Sense and Sensibility: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison (Review)

As if it wasn’t bad enough to be getting food from Church welfare, I had to meet one of the Ferreros—and a good-looking Ferrero, at that.

Elly Goodwin, a brilliant programmer, is so desperate for a job that she takes one from her ex-boyfriend—the same man who put her family out of business. Then she meets Ethan Ferrero, who seems too good to be true. But Elly is far too sensible to unexpectedly fall in love—especially with her ex’s brother-in-law.

But when Elly’s sister, Maren, dates the wrong guy, Elly must intercede before Maren’s passion clouds her common sense. Together, Elly and Maren must learn that a mixture of sense and sensibility is the perfect recipe for love.

Fans of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility will love this modern retelling of the classic romance novel.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney (Review)

All Amanda Bell Brown wanted for her 40th birthday was to watch CSI on television, but what she got was a couple of corpses, a hunk of a detective, and a drop-dead gorgeous red dress. What's a girl to do when a cult madman is on the loose? Save the day, of course, and maybe snag a good man.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man was a fun and quirky read that also covered a much deeper topic than I was expecting. It was much more a romance than a mystery, in my opinion.

I felt so terrible for all that Amanda went through in her younger years and what she still goes through because of it.

The relationship between Amanda and Jazz became intense very quickly, almost too quickly. They meet and within the same night they are kissing and saying that they love each other - semi in jest, yes, but mostly serious. This begins a lot of verbal sparring between the two that was a lot of fun to read :)

This book is categorized as Christian fiction, but it's not what I usually expect from that genre. What I expect from Christian fiction is a faith based message (or element), no cuss words and no suggestive scenes. This book did a great job of the first two, there was a lot of talk about God and the Bible and were absolutely no cuss words, however with the other not so much. One scene that stands out is when Amanda's sister says, somewhat seriously, "she could stand a good bodice ripping tonight" (p. 27), but there were a whole lot of other things. This seems to be more common among African American Christian fiction, not sure why that is. So I'm rating this book as though it were a mainstream novel. I'm much harsher on Christian fiction.

If you don't mind a little suggestive talking, nothing too bad, then I think you would enjoy this book.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Angel Falls by Connie Mann (Review & Giveaway)

When her best friend is killed in an explosion, leaving Regina da Silva with her friend’s young child, she doesn’t realize that the child was as much a target as her friend. Brooks Anderson has been sent to find the child and bring it to the US. When circumstances bring them together in Brazil, they find themselves being pursued by a killer as they protect an orphaned baby.

As the danger heightens around them, so does the attraction between Regina and Brooks, despite their differences. Regina and Brooks have both been broken by their violent pasts, but while Regina relies on her faith to deal with her past, Brooks has turned away from God. Will their pasts stop them from realizing their true feelings for each other when their pursuer strives to keep them apart forever?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Angel Falls is a really enjoyable read and a good debut novel. I've haven't read much fiction that is set in Brazil and found that aspect of the story very interesting.

The suspense aspect of the novel was great. Though I did have an inkling who was behind it all much sooner than it was revealed, I still very much enjoyed it.

I personally didn't like how intimate Brooks was with Regina, especially with him constantly thinking how he wasn't the marrying kind and she was the type of woman that was wife material. I thought for a Christian novel all the scenes with them laying down together was the wrong message to be sending, if you are trying teach restraint I don't believe you should constantly be tempting yourself by making it so easy to fail. That being said, this was one of my only negatives with the book.

Overall, a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426756860
• ISBN-13: 978-1426756863
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

Enter to a print copy of Angel Falls by using the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will end April 20 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Open to the US only.

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The Deception at Lyme by Carrie Bebris (Review)

In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, the Cobb—Lyme’s famous seawall—proved dangerous to a careless young woman. Now it proves deadly.
Following their recent intrigue at Highbury, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy visit the seaside village of Lyme on holiday. Family business also draws them there, to receive the personal effects of Mr. Darcy’s late cousin, a naval lieutenant who died in action.

Their retreat turns tragic when they come upon a body lying at the base of the Cobb. The victim is Mrs. Clay, a woman with a scandalous past that left her with child—a child whose existence threatened the inheritance of one of her paramours and the reputation of another. Did she lose her balance and fall from the slippery breakwater, or was she pushed?
Mrs. Clay’s death is not the only one that commands the Darcys’ attention. When Mr. Darcy discovers, among his cousin’s possessions, evidence that the young lieutenant’s death might have been murder, he allies with Captain Frederick Wentworth (hero of Jane Austen's Persuasion) to probe details of a battle that took place across the sea . . . but was influenced by a conspiracy much closer to home.

