HAPPY HOLIDAYS

WISHING ALL OUR FOLLOWERS 

HAPPY

HOLIDAYS

The Penny Thief

... and if someone was robbing a bank cent by cent without anyone realizing it ...

PARIS, Montmartre and La Défense, the ultra-modern business district with their office skyscrapers.

Henri Pichon is a quietly sharp programmer whose daily routine is altered by a fortuitous accident from which will change the fate of everyone around him.

A different crime/detective novel: a story of love, hate, greed, murder ... and a refreshing touch of black humor.

How far are you willing to go for the money? ...

my thoughts

What a fantastic book! I couldn't put it down. Starts with a bang and the action doesn't stop. 

The writing is spectacular, the story just flows. The characters are full and entertaining. You will either love or hate them, my favorite...Henri and Tash. 

It has been many years since I visited Paris, however, the descriptions were so well done that I could actually 'see' the places being described. 

I loved this book. It has everything a reader could want. Adventure, intrigue, romance and fun.

5/5stars

Amethyst Eyes

Media Kit for Amethyst eyes
Title: Amethyst Eyes
Author: Debbie Brown
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Length: 242 pages
Release Date: November 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1493513284
Imprint: Mythos Press

 

The biggest thing on 15-year-old Tommy's mind is convincing Mom to let him go to the drive-in, but when an accident claims his mother's life and puts him in the hospital, the arrival of his estranged, alien father brings more changes than he had bargained for. It doesn't take his father long to figure out that Tommy knows nothing about who or what he is. Without any explanation, Tommy finds himself onboard his father's spaceship where he is forced to trust a man he does not know in a world he knows even less about.

Adapting to his new life seems overwhelming, and his father's solution may prove to be Tommy's finest challenge yet...Jayden. A few months younger than Tommy, high strung and always in a mood, the doctor's daughter definitely didn't like being 'told' to help Tommy fit in. Jayden is not the most welcoming or patient of tutors, let alone a friend. As fate would have it, Tommy quickly learns that none of these things compare to the peril that comes from being born with amethyst eyes.

Links to purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/Amethyst-Eyes-Debbie-Brown-ebook/dp/B00GPE4PEC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1384665514&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=amethyst+eyes+debbie+brown

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amethyst-eyes-debbie-brown/1105283804?ean=2940148748946&itm=1&usri=amethyst+eyes

 

About the Author:

Over the years I have worked as a nurse, a school teacher, a martial arts instructor, baseball, figure-skating and gymnastics coach as well as an artist, selling my paintings in an art gallery. I have been part of an orchestra, flown planes and gone on wilderness hikes. I am an officer in the Canadian Forces, and though I have taught on different military bases, for now I work primarily with cadets. Writing full time is my next goal.

Here is where you can connect with Debbie

http://amethysteyesauthor.blogspot.ca/

http://welcometomywritingworld.weebly.com/

https://twitter.com/amethysteyes01

 

Amethyst Eyes Tour Dates:

 Tuesday the 3^rd of December Fantasy Ultimatehttp://www.fantasy-ultimate.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Grace

Thursday the 5th December: From the Land of Empyreanhttp://empyricaltales.blogspot.com Spotlight and Guest Post with Mark

Tuesday the 10th December: Indie Author: How To
http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com  Spotlight and Guest post with Kisha

Wednesday the 11^th December: Deborah Jay
http://deborahjayauthor.com/  Excerpt and Spotlight with Deborah

Thursday the 12^th December: The One Saga
www.theonesaga.com Spotlight and Interview with Matthew

Friday the 13^th December: Paperback Hero Aaron
http://paperbackheroaaron.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Aaron

Wednesday 18th December: The Dragonian Series
http://thedragonianseries.blogspot.com Spotlight with Adrienne

Thursday 19^th December: Donna
http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Spotlight With Donna

Tuesday the 24^th December: Crossroad Reviews
http://www.crossroadreviews.com Spotlight with Jessica

Thursday the 26^st December: Have You Heard Book Review
http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Melanie

Tuesday the 31st December:  Adrienne Woods
http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com Review and Spotlight


GIVEAWAY!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

 

FIREBOLT

Firebolt Book 1 of The Dragonian Series by Adrienne Woods

Title: Firebolt
Series: The Dragonian Series Book One
Author: Adrienne Woods
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: GMTA  Publishing – Mythos Press
Date of Publication: 20th November 2013
ISBN: 13: 978-1491244654
Number of pages: 289
Word Count: 95 000
Cover Artist: Mary Park and Kitty Bullard

Book Description

Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.

