Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Shrouded in Blackness Book Blast Post



http://www.booknerdtours.com/2014/nerd-blast-shrouded-in-blackness-by-norma-jeanne-karlsson.html

Synopsis
Only loyalty can truly win his heart…

Gangs, organized crime and underground bare-knuckle fighting make up the world that Kieran Delaney thrives within. His reputation is built on the talent of his fists, as much as his ability to get information about any and everything. Never one to be caught by surprise or bested, Kieran knows what you’re going to do before you do it…until Darcy Quinlan enters his life. She introduces herself with a knife to his throat and a promise of unbridled pain. Darcy’s life has been destroyed by betrayal and false promises of safety. Living on the streets for the last eight years, she’s has been a ghost. Never in one place long enough to be seen because you can’t catch what isn’t there. Now Kieran sees her and can’t erase her image from his mind.

Kieran and Darcy must now battle to keep her alive and by his side. As her past enters her life from every angle, Kieran makes certain her safety is no longer a concern, annihilating her demons at every corner. He’ll fight, he’ll maim, he’ll torture and he’ll murder to keep Darcy protected. If Kieran can win, her life will no longer be shrouded in blackness…loyalty will lift the veil.

 
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
Blackness Takes Over was Norma Jeanne's debut novel. What began as an homage to the home town of a homesick Midwestern girl, unfolded a story of love, danger, humor, and trust. Blackness Awaits was the highly anticipated continuation of Blackness Takes Over, leading readers through the twists and turns of the unconventional world in The Blackness Series. Her third novel, Shrouded in Blackness, ventures into a criminal world where violence and vengeance reign supreme. She's currently working on her untitled fourth novel.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Norma Jeanne recently found herself relocating to the United Kingdom. Now living in Belfast, she took hold of the opportunity to kick the 9-5 job for a chance to become an author. The best part: working from her home office, she gets to spend more time with her cast of crazy characters (written and real).

In her free time Norma Jeanne is a voracious reader and consumes books as readily as meals. She is a people watcher by nature and uses her experiences in life, observed or otherwise, to build the worlds and characters that thrive in her books. A believer in the strength of the human spirit, Norma Jeanne writes the stories of people that persevere when all appears to be lost.

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” –Dylan Thomas





Rafflecopter Link
--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

1 Winner will receive a Swag Pack (Bookmark, Postcard, Sticky Notes, Pen and a Tote Bag, Plus an E-Book ARC) by Norma Jeanne Karlsson.
 

 

 

Monday, June 16, 2014

Kindle Fire Giveaway

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash! The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter. June Kindle Fire  

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
  Sponsors I Am A Reader Feed Your Reader Author Rachael Anderson Author Karey White Chelsea Author Promotions Illusio & Baqer BookReviewsAndGiveaways Author Alecia Stone Lori's Reading Corner Author Inger Iversen Shelf of Imagination Candace's Book Blog Where The Broken Lie by Derek Rempfer Helen Smith (author) Christine's Blog Reviews from a Bookworm More Than a Review Tressa's Wishful Endings Pieces of Whimsy Laurie Treacy, Author The Loopy Librarian Author Dorothy Dreyer Author Deanna Lynn Sletten Author Steven Brown Claudia Burgoa Launching Sisters to WitchCamp Rhiannon Paille Author Amanda Tru Melissa McClone, Author Author Michelle Merrill Author M. Kircher Author A&E Kirk Author Melissa Lemon My Story That I Like Best Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf J.L. Weil Maia Sepp Luthando Coeur Making it Happen Jennifer Laurens Author Extraordinary Reads Grimmtastic Girls series: Snow White Lucks Out (tween)   Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7", $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash. Ends 7/15/14 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 participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eat Now; Talk Later: 52 True Tales of Family, Feasting and the American Experience Spotlight Post

Hello blog readers! I am happy to be spotlighting a very interesting book today!
 
TITLE: Eat Now; Talk Later: 52 True Tales of Family, Feasting and the American Experience.
 
In 52 bite-size stories, the book tells the story of my grandparents, Desolina and Antonio Vescovi, two immigrants from peasant villages where life hadn't changed for 200 years. But this isn’t the over-told immigrant-made-good story. When they came to the United States, my grandparents passed through a time tunnel. Gone were oxen and plows; the annual excitement of the slaughter of the family pig; polenta for breakfast, lunch, and supper; and a house heated in winter by wood and by animal stalls below. In modern America, they found themselves puzzled by banking, supermarkets, college degrees, airplane travel, and the nuclear family. Written by a grandson who knew them well, these stories are hilarious, bittersweet, and universal. You don't have to be Italian to enjoy this combination biography/memoir. At 150 pages, a great summer read.
You can read an excerpt and see some photos and recipes at http://www.eatnowtalklater.com.
 
 
 
 
BIO
James Vescovi’s stories about his eccentric grandparents have appeared singly in The New York Times, Alimentum Journal: The Literature of Food,Creative Nonfiction, Newsday, Gazetta Italiana, and various anthologies. He is also author of The USS Essex and the Birth of the American Navy (Adams; 1999; 13,000 copies sold). His fiction and essays been published in Midwestern Gothic, The New York Observer, the Georgetown Review, and Natural Bridge. He teaches at high school English and lives in New York with his wife and three children.
 
