Tuesday, December 15, 2015

On the Second Day of Christmas ANOTHER author gave to me . . .

Featured author today is: Jason Zandri

Check out his blog post for more information and links to his giveaway!!!

MY POST - Twelve Giveaways ofChristmas Blog Tour

Monday, December 14, 2015

On the First Day of Christmas ANOTHER author gave to me . . .

Today's second featured author is Brittany Mills.

Check out her blog: http://www.writingunblocked.com

On The First Day of Christmas an author gave to me . . .

So excited to be part of the 

Twelve* Giveaways of Christmas


Two groups of 12 authors (*make that 24 giveaways!) are giving away books from a wide variety of genres. Ready to get in on the holiday spirit and win some prizes? Start here and take the blog tour. There will be posts and prizes to win every day of the 12 days of Christmas.

First up is an Amazon giveaway of 
The Christmas Tree Keeper: Novel

Enter Here on Tamara's Author Page

Recently a #1 Amazon Bestseller 
in Contemporary Christian Romance


Available in print and ebook on Amazon.com and other retailers

About the book: Though Angela Donovan is out of work and needs money for rent, she yearns for her eight-year-old daughter to have a carefree holiday. The last thing she wants is the pressure of her daughter expecting a miracle. But when they pick out a Christmas tree at a cozy Massachusetts tree farm that’s exactly what happens when they learn the trees might be miracle trees.

Mark Shafer is soon to be the new keeper of the Christmas trees when he inherits the family farm. He’d like to run it with a family of his own, but his girlfriend wants nothing to do with farm life. He makes plans to sell so he can propose to his girlfriend and pursue a career in music. Then he meets an unforgettable customer and her daughter, and an anonymous gift compels them to learn the truth about the trees.

With a buyer willing to pay top dollar for the land, Mark has the fate of the trees in his hand. Will he be able to see what and who is most important? And will Angela give the miracle of love a chance? 

A little about me: Tamara Passey, author of the The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel, was born and raised in Massachusetts around a large family, one that has served as inspiration for most of her writing. She was named Arizona Young Mother of the Year in 2013 and contributes marriage and family articles to FamilyShare.com. Mothering through the Whirlwind is her fist work of non-fiction. She loves most creative endeavors and when she isn't writing or re-writing, you can find her baking or cross-stitching or walking--though not all at the same time. She lives with her husband and three children in Arizona. 

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Check out the other authors and prizes:




Sunday, December 13, 2015

Cleopatra's Legacy Series by Dorine White

So, it's been a while since I posted a review and I thought now was as good a time as any. I just finished reading two of Dorine White's Cleopatra's Legacy books. There is a third that I haven't read (which is actually the second book) but they don't have to be read in order, though it's always a good idea if you do read them in order.

Anyway, these books are for middle grade readers, but even as an adult I enjoyed them. They were a fast read for me, so younger readers should have fun with them. The two I read were: Book 1 The Emerald Ring and Book 3 The Diamond Looking Glass, but I will include the teaser for Book 2 The Ruby Pendant.

To purchase any of these books you can go to: Dorine White's Amazon Page

Book 1 The Emerald Ring

Sara Bogus's life turns upside down when she discovers an emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra. The fun of discovering the ring's unique abilities turns to fear when she finds out a dangerous cult bent on restoring Rome to power is after the ring. Forced to choose between keeping the ring and saving her friends, Sara learns the price of bravery in this electrifying read!

I just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it! It is the perfect mixture of mystery, adventure, and fantasy to keep any young reader captivated. The story was fast-paced, but not so quick that you miss essential information and the characters are believable, though sometimes the situations the kids get into seem a little unbelievable. Even with this element it is a book that will enthrall young readers and take them out of this world, if only for a little while.

Book 2 The Ruby Pendant

Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music and voodoo. Eighth grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom. The diary contains the writings of a mad woman, along with vague clues to the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead! And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards, to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever.

Book 3 The Diamond Looking Glass

Beauty and the Beast. The world knows it as a cartoon with dancing teacups and broomsticks. To twelve year old Claire La Fleur, it is family history, and the power behind Belle’s mirror is real. Every ten years her family gathers to see if the mirror will awaken, and for the last two hundred years it has slept. 

This time, Claire’s touch awakens the magic within the diamond looking glass, a direct portal to the past and a way to communicate with Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. The lure of power brings with it many perils, and a betrayal close to home thrusts Claire into a treacherous underworld. To protect the mirror, she travels into the Louvre museum in the dark of night, searches abandoned subway tunnels, and walks the catacombs of the dead. 

Welcome to Paris, France - where danger follows in every step.


This was a delightful continuance of the Cleopatra's Legacy series. Dorine White has done it again with a thrilling adventure. I love the fact that her stories happen in different places and we get a hint of different cultures and traditions. The illusion to the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is also a fun twist. The Diamond Looking Glass will be a great read for younger readers that will take them on a ride through imagination, and for older readers an adventure that is full of mystery, twists, and intrigue.

I just finished this book and found it quite enjoyable. Claire is a spunky character who needs a good jolt of self esteem and she gets that and more. Her adventures are what any young reader could wish for and also hope they never have to endure. Her part in the series is important as the rest and she is certain to impress.

About the Author

My name is Dorine White. I am a children's author and a book reviewer. I grew up back East in Maryland and attended BYU in Utah. I have a BA in Humanities with an interest in Art History and French. Currently I live in the beautiful, yet rainy Northwest with my husband and 6 children.

My first book in The Cleopatra's Legacy series, The Emerald Ring, was published by Cedar Fort Books on May 14, 2013. It is a middle grade fantasy novel that involves Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, and a magic emerald ring. The second book, The Ruby Pendant, came out in March 2014. My third book, a YA fantasy entitled, The Awakening, released December 2014.

You can find me online at www.dorinewhite.com or check out my book blog at www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com.


One other book

I did get the chance to read and review Dorine's YA fantasy novel, The Awakening. If you're interested check out her amazon page for more information.



Saturday, December 12, 2015

The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas Introduction to the event

So we are getting ready to begin this awesome event. Check out the calendar below for the authors and their giveaways. Red names are part of the Romance/Mystery group and Green names are part of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy group.


For more information or to link to each individual author's giveaway, click the link below:




Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Blog Tour This Week

Take a look at the most recent post for my book tour of The Ring of Remaliha:

Introduction

And check out this great review:

Review

Monday, December 7, 2015

The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas

Merry Christmas!!! And welcome to my blog.

To bring the season in with a bang, I am participating in a fun event, The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas! Twenty-four authors of different genres have gotten together to bring an amazing assortment of giveaways to help celebrate this Christmas Season!


Starting December 14th two different authors will be spotlighted every day on my blog and my FaceBook page as well as twenty-three other author's blogs that are participating. You will find the other giveaways on a chart that tells you each author's name and what they are giving away.

The information will be posted by December 12th, so be looking to that day for more information. The good news is, you don't have to wait for a specific day to enter the different giveaways.

For all those who want to spend some Christmas cheer reading a new book or anticipating a new adventure, come join us for some fun.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good read!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thursday, November 19, 2015

Whitney Award Nominee


Thanks to everyone who nominated The Ring of Remaliha for a Whitney Award. Your support is very much appreciated!!! Now wish me luck. Finalists will be announced in February.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

More Books to Read and Enjoy

All right, I've totally been slacking in my writing lately and of course to make up for it I've been reading tons. Here is the latest list of books that I recommend.


The Siren Tamer by Sofia St. Angeles

I’m a Siren Tamer and she’s my Siren. We’re a legendary matched set that only occurs once every thousand years. When we’re together we’re at peace, and can conquer the world—literally. Apart, I can’t stop thinking about her, and . . . she could accidently kill herself. Crazy, huh? Well, it gets even better. We know nothing of our powers. The few people who do know, have kept it from us our entire lives. But now, they know I’ve heard The Whisperings, and they’re running into some issues. One: How do they tell us what we’re capable of? And two: How can they get my Siren to stop hating my guts?

A great read full of mystery, suspense, adventure, and clean romance. It is a must read. I can't wait for the next book to come out!!!


The Masked Heart by Karla Darcy

Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn't counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love.... 

This delightful Regency romance was all the fun of a romance without all the annoying junk authors seem driven to add nowadays. I loved the fact that there was much more to the story than simply boy meets girl and we get to know wonderful characters that have true struggles, personalities, and life decisions. Excellent story. I like this author so far and I hope she keeps her books clean.

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

In the fifteenth-century kingdom of Sylvania, the prince offers a fabulous reward to anyone who cures the curse that forces the princesses to spend each night dancing to the point of exhaustion. Everyone who tries disappears or falls into an enchanted sleep.
 
Thirteen-year-old Reveka, a smart, courageous herbalist’s apprentice, decides to attempt to break the curse despite the danger. Unravelling the mystery behind the curse leads Reveka to the Underworld, and to save the princesses, Reveka will have to risk her soul.

This was a fun read that would sit more in a YA or even middle grade category, but I am not too picky when it comes to a good fantasy. This story brought us characters that struggled with hard decisions and gave them choices that might be difficult to accept once the decision is made. I really loved how Reveka had to look deep within herself to find out what she really wanted out of her life.


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

The Season For Prayer Is Always

I gave a lesson several months ago in Relief Society, talking about prayer and I kept the large version of the handout and put it on my refrigerator. Just now I stood in my kitchen and the handout caught my attention.

I've been reading all the funny FB posts about Christmas and Thanksgiving and the proper time to listen to Christmas music and the fact that everything pumpkin will now turn into everything peppermint.

As I pondered the things people wrote and then saw my flier I thought about how I sometimes forget that things like prayer don't have a season. Even the attitude of Thanksgiving, the Spirit of Christmas, the celebration of Halloween, the joy of Easter, the patriotism of July, and the good luck of March, don't need to be left to a specific month or time of the year. I propose we take these beautiful feelings that bring us so much joy and happiness and utilize them throughout the whole year.

And along with all of that, let's remember that we should "pray always and not faint" (2 Nephi 32:9; Luke 18:1) and we will have joy in the Lord and in our lives.