DEGREES OF LOVE by Lisa Slabach BLOG TOUR, REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Book Details:

Book Title: Degrees of Love: A Novel by Lisa Slabach

Category: Adult Fiction, 344 pages

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Publisher: Bookbaby

Release Date: Dec 1, 2017

Tour Dates: Jan 3 to 31, 2017

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Adult themes including infidelity, occasional F-word, non-explicit sex scenes)

Book Description:

At thirty-six, Susan Sinclair has it all. She’s just been promoted to Senior Vice President of Mobile Banking at her firm, a prestigious position bringing fresh creative challenges and a hefty salary increase. Like the shiny new BMW in the driveway of the Silicon Valley home she shares with her husband, Matt, and their two beautiful boys, Susan exudes confidence and style.

Yet despite her success in juggling the roles of wife, mother, and businesswoman, Susan struggles with a secret dissatisfaction. Matt’s work in cutting-edge computer research pays less than her job, and with each advance in her career, he has grown more distant. But Matt refuses to admit there is a problem, and Susan forces herself to play along, determined to give her boys the close-knit family life she never had.

Then she meets her new boss, Reese Kirkpatrick. Working and traveling together, she and Reese become a crackerjack team, but little by little, pleasure mixes with business. For the first time in a long time—maybe ever—Susan feels seen and appreciated for who she is. Certain she would never allow their friendship to cross the line, Susan lets herself stray dangerously close to the edge.

A moment of weakness changes everything. Now, unable to stomach the façade her marriage has become yet unwilling to decimate her family by moving forward with Reese, Susan faces a choice that could cost her everything—including her children . . . but possibly bring her more than she can dream.

Praise for Degrees of Love:

“Slabach crafts a relatable, heartbreakingly real story that will no doubt resonate with those at a similar station in life: women who love their families yet yearn for just a little more—to feel wanted rather than needed, to feel passion rather than complacency. In engaging prose and through skillful storytelling, Slabach captivates with an all-too-familiar story that raises questions with no easy answers.”

– Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“This does not read like a debut author’s book. Slabach shows herself to be adept at portraying the complex emotions of the human condition. Her characters live and breathe on the page in a way that every author strives for, but few actually manage. Susan’s struggles ring true, and the way she handles everything makes her a very likable and relatable character.”

– Sarah Perry, San Francisco Book Review, 5 Stars

“Profound, heart wrenching and very emotional, it is hard to believe that Degrees of Love is a debut novel by Lisa Slabach. This is one of the best novels I have read this year.”

– Rabia Tanveer, Readers’ Favorite
To read more reviews, please visit Lisa Slabach’s page on iRead Book Tours.

MY REVIEW:

Lisa Slabach has written a story in which it is easy to see yourself in the main characters. Anyone who has been married for a number of years can understand that sometimes daily life gets in the way of passion. Temptation to feel that excitement of new love can happen to anyone.

The author has deftly captured the imagination of the reader. This is classified as “Women’s Fiction.” There is a very good reason for this. Women can read a book about adultery and not have that translate to their real lives. I am not sure the same can be said about men.

I have to admit that I was utterly absorbed by this book and even though I am 100% against cheating in real life, I couldn’t help but wonder what way the main character would go.

Would she cheat? Would she resist temptation? If she did cheat, would she end up giving up her husband and children?

This book raises other interesting questions, such as:

* How important is your own happiness in relation to the happiness of your children?

* Do you have the right to do something simply to make yourself happy even when you know other people will be hurt by your actions?

I loved the ending of the book and I admit that I was certainly surprised by it.

I rate DEGREES OF LOVE by Lisa Slabach as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* Thank you to iRead Book Tours for providing me with a free copy of this book.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~

Chapters-Indigo ~ Powell’s

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Meet the Author:

Degrees of Love is Lisa Slabach’s debut novel. She is currently working on her third full-length manuscript and a collection of short stories inspired by her experiences growing up in a small farm community in Washington’s Yakima Valley. In addition to writing, Lisa works for a Fortune 500 Company, leading a sales team in the financial industry. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband and has two daughters, who are both pursuing careers in film. In her free time, she enjoys drinking wine with friends and cooking in her pink kitchen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Feb 7

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BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

