Red Hot Heroes – Now available – 3 of the books to aid Wounded Warrior Project

Red Hot Heroes Release Day Blitz!

All gave
some… Some gave all.

So, several of my friends are releasing new books today.

The Red Hot Heroes collection from the Red Hot Authors.

Three of the authors, Magen McMinimy, Rene Folsom and Jodi Redford, will be donating all the proceeds from the sales of their books received until November 15, 2015 to the Wounded Warrior Project. buy a few books and donate to a worthy cause.

This is a cause that is close to my heart, as my Papa and my Dad were both in the Navy. The care and support of our nation’s military is essential, and with the lack of support coming from our government in recent years, the groups like Wounded Warrior Project are so important. So please, take a chance and buy a book for .99¢ and help a worthy program.

You can find all the information below.

Thanks for looking, and to those who buy, thanks for helping.

Find Home in the Heart of our Heroes this Veteran’s Day as
The Red Hots Release Red Hot Heroes!

BROKEN
SURRENDER by LORI KING

 

One bullet made it physically impossible for
Sarah Bryant to fulfill her dreams of a military career. With her family’s
sympathy suffocating her, she escapes to Stone River, Texas, determined to
rebuild a life and maybe find a new dream. 
Silas and Jeremy are two brothers who are as
different as Texas is big. One is an adrenaline fueled former Army medic, the
other is a laid back tow truck business owner. The two things they have in
common? They know they want to live life in a ménage relationship, and Sarah is
the woman for them. 
Sarah has too many doubts about herself to
believe she can be enough for one man let alone two. Can these souls find what
they need to grow together, or will they leave more emotional scars to match
their physical ones?

Amazon: 

http://tinyurl.com/njdon5u  
ITunes: http://tinyurl.com/q2c2cc7 
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/q4t6422 

www.LoriKingBooks.com ****

STARTING OVER by MAGEN MCMINIMY

 

“There was need laced
in every twist and sweep of his talented tongue. A need for something tangible,
something to connect him to the safety of the real world, to the living
breathing life he still held on to. A distraction from the death and sorrow
that carried over from months at war. “

 

All sales of this title through November 15^th, 2015
to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project

After running from the one
man who could have mended her heart, Callie Sullivan has been finding comfort
in her best friend, D. When heartbreaking news about D’s deployed husband,
Adam, makes its way to the states, Callie focuses on helping her friend learn
to survive after tragedy strikes. 
Recently returned from Iraq, Luke Merrick learns
about the attack on his former sergeant and best friend, Adam. Knowing D will
need all the support she can get, Merrick finds himself back where he lost the
one woman he thought could be his future.
With D’s heartache fresh and raw, now is hardly
the time for Callie’s past to resurface, bringing new danger to those whom she
wishes to protect and help heal. But life rarely gives Callie what she needs.
This Veteran’s Day, find home in the heart of
our heroes with Starting Over part of the Red Hot Heroes multi-author series
and stands alone for reading enjoyment.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FO97fq

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0165347FY

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starting-over-magen-mcminimy/1122749345

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1046446194

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/starting-over-83

www.MagenMcMinimy.com 

**** PROMISE YOU by RENE FOLSOM

All sales of this title through November
15^th, 2015 to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project

Danielle never realized just how much her brother meant to
her until reality slapped her in the face, forcing her to wake up and pay
attention. After a shattering tour overseas, Dylan returned home to live with
Danielle. Knowing he needed more care than his sister could provide, Dylan
invites his battle buddy, Travis, to come live with them.
After a rather unorthodox meeting, sparks begin
to fly between Danielle and Travis. However, both of them know just how
difficult it will be for their relationship to blossom without Dylan’s
blessing, leaving them conflicted about how far they want to take it. Travis
wants nothing more than to earn Dylan’s approval—to promise that he will
cherish her—always.
Once Travis realizes he can no longer keep his
affection for Danielle a secret, things become complicated and the boundaries
between friendship and love cloud his future.
This Veteran’s Day, find home in the heart of
our heroes with Promise You, part of the Red Hot Heroes multi-author series and
stands alone for reading enjoyment.Amazon:http://amzn.to/1Wd9wds

www.ReneFolsom.com****

REPORT FOR BOOTY by JODI REDFORD

All sales of this title through November
15^th, 2015 to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project

