Blog Tour Review of, Stitch, by Samantha Durante

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Feb 152013
 


  • Product Details:
  • Title: Stitch(Stitch Trilogy Book 1)
  • Author: Samantha Durante
  • Paperback: 322 pages
  • Publisher: Samantha Durante (July 31, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0985804602
  • ISBN-13: 978-0985804602
  • FTC: FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

 

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence.  In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees – and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell – Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless.  But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn’t figured out yet is that she’s not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university’s idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface…

The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.

My Review:
I really loved this book! I really liked the aspect of how things shifted so much not even half way into the book! What you had assumed was happening, was really all a facade! This was such a clever premise! I also really liked the spunky main character, Alessa and her devoted sister Janie. This book is a fun read with a lot of action. It also is a great combination of paranormal and dystopian. This book/series is touted as being “twist-laden” and that’s exactly right! I can’t wait to see what is revealed in the next book. I think the most surprising thing about Stitch, is when you realize that this is the first book written by Samantha Durante! Congratulations to her for such a successful first book!

Excerpt From Stitch

Alessa held her hand up.  “Just save it, Janie.  My mind is made up, and nothing you say is going to change it.  I’m going to warn Isaac, and I don’t care about the consequences.  I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try.”
Janie looked like she was about to argue, but she let it go.  “Okay, fine.  I have to go to the library now, but we can talk later.  Just… don’t do anything rash,” she pleaded.
Alessa just gave Janie a stony glare.  She could see the hurt on Janie’s face and felt a pang of remorse, but she just couldn’t seem to let the anger go.
Janie turned and left, closing the door cautiously behind her, and Alessa dropped into her desk chair.  She was shaking with rage from head to toe.

Download the free sample chapters here!
Are you a fan of Stitch?  Like the Stitch Facebook page and sign up on the Contact page to be notified when the sequel, Shudder, is available.

Looking for more Stitch Trilogy?  Spinoff stories, character interviews, and more available here!

 Buy Stitch on Amazon

Amazon Prime members: Stitch is currently available to borrow for FREE from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library!

****Here is an interesting post from Samantha Durante about why she chose to write a Dystopian novel. Enjoy!
Why I Chose Dystopian: by Samantha Durante, author of Stitch
  I’m so excited to be here and to share a little about why I chose to write Stitch – my very first book – in the dystopian genre.

There are literally HUNDREDS of book genres to choose from, but when I started coming up
with ideas for Stitch, there were only two that I knew right away Stitch might fall into: paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi. (And in fact, I wasn’t able to choose just one, so it’s actually a little bit of both!)

Dystopian stories have been incredibly popular lately, particularly in the young adult market (see: Hunger Games, Divergent, Pandemonium, etc.). And though I didn’t realize it until I discovered all these new dystopian series recently, I’ve always been drawn to dystopian settings – The Giver, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451 were some of my favorite books as a kid. So this begs the question of what exactly it is about dystopian books that’s got me and all these other readers so excited.

And after giving it some thought, I think it comes down to a few factors: uncertainty, morality, and hope.

1. Uncertainty. We’ve all seen the news reports the past couple years – between the economy, the environment, and the unending global violence, it’s pretty obvious: our world is on a downward spiral. At least, it certainly feels like that sometimes. And when you look into the future and it’s all of a sudden unclear where things are going, it gets you thinking: what if things actually got worse? Like, much worse? What would it be like? Am I prepared? Could I survive?

2. Morality. So the media has got us down on ourselves and wondering if our civilization can
even make it, and as soon as you open that can of worms, all kind of difficult questions present themselves. What would I do to survive? With limited resources, how do you decide who gets to survive? Who makes that decision? What happens if I don’t like the answers to these questions? How could I do things differently? But am I any more qualified to come up with answers than the next guy? We all know what’s right and wrong in the normal day-to-day but what happens when the world gets turned on its head? Do the rules change?

3. Hope. And I think this is really the crux of the whole dystopian genre – when the world ends, and everything is terrible, and you’re forced to do things you don’t even want to think about just to keep on living, what do you have left? Hope. Only hope.

