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Friday, April 26, 2013

Family Ever After Book Blast and Giveaway



Family Ever After: Simple Ways to Achieve Perfect Happiness in an Imperfect Family Women frustrated with their marriage and their family will find the help they need to achieve greater happiness and success in their family in the new book, Family Ever After: Simple Ways to Achieve Extraordinary Happiness with Your Ordinary Family by stay-at-home mom, blogger, and ordinary family leader Michelle H. Packard. Family Ever After uses the fairytale concept that once you find your prince charming life is happily ever after. Michelle H. Packard knows this concept, while romantic, is not realistic, and she provides a practical, poignant, funny, and moving exploration of the simple ways you can help find greater happiness and satisfaction in your marriage and family. Packard says, “While the idea of happy ever after is distorted, you can, in fact, achieve a Family Ever After.” Family Ever After brings time-tested and well-researched principles to family life to help you learn specific ways to improve your marriage and your family, whether that family is ordinary or extraordinary. Using real-world examples of best practices and helping woman readjust their media-driven perception of what happily ever after means, Family Ever After gives readers a pragmatic, helpful, and entertaining exploration of:
  • How happiness in marriage and family life requires a more educated, real-world perspective
  • How proper prioritization and defining what’s important in marriage and family is key to success;
  • Why conflict is part of an ordinary family experience and how to peacefully resolve it;
  • How to cultivate a sense of humor;
  • How to develop a thoughtful and sincere habit of complimenting each member of your family;
  • How to improve family relationships with extended family members; and
  • Learning how to love a family member in the way they understand and accept that love
More than another how-to-have-a-perfect-family book, Family Ever After helps you gain the understanding and the practical skills of what makes ordinary families successful. Family Ever After is an essential and beautiful resource for all women who want to put more happiness in theirs and their family’s life.  
  Praise "Family Ever After is a must-read for every happily married Cinderella who wonders why she’s still holding the broom." --Rachelle J. Christensen, award-winning author of Wrong Number and Caller ID "Michelle is open enough to have given readers an intimate look into her life and those close to her, allowing us to learn from both painful and sweet experiences.  Her self-reflective style and meaningful insights, if applied, would clearly make a profound impact in the lives of readers." --Shawn Edgington Ph.D.

  michelleAuthor Michelle Packard Michelle Packard is a mother to her four very human and totally fabulous kids. Her oldest, Ella is always in charge and leads the pack with creativity and curiosity, Daniel follows with loyalty and loves tenderly, Julia is a doll and always buzzing over something beautiful, and Jackson could hunt down the last sharpie on earth to create art on your bathroom wall. She has been married ten years and is quite taken with her guy. Date night is her favorite and she dreams of weekend getaways with her man. She loves creating beauty through floral design, but apparently has no gift with living flowers (They end of upside down and pressed in books). She finds parties alluring. They beckon her to invite people over, spend way too much time preparing food for murder mystery dinners, and totally enjoy friends and family. Michelle holds a bachelors degree in Home and Family Science from Brigham Young University. She has spent a great deal of time working with children and young adults and finds her greatest joy is happy families.
   
Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/15/13   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, April 19, 2013

Review & Giveaway: The Space Between by Kristie Cook






New Adult Paranormal Romance
Date to be Published: 4/5/2013


Synopsis:
When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between

After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to
Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared
empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she
can’t open.

Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to
reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out
of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been
haunting his dreams day and night.

Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t
escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to
crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men
attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical
fascination.

To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that
requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must
do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them.
Permanently.

   
Review: 

The Space Between is a new adult paranormal novel with really well developed characters, an interesting plot line, and a unique paranormal element.  I thought overall the book is just really well done.

I really felt for Leni.  How awesome to get the chance to go to Italy to dance.  Then she comes home and all traces of her uncle's existence are gone.  That has to be freaky and frustrating.