Jan 3 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – book spotlight / giveaway
Jan 3 – A Holland Reads – book spotlight / giveaway
Jan 4 – A Soccer Mom’s Book Blog– book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Jan 5 – Working Mommy Journal – review / giveaway
Jan 5 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – review / giveaway
Jan 8 – T’s Stuff – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Jan 8 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – review
Jan 9 – #redhead.with.book – book spotlight / giveaway
Jan 10 – The World As I See It – review / giveaway
Jan 11 – Elgee Writes – review
Jan 12 – NorthernMSW – review
Jan 12 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – book spotlight / guest post /giveaway
Jan 15 – Bookish – review
Jan 16 – Writers and Authors – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Jan 17 – Books for Books – review
Jan 18 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway
Jan 19 – Truly Trendy – review
Jan 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – review
Jan 23 – Rocksprings Crafts – review / giveaway
Jan 24 – Wander Girl Life – review / giveaway
Jan 25 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – review
Jan 26 – Too Fond – review / giveaway
Jan 29 – The Booksnake Etc. – review
Jan 29 – The Book Enigma – review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 30 – Ginger Mom and the Kindle Quest – review / author interview
Jan 30 – Book Lover in Florida – review / giveaway
Jan 31 – Jessica Cassidy – review / author interview / giveaway

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Jan 31 – Amie’s Book Reviews – review / giveaway

Jan 31 – One Frugal Girl – review / giveaway
Jan 31 – Novel Escapes – review
Jan 31 – Rainy Day Reviews – review / guest post / giveaway
TBD – Corinne Rodrigues – review / giveaway

This book review is also part of my #2018AtoZChallenge being hosted by GINGERMOMREADS

ICING ON THE CAKE BLOG TOUR AND GIFT BASKET GIVEAWAY

Icing on the Cake

by Ann Marie Walker
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Notting Hill meets The Prince & Me in Icing on the Cake, the second standalone laugh-out-loud romance in Ann Marie Walker’s Wild Wedding series

Cassandra Miller doesn’t have time for men. She’s far too busy trying to open a cupcake shop with her silent partner and best friend, not to mention catering her brother’s wedding. And let’s face it, it’s not like Prince Charming is going to stroll into the bakery and sweep her off her feet.

Henry has been a prince his entire life but for one wild wedding he wants to be nothing more than an “Average Joe”, or in this instance, “Average Hank”. However, when a case of mistaken identity and a batch of burned cupcakes ends in a night of passion, Cassie and Hank must decide if theirs is a recipe for disaster or the makings of true romance.

About Ann Marie Walker

Ann Marie Walker writes steamy books about sexy boys. She’s a fan of fancy cocktails, anything chocolate, and 80s rom-coms. Her super power is connecting any situation to an episode of Friends and she thinks all coffee cups should be the size of a bowl. If it’s December she can be found watching Love Actually but the rest of the year you can find her at AnnMarieWalker.com where she would be happy to talk to you about alpha males, lemon drop martinis or supermodel David Gandy. Ann Marie attended the University of Notre Dame and currently lives in Chicago.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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John R. Monteith’s New Series: The Wraith Hunter Chronicles begins with 5 Star PROPHECY OF ASHES

Title: PROPHECY OF ASHES

Series: WRAITH HUNTER CHRONICLES BOOK ONE

Author: JOHN R. MONTEITH

Genre: FICTION, PARANORMAL FICTION, SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY

Length: 279 PAGES

Publisher: STEALTH BOOKS

Type of Book: SOFTCOVER

Received From: THE AUTHOR

Release Date: JANUARY 1, 2018

ISBN: 9781640620292

Price: $10.99 USD (SOFTCOVER)

Price: $3.99 USD (EBOOK)

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

Master your powers or become the next sacrifice.

Magical daggers. Books of ancient secrets. Wraith hunters. Human sacrifices…

Dianne uses her prophetic powers to pay the rent with tarot readings, but when telepathic shocks, ghostly warnings, and cryptic cautions from a secret book burst into her life, she needs to embrace her full abilities–fast.

An immortal savage is seeking her as a sacrifice, leading her to partner with strange men who use modern technology and ancient magic to hunt her potential murderer. Racing against time and learning her powers while defending herself, Dianne must battle a relentless enemy, guide the efforts of her protectors, and prove her inner strength and empathic competency to survive.

MY REVIEW:

Author John Monteith has created a new book series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and getting to know the main characters.

This book is not just a single story, it is also the evolution of an entirely new series. There are multiple plot lines, each starring its own character, and each character has their own fully formed history.

