Friday, May 24, 2013

Legends of Amun Ra: The Emerald Tablet by Joshua Silverman - Tour Schedule and Giveaway

The Emerald TabletGenre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Leoros doesn't have many friends. The son of a scientist and archeologist, he is constantly on the move. But when his parents make a startling discovery in Egypt, Leoros' world is turned upside down. Do you wish you could have the power of a god? Would you use it for good…or for evil? When an archaeologist discovers the mythic Emerald Tablet buried beneath Egypt’s desert, her son decodes the ancient text leading him to a distant world. On that world, a slave girl begins a journey towards a destiny she cannot imagine. But when an ancient foe rises from the ashes, they will be brought together by forces neither understands. Leoros, who dreams of being like the heroes in the comic books, must fight to unlock the secrets of the universe to save a people he never knew existed. Atlantia, whose bloody visions wake her in the night, senses the darkness coming. Together they will face an enemy with the power of dark energy, lose a mentor to the assassin’s blade, and be betrayed by someone they trust. Their fight for the future is just beginning, and before it is over, a final sacrifice must be made. When the darkness comes, will they stand and fight or will they join it? There is darkness in everyone. Purchase the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Joshua SilvermanAbout Joshua Silverman

Joshua Silverman was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Orange County, California. While attending California State University, Fullerton and studying Criminal Justice, Joshua was introduced to a creative writing class where he wrote a series of paranormal stories. As a child, he has always been an amateur historian, focusing on ancient Egypt, Greece, and Roman civilizations. Since working in the legal environment, he has combined his passion for creative writing with his love of ancient history by penning his debut novel, The Emerald Tablet, the first of seven in the Legends of Amun Ra series. Follow Joshua Silverman: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Follow the Tour Enter the Contest Below! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Junction, Utah by Rebecca Lawton - Review and Giveaway


Junction UtahJunction, Utah

River guide Madeline Kruse has always preferred the nomadic life over a settled home. In early 2003, she's on the run from the long-standing pain of a missing father and critically ill mother trying to save the world. Madeline's wandering takes her to northeastern Utah, a corner of the West time has passed over, with its stunningly beautiful wilderness, rivers to run, and room to breathe.

In the tiny town of Junction, she meets alfalfa farmer Chris Sorensen, whose family has split apart since September 11 and the enlistment of his brother in the U.S. Marines. Through Chris and a drama taking place deep in the Utah backcountry, Madeline learns that the pristine canyons she loves are being threatened, and she must overcome many obstacles if she is to find peace and her place by the river.


My Thoughts: I've never gotten into many books that feature political or environmental issues. Junction, Utah had both, and in a way that I started to think more about those issues. This isn't a book that pushes it's beliefs at people. I thought that Rebecca Lawton did a good job in showing different sides to several issues.

When I read a book, I love being able to picture the places in my mind. Rebecca Lawton wrote this book with such beautiful descriptions that it was easy to picture it. I enjoyed seeing the river and the canyons so vividly through my reading. She also described the experiences, like getting through the rapids of the river, with so much detail.

Madeline and Chris were believable characters. They both seemed to jump in and handle problems around them. Their interactions made me chuckle sometimes. I enjoyed the other characters, too. Madeline's mother, Ruth, was a bit of a favorite of mine. She has a quote for every moment in life, and she is the epitome of never giving up.

Rating: 


Purchase Junction, Utah: Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

Rebecca LawtonAbout Rebecca Lawton

Rebecca Lawton was among the first women whitewater guides on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and on other rivers in the West. Her essay collection on the guiding life, Reading Water: Lessons from the River (Capital Books), was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller and ForeWordNature Book of the Year finalist. Her essays, poems, and stories have been published in Orion, Sierra, The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, Shenandoah, THEMA, More, and other magazines. She blogs about writing and environmental issues at Writer in Residence. Lawton's writing about the West has won the Ellen Meloy Fund Award for Desert Writers, three Pushcart Prize nominations (in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry), and other honors. She has received residencies at The Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska, and Hedgebrook Retreat for Women Writers in Langley, Washington. Her debut novel, Junction, Utah, set in the resource-rich Green River valley, is available as an original e-book from van Haitsma Literary. She works as a writer and scientist and serves on the Board of Directors of Friends of the River. Follow Rebecca Lawton: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter Tour Schedule 5/15 My Cozie Corner Review 31 Days Early I Rise Exc 5/16 So many Books Review Mommy Reads too Much Review 5/17 Just Jennifer Review Simply at Home GP 5/20 Maniac Mom of 2 Review Literary Addicts Int 5/21 Taking Time for Mommy Review Niki's Book Blog Review 5/22 Reading It All Review Blissful Book Reviews Review Mama's Got Flair Review The author is giving away an Amazon GC and ebook. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Fall of Sky City by SM Blooding - Review


Fall of Sky CityFall of Sky City

Genre: New Adult Fantasy, Steampunk Adventure
In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time.
Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers.
She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond.
That doesn’t stop him from wanting to be free. She may have broken his mind and claimed his soul, but he will find a way to destroy her.
Experience a world of ships that sail the clouds and cites buried beneath the ocean, and survive the fiery battle brought forth by those who control the forces of nature!

My Thoughts: Fall of Sky City was an amazing book! That seems like a simple description, but it fits so perfectly. 

Synn was such an interesting character. His thoughts and feelings throughout this book were very relateable. Sure I don't live my life on an airship or in a city on a lethara, but I could understand how he was feeling. I don't read many books based on male protagonists  but Synn outdid many female protagonists I've read about in the past. He was fierce and incredibly brave. 

This entire world that SM Blooding created sounds beautiful. I can picture it in my mind while I am reading. The people, their homes, the creatures, the sky. Blooding gave me such a clear picture of it all. The dynamics between the people were very interesting. I was especially interested in how the Elders of the Great Families held meetings, and how the House of Tarot could gain so much control over people. I also loved the different Marks and the powers people had. 

I will end by repeating that this book is amazing. I was drawn into it quickly and I hated when it ended. I want to know what will happen in the next book. SM Blooding did such a great job with Fall of Sky City. It's a book I will love reading again and again. 


Rating:

About Author SM Blooding

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, Ms. Bird, the Chicken and SistaPITA. It’s quite the zoo. She’s taken a break from the piano, which Ms, Bird is quite happy about, and now knows more than one word in Arabic. Basically, she can say hello, good-bye, give it to me, and hurry up!
She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.
Follow SM Blooding:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
Purchase e-book / paperback

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

Through the Valley Love Endures by Eddie David Santiago - Excerpt


Through the Valley Love Endures

What if death came for you today? Would you be ready?
Forced to face his own mortality, Eddie Santiago fought to stay alive in a broken world. His incredible journey through heartbreak, abuse, and adversity left him with one truth: every life makes a difference.
This is the true and compelling story of his supernatural quest through the valley of death, doubt, and darkness. Eddie provides a passionate story that will capture the attention of even the toughest skeptics.
Angels, demons, heaven, hell, Jesus and the devil: are they fiction, or are they more real than anything else in the world?
Excerpt:
I also stopped drinking and began speaking passionately about how Jesus saved me when death was coming for me.  I decided to keep going to parties; not to drink, only to give my testimony.  A few listened, but some grew annoyed, especially my friends.  They had just lost their number one party guy. 
“We don’t have to live like this,” I shouted at a party.
“Dude, sit down,” insisted Evan.  “You’re a buzz kill.  Why do you even come to parties now if all you’re going to do is talk about God?  It’s strange, man.”
“How can I not share what happened to me?  If God can change my heart, then He can change the hardest of hearts.  There is hope, man.  We party and give ourselves away because at the end of the day we all want one thing, love!  I am saying it is only His love that could ever make us whole,” I replied.
“You’re starting to sound like a creepy preacher instead of the best partier I know.  Dude, you’ve got to pull it together.  I think you hit your head at the last party and you’re under a lot of stress,” said Evan.
“No, for the first time, my life actually makes sense.  I feel called to help people.  To tell them they don’t have to travel down the same broken road I did, but that there’s a God who knows them by name and can fill that same hole in their soul as He did for me,” I said.

About Eddie David Santiago

Eddie David Santiago has worked in the mental health/substance abuse field since he was 18 years old.  He holds bachelor degrees in both psychology and religious studies and has provided counseling related services for multiple mental health, substance abuse and human service agencies.  In addition, he earned his master’s degree in counseling along with certification in educational administration.
With over fifteen years of counseling related experience, Eddie founded the organization L.E.A.D. (Love Endures And Delivers) which offers interactive group trainings, seminar sessions, speaking opportunities for groups of all ages and crisis counseling sessions.
THROUGH THE VALLEY, LOVE ENDURES is based on Eddie’s early collection of writings, through which he found his voice.  He seeks to inspire others to find their voice and share their own stories.
Eddie resides in the Midwest with his beautiful wife Sarah and their three amazing children, Faith, Isaiah and Makaylah.

Purchase – Kindle / Paperback


Monday, May 6, 2013

Fall of Sky City by S.M. Blooding - Book Tour and Giveaway


Fall of Sky CityFall of Sky City

Genre: New Adult Fantasy, Steampunk Adventure In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time. Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers. She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond. That doesn’t stop him from wanting to be free. She may have broken his mind and claimed his soul, but he will find a way to destroy her. Experience a world of ships that sail the clouds and cites buried beneath the ocean, and survive the fiery battle brought forth by those who control the forces of nature!

About Author SM Blooding

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, Ms. Bird, the Chicken and SistaPITA. It's quite the zoo. She’s taken a break from the piano, which Ms, Bird is quite happy about, and now knows more than one word in Arabic. Basically, she can say hello, good-bye, give it to me, and hurry up! She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories. Follow SM Blooding: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Follow the Tour! The Author is giving away a $50 Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to Enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway