Thursday, March 26, 2015

The Godforsaken Daughter Blog Tour

Book Info:
The Godforsaken Daughter_McKennaWhen Ruby Clare's father was alive, they toiled together happily on their dairy farm in Northern Ireland. Since his death, Ruby—thirty-three, plump but comely—has been forced indoors and made a domestic drudge for Martha, her endlessly critical mother, and her prettier younger sisters, May and June.

But everything changes when Ruby finds her late grandmother's old case in the attic. Among its strange contents: a curious, handmade volume called The Book of Light.
As Ruby delves into its mysterious pages, she's enticed into a most beguiling world, whose allure and magnetic power she finds irresistible.

Martha, convinced that her newly empowered daughter is going crazy, enlists the help of the kindly parish priest, and then psychiatrist Henry Shevlin. Henry appears imperturbable, yet is inwardly reeling from his wife's unexplained disappearance the previous year.
As Ruby undergoes therapy, she meets local bachelor farmer Jamie McCloone. Through their shared loneliness and isolation the two find the courage to connect. But will Ruby's mother allow her daughter the happiness she so richly deserves?
The Godforsaken Daughter is an unforgettable peek into small-town life in Ireland's recent past. It's a glorious successor to McKenna's first two “Tailorstown” novels, The Misremembered Man and The Disenchanted Widow.

Author Info:
Christina McKennaChristina McKenna, a native of County Derry, Northern Ireland, is a graduate in Fine Arts and English. She loves to travel and write.

Writing books, she says, is a real challenge. It requires much inspiration and self-discipline. It is, however, emotionally and spiritually rewarding in ways she'd never dreamed of before she published her first book, "My Mother Wore a Yellow Dress," in 2004.

This was a memoir of her journey to adulthood, and of the extraordinary people who shared that journey, her dear departed mother in particular. Christina dedicated the book to her.

Her next project took the form of a novel, in her opinion the most difficult type of writing. The genesis of "The Misremembered Man" came to her in a particularly lucid dream -- evidence that, in some cases, dreams do indeed come true!

Contrary to certain press reports, the film rights to "The Misremembered Man" have not been sold.

The sequel, "The Disenchanted Widow," revisits Tailorstown, the setting for the first novel. It was published to great acclaim by Amazon on August 27, 2013.

Fans of "The Misremembered Man" will be pleased to learn that the sequel sees a return of the inimitable Rose McFadden, as well as a couple of minor characters from the same book. It also features an enigmatic parish priest, Father Cassidy, whom Christina based on an individual from her childhood. The situations and occurrences involving Cassidy are also based on actual events.

The paranormal holds tremendous interest for her. This is in part due to the fact that in her childhood she experienced a haunting when she was eleven years old.

This interest has produced two books so far. The first was entitled, "The Dark Sacrament," which she co-authored with her husband, David M. Kiely. The second is "Ireland's Haunted Women." Both recount recent cases of paranormal activity in Ireland, as seen through the eyes of the haunted and their "deliverers."

Christina has just released her third novel in the Tailorstown series. Entitled "The Godforsaken Daughter," it was published on St. Patrick's Day, 2015.

She's also updated and revised her 2004 memoir, "My Mother Wore a Yellow Dress," which is now available both as a paperback and a Kindle.



TOUR STOPS:
Monday, March 16th: Write, Meg!
Tuesday, March 17th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, March 19th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Friday, March 20th: Bell, Book, and Candle
Tuesday, March 24th: BookNAround
Wednesday, March 25th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Thursday, March 26th: The Avid Reader
Monday, March 30th: Mom in Love with Fiction
Wednesday, April 1st: WV Stitcher
Thursday, April 2nd: Joyfully Retired
Monday, April 6th: Unshelfish
Tuesday, April 7th: girlichef
Wednesday, April 8th: The Book Bag
Thursday, April 9th: My Bookshelf
Friday, April 10th: Peeking Between the Pages
Monday, April 13th: Patricia’s Wisdom
My review:
I very much enjoyed this book! It was different and mostly unique, I say mostly because it did remind me of Cinderella at times. The characters were well written, however I could not pick a favorite or one that I related to. What really makes the story the most interesting I think is when Ruby finds The Book of Light and the paranormal aspect is brought into the plot. This plot point really helps the book along, it made the book go from unenjoyable to me as a reader enjoying it very much! The only thing I really didn't like was the cover of the book. Its just so blah and not well put together in my opinion.

Final verdict:
I would recomend this book! It has a slow start but just keep with it you'll be glad you did. Its a fun book too! Perfect for spring break and summer reading!

 

Monday, March 23, 2015

New Uses for Old Boyfriends Blog Tour

Today I am participating in a blog tour for the book New Uses for Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick.
 
About New Uses for Old Boyfriends:
Description: NewUsesOldBF.jpgAfter growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily-ever-after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. Everything has changed in the past ten years, and it’s up to Lila to take care of everything...but she can barely take care of herself.

Even as Lila opens a vintage clothing shop and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for olddreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget...and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.
About Beth Kendrick:
Beth Kendrick is the author of ten novels, including Cure for the Common Breakup,The Week Before the Wedding, and The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service. She lives in Arizona with her family and a pair of unruly rescue dogs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                         
 
 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

The Witch of Painted Sorrows Blog Tour and Giveaway

Author M. J. Rose

The Witch of Painted Sorrows coveron Tour March 15-April 3, 2015 with

The Witch of Painted Sorrows

(historical suspense / paranormal)

Release date: March 17, 2015 by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster ISBN: 978-1476778068 Hardcover, 384 pages also available as ebook
***
 

SYNOPSIS

Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle poque Paris. Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmothers Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it?s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect.

Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine?s deepest desires. Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten?her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. Shes become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse. This is Sandrines wild night of the soul, her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

mj-roseNew York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mothers favorite books before she was allowed.

She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice? books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

Please visit her website, her blog: Museum of Mysteries Subscribe to her mailing list Follow her on Facebook and Twitter Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound *** You can enter the giveaway here or on the book blogs participating in this tour. Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook, they are listed in the entry form below.

Entry-Form

Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] 5 winners Open internationally $20 gift card

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS AND AN INTERVIEW

The Witch of Painted Sorrows banner

         

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

The Keys of The Watchmen Blog Tour with interview

Author Kathleen C. Perrin

on Tour
March 9 – 18
with

The Keys of the Watchmen

 
 


SYNOPSIS

Katelyn Michaels plans on hating every moment of her visit to Mont Saint Michel with her father’s new French wife. Once there, she is confused when she experiences sensations of déjà vu as she and her younger brother explore the medieval village and abbey. She is even more disturbed when she is confronted by two unusual young men, one who insists she has a sacred mission, and the other who will stop at nothing, even murder, to stop her from fulfilling her destiny.
When the oddly-dressed but alluring Nicolas slips Katelyn a strange medallion, she is whisked back through time where her Watchmen hosts tell her she is the only hope to save Mont Saint Michel. Even worse, she learns that those trying to destroy the mount are led by a fallen angel intent on learning the mount’s closely-guarded secret.
Katelyn is torn by feelings of anger at being taken back in time, inadequacy at finding a modern solution for a medieval problem, and responsibility for the mount’s starving inhabitants. She is also perturbed by her surprising attraction to the ill-tempered Nicolas. Will she stay to learn why she was chosen by the Archangel Michael and find a way to save his mount?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen C. Perrin holds Bachelor’s degrees from Brigham Young University in French and Humanities, and graduated summa cum laude. She is a certified French-to-English translator.
While completing her education, Kathleen met and married a dashing young Frenchman. They have spent years investigating the mysteries and beauties of his native country, and have a cottage in Brittany.
For a ten-year period they took tourists to Mont Saint Michel, where she served as tour guide. Kathleen has lived in Utah, New York City, France, and for eight years in French Polynesia. She has worked professionally as a language and music teacher, translator, interpreter and writer. She has published several non-fiction articles, academic papers, and a religious history about Tahiti. Traveling and learning about new countries and cultures is a passion for Kathleen,but her latest passion is sharing France through her fiction. The Perrins have three children, and currently reside in Utah.


Visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book: Amazon


Interview:

France Book Tours Blogger’s Questions

Kathleen C. Perrin

THE KEYS OF THE WATCHMEN

What made you want to write this book?


After having received bachelor’s degrees in both French and Humanities, being a professional French translator, being married to a Frenchmen, having traveled extensively throughout France, having taken tourists to France for nearly ten years, and having lived in France (where my husband and I have a cottage an hour and a half away from Mont Saint Michel), the settings and plots of my novels are a result of my life experiences. Furthermore, my muse is not just France, but the mysteries of France.

And so, after delving into the origins of Mont Saint Michel (one of my favorite places in France), some of the ancient beliefs about it being the site of the great battle between Saint Michael and the dragon, about it having pre-Christian significance as a place of worship, about it being a link between the underworld, the earth and heaven, and even that it was considered by many medieval Christians to be the site of the future New Jerusalem prophesied of by John the Revelator, I was completely engulfed by the mysteries of this site.  I was also inspired by the history of the Montois resisting the English attempts to conquer the island during the Hundred Years’ War, and I marveled at their willingness to sacrifice everything, even their lives, to resist their enemies.

Walking Mont Saint Michel’s stone streets and exploring its abbey too many times to count has given me an inexplicable intimacy with this magical, mystical place. Several years ago on certain days in the summer months, it was possible to visit the abbey at midnight accompanied by Gregorian chants and guided by moody, muted lighting. Once you have had that experience, you will never forget it. It is like turning a page of history and going back in time. And thus Katelyn’s story was born.  I wanted to share this place with an American audience through the eyes of a typical American teenager, and I wanted my readers to not only learn something about the political undercurrents that have created conflict between England and France for generations, but also how French support of American Revolutionaries assisted America to become an independent nation. I also wanted to find a way to connect all of the ancient beliefs, superstitions and traditions of Mont Saint Michel through one binding tie, and thus my fictional secret about the Mont was born. I hope my readers will try to discover this secret as they read.

And, finally, I want to let Americans know that France is one amazing place, and the French people are pretty amazing too. You just have to get out of Paris to find that out! And if I have not given my readers a burning desire to see Mont Saint Michel for themselves, then I have failed.

 
Who created the cover? Did you have any input?
The cover was a collective collaboration using my own photographs of Mont Saint Michel. Younger readers may feel it doesn’t have enough movement for a YA story, but I felt pretty strongly about having Mont Saint Michel on the cover, showing the perilous sands of the Mont Saint Michel Bay, and having a model who looked like Katelyn.

 

What are you working on next?

I am currently working on Book II of the three-part WATCHMEN SAGA, and hope to have it in print by the end of the year. My husband and I just returned from France where we took 1500 photos and visited sites that will be featured in Book II. We will also go back to France in May and September before the final manuscript is completed. And yes, Katelyn and Nicolas will be back!

I have also written two romantic suspense novels that deal with other mysteries of France, which have not been published, THE PEACOCK STONE (set on the island of Bréhat off the northern coast of Brittany) and THE SIGN OF THE OWL, set in the city of Charroux (Vienne Department), and I’d like to get them published in the next few years.

My review:
Overall I thought this book was very interesting and inventive. You can see throughout the book that the author did lots of research and knows what shes talking about! This inturn made the book an enjoyable reading experience for me!

My final verdict:
This is a unique book, that was written with alot of care. This care makes the book worth reading and that is way I would highly recomend it!

 


 


Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Right Kind of Wrong Lanch Day Blitz with Giveaway

RIGHT KIND OF WRONG by Chelsea Fine
Sometimes wrong can feel oh so right . . .
Jenna Lacombe needs complete control, whether it's in the streets . . . or between the sheets. So when she sets out on a solo road trip to visit her family in New Orleans, she's beyond annoyed that the infuriatingly sexy Jack Oliver wants to hitch a ride with her. Ever since they shared a wild night together last year, he's been trying to strip away her defenses one by one. He claims he's just coming along to keep her safe-but what's not safe for her is prolonged exposure to the tattooed hottie.

Jack can't get Jenna out from under his skin. She makes him feel alive again after his old life nearly destroyed him-and losing her is not an option. Now Jack's troubles are catching up to him, and he's forced to return to his hometown in Louisiana. But when his secrets put them both in harm's way, Jenna will have to figure out how far she's willing to let love in . . . and how much she already has.
Book Except:
 
The way I felt about Jenna used to piss me off. I’ve never been one to need or even want a girl messing up my life. Just the opposite, in fact. The Lone Wolf role suited me well and I was perfectly content with my world of solitude. But Jenna came along and twisted everything up. She turned me inside out and made me feel complete in a way that made no sense. I fought the sentiment, of course. There’s no room for anyone in my messed up life—especially not a wild, stubborn, reckless girl like Jenna.
But fighting proved futile, and somewhat self-destructive, so I did what all good leaders do when they realize losing a battle could mean winning the war: I surrendered. Not to Jenna, exactly, but to the way she made me feel. It’s not a pretty or romantic thing. It’s a truth with scars and holes—and it commands me completely.
Does that make me weak? I used to think so. But then I see Jenna, still in the throes of a battle I’ve long since succumbed to, and I wonder which of us is stronger. Which of us sleeps well at night and which of us tosses in the moonlight.
Strength isn’t about what you can and cannot achieve. It’s about what you will and will not do in order to achieve. And on that, I know exactly where I stand.
Watching Jenna across the inn’s lobby, I take a deep breath and prepare for round two of what is sure to be a memorable—if not fatal—road trip back home.
“I’m ready when you are, diva!” I call out.
Complete agitation covers her face as she whips around with narrowed eyes and yells, “Don’t. Call. Me. DIVA!”
I grin. “It never gets old.”
“God!” she exclaims, thrusting her arms up again.
The look on her face is priceless. I could do this all day. I might, actually.
Wagging my eyebrows in an inappropriate manner, I slip back outside and let the door fall shut.
A moment later, the inn door flies open and Jenna stomps down the porch steps to meet me by the car. I quickly shove my phone in my pocket, wanting to put as much distance as possible between my present circumstances and the mess waiting for me back home, and climb into the car at the same time she does.
She’s huffing and puffing and cursing under her breath like a spoiled teenager, but when her eyes finally flick to mine there’s no hostility there, just impatience.
“You’re paying for all the gas,” she says, sliding a pair of dark sunglasses over her golden eyes. “And I mean every single drop.”
I lean back in the passenger seat, repressing the joyous satisfaction I feel at the haughtiness on her face. “Yes, ma’am.”
If buying Jenna’s gas keeps her safe by my side then I’ll purchase every last drop in the country. And then some.
 Buy Links:

About Chelsea Fine:
Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She's ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.

Social Media Links:
 
Giveaway:
 
5 Signed Copies of RIGHT KIND OF WRONG
< a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2181/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="26635ce2181" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_0jbfu8lz">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>