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