Thursday, December 31, 2015

FORTYTUDE SERIES BY SHELLY HICKMAN - REVIEW & NBTM TOUR + GIVEAWAY


Fortytude series
by Shelly Hickman

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BLURB:

BLURB FOR VEGAS TO VARANASI            

Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard. 

Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her. 

In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”



BLURB FOR MENOPAUSE TO MATRIMONY:

The sequel to "Vegas to Varanasi" catches up with Anna and Kiran a couple of years after the event
that brought the once “ugly duckling” high school acquaintances together. But will their romance continue to flourish in the face of a whole new set of insecurities brought on by middle age? 

First, there’s Kiran, who has an unexpected health scare. While his doctors assure no permanent damage has been done, there seems to have been some damage to his personality, as the normally respectful and reserved Kiran begins behaving erratically and overtly. Anna wants to hope that this is temporary, sparked by the visit of Kiran’s womanizing, free-spirited cousin, Seth. But is this just the midlife Kiran surfacing? 

Anna has midlife issues of her own. Now forty-eight, she’s navigating the onset of perimenopause and all the delights that come with it, from facial hair to mood swings to body temperature issues. On top of that, her two-year-old granddaughter is starting to show signs of a behavior disorder, bringing with it a whole other level of stress and worry. 

Will Anna and Kiran finally find their happily ever after? Or end up stuck in a midlife mess in this romantic comedy of accepting change, and “the change.”




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EXCERPT

When I look up, Kiran is regarding me so intently, I swear he’s mentally calculating the diameter of my pupils. “It was truly exceptional, for someone your age to be so compassionate toward others.”

This is becoming far too intense. My insides feel as if they’re playing musical chairs. “I could really use a drink. You?”

“I’ll get it for you. What would you like?”

“A glass of white wine, please.”

“Any particular kind?”

“Whatever they have is fine.”

I sit down on one of the sofas while he walks to the bar for our drinks.

This is childish. Why am I acting like I’ve never had a man give me attention before? It has to be because I’m letting his looks intimidate me.

Luke never flustered me, but maybe that was because he was my buddy first. Despite his good looks, he was approachable. Kiran, on the other hand... I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone in real life who was so arresting.

I feel flushed and touch my face.

He’s not full of himself, and he genuinely seems to like me. Clearly, he has these idealistic memories of me which are far too much to live up to. I’m not Gandhi, for crying out loud!


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REVIEW
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a light read, heartfelt and down to earth.

The story is set on a realistic scenario, with believable family bonds, funny situations and some real issues (Weight and alcohol problems). Both main characters are likeable, loveable and relatable.
Overall, the plot is well-developed, with good dialogues and a little messy ending that left you wanting more. So I'm starting Book #2 (Menopause to Matrimony) right now!

I highly enjoyed the premise of that no matter how old you are, you're bound to find your Happily Ever After...?

*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Living in Las Vegas since she was two, Shelly Hickman has witnessed many changes in the city over the years. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Art in 1990, and in her early twenties worked as a computer illustrator. In the mid-90s, she returned to school to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches computer literacy and media technology at a middle school in Las Vegas. She loves to write about people, examining their flaws, their humor, spirituality, and personal growth. Shelly lives with her husband, two children, and their dogs, Frankie and Junebug.

twitter.com/shellyhickman
www.facebook.com/shellyhickman.author
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Shelly-Hickman/e/B005R87IK0/

Buy links:



NOTE: "Vegas to Varanasi" is now perma-free on multiple platforms

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GIVEAWAY
Shelly Hickman will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

THE DEVIL WORE SNEAKERS BY NORA LEDUC - REVIEW TOUR + GIVEAWAY


The Devil Wore Sneakers
by Nora LeDuc

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GENRE: Romantic Suspense, mystery

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BLURB:

Love and Mystery in the 6-oh-3 – Book 2
Who shot Lucy Watson’s estranged brother, the popular high school teacher who brought snacks for the staff and volunteered to help troubled students? When Lucy Watson returns to her hometown in New Hampshire to bury her brother, she learns law enforcement is looking into several suspects. But soon the search for the killer grows intensely personal for Lucy. The police discover a fierce argument occurred the day of the murder between Lucy’s brother and his best friend Liam McAllister, Lucy’s first love. The cops shift their focus to Liam. Determined to get justice, Lucy becomes involved in the mystery and must choose to put her faith in Liam one last time, or face the truth; she is in love with her brother’s murderer.

When former bad boy Liam McAllister runs into Lucy Watson, he feels the familiar hunger and tug of attraction that they once shared. Since their breakup five years ago, he’s regretted ending their relationship and dreams of winning her back. Now is his chance. He invites her to his bar and grill to show he’s a reformed, self-made businessman. But his plan comes apart. The bank threatens foreclosure on his establishment, and he falls under suspicion for the death of his pal and Lucy’s brother. Liam struggles to overcome his personal challenges while proving he’s changed. Can he convince Lucy to trust him, or is it too late for a second shot at love?