This book has two romance elements - Leni and Jeric who she just can't seem to stay away from and Jacey and Micha, out of this world guardians.  They're all connected, but I won't say how.  It's really well done and I love the interplay each couple has between themselves.  Jeric is hot.  Hot name.  Hod bod.  Tattoos and piercings!  My kind of guy.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for something different, lovers of paranormal, new adult readers and those interested in mystery.  





Kristie Cook
Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.

The Space Between, which releases April 2013, kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix. 

Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com
Soul Savers Series Website: http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com


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Guest Post: Between the Lines: (Mostly) Unknown Facts About Jeric From The Space Between


Along The Space Between release tour, we’re sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits about the book, the characters and more. Things that fall “between the lines” of the story’s prose. So here’s Jeric, one of the main characters, sharing a few (sort of) unknown facts about himself. I have to give a little warning: the mature content warning on the book is mostly due to Jeric. But you can’t help but love him. 

Jeric *with a shrug*: I am who I am. What you see is what you get. Except for those parts I don’t want to talk about. Here’s a taste of me—enjoy the tease *snarky grin*: 

  1. I had a good life. An awesome life. Until I was 14 and sh—crap got real. Too real, if you ask me. And then life sucked. It still sucks big ones. Until I met Leni, anyway. But back thenI had it all. A great family. Friends. Life in a two-story house in the suburbs. But it was all a beautiful lie. 
  2. Neither of my parents was musically inclined, but my first grade music teacher noticed my talent right away. The next thing I knew, I was in piano lessons. Then the guitar and the saxophone and my parents even gave in to the drums. They made a room in the basement into a music room with all of my instruments. Guess I was kind of spoiled. Probably shouldn’t give Leni so much crap about that. 
  3. I can play any song on just about any instrument by ear. Well, I used to anyway. Not exactly anymore. So enough about music. 
  4. They say some guys are boob men, others are legs and others are butts. I don’t see how they can pick a favorite part. I can’t. I like them all. 
  5. don’t back down from fightsActually, I throw the first punch. But the whole professional thing sucks. I don’t care who you are, eventually, you’re going to get hit. The better you get, the better the other guy in the ring with you. The pains a rush. The adrenaline’s a turn-on. But I can do without the cuts and bruises. It’s kind of hard to appreciate a woman’s body when your swollen cheek is blocking the view and your hands are too sore to feel what’s under them. I’d rather roll in the sheets with a girl than bounce around a ring with another guy any day. 
  6. The closest thing to sports I did as a kid was skateboarding. I could grind, flip and Ollie all over. Then I broke my hand in a crash and couldn’t play guitar for months. That was the end of my boarding days until I went to the French Alps and did some snowboarding. I’ll be doing that again, no lie. 
  7. My favorite things: 
Women 
Jack Daniels 
Women 
Getting inked 
Weightlifting 
Women 
Running 
People watching—there are some freaks out there! 
(Don’t tell anyone, but I like to read, too.) 
Did I mention women? Preferably naked. (See what I did there? Gotta hold on to my man-card.) 

Heh. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you didn’t notice, Jeric didn’t really share all that much about himself. That’s just how he is. But you get to know him a lot better—the real Jeric—in The Space Between, the first part of The Book of Phoenix. 

About The Space Between: 

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between 

***** 

Bestselling author Kristie Cook, with over 200,000 books sold, brings you another New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix 

***** 

“A completely unique story with a paranormal twist . . . the perfect blend of romance and mystery with a phenomenal plot that will keep you guessing.” ~ Jessica, Confessions of a Bookaholic 

“I loved this book! The characters, the romance, the plot, the originality! It had everything to make it an amazing book! ~ Kendall, Book Crazy 

***** 

After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she can’t open. 

Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been haunting his dreams day and night. 

Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical fascination. 

To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them. Permanently. 

***** 

“This is a completely new twist on the idea of a timeless love story with a paranormal twist unlike any other. The connection between the two characters is bone deep and resonates beautifully. I will never forget this novel.” ~ Heather McCorkle, Author of the fantasy Channeler series 

“Kristie has done it again! Her Soul Savers series is my favorite by far and yet The Space Between is easily the best book she’s ever written! It's dangerous, suspenseful, and smokin’ hot.” ~ Marissa, Comfortably Read Book Reviews 

“The Space Between is an amazing story of life, love and fates. Author Kristie Cook has you hanging on the edge of every page. This book stays in your head well after the last page.” ~ Mindy, Forbidden Reviews 

**Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language. 



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Review: A Glimpse of Her Soul by Stuart Jaffe






Young Adult Fantasy
Date Published: 2/11/13


When 16-year-old Gillian Boone discovers that a secret message has been etched into her soul, her world of normal teenage life is destroyed. Now, bizarre monstrosities try to kill her so they can read this message as her soul departs, hoping its information will guide them back to the world they came from.

Though she has the aid of her father and some new friends, there is only one who has the real power to help. A rogue monster named Jackhammer Jack. But he might want her secret, too, even as he helps her evade the clutches of those pursuing her.

With threats surrounding her, Gillian will have to lead her allies in a struggle for survival - a struggle all the more treacherous when her allies are just as dangerous as her enemies.  

Filled with action, excitement, magic, a touch of romance, and mystery, A Glimpse of Her Soul is a pulse-pounding ride you're sure to enjoy.


My Review
A Glimpse of Her Soul is a mix of paranormal and sci-fi/fantasy.  It was an engrossing read, that kept me turning pages due mostly to it's very unique plot.  I have never read anything like this before.

The action in the book is very fast paced.  I like fast paced books because they keep you going.  There were a few places that the book was a little too fast paced and could have been slowed down with some more details added.

The characters in the book were developed nicely, with Jackhammer Jack being my favorite.  Gillian acts like a normal teenage girl.  She lashes out at her father and struggles with her feelings while she is struggling for survival.  I think this is pretty realistic of how a teenage girl would act under the circumstances.

This book was a lot of fun and I recommended it to anyone that likes sci-fi/fantasy and anyone looking for something unique.  



Virtual Book Tour April 2 - April 30

April 2 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet
April 3 - My Reading Addiction - Review
April 5 - Texas Book Nook - Review
April 8 - Pixie Dust Reviews - Review/Interview
April 9 - Taking it One Page at a Time - Review/Guest Post
April 10 - Known to Read - Review
April 11 - Owlnestly Reviews - Review/Guest Post  
April 13  - My Cozie Corner - Review
April 14 - Lets Get Booked - Review
April 14 -  Offbeat Vagabond - Review/Guest Post
April 15 - 
April 17 - The Fiction Connection - Review
April 17 - Waiting on Sunday to Drown - Review
April 19 - Lets Get Booked - Review/Guest Post
April 20 Gimme the Scoop Reviews - Review
April 21 - Books, Authors, Blogs - Review/Guest Post
April 22 - Bookworm Lisa - Review
April 23 - Musings of a Blodger- Review/Interview
April 24 - Books and Their Worldly Realm - Review
April 25 - Frankie Blooding - Review
April 26 - Read-A-Holicz - Review/Interview
April 27 - Book Referees - Review
April 28 - Total Book Geek - Review
April 29 - Must Read Faster - Review
April 29 - The readers Hollow - Review
April 30 - The Solitary Bookworm - Review
April 30 - RABT Reviews - Review



Stuart Jaffe

Stuart Jaffe is the author of The Max Porter Paranormal-Mysteries, The Malja Chronicles, The
Bluesman series, and much more. His short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and
anthologies. He is the co-host of The Eclectic Review - a weekly podcast about science, art, and
well, everything. For those who keep count, the latest animal listing is as follows: one dog, four
cats, one albino corn snake, one Brazilian black tarantula, three aquatic turtles, one lop-eared
rabbit, twenty chickens, and a horse. Thankfully, the chickens and the horse do not live inside
the house.


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