Straight Reading from the Library: Hidden Gypsy Magic by Tena Stetler

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tena Stetler will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor's life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can't help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen's sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter's lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only "non-haunted" house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family's cabin uncovers a heritage he didn't know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

READ THE REVIEW

Easy, breezy and comfortable right from the start, "Hidden Gypsy Magic" is a joy to read. 

I will say that it's clear this book is part of a series, and I haven't read the others, so felt a little "plopped into the middle" of the story when it starts.  There are a good half dozen or so characters introduced in the first chapter alone and there's kind of an assumption that you know them already. They clearly know each other well, and there's history (like when the H/h make a casual date right off the bat or when there are discussions of babies, etc.) so that was a little tough at the start, but it smoothed right out.

I love that one of Brock's requirements for the house he's hunting for is that it's not haunted.  Of course, living in Salem, that's understandable.  I also appreciate that there is an easy camaraderie between Brock and Gwen.  The small town feel, here, too was wonderful.  I'm a sucker for character driven stories, and this one has that in spades.  It's not hard to get attached to everyone in the book (so it's wonderful that it's a series...and I'll have to hunt down the others).

I also love the menagerie of animals we meet throughout the story--given the animal sanctuary and veterinarian angle, that's not necessarily surprising, but honestly the author makes each one unique and interesting and certainly characters in their own right.

The heat level, too, was just right for me.  Not exactly behind closed doors, but not super explicit. Just perfectly romantic with a touch of spice. Loved!

So, honestly, except that this didn't exactly stand alone--I mean, I wasn't lost after the first couple of chapters, but I still felt like I was missing something--this was a great book. And the author's voice and skill sold me on trying her other books.  Good job and 4 solid stars!

READ AN EXCERPT

A mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he swept her off her feet and twirled her around. “Four glorious days, no clinic, no sanctuary, no emergencies—just you, me and the cabin in Puffin Cove, Maine.”

“Wow, you are excited.” She grinned. “Me too. But, I gotta ask. How’s the owl?”

He set her down on the ground and kissed her lips affectionately. “She’s doing great. Doubt she’ll ever fly again, but we’ll be transferring her to you when we get back. She needs rehab on that busted wing and to strengthen the other. Cuts and scrapes are healing well.”

“Great to hear. We look forward to having her. Everything is all set up for the birds arrival. I’ll see to her rehab myself. Though Pepper is going to consult. She did such a fantastic job with Kaylee years ago. In addition, she’s had a couple of endangered owls in her care recently.”

“Figured. Between the two of you, that’s one lucky owl.” He took her bag and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Ready?”

“You betcha.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, Tena sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures telling her their tales.

Colorado is her home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.

Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

Authors’ Secret’s Blog: https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog: http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Tribber: http://triberr.com/TenaStetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
BookGorilla: https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B014E0PEPM/tena-stetler

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5/

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library: Broken Roots by Michelle Diana Lowe

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Michelle Diana Lowe will be awarding one physical book copy of Broken Roots to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour (UK, Europe, US and Canada only). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

After her father's invention earns them millions, sixteen-year-old Teisha Cole moves from London to Florida with her family. Uprooted from the place she loves, she now lives in a broken home full of secrets and lies.

After Teisha's grandmother dies, her fractured family is replanted in rural England, where a kingpin and his clan are laying in wait. What follows is a dangerous game that brings their house to its knees, as the family's wealth begins to disappear.

When her father develops a mysterious illness, Teisha turns detective to unravel the truth. Escaping onto the streets and stumbling into the foster care system may be her only hope of survival.

READ THE REVIEW

This was an interesting concept. I love mysteries and this one sounded like a humdinger. It's hard enough being a teenager, but the life Teisha describes is devastating to watch. For a family who at one time appears to have been close (this would have been before the start of the book), the sudden rise to riches from her father's invention only goes to show that money can't buy happiness. In this family, the parents couldn't handle it.

The book is written in first person present sense from the POV of the teenage protagonist. It's important to remember while reading the book that what we see is how Teisha perceives things. And, admittedly, some of it is confusing. But even viewed through that filter, what Teisha went through were enough to make a strong man cry, so it's no wonder that at times, Teisha acted lost and bewildered.

There are times when Teisha steps up to the plate and attempts to take charge of her own destiny and those parts are my favorite parts of the book. She has a strength she does not know she has, and I was rooting for her to overcome her circumstances.

There's a lot teenage angst multiplied by what she discovers about her family, and it was interesting to watch the secrets unfold.

I felt like I was there with Teisha through each step of her journey and, while at times I wanted to shake some sense into her, all in all, I'm glad I made the journey. 3.5 stars. READ THE EXCERPT

My heart is a black, lifeless box sitting inside me. I have no feelings, no emotions, no soul. It is the 15th of November; a cold Monday evening that rattles our bones. The time is 10 o’clock precisely. I am back with Mother after being forced to sleep at an emergency foster carer’s home for thirty nights. Social services deemed it safe for me to return home, for now. Seeing that Mum has been cleared of criminal charges following the cocoa-lacing allegations and hypnosis scandal, and Dad has been institutionalised, she is classed as fit to care for me again, at least in the short-term. Believe it or not, I wished social services had let me stay with the big brash foster lady for longer. They made the wrong call by returning me to Mother. I am not safe here, like they think I am. In fact, I am in grave danger. My life hangs precariously in the balance. Mum and I are under attack, in the middle of a bloodless war. We have been living this way for two days and two nights. Our freedom, liberty and right to speak have been forcibly removed. We live in silence. We live in fear. Travers has occupied the house with others. We are under house arrest, confined to the ground floor, forced to sleep, eat and live downstairs. What goes on upstairs is only Travers’ business. He and his men have swarmed the house like deadly bees, taking it over.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Born in the early 1980s, I grew up relatively poor, within inner-city London. As a kid, I always had a love of words and stories. I was a lonely and somewhat friendless child, but surrounded myself with books for comfort. The local library and classic novels were my best friends, my escapism from a world that did not quite understand me. In spite of my loneliness and humble beginnings, I felt I had a greater purpose in life. God had made me unique and different for a reason.

Being severely bullied at primary school and experiencing family problems aged nine, I dug deep, and found that, tapping into my passion for words and writing, really helped to repair my soul and aided the healing process. Barely ten years old and a voracious reader – reading Judy Blume novels such as – Deenie, Blubber, Tiger Eyes and Are You There God It's Me Margaret?, I decided to pen my very first novel, which was around 30,000 words in length. The deep satisfaction I had when finishing it, told me that I needed, not just wanted, to be a writer. I was born to be one. Inside me, I knew I had important messages to give the world, through the power of the written word. Making this dream of becoming a published author a reality, then became my long-term goal.

In my late teens and early 20s, I studied English Literature with Philosophy at Roehampton University. Whilst doing my Bachelor of Arts degree, I felt inspired by bestselling novelists, Toni Morrison and Zadie Smith. I absorbed and was mesmerised by, their stories and experiences. As my writing style developed, the positive influences of Toni and Zadie, helped infuse culture and society into my creative work.

After graduating from university with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature with Philosophy, I started working as a Children's Centre Administrator in East London, where I support families by signposting and referring them to key services.

It was in January 2015 that my first career break came. I was signed by US Publisher UrbanEdge for my debut novel UnShatter Me. In April 2016 I submitted my second novel Broken Roots to Creativia Publishing and I was signed by this publisher.

Broken Roots is my most successful novel to date. Not only has it been nominated for a Summer Indie Book Award 2017 in the category of contemporary fiction, but it was also named one of the Best Indie Books of 2016 on Read Free.ly's list. On numerous occasions, Broken Roots has been on 4 Amazon bestseller lists across three different territories, the UK, US and Canada. Furthermore, the Italian translation edition of Broken Roots is now out on Amazon. The Spanish, French and Portuguese editions will be on sale soon.

As an author with urban foundations, I feel I have a commitment to bring more diversity into all my books and into the publishing industry. In my writing, I also have a desire to raise awareness of young mental health, teenagers in foster care and help make a difference in people's lives.

When I am not writing, I love to unwind and relax by watching period dramas and blockbuster movies. I also enjoy reading books in a variety of genres.

You can visit my website for further information about me and my books: http://www.michelledianalowe.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Michelledianalowe.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Michelle_D_Lowe

Buy the book at Amazon.

ENTER THE GIVEWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library: The Faberge Entanglement by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

Sabinne ‘Saber’ Darrieux’s father, the billionaire CEO of Frontenac Global Security has been kidnapped. His ransom is not cash in a numbered offshore account, or a briefcase of Bearer Bonds but something utterly unique, incredibly valuable, and until recently, hidden away from the world.

The kidnapper seems to know Saber very well, and knows that the next day, through her work as an elite translator she will be in the same location as the Object. She must steal the Object and deliver it to the kidnapper to ransom her father.

Adrian Steele, a British Intelligence agent has just come off of two harrowing missions. Upon returning to London for a well-earned rest, he learns that his friend and fellow agent, has been murdered in Moscow, but not before he made use of a unique Object as a mobile ‘drop site’ for the valuable intelligence he was carrying.

The drop site is traveling from Moscow to England. Steele insists on completing the mission to honor the death of his friend, Gerry Cornell.

At an ultra-chic quasi-diplomatic gathering in a mansion in Windsor, England, Saber and Steele meet and find themselves faced with a powerful, undeniable attraction. But at the moment, this compelling attraction is very inconvenient.

In reality they are at the mansion to check out the security arrangements -- for their own reasons -- to steal the Object, a Fabergé egg worth thirty million dollars. But who will get to the egg first?

Fabergé eggs are very famous for their unique surprises. Saber and Steele are about to be very surprised, indeed.

And when Saber clashes with Steele; more than sparks will explode!

READ THE REVIEW

What a fun and exciting book!  From the start, this was a pretty easy read. The author has a smooth way of writing which puts you right into the story, seamlessly.  I really loved the characters, too.  Clearly defined, and well drawn, I enjoyed both Saber and Steele (though I have to admit that I spent most of the book wondered what the odds were two people with those names would meet and fall for each other).

The only thing I didn't love about the book were the short, choppy chapters.  It kept yanking me out of the action (several of them are only a paragraph or two). 

However, that wasn't enough to keep me from really enjoying this book.  It's a winner in the romantic suspense category! 

4 stars and I look forward to more from the authors.

READ AN EXCERPT

As though aware of Steele's gaze upon her, she glanced up. From her size and coloring, he'd assumed she was Japanese. She wasn't. Her eyes, an extraordinary color of violet, rested momentarily on him as she continued without pause, effortlessly translating Hakata's response into English for Hennessey. For a moment Hennessey looked doubtful. From this expression the woman made an offhand comment in Japanese and winked.

There was an awkward moment of silence, then the group of soberly dressed men burst into laugher, and Hakata bowed first to her, then to Hennessey. Her smile was confident, not smug, as she observed both men. Steele was impressed at how she easily she managed these two immensely powerful men. Then the two men, potential adversaries on the battlefield of trade, shook hands, both smiling.

Though anchored to Samantha's side, Steele continued his surreptitious observation of Hennessey's translator. There was something intensely compelling about her. Standing next to Hennessey made her seem delicate, and she was petite, probably not much more than a few inches above five feet. Her straight black hair was cut in a blunt style that evoked the image of some long-lost film siren from the nineteen twenties, accentuating the feline curve of her cheekbones. Dark bangs brushed thick sooty eyebrows, framing those arresting violet eyes that flashed with keen intelligence. Her lips were lush, full, and painted the exact translucent shade of a well-aged margaux wine and looking just as delectable. From what was revealed by the thigh high slash in the body-hugging black velvet sheath dress she wore, she was as exquisitely constructed as a Fabergé egg.

Steele smiled slightly at the unconscious comparison, as he turned to regard the four incomparable Fabergé Imperial Eggs that rested in the spotlighted Plexiglas case behind him.

MEET THE AUTHORS

LESLEY MERYN: Enjoyed an exotic, adventure-filled childhood, following her anthropologist father and travel writer mother to the farthest corners of the world. She later took inspiration from her Aunt Sophia Francesca and became the author of romantic adventure novels. She alternates her time between Los Angeles, and a family property located in Yorkshire England.

ELLE BROOKES: She is the author of the first two books of the Time Frame Series. Loves travel, discovering new foods to try, reading and writing. She currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie and her hedgehog Quiller.

Facebook: http://bitly.com/1CFPdlq
Website: www.tymslyder.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tymslyder

Buy the book at Amazon, Nook, or Smashwords.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library - Ribbons of Death

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Edita will be awarding a free Kindle format copy of Ribbons of Death gifted via Amazon to 4 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please click on the tour banner to view the rest of the stops.

READ THE BLURB

When a horribly scarred man knocks on the door of Stella Hunter’s ramshackle cottage in upstate Montana, she lets him in. What’s there to lose? The book critics killed her chances to warn the world about myths and legends behind the myths and legends.

But once the man pushes a book smudged with bloody fingerprints across the table, Stella sees a glimmer of hope. She may yet repair her academic reputation. She may re-establish her credibility within the scientific community and she may vindicate her ‘peace-taker’ theory. She may also be murdered by anyone standing next to her if her theory is correct.

READ THE REVIEW

This author is a new one for me, but I will definitely be looking up other books by her after reading Ribbons of Death. The mystery was good and I really liked the characters-- especially the two main characters, Carter and Stella. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and how they were so different, yet managed to work together to solve the mystery behind the seemingly random attacks.

Mythology has always been one of my favorite subjects, and it was intriguing to see envision a myth coming to life in these days.

I would love to see more of Carter and Stella--hopefully there will be other cases they can work on in the future. I'll certainly stay on the lookout and will be checking out Ms. Petrick's backlist in the meantime. 4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

“Of course. Why didn’t you just say so,” he said gruffly but knew she’d see that his eyes were laughing. Then something occurred to him. “Wasn’t the Benedictine order founded by St. Benedict?”

She rapped her knuckles on the back of his hand. “No. He only wrote their rule—its prologue and seventy-three chapters—commonly known as RB. It spells out basic virtues a man should have—humility, silence and obedience. It also gives details of common living and sharing. Many a broken marriage today would still be intact if the partners had only taken trouble to learn the ins-and-outs of St. Benedict’s Rule.” She let him ruminate on her lecture and turned to McEwen. “What’s in the tabloid/diary that would interest me?”

The antiquarian resumed his story. His friend Peter immediately set to translate the Latin text of the diary and, when finished, he sat back reflectively, much puzzled how such a fanciful tale could have indeed been written by a monk. Brother Lucien, the scribe at the Clairvaux Abbey, was inspired to become Abbot Bernard’s unofficial biographer when he heard that clergy in Paris had already started this noble pursuit.

MEET THE AUTHOR

By profession, I’m an engineer and ten years ago, I left a corporate job to concentrate on writing. It was perhaps the scariest thing I’ve done. Of course, there were other considerations at the time, life, kids, economy and my mother who was battling cancer. I wrote as means of staying grounded because I had to hold it together. There was no one else to pitch in. There wasn’t a single moment that I didn’t have doubts about whether what I was doing was the right thing or not, but doubts come and go, while the need to write goes on forever. Since 2005 I’ve published 5 books and this year alone I have 6 new ones coming out. I live in Toronto with my family and our two pets – wheaten terriers. And whenever I’m tempted to look back, and start second-guessing my past decisions, I sit behind the computer and start another book. At least for me, that’s a cure-all.

http://www.editapetrick.biz/
http://knotsinromance.blogspot.ca/
https://twitter.com/EditaBoni
https://www.facebook.com/edita.petrick

Buy Link:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ribbons-Death-Edita-A-Petrick-ebook/dp/B00T87E16A
Solstice: http://solsticepublishing.com/ribbons-of-death/

WIN A PRIZE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library: Clusters by T.M.

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

Seven year old Olivia Baxter and her dog vanish while playing in the front yard of her family's home. After a week of searching, Olivia's body was suddenly found in the closet, even after the police had thoroughly investigated the home.

Ethan Franco is a troubled journalist working for the Washington Gazette. His inability to move on from the past has deflated the passion he had for his career, causing him to lose his edge. Frustrated with Ethan Franco, but not wanting to lose his once star journalist, Editor-in-Chief, Jameson Stone assigns him a story to cover as a last chance to prove he could be the reporter he once was.

Ethan Franco begins his investigation into the mysterious death of Olivia Baxter and other unexplained disappearances, believing there may be a connection in the cases. No sooner did Franco begin his investigation then he realizes he is being tailed by government agencies. Large footprints in the woods, strange sounds, foul stenches, and a looming government presence become pieces of the puzzle in cases of the missing.

Inspired by real events, the author of the Bohemian Grove trilogy and the Apocalypse brings forth a story that has been kept a secret for over a century -- a story that a large group of people are still trying to keep under wraps.

READ THE REVIEW

T.M. Williams brings us a story that is intriguing and definitely gives a person food for thought. I had not heard of the cluster theory, but am very interested after reading this book to look into the research she has done. She presents a plausible explanation of what might be going on.

I found it especially interesting how she interspersed real-life events with the fictional narrative. I am definitely going to be checking out some of those stories.

There wasn't a lot of deep characterizations--the characters were pretty much who they are. Jameson Stone has noticed a similarity between two disappearances that happen years apart and assigns Ethan Franco to find out what's going on--more as an attempt to snap Franco out of his depression over the death of his marriage than anything else. Franco does indeed find himself drawn into the story and this book is the story of his investigations.

There is a twist in the book I so did not see coming, and I wish there had been more explanation as to the "how" of certain incidents, but this book kept my attention and made me keep turning the page to see what was going to happen next.

I'm going to definitely check out more of this author's work. Good job!

READ AN EXCERPT

Just as Michael reached for the pot of coffee, replaying that scene in his head for the thousandth time, a noise from the back room stopped him. Claire was closest to the hallway where the sound came from and she spun around quickly, drawing her gun.

Deena shot up to her feet, her eyes bright with concern. “Who’s back there?” she whispered to the officers.

The Captain shook his head. No one was back there. Michael had checked the bedrooms just an hour before, like he had done every morning, hoping to find some missing clue as to Olivia’s sudden disappearance. Claire backed up to the north side of the hallway while Sean and Craig flanked the other side, their guns drawn as well.

The noise came again, clearer this time. “Is that a dog?” Claire whispered, her eyebrows drawn together in a deep V.

Whimpers filled the home, followed by – scratching? Claire narrowed her eyes as they made their way quickly down the hallway toward Olivia’s bedroom, with Michael leading. As they entered her room it was clear where the noise came from.

“I think that’s our dog,” Deena said, wide-eyed.

The rangers all exchanged looks. The family dog had disappeared the same morning as Olivia. Michael approached Olivia’s closet door and motioned for Craig and Sean to flank his right. He opened the door in one quick motion just as the frightened looking dog bounced out of the closet, causing Michael to stumble back at the sight inside.

Deena’s tortured scream pierced the air as she fell to the floor, crawling over to the dead body of her little girl, curled up on the closet floor.

MEET THE AUTHOR

T.M. Williams began her writing career by accident when a song inspired a story. Once she discovered the writing bug she couldn't stop. Since starting her writing career late in 2012 she has gone on to write several more novels, including two Amazon best-sellers. She writes Experimental Fiction and Non-Fiction. She is also a freelance journalist, copywriter, and public speaker.

Twitter: @imtmwilliams
Facebook: www.facebook.com/accidentalwriter
Website: www.theaccidentalwriter.com  (Signed copy available to purchase)
Blog: www.theaccidentalwriterblog.wordpress.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clusters-tm-williams/1121128240?ean=2940046537642
http://www.amazon.com/Clusters-Case-Missing-T-M-Williams ENTER THE GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library: Return to Sender by Mindy Halleck

This is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mindy will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host. Additionally, Goddess Fish Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.

READ THE BLURB

1955 ~ Father Theo Riley never wanted to be a priest, nor a killer. The former boxing champion and Korean War veteran gave up more than a career when he went into the Army. He lost the only thing he ever wanted: his love, Andréa Bouvre. Friends thought Theo entered the priesthood to mend his broken heart or atone for the massacred orphans he couldn’t save in Korea. However, the truth is much darker and more damning, tied to a blood debt and family secret that has haunted Theo since he was a boy. He drinks to forget he ever had a life of his own—waits for death, prays for mercy, and hopes for a miracle. He gets all three when a child goes missing, another shows up on his doorstep, and the love of his life drives back into his world; the seaside hamlet of Manzanita Oregon. Theo’s dream reunion with Andréa becomes a nightmare when a serial killer who considers himself a holy man targets the town and everyone Theo loves. Drinking days decidedly behind him, Theo and some old warriors set out to send evil back to hell and a few good souls to heaven in RETURN TO SENDER.

READ THE REVIEW

Mindy Halleck shares a suspenseful look at a small town and a family in the 1950s who has seen more than its share of death and suffering. It is told, in first person, from multiple characters viewpoints, but the author clearly labels each change, which helps keeps any confusion at bay. There are also several divergents in time as the characters look back at times earlier- these are also labeled before each segment.

It's more suspense than mystery as there is no wondering who the "bad guy" is...he's actually one of the point of view characters. However, the suspense as the final climax of the book draws near had this read eagerly turning pages. I could so see this as an edge-of-the-seat kind of movie. I love historical suspense movies and this one would make an excellent one!

The characters are not perfect. They are all flawed, all real, and you really pull for them to overcome the issues they have and the fears that stop them from pursuing their happiness. Their backstory is clearly drawn and you see how they become the people they are today--and the story also shows us as readers how decisions we make carry long-lasting implications for our lives.

Thanks for a good read! I'm glad to have found a new author at the beginning of her career and I look forward with interest to her next offering. 4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

It rained hard the night we evacuated the children from their orphanage, harder than I’d seen, even on the Oregon Coast. The smell of wet dirt, trees, and napalm. That’s the smell I remembered most, the chemical and petroleum of burning napalm. We scrambled with the kids up Korea’s dominating T’aebaek Mountain—the mountain was nearly the same height as Neahkahnie but had limestone caves tunneled deep within. Massive stalagmites hung heavy throughout the corridors. Ancient bamboo-roped bridges built across chasms linked the vast rooms of the caves to one another. It was otherworldly. But the surviving nun knew the place, the Karst Caves, and said we’d be safe. Water spouted from innumerable cracks and seeps; the sound of rain and falling water was everywhere.

We clawed our way up the hills and out of the valley of death. The CCF had entered the war that week and were as ubiquitous as the rain. The NK were ruthless and bloodthirsty and wanted those kids—and now us—dead. The kids and dedicated nun were too vulnerable for us to abandon for slaughter, so we, my buddy Lieutenant Peters and me, abandoned our orders instead.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mindy Halleck is a Pacific Northwest author, blogger and writing instructor. Her short story, The Sound of Rain, which placed in the Writer's Digest Literary Contest blossomed into her first novel Return to Sender. Halleck blogs at Literary Liaisons and is an active member of the Pacific Northwest writing community. In addition to being a writer, Halleck is a happily married, globe-trotting beachcomber, antiquer, gardener, proud grandma, and three-time cancer survivor.

www.MindyHalleck.com
  Mindy’s AMAZON page: http://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Sitton-Halleck/e/B004W4LK90/ ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1421806103&sr=8-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindy-Halleck/230491593817948
Twitter @Mindyhalleck
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=19101306&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Blog https://returnts.wordpress.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library - A View to a Nerd by Chris Redding

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Chris will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a copy of Chris' short story, Alchemy and Old Spice, to a randomly drawn host. Additionally, Goddess Fish Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.

READ THE BLURB

Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day. When a wise-cracking interior decorator wants to put her past behind her, the dead body of the mayor’s son makes her realize that won’t happen too easily. A conservative former computer geek for the FBI is holding on too tightly to his past. His wife died under suspicious circumstances and he believes the decorator has the information to solve the case. Unfortunately for him, she isn’t speaking until a series of events convinces her she needs protection especially when her biggest secret threatens to destroy both of their lives. This was originally published as A View to a Kilt.

READ THE REVIEW

This is a fun mystery and I absolutely love the characters, Gus and Miriam. The secondary characters are well-written as well, and I would love to see more of them all.  It's non-stop action and characters that draw you in until the last riveting word -- romantic suspense in the best sense of the word.

The story is told in multiple points of view-- including the bad guy.  Occasionally it got a little confusing, but not enough that it took away from my enjoyment of the book.

 I could so see this as a movie (Hollywood, are you listening? Don't forget the name of Chris Redding.) This is the first time I've read this author, even though she's visited here before, but it certainly won't be the last.
4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

“I just got a call from the Commissioner. He talked to the Mayor. If you weren’t finished, you would be now.”

The detective grumbled, but obeyed the order, turning off the recorder.

The Lieutenant shook his head as he ushered Miriam out of interrogation and down the hall to his office. “I’m sorry, Mim. He’s a little overzealous. He’s new at this.”

“I’m sure he’s just doing his job, and considering what the situation looks like, I understand his position. By the way, someone hit me on the head.”

Bob stopped to examine her. “Guess the killer wanted you out for the count. I’ll get someone to take you to the hospital to get checked out.” He paused. They both stopped to face each other in the drab gray hallway. No pictures adorned the walls. He shuffled his feet then looked at her.

“May I ask what your relationship with Joe Waltney was?”

She stared up at him. His eyes found a spot on the wall behind her to look at then the floor. “I’ve given you no reason to believe you have the right to be jealous. Haven’t I made things clear? I’m only interested in friendship.”

They stared at each other for a moment before he nodded his head as if in agreement.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, one dog and three rabbits. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When she isn’t writing, she works for a local winery. Her books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.

Links: http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor
www.twitter.com/chrisredding
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00SU0LVFA
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading From the Library: Sonar the Crashing by B. Truly

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding 3 book marks (1Sonar, and 2 different Melanie, the companion novel book marks), 1 Sonar The Crashing pen, $15 Amazon gift card, Sonar The Crashing e-book (e-pub, mobi, or pdf) (US ONLY) to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour, and 3 book marks (1 Sonar, and 2 different Melanie, the companion novel book marks) and a Sonar The Crashing pen to randomly drawn hosts. Additionally, Goddess Fish Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.

READ THE BLURB

Is it more than déjà vu? With the Romeland family it may be destined to be true.

Life on Earth is not the only place where devastation occurs and hard choices must be made.

The Royal 4 of Kadan live in the Sonar galaxy three million light years from Earth. They travel to Earth to obtain the resources they need to give their world a fighting chance.

Their mission is compromised and they’re faced with life changing events. They have amnesia and no memory of their past. Strange dreams start to occur. They wonder if it’s more than a dream, or is it déjà vu? The mind is a complex mystery. Amnesia is a secret unknown. The role it manifests in these characters’ lives is a catastrophic cyclone.

Shiray is frantic when she is the first to find out about their true destiny and that the love of her life no longer remembers who she is. She must find a way to restore her family before all is lost.

They must prevail because the fate of their planet lies in their hand.

READ THE REVIEW

This book as an interesting premise:  four teens from another planet crash lands on our planet and have no idea who they are.-- until they start having strange, shared dreams.

The characters were interesting.  The story is told in first person from the point of view of both Shiray/Paige and Syira/Harmony, which at times can get confusing until you realize which is talking. And, they all have a desire to learn who they are.  Syira and her brothers, though, have settled into their new environment well--even to the point of developing friendships and love interests, which leads to some of the conflicts in the story. 

There were some editing issues that I had trouble getting past--misspelled words, awkward phrasing, etc. The prologue, while it told about the crash and the planet these four are from, detracted from the story, in my opinion. As a reader, I would have preferred to jump right into the action and find out along with the characters what was going on.  And, as I have said, the first person POV with more than one character didn't quite work for me.

However, the author does present a well-thought out world to start this new series.  There was a lot of action, especially in the second half of the book  I was invested enough in the characters to want to find out what happened to them. Actually, this book would have made an interesting graphic novel, and I could see it as the premise for a SyFy series.  3 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

Title: Waking Dream
 

That night I had the scariest dream of them all. I opened my eyes, and I was in a spacecraft going through the atmosphere of a dark planet. I walked into the cock pit and there was my guy. I could feel my cheeks flush. There were also four other women and six other men, all around my age. My guy smiled at me.

“Are you ready? We have to hurry. A storm is on the way,” he said. The huge door to the ship opened. It looked like the opening to the back of a cargo ship. I gasped in disbelief. The sky outside the ship was black, and all we could see was water. The men shined the light in the water and threw down a net.

“Don’t be scared, Sweetheart,” my guy said. “We’re very low on food, and there is no telling how long this storm will last.” I smiled at him. Suddenly the wind started howling, like a wind I had never heard before. It sounded like a freight train. The water started forming huge waves and the ship started rocking.

“We have to hurry! The storm is coming in fast, and it will take us down if we don’t get out of here!” one of the men yelled. A huge wave rose up and washed over the ship. “Everyone grab a hold whole of something!” somebody screamed. “I’m taking off!”

Then another huge wave washed over the ship. I tried to grab a hold of something, but the pressure was too strong. I was too close to the door, and fell out. We were high up, and it took me a while before I hit the water. I went deep under. The water was so cold; it felt like knives were stabbing me all over my body. I tried to swim to the surface, remembering I knew how, but it was like the pressure was keeping me down. I had never felt so scared before. Then I saw him and he grabbed me. He had a rope around his waist. He tugged on it, and it started pulling us up. Before we reached the surface I could no longer hold my breath. Water came gushing into my mouth, and I couldn’t breathe. Oh my God, I can’t breathe! My mind screamed. My body started jerking. I was frantic, and we still had not reached the surface. The next thing I saw was darkness.

I heard voices. “She’s coming to! She’s coming to!” I opened my eyes slowly. I felt pressure on my chest; I turned quickly on my side and started coughing up water and gasping for air. Everyone started laughing and sighing in relief. I looked up, and my guy was leaning over me. He must have revived me. He was crying and laughing. He grabbed me into his arms. “You scared me. I thought I’d lost you,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said, hugging him. I felt relieved to be in his arms.

“We’ve made it out of Hydrocesis atmosphere safely. Let’s head home.” I heard a man say.

Then I jolted awake, and quickly sat up in my bed. I was sweating profusely. This was no regular dream; this was a waking dream. I could still feel the pressure in my lungs and the taste of salt water in my mouth. My skin felt wet, and I was cold. I started sobbing. Who was I? Where did I come from? I needed answers and stayed awake for the rest of the night, my mind astir. Everything was a blur.

MEET THE AUTHOR

I have wanted to be an author since I was fifteen years old and I'm grateful to have accomplished this dream. I have three wonderful children and a husband who defines the person I am today.

I have very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. I like to read and watch tons of TV shows and movies. I’m addicted to romance and get a thrill out of action and suspense. I write New Adult, Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Paranormal-Romance.

In the Sonar series it was fun to explore different elements of Sci-fi romance and create various realms of powers for my characters. I want to show my readers that Sci-fi can be fun, but also traumatic. I hope you guys enjoy the Sonar Series.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22031096-sonar-the-crashing
http://www.amazon.com/Sonar-Crashing-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00IZ4VNYA/ref=sr_1_1?
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sonar-the-crashing-b-truly/1119170040?
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/427440
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sonar-Series/284038358428864
http://www.thesonartrilogy.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library: Of Love and Vengeance by Louise Lyndon

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.Louise will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.

READ THE BLURB

Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephew’s survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves. But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?

A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?

READ THE REVIEW

This is an exciting tale set during the time of the Norman invasion. Laila expects Aymon to be the kind of Norman she has heard about--after all, aren't all Normans the same? At the same time, Laila is not at all what Aymon is expecting either.

The author has done a great job of setting up the conflict and throwing enough problems in the couple's way to insure the two get to see what the other is really like--their preconceived notions go flying out the window. But, even then, there are issues to overcome.

I love historical romance, and this one did not disappoint. Laily and Aymon have to face not only their own trust issues, but pressures from outside as well that puts a strain on their budding relationship.

Ms. Lyndon did a wonderful job with the characterization of both the main characters as well as the secondary characters-- I would love to see many of them get their own stories. This is my first time reading this author, but it won't be the last.

4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

Laila heard them long before she saw them. Their angry, frenzied shouts and thunderous roars filled her ears. With her hands tied securely behind her, she was dragged up the lane toward Tyburn Gallows, where she was to be hanged for a crime she did not commit. The mob sounded blood thirsty. Large. Frightening.

There was no sign of Aymon. Or Hugh. Had they left her alone to die?

Her chin trembled and her nails dug into her palms.

She suddenly fell to her knees and screamed until she tasted blood at the back of her throat. She kicked out and tried to crawl free as her hair was almost torn from the roots as she was pulled up and shoved along the lane.

Her eyes burned with her tears.

“I am innocent!” Laila screamed.

They came around a corner, and that’s when she saw them. There must have been a least two thousand men, women, and children, hungry for her blood. And when they saw her, they erupted into a wild fever of roars and cries for a slow and painful death. Their thirst had been piqued, and now it must be sated.

Laila was shoved into the center of the clearing.

She glanced wildly around in a desperate search for Aymon’s towering, bulky frame. She could not see him.

But what she could see was the Tyburn Tree. The gallows she was to be hanged from. The executioner, hooded, stood beside the tree as he waited patiently for her. Laila’s mouth suddenly went dry.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.

She has been writing the moment she picked up a copy of Diana Gabaldon's first Outlander novel twenty something years ago. She thought to herself, 'this is what I want to do' - not travel back in time, but become a novelist! She has always had snippets of dialogue and scenes floating around in her head with characters screaming at her to bring them to life.

In 2013, Louise won first prize in the Crested Butte Sandy Writing contest – Historical category for her story, The Promise, which is now called, Of Love and Vengeance.

When not writing, she can be found covered in mud, crawling under barbed wire and hoisting herself over twelve foot walls - under the guise of competing in Spartan races all over Australia.

AUTHOR LINKS:
EMAIL: louise_lyndon@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.LouiseLyndon.com
Blog: http://www.LouiseLyndon.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Lyndon/1472910852955051
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouiseLyndon1 Pinterest: llyndon3513
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Vengeance-Louise-Lyndon-ebook/dp/B00Q3NBQ56/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-love-and-vengeance-louise-lyndon/ 1120929944
Publisher: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php? main_page=product_info&cPath=242_176_138&products_id=5976
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library - The Girl of the Book by Princila Murrell

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Princila will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

Twelve year old Courtney Parker is devastated to have to leave her friends and South Africa behind when her father accepts a lucrative contract and the family relocate to Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah feels like a different planet to Johannesburg. In spite of her initial reluctance to venture out of the comfort and security of their new home, she quickly forms friendships with Nizar Bukhari and Lana Alahmadi. However, not everyone is happy with the situation.

Courtney must learn to adapt to an alien, seemingly unforgiving culture and stand up to the bullies that are making her school life hell.

Nizar and Lana must both try to overcome their family prejudices in order for their friendship with Courtney to survive. Will they succeed? Will they be able to set aside their differences? Can they bridge the cultural divide?

"Girl of the Book" is a compelling, contemporary story that will get older children thinking. More than that, it is a story of friendship and forgiveness that will tug at your heart.

READ THE REVIEW

Kids don't have much say in the matter when job transfers force families to move and leave friends behind, and it's never easy to go through.  It's even worse, however, for Courtney though, because at 12 years of age, she not only is leaving her friends--but her country and even her culture.

This is the story of what she goes through as she tries to adjust to living in an a Muslim country-- the difficulties with the language, the dress, the traditions.  She had a lot of freedom in her home of South Africa-- going to the beach, wearing shorts, friendships with boys-- that are strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia.  

The adjustments are not only on her side, though, but also on two friends she does make-- Lana and Nizar.  There are misunderstandings, problems with parents, problems at school. 

I think kids 12 and up will like this book and will be able to identify with Courtney as well as the issues she is facing. Even as an adult, the story caught my attention and I wanted to see what happened with Courtney as she faced her problems.

One of the best things about this book is it serves as a stepping stone for kids and their parents to talk about differences and similarities between cultures.  I don't know if the author has a second book planned for Courtney, but it would be interesting to see how her second year in Saudi Arabia goes.

4 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

The class was quiet when she left. I noticed the girls were glancing at me and whenever their eyes met mine, they shifted their gaze.

One of them, a wide-eyed girl, finally spoke. ‘Where are you from?’

‘Are you American?’ another girl asked before I had time to answer.

‘No, I’m from South Africa,’ I replied, trying not to sound bothered by their curious looks.

‘No way!’ one of the girls to my right exclaimed. She had a brown abaya decorated with sequins on the front, and a matching scarf hung around her neck. Her skin was fair, just like mine. Her hair was a pale brown, and it hung in beautiful curls that seemed to spring whenever she moved her head. ‘You can’t be African. You’re white...’

‘You’re also white,’ I remarked.

I was referring to her alone because her skin was lighter than those of the other girls. But she probably misunderstood me because she said, ‘We’re not white. We’re brown.’ She pulled the sleeve of her abaya up her arm and stroked her skin, as if to emphasise her point. ‘Arabs are brown. Africans are black and you’re not. So where are you from?’

‘I’m from South Africa. There are white and black people in South Africa if you didn’t know,’ I said, a little angry.

‘Fine, fine. So are you Muslim?’ the girl in the brown abaya said.

‘No.’

They gasped as if I had said an abomination.

‘You’re not?’ One girl spoke for the first time. She had long straight hair, and her skin was a little darker than those of the other girls. ‘You don’t pray?’

‘What do you mean by I ‘don’t pray’?’ I asked. ‘I pray every day before meals and when I go to bed.’

‘No, not that kind of prayer,’ the wide-eyed girl said. ‘We mean salat.’

‘Salat? What’s that?’ I asked.

‘Prayer, stupido.’ The girl in the brown abaya rolled her eyes.

‘Now, look...’ I was about to say when Ms Lopez walked into the classroom. I glared at the girl in the brown abaya. Whatever her name was, I hoped we weren’t going to be in the same class.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Princila Murrell lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with her husband and two kids. She startedwriting when she was about 10 years old and made the leap to Indie author about two decades later because she could not wait to share her stories with the world. Besides being a nerdy dreamer, doodler, busy mum, and housewife, she is also an avid netizen and reader of children’s books. She loves to cook, shop and, most of all, play with her kids. Girl of the Book is Princila’s debut novel.

Author Links
Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/princilamurrell
My blog: http://www.princilamurrell.blogspot.com/
Twitter (@PMurell): https://twitter.com/PMurell
Goodreads (Princila Murrell): https://www.goodreads.com/Priz
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/116158746779810778224
Wattpad (PrincilaMurrell): http://www.wattpad.com/PrincilaMurrell
Facebook (Princila Murrell): http://www.facebook.com/prinzmurrell
Girl of the Book on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlofthebook
  Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/princila
Buy Link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OT1HQF8
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library - Camoflauged Encounters

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. David will be awarding a digital copy of the book to four randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

Forget what you think you know. How well do you really know your neighbors or fellow workers? Do you trust your boss? What about politicians? The fabric of our society is under attack. Our way of life, our livelihood, our very existence is under full assault. No one even realizes that it’s happening. Disguised as horrible natural disasters on the news, the world is caught unsuspecting as events draw us ever nearer to extinction. As “natural disasters” escalate and tensions between nations mount, one man hears a whisper. It has begun . . .

READ THE REVIEW 

Camouflaged Encounters is the third book in David Englund's Clark Jackson series-- we reviewed book two in the series here. 

This time we find Clark mostly here on earth-- and he has discovered that aliens are not only to be found by going through the portal, but are here among us and have been--perhaps for a while.  And, when strange things begin happening on earth, we find that these aliens are not with us for a friendly visit.

Mr. Englund takes a "Men In Black" situation and makes it feel real by interspersing what's going on with Clark and the others who have become aware of the situation with news reports that sound very much like the real deal.  I could so see this as a movie!

And...there's another book in the future with more of Clark's experience.  Thanks, Mr. Englund!

rating: 4 stars

READ AN EXCERPT

Clark gasped and dropped his fork. There they were in downtown Des Moines! Four aliens, large as life, were walking around disguised as humans. The phone device allowed him to see two images in the spot where each alien existed. The human image appeared as his eyes saw them. The alien image had a fuzzy, faded hologram-like appearance to it.

He could see the red tinted skin with black spots on their bodies. Their heads were long like a horse’s head with narrow yellow eyes on either side. They were roughly three-feet taller than their human disguises. Their knees bent outward as they walked. Each alien wore a black skin- tight uniform. The most alarming features were the four arms each alien sported. In each case, the two unseen hands carried various gadgets that they fidgeted with as they walked.

The human disguises appeared as smiling, happy people while the Ascanti images each revealed scowling angry aliens seemingly trapped in an unpleasant form. These creatures would have won casting rolls in any Hollywood horror film.

I can’t believe this. This can’t be happening. Everything Rick said is true. Aliens walk among us. They look so natural in their disguises. They fit in perfectly within our society. Look at them just walking up the street. That one across the street is delivering a UPS package. That one over there is carrying shopping bags, like she’s just some average housewife out on errands. This one over here is crossing the street, as if it’s perfectly okay for aliens to cross the street in Des Moines!

MEET THE AUTHOR

David Englund is a storyteller (science fiction author) and teaches economics at North Dakota State University. His first three titles, Upsetting the Tides, UNSEASONAL WAR, and Camouflaged Encounters are available on Amazon. Camouflaged Mischief is in progress.




http://amazon.com/dp/B00NUPAPT8
http://davidjenglund.blogspot.com  
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23267421-camouflaged-encounters
https://www.facebook.comdavid.englund.104
davidenglund7@gmail.com


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Straight Reading from the Library - Life Discarded

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB

Why would a woman who has it all throw her life away? Morgan has the perfect life. She married the man of her dreams. Daniel is smart, gorgeous and successful. Everything she has always wanted in a husband and the father of her children. But he’s also domineering, overprotective and jealous. Is living with him enough to drive Morgan over the edge? Or does something more treacherous lurk beneath the façade?

Morgan

A gorgeous, sweet woman that is oblivious to her own beauty. She’s shy with men, but a rock to her friends. A librarian in a small town in the mid-west. She’s been waiting a long-time to find the one.

Daniel

An accountant in the city who will do anything to be the youngest partner in his firm. He always gets what he wants and he wants Morgan. He will pursue Morgan until she submits.

Together

They rush through a courtship and marry within a year of meeting. Morgan’s life is perfect. She has a job she loves, a best friend for which she would do anything and a husband that completes her. But things are not often as they appear. Behind closed doors the loving Daniel that Morgan married is jealous and overprotective. Sometimes he’s even domineering.

Culmination

Morgan runs away – destroying everything in her path as she disappears. What made this good girl go bad?

READ THE REVIEW

LIFE DISCARDED literally started off with an explosion as Morgan discards her life-- then the book drops back to the beginning of Morgan and Daniel's relationship through their marriage.

This is a no-holds-barred look at the hard topic of marital abuse and shows how easily otherwise smart women can go from being strong and independent to being cowed and intimidated---and firmly believe the abuse is their own fault. It starts slowly and insidiously creeps up until, one day, everyone around can see what's going on while the abused wife makes excuses.

It's a very quick read--I finished it in one evening. My favorite part of the book is the friendship between Morgan and Ellie--everyone should have a friend like Ellie.

There were a few minor typos, but nothing that really took me out of the story.

I could easily see this made into a movie-- the action was there, a good tight cast of characters, and a happy ending. Works for me. 3 stars.

READ AN EXCERPT

Shaking hands steer the car to the nearest full service gas station. Only one or two gas stations in town still offer full service, but she had done her homework and knew this one did. Not only did full service guarantee that someone else would be pumping her gas, but its expense meant that there’s never a wait. Maneuvering the car to the furthest full service pump, she waits, hands clutching the steering wheel, for the attendant.

After what feels like an eternity to her fevered brain, the attendant finally notices her and saunters over to her car. Her eyes follow him, silently urging him to quicken his pace. Come on, come on. “Fill it up,” she squeaks at him when he finally reaches her car. She grabs her over- large purse and jumps out of the car, nearly tripping in her haste. Looking back, she whispers “I’m sorry” to the oblivious attendant before continuing around the building.

When she reaches the rear of the building, she frantically scans the area. Finally she spots the large garbage container, not in its usual spot. She jogs to it and squats behind it; shrinking into herself and covering her ears. Just in time. A loud bang shakes the earth below her feet. Looking up, she sees flames shooting into the sky.

Time to get out of here. She stands on shaky legs, taking a moment to calm her erratic breath before walking in the opposite direction – refusing to look back.

MEET THE AUTHOR

D.E. Haggerty was born and raised in Wisconsin but thinks she’s a European. After spending her senior year of high school in Germany, she developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. After high school she returned to the U.S. to go to college ending up with a Bachelor’s degree in History at the tender age of 20 while still managing to spend time bouncing back and forth to Europe during her vacations. Unable to find a job after college and still suffering from wanderlust, she joined the U.S. Army as a Military Policewoman for 5 years. While stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, she met her future husband, a flying Dutchman. After being given her freedom from the Army, she went off to law school. She finished law school and moved to the Netherlands with her husband and became a commercial lawyer for more than a decade. During a six month break from the lawyering world, she wrote her first book, Unforeseen Consequences. Although she finished the book, she went back to the law until she could no longer take it and upped stakes and moved to Germany to start a B&B. Three years after starting the B&B, she got the itch and decided to pull the manuscript for Unforeseen Consequences out of the attic and get it published as an e-book. Deciding that she may have indeed finally found what she wanted to do with her life, she went on to write Buried Appearances. After moving to Istanbul, she started on Life Discarded, her third book. Between tennis, running, traveling, singing off tune and reading books like they are going out of style, she writes articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, reviews other indie authors’ books, writes a blog about whatever comes to mind and is working on her fourth book.

Contact Information

Website: http://www.dehaggerty.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty
Twitter: @denaehaggerty
Blog: http://www.dehaggerty.com/mymusings
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/
Google +: http//www.google.com/+DEHaggerty

Buy links for Life Discarded:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Discarded-D-E-Haggerty-ebook/dp/B00MQK8L2G/ ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1414224299
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/466490
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-discarded-de-haggerty/1120180802? ean=9781500829810
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22910699-life-discarded

a Rafflecopter giveaway