PROPHECY OF ASHES is meticulously plotted so that at key moments a new twist is revealed and that twist neatly answers questions readers had earlier in the story. If I sound cryptic, it is only because I do not want to give anything away that would ruin the next readers experience with “Prophecy of Ashes.”

I use the word “experience” above and that is exactly what this book is – an experience. You don’t just read it, you dive into it. The author skillfully takes the reader on a journey that made me think of Dan Brown’s novel, The DaVinci Code.

Prophecy of Ashes has a completely new and different storyline, but it is similar to The DaVinci Code in that modern day skepticism and ancient mystical concepts are brought together and combined to create an unforgettable tale.

The concept of ‘Good versus Evil’ has been around since humans began walking upright. It is used repeatedly in both film and literature. Sometimes the concept works, and sometimes it does not. In PROPHECY OF ASHES, IT WORKS!!!

The story involves reluctant psychics, a five-hundred year old serial killer, ghosts, feisty grandmothers, a secret society sworn to rid the world of wraiths, and an autistic young man with a brilliant mind. It is impossible not to get drawn into the story and you literally will not want to put this book down. In fact, I read the entire tale within twenty-four hours. In my mind, any book that makes me forgo sleep deserves a rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am excited about the WRAITH HUNTER CHRONICLES and will be eagerly awaiting Book Two.

*A special thank you to the author for providing me with a free print copy of this book. *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After John Monteith graduated from the Naval Academy in 1991, his career in the U.S. Navy included service aboard a nuclear ballistic missile submarine and a tour as a top-rated instructor of combat tactics at the U.S. Naval Submarine School. Since his transition to civilian life, he has continued to pursue his interest in cutting-edge technology. He currently lives in the Detroit area, where he works in engineering when he’s not busy cranking out high-tech naval action thrillers.

Novels by John Monteith in the Rogue Submarine series include ROGUE AVENGER (2005), ROGUE BETRAYER (2007), ROGUE CRUSADER (2010), ROGUE DEFENDER (2013), ROGUE ENFORCER (2014), ROGUE FORTRESS (2015), ROGUE GOLIATH (2015), ROGUE HUNTER (2016), ROGUE INVADER (2017), and ROGUE JUSTICE (2017).

He also kicked off the Archangel’s Wrath series with WRATH OF THE ANGEL (2016), where a young man who takes cybernetic control of predatory animals is challenged by an exorcist who believes the source of his power is demonic.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

SMASHWORDS

FANTASTIC FICTION

iBOOKS

AMAZON

STEALTH BOOKS

Watch “AWC interview with John R Monteith 2” on YouTube:

This book is one of my contributions to the #2018AtoZChallenge being hosted by GINGERMOMREADS

Part history lesson, part life-story, SHADOWS OF THE CRIMSON SUN by JULIA LIN is an eye-opening book that I believe is a must read.

Title: SHADOWS OF THE CRIMSON SUN

Subtitle: One Man’s Life in Manchuria, Taiwan, and North America

Author: JULIA LIN

Genre: NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHY, HISTORY, TAIWAN

Length: 169 PAGES

Publisher: MAWENZI HOUSE

Type of Book: SOFTCOVER

Received From: THE PUBLISHER

Release Date: AUGUST 2017

ISBN: 978-1-988449-17-3

Price: $24.95 CDN

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

– Map and photograph obtained from ‘Lonely Planet‘

DESCRIPTION:

After the Russian invasion of the Japanese puppet state of Manchuria (Manchukuo) in 1945, fourteen-year-old Akihisa Takayama escapes with his family to their ancestral Taiwan. Here they find themselves under the brutal Chinese dictatorship of the Kuomintang. In the 1960s, now a physician calling himself Charles Yang, he escapes with his young family to the United States, from where they finally go on to Canada to become among the first Taiwanese Canadians in Vancouver. Charles Yang’s experiences illuminate the “White Terror” of Taiwan, and the geopolitical dispute between Communist China and Taiwan over the meaning of “One China.” This is a rare, humane, and personal account of the little known histories of Manchukuo and Taiwanese immigration to North America.

– The author, Julia Lin with the book’s subject: Dr. Charles Yang (2017)

– Photographs obtained from www.julialinbooks.com

BOOK TRAILER:

MY REVIEW:

I find history fascinating, but without personalization, there is no context. It is for this reason that I enjoy memoirs and biographies as much as I do. In my heart I believe that author Julia Lin must feel the same way.

Part history lesson, part life-story, SHADOWS OF THE CRIMSON SUN is an eye-opening book that I believe is a must read.

Retired Doctor, Charles Yang’s life has been incredible, and not always in a good way. He experienced upheaval and massive disorientation during his formative years. The lessons he learned along the way and the hardships he endured shaped him into an intelligent and thoughtful man, a brilliant doctor and a Taiwanese-Canadian with a deep love for both his original and adoptive homelands.

Growing up during the Second World War and the horror that was life in Manchuria and later Taiwan “… helped to cultivate {his} life-long belief in the futility of war.”

This book has once again proven to me that no matter how much one may think they know about a given topic, or period in history, there is always more to be discovered. For example, the bulk of the literature and the narrative surrounding the end of WWII focuses on the defeat of Germany’s Adolph Hitler and the deliverance of the European populace from Nazi control. What we rarely hear about is defeat of Japan (other than the delivery of the atomic bombs) and what happened to the innocent civilians after the official end of the war. For example, I was aware of the fact that Japan did an incredibly thorough job of indoctrinating its citizens with propaganda extolling the virtue of the Japanese cause. What I did not know was that the beliefs were so engrained into it’s citizens that there were many occurrences of mass suicides when the Japanese populace learned of their country’s defeat.

I believe it is absolutely imperative that people read books such as SHADOWS OF THE CRIMSON SUN if we are to truly revel in the fact that we, as Canadians, are truly blessed to live in a society that celebrates and embraces multiculturalism. Yes, I am aware that no society, including that of Canada, is perfect. But it is the publication of books such as this one that will go a long way to understanding other cultures and their histories and through understanding, we create hope for the future.

I rate SHADOWS OF THE CRIMSON SUN as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

** Thank you to Mawenzi House Books for providing me with a free copy of “Shadows of the Crimson Sun.” **

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“As in any war, it was the common people who suffered most.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julia Lin was born in Taiwan and lived there and in Vietnam before her family immigrated to Canada when she was nine.

Since then, Julia has lived in Vancouver and its environs, Toronto, and northern British Columbia.

She holds a graduate degree in Immunology (M.Sc., University of Toronto) and a post-graduate degree in computing education (University of British Columbia) and has taught high school math, science, and computing science in British Columbia for a number of years.

Julia lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

AMAZON

CHAPTERS

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:

Mawenzi House is dedicated to bringing to the reading public fresh new writing from Canada and across the world that reflects the diversity of our rapidly globalizing world, particularly in Canada and the United States.

Our focus is on works that can loosely be termed “multicultural” and particularly those that pertain to Asia and Africa. We publish 6-8 titles of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction (literary criticism, history) per year.

Among our achievements: we have played a role in the formulation of the Indo-Caribbean identity through the publication of several ground-breaking titles; we have kept in print books by major Caribbean writers Sam Selvon, Ismith Khan, and John Stewart; we have published provocative and perceptive social and literary critical works by Arnold Itwaru, Arun Prabha Mukherjee, Chelva Kanaganayakam, and others; the introduction of the important Zimbabwean writer Yvonne Vera; the first historical and critical study of Chinese Canadian writing in English; the first anthologies of South Asian Canadian literature, South Asian Canadian women’s poetry, Chinese Canadian stories, and South Asian Canadian and American women’s fiction.

HISTORY

In 1981, a group of young people, who had been in North America for just over a decade, decided to take the plunge and start the magazine they had always dreamed about as students, at a time in which Naipaul had to be ordered from bookstores, let alone Narayan or Ngugi or Soyinka. The result was The Toronto South Asian Review, which later became the much broader-based The Toronto Review of Contemporary Writing Abroad and helped entrench a generation of new writers. As an offshoot of this literary magazine, in 1985 TSAR Publications published its first title, a book of essays on South Asian Canadian literature, followed by a book of poetry by Sri Lankan Canadian Rienzi Crusz.

Mawenzi House finally emerged, a uniquely diverse and knowledgeable publishing house based in Canada. (“Mawenzi” is the name of the second peak of Kilimanjaro.)

To learn more about Mawenzi House, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

PINTEREST

REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE by Anna Mainwaring is a delicious YA novel destined to be a Bestseller.