Mason Gamble and Nash Vincent are pros at making people
sweat. As former Army Rangers who run the toughest, ball-busting fitness boot
camp in Michigan, they take great pride in that fact. But thanks to the
knockout brunette housesitting next door, suddenly they’re the ones
experiencing excess perspiration. Fortunately, the perfect opportunity to be
neighborly presents itself courtesy of a package delivery snafu.Regan Wallace has trust issues. Specifically,
trusting that her best friend won’t make good on her threat to send a
Strip-O-Gram for Regan’s birthday. Is it any wonder she’d jump to the wrong
conclusion when two gorgeous, camo-garbed hunks land on her front doorstep?
Woops. The crazy part? They don’t seem the least bit scandalized or offended by
her boneheaded blunder. Judging by the sinful heat in their eyes, they’re all
too happy to provide her with a little two-on-one dirty dancing. For a woman
recovering from a bad breakup, fielding the interest of two sex-on-a-stick men
is both surreal and exhilarating. Indulging a three-way fling? Completely out
of her comfort zone. But with her stay limited to a week, some
no-strings-attached sex might be precisely what she needs to get her confidence
back in stride.None of them are prepared for the consequences
of a sexy fling feeling like so much more. As Regan’s stay draws closer to an
end, Mason and Nash realize there’s no way in hell they’re letting the perfect
woman slip through their fingers. And when it comes to fighting for her love,
there are no fitter warriors for the ultimate battle to her heart.

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1H3QIq8

http://www.jodiredford.com/More_Books.html****SNAKE’S SALVATION by Aliyah Burke

Two people with painful pasts can create something
spectacular with each other.
Jason “Snake” LaRue was a Navy SEAL. Now he’s
not and he has trust issues and memories he can’t forget no matter how hard he
tries. His one solace is a woman who works at the local diner who chases away
the darkness in him. But would she ever consider a man with his past?
Loretta Swann has given up art and now works at
an all-night diner. Running from her past, she up and goes when the mood
strikes. Her one shining moment a day is when the ex-SEAL graces the
establishment. An impulsive kiss makes her wonder about something more with
him. But when she learns what he wants, will she run again, or stick around to
be Snake’s Salvation?

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1H3QVcF

www.aliyah-burke.com ****HER HERO by Miranda Marks

Nate Morrissey has seen all kinds of action in
his years with Marine Special Operations, yet nothing compares to the adventure
he has at home with his new wife—what little time he’s been home in their brief
one year marriage. When he gets called out on a new mission at the beginning of
a long awaited leave, his bride lays down an ultimatum. Unfortunately for them
both, duty wins.
Becca soon realizes she wasn’t meant to be a
military wife. She thought she was strong, but the long months praying and
waiting for his safe return have left her broken. When he leaves her yet again,
she knows it’s time to call it quits, no matter how much her heart tells her to
stay.
Nate isn’t ready to let go of his wife just yet.
The fire they share is too hot to ignore. Nate comes home to an empty bed, but
refuses to let it stay that way long. Till death do us part means something to
Nate and he’s not dead yet…

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LMZyNf
www.authormirandamarks.comMake Sure to Join our Event On Veteran’s Day!

Cover Reveal – UnEarthed: A Collection of 12 Full Length Paranormal Novels – Proceeds to Cancer Sucks! – Limited time!!