I think this is a fundamental feature of human beings – that inner optimism, the ability to remind ourselves that there’s something out there worth living for even when our world crumbles beyond our wildest nightmares. So we start thinking about how we can solve the problem – how would I structure our society to make something better? What could I change that would create a better outcome? After all, every dystopia is just a failed utopia – someone’s unsuccessful attempt at making the world a better place. So dystopian books force us to ask ourselves what we would have done differently, and thereby tap into that inner well of hopefulness, that unbreakable conviction that somewhere there is a right answer, even if we haven’t figured it out yet.

For me, dystopian books are all about the “What If,” and that’s a game I love to play. So with the Stitch trilogy, we’ll get to play “What If” through (the protagonist) Alessa’s eyes – to see how she answers these questions, how far she’s willing to go, and what factors will push her to bend her own rules. And as we watch Alessa struggle to find her place in a transitioning society, we get to ask ourselves: what would I do?
Author Bio:
Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio.  Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing.  A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant.  Stitch is her first novel.  Learn more about Samantha at www.samanthadurante.com.

Create a Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life by Connie E. Sokol

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 252013
 

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway For, Create a Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life

 

Product Details

  • Title: Create a Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life
  • Author: Connie E. Sokol
  • File Size: 251 KB
  • Print Length: 96 pages
  • Publisher: Sokol Publishing; 1 edition (January 7, 2013)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00AY7P6M6
  • FTC;FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Reviewed by : Sheila

 

 

Book Description:
Ready to jumpstart your life, but not sure how?

Years ago I was fat, unfulfilled, and unfocused. Then I got serious about making changes, writing an achievable life vision and goals. Starting with weight, I lost twenty-five pounds and gained great energy. This motivated me to organize my home and time, rediscover the joy in parenting, and speak professionally part-time to share with others what I had learned.
That was my ideal life change, what’s yours?
Create a Powerful Life Plan: 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life! will help you achieve life changes in three stress-free steps. You’ll learn how to create a clear vision of your ideal life. Then, how to set and achieve simple, enjoyable goals to make that vision a reality. And finally, what to do when you become stuck, fearful, or frustrated.
You’ll also read the real-life experiences of five women who put their Life Plan into action. And receive online support through podcasts, video segments, blog posts and more at www.conniesokol.com.
Now is the best time to become the person you want to be, and live the life you yearn to live. No gimmicks, no hoopla, just solid, time-tested principles and practices that will help you achieve your dreams and goals, and enjoy the process.

So, are you ready to create your powerful Life Plan?

My Review:

I want to state from the beginning of this review that this review may be an ongoing one. This book is one that I have not read all the way through because it is a work in progress. As I have been reading this, I have also had my little composition notebook by my side. As author Connie Sokol has suggested things to think about or write down, I have done exactly that. For example, at the beginning of the book here was the first thing/assignment I chose to do…

 

“Life Plan. Specifically, it’s a paragraph comprised of four to six sentences that describe your ideal self and life—a written reminder of what you want your ideal life to be, feel, and look like.”
Create A Powerful Life Plan is basically this…
“ The three simple steps to creating your Life Plan are as follows: Create a Life Vision, Choose a Life Focus, Set ONE weekly to achieve it!”
As I have been reading this book the one thought that has been going through my mind is, “I can do this!” The way that this is set up, in smaller steps, I have not felt overwhelmed. I’m so excited to try follow the steps and advice that Connie has laid out for readers. It has left me with a feeling of great empowerment. I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately in my life, but this book has breathed new life into me. I look forward to checking in with readers of this blog to let you know how things are going with my Life Plan.

Connie is such an inspiration to me and I know that she will be able to do the same for you!

You have a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book, or a 30 minute CoachCast with Connie Sokul on Fit and Fabulous, by entering with the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.  


Endorsements:

“I love your book!! I read it once last week and now I’m reading it again and marking it. I can see it making a difference in my life. I’m realizing that I don’t have to do it all at once.” Jodi Anderson
“Before I started this [book], I wanted to break down my goals into weekly accomplishments in a goal setting program. I can’t believe it, this is exactly what I have been looking for!” Brea Mefford
“I love this program. It really helps me to be accountable, and more importantly, to see progress. I increased my weekly income by better than half. I paid off two credit cards and my overdraft. My husband was able to pay off his car, and I have completely revamped my business goals and direction. Thank you!” Andrea Johnson

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/8basics
www.conniesokol.com
www.8basics.com
http://pinterest.com/conniesokol
http://www.amazon.com/Connie-E.-Sokol/e/B00530YEVI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5032389.Connie_E_Sokol
www.youtube.com/My8Basics

Biography:

Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a sought after local and national presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for KSL’s “Motherhood Matters.” She is a former columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine, and TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated Caribbean Crossroads, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as the creator of talk CDs, podcasts and the “8-week Challenge.” Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. For more, visit www.conniesokol.com.

Blog Tour Schedule for Create A Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life by Connie Sokol

January 2013–
1/16/2013    http://rachelannnunes.blogspot.com/
1/17/2013   http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/
1/18/2013    http://www.christydorrity.com/
1/21/2013    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
1/22/2013    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
1/24/2013    http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
1/28/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/
  2/1/2013    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
 2/8/2013    http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.co

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Blog Tour Review and Giveaway for, The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure by Monique Bucheger

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 232013
 

Product Details

    • Author: Monique Bucheger
    • Paperback: 212 pages
    • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 10, 2012)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1475008627
    • ISBN-13: 978-1475008623
    • FTC: FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
    • Reviewed by:Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description

THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 1) Blurb: Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie and Tillie, want to be sisters. Ginnie’s widowed dad plus Tillie’s divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie form a secret club and come up with the perfect mission to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’. Before long, Tillie seems happier about gaining a dad than a sister. Ginnie suspects that Tillie has turned ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ into a scam called ‘Operation Steal My Dad.’  Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her real mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and Dad doesn’t talk about. When Dad discovers she has the journals, he takes them away. Ginnie needs to figure out what the big mystery is before her relationship with her father and her best friend are ruined forever.

 

My Review:This is a cute middle-grade book that girls will enjoy.It is a story of friendship and family. It is a clean, story with values intertwined into it’s pages. It’s nice to have books out there, that you don’t have to worry about pre-reading before your kids or students read it. There is also a mystery as Ginnie discovers something about her past. In the end, both girls realize what is most important…family. Any tween who enjoys reading about horses, friends and a simpler life, will enjoy The Secret Sisters Club and the whole Ginnie West Adventure series.

If you like farms, friends, horses, and secrets, you’ll love: Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure.  So saddle up and be ready to ride with Ginnie as she explores the true meaning of friendship.

Debbie Shakespeare Smith, middle-grade author of The House of Chicken TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 2) Blurb: Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong. She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Charlie likes being knocked down by one. When Charlie seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Charlie’s house. Sadly, Ginnie learns that Charlie has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll with one awful blow to the chest. Realizing he’s a boy in big trouble, Ginnie switches gears and decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend. I loved this book! I didn’t know a book without zombies could be good! 15 yr-old Amanda

 

 

 

 

 

SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN: A Ginnie West Adventure: (BOOK 3) BLURB: Twelve year-old Ginnie and her BFF, Tillie, schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom. It worked. But before they could become ‘for real’ sisters, Ginnie stumbled across her dead mom’s journals. Which was totally awesome sauce… until her dad took them away and won’t tell her why. Now all their plans are starting to unravel. If that’s not bad enough, Ginnie’s favorite uncle drops the mother of all bombshells and leaves her in a maze of uncertainty. While her head is still spinning from that news,  a blast from her late mother’s past shows up and makes Tillie goes nutburgers. Ginnie realizes her best friend has her own agenda and Tillie’s plans to merge their families may not be so innocent. SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN is a contemporary MG novel that follows Ginnie West as she tries to make sense of one too many curve balls tossed her way in the most pivotal summer of her life.

 

Would you like an autographed, personalized copy? Visit Monique’s page here to order: http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/p/paypal-safer-easier-way-to-pay-online.html

Social networking links:
Purchase link:

The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure

Author bio:
Monique Bucheger was born in Landstuhl, Germany to active duty Air Force parents. After watching her creative writing teacher’s astronaut son lift off in the Space Shuttle Endeavor, she recalled a promise to her teacher to write the books only she could write. In January of 2011, her first book made it through the first 3 tiers of Amazon’s National BreakThrough Novel Award Contest to the top 5%. In November of 2012 Mrs. Bucheger was offered a 3 book contract for her Ginnie West series. Book one: THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A Ginnie West Adventure was published March 8, 2012. Her second book: TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A Ginnie West Adventure was published April 14, 2012.
Mrs. Bucheger has championed the cause of children as a foster parent to over 120 children and her books embrace and empower people on all sides of the child abuse issue.

Blog Tour Schedule for Ginnie West Adventure Series by Monique Bucheger

12/13/2012    http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/2012/12/monique-bucheger-interview-with-author.html#more

12/19/2012    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club-by-monique.html

12/21/2012    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club-by-monique.html

12/28/2012    http://thethingsilovemost.blogspot.com/2012/12/ginnie-west-adventures-by-monique.htmlv

12/31/2012  http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club.html

1/2/2013   http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-tour-secret-sisters-club-and.html

1/7/2013    http://www.bradenbell.com/bradens-blog.html

1/8/2013    cindymhogan.blogspot.com

1/9/2013    http://blog.juliereece.com/

1/11/2013    http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com

1/12/2013   www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com

1/14/2013    www.ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com

1/15/2013    www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com

1/16/2013    http://www.kimberleygriffithslittle.blogspot.com/

1/18/2013    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

1/21/2013    http://www.karen-hoover.blogspot.com/

1/22/2013    http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

1/23/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

1/23/2013   http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

1/24/2013

1/25/2013

1/28/2013

1/29/2013    http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

1/30/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/

1/31/2013    www.jlloydmorgan.com

1/31/2013    http://cranberryfries.blogspot.com/

2/1/2013    http://kbrebes.blogspot.com/

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Blog Tour Review of, Make It Happen: A Guide to Happiness for LDS Singles by Kylee Shields

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 192013
 

 Product Description 

Title: Make It Happen: A Guide to Happiness for LDS Singles
Author: Kylee Shields
Release Date: October 2012
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Genre: LDS Self Help
FTC,FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by: Sheila

Book Description 

Do you know what it means to be a kigatsuku person? Are you currently in a “hurricane” relationship or a “bridge” relationship? Do you know what it takes to be “righteous in the dark”? Have you struggled to find your place in the world as an LDS single? Do you feel like a misfit or a menace—like a circle trying to fit into a square?
If so, you’re not alone. It used to be an anomaly to be twenty-one and single in the LDS culture, but now there are entire stakes filled with single adults. In this book, author Kylee Shields explains how you can make the most of your single life, even if your current situation isn’t what you expected.
Make It Happen is a collection of principles, blog entries, stories, and conversations had on couches, floors, kitchen tables, and at many single-adult gatherings. It is filled with practical ways to make changes in your life, find hope, increase faith, strengthen relationships, and build the kingdom

My Review 
Being single is something I happen to know a lot about. First, as a single young adult, and now as a single, divorced, mom. Though both experiences have been different, there has also been many of the same feelings attached to these different times in my life. Kylee Shields book, Make It Happen, A Guide To Happiness for LDS Singles, could just be called, “A Guide to Happiness for ALL People.” I was pleasantly surprised, and quite pleased, to see that this book wasn’t just another dating book about how to win a spouse. This book centers on becoming the best person that you can be, and in turn this will bring about happiness in your life, single or not.

One of my favorite aspects of the book came at the end of each chapter.  After a great topic, like Validation, or A Matter of Heart, Kylee leaves the reader with “Action Questions”. These questions help the reader focus on the topic just discussed and how to implement these ideas into their life. I found this a powerful aspect of the book, where I stopped and reflected on my life and considered how I could make some good changes.

Kylee shares such wonderful and rich stories from her life.You can’t help but be lifted up and inspired to change your life for the better. The title of the book, Make It Happen, exudes with such positive energy, you can’t help but be enthused to make good things happen in your life. I recommend this book to readers of all ages, teens, young adults, older adults…you name it! Everyone who reads this book, will come away with ideas of how to make happiness a part of their everyday life.

I am so pleased to share with you a guest post by Kylee!

Guest Post: A Matter of Heart
 By Kylee Shields
In my book there are a few themes that circulate throughout. I talk a lot about wandering, loneliness, trails, and hearts. When I started putting this book together the one thing I really wanted to do was put my heart into this book in a way that people who had never met me could feel it and understand it. I was also hoping that as my heart whispered to their heart they could feel inspired, heard, and lots of empathy.
I think about hearts a lot. So much so that I devoted an entire chapter of my book on the topic. The following is an excerpt from chapter six, “A Matter of Heart” under the section titled, “The Healing Heart.”
“I wish we were as gentle with other people’s hearts as God is with ours. How do we deal with loss of love or the pain that love can cause? What about the wounded hearts, the lonely nights, the struggle to allow yourself to love again? What do we do about those who leave us brokenhearted, and those whose hearts we just can’t reach? In his book Making Loss Matter, Rabbi David Wolpe says:
 Love is an ever fixed mark in the minds of poets, but in the world, love can fade or end. “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,” wrote Shakespeare, “but bears it out even to the edge of doom.” We want to believe it. But for those who have lost love, the heroic words about everlastingness are mocked by the pain of unhealed hearts. . . . The inescapable paradox of love is this: It is made precious by time, which threatens to destroy it. Only through loss can we love, but it is loss that wracks our heart. . . . True love is the outgrowth of the ability to have faith. . . . To love is to accept the possibility of suffering. . . . The root of love is bound up with a knowledge of pain and a consciousness of loss. In the end, such love connects us to God. (1999, 119)
All who love know there is a measure of pain that accompanies it. There is even secondary pain caused by watching someone you care about suffer. But we gladly pick up the broken pieces of our hearts and love again because the alternative is unthinkable. After all, it is the pain that makes us fully aware of the kind of love we have. In his book The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis wrote:
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one . . . Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness . . . the alternative to tragedy, or at least the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. (1960, 121)
In the end, the choice of who we let guide, inspire, wound, change, and ultimately have our hearts is up to us. If you are given the opportunity to just sit and listen to someone cry, know you are sharing a precious moment. If you are allowed to be in the presence of someone who is struggling with the circumstances that led to his or her broken heart, be sure to appreciate that person’s trust. If you are allowed to catch a few fallen tears and bind up a hurting heart, know you are being given a gift from God. These are the moments—raw, naked, and desperate—where lasting friendships and relationships are formed. These precious and rare moments are the makings of great men and women. I treasure the quiet nights when I’ve shared my room with a grieving soul, when I’ve sat in silence and listened to heart-wrenching sobs. I treasure the moments when I held my peace and just listened. In those moments— hard as they may be—I realize I would rather love too much than not enough.”
How is your heart?
Purchase Links:

 

Blog Tour Schedule

January 8: The Book Bug – Kickoff & Giveaway
January 9: I Love to Read and Review Books :) – Review & Giveaway
January 10: Ryan Hunter – Author Guest Post & Giveaway
January 11: Marcus Lane – Review & Giveaway
January 13: The Book Bug – Excerpt & Giveaway
January 14: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Author Interview & Giveaway
January 16: Geo Librarian – Review, Author Interview, & Giveaway
January 16: LDS & Lovin’ It – Review, Author Interview, & Giveaway
January 17: A. L. Sowards – Author Interview & Giveaway
January 18: Anna Jones Buttimore – Review & Giveaway
January 19: Why Not? Because I Said So! – Review & Author Guest Post
January 19: LDS Women’s Book Review – Review & Author Guest Post
January 21: The Book Bug – Author Interview & Giveaway
January 22: Jinky Is Reading – Review & Giveaway
January 23: Literary Time Out – Author Guest Post & Giveaway
January 25: The Book Bug – Review & Giveaway

