1/31/14

INT Giveaway SHARE THE LOVE hop! Win TREVOR'S SONG by SUSAN HELENE GOTTFRIED @westofmars + $5 Target GC!


Welcome to the SHARE THE LOVE Giveaway Hop


This hop is hosted by 

herding cats & burning soup



There are a bunch of blogs participating in this one with each blog featuring an author or blogger that needs love.  Each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one.  This hop starts February 1st and ends on February 14th,  midnight. 



HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:






Fame and fortune have destroyed many a rock star, but not Trevor Wolff. ShapeShifter band dynamics will never be the same even before Trevor's two girlfriends, a world tour, and a bunch of secrets complicate life. Trevor may have to make common cause with his worst enemy -- his best friend's girl.

About the Author:  


I'm a writer, blogger, book reviewer, and freelance editor. I'm also an expert in Rock Fiction -- as a fan and as an author who works within the genre. Come see what happens when books and music collide. Share your own Rock Fiction with me. After all, we're all in this together!

Also, if you need an awesome editor check this out:

The wordsmiths at West of Mars are dedicated to making your words shine. If you've written a novel, a memoir, a self-help book or even a periodic newsletter and sweated over your and you're, its and it's, West of Mars is here to help. 


Website - Twitter  - Facebook




Want to win this book? 

AND $5 TO TARGET?









Ends 2/14/14


Open to US for paper copy
Open Internationally to anyone who can accept an ebook (format of your choice)
Open only to those who can legally enter
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
You must be 13 or older to enter .
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by me.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



FURday PhoDOGraphy Happy Chinese New Year



Schatze thinks that horses are really big dogs. 

1/30/14

$50 Giveaway THE COMPLETE AMISH WEDDING SERIES by BECCA FISHER @AmishRomanceAut @toobusyreading

amish wedding


The Complete Amish Wedding Series


This boxed set features all six books in the Amish Wedding series including:
Amish Wedding
Rebecca Lapp has her life back together after a tough break up. She's found a new man and is finally happy once again. But when her ex comes back into town wanting her back, Rebecca will be forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.
An Amish Widower's Heart
Two years after Henry King loses his wife in a freak accident, he's still trying to cobble his life back together. But he knows that if he doesn't stop lingering on the past, he'll have no future. But can he love again? And just how far is the journey back to happiness?
The Amish Late Bloomer
Almost all of Elizabeth Stoltz's friends are married with kids. Elizabeth meanwhile finds herself back on the dating scene again after a crushing heartbreak. And she quickly finds out that being single at twenty-one year old leaves few options for finding the perfect guy. But Elizabeth is determined to find the love of her life. Will Elizabeth be able to find the love she's been looking her whole life for, is it already too little too late for her?
Beachy Amish Romance
After a rough break up, Benjamin Stoltz moves from Lancaster to the Florida Amish community of Pinecraft looking for a fresh start. But Benjamin soon realizes that finding romance in Florida has some unique problems of its own.
This Side Of Heaven
Mary Stoltz has a clear idea in her head of what she wants her dream man to be like. But her romantic reality has fallen far short of her dreams. Not to mention she is at the tail end of her rumspringa with seemingly not a single good suitor in sight. But when Mary finally meets a handsome and interesting man, will her love life finally live up to the dreams in her head?
Amish Homecoming
David Lapp has his rumspringa in the city cut short when he finds out that his mother has been in an accident. But when he returns to Lancaster to take care of her, secrets from the past come to light that will change the direction of his life forever.




Praise for The Complete Amish Wedding Series
"I had trouble putting the book down. I enjoy the stories about the trials in their lives and the way they rise above them with a little assistance from Gott. Nice clean romances are a great to get away and relax. Thank you for the Great read." ~Teresa Thornock (Goodreads)



