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Saturday, January 31, 2015

$100 February Blogger Appreciation Giveaway 2015!!!


Welcome to the $100 February Blogger Appreciation Giveaway 2015 hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews.

This is my "Shoutout" to my wonderful "Book Blasters" who posted book blasts with us over the month of December, 2014. Big, big thank you to each and every one of you! You are much appreciated.   


100 February Blogger Appreciation Giveaway 2015

* Giveaway Details *

Amazon 100 gift card PayPal - 100 

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card or a PayPal cash prize (winner's choice) Contest Ends: February 28, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored, hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

New Radiance Naturals Vitamin C Serum Review


New Radiance Naturals Vitamin C Serum Review

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/b00kyw8cy0

Link to my review on Amazon:

NEW RADIANCE VITAMIN C

#newradiancenaturals

***My Personal Review***

I have very oily skin and lots of acne.  After using this product my skin feels great and my acne has been lessened after just a few days of use!   This is a very fresh-smelling product, you can smell the citrus which I personally LOVE!  No pain or burning during application occurred.  The serum itself is a milky white smooth and silky liquid.  You just pull out the applicator, drip some of your finger and rub it into your face!  Couldn't be easier to apply and takes less than a minute to do.  Best time to do it is morning after your shower or evening after washing off the makeup :)  With sensitive skin it is very hard to find a product that works, actually nothing has worked like the Vitamin C Serum.  This Vitamin C Serum is so jam-packed with good things for your skin it amazes me!  We all know that Vitamin C is great for your health and skin but this product goes far above and beyond by adding UV protection and Hyaluronic Acid which has been shown in recent years to be extremely beneficial to the skin.  This product is great, it really helps with bags under your eyes and reduces age spots and/or sun spots, in addition to making your skin more smooth and pliable.


I have extremely dry skin and I have tried all the lotions out there and nothing helps.  I don't like greasy substances and this serum did not leave a residue or greasy feeling at all, which was to my liking.  It's a clear but thick serum and it only takes a few drops to apply on your skin, so the bottle will last a really long time even if you use it twice a day!  I am 38 but I still have "teenager"skin which means a lot of acne.  I don't know if my hormones are off-balance or what, but it is SO frustrating and very embarrassing to me.  I did find that when I used this product it helped control that acne a little bit.  So I can imagine that continued and regular use would really help and I am definitely going to keep going!  It is nice just to have smooth and pretty skin.  Plus with all the amino acids and antioxidants in this serum I know my skin is getting healthier and that is something I can't put a price on!

I Am Radiant Facial Serum - Vit C, Argan, Hyaluronic Acid 3x System Review


I Am Radiant Facial Serum - Vit C, Argan, Hyaluronic Acid 3x System Review

http://www.amazon.com/Radiant-Face-Serum-Hyaluronic-Anti-Aging/dp/B00LS2V328/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422690856&sr=8-1&keywords=i+am+radiant

Link to my review on Amazon:

I AM RADIANT SERUM

#jeffen

***My Personal Review***

All 3 of the best skincare ingredients in one serum - definitely fits the name very well.  All of these come together beautifully to reduce the early signs of aging and give your skin that awesome feel of youth and beauty :)  Serum is nice and thick and cool when applied and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean.  This has a wonderful fresh scent and packed with all the great ingredients it really makes a difference in your skin!  After just a few days you will start to see a reduction in age spots, wrinkles, dark circles and much more.  This also has aloe vera and geranium oil that just adds to the benefits of this serum.  This comes with a 1 year money back guarantee, but you won't need it - the 1 oz bottle will last you quite a while and you will be pleased with the results :)

Friday, January 30, 2015

Merengue Dance DVD - Super Fun! Learn the Hottest Latin Dance, Merengue Review


Merengue Dance DVD - Super Fun! Learn the Hottest Latin Dance, Merengue Review

http://www.amazon.com/learn-dance-merengue-beginning-intermediate/dp/b000p28ufu

Link to my review on Amazon:

MERENGUE

#merengue

***My Personal Review***

Another great dance mastery dvd from DanceCrazy.com - this is one that is not extremely well-known as the Salsa or the Waltz is, but it is a very fun dance to learn and do!  And surprisingly one of the easiest to learn out of all the dance dvd's I have received so far :)  The instruction is superb just like the others with 2 instructors showing you each move separately and then putting them all together.  And the best part of all of these is that you don't have to go to just 1 class a week or a few times a month and expect to learn with just a few hours of practice - you can use these anytime from the privacy of your own home.  So even if you are a complete novice with dancing and feel very uncomfortable in front of others this will allow you to learn simply and easily without embarrassment :)  While you are checking this dvd out, look at their other products like the Waltz, the Bachata, the Salsa and much more!  Enjoy :)


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Dewi and the Seeds of Doom by Maggie Lyons Book Tour and Personal Review

About the Book

Title: Dewi and the Seeds of Doom  *  Author: Maggie Lyons  *  Year Published: 2012  *  Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing * Pages: 70  *  Recommended Age: 6+
Summary: When Dewi is clobbered by a falling rat, the nosy Welsh dragon snoops his way into a challenging predicament. Helped by a toad with a passion for chemical wart cures, Dewi discovers that a megalomaniac baron is secretly breeding mutant corn at an unfriendly castle. To thwart the genetically modified-corn baron’s sickening plan, he must use moxie and firepower in a series of catastrophe-skirting capers.

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads

Book Preview


The Buzz

“One of Maggie Lyons’ talents is her ability to infuse humor and a hefty dose of parody into her writing. The book is without visual illustrations (except for a terrific cover) but the story is so well written that children will be beguiled. An excellent, witty, full of fun book for children (ages 6 – 11, and adults with a love for entertainment) to stretch their imaginations and have a terrific time doing so.” ~ 5 Star Review, Grady H., Top 100 Amazon Reviewer
“What a delightful story! What child wouldn’t love this? It’s a story for 6-10 year olds. It’s a great book to read to your children when they’re young or by themselves when they’re older. If your child likes Geronimo Stilton, they’ll fall in love with Dewi the little dragon and his friend Jones the toad. I hope Maggie Lyons will turn this into a series.” ~ 5-Star review from unicorngirl, Amazon US
“Dewi and the Seeds of Doom is well written with characters that will keep the reader laughing, and a plot that flows easily along.” ~ 5-Star review from Wayne S., Goodreads
“Ms. Lyons conjured a great tale that is marvelously creative. My niece now loves this book and is begging for me to buy her a “Dewi the dragon” plush toy. Ms. Lyons, write another Dewi story and start making plush toys too! Most of all, thank you for a wonderful afternoon solving a mystery with my niece.” ~ 5-Star review from T.F. Simmons, Amazon US

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***My Personal Review***

Dewi is the cutest little dragon! I remember growing up with Puff the Magic Dragon and this did actually remind me a bit of him because they are both sweet and not scary dragons at all :) Dewi the Dragon is kind of a sleuth/detective and one day when he gets hit with a rat falling from the sky he can't help but get involved in the story. It is most definitely for elementary school kids, the writing is perfect for them and I would definitely recommend this for any child :) It is a short read with only 70 pages on the ebook I received, so you can read it in about one setting but it all depends on your childs attention span. I found it extremely enjoyable and I am 38, but I do love all kinds of books but especially fantasy so it appealed to me on a lot of levels :) The writer did a fabulous job and the cover is SUPER cute with the cartoonish dragon in the midst of a more realistic background. I am looking forward to seeing more stories about Dewi in the future! I can't wait to see what he finds to look into next :)

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 About The Author: Maggie Lyons

Maggie Lyons authorMaggie Lyons was born in Wales and very properly brought up in England before gravitating to Virginia’s coast. She zigzagged her way through a motley slew of careers from (unofficial) British spy to academic editor. Writing and editing nonfiction for adults brought plenty of satisfaction but nothing like the magic she discovered writing for kids. Her children’s books Vin and the Dorky Duet (for ages 7 through 12) and Dewi and the Seeds of Doom (for ages 6 through 10) are available on order at most book stores including Amazon.

 

 

Website  *  Amazon Author Page  *  Facebook

  Author Blog  *  Google+

Goodreads  *  Twitter

A Major Connection by Marie Harte Release Blitz and Giveaway!