Now Elena is in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a prince wants Elena's heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh and the only way Elena's going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.

Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales. Now it's time for Elena to believe in...herself.

Author Bio:

I was born and raised in South Africa, where I still live with my husband, and two beautiful little girls. I always knew that I was going to be a writer but it only started to happen about four years ago, now I can’t stop writing.

In my free time, If I get any because Moms don’t really have free time, I love to spend time with friends, if it’s a girls night out, or just a movie, I’m a very chilled person.

My writing career is starting with Firebolt, book one with the Dragonian Series, there will be four books in total and two to three books that is about the stories taking place inside The Dragonian Series.

I do write in different Genres, I have a woman’s fiction called the Pregnancy Diaries, but it would be published under another name. And then I have a paranormal series, called the Watercress series. There are about ten novels in that one.
So, plenty of novels to come out, so little time.

I hope you are going to embrace the Dragonian Series as much as I loved writing them.

Connect with Adrienne

Blog http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dragonian-Series/301375039891281
Twitter: erichb3
Goodreads: Adrienne Woods
Google+: Adrienne Woods

Rafflecopter giveaway, 3 digital copies

<a id="rc-dc01e04" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/dc01e04/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

Tour Dates

Firebolt Book 1 Dragonian Series by Adrienne Woods

Monday the 9^th of December: From the Land of Empyrean
http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com  Spotlight and Guest Post with Mark

Tuesday the 10^th of December: Deborah Jay
http://deborahjayauthor.com/ Excerpt and Spotlight with Deborah

Wednesday the 11th of December: Fantasy Ultimate
http://www.fantasy-ultimate.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Grace

 Friday the 13^th December: Book Lovers Paradise
http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com  Spotlight with Donna

Monday the 16^th December: Have You Heard Book Review
http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Melanie

Wednesday the 18^th December: Cherese Vines Charming Words
www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpress.com   

Friday the 20^th December: Paperback Hero Aaron
http://paperbackheroaaron.blogspot.com/   Spotlight and Guest post with Aaron

Monday 23^rd December: Indie Author How To
http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com   Spotlight and guestpost with Kisha

Tuesday 24^th  December: One Saga The
www.theonesaga.com  Spotlight and Interview with Matthew

 Thursday 27^th December. Crossroad Reviews
http://www.crossroadreviews.com

Friday 28^th December: Reading in Twilight
http://readingintwilight.blogspot.com  Spotlight with Julianna

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Season Without Rain

A Season without Rain by Joe Schwartz

Title: A Season Without Rain
Author: Joe Schwartz
Genre: Fiction
Length: 348 pages
Release Date: November 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1493513390
Imprint: GMTA Publishing

Book Description

Jacob Miller is angry with himself, the world, and God. Life seems so unfair, so cruel, that he can’t imagine why anyone even tries. After having a nervous breakdown, selling his business, filing for bankruptcy, having a baby, and finding out he owes over twenty grand in taxes, he is hardly happy to be alive.

In the span of a year, Jacob will discover three very important things about life. Things can always be worse. There really is a God. And if you wait long enough anything can change.

A Season Without Rain explores that gray area between poverty and middle class life, the struggling underclass for whom there are no advocates. A powerful story told in a modern, everyday voice that will entrench readers in Jacob Miller’s black world of anger, hate, resentment, lies, and violence.

A Season Without Rain is Joe Schwartz’s first novel. His previous short story collections Joe’s Black T-Shirt, The Games Men Play, and The Veiled Prophet of St. Louis have been acclaimed vulgar as Bukowski and visceral as Carver. Joe lives and works in St. Louis happily writing stories exclusively about the Gateway City.

About the Author
Joe Schwartz

A St. Louis native, I write exclusively about the Gateway City. I prefer the style of fiction deemed transgressive fiction. That is my stories protagonists generally find a solution to their problems through either illicit or illegal means. I personally prefer stories told through a criminal's point-of-view. It is never the crime that fascinates me so much as the motivation to do it and the terrible, almost predictable outcomes to such actions. Just as I have an expectation of writing to be read I believe that it is as important, if not more so, that you as a reader should have the expectation of being entertained as you read. Anything less is such a disappointment.