Excerpt



"I don't ever want this moment to end," Hannah King said.
"Neither do I," Henry King replied.
It was a brisk fall day. The kind that made you want to snuggle close to someone you loved. For Hannah and Henry, that was easy. They lived for each other. They were a match made in heaven. And when they were together, it felt like paradise.
Hannah and Henry had been married almost two years. And yet the honeymoon phase was far from over. They still had that glow about each other. An undeniable chemistry. The couple had heard that marriage was work. That everything wouldn't go as smoothly as they expected. They didn't find that to be true though.
For Hannah and Henry, the married life was amazingly simple--even for an Amish couple. After work, they always tried to watch the sunset together. It was a tradition, carrying over from their first date. And Lord willing, they caught a glimpse of the sun dancing across the sky as much as they could.
"Do you think it's always going to be like this?" Hannah asked.
"Gott is the only one that knows for sure. But I sure hope so," Henry remarked.
"You know, I've been thinking a lot about the future," Hannah said.
"Only good things I hope," Henry replied.
"Are you kidding? I have you. What could go wrong?" Hannah asked.
"That's my line," Henry joked.
"I figured you wouldn't mind me borrowing it," Hannah replied.
"You can borrow it anytime you want if you're going to use it on me," Henry said.
"Why don't we go back to talking about our future?" Hannah joked.
"It's funny. My parents always brought me up to stay in the present. To just appreciate what was in front of me," Henry explained.
"Well, I certainly like what's in front of me," Hannah interrupted.
"Thanks to you though, I've found myself starting to look to the future," Henry admitted.
"Look at you, living dangerously," Hannah joked.
"I wish I could be more like you. Looking at the world with nothing but hope in my eyes. But I was raised to keep my feet on the ground. To not let my head drift into the clouds. So optimism is all new to me," Henry said.
"Don't worry. I'm with you every step of the way," Hannah replied.
"I can't think of a better guide," Henry remarked.
"But now that I'm changing your mind about the world, how does the future look now?" Hannah asked.
"As bright as can be," Henry said.


There were certain memories that Henry could never forget. That became burned into his brain. For Henry, that conversation with his wife was one of them. And although the conversation happened over a year ago, it was still as fresh in Henry's mind as ever. It was the last good memory he had of his wife. The next day she died of a freak brain aneurysm.
It was all such a shock. Completely out of the blue. There were no warning signs. No symptoms. In the middle of a conversation a blood vessel in her brain just blew and she collapsed to the ground. There was no way to prepare for the a tragedy like that, especially when it was such a freak occurence. Henry turned to Gott for an explanation, but received none. And he'd been trying to cobble his life back together ever since.
It was all such a complete tragedy. The best thing in Henry's life was taken from him in an instant, without warning and without reason. Not to mention that Hannah was only twenty-three years old. She had so much to look forward to. So much in her future. There should have been children on the way. Glorious days spent in the park. Vacations at the beach. And holidays with relatives. It would be a simple life. But it would also be a joyful one. It just wasn't meant to be though.
Even a year after her death, Henry woke up in disbelief that Hannah was gone. And despite having the whole bed available to him, Henry only slept on his side. He never dared to inch his body to Hannah's side. It was just a force of habit. He knew that it defied logic. That Hannah wouldn't be returning to claim her side of the bed. Still, it was the little routines that gave Henry comfort.




Becca

Author Becca Fisher


I'm Becca Fisher and I write sweet Amish romances featuring simple people with complex love lives. I'm devout in my faith, relish time with my family, and seek to bring joy to as many lives as possible. I would love to have you as a reader. God bless.

















BookBlast Giveaway


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 2/28/14


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

1/29/14

Review LEGENDS ICONS & REBELS by Robbie Robertson, Jim Guerinot, Sebastian Robertson, Jared Levine @TundraBooks



Amazon


Exclusive insights from a celebrated musician and passionate industry insiders, two accompanying CDs of legendary tracks and beautiful packaging make for a book with broad appeal -- one that will captivate fans of Robbie Robertson and music lovers of all ages.

Part memoir, part tribute, and all great storytelling ...Music industry veterans Robbie Robertson, Jim Guerinot, Jared Levine, and Sebastian Robertson invite young readers to share with them in celebrating twenty-seven musical legends. Short profiles chronicle personal stories and achievements of extraordinarily talented artists whose innovations changed the landscape of music for generations to come. Carefully compiled like any great playlist, the line-up features originators, rebels, and risk-takers across diverse genres. From Ray Charles to Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry to Bob Dylan, Robertson shares anecdotes about these artists and the influence they had on his own musical journey.