Title: REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE

Author: ANNA MAINWARING

Genre: FICTION, YOUNG ADULT FICTION, DIVERSE BOOKS

Length: 216 PAGES

Publisher: KIDS CAN PRESS

Type of Book: ARC – SOFTCOVER

Received From: A YABC – YOUNG ADULT BOOK CENTRAL – GIVEAWAY

Release Date: APRIL 3, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-77138-826-9 (HARDCOVER)

Price: USD $17.99 / CAD $18.99

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS

DESCRIPTION:

Jesobel Jones is bold and brash, the daughter of a hand model and a washed-up rock star. Jess sees no need to apologize for her rambling house, her imperfect family, her single status … or her weight. Jess is who she is. She makes her own cupcakes and she eats them, too. No regrets.

That is, until Own Clothes Day rolls around at school. Jess and her friends dedicate the requisite hours of planning to their outfits, their hair and their makeup for the one day they are free from school uniforms. But a wardrobe malfunction leaves Jess with a pair of leggings split open at the worst spot, and a mean girl calling her the one thing that’s never bothered her before: fat.

The encounter shakes Jess’s formerly iron-clad confidence, and she starts to wonder if she’s been just a little too comfortable in her own skin. When the boy of her dreams invites her to a party, she must decide whether to try to fit in for the first time in her life, or remain true to herself — whoever that really is.

MY REVIEW:

I LOVED THIS BOOK. The main character is a “real” teenager. What I mean by that is that Jesobel or “Jess” is not some perfect specimen of femininity.

Jess has opinions. She has a real body. Ok, she is actually F-A-T, but she owns it. She prides herself on her feminism. She is honest with herself and others. She doesn’t care what others say about her … well, that is until she has a chance at a date with her secret crush. Jesobel proves that no matter how strong a person is, their insecurities often trump logic.

REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE has the potential to be this generation’s BRIDGET JONES DIARY. With irreverent humor and marvelous characters, debut author Anna Mainwaring has accomplished the truly significant. She has crafted a book that will not only entertain young adult readers, but will also enlighten them and make them feel that they are not alone.

It is simple to tell someone that all teen girls have issues with self-esteem, it is quite another to have them believe you. Anna Mainwaring’s talent in understanding the mind of teen girls is unparalleled and shines through on every page of this novel.

Her gift for crafting an unforgettable story while also penning truly realistic and believable characters will have this book in high demand. In fact, I predict it will become a Bestseller. For this reason I rate REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE as a perfect 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** Thank you to YOUNG ADULT BOOK CENTRAL for running the giveaway and for choosing me as the winner of one of the ARCs of this remarkable book.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anna Mainwaring studied English Literature, which led to a career in banking. She left that career to travel and then to train as a teacher.

Anna took part in NaNoWriMo in 2012, and after endless drafts, Rebel with a Cupcake was born.

When not writing, Anna can be found walking up hills or in cafés.

She lives in Cheshire, England, with her family, including a murderous gold fish called Moriarty.

To learn more about this author, or to PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY of REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

TWITTER

AMAZON

CHAPTERS

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE

This book review is also one of my contributions to the #2018AtoZChallenge being hosted by GINGERMOMREADS

– This is my 12th Book Review of 2018

THE DEVIL’S STANDOFF by V.S. McGrath – COVER REVEAL

The Devil’s Standoff
V. S. McGrath
(The Devil’s Revolver Series, #2)
Publication date: April 2018
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult

Welcome to the birthplace of the Devil’s Revolver, where magic is draining from the land and untold danger lurks for our truly unforgettable gunslinger heroine, Hettie Alabama. The second book in this Wild West fantasy action adventure series for fans of Wynonna Earp and Firefly.

Praise for The Devil’s Revolver series:

“Features vivacious characters with tricks up their sleeves.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Immensely readable, gritty, and sharp as a spur rowel, The Devil’s Revolver is a western with a twist.”

—Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Julia Grey novels

“The Devil’s Revolver is a riveting ride that mixes the grit of Westerns with the world of magic. McGrath loads this fantastic story with action, suspense, adventure and unforgettable characters. You’ll definitely want to pull the trigger.”

—Wynne Channing

“An exhilarating ride through a unique world, The Devil’s Revolver pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. Hettie casts a spell on you that’s sure to keep you turning the pages.”

—Christine D’Abo, author of the Bounty series

“The feminist western you’ve been waiting for. The Devil’s Revolver has heart and grit. A terrific genre crossing tale with a deft touch of the macabre.”

—Donna Thorland, author of THE TURNCOAT, writer on the TV series SALEM and the upcoming Netflix series SABRINA

“A fantastically readable female-focused story . . . A really terrific riff on the Western, told with huge verve.”