Life is short. Stories are forever. –Joe

Connect with Joe
https://www.facebook.com/Joesblacktshirt
ttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/445708.Joe_Schwartz

Links to buy the novel:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-season-without-rain-joe-schwartz/1117380015?ean=2940149003860

http://www.amazon.com/Season-Without-Rain-Joe-Schwartz-ebook/dp/B00GM7O0F6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384286360&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Season+Without+Rain

Giveaway!!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


A Season without Rain's Tour Dates

Wednesday the 4^th of December Crossroad Reviews
http://www.crossroadreviews.com  A spotlight with Jessica

Friday the 6th December:  Paperback Hero Aaron
http://paperbackheroaaron.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Aaron

Tuesday the 10th December: The One Saga
www.theonesaga.com  Spotlight and Interview with Matthew

Wednesday 11^th December Donna
http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Spotlight with Donna

Thursday the 12^th December: Adrienne Woods
http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com Review and spotlight with Adrienne

Tuesday the 17^th December:  Indie Author: How To
http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com Spotlight and Excerpt with Kisha

Thursday 19^th December: Have You Heard Book Review
http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Melanie

Tuesday the 24^th December: From the Land of Empyrean
http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com Spotlight and Guest Post with Mark

Thursday the 26^st December: The Dragonian Series
http://thedragonianseries.blogspot.com Spotlight with Adrienne

Tuesday the 31st December: Fantasy Ultimate
http://www.fantasy-ultimate.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Grace

 

KIYA: Mother of a King

Paperback, 234 pages

Published October 25th 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press

ISBN 162007379X (ISBN13: 9781620073797)

Nefertiti has forced Naomi to flee Amarna with Malachi and the three children. But even under the protection of Naomi’s family in Thebes, Nefertiti still hunts her and Tut. Nefertiti sends assassins to kill them, and while Naomi fights to protect the children, Malachi fights to keep her safe.

With three children in tow, one of which isn’t her own, she is labeled the harlot outcast wife of the pharaoh and is shunned. She isn’t safe among her own people, and flees from being stoned to death. Although her family protects her, she must find a way to survive.

While Naomi struggles to keep herself and Tut alive, old adversaries return as Smenkhkare takes advantage of Akhenaten’s ailing health. Naomi must rely on Horemheb’s promise to protect Tut’s birthright, but her feelings for Malachi could cause more problems with Horemheb than she expects.

This is definitely a book 'not to be missed'.  This is a continuation of Kiya's story.  She is now Naomi.  Hebrew woman. Labeled a harlot, a woman rejected by Pharaoh Akhenaten.  We learn about her struggles after leaving the Egyptian court.  Kiya returns to her home as Naomi.  She has her children and the daughter of her dear friend.  The jealous Nefertiti is still trying to kill her and her son, Tut, heir to the Egyptian throne.

Naomi is a strong woman.  A woman who faces adversity and shines.  This is a book not to be missed.  If you liked the first story of Katie Hamstead's trilogy, you will love the second book.  We see fantastic character development.  I loved reading of Naomi's trek through life.  Her relationships with others around and with her children.  
I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Curiosity Quills Press for allowing me to review this fabulous book!  Please keep me in mind when book three is released :)

THE TENTH SAINT

about the book

About THE TENTH SAINT

Publication Date: January 25, 2012

Medallion Press

Paperback; 464p

ISBN-10: 1605422452

Gold Medal Winner, Popular Fiction, 2013 Florida Book Awards.

Cambridge archaeologist Sarah Weston makes an unusual discovery in the ancient Ethiopian mountain kingdom of Aksum: a sealed tomb with inscriptions in an obscure dialect. Seeking to ascertain the translation and the identity of the entombed man, she and her colleague, American anthropologist Daniel Madigan, stumble upon a lethal conflict.

Tracking down clues in Addis Ababa and the monasteries of Lalibela, Sarah and Daniel uncover a codex in a subterranean library revealing a set of prophecies about Earth’s final hours written by a man hailed by Coptic mystics as Ethiopia’s tenth saint. Violently opposed by the corrupt director of antiquities at the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they’re left for dead in the heart of the Simien Mountains. Surviving to journey to Paris, Sarah is given another piece of the ancient puzzle: a fourteenth-century letter describing catastrophic events leading to the planet’s demise.

