Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan - Review

Title: Take Me Now
Author: Faith Sullivan

Synopsis: How do you survive the internship from hell?

Don't fall in love.

Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eyeing his chiseled physique for quite some time.

But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.

Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming. From Amazon.


My Review: Take Me Now is a very well-written New Adult book. New Adult seems to really be taking the reading world by storm, and I’ve been along for the ride. Take Me Now focuses on Ivy, as she is trying to find her way as an intern, and Eric, as he is trying to get over his tragic past. I actually loved the sweetness in the story, especially their meet-cute.

Ivy seems like a typical college girl. She has her immature moments. She is hung up on an old crush and she lets some people walk all over her. That was a little frustrating, but she grows as a character, and that made it better. It also made it more believable. Instead of a perfect girl, or someone who is insanely needy, I felt like Ivy was someone I could actually know and even like.

Eric is a seriously hunky working man. Not just a pretty face, but a guy who gets his hands dirty. I wish I could elaborate more about him, but I would end up getting to spoilery. Not my style, so I’ll just say that man knows how to love with everything he has. He is sweet, loyal, and chivalrous. Oh, and he has an awesome dog.

Ivy and Eric don’t have it easy. Sure they have that instant spark, but they work for their relationship. Plenty of obstacles seem to pop up from their pasts and the present. There was plenty of drama and romance. I wasn’t expecting the ending at all, but I loved it. I can’t wait to find out what happens next, in Meant for Me. I think lovers of New Adult books will really enjoy this book.

Rating:

Purchase links: 
Amazon / B&N

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Crowdfunding for Social Good by Devin D. Thorpe - Excerpt


Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the World

by Devin D. Thorpe Over the last year of writing my Forbes blog, I have had the opportunity to really dig deeply into the world of crowdfunding. I’ve just completed my first draft of my new book, Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the World. The book is a guide to successful crowdfunding for people who want to change the world. The book is not a sequel to my book, Your Mark On The World, but it is written in the same spirit. I’ve studied a dozens of successful crowdfunding campaigns, interviewing the people behind them to learn their secrets for success. Devin's Book, Your Mark on the World, was downloaded over 75,000 times and reached the #19 spot on Amazon's free book list--among all free books. It remains on the top 50 free nonfiction books at Amazon.

Buy on Paperback

Excerpt: Crowdfunding To The Rescue Following Superstorm Sandy
This article appeared on Forbes.com on November 2, 2012. It is included in Crowdfunding for Social Good by Devin Thorpe and is reprinted here as an excerpt from the book.

Rina, a mother of five living right on the water in Sheepshead Bay in the Brooklyn borough of New York City had her home flooded in Superstorm Sandy and was forced to evacuate without knowing when she
could return.  By Friday, November 02, 2012, a friend living in the relative safety of the Bronx has raised over $3,000 of emergency cash for Rina and her kids by setting up a crowdfunding page at GoFundMe.com.

Retired Brooklyn Tech High School football coach, "DiBo" DiBenedetto lost his home in Belle Harbor, New York to a fire that reportedly damaged or destroyed more than twenty homes in the storm and Malcolm Davis, a football coach at Xaverian High School set up a page at GoFundMe.com that raised over $15,000 in 48 hours to help the coach start over.

Kate O’Sullivan launched a GoFundMe page to help those in her neighborhood of Rockaway Beach in the borough of Queens New York on Wednesday; by Friday afternoon, she’d raised over $6,000 to buy generators and other emergency supplies—well ahead of the arrival of help from the Red Cross or FEMA.  She was in Boston during the storm and was able to buy supplies there, rent a U-haul and get them to New York.

Rebecca Zinger, who set up the page for Rina and her children, explained, “I’m only doing this because I’m like a sister [to Rina] and I love her.”  She set up the page on GoFundMe initially hoping only to raise $500, but when that goal was quickly surpassed, she raised the goal to $5,000.  In just one day she’s raised over $3,000 for Rina, whose oldest recently turned 13 and just celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.

Malcolm Davis, the football coach who started the campaign for Coach Dibenedetto explained that he’d worked for the now retired coach years ago and played for him early in the elder coach’s career.  Malcolm says, “I’ve been a football player all of my life.  I’m a good football player.  Good football players make plays, they make an impact.”  When he heard what had happened to his dear friend Coach Dibo, he thought “something has to be done.”  He decided, “I’m going to rally the troops.”  He launched a campaign on Facebook.  There, Ahmed Shama, a former player and U.S. Marine told him about GoFundMe and Coach Davis quickly launched the page.  Coach Davis has been proactive about raising the money, noting, “I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

On the page set up for football coach DiBenedetto, the coach writes, “It's overwhelming to see and read this outpouring of love that I am receiving from the people who are great friends and are very dear to me. The things we have shared and the challenges we have faced together as football players, choral students, colleagues and friends give me the strength to move forward and meet this latest challenge in my life with a firm resolve.”

Kate O’Sullivan, who launched the page to help the folks in her neighborhood of Rockaway Beach promises to give all of the money to help her and her neighbors rebuild.  She says everyone in the neighborhood comprised mostly of civil servants--teachers, cops and firemen--is working together and helping each other.  Kate wanted to shout out her appreciation, saying, "Thank you to the sanitation department,"  which she says has been especially great in the early days.

GoFundMe CEO Brad Damphousse tells me, "We built GoFundMe to be the place where family, friends and communities come together and support one another when they need it most.  Americans know that real charity starts at home, not in the offices of government agencies. GoFundMe empowers individuals to take immediate action and do the right thing when others are in need. We're honored and humbled to play a small role as thousands of regular people are coming together to accomplish amazing things for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives are forever changed as a result of this storm."

GoFundMe isn’t the only site offering people the chance to raise money to organize their own disaster relief.   HelpersUnite.com is another site where disaster victims can create a profile and request help.   HelpersUnite is owned by EarlyShares.
Stephen Temes, Chairman and Co-Founder of EarlyShares, said by email, “Having lived the majority of my life in New York City, the devastation that the North East is now facing after Hurricane Sandy really hits home. This hurricane is something that will take more than a while to recover from and we want to make sure that families have a way to reach out to their friends and loved ones for targeted support to help get their lives back on track. These people will need help dealing with the destruction that Hurricane Sandy has caused. As the initial shock subsides, the damage will remain and these families will still need long-term help. The ability as time goes on for these families to draw from their network of friends, family, community, and anyone else for financial support via our social giving platform will make a real difference for those that need it the most."

Please share your experiences raising money or donating money for Superstorm Sandy relief efforts in the comments below.

If you are interested in helping me with my research for a forthcoming book on crowdfunding for social entrepreneurs, please click here.  Those who participate in the survey will receive a free download of my book, Your Mark On The World.

Please help me continue this conversation on Twitter at @devindthorpe and on Facebook, Google+ and at my personal website yourmarkontheworld.com.

About Devin:

Devin D. Thorpe thinks he is the luckiest person alive. After being “let go” from the best job he’d ever had—as the Chief Financial Officer of the multinational food and beverage company MonaVie—he and his wife ended up living in China for a year where he wrote Your Mark On The World and embarked on the career he’d always wanted yet hadn’t dared dream. Now, as an author, a popular guest speaker and Forbes contributor, Devin is devoted full time to championing social good. His current life isn’t much like his past. As an entrepreneur, Devin ran—at separate times—a boutique investment banking firm and a small mortgage company. He served as the Treasurer for the multinational vitamin manufacturer USANA Health Sciences years before becoming CFO for MonaVie. Over his career he led or advised on the successful completion of $500 million in transactions. Devin squeezed in two brief stints in government, including two years working for Jake Garn on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff and another year working for an independent state agency called USTAR, where he helped foster technology entrepreneurship during Governor Jon Huntsman’s administration. Devin is proud to have graduated from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alum in 2006. He also earned an MBA at Cornell University where he ran the student newspaper, Cornell Business. Today, Devin channels the idealism of his youth with the loving support of his wife, Gail. Their son Dayton is a PhD candidate in Physics at UC Berkeley (and Devin rarely misses an opportunity to mention that).
Twitter: @devindthorpe
Google+: devinthorpe.com
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Imperfection by Phaedra Seabolt - Promo & Tour Schedule


Imperfection (Pure Blood)

At the center of a war brewing between two packs: her son
Meara Falk always followed her parents' rules, until one night in March when the temptation to let loose changed her life forever. Nine months later, disowned and with a baby on her hip, she discovers werewolves exist after being on the wrong end of some teeth and claws. During her first change, werewolves attack, stealing her son and driving her out of her home. Now she’s looking for the man who kidnapped her baby and turned her life upside down. Meara's son is in the middle of a threatened war between two powerful packs. Getting him back will jeopardize the lives of everyone she loves.

Available on Amazon On Sale for Only $0.99 for the Tour! 

About Phaedra Seabolt Phaedra Seabolt is the youngest of four and the only girl. She spent her childhood trying to be the best she could be at everything she did which drove her to attend college long enough to attain her master's degree. Now she is a stay at home mom and happily married. Follow the author on Goodreads / Literary Addicts / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google + / Website      Follow the Book Tour Hayson Publishing is giving away 3 swag packs (Water bottle, bookmark from swag shop, and $10 Amazon GC) for the tour. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Barely Alive by Bonnie R. Paulson - Review

Barely Alive (book #1)

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so. Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity. Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs. Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate. Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.

Buy on Amazon | B&N

My Review: After reading and loving Bonnie R. Paulson’s Into the End, I was excited to get to review Barely Alive. From the moment I started reading I didn’t want to stop. I finished the whole book in a day. The plot is exciting and full of so many twists and turns. Of course one scientist thinks he can play nature and it all turns into chaotic mess. But I loved the extra twists that Paulson threw in. 12 weeks to live, not losing their minds, and the possibility of immunity and a cure. It was a constant race against time and the enemy.

The characters in Barely Alive had a lot of depth. There were small glances into their pasts. Paul was the main character. He had incredible strength, and I don’t just mean zombie strength. He had character strength. He pushed hard to resist the urges that all his fellow zombies fall to. He is a natural leader, but very humble about it. He is also not afraid to make the hard decisions, even if others might not agree with him.

Heather is awesome. At one point she was so brave and it caught me (and Paul) completely off guard.  She handled situations well, such as learning that Paul is a zombie, and stayed strong. I absolutely love that she can look past Paul being a zombie. I wish that we could see things from her point of view, because I would love to know what is going through her mind sometimes.

Barely Alive is a book that any zombie lover will enjoy. I cannot wait to read the next two books and find out what happens to all the great characters and the world during the zombie epidemic. I think that, once again, Bonnie R. Paulson has written an amazing book. Well worth checking out!
Rating:


 

Falling Apart (book #2)

Days slip through Paul’s graying fingers. Humanity faces the end. His brother has the virus and is dying, too. Paul’s hopes ride on Heather’s genetic code. Her immunity leaves her unchanged and untouchable. What would she see in the zombie he was becoming anyway? Dominic’s army of infected grows, capturing the south and leaving little alive in its wake. While Paul and his friends work on the vaccine, protecting the north becomes protecting the world. Heather is taken hostage and Paul races toward Dominic to save his heart. With his time “alive” shortened, Paul must do more than protect the uninfected. He has to get his brother and Heather back to Sandpoint before the zombies find them. Paul needs to survive the upcoming war before he finds himself defecting to the other side and leaving Heather to Dominic’s mercy. He has three days to get the cure or he might as well find a fire to call home. *This has mature themes and language. Not for young or pre-teens.*

Buy on Amazon | B&N


Mostly Dead (book #3)

Time is running out and Paul’s original wish for death looms. As his skin grays and hunger becomes uncontrollable, the world burns. Heather and Paul have fallen for each other, but with life and death barricading them apart, and the potential cure disappearing into time, they have no hope. Paul’s hunger is all-consuming. He has to walk into the flames, join Dominic, or eat everyone he loves. Can he save anyone, if not himself?

Buy on Amazon | B&N

 

Viral Intent (Prequel short)

Dominic has no remorse, no guilt, and his righteous justification swells as his research goes unchecked. There’s someone Dominic wants to save, and he may have the cure. But now he needs test subjects. He creates a virus that brings about the zombie apocalypse. There’s no excuse for how he treats Paul and humanity itself, but understanding the man might shed light on the evolution of the virus that brings Paul and Heather together. Discover the how and why behind Dominic’s evil actions. Are you brave enough to see how a Zombie Master is born?