COVER REVEAL

TITLE:

Unearthed: A Collection of 12 full-length
Paranormal Novels

AUTHORS:

Elle Bright, Jessica Cage, S. Simone Chavous,Sarah M. Cradit, S.L. Dearing, Kellee Gilmore, Missy Johnson, Angel Lawson, Magen McMinimy, Morgan Jane Mitchell, Brandy L. Rivers, Emma Shade

RELEASE DATE:

June 17^th, 2014

Cover Designers:

Elle Bright & Magen McMinimy

Synopsis:

“Great Books were meant to be Unearthed”

A collection of
twelve full-length, paranormal novels brought to you by some of today’s
bestselling authors, each weaving a unique world of fantasy. Grab this
limited-time collection of novels featuring vampires, seers, fae, witches, and
so much more.

*Unearthed will be available for three weeks only with all proceeds donated to

Cancer Sucks!-a cancer support and research charity.*

Add Unearthed

to

your
Goodreads shelf

 

Five Book Facts and A Game of Tag – The Saga Continues…

Five Book Facts and A Game of Tag

A while back my friend Magen McMinimy tagged me to do a post about my dream cast for my book The Gathering: Book One of the Lia Fail Chronicles and then tag 5 authors to do the same, and in typical “Shannon Fashion”, I dropped the ball. So now Author Michael Loring has come up with something similar, but instead of with a dream cast you have to share FIVE facts about your book that no one else would know, followed by tagging four other authors to do the same with their book of choice!

A very simple game, but nonetheless fun!

Let’s get started!

1) All about your most recent or current release:

All Our Love: A Collection of Stories That Speak to the Heart

Anthology

Synopsis:

Love stories.

Moments that make your heart flutter. Scenes that have you holding your breath. Coveted admissions of love that you just can’t wait to be confessed.

This is a collection of stories that center on matters of the heart, overwhelming feelings of love, and stories that make you stop to re-read those breathtaking moments between your favorite characters. Be it the angst, the turmoil, or the first kiss, these are stories that speak to your soul and warm you to your core.

Eleven authors, eleven stories, eleven special moments—brought to you with ALL OUR LOVE.

Stories included in this anthology:
– All Roads Lead to Jackson by Juli Valenti
– Bad Girlfriend by Brooke Cumberland
– Coming Home by Melissa Collins
– Cora’s Plantation by Jettie Woodruff
– Fated Love by Brandy L. Rivers
– Have My Heart by Rene Folsom
– Home Again by Vicki Green
– Masked Encounters by Felicia Tatum
– No Details by Marie Wathen
– Surrender by Sarah M. Cradit
– The One by S.L. Dearing

2) Share FIVE facts about your book: Since my book is The Gathering, I’ll answer questions about that 😉

1. It took eight and a half years to write and publish The Gathering.

2. The Merganser family was originally named the Mortaver, Madison was originally Tuner, Brian was originally Grant (named after his godfather) and Paul was originally named Ian.

3. Vance and Stephan were originally slated for death.

4. I had no idea how it was going to end when I began writing it.

5. The Gathering was originally slated to be 3 individual books, now it’s the first in a series of a minimum of 4 novels and so far 3 compendiums and a Diary full or prequel.

3) Tag FOUR other Authors:

Jennifer Bull

Nikki Marie Clark

Penelope Anne Bartoto

M.L. Stephens

Ok, now go forth and let’s learn and tag… you’re it!!!

Shuttered Affections by Rene Folsom – Release, Review and Interview

Title: Shuttered Affections
Author: Rene Folsom
Series: Cornerstone #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 15, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links

NOTE: Purchase links will be available on my website the day of release. Visit http://renefolsom.com/shuttered on or after October 15th.

Synopsis

After escaping to a college town, Juliana Petersen was determined to put her troubled past behind her and make the most of life. She was satisfied with her current situation, or so she thought. It wasn’t until the day her new photography professor stole her parking spot that she realized there was such thing as lust at first sight. Now, she must struggle with the decision to break the rules and fall in love, or step back and let the chance of a lifetime pass her by—all while her past relationships come back to haunt her.

How many men will it take to break Julia’s hold on reality?

Warning: This novel contains sexual situations and is meant for adult readers ages 18 and up.

Review

Well, Rene Folsom does it again!  She has created hot, sexy characters with an undeniable chemistry that has the reader clamoring for more.  Folsom is the indisputable (in my humble opinion) Queen of the Tease.  If erotica were burlesque, she would be the Gypsy Rose Lee.

The immediate chemistry between Julia and Aiden permeates through the book like pounding sound waves as Folsom deftly builds the tension.  The characters are fantasy characters, but like any great writer, they are flawed and have had experiences that have brought them to where they are now.  I obviously enjoyed the romantic and erotic aspects of Shuttered Affections, but I also enjoyed the alternative plot line that involves Julia’s past.  Folsom has also developed serious subject matter in an acceptable and realistic fashion.

In addition, she has realistically painted a portrait of a fairly independent, yet insecure girl in her early twenties dealing with a new passion and an excruciating past that are about to collide.

I for one am looking forward to her second book in The Cornerstone series…. I need answers.  And I need more of Julia and Aiden… and whatever Rene Folsom is dishing up in the sequel to Shuttered Affections.

Excerpt

The electricity in the air told me he was coming closer. Footsteps, barely audible, whispered along the floor behind me.

My hands fumbled for the canister. I needed to pop the top off and carefully remove the film.

I could feel him close behind me. He was really close. As I successfully removed the film from its canister, I could feel him move even nearer. I felt his breath by my ear and heard him gasp slightly as a curl fell forward and must have brushed against his face.

I was just about done putting the film around the reel when I felt his finger slowly push the tendril of hair back behind my ear.

I deftly finished coiling the film and placed it in the developing tank. Once the lid was in place, effectively protecting my film from light exposure, I spoke.

“Okay. I’m good.” My voice was barely a whisper. I didn’t seem to have the strength to muster any more volume.

“Mmhmm…” he moaned in my ear. “Your hair smells divine, Angel.”

I felt his hand brush against the back of my ear and push my hair to the side, exposing my neck to his touch. I felt his breath on me and, suddenly, it was as if all the oxygen in the room had been used up completely. I couldn’t breathe.

“You’re so beautiful, even in darkness,” he said adoringly and I felt the tickle of his breath on my neck.

Warmth sizzled through my abdomen, my clit pulsed, and my nipples hardened. His words whispered through my ears, seductive and alluring.

His body pressed against my back and he wrapped his hands around my waist, sticking his thumbs into the waistband of my jeans. His fingers gently touched my hipbones. His touch made me arch my back and tilt my head to rest on his shoulder.

His lips, hot as fire, brushed along the column of my neck. I wanted to turn my body and wrap myself around him, but he held me in place.

“Aiden, I thought we were going to try and behave ourselves,” I said breathlessly as he continued his assault on my neck.

“I don’t care,” he mumbled, clearly aware he was melting me to the bone.

Animalistic lust took us over. Grabbing my shoulders, he quickly turned me so my chest pressed against his and shoved my back up against the wall with just enough force to tell me he was turned on as much as I was.

As if attempting to control his urges, he let go of me and I felt his hands press against the wall on either side of my head, just above my shoulders.

“Oh, God. I want to touch you,” he said hoarsely. “I want to touch every inch of you.”

I could tell his lips were so close. The tip of his nose brushed against mine, causing me to involuntarily tilt my head upward, attempting to close the gap between our lips. As if he sensed me pouncing, he turned his chin up, causing me to meet the scruffy facial hair on his jaw.

Unable to see my prey, I reached out and dug my nails into his strong back, pulling him closer to me and lightly sinking my teeth into his jaw. If he wasn’t going to offer his lips to me, I was going to take whatever part of him I could get between my teeth.

As if on cue, a rumble echoed from his throat. His hands snaked down my body, grabbing my ass and pulling me against him.

The move was so bold; I thought for sure he was going to kiss me. Instead, he tilted his head up, exposing his neck to my nibbling assault.

His body, hot and hard, pressed me against the cold, concrete wall. His hands, still on my ass, lifted me slightly so I was forced to the tips of my toes.

I felt his mouth on my neck again and couldn’t help voicing my pleasure.

“Oh, Aiden. Kiss me now,” I begged. I didn’t know why I had to beg this man to press his lips against mine. I only knew I needed more. So much more.

“Tell me, Juliana. Do you want me?” he asked softly, caressing my ear with his lips.

“Christ, yes!” My answer left my mouth before I even had time to process what I was saying. I was quite simply speechless.

“Then you shall have me… eventually.” With that, he let go, opened the door, and walked out.

I was left standing there, completely overwhelmed, and aching with desire.

About the Author

Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and, if it weren’t for her day job as a web programmer, she would have a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to web design, she is also a graphic artist who loves to create custom book cover designs for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.

Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…

AN INTERVIEW WITH RENE FOLSOM

Hi, Rene!! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions.  I loved Shuttered Affections, and I know that you have said several times that most of what you writehas been influenced by “real life”.  What in Shuttered Affections was influenced by Real Life experiences (that you’re comfortable sharing with us, of course)?

In Shuttered Affections, most of the classes Juliatakes and the locations she talks about were based on real life experiences.  I did go to college and majored in fine arts.  Maddy is also a real friend of mine I met in photography class and I still keep in touch with her to this day (although, her name isn’t Maddy).  However, the hot teacher situation is completely fabricated along with the club Julia works in.

This series has been several years in the making.  Do you feel as though you’ve changed as a writer or artist since you first started writing The Cornerstone Series?

Most definitely.  I learn new things each time I receive edits back from my editor and I learn something new from each reader who has valuable feedback for me.

I have dubbed thee the Queen of the Tease, because in my humble opinion, you are just that.  You excel at building tension and electricity between your characters and I think that permeates to the reader.  Is that something you do for story pacing or just to torture all of us reading your work?  It’s lovely torture, but still torture all the same.

The only way I can describe it is, it’s what I would want to read.  I don’t want a character who doesn’t feel.  I want to read, and write, something that makes my stomach flutter.

What is the hardest part about being a writer for you?

The time involved in meeting writing deadlines—that, and, the nerve-wracking days after releasing a new book.

Do you have any rituals when you’re writing?

Not really.  I just need quiet.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people in your life?

In Shuttered Affections, only a few characters are inspired by real people.

You mainly write romance and erotica, but do you have any aspirations to write any other genres, or mash-ups genres?

Shuttered Affections is considered romantic suspense, so I guess you could say I mashed up a few genres with that.  But, as far as venturing away from romance, I don’t plan on it.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today.  Before you go, is there anything else you’d like to let anyone know?  Maybe when the next Cornerstone book is due out or any other upcoming releases?

The tentative release for the second Cornerstone novel, Exposed Affections, is mid-November.  I have several other projects in the works at the moment and unsure exactly which I will be working on next.

Thanks again, Rene and much success!

Thank you, Shannon!  ❤

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Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles by Brenda Perlin – Release and Event

Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles by Brenda Perlin is being released on Amazon.com on October 11, 2013.

Please join the online Facebook party October 11 1:00 pm (PST) where there will be #fun #games and #prizes. There will be random #Ebook giveaways leading up to the event! https://www.facebook.com/events/207641289413064/

Synopsis: Brooklyn Rosen had high moral principles and was raised properly. Married for over fifteen years, those standards went out the window along with her fidelity when she met Bo. After becoming a self-proclaimed “Home Wrecker” Brooklyn left behind her marital home, along with the damage caused by her emotional wrecking ball. But the whispered remarks followed.

In “Home Wrecker: The Brooklyn Chronicles” we learn what shaped Brooklyn, the trials of an unhappy marriage and a deep abiding love that would not be denied. We meet a troubled, spiteful wife, who does not want to become an “ex”.

Will Brooklyn and Bo survive, or will all be lost to a bitter woman?

Blurb: In the past, I mean before the infidelity, I had always been someone who could be trusted. I believed if you didn’t trust someone, the results would come out in negative ways. Even though I never gave Gerard reason not to trust me, he always had fears and doubts. He saw me as a naïve “female” and thought every guy I came in contact with had an ulterior motive to move in. I always had to reassure him of my loyalty. Now that I had been caught doing exactly what he suspected, I gained a reputation as a cheater.

If you haven’t read Home Wrecker I it is a great time to pick up a copy!!! http://amzn.com/B00CKBWWIU

“Brooklyn and Bo, each unhappily married to others, must decide whether to stay with their spouses or give up everything for their love.”

HOME WRECKER IS BACK!

A Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Struggle to Keep New-found Happiness

October 11, 2013. Ladera Ranch, California: Brenda Perlin is back with Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles, published by Master Koda Select Publishing. This Contemporary Romance is set to continue the story of Home Wrecker I: Home Wrecker Chronicles in September of 2013. The reader will experience an emotional roller-coaster ride as the writer divulges the sad and dark times of Brooklyn, all the while provoking deep thought while re-living her memories through the reading experience.

Home Wrecker: The Brooklyn Chronicles provides a look into the heart and mind of a woman who cheated on her marriage and the reasons why it happened. It is honest. It is real. It is the story of what made Brooklyn the woman she is today, the decisions made that put her on the path she walks today, and it does it with an openness and honesty not found in many such stories. The book is well written and grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention until the very end.” – Crystal Schall, The Book Rack

Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles puts the reader on a journey through the eyes of the main character, Brooklyn Rosen. Her story, at times, is excruciatingly honest and evokes one’s own self-reflection throughout the reading experience. However, through the devastation and tribulations, the reader will also gain an insight to the inspiring strength of the heroine as she struggles toward personal happiness.

Master Koda Select Publishing is a small, but high quality, publisher of ebooks and paperbacks. The company takes pride in its authors by implementing aggressive marketing initiatives. Master Koda Select Publishing selects only a few authors per year to ensure they are receiving the attention they deserve.

For further inquiries and additional information, please contact: Kim Mutch Emerson http://masterkodaselectpublishing.com
homewreckerthebook@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/HomeWreckertheBook
https://twitter.com/HomeWreckerbook
Website http://www.homewreckerthebook.com/
Blog http://www.homewreckertheblog.com

A Menu of Death by Lucy Pireel – Book Blast and Giveaway

A Menu of Death

A collection of stories centered around vengeance, obsession, cravings, and life.

Pick one item of the Menu or devour the entire buffet
Make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew
Read, but not with greed for
Death awaits, ready to come and collect its due

These eight short stories revolve around obsession, revenge, craving, love, and Death. Whether it be a woman in need of rescue, a man who hungers for his wife, a demon lost, or wishes come true, all characters want something. Badly.
But … You can’t always get what you want, but you might just get what you need.

Available at:
Amazon
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-menu-of-death
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/358650
Whitcoulls
iTunes
Barnes&Noble
Sony

About the author

Lucy Pireel is a writer who doesn’t let herself be restricted to any one genre. She loves to write in whatever direction her current story leads her.  When she’s not writing, or reading, she is practicing or teaching yoga, her other passion. Or she could be on a long hike somewhere in the beautiful British nature.

Being an author it is almost a given she has a great love for chocolate and coffee to live on while writing, but she doesn’t shy away from trying to prepare intricate dishes, for cooking is another thing she enjoys.

Should you want to follow her she can be found at:
http://www.lucypireel.com
http://www.lucypireel.wordpress.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105731497321102858244/posts

Tweets by LucyPireel

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorpageLucyPireel
http://lucypireel.booklikes.com/
http://www.authorsdb.com/component/content/article/8-authors/874-lucy-pireel
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6536994.Lucy_Pireel
http://about.me/lucypireel

 Please Enter the Rafflecopter.  The Link is below:

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Cover Reveal – The Last Night by Heather Kirchoff

In Anticipation, Here is the Cover for Heather Kirchoff’s Upcoming novel.

The Last Night by Heather Kirchoff

To Connect With Heather:

https://www.facebook.com/heather.kirchhoff.92?fref=ts

Review – Mama’s Child by Joan Steinau Lester

Synopsis: MAMA’S CHILD follows twenty-three years in the life of Lizzie O’Leary, an idealistic young white woman who travels to the American South as a civil rights worker. She meets, falls in love with, and marries Solomon Jordan, a musician and fellow activist, who is black. Together, the young couple settles in the more liberal San Francisco area and starts a family: daughter Ruby, and son Che. They remain deeply involved in the Black Liberation Movement: participating in protest marches, and living in a home filled with Black Power posters, jazz, protest songs, and visiting Black Panthers.

 But by 1978, when the novel opens, there is tension between the couple. Solomon’s music career keeps him away from home too much, and Lizzie is frustrated: “I need you here. I can’t raise these kids by myself. And they need a black parent, some days I just don’t know what to do.” Eventually, the strain becomes unbearable, and they divorce when their children are still young.

 Their divorce deeply affects daughter Ruby, who is already suffering from a confused sense of self—“Am I black or white?” she continually asks herself. “Where do I belong?” She struggles with her own racial identity as well as her anger at her mother for splitting up the family. As for mother Lizzie, despite her attempts at trying to hold on to the emotional cord that binds them, the rift between mother and daughter widens.

 It isn’t until Ruby herself becomes a wife and mother that she begins to develop compassion and understanding for the many ways that her own mother’s love transcended race and questions of identity.

 Told in chapters alternating between the voices of the mother and daughter, MAMA’S CHILD goes deep into the raw emotions of love, family, and ancestry– from two points of view.

Review: This was a very interesting book for several different reasons.  The author’s life paralleled the book, but only in structure (she herself a white woman who married a black man and had two biracial children, as well as living in Berkley and falling in love with a woman), however, the characters’ themselves are completely fiction.  I also enjoyed seeing the perspectives of both characters, the mother and daughter, (who could be extremely frustrating at times) as they struggle to find out who they are, sometimes painfully.

The author, Joan Stenau Lester, recently mentioned that her reoccurring theme through the book is forgiveness, but I would also add that it is the importance of communication and even responsibility.  The pain that plays out is real and the frustration for me came from the fact that these characters don’t talk to one another.  But that happens everyday in real life, so the flaws these characters have are real.

This is a well written and detailed book, but it is also extremely emotional.  It will elicit emotion from the reader, whether it be joy, encouragement or rage and disappointment.  I was definitely drawn into the story.  I would be only a few years younger than the character of the daughter, Ruby, so it was interesting to see different things through her eyes that I’ve never seen, nor will I ever see.  I also have a biracial niece, so it was interesting to see what the mother in this story was thinking.  Overall, I would recommend this book, I give it 4 stars.  It was definitely thought provoking and heartfelt.

The Devil Knows by K.C. Cavanaugh – Review, Giveaway and Spotlight – Around the Universe Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

“The Devil Knows” is a paranormal romance-drama. It starts off with Megan learning that her best friend since birth has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Megan’s life is then consumed by the drive to find a way to save Anya. She scours the internet looking for medical answers, as well as those that seem far-fetched and impossible.

Soon, her computer leads her to the possibility of making a deal with the devil. Megan wonders if it’s even possible for her to give up her soul to save Anya. Not knowing where to begin, she soon discovers clues and signs that seem to be left for her, which leads her to an occult shop where she tries to find some answers.

But it doesn’t take long for Anya to get worse, as it seems each day her condition deteriorates. Even the doctors are baffled by the progression of the cancer, as it’s much more aggressive than anticipated. During a trip to the emergency room with Anya, Megan meets Dr. Carson who is Anya’s attending physician.

Quickly a spark between Megan and the doctor ignites, even though there appears to be something that just isn’t right about the emergency room doctor. Besides he treated Anya, so that makes Megan feels weird. Plus there is the fact that she’s been thinking about selling her soul, so a relationship is the last thing on Megan’s mind! But after a few encounters, Megan realizes that Jeremiah Carson may not be exactly who he has portrayed himself to be.

Who holds the answers to curing Anya? Could Megan really sell her soul when it comes down to it? Only the devil knows…

Review:

I absolutely loved this book!!  It was a quick read and the story was intriguing and the characters charming.  I enjoyed the ending very much, it was very fulfilling, as well as the depth of characters in the story and the revelation of layers we are exposed to when the finale comes.  There are some formatting issues (due to errors from publisher) and this should not deter you from enjoying this book (it is also my understanding they are currently correcting these issues). Definitely worth the read and just a wonderful story.

Giveaway:

Clink on the link below to enter to win a eBook copy of The Devil Knows – Less Than 2 days left!!!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Links: 

Kindle http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Knows-ebook/dp/B00C7FBHI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365266368&sr=1-1&keywords=the+devil+knows

Paperback http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Knows-K-Cavanaugh/dp/148263838X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1365266368&sr=1-1

 ABOUT the AUTHOR:

K.C. grew up in a small town in Northeastern PA, she still lives close to her hometown, remaining close with her friends and family. She has been writing since a young age, and always wanted to be a writer. Before now, she focused on poetry and short stories. The Devil Knows is her debut novel, and was written after K.C. found out that a family friend was diagnosed with cancer.

With lots of projects in the works, she is hoping to release her second novel this summer. You can look for her YA apocalyptic trilogy, Eternal Trilogy (with a few additional shorts), and a YA paranormal mystery.

LINKS To Find K.C. Cavanaugh: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cavanaugh.kc

Blog: www.cavanaughkc.blogspot.com

Website: www.cavanaughkc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cavanaugh_kc

Excerpt: 

“So, that doctor was pretty cute, huh?” Anya asked, teasing.

Snorting, Megan retorted, “Oh yeah, a real hottie.” But in the back of her mind, she was drooling over the good doctor. He wasn’t bad to look at, Megan had to admit. Though he didn’t do anything to warrant the opinion, she got the impression he could be intense.

“He seemed to think the same about you,” Anya replied.

“Anya! He was there as your doctor, not to pick up girls.”  Megan couldn’t believe Anya’s playful mood. She never teased Megan about guys—well, hardly ever.  “Look, I have too much on my plate right now with school. I’m not looking for anything,” she said, trying to figure out if she was trying to convince Anya, or herself.

“Who said you have to be looking for something, Megs? He’s hot, you’re hot, and the two of you could be hot.”

The look Anya was giving her made Megan burst out in laughter. This was good. She liked having this happy, clever Anya around. It was how Megan wanted to remember her.

Please continue to follow this tour at the links below.  Thank you 🙂

April 21

The Cavanaugh Connection ~ The Author Herself

April 22

Out of Control Characters

Candy Coated Book Blog

As You Wish Reviews

Readers Candy

April 23

Rambling Voices in My Head

Book Reviews by Lynn

Jess’s Book Blog

Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews and  Editing

April 24

Mythical Books

April 25

The Loupster

Brianna Lee Reviews

Raven Reviews

And Everything in Between

April 26

A Little Bit of R&R

Confessions of the Paranormal

JeanzBookReadNReview

Tracy Riva Books & Reviews

April 27

The Library at the END of the Universe

Q&A Session on Control, (The Soul of Voodoo, Book1)

Check out this great interview with M. C. Lavocat and go check her book, Control!!!

M.C. Lavocat

1. What is the title of your book?  

Well, I guess I’ll humor those who are visiting this site for the first time 😉

My book is titled, Control.

2.  What is the genre and age rating?

After much deliberation, and frustration, I have created a brand new genre for Control…

It is a Paranormal Romantic Comedy and it is definitely for adults, it isn’t an erotic novel, but it is pretty damn steamy and my characters are known to throw a few four-letter words out every now and again!

 3. Give a brief synopsis, using your own words. 

Okay, this is the hard part…

I like to describe Control as more than you see on the surface. Yes, it is a Paranormal Romance. No, it isn’t like other Paranormal Romance novels. It has that extra  je ne sais quoi, that makes it a little bit different. Actually…

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