Connecting the two discoveries, Sarah faces a deadly intercontinental conspiracy to keep the secret of the tenth saint buried. Risking her reputation and her life, Sarah embarks on a quest to stall the technological advances that will surely destroy the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nH9UwUq21V0

Buy Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

IndieBound

my thoughts

A book that will keep you guessing.  Reminded me of Indiana Jones.  Loved the story.  

We travel between the past and the present, somewhat like a rollercoaster ride.  

Daniel and Sarah are embroiled in a thriller adventure that will leave you guessing until the very end. I have to say,however, I couldn't see these two character together.  There was very little chemistry.  Even as the book progressed, they rarely acted as anything more than simple acquaintances. 

Gabriel is just different enough, the reader is well aware that something is not quite right about him.  No spoilers here...just read the book.  There is enough action, adventure, history, and archaeology to keep you interested.  This is a long book, but a very quick read.

About the Author

D.J. Niko is the nom de plume of Daphne Nikolopoulos, an award-winning author and journalist. Her first novel, titled The Tenth Saint, was released in March 2012 to rave reviews by both readers and the trade. In March 2013, it was awarded the Gold Medal for popular fiction in the prestigious, juried Florida Book Awards. An archaeological thriller embroidered with historical motifs, The Tenth Saint takes readers on an adventure across the globe: Ethiopia, the Syro-Arabian Desert and Abyssinian Empire circa fourth century, London, Paris, Brussels, and Texas. The Tenth Saint is the first book in The Sarah Weston Chronicles series. The second, titled The Riddle of Solomon, releases July 1, 2013.

Daphne is now at work on a historical novel set in tenth century B.C.E. Israel. The epic story details the collapse of the United Monarchy and the glory and fall of the empire built by King Solomon. It will be released in early 2015.

As a former travel journalist, Daphne has traveled across the globe on assignment, or for personal discovery. She has been to some places most of us don’t realize are on the map, and she has brought them to life through her writing for various magazines, newspapers and websites on an international scale. Her travel background and rich experiences now bring authentic detail, color, and realism to her fiction.

She also is the editor in chief of Palm Beach Illustrated magazine, a 62-year-old luxury-lifestyle glossy. She also is the editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group, and in that capacity oversees 11 magazines and 3 websites.

She is the mother of twin toddlers and, in her spare time, volunteers for causes she believes in—literacy, education, child advocacy, and the advancement of traditional and tribal arts from around the world. Born in Athens, Greece, she now lives with her family in West Palm Beach, Florida.

For more information, please visit D.J. Niko’s website. You can also follow on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Praise for The Tenth Saint

“The characters are lively, and the story is fast-paced and exciting, especially for inveterate fans of the genre.” – David Pitt, Booklist (January 1, 2012)

“Like ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ ‘The Tenth Saint’ takes you to a place you have never been, creating an adventure you will not soon forget.” – Laurence Leamer, New York Times-bestselling author of ‘Kennedy Women’

“Interesting, intricate and intriguing, ‘The Tenth Saint’ is an archaeological puzzle the reader can’t wait to solve.” – James O. Born, author of ‘Burn Zone’

“Her descriptive powers are remarkable. Whether constructing the distant past or today, whether reproducing the foreign or the familiar, Ms. Niko brings vivid, convincing sensory detail to her settings.” – Phil Jason, Naples Florida Weekly (April 2012)

“Fast-paced and filled with danger and action in interesting and less well-known locales, The Tenth Saint will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the end.”- www.FreshFiction.com

“An impressive and well-researched thrill-ride … Dark tombs, buried secrets, and apocalyptic prophecies, this book has it all!” – Ronald Malfi, author of ‘The Ascent’ and ‘Floating Staircase’

“The Tenth Saint is a clever and well-written story which piqued my interest and curiosity. I enjoyed the wicked twist at the end, which I thought brought everything together cleanly. I look forward to more of Ms. Niko’s writing!” – Star Fyre, Bibliophilic Book Blog

“The author, D. J. Niko, thoroughly researched the history and geography of Ethiopia, providing sufficient authenticity to the story line and plot to satisfy even the most skeptical Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.” – The Etritrea and Ethiopia Herald (for Peace Corps volunteers)

Catching Fire

I don't usually discuss movies on this blog, but I have to mention the

Catching Fire movie.  We went to see it last night.  It did not disappoint.  I will offer no spoilers. 

I loved Finnick in the books, and I loved Finnick in the movie.  

It is action packed, from beginning to end.  My only complaint?  I have to wait to see Mockingjay.  The Mockingjay movie is to be divided into two movies.  

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

2013 Film

8.3/10-IMDb

The film begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

Release date: November 22, 2013 (USA)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Prequel: The Hunger Games

Sequel: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Finnick Odair,

Definitely worth seeing.

First STARTERS, now ENDERS.

I loved the book STARTERS by Lissa Price.  Now, get ready for the sequel.  Scheduled to arrive in bookstores this January.

Enders, the sequel to Lissa Price's thriller, Starters, is fast-paced dystopian fiction at its best.

     Someone is after Starters like Callie and Michael—teens with chips in their brains. They want to experiment on anyone left over from Prime Destinations—Starters who can be controlled and manipulated. With the body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn't want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save her life—but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena's memories, too . . . and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body?

     No one is ever who they appear to be, not even the Old Man. Determined to find out who he really is and grasping at the hope of a normal life for her and her younger brother, Callie is ready to fight for the truth. Even if it kills her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LISSA PRICE, author of the Starters series, lives in the foothills of Southern California with her husband and the occasional deer. Visit her at LissaPrice.com.

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shivers by Robert Gray

about the book:

So far, Eve's summer vacation has been uneventful, but when her grandparents—traveling all the way from the monster world known as Gravesville—appear at her doorstep, she learns that the URNS Director has gone missing. Worse, a new director, bent on destroying humans, has taken over URNS.

Eve and her family are no longer safe in the human world, and as they race to escape this new threat, Eve stumbles into a trap, which forces her back to Gravesville along with her family and friends. But once there, everything goes adorably wrong, and her best chance to get out of this mess is to seek out The Book of Shivers and the elusive author Sedrick Creach—the only creature who knows the secrets of the Nightmare Books. Unfortunately for Eve, searching for Sedrick and the next book in the series will reveal uncomfortable details about her own murky past.

Once again, Eve and her friends find themselves on an incredible adventure—one that involves underground battles with bloodthirsty creatures, a lightning-fueled train, and some unexpected new allies.

Hilarious and bone-chilling, this third book continues the story of an unlikely hero trying to save not one, but two worlds … This time around, though, Eve's not sure she can even save herself.

 

 

                                                                  my thoughts:

I absolutely love the Nightmare books by Robert Gray.

This third installment in the Eve Hallows series is the best yet.  The book is written for young readers who are looking for adventure, a bit of a fright, and a lot of fun.  This book fits the bill- in every way possible.  The characters are even better this time around.  Eve spends the bulk of the book with her friends hunting for, you guessed it, The Book of Shivers.  Third of 4 books that could help or hurt both the monster world and the human world.

I can't get enough of these stories.  Mr Gray, you have a remarkable ability to capture the attention of your reader and hold it until the very last word of the book.  When I finished, I just wanted to start the entire series over again! 

Keep 'em coming!!!!

Anne of Cleves plus a GIVEAWAY

Title: Anne of Cleves: Henry's Luckiest Wife

Author: D. Lawrence-Young

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 292 pages

Release Date: July 2013

ISBN-13: 978-0615827377

Imprint: Celestial Press - GMTA Publishing

Book Description:

It is winter 1539. King Henry VIII is galloping through the night to Rochester to meet a young woman. Just arrived in England from Germany, Anne of Cleves is destined to become his fourth wife. He has never met her before. He has only seen her portrait – the portrait of a sweet, demure and innocent young woman. The impatient and lovesick king must see her before their marriage. But this rushed and unplanned rendezvous will shock them and the country both. It will also lead to some completely unexpected and fatal results.

my thoughts

I was thrilled to read this book.  I am fascinated by Anne of  Cleves.  Henry's luckiest wife?  Not certain about that.  I think anyone unfortunate enough to be involved in anyway with such a vain, pompous man can hardly be considered lucky.  

Henry chose Anne based on the famous Holbein portrait.  When he met her, he felt he was misled. 

