Christine Amsden - Secrets and Lies

14. Secrets and Lies by Christine Amsden (2013)
The Cassie Scot Series Book 2
Length: 269 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 23 February 2014
Finished: 28 February 2014
Where did it come from?  Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 14 November 2013
Why do I have it? I like paranormal mysteries and have read and enjoyed Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by the same author in the past.

Still reeling from her parents' betrayal, Cassie Scot is determined to leave the world of magic behind her. But the magical world isn't letting go that easily. Her family is imploding, and despite everything, Cassie may be the only one powerful enough to save them.

To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan Blackwood her life, making it extremely difficult to deny him anything he truly wants. And Evan apparently wants Cassie. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls who go missing from a summer camp in the mountains. But long-buried secrets just may derail their chances at future happiness.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story picked up relatively close to where Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective left off, and while the cliff-hanger certainly did its job - it had me sitting on the edge of my seat, ready to scream with frustration - the further development of the characters, and the pace of the plot drew me in from page one. I'm eagerly awaiting Book 3, because I definitely want to know what happens next.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Book Blast Blog Tour For Rest Her Soul by Christopher Gibbs From March 24, 2014 to April 4, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am delighted to announce that Christopher Gibbs will be touring the blogosphere to promote his Historical Mystery novel Rest Her Soul. This is Christopher's first virtual book blast blog tour with Pump up Your Book! He will be coming to a blog near you from March 24, to April 4, 2014! Come join us for all the fun!

Mr. Gibbs is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a $25 Amazon Giftcard to one lucky winner at the end of his Book Blast Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Rest Her Soul Book Blast Information:

Meet Christopher Gibbs

Christopher C. Gibbs was born in California and raised in Missouri. He attended college in Colorado and received his PhD in history from the University of Missouri in 1980. Gibbs lives with his family and teaches history in New Jersey. He is the author of numerous nonfiction books and articles.

About Rest Her Soul:

It’s 1928, and the presidential election between Herbert Hoover and Al Smith is on everybody’s mind - everyone but Police Chief James Buckner of Corinth, Missouri. A young woman’s corpse has been discovered buried in the cellar wall of a boarding house in the nearby mining village of Taylor. Knowing he’s one of the best detectives they have, Corinth’s officials allow Chief Buckner to investigate.

Buckner learns the woman was strangled and then immersed in acid before being buried. Worse, she was pregnant. His investigation takes him to Arkansas and Tennessee, where he realizes he may be on the trail of a serial killer—one who specializes in murdering young prostitutes. But as Buckner closes in on the killer, he knows that coming up with enough evidence for a conviction may be difficult, if not downright impossible.

Tragically, no one seems to care about the dead women except Buckner. One thing is for sure: the murderer will kill again. But in this hardboiled world of nasty politics, questionable morals, and ruthless ambition, stopping his prey might exact a price that Buckner isn’t willing to pay.

From Missouri backwoods to seedy brothels, Rest Her Soul reveals the dark underbelly of America in the 1920s.

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

Pump Up Your Book and Christopher are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive each of the prizes
• This giveaway begins March 24 and ends on April 4.
• Winners will be contacted via email on April 5, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rest Her Soul Virtual Book Blast Blog Tour Information:

March 24 - Confessions of a Reader

March 24 - Beyond the Books

March 25 - Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

March 25 - Plug Your Book

March 26 - The Writer’s Life

March 26 - Allvoices

March 27 - Sarah Ballance

March 27 - Icefairy’s Treasure Chest

March 28 - Review From Here

March 28 - Blogher

March 31 - Literarily Speaking

March 31 - Redroom

April 1 - Literal Exposure

April 1 - She Writes

April 2 - As the Pages Turn

April 2 - The Dark Phantom

April 3 - I’m Shelf-ish

April 3 - Bent Over Bookwords

April 4 - Between the Covers

April 4 - The Book Rack

May you read well and often

Gwen Knight - A Hunter's Passion

13. A Hunter's Passion by Gwen Knight (2014)
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Book 4 (February 2014)
Length: 92 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 22 February 2014
Finished: 25 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 December 2013
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Gwen Knight is a new author for me.

Ryker Bennett has dedicated his entire life to hunting down - and eliminating - creatures of darkness. He and his brothers had learned early - from the deaths of their parents - that the only people they could truly count on and trust implicitly were each other. His occupation was certainly grueling - and dangerous - but never once did he question the righteousness of his duty.

But Ryker's latest assignment has him questioning everything he's ever believed in. Jenna Sinclair may be a witch, but she's also the only woman Ryker has ever loved. The 'one who got away' - who'd left him with a broken heart in the process.

Jenna believed that leaving Ryker two years ago was perhaps the hardest thing she'd ever done in her life. But it was for the best. Her decision to leave would save Ryker from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty.

However, when he eventually tracks her down, it's clear the desire between them burns as hot as ever - and that they'll have to walk through the flames to be together...

I must say that I generally love reading books from Harlequin. Usually I choose to read Harlequin Historical, Harlequin Intrigue, and some Harlequin Romance Suspense, as well. I guess I may have to add Harlequin Nocturne to my growing list.

I love reading paranormal romance, and although I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ryker and Jenna's story - it left me wondering when or if the rest of Ryker's brothers might get their own stories. I give A Hunter's Passion by Gwen Knight an A! and will definitely keep my eyes open for more from this author in the future.

A! - (90-95%)
 
May you read well and often

Greg Messel - Fog City Strangler

12. Fog City Strangler by Greg Messel (2013)
The Sam Slater Mysteries Book 4
Length: 493 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Started: 11 February 2014
Finished: 22 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy from Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 8 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like historical mysteries and Greg Messel is a new author for me.

As 1958 nears its end, San Francisco is being terrorized by a man who calls himself the Fog City Strangler. Each victim is a pretty, young blonde woman between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, and the strangler claims credit for each murder by sending a note and a piece of the victim's clothing to the local newspapers. The police have almost no leads to go on, and appear to be absolutely baffled by a suspect who has proven that he's capable of just about anything.

Private eye Sam Slater is just as anxious as everyone else that this murderer is caught soon. He is convinced that his beautiful blonde wife, TWA stewardess Amelia Ryan, will become the Strangler's next victim. His anxiety is further fueled when TWA launches an advertising campaign with Amelia's picture on a series of billboards plastered all over the city. Sam fears the billboards may attract too much attention - the wrong kind of attention.

Meanwhile, Sam and Amelia are hired to try and find the missing daughter of a wealthy dowager who fears she has lost her only child. The missing woman went for a walk with her dog on Stinson Beach, near San Francisco, and seemingly vanished into thin air. The woman's husband arrived at the couple's beach house and found the dog running loose but there was no trace of his wife. After two months, the police are stumped in their investigation.

As Sam and Amelia continue to investigate the disappearance of the woman on the beach, they discover that this particular case is more convoluted than it seemed from first glance. Especially when - on a stormy night - a shadowy figure sets fire to the beach house where the couple is staying - hoping to stop their investigation...permanently.  

I truly enjoyed this mystery. This was the first book by Greg Messel that I've ever read, and this was a standalone mystery - despite it being the fourth book in the Sam Slater Mysteries. The mystery - or should I say, mysteries - captured my attention right from the beginning. The characters were very well drawn - very true to the era in regards to attitude and speech - and I just had to find out how the story ended.

I must say that I found myself employing my various 'armchair detection' skills to solve each mystery. I had several of my own theories as regards to possible suspects, as well as ideas about what their potential motives might be. I wanted to keep reading to find out if my assumptions were correct.

I give Fog City Strangler by Greg Messel a definite A! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future, and will certainly keep an eye open for the three previous books in the Sam Slater Mysteries Series - Last of the Seals, Deadly Plunge and San Francisco Secrets.

I actually was hoping I may be able to put up this review on Wednesday, but as I finished reading this book rather late last night - some time after midnight, I think - I opted for posting the review a little later today. Oh well, good things come to those who wait, I suppose. :)

A! - (90-95%)  

May you read well and often

Introducing Fog City Strangler by Greg Messel!

Meet Greg Messel

Greg Messel grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and now lives in Edmonds, Washington on the Puget Sound with his wife, Carol. Fog City Strangler is his seventh novel and is the fourth in a new series of Sam Slater mystery novels. Greg has lived in Oregon, Washington, California, Wyoming and Utah and has always loved writing, including stints as a reporter, columnist and news editor for a daily newspaper.

Follow news about Mr. Messel’s writings and books at www.gregmessel.com.

Connect and Socialize with Greg!

Twitter * Facebook

Fog City Strangler by Greg Messel (2013)

Length: 493 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Fog City Strangler Blurb: 

As 1958 nears an end San Francisco is being terrorized by a man who calls himself the "Fog City Strangler," who preys on pretty young blonde women. The strangler announces each murder by sending a note and piece of the victim's clothing to the local newspapers. Angst mounts as the strangler continues to claim more victims. Private eye Sam Slater is worried that the Fog City Strangler may be eyeing his beautiful blonde wife, TWA stewardess Amelia Ryan.

His anxiety is further fueled when TWA launches an advertising campaign with Amelia's picture on a series of billboards plastered all over the city. Sam fears the billboards may attract too much attention - the wrong kind of attention.

Meanwhile, Sam and Amelia are hired to try to find the missing daughter of a wealthy dowager who fears she has lost her only child. The missing woman went for a walk with her dog on Stinson Beach, near San Francisco, and seemingly vanished into thin air. The woman's husband arrived at their beach house and found the dog running loose but there was no trace of his wife. The police are stumped in their investigation.

As Sam and Amelia look into the disappearance of the woman on the beach they discover that nothing is as it seems at first glance. On a stormy night a shadowy figure sets fire to the beach house where the couple is staying - hoping to stop their investigation.

Greg Messel's Fog City Strangler is a stand-alone thriller but is part of the Sam Slater Mystery Series - Last of the Seals, Deadly Plunge and San Francisco Secrets.

May you read well and often

Deborah Rix - External Forces

11. External Forces by Deborah Rix (2013)
The Laws of Motion Series Book 1
Length: 210 pages
Genre: Science Fiction 
Started: 26 January 2014
Finished: 19 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Netgalley
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 31 October 2013
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Deborah Rix is a new author for me.

A century has passed since the Genetic Integrity Act was enacted and America closed its borders to prevent genetic contamination. Only the genetic anomalies classified as Deviants - known to all as the enemy - remain beyond the heavily guarded border. The Department of Evolution carefully guides the creation of each successive generation and deviations from the divine plan are not permitted.

When sixteen-year-old Jess Grant begins to show signs of deviance, she enlists in the Special Forces, along with her best friend Jay, in a desperate bid to evade detection by the Devotees. Jess is good with data, not so good with a knife. So when the handsome and secretive Sergeant Matt Anderson selects her for his Black Ops squad, Jess is completely baffled and is determined to figure out why.

As her deviance continues to change her, Jess must eventually decide who she can trust with her deadly secret. She needs to know what's out there, in the Deviant wasteland over the border, if she has any hope of surviving to see her seventeenth birthday. Because if the enemy doesn't kill her first, the Department of Evolution probably will.

First let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were wonderfully drawn, and I was completely intrigued by the plot. I'm usually never sure about reading dystopian science fiction, but with External Forces, I was absolutely caught up in the story and wanted to see how it would develop. I give External Forces by Deborah Rix an A! and look forward to reading the next book in the series - Acceleration - some time very soon.

A! - (90-95%)
          
May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Loving in Time by A. E. Kirk From March 3, 2014 to March 28, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that A. E. Kirk will be touring the blogosphere to promote her romantic sci-fi Loving in Time. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from March 3, to March 28, 2014!

Loving in Time Blog Tour Information:

Meet A. E. Kirk

Abi Kirk is a writer of sorts. Mostly she writes about fantasy or science-fiction for young adults and or horror for adults. After teaching and travelling most of Asia in 2012 and early 2013, Abi now lives in Devon, UK and is constantly inspired by the views of the sloping, idyllic landscapes around her.

She got her inspiration to write this book while competing for a Writers Competition on Wattpad in 2011, and after coming in joint second, Abi was guided by her fans and readers to seek out publishers.

Her first published book, Loving In Time, can be found on the Amazon UK and Pegasus Publishers websites for those who live outside of the UK.

If you want to contact Abi and see the other things she is working on, you can visit her website http://www.abi-kirk.webs.com

Connect and Socialize with A. E.!

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

About Loving in Time:

High school student Helen Xenakis is not just a teenager, she is also a Princess of Sparta. When her guards travel to her time, from the past, they take her back to the time of Trorian war, but there is someone that threatens her new regal life. Can Helen truly have her soul-mate or is her heart destined to be for someone else? And when a tragedy occurs, will she take up the mantle to do what needs to be done?

Purchase Your Copy From Pegasus Publishing and Amazon UK!

Loving in Time Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, March 3 - Book Feature at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Monday, March 3 - Book Feature at Mom With a Kindle

Wednesday, March 5 - Guest Blogging at Cherry Mischievous
Friday, March 7 - Book Review at Trips Down Imagination Road
Monday, March 10 - Book Feature at Cheryl’s Book Nook
Wednesday, March 12 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Wednesday, March 12 - Book Feature at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Monday, March 17 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Thursday, March 21 - Book Feature at I Heart Reading
Monday, March 24 - Interview at A Blue Million Books
Tuesday, March 25 - Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea
Wednesday, March 26 - Book Review at My Devotional Thoughts
Thursday, March 27 - Book Review at Southeast by Midwest
Friday, March 28 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at Brooke Blogs

May you read well and often

Introducing Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith!

To celebrate the good news that Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith has been nominated as a Finalist for the 2014 Epic Ebook Awards in the suspense/thriller category, she wanted me to mention that she is hard at work penning a sequel to her incredibly popular Jurassic horror/thriller Dinosaur Lake. The winners of the 2014 Epic Ebook Awards will be announced on Saturday, March 15, 2014!

Ms. Griffith was kind enough to send me a copy of Dinosaur Lake to read for myself, and I must say that after just reading the blurb - it certainly seems like quite an adventure! :) I congratulate Ms. Griffith on the honor of having been nominated, and wish her all the best for the upcoming award announcements.     

Meet Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Kathryn Meyer Griffith is a wife of almost 35 years (husband, Russell), mother (one son, James) and grandmother (two grandchildren, Caitlyn and Joshua). She was a graphic designer in the corporate world for 23 years; and has published with Dorchester, Kensington, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Amazon Kindle Direct, Damnation Books and Eternal Press, and Amazon Publishing. Six years ago Kathryn crossed over into e-books as well as paperbacks and now all her old/new books are in ebooks...and soon to be in Audio Books from ACX.

She loves cats and nature, classic rock and country music (her brother, J. S. Meyer www.jsmeyermusic.com, is a singer/songwriter and does the songs for all her self-made book trailers that are on her websites). Kathryn loves to interact with her readers, so visit her at either of the following websites: www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith,www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG or www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith to see all of her book covers and trailers.

Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith (2012)

Length: 451 pages

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Dinosaur Lake Blurb: 

Ex-cop Henry Shore has been Chief Park Ranger at Crater Lake National Park for eight years and he likes his park and his life the way it's been. Safe. Tranquil. Predictable. But he's about to be tested in so many ways. First the earthquakes begin...people begin to go missing...then there's some mysterious water creature that's taken up residence in the caves below Crater Lake and it's not only growing in size, it's aggressive and cunning...and very hungry. And it's decided it likes human beings. To eat.

And it can come up onto land.

So Henry, with the help of his wife, Ann; a young paleontologist named Justin; and a band of brave men must not only protect his park and his people from the monster but somehow find where it lives and destroy it...before it can kill again.

May you read well and often

Book Blast Blog Tour For A Woman Possessed by Marilyn Hering From March 3, 2014 to March 14, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am delighted to announce that Marilyn Hering will be touring the blogosphere to promote her Historical Fiction novel A Woman Possessed. This is Marilyn's first virtual book blast blog tour with Pump up Your Book! She will be coming to a blog near you from March 3, to March 14, 2014! Come join us for all the fun!

Ms. Hering is also doing an awesome giveaway - she is giving away a $25 Amazon Giftcard to one lucky winner at the end of her Book Blast Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

A Woman Possessed Book Blast Information:

Meet Marilyn Hering

Marilyn Hering’s father was a weaver at the Paterson silk mill for many years, inspiring her to learn its history and write this book. She has previously been an English teacher, but she is currently dedicating her time to writing the sequel to A Woman Possessed. She lives in Harrington Park, New Jersey.

About A Woman Possessed:

In 1913, silk mill workers in Paterson, New Jersey, went on strike, demanding an eight-hour work day and better working conditions - reasonable requests that nevertheless led to the arrest of over 1,800 people. Young Eleanor O’Bannion was not arrested, but she was there. Living in the tenements of Paterson, she survived near starvation, poverty, and illness. She survived with the yearnings of love. Her heart belongs to the charismatic and passionate Dante Ravelli, a union leader, supporting the workers at the Great Silk Strike. But can Eleanor trust him to love her back?

Against her better judgment, she decides to marry Charles Lafferty, the wealthy son of a silk baron. Charles is stable, dependable, and safe. So why does she continue to think about the dashing Ravelli? Eleanor carries her own secret past, and this secret robs her of any happiness as she struggles to look to the future and find fulfilling love with her husband.

She has survived so much; she knows she will continue to thrive. Any choice she makes will hurt a man she loves. Who will she choose in the end: Ravelli or Charles - or perhaps, her own liberation?

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

Pump Up Your Book and Marilyn are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
• This giveaway begins March 3 and ends on March 14.
• Winners will be contacted via email on March 15, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Woman Possessed Virtual Book Blast Blog Tour Information: 

March 3 - Road to Here

March 3 - Plug Your Book
March 4 - The Book Rack
March 4 - I’m Shelf-ish
March 5 - Icefairy’s Treasure Chest
March 5 - Review From Here
March 6 - Confessions of a Reader
March 6 - Literal Exposure
March 7 - Maureen’s Musings
March 7 - As the Pages Turn
March 10 - Becky on Books…and Quilts
March 10 - The Writer’s Life
March 11 - Celticlady’s Reviews
March 11 - Beyond the Books
March 12 - Libby’s Library
March 12 - Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
March 13 - Allvoices
March 13 - Redroom
March 14 - Blogher
March 14 - The Zen Reader

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O'Brien From March 11, 2014 to March 18, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Dan O'Brien will be touring the blogosphere to promote his fantasy Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Mr. O'Brien himself and will last from March 11, to March 18, 2014!

Mr. O'Brien is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a remarked copy of Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency signed by both himself and the illustrator, Steve Ferchaud.

To enter for a chance to win, simply follow the author's Facebook Page and his blog, The Dan O'Brien Project and a few winners will be randomly selected on March 20th!

Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency Blog Tour Information: 

Meet Dan O'Brien

Dan O’Brien, founder and editor-in-chief of The Northern California Perspective, has written over 20 books - including the bestselling Bitten, which was featured on Conversations Book Club’s Top 100 novels of 2012. Before starting Amalgam, he was the senior editor and marketing director for an international magazine.

In addition, he has spent over a decade in the publishing industry as a freelance editor. You can learn more about his literary and publishing consulting business by visiting his website at:www.amalgamconsulting.com. Contact him today to order copies of the book or have them stocked at your local bookstore. He can he reached by email at amalgamconsulting@gmail.com.

Connect and Socialize with Dan!

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

About Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency:

You’re never too old to have one more adventure

Brought to life by Steve Ferchaud’s vibrant drawings, this story for all ages by Dan O’Brien lets us know that it is never too late to have one more adventure.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon and Amazon UK!

May you read well and often

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones - The Feast: A Parable of the Ring

10. The Feast: A Parable of the Ring by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones (2013)
The Parables of Virginia Bean Series Book 2
Length: 119 pages
Genre: Christian Fiction
Started: 29 January 2014
Finished: 10 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathryn Elizabeth Jones for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 September 2013
Why do I have it? I like Christian fiction and had read and enjoyed Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones by the same author in the past.

Virginia has experienced the power and direction of the five stones, and has grown so much closer in her relationship with God. Now, five years on, Virginia will need to use the stones once again. For entirely different reasons.

Keeping her marriage together is not the only thing on Virginia's mind. Her successful business Just Desserts is beginning to founder, her five-year marriage is in trouble and apparently having a child isn't going to happen in the usual way. Virginia is convinced that adoption is the answer.

So, if she did all the of right things, said all of the right words; if she remembered the five stones in her journey to get her child, God would surely have to answer her.

It shouldn't be too difficult...

I must say that I enjoyed The Feast just as much as I did Conquering Your Goliaths. It was interesting to see how much Virginia had grown in her relationship with God - but how she also had a tendency to forget that her relationship with Him still needed to be nurtured. I give this book an A! and look forward to reading the next book in this series some time soon.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis by Andra Watkins From March 3, 2014 to April 30, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Andra Watkins will be touring the blogosphere to promote her Historical Fiction/Paranormal/Suspense book To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from March 3, to April 30, 2014!

To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis Blog Tour Information:

Meet Andra Watkins

I’m Andra Watkins. I’m a native of Tennessee, but I’m lucky to call Charleston, South Carolina, home for 23 years.

I’m the author of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis from Word Hermit Press. It’s a mishmash of historical fiction, paranormal fiction and suspense that follows Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) after his mysterious death on the Natchez Trace in 1809.

I Like:

1. Hiking
2. Eating (A lot; Italian food is my favorite.)
3. Traveling (I never met a destination I didn’t like.)
4. Reading (My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo.)
5. Coffee (the caffeinated version) and COFFEE (sex)
6. Performing (theater, singing, public speaking, playing piano)
7. Time with my friends
8. Sirius XM Chill
9. Yoga (No, I can’t stand on my head.)
10. Writing in bed
11. Candlelight

I Don't Like:

1. Getting up in the morning
2. Cilantro (It is the devil weed.)
3. Surprises (For me or for anyone else.)
4. House Cleaning
5. Cooking

You can email me at readme(at)andrawatkins(dot)com. You can also visit my website at www.andrawatkins.com.

Connect and Socialize with Andra!

Google+ * Facebook * Twitter * Tumblr * Pinterest * Goodreads

About To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis:

Is remembrance immortality? Nobody wants to be forgotten, least of all the famous.

Meriwether Lewis lived a memorable life. He and William Clark were the first white men to reach the Pacific in their failed attempt to discover a Northwest Passage. Much celebrated upon their return, Lewis was appointed governor of the vast Upper Louisiana Territory and began preparing his eagerly-anticipated journals for publication. But his re-entry into society proved as challenging as his journey. Battling financial and psychological demons and faced with mounting pressure from Washington, Lewis set out on a pivotal trip to the nation’s capital in September 1809. His mission: to publish his journals and salvage his political career. He never made it. He died in a roadside inn on the Natchez Trace in Tennessee from one gunshot to the head and another to the abdomen.

Was it suicide or murder? His mysterious death tainted his legacy and his fame quickly faded. Merry’s own memory of his death is fuzzy at best. All he knows is he’s fallen into Nowhere, where his only shot at redemption lies in the fate of rescuing another. An ill-suited “guardian angel,” Merry comes to in the same New Orleans bar after twelve straight failures. Now, with one drink and a two-dollar bill he is sent on his last assignment, his final shot at escape from the purgatory in which he’s been dwelling for almost 200 years. Merry still believes he can reverse his forgotten fortunes.

Nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney is the daughter of French Quarter madam and a Dixieland bass player. When her mother wins custody in a bitter divorce, Emmaline carves out her childhood among the ladies of Bourbon Street. Bounced between innocence and immorality, she struggles to find her safe haven, even while her mother makes her open her dress and serve tea to grown men.

It isn’t until Emmaline finds the strange cards hidden in her mother’s desk that she realizes why these men are visiting: her mother has offered to sell her to the highest bidder. To escape a life of prostitution, she slips away during a police raid on her mother’s bordello, desperate to find her father in Nashville.

Merry’s fateful two-dollar bill leads him to Emmaline as she is being chased by the winner of her mother’s sick card game: The Judge. A dangerous Nowhere Man convinced that Emmaline is the reincarnation of his long dead wife, Judge Wilkinson is determined to possess her, to tease out his wife’s spirit and marry her when she is ready. That Emmaline is now guarded by Meriwether Lewis, his bitter rival in life, further stokes his obsessive rage.

To elude the Judge, Em and Merry navigate the Mississippi River to Natchez. They set off on an adventure along the storied Natchez Trace, where they meet Cajun bird watchers, Elvis-crooning Siamese twins, War of 1812 re-enactors, Spanish wild boar hunters and ancient mound dwellers. Are these people their allies? Or pawns of the perverted, powerful Judge?

After a bloody confrontation with the Judge at Lewis’s grave, Merry and Em limp into Nashville and discover her father at the Parthenon. Just as Merry wrestles with the specter of success in his mission to deliver Em, The Judge intercedes with renewed determination to win Emmaline, waging a final battle for her soul. Merry vanquishes the Judge and earns his redemption. As his spirit fuses with the body of Em’s living father, Merry discovers that immortality lives within the salvation of another, not the remembrance of the multitude.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, March 3 - Guest Blogging at Literarily Speaking

Tuesday, March 4 - Interview at Examiner
Wednesday, March 5 - Book Featured at Book Him Danno
Thursday, March 6 - Guest Blogging at Literal Exposure
Friday, March 7 - Guest Blogging at The Writer’s Life
Monday, March 10 - First Chapter Review at The Book Connection
Tuesday, March 11 - Interview at As the Page Turns
Wednesday, March 12 - Character Interview at Beyond the Books
Thursday, March 13 - Interview at Publishing Secrets of Authors
Friday, March 14 - Interview at I’m Shelf-ish
Monday, March 17 - First Chapter Reveal at Review From Here
Wednesday, March 19 - Guest Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, March 24 - Book Review at Deal Sharing Aunt
Tuesday, March 25 - Book Feature at Maureen’s Musings
Tuesday, March 25 - Book Feature at Rose and Beps Blog
Friday, March 28 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, April 7 - AuthorVid at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Wednesday, April 9 - Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book
Thursday, April 10 - Book Feature at Icefairy’s Treasure Chest
Friday, April 11 - Book Review at Our Families Adventure
Monday, April 14 - First Chapter Reveal at Read My First Chapter
Tuesday, April 15 - Interview at The Dark Phantom
Wednesday, April 16 - Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club
Thursday, April 17 - Interview at Straight From the Author’s Mouth
Monday, April 21 - Book Featured at SheWrites
Tuesday, April 22 - Interview at The Writer’s Life
Wednesday, April 23 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Friday, April 25 - Book Review at Crystal’s Many Reviewers
Monday, April 28 - First Chapter Reveal at The Opinionated Me
Monday, April 28 - Book Feature at Bookalicious Traveladdict
Tuesday, April 29 - Video Feature at Island Chick Travels
Wednesday, April 30 - Book Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Wednesday, April 30 - Book Feature at Moonlight Lace and Mayhem

May you read well and often

Book Blast Blog Tour For Gods of War by Storm Kesocascay From March 3, 2014 to March 14, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am delighted to announce that Storm Kesocascay will be touring the blogosphere to promote his young adult book, Gods of War. This is Storm's first virtual book blast blog tour with Pump up Your Book! He will be coming to a blog near you from March 3, to March 14, 2014! Come join us for all the fun!

Mr. Kesocascay is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a $25 Amazon Giftcard to one lucky winner at the end of his Book Blast Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Gods of War Book Blast Information:

Meet Storm Kesocascay

Storm Kesocascay is a 16-year old teacher for the online website italki.com for Turkish, English and Japanese. His long-time dream was to become an author and a music artist.

Storm is a student at Parkview High School living in Springfield, Missouri.

Currently, he is still working on his debut album and finished his debut book Gods of War and is working on the second book The Night and Day.

About Gods of War

A long time ago, an ancient god sought to pool the powers of his brethren in order to create beauty out of chaos. He created the Divine Covenants, or Accords, which bound the gods’ powers together. They could have lived forever, peaceably and surrounded by paradise. However, one ancient god soon used the pooled powers for evil and was banished by his own son to eternal confinement.

Years later, in 1882 Atlantis Time, the continents still exist in the form of Pangaea—one huge, connected continent. The son who once banished his own father still lives as the god of war. His name is Arylos, and he has forgotten about his confined family foe—until he witnesses a suspicious murder in the midst of dreams. The murder turns out to be fact; someone has conjured Arylos’s father and died in the process.

Now, Aryas is back. He longs for power and revenge, against both his son and all of human kind. With the help of his Black Dog soldiers, Arylos must find a way to return his father to the grave. But does he have the strength to condemn his own father twice? The fate of Atlantis and all of reality is in Arylos’s hands, for if Pangea falls, so will reality, sucked into the dark madness of one power-hungry immortal.

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

Pump Up Your Book and Storm are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
• This giveaway begins March 3 and ends on March 14.
• Winners will be contacted via email on March 15, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gods of War Virtual Book Blast Tour Information:

March 3 - I’m Shelf-ish

March 3 - As the Pages Turn

March 4 - Mary’s Cup of Tea

March 4 - Icefairy’s Treasure Chest

March 5 - Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

March 5 - Plug Your Book

March 6 - The Writer’s Life

March 6 - Allvoices

March 7 - Literarily Speaking

March 7 - Blogher

March 10 - Review From Here

March 10 - She Writes

March 11 - Between the Covers

March 11 - The Dark Phantom

March 12 - Literal Exposure

March 12 - The Book Rack

March 13 - Beyond the Books

March 13 - The Zen Reader

March 14 - Inkslinger’s Opus

March 14 - All Inclusive Retort

May you read well and often

Michelle McLean - A Bandit's Betrayed Heart

9. A Bandit's Betrayed Heart by Michelle McLean (2014)
The Blood Blade Sisters Series Book 3
Length: 257 pages
Genre: Short Story 
Started: 4 February 2014
Finished: 5 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 8 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Michelle McLean is a new author for me.

The Richardson sisters hadn't always been such gently-bred Society ladies. In the past - Brynne, Cylla and Lucy Richardson - as the legendary 'Blood Blade', had battled their corrupt half-brother - the sheriff of their small California town. Having successfully defeated him, the sisters claimed their family's gold mining inheritance, and settled quietly. 'Blood Blade' left the bandit's life behind - Cylla staying in California with her husband Leo, Brynne and Lucy moving to Boston, occasionally helping Brynne's husband Richard, a doctor, to run his clinic.

Lucy Richardson's bandit sisters may have taught her to sling a gun and pick a lock, but nothing prepared her for the agony of her first heartbreak - Finnegan Taggart - at age eighteen. After seven years spent wondering where he was, she finally has a clue where to begin her search. Her sisters taught her to fight like hell for what she wants...and Lucy wants Finn.

Finn Taggart is bad news. His dark and tortured past always finds a way to catch up with him, and Lucy deserves much better than to be tainted by his touch. He couldn't have her years ago, and he definitely can't have her now - no matter how enticing she is. If only he can convince her of that before the danger that follows him brings them both down.

Danger doesn't exactly scare a girl like Lucy, and she knows how to use all kinds of weapons...including her feminine wiles. Finn doesn't stand a chance. Lucy can certainly handle herself - but if trouble arises - the Blood Blade Sisters are never too far away...

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This the third story in the series, and while A Bandit's Betrayed Heart is basically a stand alone book, there where elements of the story that made me wish that I could read the first two books to find out Brynne's and Cylla's stories as well. I give this book an A! I certainly look forward to reading more from Michelle McLean very soon.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Introducing Six Shot. Seven? by Jonn October!

Hello Everyone! I am delighted to announce that Jonn October - author of the mystery/thriller Six Shot. Seven? is hosting a virtual book blast from March 5th to March 8th, 2014 - when his book will be free to download from Amazon.

Meet Jonn October

I believe the first book I read cover to cover was an unabridged Swiss Family Robinson; it was predicated by a bribe from my mother, and it worked. I was nine or ten years old and remember more or less two things from the book: how to manufacture nitroglycerine and how to par-cook ortolans and small birds for long term storage in melted grease. While I'm not sure the benefit of either of those takeaways, the mindset behind it most certainly informs my writing.

From there I transitioned eventually into literary meanderings after a youth spent commercial fishing, feeding lions, and cutting up ancient cedar trees. It was a strange time but I was good for it, and again, it transitions into my work.

I live with my wife and little daughter in the shadow of a mountain on Vancouver Island; as a matter of fact, it has snowed sixteen inches in the past day and completely covered the flowers. That said, I am excited by the possibilities of fiction ebooks and am glad to present this first, Six Shot. Seven? Please enjoy the review, and please by all means read Six Shot. Seven? and pass it around.

Connect and Socialize with Jonn!

Facebook * Goodreads

Six Shot. Seven? by Jonn October (2014)

Length: 438 pages

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Six Shot. Seven? Blurb: 

A young man returns home to find his pregnant wife murdered. A little girl is sold on the black market. After two decades, their worlds collide, as they are forced to unite against a common enemy who just won't stay dead.

"Six Shot. Seven?" is a tale of resolution, rude Canadians, and improvised homebrew warfare.

It's six shots, with number seven in the chamber.

Six Shot. Seven? Excerpt:

Now it needs to be said for William J. Carleigh that for a liar he played an incredibly cool and steady hand. His facade never wavered. He worked his face back towards forward and spoke in a voice devoid of a trace of any kind of emotion.

“Of course, Earl, that is the story. That is what everybody wants to hear, isn’t it? I think we’d better just stick with the story. Nobody wants to be upset by unfounded allegations and sordid details. It wouldn’t be right to scare people with all these messy little tangents. Sometimes the Universe uses these things for the best, doesn’t it Earl? I think that it is best you speak of this whole situation to nobody. Think of the ministry, Earl. We need to show compassion, not vengeance.”

He paused, the vehicle jolted, he continued, looking straight ahead.

“Earl, it goes without saying but if you speak of this whole situation to anybody, it would be a shame to think of what might happen. It would be a shame to think of who might get hurt. It would be so unfortunate.”

He was looking at me now. We both knew what this was about and he made me angry.

I slammed on the brakes and William “Bill” J. Carleigh nearly bounced off the dash, and dust got on his navy blue jacket.

“Mr. Carleigh...”

I reached over to him and grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in close and the twinkle was no longer in his eye, and I wasn’t hugging him like a brother.

"Mr. Carleigh...” I said, very quietly “...it would be wise to never even think of my name again. It would be so unfortunate. It would be a shame to think of who might get hurt.”

I pulled him right in close.

“Because frankly, Mr. Carleigh, you don’t know a fraction of what a man, least of all me, is capable of. Don’t bother me Mr. Carleigh, and I won’t bother you, and we can call it a truce and you can believe your story and I can go back to what’s left of my life. I want nothing of you and I don’t want to know you exist. Otherwise, Mr. Carleigh...” and I made a pistol with my right forefinger and thumb and held it under his chin “...otherwise, Mr. Carleigh, pow!”

I mouthed the last word without a sound and dropped him back into his seat.

The rest of the drive was silent and that was the last I’d ever heard of it or him or anybody else, and two days later we went our separate ways and that was the last I saw of him or anybody else from that place. He maintained his performance the whole time with all concerned and viewed me as one might view a stone best built around or over top of and I don’t even think he hated me, but he did know full well I meant what I said, even if I was hardly more than a kid.

May you read well and often

Sarah Beard - Porcelain Keys

8. Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard (2013)
Length: 346 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Started: 1 February 2014
Finished: 3 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Sarah Beard for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like contemporary romance and Sarah Beard is a new author for me.