Author Bio:
“My name is Kylee and I am passionate about life. I am the oldest of 8 children and have the most amazing parents ever. I have one adorable niece and one adorable & squishy nephew. I grew up in Oregon, moved my senior year of high school to Utah, then moved to San Diego, Boston, and currently live in Arizona.
I went to BYU and got my BA in English (creative writing/Editing) and a minor in Linguistics. I love words and writing! There is something very powerful in putting words together and expressing human emotions. I love poetry, reading great novels, blogging, etc. I have an old typewriter I adore and like to type out letters now and again and seal them with wax. I am an author and avid reader. I love learning new words and can trace that back to my mom who has the most amazing vocabulary.
I also attended ASU and got my Masters in Social Work (emphasis in child & family therapy). I have always been drawn to the “punk kids” and absolutely love my job. I work as a Shadow (family therapist) at The Anasazi Foundation. I get to do therapy with amazing adolescents out in the deserts of Arizona. My office is on the trail and I get to throw rocks, hear hearts, and get to know some incredible kids from all over. Not bad for a day job!
When I am not with my family, hanging out with my friends, or working I absolutely love to travel. I have been to Egypt, Ghana, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and almost all 50 of the states. I love music–singing, writing songs, playing the piano, and listening to other musicians. I co founded a Musical Fireside group that is in the process of becoming a non-profit. I have loved watching INSPIRE: music. service.hope grow and touch the hearts of those who hear us sing.
I am a huge Avengers fan (Captain America), I like straws, bridges, swinging on swings, and trains.
I love God and try to recognize His presence in my life. For Him I am indebted for my many blessings and tender mercies. All that I have and am is because of Him.”
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Giveaway:

As part of the tour, Kylee is offering 4 amazing giveaways!! These include a $25 gift card to Amazon, a $25 gift card to Target, and a hard copy and ebook copy of the book.

To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
  • Open from January 8 to January 31.
  • Must be 13+ years of age to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Review of, The Dark Eagles First Flight, by David R. Smith

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 042013
 

Product Details

  • Title: The Dark Eagles:First Flight 
  • Author: David R. Smith
  • Hardcover: 286 pages
  • Publisher: Brigham Distributing; First Edition edition (May 7, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615571328
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615571324

 

Book Description:

“The book was wonderfully written. It is a book for all ages and gender. Boys may like that it is from a young man’s point of view with all the adventure. I enjoyed the character development and the friendships formed from the adversity they faced.”

The Book Rack, Arcadia, CA
 
Kief loves exploring the rugged mountains on his horse, Natch, with his
best friend Tarc.  But when he receives a mysterious map on his birthday,
left behind for him by his dead grandfather, Kief is thrown into an
adventure beyond even his imagination.

Leaving home to pursue his childhood dream of attending the merchant
academy on the coast, extraordinary events unfold propelling Kief, along
with his friends and his map, toward the same perilous destiny.

My Review:
The beginning of the story is a little slow, but many pieces are being set in place. Once the main character, Kief, leaves to attend academy, then things start moving quickly. Kief’s country is attacked and the adventure begins. Kief is a strong young male character that exhibits strength, courage and standing up for what he believes in. I couldn’t help but think what a good example this character is for young people today. The other supporting characters, all of Kief’s friends that happen to be males and females, compliment him, and help in this quest to free his country from the occupying enemy, The Gars. They are great characters, flawed in their own ways, but all very relatable to teens. They had good friendly, relationships, so the dialogue was often fun as they teased each other amidst the great challenge they were facing.

I’m so excited to let my kids, 10 and 14 read this book. The only warning I’ll give, is that there is some violence, of people being beaten up and at the climax when people are killed. None of it is gratuitous, or too graphic, but as this is about a war,  it goes along well with the amazing ending of this book. You will be holding your breath as the youth undergo a grand scheme to battle the enemy. The books ends with a shocking, but happy, announcement that leads into book two.

This book will be a great read for tweens and teens that like books about adventure, friendship and going after your dreams.David R. Smith has written a book that will keep you on the edge and leave you wanting more.

Purchase The Dark Eagles Take Flight here at Amazon.

“Author David R. Smith does a fine job with his dialogue, which flows smoothly and wittily throughout. His interactions between characters are genuine, and the portrayals of his young female characters in particular are refreshing.”
The Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT
About the Author: David R. Smith
David was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent most of his childhood on
a farm in Heber City, located in the Wasatch Mountains. He loved exploring
the mountains on his horse looking for adventures to follow. Growing up,
he wanted to be a movie director and used his own Super 8 camera to make
silent movies with his friends and brothers and sister. Instead he earned
a Bachelors in Engineering at the University of Utah. While there, he met
the love of his life, Jenelle, and they were blessed with three amazing
sons: Josh, Tate, and Porter. David later earned his Masters in Business
Administration from Northwestern University and pursued a path in the
corporate world. But his creative side continued to tug at him for years
until finally through the encouragement of his wife and boys, he realized
that it’s never too late to follow your dream. So David set off to write
an epic adventure of a boy and his horse and created a story of freedom,
adventure, love, courage and sacrifice. When he’s not writing, David
enjoys outdoor activities with his family, and especially loves surfing
with his three boys in Southern California where he resides.

Visit the website: http://www.thedarkeagles.com/

Blog Tour Schedule for The Dark Eagles: First Flight
12/5/12       www.ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com
12/6/2012    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com
12/7/2012    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
12/10/2012    http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
12/11/2012    http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/
12/12/2012    http://www.tanyaparkermills.com/
12/13/2012    http://debbiesinkspectations.blogspot.com/
12/14/2012    http://davidpowersking.blogspot.com/
12/17/2012    http://renaeswritespot.blogspot.com/
12/18/2012    http://www.rashelleworkman.com/
12/19/2012    http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com/
12/20/2012    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/

12/28/2012   http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com
1/2/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/
1/3/2013   http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/
1/4/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
1/4/2013   http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
1/5/2013    www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com
1/7/2013   http://rebeccablevinswrites.blogspot.com/
1/8/2013   http://www.inksplasher.blogspot.com/  
1/9/2013
1/10/2013
1/11/2013
1/15/2013 http://kbrebes.blogspot.com/  

Blog Tour Review of An Unexpected Angel, by Janet K. Halling

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Sheila's Reviews
Dec 092012
 

Product Details

  • Title: An Unexpected Angel
  • Author: Janet K. Halling
  • Paperback: 120 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (October 9, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1462111033
  • ISBN-13: 978-1462111039
  • FTC FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Review by: Sheila
Book Description:
Sometimes finding peace means finding a difference perspective.
  
 Ella Davies, is focused, independent, and driven. Her hard work is finally paying off and she is on the brink of great success. But what no one knows is that her frantic drive is born not from a desire to succeed, but from a need to forget – forget her past, forget her guilt, and mostly, forget the tragedy that changed her life forever.
                  
