Sydney Croft series and Shannon K. Butcher's series.  I'm going to have to make time for this somehow. 

Have you read either of these books?  If so, what did you think? 

Don't forget to list your Kindle Kandy and link up!

Super Book Blast & #Giveaway for Aegis Incursion by s.S. Segran

Welcome to my stop on the Super Book Blast, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for Aegis Incursion by S.S. Segran.  Please leave a comment or question for S.S. to let her know you stopped by. You can enter her tour wide giveaway, for a $25 Amazon or B&N GC, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. You can follow the rest of the tour by clicking on the banner above.  The more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning. 

Aegis Incursion

By S. S. Segran

The Aegis League, Book 2

Publisher:  INKmagination Books

Release Date:  March 23, 2015

Genre:  Teen & YA Science Fiction Fantasy

Format:  Print & eBook

Length:  466 Pages (1176 KB)

ISBN:  978-0991081349
ASIN:  B00V56524W

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book: 

*** #1 AMAZON HOT NEW RELEASE (YA/Teen)***WORLDS COLLIDE . HEROES ARISE***

Great as a Standalone or as an Explosive Sequel to #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller,

 AEGIS RISING.

On a bright July morning in 1948, a B-29 Superfortress flying a top-secret research mission over Nevada crashes into the calm waters of Lake Mead and sinks, remaining lost for half a century.

It has been nearly a year since five friends - Jag, Kody, Mariah, Tegan and Aari - mysteriously reappeared in a small town in Yukon several weeks after their small plane went down in Northern Canada. All were found in good health but with no recollection of what happened to them after the crash.

A baffling contagion is spreading across the bread-basket of North America destroying vital crops. As this dark shadow marches across the globe, widespread famine and riots bring desperate nations to the brink of war.

These seemingly unrelated events set the stage for a battle between the forces of darkness and those destined to become the 'bearers of light'. From ravaged fields in the Great Plains to clandestine installations around the world, the Aegis League must race against time to save humanity.

*******************************************************

“Unique and compelling! With non-stop action, adventure and intrigue, Aegis Incursion will appeal to fans of Maze Runner, Percy Jackson and Hunger Games.” ~ Michael Beas - Bestselling Author of 'Strump: A World of Shadows'  

“S.S.Segran brings us a worthy sequel to her best-selling debut novel, Aegis Rising. Relentless action and gravity defying twists and turns hold the reader in a tight grip till the last page.” ~ Honore Gbedze - The SAGE Foundation  

"RECOMMENDED! A good sequel stands alone as a strong work without the accomplishments of its predecessors, but a great sequel inspires readers to go back and relive a book they've already read, and that is precisely what this book accomplishes."

~ The US Review of Books  

"FIVE STARS! A great book to dive into and a fantastic follow up to the first... One of the best things author S.S. Segran has done here is that the book can be read as a stand-alone. Highly recommended!" ~ Readers' Favorite Reviews

EXCERPT

…A sound in the distance snapped him out of his daydream. It was a low rumbling, like thunder, but that was impossible—the sky was still bright and cloudless. As the sound gradually became louder, Elwood was able to pinpoint the location and slowly looked toward the east. He squinted against the sun, then gasped when he saw a shimmering silhouette emerge from the glare…

…The aircraft thundered right over Elwood’s head, so near that the vortex of air created by the plane’s passing churned the water violently, capsizing the canoe and pitching him into the lake. He struggled and attempted to cry out, only to choke on water. He floundered back up to the surface and sputtered and spat as he tried to regain his bearings.

Catching sight of the plane as it boomed overhead, he watched, agape, as the aircraft hit the surface of the lake on its belly. The massive propellers struck the water, violently tearing three of the four engines away from the wings…

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

S.S.Segran spent a good chunk of her childhood exploring the enchanted forest of a million tales in the mystical land of books. In her early teens, she began crafting intriguing new worlds and conjuring up characters who came alive with the flick of her wand... err... pen. With the publication of her first novel in the Aegis League Series during her senior year of high school, she was surprised by the abundance of time that magically appeared right after graduation. She plans to use this newfound resource to expand the arc of the series. Her future plans include studying Cognitive Science at university and helping youths in developing countries realize their potential through her non-profit organization, Aegis League (www.aegisleague.org)

When not devouring a book or writing one, S.S.Segran can be found standing behind the cauldron of life, stirring a potion made up of chores, parkour, gaming, drawing, horseback riding and—having recently jumped off a perfectly fine airplane at fifteen thousand feet – perhaps skydiving.

WEBSITE: www.sssegran.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SegranBooks

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/aegisnovel

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