Buy on Amazon | B&N

Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane. Follow on: Facebook / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter / Literary Addicts / Amazon   Follow the Book Tour The author is giving away a Zombie Survival Kit! ARV $50
Zombie Apocalypse survival kit in a sardine can
A zombie hunting permit bumper sticker (for the state you live in)
The Zombie Survival Guide Manual
Emergency Mylar Blanket.
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I received and e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Acid King by Maggie Abbott - Excerpt

Four long-estranged friends from London’s turbulent Sixties scene of sex, drugs and rock and roll are thrown together after seventeen years when one of them accidentally discovers the secret identity of their betrayer; a man they knew only as The Acid King, a charismatic figure who orchestrated a weekend of alluring drugs ending with a bust, jail time and death.
  • What the friends don’t know is that a New York FBI Agent, another old enemy of the Acid King, has been on a long frustrating manhunt of his own, driven by the same rage for revenge.  Until, by coincidence, he discovers the mystery man’s hidden Los Angeles location and tracks him to his lair. Resulting in a dangerous confrontation that puts lives, both guilty and innocent, on the line.
  • The Acid King is the thinly veiled story of the famous Redlands drug bust of 1967; an event that put Mick Jagger and Keith Richards behind bars and nearly destroyed the world’s most famous rock band. All orchestrated by an unidentified man who set them up and then disappeared.
  • By a strange twist of fate the Author (former film agent for Mick Jagger) met the Acid King in Los Angeles and became involved with him for several years, never knowing who he really was, until her friend Marianne Faithfull (former lover of Jagger) surprisingly identified him.

Buy on Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Escargot Books 

Excerpt: “Yeah, quite an atmosphere, isn't it?  This is the club scene, L.A. style.  It's happening all over town.  These kids have got it all worked out.  They've invented themselves.  Wait till you hear some of their names.  See that girl over there with the cornrow do?  That's Tequila.  Tequila Mockingbird.  And if you look around you'll see a nice looking boy with really blue hair, he's Ruben Blue.  He makes a monthly magazine for the scene, called 'Scratch', stapled pages full of xeroxed polaroid pictures of these characters, it's fun.  He chronicles every event, show, party, and it's making stars of all these scenesters.  Hollywood can get stuffed outside of this world.”

About Maggie:

The Acid King tells the fictionalized story of what she imagined could have happened afterwards.
Maggie Abbott started writing novels when she moved to Palm Springs after a long, successful show business career in Los Angeles, London, Rome, and New York.
A casual job as a secretary at the William Morris Agency in Rome introduced her to the exciting scene of Cleopatra, Fellini’s  and The Pink Panther, with the city’s influx of big stars calling by the office every day, and triggered her lifelong love affair with movies.
Over the years, Maggie has enjoyed being in the most interesting places at the best of their times, while working as the movie agent for some exciting stars:  Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Charlotte Rampling, Jacqueline Bisset, Martin Sheen, Raquel Welch, Christopher Plummer, Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Peter Sellers, Richard Chamberlain, Peter O’Toole, Britt Ekland, Ken Russell, John Boorman, and many more.
Somewhere in between, Maggie was the production assistant on three Broadway plays, and a producer and studio executive at Columbia Pictures where she developed and got production credits on two movies.
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Friday, August 16, 2013