Always respectful of their reader, the writers never shy away from speaking about the difficult challenges these recording artists faced and the very human foibles that sometimes led to their tragic end. Most of all, it's the authors' passion and insights into these personal stories of creativity and collaboration -- and the power of music to shine a light on injustice and foster change -- that will fascinate, enlighten, and inspire music fans of all ages.”Exclusive insights from a celebrated musician and passionate industry insiders, two accompanying CDs of legendary tracks and beautiful packaging make for a book with broad appeal -- one that will captivate fans of Robbie Robertson and music lovers of all ages.

Tracklist for Legends, Icons & Rebels

Disc One
1. Chuck Berry Johnny B. Goode
2. Johnny Cash Get Rhythm
3. Aretha Franklin I Say a Little Prayer
4. The Beatles Here Comes the Sun
6. Bob Marley Three Little Birds
5. Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World
7. Buddy Holly Peggy Sue
8. Joni Mitchell The Circle Game
9. Ray Charles & The Raelettes Hit the Road Jack
10. Elvis Presley Hound Dog
11. Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions People Get Ready
12. Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off

Disc Two
1. Little Richard Lucille
2. Hank Williams Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
3. Frank Sinatra Fly Me to the Moon
4. Marvin Gaye I Heard It Through the Grapevine
6. Sam Cooke Wonderful World
5. Carole King So Far Away
7. Louis Jordan Caldonia
8. The Beach Boys In My Room
9. Ella Fitzgerald A-Tisket, A-Tasket
10. James Brown I Got You (I Feel Good)
11. Patsy Cline Crazy
12. Otis Redding That’s How Strong My Love Is
13. Nat King Cole It’s Only a Paper Moon
14. Stevie Wonder Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
15. Bob Dylan Forever Young


About the Authors
Robbie Robertson is himself a musical legend. He has won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. He was the primary songwriter for the critically acclaimed group The Band, penning Americana classics like "The Weight" and "Up on Cripple Creek" and toured with Bob Dylan. After The Band bid farewell to performing in The Last Waltz concert, filmed by Martin Scorsese, Robertson followed his long-time fascination with film. He was a Creative Executive at DreamWorks and has scored and/or been an executive music producer on a number of Martin Scorsese's films. He has also acted in and written and produced other major motion pictures.
Jim Guerinot owns and runs Rebel Waltz Management. He manages a client roster that includes No Doubt, Gwen Stefani, The Offspring, Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, and Robbie Robertson. In addition to band management, Guerinot was the General Manager and the Sr. Vice-President of Marketing at A&M Records, supervising the Marketing, Promotion, Sales, Publicity, and Creative Services departments. His influence figured in the development and success of such A&M acts as Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow, and Blues Traveler. Guerinot is also the owner of indie label Time Bomb Records.
Jared Levine played in bands throughout college. After, he moved to Los Angeles where he was hired by Geffen Records to coordinate the Robbie Robertson record Storyville. Since then Jared has worked in the music business as an artist manager and A&R man. He has managed such artists as Robbie Robertson and Fishbone, and has signed artists including Cracker, Soul Asylum, and Gin Blossoms.
Music has always been central to Sebastian Robertson's life. He has played in several bands and appeared on the album Music For The Native Americans. He has composed over 3,000 pieces of music in television and film. He also served as the musical director on the acclaimed documentary series Playing For Change. Sebastian is currently writing a number of children's books and is developing a cable television series. The author lives in California, USA.

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

This book is truly a work of love and an easy to understand introduction of popular music for children of all ages.  The authors put together a thoughtful compilation of 27 artists that contributed to the history of rock and roll.  I am amazed that the authors were able to get permission to included these great songs that are on two companion CDs.  Sure, there are other musicians I would have love to see included but for the time period covered, this is an amazingly complete list.  When my son was younger, I used to play an oldies station and he named his first dog after Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill which was shortened to Blue.  

I wish I would have had something as concise as this book to share with him when he was younger.  There are brief snippets about each musician and explanations about why they were important to the development of popular music.  These little stories also don't gloss over their downfalls either, something missing in a lot of books for kids.  It should spark a lot of discussions and the CDs are great to play in the car, which can create another teaching event.  Overall, this is something that would make a wonderful gift for a new parent as well as those hard to buy for kids that think they know it all.