A Major Connection
Good to Go Series #4
by: Marie Harte
Publication Date: January 20, 2015
Genre: Military Romance
Publisher: No Box Books
Cover Designer: Tibbs Design

Synopsis

Major April Soames is spending her last days as a Marine soaking up the sun and dog sitting for her sister. Unfortunately, the troublesome canine has dug up the garden of the last person in the world April expects to see—sexy Gunnery Sgt. Robert Thorn. The man is a hundred percent male with a body that won’t quit and a hard-ass attitude to match. He’s unforgiving, and now the darn dog has made a mess of his tomatoes.
Gunny Bobby Thorn has seen the major hottie on base, but officers and enlisted don’t mix. Then he learns she’s on terminal leave, only a few more weeks until she’s officially a civilian. That makes her fair game, and she’s just what he needs to add a little pleasure to his life. Thorn finds himself falling for her. Hard. Between her sharp wit, snarky attitude, and gorgeous looks, he’s addicted and needing more.
But April has plans to move on with her life, and Bobby’s not all that great when it comes to maintaining relationships. But with a little mastery in the bedroom and some tactical planning, he’s going to find a way to storm her defenses. When it comes to the heart, this is one Marine playing for keeps.

Purchase Links

A Major Attraction (Good to Go #1)
A Major Seduction (Good to Go #2)
A Major Distraction (Good to Go #3)
A Major Connection (Good to Go #4)

 Meet the Author

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way.  She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.  Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.

Giveaway

Final Life by Rose Garcia Teaser Tuesday!





Final Life by Rose Garcia
Book #1 in the Transhuman Chronicles

Nothing sucks more than being forced to move cross country during senior year. And Dominique Wells doesn't think things can get any worse until she's invited to a quirky neighbor's party. When pressured into playing a magical card game, Dominique's world goes from sucky to terrifying. She begins having visions of a red desert and an evil presence--a presence who hints at past lives and promises to kill her.

Plagued by fear and suspicion, and unaware of a family secret kept hidden from her, Dominique is determined to live. Together with a mysterious and gorgeous guy who's moved in while his parents are away, and a hot, popular guy from school, Dominique must seek clues to her past if she's to survive. That, and keep her emotions in check for the two guys she suddenly can't stop thinking about because if she doesn't, she'll be dead. For real.



Available on  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo


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ABOUT ROSE


Rose Garcia is a lawyer turned writer who's always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy. From a very young age, she often had her nose buried in books about other-worlds, fantastical creatures, and life and death situations. More recently she's been intrigued by a blend of science fiction and reality, and the idea that some supernatural events are, indeed, very real. Fueled by her imagination, she created The Transhuman Chronicles--a series of books about people who have overcome human limitations.

Rose lives in Houston with her husband and two kids. You can visit Rose at www.rosegarciabooks.com


Teaser Tour for Through Infinity and Thanks For The Memories by Libby Austin!

infinityteaser (1)
 
Welcome to the teaser tour for the contemporary romances through infinity and thanks for the memories by Libby Austin! 


1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hmm Not much to tell. I’m a wife and mother who’s obsessed with books. My favorite color is green, I love crime shows but have a weak stomach, I have a very dry sense of humor, and I’m a Dr. Pepper addict.

2. Your book through infinity, what is it about?

through infinity is about a family coming together when one of them is in need. The overall theme would be ‘does love reside in our heads or our hearts’.

3. Where did the idea for your book come from?

The idea for the book came from my son. My husband had been working out of town for several weeks. He came home for a surprise visit. Our son ran up to him and said, “Hi, Dad! Do you remember me?” Of course my husband said yes, but I wondered what would happen if you didn’t remember, and from there, through infinity was written.

4. The children in the book, their characters where amazing, and Dawson I think will have a special place in readers hearts. Can you tell us about Dawson and is he based at all on someone?

Dawson is probably the only character who’s really based on a real person. He’s based on my son and the son of my editor. Both of our boys share similar traits. I took some of the characteristics from each of them and created Dawson.

5. Do your characters talk to you?

No, they really don’t. It’s more like I see what happens between them.

6. How difficult was it to write about Candice's recovery?

Candice was a difficult character to write because she’s very self-contained, and like most people, she had some thoughts she didn’t want to acknowledge. She’s not very vocal in her feelings and she felt a lot of shame for not “automatically” loving her family. I think that’s a struggle some new mothers, and fathers, deal with. Loving someone, even your child, isn’t always automatic. A lot of parents feel judged for that and guilty for that, so it was something I wanted to highlight.

It was difficult, in a sense, to keep it true to a story of a family coming together without sensationalizing it and turning it into a soap opera. When I wrote through infinity, it felt like most of the “drama” I could add was contrived and really didn’t fit with the story, so I kept it true to the storyline I envisioned.

7. What authors have inspired you?

Too many to name. Even authors of books that I didn’t connect with inspired me because they took the step to put their work out there for judgment. But to name a few:

Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Johanna Lindsey, Annette Broaderick, Jaci Burton, Tracy Anne Warren, Norah Hess, Kelly Elliott, Aleatha Romig, Anne Elliot, Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Shea, Jessica Sorensen, Gena Showalter, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, R. D. Cole and Nyrae Dawn

But most of all, Lois Faye Dyer.

8. Talk about your cover, where did the idea come from and who designed it?

Aww the cover. I could probably write a book on that alone. Lol When I came up with the concept of the cover, I knew it wanted the infinity symbol on it with a color scheme of gold and/or silver. I didn’t want the infinity symbol to be broken, but it needed something to highlight the tension of the story. One night, as I lay in bed (which is when all great ideas seem to appear), the idea of missing puzzle pieces came to me. I passed that on to the cover designer I was working with at the time. When I received the cover mock-up from the designer it was nothing like I envisioned. It had a very somber tone to it, and while through infinity deals with a somewhat somber subject, the overall tone of the book is hopeful, or at least I hope it is.

After seeing that mock-up, I knew I wanted what I was envisioning to capture the story. I approached a different designer with my concept. I had figured out that I wanted something to represent her family as the missing pieces of the puzzle, but I didn’t want faces and I didn’t want silhouettes because they just didn’t convey the correct emotion. That night I was going somewhere and I put on my charm bracelet, and the light bulb turned on, which is where the pictures under the missing puzzle pieces came from.

The next issue was the positioning of the infinity symbol itself. Normally the infinity symbol is orientated horizontally, but that left too much blank space on the cover, so we turned it. Turning it, to me, kind of represented how Candice’s world had shifted.

Then as you see in the book with the chapter headers, the puzzle becomes filled in as Candice gets to know her family, which is why the back cover is a completed puzzle. The puzzle pieces, along with the colored background, also represent another sub‑storyline in through infinity.

Overall, the cover has been well received. I find that those who didn’t like it before they read the book, love it once they’ve finished. Choosing not to put a ‘standard’ cover on it was a risk, but I wanted the cover to really represent the story, and story isn’t about sex, although there’s chemistry.

Nathan with Nate’s Art did the final cover. He did a great job of turning my vision into reality.

9. Do you have a special time of the day you like to write?

I would probably write more at night if I could, but my early morning alarm clocks don’t cooperate with that schedule.

10. What has been the hardest thing about writing?

Writing wasn’t hard. Writing something that was coherent that people would want to read was hard. It’s everything that comes after writing that’s hard.

11. Will there be a follow up book to through infinity?

There will be one more book and a novella for the Woodruffs. Jason’s POV will be told in & beyond… There will be scenes that the reader didn’t get in through infinity. Jason had his own struggles that weren’t shown in through infinity. That was a conscious decision on my part, because I felt that the reader wouldn’t empathize as much with Candice and how lost she felt if they had all of the same knowledge Jason had.

SPOILER ALERT: Candice and Jason are together and they will stay that way, so I can’t imagine another story for them.

12. Do you have any writing rituals?

Nope. Not one. Maybe I need some.

13. What other projects do you have for the New Year?

Reft- a completely new book

& beyond… - Jason’s POV

DamN – a standalone novel

Love Defying

14. Coffee, Tea, or Soda?

Dr. Pepper and occasionally a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce or Gingerbread Latter.

15. Jason Woodruff, Candice's husband in through infinity, I fell in love with him and the reviews from other readers all say how much they loved him. Did you realize that he was going to mean so much to your readers?

I would say I was hopeful. He’s very open about what he feels, and he’s loyal. Those are characteristics my husband has and I fell in love with him, so I guess I can understand falling in love with Jason. He’s what I would want if what happened to Candice happened to me.

16. You’re a new author, can you give any advice to others who are just starting out?

Hire an editor. Invest in your project, but be realistic about its potential. Be personable and understanding. Everybody has lives, and most blogs and readers are inundated with request to read books. It’s a slow process. Keep writing. Write, write, write, and write some more.


Infinity_cover_nobleedAbout through infinity:
  Candice and Jason Woodruff had everything going for them: a strong marriage, the family they’d dreamed of, and successful businesses. When they made their wedding vows, they promised to love each other through infinity and beyond…but Candice doesn’t remember making that vow. Candice doesn’t remember the last eighteen years.
After a medical emergency, Candice awakens to find herself a married mother of four. She’s surrounded by a loving family of strangers, but Candice struggles to claim an identity while learning to be a wife and mother.
Candice is no longer the same woman Jason fell in love with all those years ago. Can they learn to love each other in this new reality?
Through Infinity is one woman’s journey as she rediscovers the love of her husband and children. But will that new found love be strong enough to carry them through infinity and beyond… 


GoodreadsAmazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo | Inktera  | Google Play | Google Books  

through infinity is only .99 cents for a limited time! 



About thanks for the memories:


Jason knew Candice's biggest Christmas wish was to remember the past eighteen years. As Thanksgiving approached, Candice retreated further within herself. Jason enlisted the help of their family and friends to grant Candice's wish. Each shared their cherished memories and placed them in a tin. Surprised to find the collection of tins, she couldn’t help but wonder what was inside.

With each memory, Candice felt a little more connected to the life and people she’d forgotten in the wake of her accident. Each one brought a sense of fulfillment and longing. When Christmas day arrived, would Candice be able to say thanks for the memories?
Goodreads

Grab thanks for the memories for FREE at Libby's website! 


About the Author: One day some words came to mind, so I wrote them down. Soon the words became sentences, which formed paragraphs, which, in turn, formed chapters. Before long, those words had become a book.

When I'm not reading or writing, I'm a wife, mother, and business owner. I've lived on the Gulf, East, and West Coasts, but as a born and raised Southern girl, my favorite will always be the Gulf Coast. There's just no place like home...


Sunday, January 25, 2015

Over The Line by K.C. Stewart Cover Reveal and Giveaway :)

Over the Line

                                           Adirondack Pack 0.5

by K.C. Stewart
Publication Date: February 16, 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cover Designer: Mayhem Cover Creations

Synopsis

The truth is in the evidence. Follow your nose, keep an ear to the ground and don’t believe everything you hear. Tyson Cartwright has always known who he was and becoming the Adirondack Pack’s Enforcer was the goal from the very start. He loves his job, but not today. Someone in the pack isn’t who they say they are. It isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last that Tyson has to rid the pack of a spy. These are the people he calls his friends and family and one of them is lying to him. His gut has an idea but is it just because he doesn’t like the man his sister has taken up with or is there something more to Jack Naughton? For Jenny’s sake he better know for sure it’s Jack before dispensing justice because once a wolf goes over the line, there is no coming back.

Other Books by K.C. Stewart

Spark (Hailey Holloway #1)
Amazon US | UK | CA || Barnes & Noble || Kobo
Singe (Hailey Holloway #2)
Amazon US | UK | CA || Barnes & Noble || Kobo
Scorch (Hailey Holloway #3)
Amazon US | UK | CA || Barnes & Noble || Kobo

Meet the Author

K.C. Stewart lives in central Pennsylvania with her three cats. She is currently attending college online for Library Science while working full time as a photographer.  In her spare time, which isn't easy to find, she reads an obnoxious amount and writes in between everything else.  K.C. has a very real addiction to gummy bears and talking to her cats when no one is around. 

 Giveaway

 

Stupid Boy by Cindy Miles Book Highlight and Giveaway :)


Title: Stupid Boy
Author: Cindy Miles
Series: Stupid in Love #2
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY. 

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze--more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas--she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and--unbeknownst their “mark”--secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control.


Pre-order:


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Excerpt

By the time I’d finished a very poor attempt at studying for an Art test and exited the library, the tell-tale signs of pending dusk had crept onto Winston’s manicured campus. The early November air felt crisp against my cheeks as it whisked through, rustling the leaves and sending several pirouetting to the ground to land in scattered colors on the grass like some strange abstract stained glass. Knowing darkness would soon swallow everything, I hurried to the campus coffee house and café that stayed open until midnight. Inside, students sat at tables studying, their laptops open, the light illuminating their faces and coffee cups by their sides. As I took my place in line I selected my usual pre-packaged turkey sandwich and a bottle of lemonade and stood, waiting to pay.

    “That’s all you’re eating?”

    I jumped at the voice behind me and turned to find Kane there. Instantly, my insides froze. He gazed down at me, his hands shoved into his pockets, those broad shoulders sort of hunching toward me, almost…cornering me; his eyes as worn and soft as the leather jacket he wore.

    “Um, yes,” I answered. I gave a hesitant smile. “Not very hungry, I guess.” What was he doing here? Suddenly I felt closed in—a feeling I avoided at all costs.

    “So what’s good here?” he asked. His Boston accent was heavy and void of the letter r, just like Brax’s, only…softer. Quiet. The kind of voice that you had to pay close attention to or else you’d miss what they were saying completely.

    I couldn’t believe he was talking to me. I shrugged, pretended he didn’t bother me, and held up my sandwich. “Turkey?”

    He said nothing as he lifted three turkey sandwiches from the cooler; his smoky gaze remained riveted to mine. Then, he bent his head close. “Kane McCarthy.”

    I looked at him then, taken back by how his voice washed over me and made my skin tingle. I forced myself to breathe; I wasn’t used to being in this kind of situation. Guys just didn’t go out of their way to talk to me. I made sure of it. But I didn’t balk. I mean, after all—Kane was my potential reformation Dare. Right? Murphy’s words rushed back to me. Reform the barmy beast! I breathed. Smiled. Pretended. “Harper Belle.”

    Again, his eyes softened, and as we stepped up to the cashier he gave her a nod and inclined his head toward me. Before I could say a word, the cashier had rung our orders up together, and Kane handed her a twenty.

    I looked at him, embarrassed. “Oh no, really, that’s okay, you don’t have to—”

    Kane’s eyes moved over me. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I do.”

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About Cindy

National bestselling author Cindy Miles writes edgy romance, ranging from contemporary love stories to sexy paranormals. A native of southern coastal Georgia, she loves reading (naturally), baking swoon-worthy desserts, traveling abroad, yoga, and classic rock. The cover for her upcoming New Adult romance, STUPID GIRL, was featured on USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog. In the novel, a volatile mix of bad boys, sassy smart girls, dark secrets, and red-hot romance add up to one wild ride through college.
Hang out with Cindy on her Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/officialcindymilesfanpage

Or check out her website: http://www.cindy-miles.com/

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Giveaway



Thunderstone by Barbara Pietron Promotional Tour/Character Outline and Giveaway :)



Thunderstone by Barbara Pietron
Genre: YA paranormal romance
Published: November 12, 2013

Sneaking out at night, driving without a license, and falling for a guy weren’t things fifteen-year-old Jeni expected to do while visiting Lake Itasca, Minnesota.  Then she meets Ice, the local medicine man's apprentice.  Suddenly, her simple family gathering becomes an exciting – and terrifying – week of self-discovery.  At first Jeni doesn't believe Ice's claim that she can touch the spirit world and has somehow released a mythical underwater monster. However, she's forced to reconsider when a teen swears a monster killed his father while fishing on the lake. Just as she comes to accept truth, Jeni finds she is the only one who can imprison the monster, making her the creature's next target.  She'll need immense faith in her newfound ability to put herself in harm's way and face down the monster.  And even if she succeeds in delivering the local population – and Ice – from the creature's wrath, there is no guarantee Jeni will escape with her own life.


Purchase:

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The Prequel:


Heart of Ice by Barbara Pietron

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About the Author


After years in the corporate world, Barbara found herself with a second chance to decide what she wanted to be when she grew up.  Her lifetime love of books and the written word returned one answer: writer.  Drawing from her experience with technical writing, she began by writing non-fiction magazine pieces and achieved both regional and national publication.  Her success encouraged her to complete a novel.  She learned much from her first manuscript, critiques, books, contests, and blogs.  In 2012, her novel Thunderstone, was a quarterfinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and won a critique by Publisher's Weekly.  A few months later, she was offered publication by Scribe Publishing Company.

 Barbara has a few other novels in the works, including a Thunderstone sequel. If she's not reading or writing, Barbara likes to walk, garden, and sew.  She works in a library and lives in Royal Oak, Michigan with her husband, daughter, and their cat – who often acts like a dog.

Find Barbara online:

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Mishebeshu – The Underwater Monster

In Thunderstone, Jeni battles the Native American underwater monster, Mishebeshu, so I thought I'd share a little of the mythology behind the story. Mishebeshu in Ojibwe translates as "Great Lynx" since the dragon-like monster resembles a feline with horns whose back and tail are covered with scales. His powerful tail propels him swiftly through the water and he also uses it to stir up lakes and rivers and overturn boats of unwary and/or disrespectful humans. He strikes indiscriminately, when least expected, embodying the uneasy feeling that "something is down there." The Ojibwe believe human beings cannot stand alone against the underwater monster. Only the Thunderers (or Thunderbirds) have the power and will necessary to right the imbalance of Mishebeshu’s acts. So during thunderstorms, the Thunderers hurl stones which are imbued with their energy, giving humans access to a fraction of their sacred power. These fulgurites, glassy tubular rocks produced when lightning strikes sand, are the true Thunderstones.

 If, like me, you're fascinated by Thunderers and Water Monsters, I highly recommend this book by Theresa S. Smith: The Island of the Anishnaabeg: Thunderers and Water Monsters in the Traditional Ojibwe Life-World  

 

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Win a new young adult novel!
(Before it's in stores!)

Barbara Pietron, author of Thunderstone, is running a contest to title her next novel.
If your title idea is chosen as one of the top four suggestions, you will win the book!

Here's how it works:

Based on the cover summary below, you think of an amazing title. You know, the kind of title that compels a potential reader to take the book off the shelf.

Then go to www.barbarapietron.com and click on the News/Events page. You can make your suggestion in the comment section of the post about the contest, or click on the link which will take you to the Scribe Publishing website suggestion form. Your email will be added to Barbara's list so she can keep you in the loop about the contest and the book.

If your suggestion is chosen as a top four, you will win the new novel! Those top four entries will be posted for readers to vote on their favorite. If your suggestion becomes the book title, you'll be mentioned in the book!

Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Jack Ironwood knew exactly what he wanted. Until he got it.
Jack was content to stay unnoticed by pretty and popular track-star, Natalie Segetich, until her best friend Emma disappears. Natalie swears something took Emma, and though most people write Natalie off as traumatized and confused, Jack is a soulshifter and he knows the human-stealing Enuuki—hell's messengers—are real.

As a soulshifter, Jack can cross into the underworld so he sees Emma's rescue as an opportunity to prove himself a valuable member of his transcendental sect—and a way to secure a future otherwise out of his reach. Although he needs Natalie's help to prepare for the mission, Jack intends to go to the underworld alone. But as a viable plan takes shape, it's clear the best chance of success means Natalie must accompany him.

On the eve of the quest, when Jack is promised the hand of a respected elder's daughter—a dream come true—he realizes he's no longer sure what he wants. But it's too late to back out, not with the sect and Natalie counting on him. Pursued by the dark lord's henchmen and ghastly mutant creatures, Jack and Natalie struggle to come out ahead in a battle and barter for souls. In the end, Jack will have to decide his own fate, because nothing short of a deal with the devil will get all three of them out of hell alive.


Part one of the contest will run through January 31st, 2015 and the voting will take place in February.