Judge for yourself.  Below is the famous portrait

I know you can't see the actual Anne to compare, however, Holbein has a history of painting his subjects in a realistic manner.  

On to the book-

Fantastic!  I loved this book.  Couldn't put it down.  I was fascinated to read about Anne's life in England.  I'm not certain whether she truly cared for Henry, but she was grateful to get out of Cleves.  

The author created a real person.  I felt as if I was getting to know Anne while reading these pages.  I found her to be a likable and friendly person.  She was sheltered as a child, but grew into a knowledgable, charming and intelligent person.

The author, Mr. Lawrence-Young, was able to create 16th century England.  In my mind, I was able to 'see' the places he described.  I 'heard' the voices of the individuals from the story.

As you may have guessed, I completely enjoyed this book and I thank GMTA tours for allowing me to participate in this book tour.

About the Author:

David Lawrence-Young

D. Lawrence-Young takes the often pompous and frequently silly “Shakespeare Authorship Controversy” and turns it into a fast-paced page-turning detective story. All the nooks and crannies of rival candidates and claims are traversed in interesting locations and often funny encounters. The SAC has got under the Shakespeare-loving and teaching David Young’s skin and he has turned this irritant into a pleasure to read and from which there is much to learn.

Connect with D. Lawrence – Young

 http://dly-books.weebly.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575990.David_Lawrence_Young

Links to buy the book

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anne-of-cleves-d-lawrence-young/1116116678?ean=2940148477525

http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Cleves-Henrys-Luckiest-

ebook/dp/B00E1UI85O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1377175334&sr=1-1&keywords=anne+of+cleves+henry%27s+luckiest+wife

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ANVIL OF GOD by J.Boyce Gleason

Twitter Hashtag: #AnvilOfGodTour

About ANVIL OF GOD

Publication Date: July 26, 2013

iUniverse

Paperback; 440p

ISBN-10: 1475990197

It is 741. After subduing the pagan religions in the east, halting the march of Islam in the west, and conquering the continent for the Merovingian kings, mayor of the palace Charles the Hammer has one final ambition-the throne. Only one thing stands in his way-he is dying.

Charles cobbles together a plan to divide the kingdom among his three sons, betroth his daughter to a Lombard prince to secure his southern border, and keep the Church unified behind them through his friend Bishop Boniface. Despite his best efforts, the only thing to reign after Charles's death is chaos. His daughter has no intention of marrying anyone, let alone a Lombard prince. His two eldest sons question the rights of their younger pagan stepbrother, and the Church demands a steep price for their support. Son battles son, Christianity battles paganism, and Charles's daughter flees his court for an enemy's love.

Based on a true story, Anvil of God is a whirlwind of love, honor, sacrifice, and betrayal that follows a bereaved family's relentless quest for power and destiny.

my thoughts

8th century Carolingian history is unfamiliar to me.  For those of you also unfamiliar with the time period- remember your high school history.  Charles "The Hammer" Martel...grandfather of Charlemagne.

I'm glad I read this amazing story. Historical truths with a story weaved into it.

Gleason did his research. The story is unforgettable. Basically, Charles the Hammer dies and leaves his vast empire to his three sons. His has promised his daughter in marriage to a man she wouldn't chose as a husband. Trudi is her name, in my opinion, she was the best of The Hammer's four children. She was a sword yielding, fighting individual- don't mess with her. 

The three sons, two Christians and one pagan, are fascinating characters. Pippin, is my favorite. (He's not the pagan) Pippin and Trudi are two characters who will grab your heart. As a reader, I became emotionally involved in their lives. They are both multidimensional characters who add a great deal to the story.  

In short, this book will just pull you into the plot. It is action packed from the beginning to the end. For those of you unfamiliar with Charles "The Hammer" Martel, he is the grandfather of Charlemagne. He started the Carolingian empire in what is now France.

I cannot wait for book two! I look forward to reading more about these characters. 

For those of you who love reading period pieces, ie- The Tudors, The Borgias- you will love this series.!

About the Author

After a 25-year career in crisis management and public affairs, J. Boyce Gleason began writing historical fiction and is publishing his first novel ANVIL OF GOD, Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles.  With an AB in history from Dartmouth College, Gleason brings a strong understanding of the past to his historical fiction.  He is married, has three sons and lives in Virginia.

For more information please visit www.jboycegleason.com.

 http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/anvilofgodtour

It's here!! In time for Halloween!

I am sooo excited about this book!  I can only gush about the Eve Hallows series.  Your kids, ( and their parents) will love this series.  It is FUN!!  

about this book:

So far, Eve's summer vacation has been uneventful, but when her grandparents—traveling all the way from the monster world known as Gravesville—appear at her doorstep, she learns that the URNS Director has gone missing. Worse, a new director, bent on destroying humans, has taken over URNS. 

Eve and her family are no longer safe in the human world, and as they race to escape this new threat, Eve stumbles into a trap, which forces her back to Gravesville along with her family and friends. But once there, everything goes adorably wrong, and her best chance to get out of this mess is to seek out The Book of Shivers and the elusive author Sedrick Creach—the only creature who knows the secrets of the Nightmare Books. Unfortunately for Eve, searching for Sedrick and the next book in the series will reveal uncomfortable details about her own murky past. 

Once again, Eve and her friends find themselves on an incredible adventure—one that involves underground battles with bloodthirsty creatures, a lightning-fueled train, and some unexpected new allies. 

Hilarious and bone-chilling, this third book continues the story of an unlikely hero trying to save not one, but two worlds … This time around, though, Eve's not sure she can even save herself.

I have read the first two books in the series, and thanks to Mr. Robert Gray, I now have the third.  

It is available at

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G803LPW

for your reading enjoyment.

I will post a review as soon as I've finished reading!

About the first two books in the Nightmare Series:

For fourteen-year-old Eve Hallows, life can be summed up in one word-horrible. She has the most horrible friends. She lives in a horrible old castle. Even her family is a bunch of horrible monsters. However, in the monster-inhabited world of Gravesville-a world where messages are sent through Ouija boards, jack-o'-lanterns get facials to suit their moods, and the worst thing Eve has to deal with are those annoying zombie tourists who overrun her favorite graveyard during the Halloween season-horrible means wonderful. And everything for Eve is perfectly horrible. But her life is about to go head over heels when a mysterious group known as The Source starts terrorizing Gravesville. Now she must move to the human world-where everything is opposite ... and for Eve, that's absolutely adorable!

my thoughts:

WOW! What an absolutely horrible book (horrible meaning fantastic!) Think The Munster's from the viewpoint of Marilyn- remember her? The only strange and bizarre human in a family of perfect monsters!

Well, Eve's life is somewhat like that. Mom is a Gorgon, Dad is a shapeshifter and brother Sam is a ghoul. Even the family pet Wolf is a werepig. This book was laugh out loud funny. I loved when Mom accidentally turned people to stone. Dad's crazy attempts at running a pizza store were just hysterical.

Trouble began when the mysterious SOURCE started killing monsters and trying to steal the BOOK OF SHRIEKS. Eve and her human friends had to help save the day. I don't think the adventures are over for Eve and her buddies. Looking forward to the next book in the series. A wonderful book and we both recommend it to kids who love Halloween and funny/ghoulish stories.

http://www.amazon.com/Hallows-Book-Shrieks-Nightmare-ebook/dp/B0064NRJXI/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383052286&sr=1-5

Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source. 

With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be. 

All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows...

my thoughts:

Even better than the first book!!!!!!

If one lives in our world, as I do, this book is fabulous. If one lives in Gravesville, it was horrible- horrible and ten more horribles!

I love the characters in this story. Eve reminds me of human Marilyn living with

 the Munsters. She's different but pays no attention to the differences. Mom is a snake headed, petrifying gorgon. Dad is a shapeshifter and brother Sam is a ghoul....The family is a tight unit. You can palpate the love they feel for each other.

Due to recent events, Eve is made to feel 'unwelcome' in her hometown of Gravesville. Why? Well, she's human and not a monster. Humans are scary, they are trying to kill the monsters. Strange things are happening in Gravesville and Eve must fix them, along with her 'human' friends. We meet a few new characters, including a succubus.

We also learn more about how Eve came to live in Gravesville. 

This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun! 

I give it 5/5 stars (or 5 teacups) and eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

That's a hint Mr. Gray...please keep me in mind when looking for reviewers for the next book!!

As you may have figured, I love the Nightmare Series with Eve Hallows.  I can only advise you to do yourself a favor and read this fun series as a Halloween present to yourself.  :)