Stacy Juba - 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back

19. 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by Stacy Juba (2012)
Length: 85 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 24 March 2014
Finished: 26 March 2014
Where did it come from? From Smashwords
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 August 2012
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Stacy Juba is a new author for me.

'What were you doing 25 years ago?' That was the question posed to 52 of her author colleagues by novelist and award-winning journalist Stacy Juba. In this collection of poignant and uplifting essays, you will read personal stories dealing with early school days; quirky first jobs; finding and keeping romance; the joys and difficulties of raising a family; going through various hard times; the pride and pitfalls associated with the writing journey; and discover what makes the characters these authors have created truly tick. Each story will alternately warm your heart, raise your spirits and ultimately compel you to examine your own life.

25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by Stacy Juba will help readers discover a entire crop of new authors whose names they can add to their to-read lists. Publishing credits for each of the contributing writers include New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling and Amazon bestselling. They also include recipients of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award, Mississippi Author Award, Benjamin Franklin Award and Eppie Award, as well as nominees of the Pushcart Prize, Agatha and Shamus Awards, to name a few of the many honors.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this particular book. Alright, so it only took me two years to actually read, but I guess good things come to those who wait. :) I give 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by Stacy Juba a definite A+!

My mother had read Sink or Swim by the same author in March of 2011 and enjoyed it very much. I'm delighted to say that I have Twenty-Five Years Ago Today - the mystery that was the basis for the question asked in 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror - already on my TBR pile. I can assure you that reading Twenty-Five Years Ago Today won't take me another two years! :)

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Book Blast For Rest Her Soul by Christopher Gibbs

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I am delighted to welcome Christopher Gibbs, author of the Historical Mystery, Rest Her Soul to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Mr. Gibbs is currently on a Book Blast tour with Pump up Your Book! lasting through the start of April. This is also my thirteenth Book Blast post ever, but I still hope that I do Rest Her Soul by Christopher Gibbs justice.

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

About Rest Her Soul:

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

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

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

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

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

Meet Christopher Gibbs

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

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

Terms and Conditions:

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

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May you read well and often

Book Blast For Requested Surrender by Riley Murphy

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I am delighted to welcome Riley Murphy, author of the Erotic Romance Requested Surrender to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Ms. Murphy is currently on a Book Blast tour with Pump up Your Book! lasting through the end of March. This is also my twelfth Book Blast post ever, but I still hope that I do Requested Surrender by Riley Murphy justice.

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

About Requested Surrender:

She knows he’s dangerous for a woman like her.

He knows she’s perfect for a man like him.

From their first meeting, David Hollan is intrigued because Lacy Pembrook is subconsciously hiding someone. Herself. And David wants to know why. He’s patient at first. Willing to give her space, but when she breaks the rules they’ve set between them, he’s ready to hold her accountable. One way or another, he’s going to find the piece of her that’s yet to be uncovered. And when he does? He intends to own it.

Given an ultimatum after she got caught coloring outsides the lines of their “trial” relationship, Lacy decides to fall in with David’s plans. She’ll cancel her trip and spend her vacation time at his house making up for her transgression. No sweat, right? Wrong. What she doesn’t count on when she gets there is him going full-out Dom on her. She quickly learns why they call him the quiet one. He’s dead sexy, watchful and stern at the best of times, and now that he has her all to himself, each of those things are magnified tenfold.

By the time Lacy realizes that he’s completely subjugated her—by way of an emotional striptease—it’s too late. She’s bared her soul to him, so when he requests her surrender she has no choice but to give it to him. Or does she?

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

(The Amazon link will be live soon. Meanwhile, visit http://www.badboyscanbefun.com/coming-soon/ to be the first one to hear about its release date!)

Meet Riley Murphy

Riley Murphy writes sexy, humorous and emotional romance, happy ending guaranteed. An optimist, she believes life is awesome, people are complicated, but in a good way, and we should never stop learning. Riley currently resides in Florida with her gorgeous husband. She has two wonderful kids and one very bossy English Bull terrier she has dubbed ‘The Divine One’.

When Riley’s not working she enjoys reading, oil painting and getting to the Sunday crossword puzzle before anyone else does, so she can fill-in all the easy answers first. If Riley wasn’t a writer she’d be an international spy with top-level security so she could have a peek at Area 51 and decide for herself if those green guys are for real. Failing that she’d probably go with chicken sexer.

Riley loves to hear from readers.To learn more about her or her upcoming releases swing by her website and say hello at: www.AuthorRileyMurphy.com or connect with her on twitter @Riley__Murphy where she’s always sharing her deep-dark secrets.

Her latest book is the erotic romance, Requested Surrender.

Visit her website at www.authorrileymurphy.com or her blog at http://www.badboyscanbefun.com/blog/.

Pump Up Your Book and Riley 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 or Paypal Cash.
• This giveaway begins February 28 and ends March 28.
• Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 31.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May you read well and often

Introducing Sworn to Secrecy 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 Secrecy by Terah Edun (2014)

Length: 317 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Sworn to Secrecy Blurb: 

In the heart of the Imperial Courts, Ciardis Weathervane knows that death is coming for the empire. With her friends by her side and the new triad of Weathervanes, she's in a race against time to convince the courts of the same.

She must do her best to unite kith, mages, nobles and merchants under one cause - the fight to prevent a war. Soon she is forced to keep a secret that could exonerate her mother of the Empress's death, and is always one move away from stepping into diplomatic chaos.

Throw in a daemoni prince who is showing interest in the youngest Weathervane, a jealous prince heir, and a irritated dragon with her own designs on Ciardis, and you have an imperial court in turmoil.

This fourth novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn to Conflict.

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Seeing Green by Annabel Hertz From April 18, 2014 to April 30, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Annabel Hertz will be touring the blogosphere to promote her debut Historical Fiction novel Seeing Green. This virtual book tour is being hosted by JKS Communications and will last from April 18, 2014 to April 30, 2014!

Seeing Green Blog Tour Information:

 Meet Annabel Hertz

Annabel Hertz is an ardent fan of international and US Presidential politics, and fiction with unconventional protagonists. Seeing Green is her first novel and, like the story’s protagonist, she grew up in San Francisco and lives on avocados and espresso. She currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Arch Institute and has over a decade in leadership and consultant roles with international NGOs - primarily in the areas of environment, development, and security. More recently, she was adjunct professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy, and Global Governance Fellow at the World Economic Forum. Annabel holds a MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School, a MA from California State University, and a BA from the University of California, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in International Relations at American University.

Connect and Socialize with Annabel!

LinkedIn * Twitter * Facebook

About Seeing Green:

Described as a “timely, energetic and witty” story of a young woman “on a mission to puncture the stasis of Reagan-Bush environmental policy” (Book Review, Huffington Post, 04/04/2012), Seeing Green pays homage to the DC scene, international---and office---politics, and idealism. The novel also explores the rocky and rewarding terrain of family and personal relationships from the perspective of a multicultural protagonist in “a felicitously fast-moving, tightly organized narrative” (Amazon book review).

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Seeing Green Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

The Week of April 20 - Q&A Feature with The Page Turners Book Club
April 21 - Interview at Literary Lunes
April 21 - Guest Post at Obsessed with Progress
April 23 - Author Interview at The Pen Muse
April 25 - Review at Calamus
April 25 - Spotlight and Promotional Giveaway at Gina’s Library
April 26 - Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
April 27 - Review at The Reading Room
April 28 - Guest Post at Great Minds Think Aloud
April 30 - Guest Post Feature at Historical Fiction Obsession
May 1 - Review at Jorie Loves a Story Review
May 3 - Review at Deal Sharing Aunt
May 15 - Review and Promotional Giveaway at Books R Us
May 30 - Guest Post at Dear Teen Me
Also on the Tour - Review at Miki’s Hope
Also on the Tour - Review at Little Miss Train Wreck
Also on the Tour - Review at Reader’s Favorite
Also on the Tour - Review at The Bookish Foodie Reviews

May you read well and often

Dan O'Brien - Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency

18. Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O'Brien (2014)
Length: 41 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 18 March 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dan O'Brien for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 March 2014
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Dan O'Brien is a new author for me.

Robert Pendleton is just your typically logical person - not given to improbable flights of fancy; nor is he the type to believe in mythical beings from magical realms. Which is why Robert is so surprised to meet Colin McMasters, Director of the 'Loose Change Collection Agency'. Colin is a leprechaun, and he has come to Robert to ask for his assistance. A gremlin known as 'The Scourge' has been terrorizing all leprechauns - determined to conquer them and steal their gold.

The question is, will Robert believe enough in Colin's plight to help him to defeat 'The Scourge', or will he think it is all a dream?

I must say that I found this book to be fast-paced, and also well-developed for the length of story. This is a story written and illustrated for children - so it's not too frightening or graphic, and children could read it themselves, if they chose. However, I'm certain many adults will appreciate that they too can read Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O'Brien, and find it just as enjoyable. I give this book an A! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

A. E. Kirk - Loving in Time

17. Loving in Time by A. E. Kirk (2013)
Length: 370 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Started: 10 March 2014
Finished: 17 March 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to A. E. Kirk and to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 February 2014 as an ebook; Since 3 March 2014 as a physical book.
Why do I have it? I like historical fantasy and A. E. Kirk is a new author for me.

Life is pretty typical for half Greek-half American teenager Helen Xenaxis. She's just started her senior year at Mount Bumont High in New England, gets relatively good grades, and does her best to stay under the radar when it comes to getting in trouble with the principal. Not always easy tasks to accomplish when her best friend Paris Dolon is a prankster, determined to make senior year at Mount Bumont High memorable. Helen has the typical family - a mother and father, and two bratty younger twin brothers.

But Helen Xenakis' life is about to change drastically; and it all starts when her mother welcomes two cute but strange boys, Marcus and Gus, into the house and into Helen's life. During their stay, the boys help Helen to discover that she is anything but normal and she is in fact part of an ancient love story that has stretched to every corner of the world. She is, in reality, Helen the Princess of Sparta.

As Helen begins to remember things from a previous life, she sees things that she can't explain. When five other boys join Marcus and Gus, Helen is caused great physical pain when she utters the name, Troy. Together, the seven boys have traveled across time to ask Helen to do something for them - to go back in time and help break an ancient cycle. They will be there to try and protect her from the evil Decurion who wish to stop Helen from breaking the cycle by any means possible.

Journeying to Ancient Greece, Helen must act as she once did. However, when the moment comes and the war begins, she must break the cycle. Helen is given a life changing choice. The question is, will she choose wisely?

I must say, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have always enjoyed reading stories based on ancient myths - so I was completely drawn in to the story from the beginning. The story was fast-paced and action-packed, and the characters were well-developed. I give Loving in Time by A. E. Kirk a definite A+! I have to say that this was quite a debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (95-100%)

May you read well and often