—KJ Charles, author of the Charm of Magpies series

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Sequel to:

Author Bio:

Vicki So, writing as V. S. McGrath, is a published romance author (as Vicki Essex) and has six books with Harlequin Superromance: Her Son’s Hero (July 2011); Back to the Good Fortune Diner (January 2013), which was picked for the Smart Bitches Trashy Books Sizzling Book Club; In Her Corner (March 2014); A Recipe for Reunion (March 2015); Red Carpet Arrangement (January 2016); and Matinees with Miriam (November 2016). She lives in Toronto, Canada.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

SE7EN DEADLY SEALS by Alana Albertson BOOK BLITZ and GIVEAWAY FOR A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD

Se7en Deadly SEALs

by Alana Albertson
Publication Date: January 23, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Erotic, Romantic Suspense, Romantic Mystery

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

I DON’T RECOGNIZE THE DAMAGED woman in the mirror staring back at me—platinum-blond hair, blood-red lips and nails, curves laced up in the finest lingerie. I have transformed into a bombshell to exonerate my brother, United States Navy SEAL Joaquín Cruz. He’s been languishing in a jail cell for the past six months, accused of a murder he didn’t commit, his honorable career as a SEAL ruined, his spirit crushed.
I’ve gone undercover as a stripper to entertain the men of SEAL Team Seven—I’ve given up my acting career, my dreams, my home—everything to free Joaquín and discover the truth.
But I didn’t count on having to conceal my identity from my ex-boyfriend, Navy SEAL Grant Carrion. The man I lost my virginity to was caught up in an endless web of sins and temptations, unable to escape from his demons.
As I strip down to my lingerie and dance for Grant, I know that every humiliating moment will be worth my sacrifice—if only I can give my brother back his life. And just maybe, find a way back to Grant’s heart.

About Alana Albertson

Alana Albertson is an award winning Latina author, the former President of Romance Writers of America’s Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, and Young Adult chapters. She holds a Masters of Education from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes new adult romantic suspense, young adult, and contemporary romance. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two sons, and five dogs. When she’s not spending her time needlepointing, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through her rescue Pugs N Roses, she can be found watching episodes of House Hunters, Homeland, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.

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Check out FIRST TO FIGHT 5 Book Set for Only 99 Cents and also Enter To Win A $20 Amazon Gift Card

First to Fight Box Set (Books 1-5)

by Nicole Blanchard
Publication Date: April 10, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Military, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Mystery

On SALE for 99¢ for a limited time!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

Enjoy four full-length novels and a bonus novella at a discount price for a limited time from the thrilling military romance series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nicole Blanchard.
Book 1, Anchor
Gabriel Rossi has never met her, doesn’t even know her name, but the former Marine turned Coast Guard will do anything to rescue the woman who saved his daughter, even if it means risking his career, his life–and his heart.
Book 2, Warrior
Benjamin Montgomery returns home from his last tour in Afghanistan a broken man and learns the night he shared with his best friend’s little sister resulted in more than just smokin’ hot memories.
Book 3, Survivor
Jack Walker doesn’t want anything to do with the woman who broke his heart–or at least that’s what he keeps telling himself as they embark on a poignant journey through the secrets that tore them apart.
Book 4, Savior
Logan Blackwell has never let a suspect–or a woman–get away and made it his own personal mission to solve the recent attacks plaguing his small town with the help of his intriguing new neighbor.
Book 5, Honor (a First to Fight novella)
Scott Green doesn’t believe in second chances, until he’s caught off guard by a kiss from a beautiful woman and is determined to win her back.

Next in the series…

Preorder for 99¢: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

I thought I knew better than to make the same mistake twice.

To say I’ve never had good taste in men in as an understatement.
When I met brooding Marine Ford Collier, I was certain he’s different than anyone else I’ve ever dated. He was honorable, charming, and sinfully dangerous in all the right ways.
But I’ve been wrong before.
My first lover ruined my life. And Ford may destroy my future.
My heart tells me he’s innocent, but the facts tell me I’m wrong. Again.
Going against the only family I have left could mean losing it all for a man who may be a traitor.

About Nicole Blanchard

Nicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of gritty romantic suspense and heartwarming new adult romance. She and her family reside in the south along with their two spunky Boston Terriers and one chatty cat.

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BOOK OF SOULS by NADINE NIGHTINGALE – A 4 STAR YA NOVEL COMING SOON

Title: BOOK OF SOULS

Series: GODS OF EGYPT – BOOK ONE

Author: NADINE NIGHTINGALE

Genre: FICTION, SCIENCE FICTION/ FANTASY, YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Length: 298 PAGES

Publisher: SELF-PUBLISHED

Type of Book: EBOOK

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: FEBRUARY 9, 2018

ISBN: 9781979087650

Price: $2.99 USD

Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

They call me Angel of Death, but my name is Nisha Blake. I am Shepherdstown’s living urban legend. My life, a tale of the macabre.

People avoid me like the plague. Well, everyone but my friends. They don’t see the Angel of Death when they look at me. They see poor, broken Nisha—the bully victim, suffering from vicious night terrors and vivid hallucinations.

Things take a turn for the worse when Blaze shows up. He’s a too hot, tattooed, bad-ass MMA fighter from London, hell-bent on getting to know me. Since he walked into my miserable life, my hallucinations graduated to a point where I can no longer differentiate between fiction and reality.

I am insane.
Broken beyond repair.
Or so I think until—

I uncover a secret form the past—a link between all the deaths, my hallucinations, and my night terrors. It’s then I understand I’m not the Angel of Death.

I am something else.
Someone else.

MY REVIEW:

THE BOOK OF SOULS is the first book in a new Young Adult series called; THE GODS OF EGYPT. This is set in the Present Day and features regular teenagers. At least we think they are normal teens.

Nisha Blake wishes she was a regular teenager, one who could fade into anonymity. However, Nisha has quite a sinister reputation. Students and even some teachers and other adults refer to her as “The Angel of Death.”

Why would anyone make up a nickname like that? Well, Nisha has had the unfortunate experience of witnessing multiple deaths, starting from a very young age. This includes the murder of her parents a year before the story begins.

Fortunately, Nisha has a few terrific friends that she can always count on. If not for them, her Aunt and her boss at the local bookstore, Nisha would probably have been committed to the local Insane Asylum.

The story contains: visions, hideous monsters, a super sexy MMA fighter, magical spell-books, murder, nasty teenagers, popularity contests, mob mentalities, a wicked simmering romance, ancient Egyptian artifacts and an epic battle between good and evil.

I enjoyed the story but I have to admit that there were a few things that bothered me:

1. There were multiple typos throughout the book. (Since the copy I received was an ARC – Advance Reader Copy, I am hoping and assuming these will be fixed before the actual release date.)

2. In this age of anti-bullying, I found it difficult to believe that some of the teachers openly bullied Nisha. I am not naive, I know that teachers can be bullies, but they are not usually so blatant about it. In almost every school, a teacher who bullied a student would be fired immediately.

3. This one is probably just me, but each time someone plopped down on a bed, the author said they “plummeted” on the bed. Every time I read that phrase it made me think of someone jumping out of an airplane and plummeting through the sky and landing on Nisha’s bed. Ok. Ok. I know that is weird, but I can’t help what is conjured in my mind when reading.

Other than those few items listed above I enjoyed the story. It starts out quickly and the tension never lets up. Even on the final page, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seat. The ending is a cliff-hanger that will have readers signing up for the author’s newsletter to find out when Book Two of the Gods of Egypt series will be released.

My favorite character is Izzy. Izzy is Nisha’s cousin and they have grown up more like sisters than cousins. In fact, Nisha and Izzy now live together with Izzy’s Mom & her boyfriend in Nisha’s parents house. This arrangement only came about as a result of the death/murder of Nisha’s parents. If I had to choose a single word to describe Izzy, that word would be “loyal.” Izzy is gorgeous, she’s popular, she’s in love with an amazing guy, and yet she always has time for Nisha. Not only does she make time for her, but when someone is bullying Nisha, Izzy’s protective and fierce side comes out. When that happens, it even causes the captain of the football team to take a step back.

To sum up my feelings about this book, I think it was an easy, fun read that teens looking for an escape from reality for a little while will very much enjoy. Not only that, but they will learn about Egyptian mythology along the way.

I rate this book as 4 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Thank you to NETGALLEY for providing me with a free copy of this book.*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nadine aka Dini is a Traveler at heart. She considers the world her home and practically lives out of her suitcases. When she’s not glaring at a blank page or abusing her poor keyboard, she spends her time reading, watching movies (preferably horror), pretends to work out, and hangs out with friends and family. Poor girl also suffers from a serious Marvel superhero addiction. So, if you run into her at night, wearing black, know she’s secretly dreaming of being the infamous Black Widow.