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EXCERPT

She wandered into the hall and glanced into a paneled den with a large-screen TV mounted on the wall. The leather furniture added to the masculine feel. A rawhide bone lay beside the recliner. Too homey.

She whirled around and slowed at the sight of the entryway. Fragments of Sullivan’s words played in her mind. In the front hall. Answered the door. Shot.

Her stomach clenched tight. Liam came up behind her as they inched forward. She halted. Sections of the wooden plank floor were stained rust-colored. Ryan’s blood. Lightness whirled in her head. Her legs threatened to fold under her.

Brown splatters streaked the white walls.

She stumbled back against Liam. He wrapped his arm around her waist to support her and pointed. Her gaze ran over the trail of spatter near the door.

There, pennies were stuck above the knob. It took a few seconds to realize the coins had been grouped to form letters that spelled: CHEAT.



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MY REVIEW
The Devil Wore SneakersThe Devil Wore Sneakers by Nora LeDuc
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Devil Wore Sneakers is a fast paced and gripping mystery.
We have a murder, a coming home girl, a sexy and suspect ex, a serial killer, a lot of suspects and a small town full of interesting characters.
The plot is well-developed, full of twists and turns and complex characters, two likeable main characters and a couple of crazy ones and a great romance. It's obvious that the Author knows how to write a powerful mystery that had me guessing all through pages!
This is a solid 5 star book.
I highly recommend this book to all type of readers.

*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

View all my reviews

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Nora grew up in rural New Hampshire, picking blueberries in her backyard and wandering the woods with her brothers. Now that she’s older, she still lives in rural New Hampshire and enjoys writing stories. She was first published in 2000 and has written historical romances, contemporary romance, romantic suspense and mystery. She is a co-founder of the New Hampshire Romance Writers chapter, which meets monthly at the Bow Library. Here she enjoys great speakers and the company of fabulous authors.
When not writing, Nora spends time with her family, sews quilts, gardens and takes road trips to anywhere fun.





Links for Nora LeDuc






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GIVEAWAY
Nora LeDuc, will be awarding a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner.

Monday, December 28, 2015

OBSIDIAN WORLDS BY JASON WERBELOFF - REVIEW TOUR + GIVEAWAY


Obsidian Worlds
by Jason Werbeloff

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GENRE:  Sci-Fi

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BLURB:



Jason Werbeloff’s short stories have been downloaded over 20,000 times. Obsidian Worlds brings together his 11 best-selling sci-fi shorts into a mind-bending philosophical anthology.

In Your Averaged Joe, a man’s headache is large enough to hold the multiverse. Q46F is an obsessive-compulsive android who finds love in a zombie-embroiled apocalypse. The end of the world isn’t all that bad – The Experience Machine will fulfil your every desire (and some you hadn’t considered). A sex bot dares to dream of freedom in Dinner with Flexi. But mind what you eat, because The Photons in the Cheese Are Lost. Don’t fret though: The Cryo Killer guarantees that your death will be painless, or your money back when you’re thawed. Unless, that is, you’re The Man with Two Legs.

Plug into Obsidian Worlds for these and other immersive stories, including the hilarious Time-Traveling Chicken Sexer. Your brain will never be the same again.








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EXCERPT

(from Bleed Me Silicone):

My first memory is of the inside of a cardboard box. The material is gray and slightly rough to the touch. It smells of fluorescent light and ancient canyon floors.

I savor the feeling of being lifted from the shelf – rubbed and jostled against the almost-smooth interior of the box, as I’m carried through the aisles. My new owner places me on the till. The other products and I have talked about this day. Wondered when our time would come. The time to be purchased.

“Would you like a packet for that, ma’am?” the teller asks. I recognize his voice. He does stock-take on Sundays.

“Umm … yes,” says a nervous voice. Nervous, but forgiving. I like her already.

The crinkle-swoosh of plastic competes with the sound of a radio. Sunlight perforates the miniscule holes in the edges of the cardboard that encloses me. I feel warmth for the first time. She drives me home.

The roof of the box opens, and I’m out. In the world. Her face is just as I’d imagined. Elfin and freckled. No frown lines. Her eyes are intense as they follow my instructions.

I tingle at the touch of her fingers. Delicate, careful. Fleshy and warm. Her lips curl into a smile, before she places me at the back of a dark shelf. The other lubes at the store told me this would happen. Life’s not all action for us. But when our owners take us for a night out of the closet, the world comes alive. Or that’s what the other lubes say.

There aren’t many voices in her apartment. I wait patiently at the back of the closet, as the weeks and months pass. Just when I think she’s forgotten me, one warm evening the door of the apartment opens. A man sits on the creaky springs of the bed.

“Are you ready?” His voice is young. Excited.

“Yes,” she says. I know she’s trying not to sound nervous, like she did that day at the store when she purchased me.

And then it begins.

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MY REVIEW
Obsidian WorldsObsidian Worlds by Jason Werbeloff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Obsidian Worlds is a collection of eleven weird and bizarre short stories.
Sci Fi based with strange characters, unique scenarios, and bizarre plots, each one of the stories it's going to blow your mind.
The Author has an incredible ability in telling a story, once you start reading it's going to be almost impossible to put down your Ereader, I seriously recommend you "Falling for Q46F" it's hilarious with a touch of romance and also hopeful.
So if you ask me what I'd say about Obsidian Worlds? Expect the unexpected.
Highly Recommended!!
*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

View all my reviews

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jason Werbeloff is a novelist and philosopher. He loves chocolate and his Labrador, Sunny.
He's interested in the nature of social groups, personal identity, freedom, and the nature of the mind. His passion is translating philosophical debate around these topics into works of science fiction, while gorging himself on chocolate.

Amazon Author Page – download all of Werbeloff's fiction from Amazon.
Newsletter – subscribe to get 'The Solace Pill' free, as well as VIP access to Werbeloff's latest fiction.
Goodreads – read reviews of Werbeloff’s fiction.
Facebook and Twitter – follow Werbeloff for release date information on upcoming shorts and novels.
https://twitter.com/JasonWerbeloff
Website - read about the author, and the philosophy behind his fiction.

Buy Link:

The book is $0.99 during the tour.



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GIVEAWAY
Jason will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

A SNOWY WHITE CHRISTMAS BY JOSIE RIVIERA - BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY


A Snowy White Christmas
by Josie Riviera

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance (sweet)

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BLURB:

Margaret Snow doesn’t believe in fairy tales, but as a devoted mother she’s determined to give her five-year-old daughter a Christmas filled with heart-warming memories.

The once successful LA swimsuit model returns to her small upstate New York town to buy back the foreclosed trailer she once called home. Her menagerie of rescue animals travel with her.

She doesn’t expect to see her former high school sweetheart, the athletic, ever-popular, and decisive Fernando Brandt.

Sparks fly when she realizes that the teenage hockey star is now a successful Realtor who is also interested in her dilapidated trailer for reasons of his own.

But can she resist the handsome, charismatic Prince Charming a second time?

And can she surrender her insecurities and accept the true gift of Christmas, finally feeling worthy of unconditional love?



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EXCERPT

All the poise and modeling classes were forgotten in the space of a second.

Fernando. Fernando. Fernando. It couldn’t be, not after all these years. She drew in a breath and held it.

He brushed a hand through his dark hair, dampened from the icy weather. “I heard you were back in town.”

She swallowed. How did a man look so put together in this type of weather? Her voice returned and matched her shaking body. “You live in Owanda?”

“I thought I did, although you’re making me question it.” He looked around, a slight smile gracing his mouth. “Remember we lived two blocks from each other?”

Except she’d lived in the double-wide trailer at the edge of a trailer park and he’d lived in a cozy bungalow with white shingles and a red front door. She looked off for a moment, needing to focus on something else, anything else. Grumpy appeared to be sleeping.

“How could I ever forget?” she asked.

Fleeting hurt dimmed his gaze, but the smile remained. “You forgot quickly, actually.” He took a step forward, seemed to think better of getting closer, and halted. “I’ve missed you.” He glanced at the parrot. “Don’t tell me, let me guess. He’s blind.”

“Deaf.”

“Does he talk?”

“No, but sometimes he sings off-key.” She looked pointedly toward the street. “Probably because he’s speechless at the terrible weather.”

Fernando laughed. “It’s not so bad here. Summers are very pleasant.”


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amazon Bestselling Author, Josie Riviera, is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). She writes contemporary and historical sweet and Christian romances. She’s a transplanted New Yorker now living in the sunny Carolinas. She has three grown children and shares the empty nest with her husband and the family dog.

Josie's an expert at board games and a compulsive reader of every genre, especially romance. In her spare time, she eats Peppermint Patties because they're lower in calories than other chocolate candy.

You can email her at josieriviera@aol.com

She ALWAYS answers.


Tweet me at @Josieriviera

Visit my blog, The Italian Blog, for recipes and updates at josieriviera.wordpress.com

Other Books by Josie Riviera:

Seeking Patience (Regency) http://tinyurl.com/a9nnbwy

Seeking Catherine (Tudor Novella) http://tinyurl.com/9cka84m

We'd Rather be Writing http://amzn.com/B01638N5PO

Lightning Strikes http://amzn.com/B0090MXP0Q


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GIVEAWAY
Josie will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner