'Murphy's Law' Strikes Again!

Hello everyone! Well, what does the old adage say? Ah, yes...'Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.' So it was with the July 3rd Tour Stop for Rift Healer by Diane M. Haynes.  

For those of you who stopped by Emeraldfire's Bookmark, expecting to see my review of Rift Healer by Diane M. Haynes ready and waiting, I'm sorry if you were disappointed. Amazingly, my Internet provider chose Wednesday morning to upgrade something in their databases. The computer maintenance caused multiple unforeseen outages around the area, so I was without telephone or Internet access for most of the day on Wednesday.

Thankfully, everything was restored by July 4th; so I was able to finally post my review! :) So, perhaps a day late, but hopefully not a dollar short, please enjoy Rift Healer by Diane Haynes. I appreciate your patience.

May you read well and often

Duncan Whitehead - An Actor's Life: A Short Story

23. An Actor's Life: A Short Story by Duncan Whitehead (2013)
Length: 28 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 24 June 2013
Finished: 25 June 2013
Where did it come from? From Amazon
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 May 2013
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Duncan Whitehead is a new author for me.

It is Oscar night and people all around the globe - fans and Hollywood A-Listers alike - wait with baited breath for the ceremony to begin. Tonight, Sir Michael Brookes, one of the most admired and courteous actors ever to grace Hollywood, is nominated for two Academy Awards. If he wins both the 'Best Actor' and 'Best Supporting Actor' Awards, Sir Michael will have an unprecedented six Academy Awards to his name...

Meanwhile, sitting alone in his dingy London flat, is Terry Sparkes - Sir Michael's biggest fan and a fellow actor. As Terry watches the ceremony, he is completely unaware that this evening's telecast will change his life forever.

I enjoyed this story very much. There was a twist to it that I wasn't expecting. I give the story an A! I'm looking forward to reading Duncan Whitehead's next book some time soon.

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

Christine Nolfi - Treasure Me

22. Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi (2011)
The Liberty Series Book 1
Length: 273 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Started: 12 June 2013
Finished: 23 June 2013
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Christine for originally sending me a copy of this book to read. I then bought another copy from Amazon as a replacement copy for the first one which was lost due to an unforeseen computer hard drive crash sometime in 2011, I think.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 30 November 2011
Why do I have it? I like contemporary romance and Christine Nolfi is a new author for me.

Petty thief Birdie Kaminski has arrived in Liberty, Ohio with one thing on her mind...Treasure! Her plan is to steal a cache of treasure hidden since the Civil War. She's in possession of a charming clue which has been passed down in her family for generations: 'Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.' The beautiful thief has dreams of going straight. She secretly admires the clue's author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose from the horrors of slavery to build a new life for herself in Ohio.

According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, Justice journeyed north carrying untold riches. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a more questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, a French plantation owner who was Birdie's ancestor. If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can't help but wonder if she's actually found one - Liberty's feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and an assortment of heartwarming stories about Justice Postell.

Birdie has no idea that an investigative reporter who has recently arrived in town will soon trip her up - as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it's possible for her to start fresh with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue Birdie unearths, she discovers a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love far richer than she could possibly imagine.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I actually remember reading this when I first received a copy of it from the author. I believe that I only read as far as the second or third chapter, before I discovered that my computer had corrupted the book and then crashed - taking much of my previous reading material down with it. Oh well. I'm happy to say that I bought a brand spanking new copy for my virtual library, and I'm only a tad dismayed that it took me such a long time to read this book. :)

The characters and plot was incredibly likable - especially Birdie and Theodora - and the setting was very believable. I found myself rooting for Birdie and crying at several very touching points throughout the story. I do find myself crying quite frequently with certain books. I'm a complete marshmallow when it comes to heartwarming books - what can I say! :) I certainly give Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi an A+! and am eagerly awaiting my chance to read Second Chance Grill - the next book in the Liberty series.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For The Magic Crystals Series by Stephen Hayes From July 1, 2013 to August 30, 2013 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Stephen Hayes will be touring the blogosphere to promote his Young Adult fantasy series The Magic Crystals. This is Stephen's first virtual book tour with Pump up Your Book! He will be coming to a blog near you from July 1, to August 30, 2013! Come join us for all the fun!

The Magic Crystals Series Blog Tour Information: 

Meet Stephen Hayes

Stephen Hayes lives and writes in Melbourne, Australia. Having been born partially blind in 1986 and lost his limited vision in 2000, he started writing stories at the age of eight, winning the Harold Dickinson Memorial Australian Literary Competition for a short story about a haunted house at the age of eleven. He completed his first novella in Braille at fourteen and by sixteen, had completed the first draft of The Seventh Sorcerer.

Since 2002, Stephen has allowed his imagination to run wild with The Magic Crystals saga; sometimes pushing boundaries that today’s somewhat moral society deem to sweep under the carpet. Although classified as fantasy genre due mainly to the prominent magic component, Stephen’s writing also includes a good balance of drama, mystery, romance, humour, and he isn’t afraid to address controversial moral issues.

His latest books are The Seventh Sorcerer and Rock Haulter from The Magic Crystals Series.

Visit his website at www.themagiccrystals.com.

Connect and Socialize with Stephen!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

About The Magic Crystals Series

The Magic Crystals is a story of the greatest power in the world, a power so supreme that it can control most aspects of life. Amazing if used for good, terribly dangerous if in the wrong hands, the question throughout is exactly how this power should be used.

Should it be wielded to its fullest extent to benefit all of humankind, or tamed in order to protect others from it?

Follow a group of teenagers from out in the bush as they are forced to mature rapidly as the world they always knew unravels around them. Watch as romance blossoms and is then tested by circumstance; listen as the youngsters resort to ridiculous humour in the face of danger just to find something to smile about; and above all, enjoy an intense and somewhat controversial tale of how human society can become so horribly unstuck simply due to mankind’s own insidious nature in the face of power.

Purchase your copy of The Seventh Sorcerer:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Purchase your copy of Rock Haulter:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

The Magic Crystals Series Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, July 1 - Interview at Blogcritics
Tuesday, July 2 - Interview at Examiner
Wednesday, July 3 - First Chapter Reveal at The Writer’s Life (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Friday, July 5 - First Chapter Reveal at The Writer’s Life (Rock Haulter)
Monday, July 8 - Book Featured at Margay Leah Justice
Tuesday, July 9 - Interview at The Dark Phantom
Wednesday, July 10 - Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book
Thursday, July 11 - First Chapter Reveal at Read My First Chapter (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Monday, July 15 - First Chapter Reveal at Literarily Speaking (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Tuesday, July 16 - First Chapter Reveal at Literarily Speaking (Rock Haulter)
Thursday, July 18 - Character Guest Post at Sweet Southern Home
Friday, July 19 - Books Featured at Mary’s Cup of Tea
Monday, July 22 - Interview at Straight From the Author’s Mouth
Wednesday, July 24 - Guest Blogging at Books Books the Magical Fruit
Friday, July 26 - Book Review at Inside BJ’s Head
Monday, August 5 - First Chapter Reveal at Pump Up Your Book (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Tuesday, August 6 - First Chapter Reveal at Pump Up Your Book (Rock Haulter)
Wednesday, August 7 - Interview at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, August 8 - Book Review at Books Books and More Books (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Friday, August 9 - Book Review at Books Books and More Books (Rock Haulter)
Monday, August 12 - Guest Blogging at Cindy’s Love of Books
Tuesday, August 13 - Interview at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Wednesday, August 14 - Book Featured at Literal Exposure
Thursday, August 15 - First Chapter Reveal at As the Pages Turn (The Seventh Sorcerer)
Friday, August 16 - First Chapter Reveal at As the Pages Turn (Rock Haulter)
Monday, August 19 - Book Featured at The Busy Mom’s Daily
Tuesday, August 20 - Interview at Beyond the Books
Wednesday, August 21 - Interview at Review From Here
Thursday, August 22 - Interview at Between the Covers
Friday, August 23 - First Chapter Reveal at Read My First Chapter (Rock Haulter)
Monday, August 26 - Interview at I’m Shelf-ish
Wednesday, August 28 - Guest Blogging at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Thursday, August 29 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Friday, August 30 - Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

May you read well and often

Introducing The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead!

So, back in June of 2013, I had the pleasure of reading An Actor's Life: A Short Story by Duncan Whitehead and here is my review. Actually, I have also just recently received a copy of Mr. Whitehead's newest release: The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club. I'm really looking forward to reading this book sometime soon.

Meet Duncan Whitehead

Winner of the 2013 and 2014 Reader’s Favorite International Book Award and Gold Medalist. Award Winning Writer, Duncan Whitehead, was born in England and is the author of the best-selling and award-winning The Gordonston's Ladies Dog Walking Club Trilogy. The series, inspired by the quirky characters and eeriness in the real life Savannah neighborhood in which he once lived is a humorous mystery, which boasts an assortment of characters and plot twists. He has also written over 2,000 spoof and comedy news articles, under various aliases, for a variety of websites both in the US and the UK.

He has written further novels; a dark comedy set in Manhattan, The Reluctant Jesus, published in April 2014 and republished in July 2015 and three short stories. Duncan is well known for his charity work, kindness to animals, children and old people; and, of course, his short-lived bullfighting career and his hideous hunchback. In February 2045, he invented time travel and now spends much of his time in either the future (where he has won the lottery an astonishing 117 times) and the present day.

Connect and Socialize with Duncan!

Website * Twitter * Facebook

The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club by Duncan Whitehead (2012)

Length: 189 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club Blurb:

2013 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Winner and Gold Medalist.

Something is not quite right in the leafy Savannah neighborhood of Gordonston. As the friends and fellow members of her afternoon cocktail club gather to mourn the death and lament the life of their neighbor, Thelma Miller, not all is what it seems. When old friends vie for the attention of widower, Alderman and mayoral candidate Elliott, jealousies surface and friendships are strained. An old woman with a dark secret and an infamous uncle plots her revenge for a perceived wrong done over thirty years before, a once successful children’s writer with his own secret is haunted by memories of the past and aspiring model Kelly Hudd has just won the trip of a lifetime.

As secrets are revealed and history, both old and recent unravel, and an intertwined web of deceits and lies surfaces in the middle class neighborhood, a killer lurks and is anyone really who they seem to be? An enigmatic European gentleman in South America, a young Italian count parading the streets of Paris and a charitable and kindhearted nephew recently arrived from India add to the remarkable assortment of characters in this story of intrigue, deceit and revenge. What is the secret a recently retired accountant is trying to hide and just why did the former showgirl and attractive sixty two year old widow Carla Zipp really have plastic surgery?

A mysterious organization with links to organized crime, a handsome fire fighter who can do no wrong and a trio of widows with deep hidden agendas compound a story of simplistic complexity. As twists and turns lead the reader to a conclusion that they will not see coming and a sucker punch ending that will leave you breathless, the Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club’s top priority remains the need to chastise the culprit who refuses to ‘scoop’ after his dog walking sessions in their treasured park.

May you read well and often

Aliya Anjum - An Arranged Marriage

21. An Arranged Marriage by Aliya Anjum (2011)
Length: 18 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 11 June 2013
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Aliya Anjum for sending me a copy of this book to read from Smashwords.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 July 2011
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Aliya Anjum is a new author for me.

An Arranged Marriage by Aliya Anjum is a short story -18 pages - based on the true events in the lives of four women who the author met in the United States.

Twenty-three year old Reem married thirty-one year old Iftikhar in an arranged marriage. She had dreams of living a joyous, beautiful life in America with her husband. Arriving in America, so full of hope, Reem discovered that everything she knew about Iftikhar was a lie. Read the story of her suffering and eventual triumph, in the land of opportunity.

This book was sent to me on the release day back in July of 2011 and to be completely honest, I have just gotten around to reading it now. It was a really good story and I give it an A! I must say that there is such a backlog of books languishing on my TBR pile that were sent to me for me to read and review, that I hope the authors don't mind delayed reviews. I'm slowly getting around to reading and reviewing each book, but they all look so good!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Amy Neftzger - Bedtime Stories For Dogs

20. Bedtime Stories For Dogs by Amy Neftzger (2011)
Length: 72 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 10 June 2013
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Amy Neftzger for sending me a copy of this book to read from Smashwords.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 21 November 2011
Why do I have it? I like short stories and have read and enjoyed Bedtime Stories For Cats by this author in the past.

This book features 21 short stories and fables written specifically for dog lovers of all ages. The topics range from mythology to magic and horror stories (for dogs) combined with canine poetry and a couple of essays written by a dog in order to help the rest of us understand canine logic and reasoning. The majority of the stories are actually the same stories that are found in the companion book, Bedtime Stories For Cats, only each story is written from the dog's perspective.

Many of the stories are sweet, amusing, poignant and informative, and even though I have never actually owned a dog (I prefer owning cats...I know, I know, I can hear the growls of outrage already from every canine in the vicinity! :)), I definitely have had the pleasure of meeting several dogs during my lifetime. I found myself recognizing certain canine traits and personalities as I read, that I could remember some of the dogs in my acquaintance displaying in the past.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I honestly can't explain why I waited so long to read it, although in my defense, there are just so many great books out there that I want to read that there may be one or two that languish on my TBR pile for some time before I get to them. I give Bedtime Stories For Dogs by Amy Neftzger an A! 

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