Her love for writing started in the sixth grade where she annoyed her classmates with a short story featuring Sailor Moon characters, a cemetery, and creepy ghosts. Yes, she’s always been addicted to the dark side. Nadine writes paranormal romance. Her debut novel “Karma” the first book in her paranormal romance series Drag Me To Hell is published by the Wild Rose Press and was released May 2016. She has a serious girl crush on her protagonist Amanda Bishop.

Nadine has a BA in Comparative Religions and studied Creative Writing at the University of Oxford.

She would love to hear from you. So, if you have any questions about her books, would like to set up an interview, book signing, etc, please use the email address below.

To contact Nadine directly, please email dinilovesh@gmail.com

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

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CHAPTERS

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FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Judging people is easy. Trying to understand where they’re coming from? So much harder.”

This book is also part of the #2018AtoZChallenge being run by GINGERMOMREADS

With this review I have reached a new level of this challenge and am now a FLAMINGO (11 to 15 Books Reviewed in 2018)

DEVIL’S HARVEST by Amazing Author JAMIE THORNTON captures the imagination and won’t let go. 5 STARS.

Title: DEVIL’S HARVEST

Series: DOORMAKER SERIES – PREQUEL – BOOK 0.5

Author: JAMIE THORNTON

Genre: FICTION, YOUNG ADULT FICTION, SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

Length: 36 PAGES

Publisher: IGNEOUS BOOKS

Type of Book: EBOOK

Received From: FREE FROM THE AUTHOR

Release Date: DECEMBER 19, 2017

ASIN: B078J23LLM

Price: CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE AUTHOR’S NEWSLETTER

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

From New York Times bestselling author Jamie Thornton, enter the dark and mysterious worlds of the Doormakers. For fans of Sarah J Maas, Jeff Wheeler, and Rachel E. Carter.

TWO HOURS. ONE INTERSTELLAR DRUG DEAL. BUT HE’S ONLY 13-YEARS-OLD.

One family rule has shaped Esson’s life: never open a door. Esson comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a refrigerator door.

Esson’s family lied to him.
Esson didn’t die when he opened a door.

But if Esson doesn’t track down some magical drugs within the next two hours, the drug dealer he got involved with might just kill him anyway.

MY REVIEW:

Jamie Thornton is one of my favorite authors. Her FEAST OF WEEDS series is a phenomenal read and was what cemented the name JAMIE THORNTON in my mind as a a writer with a rare talent for creating worlds and characters that are not only believable, but also intriguing and entertaining.

In this prequel to her new DOORMAKER SERIES, she has once again crafted a story that pulls the reader in and does not let them go – even after the final page. Once you finish this novella you will immediately want to read the first book in the Doormaker series. DEVIL’S HARVEST is just that good.

Imagine not being able to open a door without mistakenly opening a portal to another world. It might sound glamourous to some people, but this “gift/curse” occurs whenever any type of door is opened, even a refrigerator. Talk about inconvenient!!!

This prequel introduces readers to Esson’s family. Every member of the family is afflicted with the same “gift.” Esson is the eldest son and feels a responsibility to help his parents pay the bills, even though he is only thirteen.

It is the desire to help his family that gets Esson into a situation that is well over his head; he has been stealing drugs through a portal he opened. He is in too deep now and even if he wanted to stop using his gift to steal drugs, the drug dealer he has been supplying will never let him go.

So, will Esson find a way out of his current situation? Or will he resign himself to being a 13 year old drug dealer? Will the cash potential be too much of a lure to keep him from getting out? Or will he try to escape and be killed in the attempt?

You need to read DEVIL’S HARVEST to find out!!!

Once again Jamie Thornton has created a winner. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. If past books and this prequel are anything to judge by, the rest of the trilogy will also be 5 Star worthy.

I rate DEVIL’S HARVEST as an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jamie Thornton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Feast of Weeds series, which has recently been optioned for TV. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two dogs, a garden, lots of chickens, a viola, and a bicycle.

Jamie writes stories that take place halfway around the world, in an apocalyptic future, in a parallel universe—her books don’t always stick to one genre, but they always take the reader on a dark adventure.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

PINTEREST

AMAZON

CHAPTERS

To read my reviews of Jamie Thornton’s FEAST OF WEEDS series, click HERE!!!

This book is one of my contributions to the GingermomReads #2018AtoZChallenge