1/28/14

$25 Giveaway Spotlight WARRIOR'S MOON by JACLYN M HAWKES @JaclynMHawkes

Warriors MoonWarrior's Moon


Medieval Historical Romance by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Never in all the kingdom has there been a more brave and protective champion. Nor such a loyal and capable maiden. And they loved each other desperately.

But is their love strong enough to withstand all their dark age holds—danger, feudalism, disease, and unfair oppression?

Yes, they truly loved each other desperately.

They loved their kingdom more.









Praise for Warrior's Moon
"This book has adventure, memorable characters, and tons of action. There is even romance! I absolutely loved it!!!" ~Laura (Goodreads)

"I loved this book! Great characters, I love a strong female lead. I really enjoy all of Jaclyn Hawkes books, but I must say this in one of my favorites!" ~ KMon (Amazon)

Warriors Moon Tour


jaclynAuthor Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.









Blog Tour Giveaway


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 2/23/14


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





a Rafflecopter giveaway



Giveaway Interview ONE ROGUE TOO MANY by SAMANTHA GRACE @SamGraceAuthor @SourcebooksCasa





Book Description

 January 7, 2014

From the Betting Book at Brook's Gentleman's Club:

Wager: £2,000 that Lord Ellis will throw the first punch when he discovers Lord Throne is wooing a certain duke's sister.


All Bets Are Off When the Game is Love

Lady Gabrielle is thrilled when Anthony Keaton, earl of Ellis, asks for her hand in marriage. She's not so pleased when he then leaves the country and four months pass without a word. Clearly, the scoundrel has changed his mind and is too cowardly to tell her. There's nothing to do but go back on the marriage mart...

When Anthony returns to town and finds his ultimate rival has set sights on Gabby, his continual battle of one-upmanship with Sebastian Thorne ceases to be a game. Anthony is determined to win back the woman who holds his heart--but he's not expecting Gabby herself to up the stakes...


amazon




About the Author


Historical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever.      

Part-time hospice social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest. 

To Connect with Samantha, you can find her at:



Samantha Grace Author | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Lady Scribes



PLEASE WELCOME SAMANTHA TO BOOKHOUNDS 





1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?


I think it was probably a Curious George book, but the first novel I recall reading was Charlotte’s Web. What a beautiful, sad story! I read it again with my son when he was eight and he loved it too. This book shaped my love for reading.


2. What are you reading right now?


I’m afraid I can’t share what I’m reading right now, because I’m judging the Rita Awards and I’ve promised to keep everything confidential. But I will say I have been impressed with the books I received to judge. Before the contest, I was reading Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl by Gina Lamm. I didn’t get to finish it yet, but I liked that it literally made me laugh out loud in places.


3. How does your garden grow?


I love being around people—more one-to-one than a large group—but I need quiet time to recharge. I can tell when I haven’t gotten that time because I find myself becoming impatient and overwhelmed. Walking or sitting outdoors for a while works wonders for me. That’s not so easy to do in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, however. This time of the year, I have to settle for a quiet day at home alone instead.


4. What is the last thing you Googled?


B&Bs in New Orleans! By the time I found out I could take off work for the Romantic Times Convention, the conference hotel and both overflow hotels were filled. Since my husband is going with me, I didn’t mind finding a place a little further away from the conference. I hear the trollies are fun. Plus, I love old houses and we’ll have our own balcony where we can enjoy a cup of coffee every morning.


5. What makes you cringe?


Finger nails on a chalkboard. Anyone blowing his nose in public. In a hanky. One he puts back in his pocket. Unsolicited parenting advice. Saying goodbye to someone on the telephone. I never know quite what to say.

I’m curious to know what everyone else Googled last. That’s a fun question!


I’d like to thank BookHounds for hosting me today, and I look forward to chatting with everyone.





WANT TO WIN A COPY?


Ends 2/1/14



Open to US RESIDENTS ONLY  - SORRY, NO PO BOXES
Open only to those who can legally enter
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
You must be 13 or older to enter .
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by the publisher 
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

1/24/14

FURday PhoDOGraphy





Since STUFF ON MY DOG is so popular, I am going to turn this around and do MY DOG ON STUFF.

1/23/14

#Giveaway Interview SCENT OF BUTTERFLIES by DORA LEVY MOSSANEN @doralmossanen @sbkslandmark



Book Description


Scent of Butterflies

 January 7, 2014




A novel singed by the flavors of Tehran, imbued with the Iranian roots of Persepolis and the culture clash of Rooftops of Tehran, this is a striking, nuanced story of a woman caught between two worlds, from the bestselling author of HaremCourtesan, and The Last Romanov.


A Love So Deep Can Forever Scar the Soul


Such audacity she has, Soraya, a woman who dares to break free of the diamond-studded leash of her culture. A woman who refuses to accept the devastating betrayal her husband has perpetrated. A woman who refuses to forgive her best friend.


Soraya turns her back on Iran, fleeing to America to plot her intricate revenge. The Shah has fallen, her country is in turmoil, her marriage has crumbled, and she is unraveling. The cruel and intimate blow her husband has dealt her awakens an obsessive streak that explodes in the heated world of Los Angeles.


Yet the secret Soraya discovers proves far more devastating than anything she had imagined, unleashing a whirlwind of unexpected events that will leave the reader breathless.




About the Author

Dora Levy Mossanen is an American author of historical fiction. Her published works include Harem (2002), Courtesan (2005), The Last Romanov (2012) and Scent of Butterflies (2014). She is a graduate of the USC Masters of Professional Writing Program and is the recipient of the San Diego State University Editor’s Choice Award.

Dora was born in Israel as the country was gaining its independence. She moved to Iran with her family when she was nine.

Joining a family whose roots went back 2,500 years in Persia, her first inspiration and invaluable source of history was her grandfather and renowned historian, Doctor Habib Levy. Dr. Levy introduced Dora to life in Mahaleh, the Jewish ghetto, anti-Semitism, and the challenges of being Jewish in a Moslem country.

The Islamic Revolution of 1979, the fall of the shah, and arrival of the Ayatollah Khomeini forced Mossanen and her family to leave Iran. They settled in California and became part of what is now the largest Iranian community in the United States.
In 1986, Dora obtained a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of California Los Angeles, and in 1990 completed her master’s degree in Creative Writing from University of Southern California.


PLEASE WELCOME DORA TO BOOKHOUNDS 


 Is there a song that really reminds you of your book?


Yes. “Bridge,” a song by Googoosh, a popular Iranian singer tjat reminds me of Aziz and Soraya’s love in Scent of Butterflies.

There’s a scene in the book, where I describe musicians tuning their instruments in preparation of a party in a neighbor’s garden. It is Sunday. A luncheon. Cars are arriving. The band begins to play “Bridge,” an old song of Googoosh. “Help me weave a bed of flowers for our innocent sleep of love…help me weave a tent of songs to shadow us…I am not scared of night because you handed me the sun…let our hands be a bridge to ….” I created this scene with a measure of sadness and nostalgia for a time I remember back in Iran, when music was revered, but that might have been forever lost now.


 What was the easiest thing about writing this book?

Easiest? Is there anything easy about writing a book? If there is, I don’t know much about it. I wish you’d asked what was the hardest thing about writing Scent of Butterflies, and I’d easily come up with a long list. But for the sake of answering the question, I’d say that although not necessarily the easiest, but the most rewarding, which in a way feels like easy writing, was the way fiction gave me license to give life to my protagonist, Soraya, an exceptional woman who dares act in ways I would have loved to, but never had the courage to act.


 Is there a word you love to use?

Yes. Thrust. Yank. Resonate. And many others that I won’t trouble you with, since I make sure to search and delete or change these words once I get to the last drafts of my books. These are the words that resonate with me, so I make sure to yank them off the page, thrust them back into oblivion …. Ok, enough of that. You get my gist.


What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

I remember my mother getting me a library card in Israel when I was three-years-old. The sad fact is I don’t remember the first book I read, until we had moved to Iran, and even then, I remember reading comic books first, my favorite was Little Lulu, a curly-haired girl, who was a mischievous leader and the first feminist I came to know. But, the first real book I remember reading was at the age of twelve. Are you still considered a child at twelve? I got my hands on Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, but my mother, who didn’t speak English and had read the novel in Farsi, announced that the book was not age appropriate and forbade me to read it, which made me more eager to read it, of couse. Night after night, I’d sneak the book out from under my mattress and read it hungrily, shaking from fear and suspense. Little did my mother know that it wasn’t the classic gothic story of Rebecca that she should have banned, but the cheap romance novels I bought from our corner mom and pop shop that summer, devouring them at the rate of one a day.


How does your garden grow?


My garden grows fast and furious and lush like Soraya’s garden in Bel Air.

 Here’s an excerpt from Scent of Butterflies that will give you a pretty good idea: “my garden has evolved into, the lewd excess of raging colors, overpowering scents, and dizzying array of butterflies reminiscent of a whore’s den. A violent kaleidoscope of climbing jasmine overwhelms the gazebo. Rodents nestle in dense bushes, water lilies in ponds, mites in blossoms, and grasshoppers on the birds of paradise.”




WANT TO WIN A COPY?


Ends 2/1/14



Open to US RESIDENTS ONLY  - SORRY, NO PO BOXES
Open only to those who can legally enter
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
You must be 13 or older to enter .
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by the publisher 
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

$50 Giveaway INDIE AUTHORS NAKED by LOREN KLEINMAN & AMY EDELMAN @LorenKleinman @IndieReader @toobusyreading




Indie Authors Naked


Indie Authors Naked explores and defines the world of independent publishing.


Comprised of a series of essays and interviews by indie authors, booksellers and publishers, readers will get a look at the many aspects of the indie community, where publishing professionals of all types come together with the simple goal of creating something unique; something that speaks directly to the reader, no middleman necessary.


Contributors include: James Franco, Hugh Howey, McNally Jackson Books, Sarah Gerard, OHWOW Books, Raine Miller, David Vinjamuri, Toby Neal, Rachel Thompson, Eden Baylee, Christoph Paul, Jessica Redmerski, Dan Holloway, Orna Ross and more.






About the Authors


Loren Kleinman is a writer and poet with roots in New Jersey. She has a B.A. in English Literature from Drew University and an M.A. in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Sussex. Kleinman is a columnist for IndieReader.com (IR) where she interviews New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie authors. Some of those interviews in IR reappeared in USA Today and The Huffington Post.


Her poetry has appeared in literary journals such as Nimrod, Journal of New Jersey Poets, Paterson Literary Review, Wilderness House Literary Review, Writer’s Bloc, Resurgence (UK), HerCircleEzine and Aesthetica Annual. She was the recipient of the Spire Press Poetry Prize (2003), was a 2000 and 2003 Pushcart Prize nominee, and a 2004 Nimrod/Pablo Neruda Poetry Prize finalist. In 2003, Spire Press published her first collection of poetry Flamenco Sketches, which explored the relationship between love and jazz.
Her second collection of poetry, The Dark Cave Between My Ribs, is due to release with Winter Goose Publishing in March 2014. She is currently working on a New Adult romance, This Way to Forever.
Amy Holman Edelman  launched IndieReader, the essential consumer guide to self-published books and the people who write them, way back in 2007. Since then, indie authors have stormed the bestseller lists, been courted by trad publishers and (after all that), finally gained a modicum of respect.
Amy self-published her first book, The Fashion Resource Directory, back in the 80s, long before POD and Amazon and e-readers roamed the land. Her second and third books (The Little Black Dress and Manless in Montclair), were traditionally published (by Simon & Schuster and Shaye Areheart Books, an imprint of Crown).
As an author and a publicist with over 20 years’ experience, Amy’s goal for IndieReader is no less than to make indie a respected and desirable category within the publishing world. This book is just one step in that direction.





Excerpt


From the Introduction of Indie Authors Naked by Amy Edelman:
IndieReader was launched in ‘07, otherwise known as the dark days of self-publishing. Back then, every book was considered a vanity publication, every author a failed writer. Denial ran so high that when the self-pubbed book, Her Last Letter by Nancy C. Johnson hit The New York Times bestseller list, the good folks at the NYT were still saying that they’d never include one! And then there was The Shack, another indie that snuck through the gauntlet to appear on the NYTimes list for an astounding 172 weeks between June 2008 to early 2010 (52 of those weeks at #1).


Flash forward to 2012-2013. With the advent of ebooks, the publishing landscape has completely and irrevocably changed. Bowker, the ISBN people, recently reported that the number of self-published books in 2012 rose 59% over 2011, growing to over 391,000 titles in 2012. That’s a lot of indie.