Legend of the Spider-Prince: Rebel bye Margo Ander - Promo & Tour Schedule


Legend of the Spider-Prince: REBEL

Wyl is a young rebel whose life of dangerous lies and hidden truths has cost him his childhood and his ability to trust. He is fanatically loyal to the rebel leader, a woman embroiled in a blood-feud with Trascolm's ruling clan. When he’s not away spying, he’s her secret bodyguard—she needs protection from her army of renegades and outlaws as much as from bounty-hunters and assassins sent by her archenemy. But when the rebellion meets with disaster, the rebel leader's strategy changes. Wyl is thrust into a hostile royal court of underage teens—mere children, to his mind. He’s expected to embrace this more civilized way of life, but his brutally-honed instincts betray him, and he makes enemies instead of friends. Wyl—a boy raised by outlaws—is in over his head and must somehow master the subtleties of court intrigue well enough to keep the rebel leader and her rebellion alive, despite the treacherous machinations of her enemies, and do it without getting himself killed. About the Legend of the Spider-Prince series In a war-torn land where men have unbridled influence, but women hold the reins of power, a young rebel becomes entangled in a deadly web of magic, court intrigue, and revenge amid an escalating wave of events that will ultimately destroy magic, overturn governments, cause the near-collapse of civilization, even threaten the very existence of life on Eryth—and make him a legend.

Buy on Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | iTunes | Kobo | Diesel | Paperback

About the Author

I loved fairy tales as a child, but could never get enough of them until I learned to read for myself. I spent my formative years with my nose in a book or playing dungeon master for my sisters long before there were actual games requiring one. Our Barbies fought Klingons, conquered the galaxy—and always had room on their spaceship for horses. I am a horsewoman, an archer, a fencer, a former military officer, and a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism—all useful skills and experiences for a fantasy novelist. I am currently holding down a day job in Mississippi, USA, where I live with my husband and two daughters, and am presently down to one horse, one cat, and one dog—and ‘way too many books. Visit me on the web at www.margoander.com My Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/AuthorMargoAnder I have a blog, www.margoander.wordpress.com, where I review books I like by other indie authors. I have another blog, marguerot.wordpress.com, where I blog about writing. Follow the Tour
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Cache a Predator by M. Weidenbenner - Review


Cache a Predator

by, M. Weidenbenner Officer Brett Reed will do anything to gain custody of his five-year-old daughter, Quinn. But when the man-hating judge grants Brett’s drug-addicted ex-wife custody and slaps him with a protective order for losing his temper, he fears for Quinn’s safety. Who will protect her now? When Quinn is found abandoned on the streets, Brett’s worse nightmares turn toward a dark path. His daughter is placed in a temporary foster home until Child Protective Services can complete an assessment. It should only take a few days. But a lot can happen in a few days. Especially when there’s a deranged psychopath on the loose, someone who’s attacking pedophiles, someone who wants to protect children like Quinn, and someone who’s planting body parts in geocaching sites. Cache a Predator is a novel about a father’s love, justice, and the unhinged game of hide-the-cache.
Buy Link - Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback

 

My Review: Cache a Predator was a nice change of pace for me. It got me away from the romances that I usually read. There was some romance in this book, but it was mainly a thriller. I was reading as fast as I could to find out who the culprit was. I liked the little views into the psycho’s mind throughout the book. It was creepy and enlightening as to why they were doing what they were doing.

I loved Brett’s character. He is a strong man, a good cop, and an extremely dedicated father. I hated reading his struggle with getting Quinn back. He tried so hard to do the right things, but it always seemed that the system was against him. It made me so sorry for him, and for Quinn. Quinn is a sweet and incredibly smart and brave little girl. My heart broke for her. I like that even Quinn’s dog Max had a part. He was Quinn’s loyal protector.

I thought Sarah started off a little blinded by her past, especially since she is a psychologist who shouldn’t make judgments based on her personal feelings. As the book went on, that changed, and we actually got to watch her grow as a person. She is fiercely loyal to the children she helps protect, and I do love that about her.

This book is a wild and exciting ride. Towards the end I started to guess who the culprit was, but it didn’t take away from the book. I think readers will love this book. It is a gripping thriller, and a heartfelt story of a father trying to get his daughter back. 
Rating:

About the Author


Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which might come in handy with book reviews. Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.
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I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

To Love A Wolf by B.K. Walker - Review

To Love A Wolf (Wolves of Shadow Falls)
Genre: Paranormal Erotica Romance
Passions are fueled...Two World's collide...
What would you do if your future had another plan for you?Cevin Harpster is in his residency year to obtain his M.D. He's looking forward to his new life after graduation, where he will open his own practice and marry his high school sweetheart. When Cevin suddenly starts dreaming of a beautiful woman he can't help but wonder if he may be going insane, as she seduces him night after night, taking him to heights of ecstasy he never knew he longed for. As the dreams become more frequent, his sex drive rockets and his fiance', Sam, finds Cevin's new desire for experimenting enticing, even if a bit rough, when his sexual experiences from his dreams are used on her. Weird things continue to happen in Cevin's dreams, when he learns that this mysterious woman actually exists, and he is meant to be her mate and lead a pack of wolves he never imagined to be real. When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned!

My Review: Reviewing novellas is never easy.  There never seems to be enough to talk about without giving away the story, but I’ll give it a shot. To Love A Wolf grabbed my attention right from the start. The dreams Cevin has are descriptive and a bit scary to imagine. While there wasn’t in depth details in every part of the book, I was still interested in what would happen next.

Cevin and Sam are a sweet couple. They seem so great together. Sam has got to be one of the most understanding women ever. She takes every new obstacle that Cevin faces in stride. She stays by his side and I love that. Cevin fights for his life with Sam and his life as a doctor. I’ll be interested in how he is in later books. Another great character was Alejandro. He seems loyal to Cevin right away.

To Love A Wolf is a fast paced, spicy read. I think it will be great for adults who enjoy paranormal erotica. I can’t wait to read the next book. 
Rating:

Purchase on Amazon

About B.K. Walker
When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned! Jack of all trades, master of none, so she believes.
BK Walker is first and foremost a mother and a wife. With three beautiful children and a wonderful husband, she enjoys her days living on their farm in Eastern Pennsylvania.
When she's not writing, she manages her time organizing virtual book tours for other authors, and coaching authors through her mentor programs at BookIt BK. Putting most of her time into research, BK is always seeking for the most effective ways to market and promote books and business alike.
Art is a secondary love, and you may often find her sketches popping up on one of her blogs, or simply catch her reading the magic created in the pages of a great novel. Who knows, it just may be yours. http://www.bkwalkerbooks.com
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The Author is giving away a signed set of Immortal Kisses and Night Secrets paperbacks, a $10 GC along with 3 bookmark swag packs.
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I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Crowdfunding for Social Good by Devin D. Thorpe - Promo & Tour Schedule


Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the World

by Devin D. Thorpe Over the last year of writing my Forbes blog, I have had the opportunity to really dig deeply into the world of crowdfunding. I’ve just completed my first draft of my new book, Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the World. The book is a guide to successful crowdfunding for people who want to change the world. The book is not a sequel to my book, Your Mark On The World, but it is written in the same spirit. I’ve studied a dozens of successful crowdfunding campaigns, interviewing the people behind them to learn their secrets for success. Devin's Book, Your Mark on the World, was downloaded over 75,000 times and reached the #19 spot on Amazon's free book list--among all free books. It remains on the top 50 free nonfiction books at Amazon.

Buy on Paperback

About Devin:

Devin D. Thorpe thinks he is the luckiest person alive. After being “let go” from the best job he’d ever had—as the Chief Financial Officer of the multinational food and beverage company MonaVie—he and his wife ended up living in China for a year where he wrote Your Mark On The World and embarked on the career he’d always wanted yet hadn’t dared dream. Now, as an author, a popular guest speaker and Forbes contributor, Devin is devoted full time to championing social good. His current life isn’t much like his past. As an entrepreneur, Devin ran—at separate times—a boutique investment banking firm and a small mortgage company. He served as the Treasurer for the multinational vitamin manufacturer USANA Health Sciences years before becoming CFO for MonaVie. Over his career he led or advised on the successful completion of $500 million in transactions. Devin squeezed in two brief stints in government, including two years working for Jake Garn on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff and another year working for an independent state agency called USTAR, where he helped foster technology entrepreneurship during Governor Jon Huntsman’s administration. Devin is proud to have graduated from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alum in 2006. He also earned an MBA at Cornell University where he ran the student newspaper, Cornell Business. Today, Devin channels the idealism of his youth with the loving support of his wife, Gail. Their son Dayton is a PhD candidate in Physics at UC Berkeley (and Devin rarely misses an opportunity to mention that).
Twitter: @devindthorpe
Google+: devinthorpe.com
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Friday, August 9, 2013

Within the Realm by Jillian Neal - Review

The Gifted walk among us. They are unseen, but in plain sight. The Earth’s energies are as visible to them as the tangible world is to us and they can harness and bend these forces to their will. Atop the Pentagon resides the government of the Gifted Realm. Rainer Lawson is set to join the ranks of Elite Officers in the Gifted Police force. With his fellow officers, they will work together, using their abilities, to try and end the most sinister criminal organization in existence. His parents fought and died to re-establish the Realm, and he won’t allow them to have sacrificed in vain. The will to protect those he loves has always driven Rainer, but his desperation to protect Emily, the love of his life, consumes him. While passions ignite and vengeance is sought, Rainer may discover that all of his money, fame, and power, could cost him the only thing that has ever truly mattered. -

See more at: jillianneal.com

Buy: Hardback | Paperback | Kindle | B&N

My Review: I found Within the Realm to be a very interesting book. It follows four Gifted young adults as they leave behind the last vestiges of their childhood and move into their new adult lives. It was very believable as far as typical college kids graduating and starting careers. Then, you add in the characters' abilities to summon and use energy and you get a whole other element to the story.

I don’t read many books that follow male stories. Within the Realm mainly tells Rainer’s story (love that name!!). He is sweet, respectful, and pretty much an all-around awesome guy. Emily can be sweet but she has so much spunk. More than once I chuckled at the things she said and did. Occasionally the story flips over to Logan, who is Emily’s older brother. He has typical big brother moments, but when it comes to his Adeline he is a major softy. Jillian Neal wrote some incredibly romantic guys.

I really enjoyed this story. The way the Gifted interact and even work together with the Non-Gifted is really interesting. I loved all the explanations of the different types of Gifted there are, called Predilects. The way each Predilict affected how the person controlled the energy around them was interesting.

Within the Realm has romance and action with an added bonus of sci-fi and fantasy. I think the next book will really take off with the action. I think it will appeal to readers who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy romances. I would definitely suggest that readers be over 18 due to sexual content. I’m looking forward to the next book.

Rating:

 

Author Bio

Jillian Neal is the author of “The Gifted Realm” series of novels. She has a passion for telling strong, character driven stories that stretch the imagination. Her debut novel “Within the Realm” was released in 2013, with the next installments of the series soon to follow. She lives near Atlanta with her husband and children. For more information, visit her website at http://www.jillianneal.com   Follow: http://facebook.com/jilliannealauthor Twitter -@ jilliannealauth Website - http://jillianneal.com   Follow the Book Tour

Thursday, August 8, 2013

To Love A Wolf by B.K. Walker - Promo & Tour Schedule

To Love A Wolf (Wolves of Shadow Falls)
Genre: Paranormal Erotica Romance
Passions are fueled...Two World's collide...
What would you do if your future had another plan for you?Cevin Harpster is in his residency year to obtain his M.D. He's looking forward to his new life after graduation, where he will open his own practice and marry his high school sweetheart. When Cevin suddenly starts dreaming of a beautiful woman he can't help but wonder if he may be going insane, as she seduces him night after night, taking him to heights of ecstasy he never knew he longed for. As the dreams become more frequent, his sex drive rockets and his fiance', Sam, finds Cevin's new desire for experimenting enticing, even if a bit rough, when his sexual experiences from his dreams are used on her. Weird things continue to happen in Cevin's dreams, when he learns that this mysterious woman actually exists, and he is meant to be her mate and lead a pack of wolves he never imagined to be real. When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned!

Purchase on Amazon

About B.K. Walker
When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned! Jack of all trades, master of none, so she believes.
BK Walker is first and foremost a mother and a wife. With three beautiful children and a wonderful husband, she enjoys her days living on their farm in Eastern Pennsylvania.
When she's not writing, she manages her time organizing virtual book tours for other authors, and coaching authors through her mentor programs at BookIt BK. Putting most of her time into research, BK is always seeking for the most effective ways to market and promote books and business alike.
Art is a secondary love, and you may often find her sketches popping up on one of her blogs, or simply catch her reading the magic created in the pages of a great novel. Who knows, it just may be yours. http://www.bkwalkerbooks.com
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The Author is giving away a signed set of Immortal Kisses and Night Secrets paperbacks, a $10 GC along with 3 bookmark swag packs.
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The Howling Heart by April Bostic - Book Release Blast


The Howling Heart


Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies and just when she thinks her luck couldn't get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River. Soon she’s engulfed in the mystical world of *Varulv*—wolves descended from 12th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack. Now she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

About April Bostic

April Bostic is a New Jersey-based romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled *A Rose to the Fallen*. Her first short story, *Right Here, Right Now*, released in January 2012 is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled *Eros, My Love*, and a sexy romantic comedy called *Love Addiction*. After five years, she will be releasing her second novel in August 2013 entitled *The Howling Heart*, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. Follow April Bostic: Website | GoodReads Giveaway Prize: The author will be giving away a white wolf sculpture and a signed paperback copy of the book. Giveaway will be open to US Residents only. The contest is open to members of the US Only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Cache a Predator by M. Weidenbenner - Promo & Tour Schedule


Cache a Predator

by, M. Weidenbenner Officer Brett Reed will do anything to gain custody of his five-year-old daughter, Quinn. But when the man-hating judge grants Brett’s drug-addicted ex-wife custody and slaps him with a protective order for losing his temper, he fears for Quinn’s safety. Who will protect her now? When Quinn is found abandoned on the streets, Brett’s worse nightmares turn toward a dark path. His daughter is placed in a temporary foster home until Child Protective Services can complete an assessment. It should only take a few days. But a lot can happen in a few days. Especially when there’s a deranged psychopath on the loose, someone who’s attacking pedophiles, someone who wants to protect children like Quinn, and someone who’s planting body parts in geocaching sites. Cache a Predator is a novel about a father’s love, justice, and the unhinged game of hide-the-cache.
Buy Link - Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback

 

About the Author


Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which might come in handy with book reviews. Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.
Follow Michelle: FaceBook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads   Follow the Tour Prize : $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock by Judyann McCole - Review

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock

by Judyann McCole
This book 1 of 5 for The Chronicle of A Genre: Fantasy
To Who Ever This May Concern; I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland and that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths. I wish these were legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires. After all, that is what I used to believe.I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought. But there are…I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am… I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life… Adela Arthur is now on amazon on Paperback | Kindle 

My Review: I am completely torn in writing this review of Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock. I think that the book is really good, but there were several similarities to Harry Potter, and that bothered me a little. There were several differences though, and a lot of the time they were enough to bring me right back into the book. There were also some moments when the timing seemed a little off, or a part of the story almost didn't seem to fit for me.

The lead character is a girl named Adela. I liked her character. She was a bit of an outcast, and sometimes she had a selfish attitude, but I was still interested in her. Hector is sweet and nerdy. I was happy with how he turned out in Cielieu. Even as smart as he is he is strong and he tries to protect Adela. Jeremy is an awesome character. He is a jerk but I feel like he is drawn to Adela whether he wants to be or not. Certain parts make me feel like they were destined to meet.

The land sounds amazing. A realm on the other side of the mirror, full of any magical beings imaginable, it certainly had my attention. I love the dragons, and the explanations about the types, their colors, and powers. I also love that the “light” that people possess seems to take some different forms. Although there are four kinds of “light”, very reminiscent of HP's four houses, the way it manifests is interesting. 

I really wanted to love this book. I would get so into it, and then something would frustrate me, like something out of place time wise, would drag it down for me. I think that it is a really amazing start to something that could be great. I will be interested to read the next book and see how the story progresses. 
Rating:


About the Author: JUDYANN MCCOLE was a senior in high school when she started working on Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock during her history class. It started off as short story for a group of young kids she babysat for and grew into an adventure she herself wanted to go on. She is currently attending college in Virginia. Where she hopes to finish the next adventure in Adela Arthur’s life. She begin writing when she was in middle school most of it was just simple poetry but she was inspired by Maya Angelou and even a little of Dr. Seuss. Follow Judyann: Website | Blog | FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads Follow the Book Tour Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card plus copy of ebook Fill out the form below to enter to win. make sure to pick up your copy of the book! a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.