 

How to out run a croc blog tour

Today I am participating in a blog tour for the book how to out run a crocodile when your shoes are untied by Jess Keating. I also have a guest post here form the author so I would like to thank her and welcome her to my blog!

About the book:


What would middle school be like if you lived in a zoo?

Ana didn't ask to be named after an anaconda. She didn't ask for zoologist parents who look like safari guides. And she definitely didn't ask for a twin brother whose life goal seems to be terrorizing her with his pet reptiles. Now, to make matters worse, her parents have decided to move the whole family INTO the zoo! All of which gives the Sneerers (the clan of carnivorous female predators in her class) more ammunition to make her life miserable-and squash any hope of class tennis stud, Zack, falling in love with her. Ana tries to channel her inner chameleon and fade into the background, but things are changing too quickly for her to keep up.








Links!

You can order the book at your local indie! http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781402297557

You can add it to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18509680-how-to-outrun-a-crocodile-when-your-shoes-are-untied

Find Jess on Twitter: @Jess_Keating

Visit her website: www.jesskeating.com

About Jess:

As a zoologist turned middle grade and picture book author, Jess Keating has been sprayed by skunks, bitten by crocodiles, and been a victim to the dreaded paper cut. Her debut How To Outrun A Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied is coming in Summer 2014 from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, with a sequel to follow. Her nonfiction picture book, PINK IS FOR BLOBFISH, will be published by Knopf in 2016. 

She has a Masters degree in Animal Science and a growing collection of books that are threatening to take over her house. She lives in Ontario, Canada, where she loves hiking, watching nerdy documentaries, and writing books for adventurous and funny kids. 


Guest Post:

Hey guys! My debut book HOW TO OUTRUN A CROCODILE WHEN YOUR SHOES ARE UNTIED is now out in the wild! In it, twelve year old Ana Wright lives in a zoo, which means there are a zillion and a half opportunities for laughs. It's hard to be serious when you have hippos for neighbors and your brother hides reptiles in your bed!

To celebrate the publication of my own book, I thought I would share five authors whose books always make me laugh. They inspired me while I wrote my own funny book, and if you haven't checked them out yet, you should!

Here are five authors you can always count on for laughs:

 Stephan Pastis, The Timmy Failure Books

These books about an amateur private investigator and his polar bear (named Total Failure) will have you laughing on every page. Wry humor, clever illustrations and endearingly goofy characters make these books auto-buys for me. Don't miss them!

 Christopher Healy, The Hero's Guide Books

Christopher Healy takes all your favorite fairytale princes and princesses and brings them to life in the funniest way possible, with loads of mischief, action, and slapstick humor. Bonus points for having amazing illustrations—get ready for a reading binge when you pick up the first one!

 Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/The Fudge Books

Sometimes you just can't improve on a classic. I recently reread Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and was amazed at how well it has stood the test of time. Judy's approach to humor is pitch perfect, and she there is so much heart infused in the stories. Well worth the reread!

 Anna Staniszewski, My Very Unfairy Tale Life series

Anna has fast become one of my favorite authors, and her Unfairy Tale Life series is a fresh, goofy take on fantasy that hits all the right notes. Jenny the Adventurer is someone every kid should know, and they're sure to be loving her corny one-liners and gumption. She also has a new series in the works called Heart and Souls that looks like it's going to be super funny too!

 Bob Shea, (take your pick!)

Yessss, I may be cheating a little here because these aren't middle grade books. But! I firmly believe that funny is funny, no matter how long a book is. Bob Shea's books never fail to make me laugh, and they also do an incredible job at reminding me that something simple can be seriously funny, if it taps into a universal truth about us. My personal favorite is Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great!

Thanks so much for having me! Who are your favorite funny authors?




 





 



 

Love with a perfect cowboy Blog Tour (promo post)

 
Love with a Perfect Cowboy

A Cupid Texas Novel

By: Lori Wilde

Releasing May 27th, 2014

Displaying Cover.jpgBlurb

Cowboys always seem to have the most spectacular butts, probably from all that hard riding in the saddle. But Melody Spencer had long-ago wiped the dust of Cupid, Texas off her cute shoes…and done her best to forget the chiseled jaw, strong arms and those other assets of cowboy Luke Spencer. Their families might be part of a long-time feud, but he was her very first love even if it turned out they never wanted the same things.

But now Luke’s come striding back into her life, tempting her with the memories of long, lazy evenings and hot, passionate kisses. And he has an ulterior motive-as Mayor of Cupid, he knows Melody’s business savvy can help save their beloved hometown. His smooth-talking might get her to Texas, but that doesn’t mean he’ll get her in his bed. Still, people do say love can be more perfect the second time around…

 


 

Buy Links 




 

Author Info

Displaying Lori.jpgLORI WILDE is the New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty books. A former RITA finalist, Lori has received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers’ Choice, and numerous other honors. She lives in Texas, with her husband and a wide assortment of pets. Lori teaches Romance Writing Secrets via the internet through colleges and universities worldwide at www.ed2g.com. Visit her at www.loriwilde.comor @LoriWilde on Twitter.

 

Lori’s Links:


twitter handle is @LoriWilde


 

Cupid Texas Series

Love at First Sight Release Date May 28th, 2013

All Out of Love Release Date June 25th, 2013

Somebody to Love Release Date Dec 31st, 2013

Love with a Perfect Cowboy Release Date May 27th, 2014


 
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two Winner’s will win Two Print Cupid Texas Romances)

Link to Rafflecopter Page: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NTIxYWM0YzhjYmFkNDc1MDkxYzA3ZDNmMjhhM2RjOjM0OA==/


Displaying Tour Banner.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 
                                                   






















 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Good Talk, Dad (audiobook review)

Title: Good Talk Dad
Authors: Bill and Willie Geist
Narrators: Bill and Willie Geist
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Pub. Date: May 20 2014
Length: 5.5 Hours

Audiobook Info:
Bill Geist--the beloved, award-winning, long-time special correspondent for "CBS: Sunday Morning," whose debut Little League Confidential was a New York Times bestseller in hardcover and paper--and Willie Geist, the Today Show host, popular member of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and author of the best-selling American Freak Show--have begun an extended conversation between father and son on areas of mutual interest, agreement, and disagreement.

Told in a unique back-and-forth banter style, the hilarious father-son team will laugh together at the shared journey of their relationship. They'll riff on fatherhood, religion, music, sports, summer camp disasters, driving lessons gone horribly wrong, being on TV, and their wonderfully odd family life. Think Big Russ and Me (May 2010, 345,829 net per bookscan) meets S*** My Dad Says, with humorous observations about professional wrestling as a worldview, raising a kid with television cameras in the kitchen, and anything and everything else that comes to their witty minds.

The Geists decided to write this book so their children and grandchildren would have a record of their unusual father-son relationship. The book is remarkably funny, as well as poignant and sincere, especially in light of Bill's announcement that he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's. With its lighthearted look at the crazy things fathers and sons go through and the unique bond those experiences forge, the book is sure to be a must-have gift for Father's Day.

My Review:
I have to say I like to wacth CBS Sunday Morning so when I got a chance to review this audiobook I took it! I think it was well worth the listen. It was enjoyable, smart, and funny. I learned alot and I think that any family would like listening to this together (mine did because we listened to it on a family vacation, while we were in the car). I know I chuckled several times at the story because several things were funny and very relatable. I think the fact that people can relate to these stories is what make this audiobook likeable.

The Narration: The narration was good. Both Bill and Willie Geist's voice were enjoyable to listen to and made for a pleasant listining experience. Another thing I like is that the stories are told by the authors themselves it makes you feel like your experiencing the event with them as well! I also like the unique back and forth banter style the audiobook was read in!

My final verdict:
Overall I would highly recommend this audiobook! I think its an enjoyable and plesant listing experience and a perfect read or listen for any dad/father figure in your life!

I would like to thank Mitch from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

If you were me and lived in... Russia

Today I am reviewing another childrens book by Carole P. Roman.

Book Info:
Exploring the world has never easier—or more fun!—than with Carole P. Roman’s award-winning If You Were Me and Lived In… children’s series. Continuing its globetrotting tradition, If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia explores the magic and wonder of this captivating country. As children ages three to eight take a leisurely stroll around Russia, they will come across some of the country’s most recognizable sites, including the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Red Square. Learn about Russia’s yummy delicacies, like borscht and caviar, before playing popular Russian games like chess and “fipe”—a game children may know better as “tag”! Brimming with these and other fascinating facts, If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia is the perfect way to both entertain and educate your children about the great big world that exists outside their windows. From Russia’s festive New Year’s celebrations to popular Russian names, this charming addition to the If You Were Me and Lived in… family explains everything there is to know about one of the world’s most historic destinations.

Image of Carole P. RomanAuthor Info:
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the If You Were Me and Lived in… series, which won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. She collaborated on this installment in the series with her five-year-old grandson, Alexander. Roman also writes the Captain No Beard series, the first of which was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Remarkable Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012.


My Review:

I thought this book was ok overall. Again though I have the same fellings as with the others I am very unimpressed with the book. So sadly my review is quite the same as my other reviews for the books in this series.

It does give some useful information for kids about Russia but I think the amount of information in the book is very minimal. Its more like common information like these are some names boys and girls have, this is what you call mother and father in Russia etc.Which yes that can be useful but for kids who are not from Russia its not very useful because I think you need to understand the background of a place before you can learn about the country. I may be biased here because of my love of history but I would of loved to seen more history in this book.

Another thing I didnt really like about this book is that I thought the pictures were very amateur looking, they could have been so much better. I know kids books arent that long but I think these books are a bit short. So overall I would say this book is ok as I mentioned above but I was sadly disappointed in this book. I would not recommend it. There are far better and nicer kids book out there.

My final verdict:
 I think the book was poorly executed so I would not recommend it.

I would like to thank Red Feather Productions for letting me read and review this childrens book.