But it’s not just availability that has changed the notion of what a self-pubbed book can be. Either the whole “vanity” thing was propaganda on the part of trad publishing—after all, Virginia Woolf famously did it with Hogarth Press—or publishing ebooks makes it easier for talented writers to get their work seen. Either way, over the last couple of years—beginning with the high-profile snagging of Amanda Hocking—at least 50 indie authors (many of them interviewed in this very book) have been courted and won by traditional publishers.


Did these authors’ books change from when they were self-pubbed to when they became trads? Or did their appearance on the bonafide bestseller lists (The New York Times, USA Today) just make it easier for the Big 5 to spot them? Not that getting picked up by a traditional publisher is always an indie author’s end-game. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Bookseller noted that only about one-third of the self-published authors surveyed stated that they would consider a traditional book deal. That’s a lot of authors who aren’t willing to trade the freedom of creation for the chance to have their works packaged by committee.


So whether an author decides to sell their work to a trad publisher or not—it is clear that indies are here to stay. Their books resonate with readers who really couldn’t give a damn if they came through the hallowed halls of a traditional publisher or just via their ereaders. The indie writing community is strong and getting stronger, as are the options for placing their books (been to your local bookstore lately? You may be surprised at the titles you find on the shelves).


Yes, dear readers, this time—thanks to technology and changing perceptions—self-publishing is clearly here to stay. And via interviews and essays, Indie Authors Naked aims to highlight the best of the best.








BookBlast Giveaway


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 2/10/14


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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1/20/14

$25 Giveaway Interview LOVE SPELL by STAN CROWE @toobusyreading

Love spell tour




Love spell updatedLove Spell


Clint Christopherson’s love life is a running joke. When a crazed gypsy curses him with the best wish he could ever ask for, the punchline stops being funny. Now, even his barest touch drives girls mad for him. Desperate to reverse the curse, he turns to his last hope: an attractive private investigator who may be able to locate his missing gypsy. If only Clint knew who it was he just hired...





















stan croweAuthor Stan Crowe


Stan had a pretty normal, middle-class American youth. He was lucky enough to change that by convincing an exceptional woman to marry him in 2000, setting him on a much more fulfilling life course.
Four years later, Brigham Young University awarded him with a Bachelors of Science in civil and environmental engineering. He then he spent several years designing homes, prescribing work for bridges, and even exploring the mortgage industry.
In the midst of all this, he produced two science fiction anthologies in 2006 and 2007. In 2012, Breezy Reads Publishing picked up his romantic comedy The Cinderella Project. And thus he transformed himself from Captain Kirk into Don Juan.
Stan lives with his wife, children (final count to be determined) and two cats in Utah.




PLEASE WELCOME STAN TO BOOKHOUNDS 



1. Do you have a secret talent?

All of my talents are public record. Seriously though, few people know I have a talent for baking gluten-free bread. I blame my wife.

2. Is there a song that really reminds you of your book?

The song that most reminds me of Love Spell is “The Reason” by Hoobastank. The message matches Clint, the main character, very well.

3. What was the easiest thing about writing this book?

The easiest thing about writing this book, actually, was coming up with the foundational ideas. Clint’s past with Lindsay is heavily based on my own life, and the “King Midas”

4. Is there a word you love to use?

I love to use all sorts of words, but the word I love most is my wife’s name. I have yet to use it in a book, however.

5. Any real or imaginary pets?

After years of waiting, I finally have cats! We have a long-haired female (Beauty), and a short-haired male (Shinobi). I no longer have any need to imagine my pets.







Tour Giveaway


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 2/9/14


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or PayPal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





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1/17/14

#GIVEAWAY Dreaming of Books Hop #WIN Set of 6 Books by Sunny (paranormal)


Welcome to the DREAMING OF BOOKS Giveaway Hop


This hop is hosted by 




I Am A Reader


There are a bunch of blogs participating in this one, and new blogs are added constantly, so check back daily  Each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one.  This hop starts January 18th and ends on January 24th,  midnight. 



HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:














Want to win this set of books? 






Ends 1/24/14



Open Internationally to anyone who can accept Paypal
Open only to those who can legally enter
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
You must be 13 or older to enter .
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by me.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway