BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Showing posts with label TOP POST. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TOP POST. Show all posts

Friday, June 19, 2015

Blog Tour: Sarai's Fortune by Abigail Owen #SaraiTour


She will be forced to choose…save her lover or save herself.

Publication Date: May 13, 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Shadowcat Nation #2

Zac Montclair’s first priority is to protect his people. With the escalating war between factions of shifters over land and resources, he has agreed to an alliance between his polar bears and the Shadowcat Nation of cougar shifters. But the treaty comes with a condition…he must accept one of their Seers into his Timik and put her under his personal protection.
Sarai Bouchard doesn’t need her supernatural gift to know that Kyle Carstairs’s obsession with controlling her ability will eventually result in her misery and demise. Her power is essential to her people’s survival, so when Kyle goes rogue, she’s sent to Zac Montclair to keep her safe. However, her visions reveal that while staying will lead to their becoming lovers, it also leads to his death. Leaving Zac will result in her own.
If Sarai can’t find a way to change the future, she will be forced to choose…save her lover or save herself.



EXCERPT

“You don’t like being a Seer?”

Sarai narrowed her eyes. Very few people realized that about her. She shifted in her seat to face him more fully. At the same time, she tried her best not to touch him, but the way he was angled, her entire right thigh was now plastered up against him. She ignored the sensations the contact was causing.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Your tone of voice right then. Sounds like you resent your gift.”

She gave him a little half smile. “Not at all.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She turned back to the window, determined to stay that way this time. “I can’t help what you believe.”

“If you ever want to talk about it—”

“I don’t.”

After a beat, he said quietly, “—I can be a good listener.”

Eager to end the conversation, she said, “Wouldn’t know it by this conversation. I didn’t take you for such a talker.”

Another long pause. Sarai bit her lip, feeling a little guilty. He was only trying to be kind. She just couldn’t encourage a relationship with this man. Not with the way it was destined to end.

“Believe it or not, I used to talk a lot. My parents called me a chatterbox.”

Suddenly, Sarai was in the middle of a rare look into the past. She didn’t get them often, but it was known to happen. She saw Zac as a little boy, nattering away to his parents, who listened with half-amused, half-exasperated smiles. He was the spitting image of his dad. Suddenly, as she watched, his father tossed his head back and laughed long and loud. A great billowing sound which made Zac and his mother laugh with him.

With a blink she forced herself out of the image. She hadn’t needed that personal look into Zac’s life. She was trying to keep her distance. Zac’s parents were dead now. Killed by the same pack of wolf shifters who’d killed Andie’s mother. She knew that much about him.

“Your father had a great laugh,” she murmured. With great effort, she kept her face turned away.

Her words seemed to drop into a void.

“How would you know that?” He sounded merely curious. “You can see the past?”

Sarai gave a tiny nod. “Sometimes. Just glimpses. Memories, I think. You must’ve been thinking about them.”

“He did have a great laugh,” he said after a moment. Even more softly, he murmured, “I used to laugh more. When they were alive.”

Sarai jerked her head around, turning wide eyes his way, astonished he’d opened up to share something that personal. She felt a sudden, unwanted connection with the lost, lonely boy who’d had to become a man much too fast.

As though he were embarrassed by his statement, Zac laid his head back against his seat and closed his eyes, settling in for a nap and effectively tuning her out.

Sarai watched him for a moment, before she too pulled her gaze away. After a long time, she murmured, “Me too.”


Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.



Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.


Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube



Friday, June 5, 2015

Review & Character Interview:The IX by Andrew P. Weston Blog Tour

 photo ix banner.png








Title: The IX
Author: Andrew P. Weston
Publication Date: January 26, 2015 
Genre: Science Fiction 


Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia.

A  US cavalry company, engaged on a special mission, vital to the peace treaty proposed by Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln.

A twenty-first century Special Forces unit, desperate to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.

From vastly different backgrounds, these soldiers are united when they are snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing. Thinking they may have been granted a reprieve, imagine their horror when they discover they have been transported to a failing planet on the far side of the galaxy, where they are given a simple ultimatum. Fight or die. Against all odds, this group of misfits manages to turn the tide against a relentless foe, only to discover the true cost of victory might exact a price they are unwilling to pay.

How far would you be willing to go to stay alive?

The IX. Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure.



Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

4* REVIEW

When I first picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. The longer I read it the more involved it became. There were so many characters that it was a bit hard to keep them straight but it was worth the effort. I loved the plot twists and the fast pace of the story. I was totally fascinated by the characters from different times managing to become a cohesive force against the enemy. It's hard to say much without spoiling it for anyone but if you love sci-fi this is a read you don't want to miss. 
Andrew P. Weston is a Royal Marine and Police veteran from the UK who now lives on the beautiful Greek island of Kos with his wife, Annette, and their growing family of rescue cats.

An astronomy and law graduate, he is a contracted writer of fiction and poetry. Creator of "The IX" - and the “Guardians” and “Cambion Journals” series, has also has the privilege of being a member of the British Science Fiction Association, and British Fantasy Society.

When not writing, Andrew devotes some of his spare time to assisting NASA in one of their remote research projects, and writes educational articles for Astronaut.com and Amazing Stories.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads | Pinterest


Giveaway:  $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble Gift Card or Book Depository Credit; One (1) Digital Copy of Outpassage by Janet and Chris Morris and The Sacred Band by Janet Morris, published by Perseid Press. Ends 6/12.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Book Blitz : Ara by B.R. Eddy



Ara
Release Date: Fall 2014
339 pages


Ara Vertrees is an advisor to the King in Jimalia, a thriving island nation in the middle of a vast ocean. Her macaws are trained to fly home to the palace to repeat confidential information. When their messages become more and more troubling, she finds herself in the middle of a crisis she never expected. Ara's story is full of adventure, friendship, mystery, love and loss. Join Ara and her companions as they fight pirates, uncover deception, find love and fight for Jimalia.
Message from the Author

My name is Brit and I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. My work with animals brought macaws into my life. They frightened me, moved me, hurt me, loved me and made me grow. I hope that my novel will help people understand these birds better! They are breathtaking and intelligent, but do not make good pets for most families. They require a lot of space and attention, can be very destructive and can easily outlive you. They can be incredible companions to the right people. Please keep all these things in mind when considering a macaw as a pet!"

Excerpt 
A bell tinkled in the distance. Sprigg peeled his gummy eyes open. It was night, he tried to remember what woke him. A bell, the aviary bell. His heart skipped, this would be a breaking point for him. Ara’s system would fail today. There was no one to deliver the message to, so did Sprigg just feed the bird? That could destroy the bird’s behavior. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, then rose to put on his slippers. May as well see who it was. He lit a candle and went to the aviary. A scarlet macaw sat on a low perch, waiting. Faint light from the distant sun grayed the sky. Sprigg held his candle up to the macaw to see who it was. Beautiful bird, long tail, high forehead, sprinkles of green on his nape... It was Seven. He just stared at the bird, who lifted up one foot hopefully. Sprigg mechanically took the bird on his arm as he began to realize that this bird had been with Ara, the Prestige hadn’t landed in Bastal before being hijacked. Seven had either found a way off the ship and flown home, or Ara was alive. Sprigg felt his keel bone, the bird’s weight was perfect, evidence that he’d been carefully maintained. Chills ran up his back. His breathing quickened, he wanted to believe it so badly. Ara could be alive. This bird could hold the answers to his burning questions. He was fully awake. Now if Seven did have a message, how was he to extract it? He left Seven in the aviary and went to prepare a diet. He had to hear the message somehow, he had to know what had happened.  With the diet in hand, he fetched Seven, left Reef in the apartment and headed to the conference room where messages were received. Sprigg stood there alone with Seven. The sun was nearly to the horizon. Seven fluffed up his feathers and looked around. Sprigg wondered if there was some secret prompt that Ara had never told him about. A few moments went by before Seven hunkered down on his arm and shat on the floor. Sprigg frowned and waited until the sun was nearly clear of the eastern sea. Seven remained silent. This wasn’t working at all. He had to do something crazy. Nothing was more important than hearing Seven’s message. As a servant, he was familiar with the secret passages and stairways built for service crew. His heart beat madly as he made his way straight for the dungeon. He took narrow brick passages. Seven seemed uneasy about the unlit path and gripped Sprigg’s arm hard. Sprigg pushed the narrow door open and peeked into the dungeon hall. It was obviously in disuse from Victor’s peaceful reign. Lord Heldey was the only prisoner in the last cell across from Sprigg. The rest were empty. He looked up the hall where torch lights lit up the hall, surely there were guards up the stairs there. Flynn noticed Sprigg with the bird and sat up. Sprigg winced, he was a mess. He’d obviously received a beating at one point. His clothes were bloodied and torn, his hair was a mop on his head. He looked ten years older, but oddly more manly than Sprigg had ever perceived him. Sprigg took a breath and glanced up the hall again before silently crossing to where Seven could see the prisoner. Seven was trembling nervously and Sprigg’s hope for hearing the message was dwindling fast. Lord Heldely remained silent, as expected before hearing a message. They waited, but Seven just clutched Sprigg and kept his secrets. Sprigg felt so desperate, but this wasn’t working. He turned to go. 
“Wait!” Flynn hissed, gripping his cell bars, “I’m innocent! They’re going to hang me for a crime I’d never commit, you have to help me!” Sprigg shushed him sharply, “Be silent! I have to fast this bird. I’ll return tonight, I swear it.”

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Blog Tour & Review-Wish For Me by A Star 5*- #DjinnTour


Wish For Me 
by A. Star

Tour Dates: May 4–8, 2015
Publication Date: April 2015
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy/Romance
Giveaway: $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble Gift Card or Book Depository Spree

Three wishes. Two lovers. One destiny.

When the snarky Glory St. Pierre discovers the gold mechanical vase in her deceased grandmother’s basement, she has no idea that she has uncovered a priceless treasure: a genie lamp. With a real genie inside. A very sexy genie with a not-so-sexy grudge against the entire human race.

Irving Amir hates being called a genie. He’s a Djinn, and he is none too happy to be in the service of Glory, who is as intolerable, and beautiful, as humans come. Now he owes her his gratitude for freeing him and three wishes. Damn his luck.

But an arrow through the shoulder alerts Irving to the fact that he is being hunted, and after a truce dinner with Glory ends with them both almost being killed, hating each other goes right out the window. As feelings change and love starts to develop, they must dig through the secrets and lies to find the truth...a truth neither of them will ever see coming.

WARNING: Not suitable for ages 18 and under. A significant source of bad language, sexy times, and dirty jokes. If you suffer from a lack of a sense of humor, take with plenty of wine. If the symptom persists, see a doctor.
 

Review

Love stories about the Djinn and this one is no exception. Mix in some steampunk and you have an extra special story. Though short it was an amazing tale. The characters, Glory St Pierre and Irving Amir were loads of fun and I can't wait to read more of their story. I hate a cliff hanger ending as it makes me crazy. The only time I don't mind it is if I have the next book to dive into.





A. Star is a fan of dirty passion. She likes to read it, and she damn sure likes to write it. Future releases under A. Star include three more books in the Mythos series, four more in the Djinn Order series, the Knights of the Jousts series and more.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest


Tour Schedule

Monday, May 4
Deborah Jay (Review)
Natural Bri (Review)
Dee-Scoveries (Guest Post)
Bookfever (Character Interview)
Charline's Blog and More... (Author Interview)

Tuesday, May 5
The Mad Reviewer (Review)
Deal Sharing Aunt (Spotlight)
Boom Baby Reviews (Character Interview)

Wednesday, May 6
Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog (Review)
The Shadow Portal (Author Interview)


Thursday, May 7
Book Bird Reviews (Spotlight)
Hope. Dreams. Life...Love (Cast the Movie)

Friday, May 8
I Am Mo La Shae (Review)
Book Reviews and Giveaways (Author Interview)