Aria's life is full of secrets - secrets about her mother's death, her father's cruelty, and her dream to go to Juilliard. In the five years since her mother's death - Aria has grieved silently and essentially alone - playing her mother's piano in secret, so as not to stir up any painful memories for her father. When Aria meets Thomas - her elderly next door neighbor's grandson - he draws out her secrets, captures her heart, and ultimately gives her the courage to defy her father. However when personal tragedy strikes and Thomas disappears, Aria is left alone to transform her heart's melody into something beautiful - courageous enough to follow her dreams, where ever they may take her.

I absolutely loved reading this book. The story was so poignant and engaging - I was captured from the first page, and just had to find out what happened next. This was the first book by Ms. Beard that I've ever read, but it most certainly won't be my last. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more by this author in the near future.

A+! - (96-100%)
 
May you read well and often

T. C. Tombs - Run With the Wolves: The Pack

7. Run With the Wolves: The Pack by T. C. Tombs (2011)
The Run With the Wolves Series Book 1
Length: 392 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Started: 22 January 2014
Finished: 3 February 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 January 2014
Why do I have it? I like historical fantasy and T. C. Tombs is a new author for me.

Europe in the fifteenth century is notoriously brutal and enmeshed in dire conflict. So it is for the three kingdoms of Medinia, Skoland and Varakov. Medinia and Skoland have been embroiled in a decade-long war, and Varakov has remained in uneasy neutrality during that time. Now, as a peaceful resolution provides tentative hope that the seemingly endless war will eventually reach an end, no one realizes that sinister forces are waiting to invoke chaos as a full moon rises.

On a farm nestled beneath the Euralene Mountains along the western border of Medinia, young Willie works for the Smythes as a serf. One moonlit evening, when the Smythes travel to a neighboring village to attend the annual fair, Willie hears the terrified cries of animals in the pasture. When he goes to investigate, he discovers a bizarre wolf pack raid unlike any other. Badly injured during the attack, he survives - but is afflicted by the full-moon madness that will soon transform him into one of the wolf creatures he dreads.

With his life seemingly warped forever, Willie must face the prospect of a lifelong descent into horror. In a time rife with witchcraft, superstitious folk lore and fearsome creatures roaming the night, Willie struggles with an uncertain destiny and must seek help from Woodrow, the Pack Leader - the one man he holds most responsible for the dark fate that awaits him during the next full moon cycle.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was drawn into the story from the first page, and needed to know how it ended. It was fast paced, suspenseful, and filled with a varied cast of deeply flawed characters - some suffering from afflictions beyond their control, others that were just distinctly evil. I give this book an A! and look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy some time soon. I want to know how this saga turns out.

A! - (90-95%)
                 
May you read well and often

Book Blast Blog Tour For There Be Goblins in the Wood by Christopher Gray From March 3, 2014 to March 14, 2013 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am delighted to announce that Christopher Gray will be touring the blogosphere to promote his young adult fantasy There Be Goblins in the Wood. This is Christopher's first virtual book blast blog tour with Pump up Your Book! He will be coming to a blog near you from March 3, to March 14, 2014! Come join us for all the fun!

Mr. Gray is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a $25 Amazon Giftcard to one lucky winner at the end of his Book Blast Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

There Be Goblins in the Wood Book Blast Information:

Meet Christopher Gray

Christopher Gray was born and raised in the English West County. He is a retired Primary School Head teacher and a professional artist and Lay Preacher.

 About There be Goblins in the Wood:

Combe Dingle Wood can be found (if you look really hard) in the heart of the Somerset countryside. It exists in that twilight time between myth and reality. It belongs to the era when walkabout scarecrows and Aunt Sallies wandered the hills and vales of the English West country. The local folk can tell you stories of their experiences when entering the wood. Most people that wander in wander out again with a smile on their faces and a sense of well-being. No one has ever quite put their finger on why this should be- they can only say there is something magical about the place.

The Chronicles of Combe Dingle Wood are a series of stories about the unique folk that inhabit the wood. They have exciting adventures in ‘Between time’ (created for them by a friendly witch). They encounter dangers, but they do so with a sense of humour and fortitude that is typical of the West Country folk. It was a few years after the Second Year War when I first encountered the real inhabitants of Combe Dingle Wood.

Were they people trees or tree people? You know to this day I am still not sure. Perhaps you could decide? The story books I have produced are based on the records and drawings I kept in my diary all those years ago.

Purchase Your Copy From Author House!

Pump Up Your Book and Christopher are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
• This giveaway begins March 3 and ends on March 14.
• Winners will be contacted via email on March 15, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There Be Goblins in the Wood Virtual Book Blast Tour Information:

March 3 - Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
March 3 - As the Page Turns
March 4 - I’m Shelf-ish
March 4 - The Dark Phantom
March 5 - Icefairy’s Treasure Chest
March 5 - She Writes
March 6 - Literal Exposure
March 6 - Redroom
March 7 - All Inclusive Retort
March 7 - Blogher
March 10 - The Road to Here
March 10 - The Book Rack
March 11 - Review From Here
March 11 - Allvoices
March 12 - Inkslinger’s Opus
March 12 - Plug Your Book
March 13 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
March 13 - Beyond the Books
March 14 - The Zen Reader
March 14 - The Writer’s Life

May you read well and often