Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours: Serpents In The Garden w/Giveaway

Tour Schedule: http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/serpentsinthegardentour

Tour Hashtag: #SerpentsintheGardenTourPublication Date: March 1, 2014
SilverWood Books
Formats: Ebook, Paperback

After years of hard work, Matthew and Alex Graham have created a thriving home in the Colony of Maryland. About time, in Alex’s opinion, after far too many adventures she is really looking forward to some well-deserved peace and quiet.

A futile hope, as it turns out. Things start to heat up when Jacob, the third Graham son, absconds from his apprenticeship to see the world – especially as Jacob leaves behind a girl whom he has wed in a most irregular fashion.

Then there’s the infected matter of the fellow time traveller Alex feels obliged to help – no matter the risk. Worst of all, one day Philip Burley and his brothers resurface after years of absence. As determined as ever to make Matthew pay for every perceived wrong – starting with the death of their youngest brother – the Burleys play out a complicated cat and mouse game, and Alex is thrown back into an existence where her heart is constantly in her mouth, convinced as she is that one day the Burleys will achieve their purpose.

Will the Burleys succeed? And if they do, will the Graham family survive the exacted price?

Serpents in the Garden is the fifth book in Anna Belfrage’s time slip series featuring time traveller Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth century husband, Matthew Graham.

Graham Saga Titles

Book One: A Rip in the Veil
Book Two: Like Chaff in the Wind
Book Three: The Prodigal Son
Book Four: A Newfound Land
Book Five: Serpents in the Garden
Book Six: Revenge & Retribution (coming August 2014)
Book Seven: Whither Thou Goest

Buy the Book

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Chapters

Fishpond

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Review:

Serpents In The Garden is book 5 in the Graham Saga. Now I have 4 more books I have have to read. I can't remember when I last read a time slip novel, but this one is full of beautiful imagery. I think this book would have been a bit easier of a read for me, if I had been able to read the first four books, however jumping in mid-series has never been anything that's deterred me from reading a book before. (I'm crazy like that)

What I loved the most about the this book  (besides time travel, of course) were the characters...the good, the bad and the inbetween. You felt so connected to them. I also loved the period of time this book took place, which is funny, when I read historical romance, I really don't care for books set in early America, because I'm all about glamour and balls and high society, but Anna really brings the period to life well.

Oh and I can't forget to give some cover love to this book. This is truly one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in a long time.

I highly recommend this series!

Rating: 4 flowers

About the Author

I was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result I’m multilingual and most of my reading is historical – both non-fiction and fiction.

I was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Instead I ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for my most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career I raised my four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive … Nowadays I spend most of my spare time at my writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and I slip away into my imaginary world, with my imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in my life pops his head in to ensure I’m still there. I like that – just as I like how he makes me laugh so often I’ll probably live to well over a hundred.

I was always going to be a writer. Now I am – I have achieved my dream.

For more information, please visit Anna Belfrage’s website.  You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, March 24
Review at Flashlight Commentary

Tuesday, March 25
Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Wednesday, March 26
Review at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, March 27
Excerpt & Giveaway at Just One More Chapter

Friday, March 28
Interview at Mina’s Bookshelf
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Monday, March 31
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Spotlight & Excerpt at bookworm2bookworm’s Blog

Tuesday, April 1
Guest Post at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Wednesday, April 2
Interview & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, April 3
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Friday, April 4
Review at Dianne Ascroft
Guest Post at So Many Books, So Little Time

Monday, April 7
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, April 8
Review & Giveaway at The Most Happy Reader
Interview at Historical Fiction Connection

Wednesday, April 9
Review & Giveaway at A Chick Who Reads
Guest Post & Giveaway at MK McClintock Blog

Thursday, April 10
Review & Guest Post at Kincavel Korner

Friday, April 11
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

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Bewitching Book Tours Sizzling Summer Giveaway

Giveaway Details for Bloggers

Giveaway Runs June 21- July 21

Rafflecopter Giveaway One: Kindle and swag packs

1 Kindle HD -30 authors joined together to offer a spectacular grand prize A Kindle Fire HD 8.9” screen , Wifi ,16GB $269 value Open to US shipping, if outside US you can receive an equal value Amazon Gift Card

1 huge package of book swag from Bewitching Book Tours filled with fun goodies from Bewitching Book Tours, owner Roxanne Rhoads and numerous Bewitching authors including a Starbucks giftcard from Gina Conkle

4 packages of book swag from Bewitching Book Tours- filled with fun goodies from Bewitching authors

1 mixed swag pack of various book swag from Milly Taiden

1 book swag from Constance Phillips

$15 Amazon gift card from Sky Purington

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Rafflecopter Giveaway Two: Print Books

1 set of Bleeding Hearts (Demimonde #1) and Blood Rush (Demimonde #2) by Ash Krafton- US Shipping

2 sets of Her Dear & Loving Husband and Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard open to US Shipping

1 Kidnapped by Maria Hammarbald us shipping

1 ROGUE ORACLE and DARK ORACLE by Alayna Williams- us shipping

1 EMBERS and SPARKS by Laura Bickle- US shipping

1 Fall of Sky City by SM Blooding US Shipping only

1 signed set of DARK LIGHT OF DAY and FIERY EDGE OF STEEL by Jill Archer

1 Life After the Undead and Death to the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair- US shipping

1 DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

1 Shield: Allie's War, Book Two by JC Andrijeski (or Revik: Allie's War, Early Years) by JC Andrijeski

1 signed copy of VICIOUS CIRCLE by Linda Robertson (or any other title written by her if winner already has VC)

1 DiSemblance by Shanae Branham open to International Shipping

1 The Necromancer’s Seduction by Mimi Sebastian open to International Shipping

2 print copies of The Chosen by Annette Gisby, US/Canada and UK entrants

1 Print or ebook Copy of Night Hawk by JE Taylor to US residents or ebook (mobi or epub) for international folks. If US resident would prefer ebook - that can be done as well.

1 Print or ebook Copy of Hunting Season by JE Taylor to US residents or ebook (mobi or epub) for international folks. If US resident would prefer ebook - that can be done as well

1 Winner’s choice of print or digital (.mobi or .epub) of Royal Street or River Road by Suzanne Johnson, in either U.S. or U.K. editions; open to international.

1 Winner’s Choice of print, audio, or digital (.mobi only) of Redemption, Absolution, Omega, or Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin open to international.

1 All three books in the Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator series The Seduction of Phaeton Black, The Moonstone and Miss Jones, The Miss Education of Dr. Exeter by Jillian Stone. Print or eBook any format, reader's choice Ebook open international

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Bewitching Giveaway Three: YA Books

1 Signed print copy Portal by Imogen Rose- US Shipping

1 Signed print copy of INITIATION by Imogen Rose- US Shipping

1 print copy Hollow's End by Marianne Morea- US Shipping

5 print copies Visionary Unleashed by N. Dunham US shipping

1 THE HALLOWED ONES by Laura Bickle- US Shipping

1 print copy The Ifs (middle grade book) by JD Pooker

1 print set of Reckoning and Relentless by Molly Hall- US shipping

1 ebook copy of Soul Meaning by AD Starrling

1 ebook copy of King's Crusade by AD Starrling (

1 ebook copy Hollow's End by Marianne Morea

5 ecopies Visionary Unleashed by N. Dunham

5 ecopies of Portal by Imogen Rose

5 ecopies INITIATION by Imogen Rose

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 Bewitching Books Tours Summer Giveaway Four- Ebooks

1 ebook copy Flashback by Maria Hammarblad

10 ebook copies of Shield: Allie's War, Book Two by JC Andrijeski (or Revik: Allie's War, Early Years)

1 Tyrant of Tarsit (Time travel romance) by Holly Hunt

2 ebooks of New Zealand with a Hobbit Botherer by John Gisby (international)

1 each Bleeding Hearts (Demimonde #1) and Blood Rush (Demimonde #2) by Ash Krafton

2 copies each Her Dear & Loving Husband and Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard

1 Winner’s choice Caged Heat or Wolf Protector by Milly Taiden

1 ecopy Resurrecting Harry by Constance Phillips

1 The Cat's Meow by Stacey Kennedy

1 Stavros is giving away 1 of each- eBook copies of Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge, Blood Junky, and Love in Vein

1 Murder on Mars (A New Orleans Mystery) by MM Shelley

1 Little Red Riding Wolf by Jessica Aspen, mobi or epub available

1 Cindy Spencer Paper is giving away an E-book - winner’s choice of any available on her website.

1 eCopy of The MacLomain Series Boxed Set by Sky Purington (Books 1-4), PDF or gifted to Kindle

5 free copies of DRAGONSTONE by Paula Millhouse : pdf, emobi, ePub

5 ecopies of THREE WISHES by Paula Millhouse pdf, mobi, ePub

1 ecopy SMOKE AND MIRRORS (The Gifted, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 ecopy SERAFINA AND THE SILENT VAMPIRE (Serafina’s, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 BLOOD GUILT (Blood Hunters, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 Annie Nicholas is giving away Reader's choice of any ebook from her backlist winner’s choice of .pdf, epub, mobi.

1 one e-book set of the first two books in the Seven Seals Series (Seal of Destiny and Seal of Surrender) by Traci Douglass

1 ecopy Wucaii by Pembroke Sinclair

2 ebooks of Silent Screams by Annette Gisby (international)

2 ebooks of Shadows of the Rose by Annette Gisby (international)

3 EBOOKS (one set): THE CROSSE HARBOR TIME TRAVEL TRILOGY by Barbara Bretton

1 More Than Friends by Jessica Jayne (.epub, .pdf, .mobi)

1 In Flames by Jessica Jayne (.epub, .prc and .pdf)

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Goddess Fish Book Tours: Summerset Abbey A Bloom In Winter

BLURB:

After Prudence’s desperate marriage and move to London, sisters Rowena and Victoria fear they have lost their beloved friend forever. Guilt-ridden and remorseful, Rowena seeks comfort from a daring flyboy and embraces the most dangerous activity the world has ever seen, and Victoria defies her family and her illness to make her own dream occupation as a botanist come true. As England and the world step closer to conflict, the two young women flout their family, their upbringing, and their heritage to seize a modern future of their own making.

Victoria Buxton

With her delicate constitution but strong, unflappable spirit, Victoria has never followed societal conventions, the rules of fashion, or the pursuit of a husband. Instead, she finds herself drawn to the controversial—and dangerous—fight for women’s suffrage. But her dream is compromised, and her heart divided, when her struggles for equal rights collide with unexpected love.

Rowena Buxton

After yearning to no avail for a certain young pilot to fly back into her life, Rowena fears her chances for happiness have been jeopardized by recklessness and scandal. Burdened with guilt for bringing her sister Prudence to Summerset Abbey as a lady’s maid while she herself led a life of privilege, Rowena hopes to one day make amends. But her desire to set things right is complicated by her passion for flight and a sudden engagement…to the wrong man.

Prudence Tate

Raised like a sister to Victoria and Rowena, then banished to the servants’ quarters when their father passed away, Prudence has seen both sides of life, upstairs and down. But once the truth about her parentage was revealed, Prudence forged a new life for herself, married to a penniless veterinary student. Living in poverty in a shabby London flat, she wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake—and there’s no turning back...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTS 

The next time Victoria opened her eyes, the light was on. She blinked a couple of times and was startled when a woman with a thick East End accent said, “You’re awake now, so don’t you be playing possum, and don’t start your screaming or else the doctor will be sending you to the asylum, and trust me, darling, you would rather be here.”

Victoria froze. The scent of bleach and urine still assaulted her nose. The one small window above her head let in no light and she could see bars at the top. Her heart pounded a little faster. “Tell me where I am!”

“You can say please, you know. Just because I’m a nurse and you’re a suffragette doesn’t mean you needn’t use your manners.”

Victoria tried to move and realized that not only was her arm chained, but her leg was as well.

The woman laughed. “You’ll not be kicking me again.”

“I’m sorry,” Victoria said earnestly. “Please. Where am I?”

The woman came closer. She wore a blue and white striped shirt, a long skirt of cheap wincey and a crisp white apron that covered her head to toe. A white linen cap covered her hair. She smelt strongly of lye soap, but it was infinitely better than the urine stench. Her eyes were a bright, saucy blue. “That’s more like it. You’re in Holloway prison.”

Victoria whimpered, her heartbeat accelerating and her chest tightening. She closed her eyes and counted, taking little breaths until the vise on her chest eased. Once she could breathe easily again, she asked, “Why am I here?”

“You don’t know?” the nurse sounded surprised. “That’s a new one. Most of you suffragettes are proud of your exploits! Don’t you remember?”

Victoria thought hard. She remembered being at the National Gallery with Mary and then Mary had… memories came flooding back and Victoria groaned.

“I see you’re remembering.”

She struggled to sit again and then gave up, settling back against the mattress. The pillow under her neck scratched, and she prayed it was the cheap linen rather than bugs. “Prison is different than I thought it would be.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

TJ Brown is passionate about books, writing, history, dachshunds and mojitos. If she could go back in time, she would have traveled back to England, 1910, Paris, 1927 or Haight-Ashbury, 1967. She resides in the burbs of Portlandia, where she appreciates the weirdness, the microbreweries, hoodies, Voodoo Donuts and the rain.

www.tjbrownbooks.com

Twitter

@teribrownwrites

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/teri.foremanbrown

Buy Links:

S&S:  http://books.simonandschuster.com/buy/Summerset-Abbey-A-Bloom-in-Winter/9781451699050/from-other-retailers#book_retailers 

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451699050/simonsayscom

B&N: http://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?mid=36889&id=PwUJvmDcu1U&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.barnesandnoble.com%2FbookSearch%2FisbnInquiry.asp%3Fr%3D1%26ISBN%3D9781451699050

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?isbn=1451699050

INDIEBOUND: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781451699050

Giveaway:

T. J. will be awarding to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour a 4 piece Whimsical Butterfly Tea set. The tea set is handcrafted by artist April Cook of white stoneware slip and painted with a unique whimsical design of a butterfly in lime green and plum glaze. It is both dishwasher and microwave safe. The set includes a 32 oz. tea pot with lid, creamer and sugar bowl. (US ONLY)

Awesome Giveaway From Entangled Publishing

I love Entangled Publishing, some of the best books I've read recently come from them! So when I saw this Giveaway I had to share it with you guys, cos it's awesome!

Look at all that Godiva and a Nook Simple Touch!

That's a fab prize!

Escape into a world of romance with your new Nook eReader loaded with Indulgence books! While reading, you can power up with Godiva Coffee and assorted Godiva chocolates. Need a break? Bubble up with bath & spa items from Bath & Body Works or power nap between books with a microfiber eye mask.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive an Indulgent Escape Gift Basket! 

Includes:
Nook Simple Touch eReader
Choice of ten (10) Indulgence titles
Godiva Coffee
Godiva Milk Chocolate Caramels
Godiva Milk Chocolate Cashews
Two (2) Godiva chocolate bars
Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate
Creme de Pirouline Chocolate Hazelnut Wafers
Bath & Body Works Paris Amour shower gel, body lotion, and fine fragrance mist
Scented candle
Microfiber eye mask
Mesh shower sponge

3 runner-ups will receive:
Choice of five (5) Indulgence titles One grand prize winner will receive the gift basket and choice of ten (10) Indulgence titles (US only) or if an International winner is selected they will receive choice of online book retailer gift card valued at $130 and choice of ten (10) Indulgence titles.


Want to enter? Click here

Guest Post & Review: Laurel Osterkamp - November Surprise w/Giveaway

Today, Laurel Osterkamp, author of November Surprise is stopping by A Chick Who Reads! Let's give her a big welcome as she takes over the blog!

Character Tough Love

Developing my main characters has never been super-difficult for me. It’s actually one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I always write in first person, and it’s so fun to take on somebody else’s voice. I realized a little while ago that all my main characters represent some part of my own personality. Faith, from Following My Toes is probably the most like me, except she’s less afraid than to speak her mind than I am. Melody from Starring in the Movie of My Life is the furthest from my true personality, but there are still similarities. I can be judgmental and driven at times, and in certain ways I can be over-responsible. Lucy, from November Surprise is very set in her opinions, and that’s totally me.

 I assign my characters these qualities and then I carry them out to extremes. That’s where the conflict of the story comes in. What happens to these women when their personal choices conflicts with their surroundings? All my characters have internal conflicts and obstacles to overcome, and the fun lies in figuring out how they will learn, grow, and move beyond their personal foibles.

The thing I have more trouble with is developing the secondary characters, especially the male ones. I read an article a couple of years ago that said there’s more genetic similarities between humans and apes than there are between men and women. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do often feel out of my depth when writing dialogue and action for male characters. I ask myself: What would my husband do in this situation? What would my brother say in response to that? How would my guy friends act if this happened to them?

I hope my male characters are realistic, but I never feel like I’m doing anything more than guessing with them. Luckily I have two guys in my writing group who give me feedback. Often they’ll tell me it comes down to the details, like word choice, mannerisms, and appearance. One way you can define your secondary characters is by giving them little features that are unique only to them. For example, in November Surprise Monty is constantly tapping his fingers. He’s the only one who does that, and I chose it for him because he’s this guy who seems perfect, but actually has a healthy share of insecurities. The finger tapping is his way of letting nervous energy escape.

I tend to become very attached to my characters, to the point that I catch myself thinking about them as real people. I always want to give them the happy ending they deserve. If my readers end up feeling the same way, then I’ve succeeded!

Date Published: 8/2012

Synopsis: For Lucy Jones, the distinction between love and politics is hazy at best. Both can be all-consuming, and either can lead to a heart-breaking loss or an exhilarating win. Whatever the case, if you’re seen as a loser, you probably are one. Lucy first learns this lesson in 1988, when she’s a shy girl, battling a high school bully and rooting for Dukakis. Through the years Lucy will experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as she makes the choices that define her. Meanwhile, she also struggles to define her relationship with Monty, who comes in and out of her life like the changes in public opinion. Is Monty simply a one-night stand, a kindred spirit, or the love of her life? And by 2008, can he offer her a change to believe in? Over the course of twenty years and six presidential elections, Lucy grows and adjusts with the times. Filled with snarky political and pop-culture references, November Surprise is about the journey we take to believe in a candidate, in love, and in ourselves. November Surprise is a companion piece to Campaign Promises, which is free on Amazon. They can be read in either order. Both have a liberal slant.

Book Excerpt:  Monty and I have been dancing together all evening. The slow songs are the best, but we also do the Macarena and even the Chicken Dance. I can’t stop laughing the entire time I’m quacking my hands.

Jack and his new wife, Petra, have fed each other cake. Petra has thrown her bouquet, and all the toasts have been given. The night is winding down, and Monty leads me off the dance floor.

“I’m really glad neither of us had dates,” he says.

“Yeah, me too.” My heart beats just a little bit faster than normal.

“And I’m sorry about earlier. Hitting on you like that. It was clumsy. Will you forgive me?” His face is flushed and his tie is loosened. I’m sure I’ve noticed before how good looking he is, but this is the first time I’ve let myself appreciate it.

“There’s nothing to forgive.” I look around, make sure nobody is watching, and then I stand on my tip-toes and plant a kiss on his cheek. When he doesn’t flinch or pull away, I give him the barest whisper of a kiss on the lips.

It’s all the encouragement he needs.

With a conspiratorial smile, he takes my hand and leads me outside the reception hall. I follow willingly.

When we get to a dark, hidden spot, he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me deeply. I can feel it everywhere, my entire body is tingling, my knees are weak, and I’m sure that at any moment, my heart will explode.

I don’t want him to stop. But he does.

“Where are you staying tonight?” he asks.

“I was going to drive back to my parents’ house.”

“Hmm…” he leans in and kisses me some more. I press up against him like I can’t get close enough. He tilts his head back ever so slightly, so he can talk. “That’s a long drive. Do you want to stay with me, instead?”

“You have a hotel room?”

“It’s close to the airport,” he whispers. “I fly back to New York really early tomorrow.” Then he baby kisses my eyes, nose, and chin.

I don’t answer immediately. I’m trying to steady my breathing. “So you can make a clean get away?”

“It’s not like that.” he smiles. “And you haven’t even said yes, yet.”

But he knows I’m going to. “You can’t ever tell Jack,” I say.

“He just got married, Lucy. Do you really think he’ll care?”

I rub my hands down his back and across the taut muscles in his arms. “I never had sex with him, and we dated for months. If he finds out you and I had a one night stand…”

Monty cuts me off with another kiss. “I promise I’ll never tell him,” he murmurs, between kisses.

We make out a few seconds more, but our kissing is interrupted when I’m consumed with a fit of giggles.

“What’s so funny?” Monty asks.

I shake my head. “Sorry. It just occurred to me. I’m about to do it with the homecoming king.”

Monty chuckles. “Does that turn you on?”

“Yeah,” I admit. “Kind of. Is that okay?”

He kisses my neck. I tilt my head back and sigh in pleasure.

“Are you kidding?” His lips are a mere centimeter from my skin as he mumbles, and his arms tighten around me even more. “If I had known, I would have worn my crown.”

Now we’re both laughing.

“You know this isn’t the sort of thing I usually do…”

He raises his face so he’s looking me in the eye. “I know,” he says, and he smiles. Crinkles form around his green eyes, and I feel a moment of panic. There’s no way I’m casual enough to be with him for just one night.

“Let’s make it special, okay?” He reaches down and clasps my hand, and I let him lead me .

Author Bio: Laurel Osterkamp was a comedy writer in Minneapolis before she began writing novels.

Her first novel, Following My Toes, has been a Kindle best seller and won the 2008 Indie Excellence Award for Chick Lit. Starring in the Movie of My Life received honors in the 2011 Indie Excellence Awards for Chick Lit, and in the 2011 International Book Awards for Women's Fiction and Young Adult Lit. Both books are indie approved at

indiereader.com. She currently teaches high school, and is working on her next book, >which is inspired by her recent jury duty.

Website
Blog 
Links to Buy Amazon

Review: November Surprise was really a unique read. Its super short but it spans a long period of time, from the Bush/Dukakis election through Obama/McCain. It is all told through the eyes of Lucy Jones, a die-hard democrat.

I'll say this, if you are a conservative/republican, step away from the book because you probably won't like the liberal slant. I'm a bleeding heart liberal, so I had fun with it, for the most part. A political romance isn't something that you see often and the characters were very real.

I worked for one presidential campaign, and I can say, I've met a few Lucy's. She wasn't always my cup of tea, especially in the last chapter. (Can't help it, 4 years ago, I was a Hillary girl. I'm still a Hillary girl, even though I like Obama).

What I liked best about Lucy was her intelligence and really how much she cared. Those are the same reasons I liked Monty. I really couldn't understand why it took those two so long to really get together. Even though she claimed she didn't have them, I think she did have some unresolved issues with Jack.

It was interesting to see how she had grown as a person and where she was in her life at each presidential election.

Her political arguments were real and the bullying she faced from Reggie felt real. Lucy was definitely a character any politically minded democrat could identify with. I would have loved to known more about how politics really became such an important part of her life. Lucy was a girl at 16 who was already passionate about who is in power. The only other fictional character that passionate about politics that young was Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties, and damn it, he represented the other side!

Rating: 4 flowers

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Giveaway: Anyone who buys November Surprise and forwards their receipt to laurel@pmibooks.com will receive 10 entries.

This is for a $30 Amazon Gift Card

http://novembersurprises.blogspot.com/ 

Innovative Online Book Tours Book Review: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye w/Giveaway

Author: Shari A. Brady
Title:  Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye
Publisher: Createspace
Publish Date: June 11, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Innovative Online Book Tours & the author
Blurb:  Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself. Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family’s struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella’s eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we’re open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.

Review: This is really a wow book. Carmella's a character you will love, even though at times you want to make her listen or get help or something.

Her sister Francesca died of a drug overdose and she's trying to deal with that along with parents that aren't coping well. I absolutely hated her father, but everyone has their own coping mechanisms and his seemed to be hiding from the truth. Though Carmella was doing the same thing herself, just in a different manner.

You would think that since death was a huge part of this book that it would be a downer of a read, but it really isn't. It isn't a shiny happy read either though. Its just terribly real. You know that there are families out there dealing with loses just like Carmella and those loses tear them apart.

So many books deal with adults dealing with loss, but not so many deal with teenagers. This is a great book in showing how a typical teenager copes with a loss this great, and Carmella is the typical teenager, complete with the appropriate angst and rebellion. Though I have to admit, if her parents were mine, I probably would have run away from home early on. They really don't make the healing process any easier for Carmella, instead they try to do what they think is best, which isn't.

But the story isn't all sadness, she does meet Howie working at the bakery and they have a rather sweet romance going on. Everything can't be all bad!

I recommend this book highly to fans of YA fiction.

Rating:  5 flowers

About the Author Shari A. Brady is a native Chicagoan and previously had so many careers she’s lost count. A graduate of Loyola University’s Business School and University of Chicago’s Creative Writing program, she’s finally a full-time writer, a dream she’s carried with her since she was twelve. She lives in suburban Chicago with her awesome husband, two of the best kids ever, and their shelter dog, Betty Queen Elizabeth. This is her first novel and her last career.

www.sharibrady.com

A portion of the proceeds from Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye will be donated to Families and Adolescents in Recovery, Inc. (F.A.I.R.).  If you’d like to make a donation to help in research, education and recovery for kids stricken with addiction, please visit www.fairkids.org


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Guest Post: Allie Pleiter

So, you start with a fireman...

Or, in this case, a fireman who’s sort of hiding out as a fire marshall--it seems Chad Owens has issues. Right across the street from his pristine, safe office, you plunk down a wildly optimistic chocolatier who wants to build a new store but is far too impatient to put up with all those pesky rules and regulations.

Jeannie Nelworth has got issues, too. Having just survived a fire, she doesn’t have the best relationship with flame, with firehouses, and with a certain obsessive fire marshall. Her son Nicky isn’t handling life very well. As a solution, Chad’s boss decides that Nicky needs to walk the firehouse’s dog, Plug. Sure, Plug is fat and needs a workout, but the real need here is Nicky needing a man to talk out how the fire has rattled his teenage life.

Jeannie is convinced that enough faith and unsinkable spirit can get them through anything. Chad is sure things cut far deeper than that. She needs his realism, he needs her optimism, and Nicky needs both of them if he’s going to truly heal.

It’s a truth that God often hands us what we most need in the package we least want. As a reader, I love it when I figure out the hero and heroine are perfect for each other long before they figure it out for themselves. When I start to cheer for their happy ending, I know I’ve been drawn into the story.

I hope this is what happens to you when you read FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN. The cute dog, the clever kid, the hunky fire marshal...oh, and the chocolate--they’re all ingredients for a story I think you’ll enjoy. Happy Reading!

Falling for the Fireman
Harlequin Love Inspired February 2012
ISBN #978-0-373-87725-6

Back Cover Copy:
There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Author Bio:
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com  or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Giveaway: One lucky commenter will receive a copy of Falling For The Fireman. Just leave your email in the comment so I can notify you if you win. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.

Bewitching Book Tours Book Review: The Mask w/Giveaway

Author: Anya Winter
Title The Mask
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Publish Date: Dec 4, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The author and Bewitching Book Tours
Book Blurb: Eve Manor is a pastry chef with a passion for chocolate and romance. During the annual masked Black & Lace ball, Eve has a plan. She created a signature chocolate dish that was sure to knock the socks off every famous chef and food critic attending the ball. Everything hinges on the night’s success.

Christian Grier is a man with a secret. In the foodie world, he's known as the Editor-in-Chief of the famous magazine, Sizzle. When his old college roommate, Josh, asks him to attend the ball his company is catering, Christian intended to turn him down. But when Josh reveals Eve's secret plan, he knew he needed to do everything he could to help. Will hiding behind his mask help in his quest to seduce Eve or will she decide he’s not what she wants after all?
Review: This is the second story in the Masquerade Series. It clocks in at just under 40 pages, so I was a bit skeptical about how well the story would be tied together while still being erotic.

For the most part Anya got everything tied together well. We saw Eve and her passion, both for her career as a pastry chef and for Kris, the owner of Ganache a sexy club that she does catering for. The descriptions of the pastries were enough to make me drool.

I have to say though that all the while reading about Eve I was saying to myself never trust a skinny pastry chef!

What I liked about this story was that it was a story. There was more to it than the fact that Eve and Kris wanted to do the nasty. The sex scenes were hot but they weren't overly hot, which I found suited the story. I've never been too keen on erotic stories that are just simply sex. That's why this story worked for me. Plus I can't resist a story with a good cheesecake!

Rating: 4 flowers

Giveaway: Anya is giving away one ebook copy of The Master book one in the Masquerade series to one lucky commenter who leaves their email in the comments. Winner will be announced on Feb 5.