The Deception at Lyme (Or, The Peril of Persuasion) is the delightful sixth installment in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mystery series by Carrie Bebris.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
The Deception at Lyme is the sixth book in the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery series. One would think that by the sixth book the story would become routine and maybe dull, but that is definitely not the case. I find myself enjoying each installment more than the last, and hope that there will be many more to come!

In The Deception at Lyme we see the Darcys on holiday in Lyme. No "Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery" would be complete without a mystery - and this is no exception! They discover a woman who had fallen from the Cobb. The woman is Mrs. Clay, who is unconscious and great with child.

Georgiana plays a more major role in this book than she has in the past ones and there are a couple of gentlemen who vie for her affections. It begins to seem as though there will be a happy event occurring for Georgiana and I was hopeful that there would be. I have always wanted this for her ever since the incident with Wickham.

The Deception at Lyme has aspects of Persuasion in it. I know this because of the synopsis, because I have never read Persuasion or even seen a movie version of it. Each chapter starts with a quote and many of the quotes are from Persuasion - they are marked as such otherwise I wouldn't have known that.

With the many twists and turns, this story kept me on my toes - never knowing who really was to blame. I LOVED reading The Deception at Lyme, and even though this book is part of a series, I believe that they can be read and enjoyed in any order. Of course to get the most out of them, and to not spoil any of the details you may want to read them in order. I highly recommend The Deception at Lyme!!!

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Daynight by Megan Thomason (Book Blast and Giveaway)

Tour Schedule

daynight by Megan Thomason

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance™. Reality: the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments like Cleaving—forced lifetime union between two people who have sex.

Meet Kira Donovan. Fiercely loyal, overly optimistic, and ensnared by the promise of a full-ride college scholarship, Kira signs the SCI Recruit contract to escape memories of a tragedy that left her boyfriend and friends dead.

Meet Blake Sundry. Bitter about being raised in Exile and his mother’s death, Blake’s been trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI. Current barrier to success? His Recruit partner—Miss Goody Two Shoes Kira Donovan.

Meet Ethan Darcton. Born with a defective heart and resulting inferiority complex, Ethan’s forced to do his SCI elite family’s bidding. Cleave-worthy Kira Donovan catches his eye, but the presiding powers give defect-free Blake Sundry first dibs.

Full of competing agendas, romantic entanglements, humor, twists and turns, daynight is Megan Thomason’s debut young adult dystopian novel and first in the daynight series.

Purchase

Amazon

Praise

“Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story” —Kirkus Reviews
“Gripping young adult dystopian novel; compelling conflicts; high stakes; powerful narrative; surprises keep coming; strong writing; page-turner; engaging characters; Readers will be hungry for the sequels.”—BlueInk Review (starred review)

“The writing is impressive and the story is a real page-turner. So many twists and turns… I’m hooked… I can’t wait for the next installment to come out…4.5 out of 5 stars”—Self-Publishing Review

“Delicious humor, intelligence, and sparkling dialogue” —Amazon reviewer

“Strangely brilliant and imaginative”—Amazon reviewer

“Grips you from the first page and keeps you wanting more”—Amazon reviewer

“Plot twists kept me reading till late at night”—Amazon reviewer

“Every page a thrilling experience”—Amazon reviewer

“Hooked from the first chapter and could not put it down”—Amazon reviewer

“It's like a CW fantasy TV show in a book with a really interesting environment.”—Amazon reviewer

“I'm a little tired of dystopian novels, but Daynight has a unique and fresh story line that didn't have any trouble keeping my interest.”—Amazon reviewer



Author Megan Thomason

Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone—over 600 in the last year—or attending to the needs of her family. Megan’s fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac. Daynight is Megan's first published novel, but fourth written one.

 Twitter * Goodreads * Facebook

Tour Schedule

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card
Signed copy of Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Signed copy of daynight

Ends 2/7/13

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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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Book Blast & Giveaway!

Dead Running

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

Links

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog

#BookBlast Giveaway

Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

$50 Gift Card to Running Chics

Ends 1/31/12

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 http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Touched by an Angel by Jonathan Morris (Review)

'The past is like a foreign country. Nice to visit, but you really wouldn’t want to live there.'

In 2003, Rebecca Whitaker died in a road accident. Her husband Mark is still grieving. Then he receives a battered envelope, posted eight years ago, containing a set of instructions and a letter with a simple message: "You can save her."

Later that night, while picking up a takeaway, Mark glances at a security monitor - to see himself, standing in the restaurant in grainy black and white. And behind him there's a stone statue of an angel. Covering its eyes, as though weeping... except, when Mark turns, there's nothing there. As Mark is given the chance to save Rebecca, it's up to the Doctor, Amy, and Rory to save the world. Because this time the Weeping Angels are using history itself as a weapon...

A thrilling, all-new adventure featuring the Doctor, Amy, and Rory, as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill in the spectacular hit series from BBC Television.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
One of my favorite Doctor Who episodes is Blink, the Weeping Angels are the show's scariest villains, so when I saw this book I was really excited to read it! The Doctor, Amy and Rory all came across as themselves and I could easily visualize each of the actors saying the things in the book. I laughed several times with the things the Doctor said and did - I could picture Matt Smith doing those things and it was HILARIOUS!!! The ending was a bit dull, but overall the story moved along at a great pace and kept my attention throughout. I would definitely recommend this book to any Doctor Who fan - it was very enjoyable!

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Random House UK (August 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849902348
• ISBN-13: 978-1849902342
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1 x 8 inches
• Available to purchase at: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble

A Matter of Time by Michael Bowler (Spotlight & Giveaway)

What is your destiny?

This question haunts 20-year-old Jamie Collins. A junior at Santa Clara University in 1986, Jamie has friends, a  professor who mentors him, and a promising future as a writer.

Then the dreams begin – nightmarish visions that transport him back to a time and place fifty years before he was born: Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912!  Less than a week before the 74th anniversary of its sinking, Jamie discovers that his fate is inexplicably linked to that of the famous vessel. Somehow, the two timelines are overlapping, and when Titanic dies this time, Jamie will die along with it.

The dreams reveal something evil stalking the ill-fated ship, something that expedites the collision which sinks her. Jamie realizes that the only way to stop this evil and prevent his own death may be to prevent Titanic from sinking in the first place.

But how? How can he stop that ship from sinking in 1912 when he hadn’t even been born yet? And even if he can stop it – should he? What will be the effect on history if he succeeds? Jamie’s quest to fulfill his destiny ties friendsand  family together  in ways he could never have  imagined.

A Matter of Time is an emotionally charged voyage into the value of friendship, the power of love, the impact of evil, and the vagaries of Fate.

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (February 29, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143278711X
• ISBN-13: 978-1432787110
• ASIN: B007GOAC9C
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Available to purchase at  Amazon/ Amazon Kindle Store/ Barnes & Noble/ Outskirts Press

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Bowler grew up in San Rafael, California. He attended St. Raphael’s School and Marin Catholic High School before attending Santa Clara University. Titanic and her tragic fate fascinated him for as far back as he can remember. He has a vast collection of artwork, memorabilia and virtually every book ever written about the disaster.

He majored in English and Theatre at Santa Clara and got a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University. He partnered with two friends as producer, writer, and/or director on several films, most notably “Fatal Images,” “Dead Girls,” “Hell Spa” (later re-edited and titled “Club Dead”), “Things” and “Things II.”

He has written a number of unproduced screenplays and is currently working on other novels he has outlined. He’s been teaching high school in Hawthorne, California for over twenty years.

He has also been a volunteer Big Brother to seven different boys over 28 years with the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a volunteer within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles for 27 years.  He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, something that is sorely lacking in this state.

His first novel, A Boy and His Dragon, was originally written in the 1980’s before fantasy stories enjoyed a major renaissance, and has remained unpublished to this day. It is intended as the first of a trilogy.

A Matter of Time, his second novel, was originally written in the 1980’s and completed in the mid-1990’s as time permitted.

You can visit Michael on the web at www.michaeljbowler.webs.com.
Follow Michael Bowler on Twitter:  @BradleyWallaceM
Friend Michael Bowler at Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1377702356

GIVEAWAY!

To be entered to win a print copy of A Matter of Time, complete the mandatory entries in the Rafflecopter form below. After you complete the mandatory entries, more will be unlocked and you may complete which ever of those you would like. Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only and ends October 28, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Good luck!

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Last Wish of Summer by Phillip Overton (Review, Excerpt and Giveaway)

As the sun prepares to rise on the last day of summer, three friends find themselves totally unprepared for the events that are about to take place around them. For Tanya it is a chance to find peace three years after losing her parents in an auto accident. Deciding she simply can’t continue blaming God for her loss, she places a heartfelt poem in a bottle and throws it into the sea on the eve of her birthday, granting her birthday wish to whoever finds it. 

Early the next morning, her best friend Anton and his buddy Johnno find the bottle washed up on the shore and set about putting it to the test. When Johnno falls for the new waitress at the café where Tanya works, it stirs up feelings of jealousy in Tanya. Surely Johnno couldn’t be the man that God had in mind for her? Suddenly, strange wishes are beginning to come true, but is it all a coincidence? Or is God about to change people’s lives for the better? 

Welcome to Kings Beach, where the forecast for the last day of summer promises to be hot, hot, hot, with a definite change in the air.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 3 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Last Wish of Summer is a cute and fun story, it just wasn't for me. The idea of finding a bottle with a letter inside that grants you wishes sounded like it could be very interesting. However, I really didn't connect with any of the characters and the story seemed a little bland to me. 

Last Wish of Summer is not the most enjoyable book I have read, but not the worst either. If you are looking for a quick & easy read, you might enjoy this book.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing (January 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612042961
• ISBN-13: 978-1612042961
• Available to purchase at Amazon & Barnes and Noble

EXCERPT:

“No way dude!” Anton whistled. “It worked, it actually worked.”
“What worked?” Tanya asked him sternly. “What’s going on with you two this morning? You haven’t been acting yourselves from the minute you walked in here.”
“It’s just that Johnno ordered the raisin toast,” Anton said matter-of-factly.
“I’m sorry,” Tanya apologized. “I must have grabbed the wrong order from the kitchen. My head was a million miles away. I can go and find out what happened to your order if you like. Otherwise you’re welcome to have this for no charge.”
“No it’s fine,” Johnno reassured her as he sat back down, “the eggs are fine.”
“Anton, what’s really going on here?” Tanya pulled up a chair and sat down opposite the two boys. “I’m not leaving until you explain to me why you are both acting so weird.”
Johnno looked nervously across at Anton who then nodded his head silently and pulled out the letter for Tanya to see.
“We found this on the beach this morning,” Anton said quietly. “Apparently we’ve been granted the power to wish for whatever we like.”
“It’s true,” Johnno spoke up. “I wished for sausages and scrambled eggs and it came true.”
Tanya’s face went pale with shock as she first recognized the letter, and then the opened bottle in the middle of the table. The same bottle she had decorated with all the different shades of nail polish she possessed in her collection. The letter written on the pages she had torn from her diary and poured her heart onto. She had hoped that today was going to be more than just the beginning of another day, and here they were making fun of her.
“Hey you read the letter, what did it say?” Kim asked as she too pulled up a chair and joined the other three at the table.
“It was a poem,” Johnno said. Once more he seemed intoxicated by the very presence of the sultry waitress.
“Ooh a poem. Is it romantic?” She asked, moving in closer to Johnno who now held the letter for her to see.
“She knows about it too?” Tanya asked. A look of embarrassment spread quickly across her face that luckily wasn’t noticed by any of the other three.
“You should read it Tanya,” Anton said excitedly from across the table. “We we’re going to show you once we’d finished reading it. But you are not going to believe how deep this girl’s thoughts are. You can tell simply by the way the words float off the page. Honestly you’ll have to read it for yourself. It’s beautiful.”
“I can imagine,” she fumed quietly.
Tanya watched the three as they fussed over the letter. Fascinated at the same time by the apparent chemistry that had sprung from virtually nowhere between Johnno and the new waitress. Only then did it occur to her. No-one suspected it was her. In their own naive eagerness to embrace the idea of the letter actually being magical, they had all failed to recognize that the person responsible for writing it was sitting at the same table. She quickly hid her fingernails from view beneath the table. The others had failed to notice that they were painted in the same beautiful shade of turquoise that matched the love heart she had painted on the letter.
She smiled secretly at the thought of their childish excitement. Surely it was just a simple mistake on her behalf when bringing Johnno his breakfast that now had them convinced that the letter was going to make all their wishes come true. Or was it in fact a strange coincidence that they had tested their theory by wishing for scrambled eggs. Surely she couldn’t have created magic. Surely this was all a coincidence.
Either way, she was going to have a little fun with them!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Phillip Overton’s writing has been compared to none other than Nicholas Sparks, and his latest novel Last Wish of Summer offers readers the perfect book to spend a summer’s day reading at the beach. In a book that reminds us to be careful what we wish for, it manages to weave the wholesome, virginal qualities of the main character Tanya with her band of misfit friends in their pursuit of being able to reason why a washed up message in a bottle is somehow granting their every wish come true. Often in a manner that is both coincidental and strangely
bizarre.

Just as a movie adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel will appeal to people of all ages, so too will this story that follows the adventures of a group of twenty-something’s on the last day of summer. The book not only manages to cut through any pre-conceived ideas we hold on morals, body-image and social status, but delights in helping us discover what may already be right under our nose to begin with.

Website: http://sbpra.com/phillipoverton/
Twitter: @phillipoverton

GIVEAWAY!

To be entered to win an ecopy of Last Wish of Summer, complete the mandatory entries in the Rafflecopter form below. After you complete the mandatory entries, more will be unlocked and you may complete whichever of those you would like. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Good luck!

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Gallagher’s Hope By MK McClintock (Guest Post, Review and Giveaway)

The Four Seasons of Gallagher’s Hope 

You may have heard the phrase “The seasons of our lives . . .” and then someone will go on to tell you they are in the summer of their life or perhaps the winter. The same can hold true for a book and its characters. Whether intentional by the author or not, chances are the characters of a story can be used to represent the seasons in a year. Such is the case with Gallagher’s Hope.

Spring—Andrew

As the youngest of the main characters in Gallagher’s Hope, Andrew represents the innocence needed to balance out the Gallagher’s lives. With him, there is a new beginning and hope for future generations at Hawk’s Peak. The young ones allow us to see the Gallaghers in a new light.

Summer—Isabelle

Isabelle is still young, but has experienced enough in life to know of the dangers lurking in the world. And yet, she still has much to learn. Her spring has passed, but her summer is in full bloom. This is a time for her to make choices and she has big choices to make. She is searching and is uncertain as to what the future holds, but she’s willing to take risks. She is wary and at the same time hopeful.

Fall—Gabriel

Always so easy-going and level-headed, Gabriel has seen more of life than many and has managed to remain calm and collected, for the most part. He’s willing to do anything for his family, but with the arrival of Isabelle and Andrew, we see a cooler side of Gabriel. Just as the winds shift and the colors change, so does Gabriel as he faces his most difficult challenges, deepest desires, and greatest hopes.

Winter—Mabel

Mabel introduced herself in Gallagher’s Pride, but it is in this story, we feel closer to her. Though she doesn’t bear the last name, she represents the eldest of the Gallaghers. Far from cool, but ready for a change, Mabel is our winter. She’s a hardy survivor whose love and sacrifices have kept the family warm during their coldest times.

Just as the seasons blend one into the next, the dreams of the Gallaghers complement the dreams of each family member until there is one common goal—hope, love, and the promise of peace.

by MK McClintock

AUTHOR BIO:

McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer, and multi-genre author. She was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business-college, and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.

Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

• Website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com
• Official Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com
• Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438837.M_K_McClintock
• Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/mkmcclintock
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MK-McClintock/454576274571336
• Twitter: @MKMcClintockMT
• Kindlegraph: http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/MKMcClintockMT

Gallagher’s Hope (The Montana Gallaghers, Book #2):

She sought a new beginning.
He sought what he didn't know was missing. 
Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
WOW! Gallagher's Hope was SO much better than I was expecting! After reading Gallagher's Pride, the first book in the Gallagher's series, I knew I wanted to read Gabriel's story - as he is by far my favorite of the Gallagher siblings. However, I wasn't expecting to enjoy the story this much! I didn't want to put it down and was able to finish it very quickly! I can hardly wait to read the third book.

For people who are easily offended by cursing, I want to make sure that they know that this book does have a few curse words in it (D*** & H*** were used the most, but S*** & B****** were also used a couple times). I personally don't care for books that have too much swearing in them - I honestly prefer that there be none, but I can understand it being used if it is in context, not just thrown in every other sentence. This book only seemed to use it when it seemed natural in the story, which to me was okay - not the greatest but I can tolerate that.

Even though it's about the same family, I think that this book could be read and enjoyed without reading the first book. The author does a great job of giving the details from the first book that are pertinent to the story without giving too much of the first story away, so if you were to read that book at a later date I think you would still enjoy it (yes you would know the BIG details, but I still think it would be enjoyable).

If you don't mind some mild language and love historical novels, I would recommend that you read Gallagher's Hope.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of it - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

TEASER:

There was nothing left of the life she had known.Her slender arm wrapped around the little boy’s shoulder and pulled him closer to his side. She could feel his slight trembling and wished more than anything that she could take his sadness. They were alone in the world. They had each other and she prayed that would be enough for them both.
They stood and listened as the priest gave the final blessing and the caskets were lowered into the ground. It wasn’t something anyone should witness, but she needed the closure. She needed to know that it was over. ‘A very sad affair’ everyone called it for it wasn’t every day that a man murdered his wife and then shot himself. It wasn’t healthy to think on the possible reasons why, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She had truly believed that they had been a happy family. One of the wealthiest in New Orleans andone of the most respected and sought out for social gatherings. The truth however, was revealed with her father’s death. No one would speak of it to them of course, but the lawyer had made it quite clear.
They were penniless.

BOOK DETAILS:

• Formats: Paperback and Kindle
• Publisher: Trappers Peak Publishing
• ISBN-13: 978-0615638799
• ISBN-10: 0615638791
• Release Date: August 1, 2012
• Series: The Montana Gallaghers
• About the Gallaghers 
• Gallagher's Pride (Book #1) is available to purchase at Amazon

GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win one of three signed paperbacks and a $25 gift card using the Rafflecopter widget below. The winners will be chosen at the end of tour. If a winner is not in the US, an ebook will be given instead of print.

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Family Blood Ties Series by Dale Mayer (Spotlight)

Title: Vampire in Denial (Family Blood Ties, Book 1)
Author: Dale Mayer
Publisher: Valley Publishing
Length: 68,000 words
Genres: Paranormal YA
Sub-Genres: Action, Adventure, Mystery/Thriller

AVAILABLE AT:
Amazon

BLURB:

Blood doesn't just make her who she is...it also makes her what she is.

Like being a sixteen-year-old vampire isn't hard enough, Tessa's throwback human genes make her an outcast among her relatives. But try as she might, she can't get a handle on the vampire lifestyle and all the...blood.

Turning her back on the vamp world, she embraces the human teenage lifestyle--high school, peer pressure and finding a boyfriend. Jared manages to stir something in her blood. He's smart and fun and oh, so cute. But Tessa's dream of a having the perfect boyfriend turns into a nightmare when vampires attack the movie theatre and kidnap her date. 

Once again, Tessa finds herself torn between the human world and the vampire one. Will blood own out? Can she make peace with who she is as well as what?

EXCERPT

No, Cody had some serious skills, at least according to David. It would take a lot for someone to get the drop on him.

"Psst."

He just didn't have much class. Turning around, Tessa watched Cody land in front of her. His graceful controlled landing made her instantly jealous. 

"There's no sign of anything unusual going on."

"No, of course not. Why would there be? It's not like they're going to advertise that they've kidnapped humans." She studied the huge stone mansion. "The captives are most likely to be downstairs." 

"Whoa. You're not going into the house. If you're determined to take this further, we go back to our parents and let them go to the council. They will determine the best course of action."

Tessa stared at him in disbelief. Everything about the night had taken on a surreal appearance. She was here, where Jared was being held, with someone who could actually help her and he wanted to go for their parents. No knight riding to the rescue here.

Then he'd been raised by the old belief that vampires don't go against vampires - without just cause. She didn't think she could come up with enough evidence to prove her case. 

She snagged his arm, willing him to listen. "We have to at least see if they are here."

"No Tessa." He shook his head, his vampire eyes glowing with terrible heat. "That's enough. This isn't a kid's game. This is vampire business."

"And who's going to believe me? No one. I'm not like you. My word doesn't mean anything to the others. If you don't see that Jared's been taken and kept as a captive yourself, you won't be able to convince them either."

He shook his head.

Fine. She'd go in alone. Turning away, she headed to the back of the house. "Go back home. I don't need you."

"What the..." He raced behind her. "Tessa stop. You can't go inside there. You're not allowed."

"And they're allowed to take humans?" She snorted. "I don't think so." The moon slid out from behind the clouds. Off to the left, a set of stairs cut down to a narrow wooden door. Probably the cellar. Perfect. She picked up her pace, reaching for the knob in seconds. She bolted though the unlocked door before Cody could drag her back out. Down a narrow hallway, she fled through another door that led to a wide open space. Empty space. Damn it. Could the prisoners have been moved already? How? There hadn't enough time for that.

"There, are you satisfied now?"

She spun around at the sound of Cody's voice. "No." She walked the perimeter of the room. At the far end, the room curved down and around. At the far end, her nostrils flared. Her weird knowing sense kicking in. Animal. Death. Fear. Pain.

This area had been used as housing for animals during the cold winter months. Horses, most likely. Ancient farm smells permeated the air. Hay. Manure. Blood.

"What's the matter?" Cody whispered.

She looked at him. "Can't you smell it?" 

"Smell what?"

"Pain. Death."

REVIEWS:

5 stars! Original YA vampire story.

“Vampire in Denial by Dale Mayer is a delightfully different addition to the teen vamp paranormal genre. Can't wait for the sequel.” (Charlotte)

5 stars! Do love.

“This is the first book I've read from Dale Mayer and I'm sure going to be reading more because this is my new favorite vampire romance book since Twilight!” (PrincessZelda))

5 stars! Another exciting series from Dale Mayer

“Oh, book! You were so FUN! I was getting all tense and worried about how poor Tessa was going to prove herself and it was exciting and I desperately wanted her to realize that her tangled up feelings about a certain someone were not all brotherly. But, but...why did you leave me hanging on such a cliffhanger?!?! I MUST KNOW what's going to happen to her!

In most ways, Tessa is an average teenage girl. Her parents don't really understand her, she feels like she's caught between two worlds and she's not sure if the boy she likes likes her back. The fact that she's a vampire who's literally caught between two worlds doesn't change any of that. Her parents really don't have a clue how hard it is for her, a genetic throwback, and no one in her family understands that how the full-blood vampires treat her like a stupid little girl.

All in all, this was a fun, fast read with a girl who definitely came into her own as the story progressed. I thought Cody and his slow revelations about Tessa were adorable. I like how her mother rose up to defend Tessa once things were brought to her attention. I like that Tessa wasn't willing to abandon a friend, even if he was "only human".

I can only guess as to where the next book in this story is heading but I'm DYING to read it now. DYING, Dale Mayer. DYING!” (Kelly Rubidoux)

4 Stars! Exciting first installment in a new YA vampire series!

“This book managed to stand out amongst the plethora of vampire novels out there. I liked how vampires had different abilities and how some of them, like Tessa, seemed more human than vampire (i.e. could be out in the daylight, didn't crave blood). It added a bunch of new dimensions to the world and I'm liking where the series is going.

This really was a great read. I was entirely able to relate with Tessa and enjoyed watching her change throughout the story. Just a warning, the author leaves us with one heck of a cliffhanger, so I can only hope that the next book comes out soon!” (Jamie “Bookerella”)

Title: Vampire in Distress (Family Blood Ties, Book 2)
Author: Dale Mayer
Publisher: Valley Publishing
Length: 68,000 words
Genres: Paranormal YA
Sub-Genres: Action, Adventure, Mystery/Thriller

AVAILABLE AT:
Amazon

BLURB:
Note: This is Book 2 in the Family Blood Ties series and picks up exactly where Book I left off.

When Tessa rallies friends and family to find her missing date, they uncover a secret...and start a war that causes ripples in all aspects of their lives.

A vampire with throwback human genes. Sixteen-year-old Tessa finds more than just her friend in this journey...she also finds herself in need of rescue ... Imprisoned, she has to find a way to escape and reunite with her family before this war takes out those she loves.

The youngest of his ancient line. Eighteen-year-old Cody descends from flyer vampires wants Tessa back at his side where she belongs – even as he struggles with conflicting emotions about his best friend's kid sister...

A human determined to protect his people. Seventeen year-old Jared thought his life was over then he finds out that his rescuers are vampires...how can he trust them? And then he finds out the truth about Tessa...and that she's been taken, too...

Three brave souls struggle as war breaks out around them...a war that shows them no mercy.

EXCERPT:

"Do you not know others in the Council or on committees we can trust? Are all the elders untrustworthy?"

Shocked silence surrounded her.

She closed her eyes and groaned softly. The fragile egos of the elders. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded." She tried again. "I'm trying to understand why you don't trust more people."

"We have elders we trust with many issues. This problem, however...well, it divided the Council when it happened before. It's looking to do the same again, on a much larger scale."

Rubbing the back of her neck, Tessa stared at the two men. "Surely there has to be someone you trust to take control. Or you can bring in many someones. You suggested the Council, then switched to the enforcers. Why?"

"I don't know," Serus muttered, "I started thinking about the members who'd been pro blood farming decades ago."

"It is an ancient problem," she said. "Then bring in young blood. Ones who don't have the same prejudices and beliefs. My generation."

Both men snorted, and Goran said, "We're not bringing in children to do a man's job."

"Why not?" She snapped at him. "I dare you to say that to Cody, Ian, or David."

"That's different. They're men."

Even Serus winced and closed his eyes as if waiting for Tessa to strike Goran a mortal blow.

"I'll ignore that comment, thank you," Tessa said stiffly. Once again, she realized, they'd had a group of vampires together and nothing had gotten done. They'd talked themselves into circles without achieving anything. Pulling out her cell phone, she texted David, repeating her words aloud as she typed. "Who can we contact to help? Dad suggests the Council and the enforcers, and yet has admitted both are problematic."

"Who are you texting?" Serus stared down at the phone in her hand suspiciously.

She smothered a smile. "David."

"David? Why not your mother?"

"Because I figure she's your age and will have the same prejudiced suggestions you do." She shot him a wry glance. "Am I wrong?"

He grimaced. "Probably not."

The wind picked up, chilling them as she waited to hear back.

The longer she waited, the more worried she became. Finally, she looked at her father. "Do we know if our group is still safe? That the people you called in haven't overpowered our people and locked them up?"

"Don't say that. Rhia would have let us know." Serus's face took on a grim look. "I would know if she were in trouble."

The cell phone jingled, relieving Tessa's anxiety, and she hurriedly read David's text.

"He suggests we bring in the media," she said, studying the mixed feelings crossing both men's faces. "Hmm. What do you think of that idea? Or do you consider that another age old prejudice?"

Goran's snort left no doubt about his opinion. "The media can't be trusted at the best of times. This isn't going to be any different."

"Don't you know anyone who's honest? Someone from before? Who, whether you liked them or not, you respected?"

"Hell, no."

REVIEWS:

5 stars! Amazing read!

“This book picked up where Vampire in Denial ended, and notched it up a dozen steps. In the last book, Tessa started out worrying that she didn't fit in anywhere. In this book, she's worried that she and her friends will stay alive. And even more. They've discovered something evil going on. Something that will shake up the vamp and human worlds. Something that's too big for them. But when Tessa calls in reinforcements, things get even weirder.

I'm almost afraid to say anything that will give away the plot. So I'll just say that the end was really satisfying... and then it left me gasping. This entire story has twists and turns that stopped my breath and kept me clicking to the next page. I didn't want to stop reading. I love it too that we get to see into Cody and Jared's minds. Both of them are great, but I'm in the Cody camp. I'm super eager for the next book!” (E.S. Rose)

5 stars! Wonderful Sequel

“Just when we think Tessa is safe and there will be a resolution to the Tessa/Cody/Jared triangle, we're blindsided by more problems for these characters. Ms. Mayer leaves us with the ultimate cliffhanger so that we are all anxiously awaiting the next book to find out what happens!

I am a high school teacher and originally grabbed the first book in the series to see if it would appeal to some of my students. However, I was quickly hooked! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these books. They have romance, action, mystery...something for everyone.” (BJ35)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published writer. She's best known for Tuesday's Child, Hide'n Go Seek, her romantic suspense novels that was one of the final four in the Kensington Brava/Romantic Times contest this last year. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in several different genres.  To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series . All her books are available in print format as well.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author.

BOOKS BY DALE MAYER:

Psychic Vision Series

Tuesday's Child

Hide'n Go Seek

Maddy's Floor

Single Title Romantic Suspense/Thrillers

Touched by Death – out now!

Novellas

It's a Dog's Life (Romantic Comedy)

Young Adult Books

Dangerous Designs – Book I

Deadly Designs – Book 2 – out soon!

Vampire in Denial – Book I of Blood Ties

Vampire in Distress – Book 2 of Blood Ties

Gem Stone Mystery Series- out soon!

In Cassie's Corner- out soon

Non-Fiction Books

Career Essentials: The Resume

Career Essentials: The Cover Letter

Career Essentials: The Interview

Career Essentials: 3 in 1