Michael Mullin - TaleSpins

3. TaleSpins by Michael Mullin (2013)
Length: 47 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 8 January 2014
Finished: 11 January 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 3 December 2013
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Michael Mullin is a new author for me. I definitely want to read more short stories, and do like fairy tale retellings as well.

This book is actually a trilogy of fairy tales, retold from a different perspective. The first fairy tale is called 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf. You may think you know the tale of Snow White backwards and forwards, but Creepy - the eighth dwarf who lives in the cellar - is going to set you straight.

The second fairy tale is called The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny - where a teenage princess named Penny hires the same witch who cursed 'The Frog Prince'. Penny wants to exact revenge against a Mean Girl who's been harassing her.

The third fairy tale is Jack'd. So, how did the giant, the boy thief and those magic beans actually cross paths? Learn how that entire tale truly went down.

I must say that while most of the books I read generally have adult story lines, I also like reading young adult books on occasion. It doesn't matter to me, just as long as the story is interesting reading. Anyway, this book is a trilogy of fairy tale re-tellings - which is a type of fantasy that I really enjoy reading. I also thoroughly enjoy reading stories that happen to have a moral behind them. So, I give TaleSpins by Michael Mullin an A+! and will certainly keep my eyes open for more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Book Blast For To Kill For His Queen by Carolina West

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I'm so glad to welcome Carolina West, author of the paranormal fantasy novel, To Kill For His Queen to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Ms. West is currently on a Book Blast tour with Pump up Your Book! lasting through mid-January. This is also my ninth Book Blast post ever, but I still hope that I do To Kill For His Queen by Carolina West justice.

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

About To Kill For His Queen:

Living in the world of werewolves, vampires, and dark magic can have a certain effect on a child, especially when that child is Hassen Mason, who seems destined to bring ruin to those he loves. Hassen was abandoned as a child and was immersed in the world of magic by the strange creatures that raised him. His lineage was a mystery, but no mystery buried in the past can stay buried for long - especially when that mystery is strong enough to span centuries.

An accident leaves Hassen without memories, and he must find a way to remember who he was and what his life meant to him before his past creeps up and kills him. He encounters evils worse than abandonment - vengeful demons and walking dead. Somehow, Hassen’s family was involved in this dark underworld. Now he has to fight his own internal battle: Is he a good guy or one of the villains?

Then he meets Carissa - a woman he suspects he knew before he lost his memory. She has had a similarly troubled past, and although the two of them are from different worlds, they find a common bond that even dark spirits cannot break. Will Hassen’s good side be strong enough to battle the side that longs to be bad? Will Carissa’s love keep him sane, or will the truth about his family finally cast him into the endless abyss of insanity?

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

Meet Carolina West

Carolina West is a high school student living with her mother and younger sister in Arizona. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old. This is her first book.

Carolina West and Pump up Your Book are giving away an Awesome $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 January 7 and ends on January 21.
• Winners will be contacted via email on January 22, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May you read well and often

Jon Hartling - The Snow Owl

2. The Snow Owl by Jon Hartling (2011)
Length: 11 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 7 January 2014
Where did it come from? From Amazon
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 26 December 2013
Why do I have it? This ebook was a free download from Amazon, although I certainly want to read more short stories. I also like fantasy and Jon Hartling is a new author for me.

Seven-year-old Eric has always had an active imagination and a fascination with snow and cold weather. Initially, his father Ben doesn't think that his son's talk of a magical kingdom known as Lukana is anything more than a little boy's typical childhood imagination. Ben, himself, prefers the summer, while his late wife Jamie - Eric's mother - loved the winter. Jamie died giving birth to Eric, but her final act in life was to apologize to Ben.

Ben never knew exactly why Jamie apologized to him, although he vowed to himself that as his son grew, Eric would always be loved. Then, one winter day, Eric sculpts a snow owl in the backyard. With such a simple and childish act, Eric unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that cannot possibly be anything but magical. Now Ben faces the terrifying prospect of losing his only child to a wintry spirit...a spirit that just might be the boy's true father.

I must say that I chose this book because I liked the cover. I also enjoy reading fantasy, and was curious to see how the story would eventually pan out. I give this story an A! - It was a quick and engaging read, and I look forward to reading more from Jon Hartling in the future.

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

Blog Tour For Fog City Strangler by Greg Messel From February 3, 2014 to March 28, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Greg Messel will be touring the blogosphere to promote his mystery/romance Fog City Strangler. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from February 3, to March 28, 2014!

