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Monday, February 29, 2016

Book Tour: Confessions of a Paris Party Girl by @vickilesage with a #review and a #giveaway



Memoir / Humor
Date Published: January 14, 2014


When newly-single party girl Vicki moved to Paris, she was hoping to indulge in wine, stuff her face with croissants, and fall in love. It proved to be much moredifficile than she'd imagined. In this laugh-out-loud memoir, this cheeky storyteller recounts the highs and lows of her life in the City of Light. Sassy and shamefully honest, Vicki makes you feel as if you're right there in Paris stumbling along the cobblestones with her.

Will she find love? Will she learn to consume reasonable amounts of alcohol? Will the French administration ever cut her a break?



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Review 

It takes no time at all for Vicki Lesage to hook her reader with her words and her story in general. I was invested from the get-go.  This novel is a great example of the struggles a person can go through and the ability to overcome your past and your struggles and move on and build something from it. Vicki Lesage's writing style is smooth and effortless. I felt like I was in her head and that is a huge testament to her writing ability. Powerful and Emotional and Inspiring. 



Amazon bestselling author Vicki Lesage proves daily that raising two French kids isn't as easy as the hype lets on. In her three minutes of spare time per week, she writes, sips bubbly, and prepares for the impending zombie apocalypse. She lives in Paris with her French husband, rambunctious son, and charming daughter, all of whom mercifully don't laugh when she says "au revoir." She penned the Paris Confessions series in between diaper changes and wine refills. She writes about the ups and downs of life in the City of Light at VickiLesage.com.

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Blog Tour: The Samsaric by @greg_lwin #review & a #giveaway



Historical Fantasy Horror
Date Published: November 17, 2015

SAMSARA: The cycle of birth, death and rebirth within the realms of existence ... 

The plague of 1918 A.D. 
The mortal world is in a state of devastation. 
A woman wakes up in an abandoned temple of Kali, the goddess of darkness, in the ancient city of Gaya. 
She does not know where she is. 
She does not remember the events leading to this. 
She only hears the familiar voice of a tormented man who has haunted her dreams. 
He tells her a story - of a time of souls and suffering, of immortality and gods, of life and death. 

This, he says, is Mesopotamia. 

The SAMSARIC is a fast-paced fantasy-horror novel full of history, horror and vampirism from an ancient era.






Purchase Link

Review 


I liked the way the author set up the novel and the history he made sure to give the reader so that they came to understand the world he had created.  One of my favorite things was the pacing. I felt like everything really flowed smoothly and led to an easy read. There are definitely some darker moments throughout, so not for the faint of heart. A wonderful Fantasy/Horror! 




I love anything that comprises the old and the ancient full of rich history and spirituality. For me, reading and learning from our ancient past is truly a beautiful, unique and intriguing journey.
From a young age, I have felt that there were two versions of me: the old spiritual one and a young soul who still lives in his fantasy world.
However, both of these versions share one commonality - my interest in vampires from the ancient mythology and beliefs. I was mesmerised by their folklore since young.
The need to express is very strong within me. Writing, for me, provides this gateway and helps me to grow as a person. It is a life-long learning path that I gladly embark.
As a writer, I would like to improve each and every stage of writing, to possess the art of crafting words to communicate the emotions that arise from within to the readers ... a vision shared by many authors.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Blog Tour: Beauty and the Recluse by @elliegray58 #review



Contemporary Romance
Date PublishedFebruary 12, 2016


Following the recent death of her father, and in need of both a job and somewhere to live, Kiya takes a housekeeping job on the spur of the moment. She soon finds herself living in a beautiful but neglected mansion, working for a strange and reclusive man.
St. John is a man scarred by the past, both physically and emotionally, and is determined to live out his life alone. They are two very different people, drawn to each other almost against their will, but can Kiya convince St. John that he is not the monster he believes himself to be?





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Review

I really enjoyed the layout of this novel and the way Ellie Gray told the story. 

I don't think there was anything out of the ordinary or too surprising about the novel, but it was a very good Contemporary Romance. 


The characters had their flaws but you still felt captivated about them and wanted them to succeed. That is a true testament to a writers ability to pen a good novel in my opinion.


Ellie is an author of contemporary romance who also enjoys writing YA fiction. She is a proud member of the Romantic Novelist Association and lives in the beautiful East Riding of Yorkshire with her partner, David, two children, two cats and a chinchilla.
Currently working full-time in the public sector and studying for a Masters Degree, Ellie hopes one day to achieve her ambition of being able to write full time.

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Blog Tour: Liquid Fire by @gloriacbishop #review



Paranormal Romance
Date Published: February 9, 2016

Everyone remembers their childhood as being magical. Lee just found out hers really was. 


After suffering a run of bad luck, Lee wants nothing more than to lick the wounds of her past and bury herself away from reality, but she discovers a world of magic, a history she never realized existed. Her destined elementals are being held against their will and the only way to find them is to align with the incredibly delectable, unbelievably stubborn Jeremy. They wind down pathways that will take their undeniable chemistry even higher as they move closer to the sinister plot that has stolen her birthright. Together they will find the villain and learn that sometimes fire and water can mix with steamy, hot results. 

A spark of flame glows. A sprinkle of rains slows.


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Review 


Connecting with the main character(s) is key for a reader to determine whether they will not only relate, but be invested in the story itself. Lee has one of those personalities that really drew me in. She was witty, entertaining, and real. 

The plot flowed smoothly and I didn't feel like anything was forced or majorly missing. I liked the overall writing style of Gloria C. Bishop.




Gloria lives in southwestern Ontario Canada, with her hubby, her two teenage kids and a slightly larger than normal (or believable) cockapoo named Spike.  She was lucky enough to meet the dude of her dreams at a drunken toga party while at college, two days before she turned nighteen, and they’ve been together ever since.  She believes in romance, and that attraction doesn’t have to die off.  It can survive everything from children to middle age drama.  She loves to laugh with her hubby and believes in keeping a sense of humour above everything else.  Gloria has always written, everything from poetry to short stories to a column in a local paper.  Her favorite is to write romance, because everyone deserves that feeling, that belief in a happily ever after.
A child of an extra-large blended family, with two brothers, two sisters, two dads, one mom, one step monster, twelve grandparents and so many aunts uncles and cousins that her hubby after twenty years still can’t keep track of them all.  
Being surrounded by that many voices growing up taught her how to block out what she doesn’t want to hear.  To this day that skill has come in very useful, as she gobbles up four books a week. From romance to fantasy even textbooks- nothing stands in her way when she wants to read.
She draws and collects crafts like other women collect shoes (which she also collects but that’s another story).  When she isn’t wearing her hat as mom, wife, writer, sister, artist, daughter, crafter, doggie mommy, friend, she can be found sitting around a campfire with an eclectic group of people.
She is a self professed geek.  Her geekdoms include Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or anything Joss Whedon does), zombies, star wars, the princess bride, game of thrones, the walking dead and so many more that she can’t possibly name them all.  
Overall she is a scooter riding, wookie hoodie wearing, fun loving woman who refuses to grow up.



Contact Information

Twitter: @gloriacbishop



Friday, February 19, 2016

Blog Tour: Born to Sin by @alsimpson79 #review



Erotic Romance
Date Published: February 2016


HAMISH

I was born to an alcoholic mother and alcoholic, drug dealing father. Not a good start to life for a young boy. I was born to sin.
I've lied, cheated, assaulted, been an adulterer and stolen. It's how one survives the 'hood'. I have a reputation for being the 'bad boy', the fuck 'em and leave 'em type. I have never spent the night with a woman and I have never brought a woman home. We 'play' at her place and as soon as I'm done, I leave.
After fleeing my home at the age of thirteen and living on the streets - an option I found better than being with my parents, my life is turned around by an elderly lady.
I educate myself, become an award winning chef and return to the 'hood where I rent an apartment. I love and care about no-one and nothing except my Harley Motorcycle. It's here I met Jonesy and he takes my life in a whole new direction. Along with Wade, a fellow chef and the only person I can trust, the pair teach me how to love. Not only myself, but others.

BLOSSOM

I'm a wealthy Restaurateur thanks to an inheritance I received when my father passed.
I live in a penthouse apartment in the 'rich' part of the city.
Being pampered and spoiled all my life has turned me into a woman who sees something she wants and, like a dog with a bone, I won't let go until it's mine. I'm a winner. I ALWAYS win.
I don't have relationships with men. One night stands suit me just fine. I can't trust it's me they want and not my money.
I meet Hamish by chance when I'm on the hunt for a new Head Chef. He treats me like I'm not worth a second thought. I've never been treated this way and I decide at that moment, I will make Hamish mine.

Hamish has no interest in the pampered Blossom but for some reason she gets under his skin.
Then, something happens that makes him realize, he has fallen in love. Will it be too late? Will tragedy strike before he can hold her in his arms and confess his true feelings?





Review 

This one will definitely surprise you. It's different than what I expected, but it was a quick and easy read.

I really believed the love story between Hamish and Blossom. I think they had something more than the average love story.
Steamy and Erotic for sure. The kink factor is on the mild side. It's different than what I expected, but it was a quick and easy read.





About the Author

I grew up in Sydney and moved to Queensland as an adult.
I am married with two sons and a daughter.
I love to read and am like a sponge. I will read pretty much anything.
Travel, walks and the beach are my three most favorite things to do.
My hope is for readers to enjoy what I have written as much as I enjoy writing it.
Born to Sin will be my first book.

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Blog Tour: My Ghostly Valentine by @_ani_gonzalez with a #review



Light Paranormal / Romantic Comedy
Date Published: February 1, 2016




Town baker Patricia O'Dare wants to buy the famous, but sadly derelict, Rosemoor Bed & Breakfast, and turn it into a luxurious teashop. Only one thing stands in her way, bad boy  restaurateur Zach Franco who wants the building so he can expand his pizza empire. Add a  pesky ghost that seems to dislike the idea of having its home turned into a restaurant, and Banshee Creek’s first Valentine Day’s Ball and things get dicey pretty fast.


All's fair in love and war, specially where the incorrigible Zach Franco is concerned, but as the fight over the Rosemoor heats up, Patricia fears that she may be winning the battle, but losing her chance at love.


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Review 

What a perfect read for someone who wants some romance along with a good laugh. 

The pacing in the story was well done and the story itself was well-developed. I really enjoyed Patricia's character and all of the quirky moments. 

Relatable Characters, Humor, Romance, and a plot that will keep you flipping pages. What more could you ask for?




Ani Gonzalez loves sexy stories and quirky towns with spooky houses.  She currently lives in Minnesota with her family, and she’s still trying to adjust to the cold.


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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PROMO Blitz: No Reason For Insanity by @KevinEHatt with a #excerpt



Crime Mystery
Date Published: 2/12/16

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No Reason For Insanity is a tale of intrigue, concentrating on the thoughts and actions of Haszard, the narrator. It is a whodunit with dark, and occasionally light humour, using lateral thinking as Haszard works through the bizarre murders to discover links. There is tension and danger throughout, plus a desperate fight for survival.

Intrigued by the bizarre events surrounding the murder of a friend, Haszard is asked by the family to look in to the matter. Against the advice of his friends, he begins making enquiries, and is disturbed when he realizes that it may well be someone he knows.

As progress is made, further events occur, endangering the life of Haszard and his friends, and he is forced to delve into the deepest recesses of his resourcefulness . . .

Excerpt

Walking away from the house I said nothing but had a feeling something sinister was afoot. Gerry, a non-swimmer who was terrified of water, would never go near a swimming pool, yet he’d been found in one. Wrong. Everything about this was wrong. Gerry used to joke that he only ever showered because the water in the bath was too deep, therefore him being found in a swimming pool bordered on the surreal.

Why, though, would someone want to murder a man like Gerry? He was probably the nicest man I’d ever met, never having a bad word to say about anyone. I’d never heard of him being involved in any kind of conflict—nothing at all. In fact, the same went for the entire family. Sylvia was a church-going lady who involved herself with charity work, raising money for disadvantaged children, seldom going out to restaurants or the like, choosing to remain at home where she organized dinner parties for friends.

Alec’s only confrontation was on the rugby field, the young man spending the majority of his time with fiancée, Loretta, the couple enjoying their weekends in the great outdoors, rock-climbing, canoeing, and pony-trekking.

Donna, who’d not long turned twenty-one, was probably the more outgoing member of the family, although she seldom frequented nightclubs, preferring to see live bands instead. I knew that she’d recently split with a long-standing boyfriend; nevertheless, that was an amicable parting and therefore couldn’t be put forward as a motive for anyone to wish harm on the family, especially her gentle father.

The way that I saw it, there was no reason anyone should want to harm Gerry, and certainly not his loving wife Sylvia or their children, Alec and Donna.

“Haz, are you all right?” Sabrina asked as we entered the car.

I shrugged. “I’m just bothered about what Loretta said. Something’s not right about all this. We’re seeing Vicky tomorrow night, so I’ll ask her what she thinks and if there’s anything she can tell us.”






About the Author


Kevin E. Hatt is a registered medical professional and advanced life support provider at one of his local hospitals. His love of writing began at school, and continued on into his twenties. In nineteen eighty-four he began his medical training, and in nineteen eighty-seven began writing what is now the Haszard Narratives. They were, though, shelved when he pursued another love, that of art, and he left the medical profession in two-thousand to become a freelance art consultant, teacher, demonstrator, framer and retailer. In twenty-ten he returned to the medical profession, and also resurrected the Haszard series. He now lives in the north east of England with his wife of twenty-five years and his daughter of twenty-three.

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Monday, February 15, 2016

PROMO Blitz: Twisted Up in You by @Dawn_Martens #excerpt




Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 1/10/2016

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Surviving a harsh upbringing, Corinne Treyton’s new life, comes courtesy of the Angels Warriors MC. No one will ever use her body again, unless she wants them to. Cori, a party girl, doesn’t believe in relationships, but she’d be willing to try if only Blake, her boss, could really see her for who she is. She hides her lifestyle from him; afraid he would think less of her.

Blake Lexington has crushed on Cori since the day she started working for him. He knows a bit about her past, living with the Angels Warriors, and he doesn’t care. He refuses to make a move, thinking it will scare off his shy assistant. For years he thought she wouldn’t be attracted to someone like him.


Finally realizing that he needs to take action, her reaction surprises him. Cori believes he sees her as a slut and wants to use her. Secrets from the past will be revealed causing everything to unravel.


Will real love bring them together or is Cori too damaged to give true love a chance?



Want more Angels Warriors MC??? They are featured heavily in this book!


EXCERPT


“Corinne Treyton?” I hear an intimidating voice shouting my name.

I hold Melissa’s hand and walk slowly down the steps, coming face to face with the scariest looking man I’ve ever seen – tall, fully bearded, tattoos covering his arms and neck, and a leather vest that says Angels Warriors on it. Instantly, I sag in relief and let go of Melly’s hands. I rush forward, wrapping my arms around this big guy’s waist and sobbing.

“You came,” I choke out.

“Darlin’,” he says gruffly, holding me tight to him. “Reaper, you check the house, find whatever you can, if you can. These f***ers are slimy. Zippo, get the sister. We’re outta here.”

“You can’t take these kids!” my foster father shouts at him.

I stiffen, scared that I’m going to have to stay here. “That’s funny, because we are,” the man holding me says calmly.







About the Author


USA Today bestselling author, Dawn Martens is a young, spunky Canadian Author. Being a wife to Colin, a mother to three beautiful little girls (Sarah (2007), Grace (2010), and Ava (2014)) and of course best friend to fellow author Glenna Maynard, hasn't stopped this Canadian Firecracker from pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer!
Dawn's number one passion in life is the written word, and she's extremely thankful that she has the ability to share the ramblings from the characters inside of her head with the rest of the world!

She also may or may not have the hugest girl crush on Author Kristen Ashley, who is her personal idol and helped inspire Dawn in the beginning of her Indie career.

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Blog Tour: Close to Destiny by @Adria_in_Paris with a #review and enter the #giveaway



Women's Fiction with Paranormal Undertones
Date Published: February 20, 2015


Kat is struggling to get her life back together and put her anorexia and suicide attempts behind her. She must expel the mysterious inner demons that have plagued her for years, and patch up the rocky relationship with her fiancé.

But when she arrives in London for a therapeutic art project, an encounter with an enigmatic woman named Destiny upsets her views of reality and plunges her into a quest for the truth about her past—an astonishing past that reaches back well before her birth.

After midnight, Destiny leads Kat to extravagant parties at an eerie luxury hotel and introduces her to a man who seems to know her better than she knows herself. Kat tries to convince herself this is all part of a strange dream. But as evidence mounts suggesting otherwise, Kat is torn between fascination and fear.

Will Kat run away, or will she seize the fleeting opportunity to change her life and find true love?

Alternating between the reality of day and the mystery of night, Close to Destiny by best-selling author Adria J. Cimino is a magical realism story of déjà vu and righting past wrongs that will delight fans of authors like Sarah Addison Allen and Erin Morgenstern.


Purchase Link



Review 

I am blown away by Emilia's ability to bring to life such a relatable female lead. Connection to a story really starts with the main characters and Kat is one that is so easy to understand and get behind. The story unfolds effortlessly and I was enamored by Kat and her life. BRAVO.

I was not expecting the barrage of emotions I went through while reading this book. I connected with Kat instantly and felt her sorrow every step of the way.

I loved that this showed such growth and such a determination to move forward in her life.

The Destiny and the dream aspect was something unexpected and added another layer to the novel. 





Adria J. Cimino is the author of Amazon Best-Selling novel Paris, Rue des Martyrs and Close to Destiny, as well as The Creepshow (out in Spring 2016) and A Perfumer’s Secret (also out in Spring 2016). She also co-founded boutique publishing house Velvet Morning Press. Prior to jumping into the publishing world full time, she spent more than a decade as a journalist at news organizations including The AP and Bloomberg News. Adria is a member of Tall Poppy Writers, which unites bright authors with smart readers. Adria writes about her real-life adventures at AdriaJCimino.com and on Twitter @Adria_in_Paris. She lives in Paris with her husband Didier and daughter Phèdre. When she isn’t writing, you can find Adria at her neighborhood café watching the world go by.