 Ella’s strategy seems to be working but on Christmas Eve she meets Cohen, a strange man with an even stranger purpose. Cohen catapults Ella back through time and forces her to confront not only her own pain, but the pain of those long since passed. In the process, Ella learns about courage and compassion and that in the darkest hour, no one is ever alone.
An Unexpected Angel – Excerpt (All rights reserved)
                  Somewhere there was a rhythmic humming—a kind of a swooshing sound that increased and decreased in volume at regular intervals. She couldn’t remember where she was. Her whole body ached, and her head felt as if it would explode.
                  Ella groaned and opened her eyes. She was still in the gym, lying crumpled against the weight machine. The treadmill had stopped, and the rhythmic sound was coming from the man riding the spinning bike, which sat nearby.
                  Her fingers trembled as she felt the goose egg on the side of her head. Her face was on fire, probably scraped on the belt, and her knees were bloody, also from the belt.
                  Suddenly she stiffened. There was a man riding the bike! A man riding the bike. While she had been lying there unconscious. Had he just sauntered in and climbed on without seeing her at all or had he viewed her inert form without concern? That was cold, even for New York City. Gingerly, she turned her head to look at him.
                  It was the clerk from the deli, and he didn’t stop pedaling as he glanced her way. “Oh good, you’re awake.”
                  She stared up at him in mute astonishment.
                  He reached for his water bottle and took a long drink. “I’m glad you woke up on your own,” he said pleasantly. “I was about ready to pour this in your face, so you can thank me for sparing you an unexpected shower.”
                  Ella grasped the weight machine and pulled herself slowly to a sitting position. Her head was throbbing, and her stomach lurched. “I could sue you for failing to come to the aid of an injured person,” she snapped rather feebly.
                  The man studied her contemplatively. “Hmmm, yes, you would think of that, wouldn’t you? But I’m not too worried, Ella. You’re not going to sue me and we both know it.”
                  She opened her mouth to snarl a retort but stopped abruptly. “How do you know my name?” she demanded. “And what are you even doing here? You don’t live in this building.” She hesitated, realizing she wasn’t sure. “Do you?”
                  He jumped off the bike and held out his hand. “You should get up. Want help?”
                  She shrank away from him. “Don’t touch me! Who are you, and how do you know my name?”
                  “Well, it’s simple really. My name is Cohen, and I’m your guardian angel.” He broke into a brief but rapid tap dance routine and finished with flair. And with jazz hands.
                  Ella stared at him in perplexed silence, unsure if he was a hallucination or just crazy. “Uh-huh. Right,” she finally said, groaning as she pulled herself to her feet. A wave of nausea hit her, and she stopped, doubling over and willing herself not to vomit. She for sure had a concussion.
She tried to think. Should she go to the hospital? Or maybe just go home and try to sleep? She didn’t know. She made a move toward the door, but Cohen tap-danced over to block her path.
                  “Get out of my way,” she snapped at him with more bravado than she felt.
                  He grinned. “Can’t do that. You and me, we have business tonight.”
                  For the first time, she felt a small dart of fear. Cohen wasn’t exactly menacing, but he certainly was strange. If he attacked her, would she have the strength to fight him? If only her head would stop hurting!
                  “What do you want?” she asked.
                  “I already told you, I’m your guardian angel. Well, not technically an angel, but that word will serve as well as any other. Anyway, I’m here to help.”
                  “Sure. Like you helped me when I was unconscious a minute ago? If that’s your kind of help, no thanks.”
                  “No, not that kind of help, silly.”
                  “Look, whatever you’re on, whatever you’re offering, I’m not interested. Just leave me alone, please? I’m sore and tired, and my head is killing me. I need to go lie down.”
                  “Oh, right. That.” He made some sort of vague gesture and instantly her nausea subsided and the pain in her head vanished.
                  Chills raced up and down her spine, and she stared at him, “Wait . . . what’s . . . what’s going on?”
                  “Okay, no more joking around.” Cohen looked suddenly serious. “Here’s the deal. You need help and there’s a lot you need to learn. Only you’re far too stubborn to admit it. You might not even know how much help you need. But I know; so here I am.”
                  The pieces were starting to fall into place. “Wait . . . Christmas Eve . . . guardian angel. This is some kind of a joke, right?” she said before adding sarcastically, “What’s the matter, Jacob Marley was busy? Clarence already got his wings? Or wasn’t he on duty tonight?”
                  He grinned. “Both good men. But you got stuck with me. Although, all things considered, maybe it’s me who got stuck with you. You can be quite unpleasant, do you know that?”
                  Ella snorted derisively. “So when does the Ghost of Christmas Past show up? Or is he waiting for me upstairs?”
                  “Dickens took some liberties. It doesn’t exactly work like that. At least, this time it won’t.”
                   “You have exactly one second to get out of my way or I’m going to start screaming at the top of my lungs!”
                  Cohen cocked his head to one side and gave her a brief shrug of resignation. “Okay then, you win. Can’t say I didn’t try.” He stepped smoothly to one side and swept his arm in a wide arc toward the door. “Be my guest.”
                  Throwing him what she hoped was a withering glare, Ella marched past him, flung open the door—and stepped into a nightmare.
My Review:

 How amazing is it when a short book, only 120 pages long,can make you sit and cry and cry? An Unexpected Angel is truly an unexpected read.Main character Ella is an unlikable,lonely and straight forward lawyer. The story begins on Christmas Eve. With nuances of Dicken’s, A Christmas Carol, Ella is taken on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. Each experience that Ella has, draws her closer to her real self. Ella has hard a sad life, losing her mother and sisters at the age of nine. She has never recovered from this loss or fully healed her relationship with her father. With the help of her guardian angel Cohen, she learns many things in one night. There are many tender moments in this story that will leave you reaching for the tissues.
Will I share this story with my kids and other family members? 100% yes! I loved this book so much, I plan on buying several copies to give to family members. The messages found in this book are so important I HAVE to share it with my loved ones. This is a 5 star book that you will want to own and share this Christmas.
Author Bio:
                  Janet Halling discovered her love of writing at the age of six when her story of a lonely duck won a first grade writing contest. She has a degree in Marketing Communications and lives with her family in northern Utah. She is currently working on her next novel.

 

Online Content:
TV interview (Recorded 11/27/12 for Good Things Utah ABC4)
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