Mr. Messel is also doing an awesome giveaway - he is giving away a three book set of his Sam Slater Mystery Series (Last of the Seals, Deadly Plunge, and San Francisco Secrets) and a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Fog City Strangler Blog Tour Information: 

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 Messel’s writings and books at www.gregmessel.com.

Connect and Socialize with Greg!

Twitter * Facebook

About Fog City Strangler:

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 cloth from the victim’s dresses to the local newspapers.

Private eye Sam Slater is worried that the Fog City Strangler may be eyeing his beautiful blonde wife, stewardess Amelia Ryan. Sam’s angst mounts as the strangler continues to claim more victims. 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.

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.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Greg Messel and Pump up Your Book are giving away a Three Book Set of his Sam Slater Mystery Series (Last of the Seals, Deadly Plunge and San Francisco Secrets) and 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 the 3 book set and $25 Amazon Gift Card.
• This giveaway begins February 3 and ends on March 28.
• Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, March 31, 2014.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fog City Strangler Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, February 3 - Interview at Examiner
Tuesday, February 4 - Book Trailer Reveal at The Book Connection
Wednesday, February 5 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at Vic’s Media Room
Thursday, February 6 - Interview at Mia Downing
Friday, February 7 - Book Featured at Margay Leah Justice
Sunday, February 9 - Book Review at Memories in a Box
Monday, February 10 - Book Review at Miki’s Hope
Tuesday, February 11 - Book Review at Carol’s Notebook
Wednesday, February 12 - Book Review at Not Everyone’s Mama
Friday, February 14 - Guest Blogging at Raven Reviews
Monday, February 17 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at Queen of All She Reads
Tuesday, February 18 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Wednesday, February 19 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Thursday, February 20 - Book Featured at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Friday, February 21 - Book Review at Mystery, Thrillers and Romantic Suspense
Saturday, February 22 - Book Review at Bound 4 Escape
Monday, February 24 - Book Featured at Literary Winner
Tuesday, February 25 - Guest Blogging at My Reading Table
Wednesday, February 26 - Book Trailer Reveal at The Dark Phantom
Thursday, February 27 - Book Featured at My Reading Table
Friday, February 28 - Book Review at Celtic Lady’s Reviews
Monday, March 3 - Interview at Authors to Watch
Tuesday, March 4 - Interview at As the Page Turns
Tuesday, March 4 - Book Trailer Reveal at Confessions of a Reader
Wednesday, March 5 - Book Review at Books, Reviews, ETC.
Wednesday, March 5 - Guest Blogging at Alaskan Book Cafe
Thursday, March 6 - Book Featured at Bookalicious Travel Addict
Friday, March 7 - Book Review at My Reading Table
Monday, March 10 - Book Trailer Reveal at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Tuesday, March 11 - Book Review at Deal Sharing Aunt
Wednesday, March 12 - Guest Blogging at Bookingly Yours
Thursday, March 13 - Book Review at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Friday, March 14 - Book Review at Bibliotica
Monday, March 17 - Book Review at Bless Their Hearts Moms
Monday, March 17 - Guest Blogging at Books Books the Magical Fruit
Tuesday, March 18 - Book Review at Southeast by Midwest
Tuesday, March 18 - Book Review at Every Free Chance Book Reviews
Wednesday, March 19 - Guest Blogging at The Writer's Life
Thursday, March 20 - Book Featured at My Devotional Thoughts
Friday, March 21 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at My Book Addiction and More
Friday, March 21 - Book Featured at Confessions of a Reader
Friday, March 21 - Guest Blogging at I Heart Reading
Monday, March 24 - Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club
Tuesday, March 25 - Book Trailer Reveal at Literarily Speaking
Wednesday, March 26 - Book Featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner
Thursday, March 27 - Book Review at Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
Thursday, March 27 - Guest Blogging at Cherry Mischievous
Friday, March 28 - Book Review and Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Friday, March 28 - Book Featured at Maureen’s Musings
Friday, March 28 - Book Review at From the TBR Pile

May you read well and often

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - Accidentally in Love With A...God?

1. Accidentally in Love With...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (2012)
The Accidentally Yours Series Book 1
Length: 404 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Started: 18 December 2013
Finished: 5 January 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Marissa at Grand Central Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read. Then I bought a copy for myself from Barnes and Noble.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 28 October 2013 as an ebook; Since 1 January 2014 as a physical book.
Why do I have it? I like paranormal romance and Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is a new author for me.

Twenty-two-year-old Emma Keane is just your average city girl trying to get a date. She's a petite and bubbly redhead who's always up for having a little fun. There's just one tiny snag holding her back from finding the perfect guy. And that would be...well...'Guy': the disembodied male voice speaking to her in her mind.

Sound kind of crazy? Probably. But crazy turns downright deadly when the voice persuades Emma to travel deep into the Mayan jungle. There she will be able to free him from the prison where he has been trapped for the past seven decades.

Humans are so vulnerable, so undisciplined, so susceptible to their emotions - particularly love. He must have spent too much time among human-kind before his imprisonment, because it certainly seems that many of their vulnerabilities have begun to alter his personality. That must be the only reason why from the first moment this ancient being connects with Emma, the feelings she sparks drive him utterly mad. Never before has he felt such a protective, keep-her-close, never-let-her-go kind of madness for one particular woman.

Actually, that might not be such a bad idea, because from the moment the beautiful, passionate Emma unshackles his body, they are hunted at every turn. Now he'll have to do everything in his considerable power to keep her safe. But will that be enough? Honestly, if he wasn't already immortal, Emma Keane would quite literally be the death of him!

This is the first book by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff that I've ever read. I usually enjoy reading paranormal romances - especially stories that draw from cultural myths. In my opinion, this was a thoroughly engaging story - filled with a number of likable characters - along with several characters who I felt quite comfortable hating from their introduction, as well. The plot was thrilling and action-packed, and held my attention until the very end.

I give Accidentally in Love With...A God? an A+! and look forward to reading the next book in the series sometime very soon. I'm actually quite curious to see how this story will continue; and how each subsequent book will incorporate the world that Ms. Pamfiloff has created with this series.

A+! - (96-100%)           

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For A Hunter's Passion by Gwen Knight From February 3, 2014 to February 28, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Gwen Knight will be touring the blogosphere to promote her paranormal romance A Hunter's Passion. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from February 3, to February 28, 2014!

A Hunter's Passion Blog Tour Information:

Meet Gwen Knight

Canadian girl Gwen Knight first began to delve into the realm of the paranormal at the age of ten, when she wrote her first horror starring a clawed monster that hid beneath her bed. Since then, her tastes have expanded into many genres. Though addicted to reading and writing, she managed to achieve a degree in archaeology, geography, and mapping. Currently, she lives in the Great White North with her husband, two collies, and black cat. She loves meeting new people and you can visit her website at www.gwenknight.ca. 

Her latest book is the paranormal romance, A Hunter’s Passion.

Connect and Socialize with Gwen!

Website * Facebook * Twitter

About A Hunter's Passion:

Ryker Bennett has dedicated his life to hunting down - and eliminating - creatures of the dark. But his 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.

Jenna thought leaving Ryker two years ago would save him from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty. But when he 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...

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

A Hunter's Passion Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, February 3 - Guest Blogging at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Tuesday, February 4 - Book Featured at Paranormal Book Club
Wednesday, February 5 - Interview at Examiner
Thursday, February 6 - Interview at Melissa Keir
Friday, February 7 - FACEBOOK PARTY WITH RELEASE DAY DIVA
Tuesday, February 11 - Interview at Romance Lives Forever
Wednesday, February 12 - Guest Blogging at Melissa’s Midnight Musings
Thursday, February 13 - Book Review at Nina’s Literary Escape
Friday, February 14 - Book Review at Paranormal Sisters
Monday, February 17 - Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club
Monday, February 17 - Book Review at Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears
Tuesday, February 18 - Book Review at Snarky Mom Reads
Wednesday, February 19 - Book Review at Offbeat Vagabond
Wednesday, February 19 - Book Feature at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
Thursday, February 20 - Book Feature at Naturally Kim B
Monday, February 24 - Book Review at Crazy Four Books
Tuesday, February 25 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Friday, February 28 - Book Review at Lusty Penguin Reviews

May you read well and often

Introducing Sworn to Conflict by Terah Edun!

Meet Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of epic and urban fantasy. Her favorite writers include Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Robin Hobb and Maria Snyder.

Connect and Socialize with Terah!

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Blog * Newsletter

Sworn to Conflict by Terah Edun (2013)

Length: 331 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Sworn to Conflict Blurb: 

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn to Transfer.

May you read well and often