Friday, June 26, 2015

Gunning for Marie by Tracey Steinbach Birthday blog tour -guest post.

I am pleased to host Stacey on my blog introducing her latest book to all of us as she goes on this tour. She even has a giveaway for your pleasure. 
 
BLURB:
Several years after the third World War, resources are scarce. The poor are poorer and the middle class doesn't exist anymore. A man with resources travels from city to town buying teenagers from desperate parents and orphanages. The teens are educated, fed and clothed as appropriate for their end purpose, Soldier or Breeder.

A strong, young woman, Marie Rice, falls for Gunnar Lincoln. Their attraction is forbidden, Marie meant for someone else. Disturbing events on the island lead to Gunnar and Marie looking for a way to escape and save everyone else. While they bide their time, attraction turns to something stronger. Will they escape? Will they save the others?

AUTHOR BIO:
Tracey has been married for over twenty years to a man who’s broadened her horizons. He introduced her to NHRA Drag Racing in 1997. She’s been a fan ever since. Her three children call her Mom or Mama.
Tracey has an eclectic taste in music, enjoying everything from country to hard rock. Def Leppard is her favorite rock band.
Tracey enjoys watching Disney cartoon movies, action/adventure, and romantic comedies. Castle is her favorite TV show.
She loves watching NFL Football. Go 9ers and Saints!
Tracey has been an avid reader since her teen years. She started writing, seriously, after her first short story was accepted for an anthology in 2011. Reading books for a living had always been a dream of Tracey’s. She often jokes that she writes to fund her reading habit.

Where I write

One of my favorite places to write is inside whatever vehicle my hubby is working on. He pulls it into the garage and I drag my laptop, beverage, and phone out. I turn on music from Pandora, Sirius, or YouTube and start typing. Unless he has the radio already on, then we listen to that. He talks to me, interrupts me to turn this or that on, asks what I’m doing, bangs with the hammer, turns on the air compressor to use his air tools, asks for a drink, interrupts me to push this or that down… Yeah. But I love it!





The other place I write is my daughter’s recliner. It faces the television, the foot rest comes up, there’s a table beside it, it faces the television… Did I mention that? Procrastination, thine are my bane! 

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://steinbachtracey.wix.com/traceysteinbach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracey.steinbach
Blog: http://traceysteinbachtraceymichael.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @MamaS449
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5200708.Tracey_Steinbach

This post is compliments of  Lightning Chronicles and 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 1 ebook copy of Gunning for Marie in the winner’s choice of format.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Taming the Tida by Eslynne Smith-guest post blog tour



Welcome to the tour of Taming the Tida by Eslynne Smith.  The full tour schedule can be seen at http://www.elitebookpromotions.com/book-tours/.


In 2014 the nation was in crisis. Partisan politics were the rule of the day, stifling and sabotaging meaningful change in Washington. Americans were desperate for someone—anyone—to offer them hope, to show them there was indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.

That hope came in the form of Sharmin Smith, a contestant on the breakthrough reality show Who Wants to Be President? Designed to increase voter participation and heal a deeply divided nation, Who Wants to Be President? pitted contestants against each other in speeches on America's most pressing issues, from abortion and health care to immigration and the economy.

Smith, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, caught the country's attention, delivering her unusual, groundbreaking opinions with two service dogs by her side. She gave a nation hope, and in return, Americans gave her their trust.

The first book of the Change the World trilogy, Taming the Tida gives hope to those tired of contemporary political gridlock and looks to a brighter tomorrow.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Eslynne Smith is the Author of Taming the Tida, a fictional story about politics, religion and a Reality TV show. Eslynne was born in a naval hospital in Newport, RI just after the Navy’s 200th birthday. She has been following politics ever since her mother told her she was related to James K. Polk, the 11th President of The United States of America. She comes from a long line of military spouses and has been an enlisted spouse, a commissioned spouse and she is currently a retired spouse as her husband recently retired after 22 years of naval service.

She has held professional positions for over 20 years in the financial services industry, including the “Big 3”. She began by working in the accounting department for a computer company before she moved into auto finance and finally on to the mortgage industry. She obtained her Direct Endorsement from FHA to underwrite government loans in 2005 just before Hurricane Katrina hit. She held training and leadership roles where she did everything from write policies and procedures for default and collections to manage underwriting and repurchase teams during the recent mortgage crisis.

Eslynne was diagnosed with PTSD in the summer of 2008 from traumatic childhood events.  After years of multiple therapy techniques she accepted the advice of a trusted therapist and stepped away from her professional life to focus on her personal life. It was during this time that she embraced writing for pleasure and decided to undertake the Great American Novel. 


EXCERPT

"There’s a meme out there stating that people who cuss are actually more trustworthy. If that's true, then I'm the most trustworthy fucker you’ll ever meet in politics." The announcer slides his arm around her shoulder as they both laugh at the remarks. He looks at her and their eyes meet for an uncomfortable moment. She slides out from under his arm and squares her shoulders.

“You look amazing tonight.”  He breathes.

Sharmin rolls her eyes and drops a little accent as she responds “Thank you, I clean up alright.  It helps when you have a team of pros that knows what they’re doing. I don’t even recognize myself.  It’s so itchy.  I can’t wait to get it off.”

“It’s a good look on you, you should do this more often.”  He smiles and tries to be charming.

Sharmin smirks at him and nods her head “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He continues “One question please. If you are elected as President, do you want to be called Madam or Mrs.?"

Sharmin looks him in the eyes and said “Ms. please, I’m not marrying it. It’s a title I won’t just have to earn it, I’ll have to prove I deserve it. Not as a Madam running a whore house, but as the President running our White House.” then she walks away, leaving him to stare after her as she walks out on stage.



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Rave Review Book Club recruitment day blog

Once again this is the time of the month when Rave Review Book Club is trying to add more members. If you are a struggling writer, this is the place for you. They will help get your platform off the ground and you on your way to be recognized as a writer through their various programs to get the word out about you and your work. There is a cost associated with becoming a member but is it very low with rewards being high for you ravereviewsmembership@gmail.com Talk with the membership secretary (John) and find out if this organization is a good fit for you. While you are at it, mention me and go to this link to vote for me having the best blog. http://wp.me/P49Fi9-GG

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Fairly Certain by Deborah Ann Davis- A Love of Fair Tales-my review

 I gave this five stars because I just loved it. Especially the way Deborah brought the story to conclusion. 

I was given a copy for my honest review which this is.  When I first started reading the story, I thought this was just another Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court type book. I was wrong. It is even better because the author has you believing from the start that you are a witness to a time traveler going through time in a dream. Petir, who falls out of a tree losing his cell phone wakes up being rescued by characters from merry old England only this time Robin Hood is a female, Maid Rianne making the story even more interesting.

 As you read, you are caught up in the dream that Petir thinks he is having but everything is so real to him, yet he still believes he is  just dreaming. In his dream, he finds the woman of his affection, Maid Rianne along with a host of others from previous Robin Hood stories.

An excerpt from the book- 
Everyone was decked in their finery—lords, ladies, and peasants alike. 
Disappointment rippled through her as she watched the tournament attendees. She had so wanted to participate in the archery competition, but the risk of drawing attention was too great. Her capture would put the entire camp of outlaws at risk. 
But she had a more important, although seemingly impossible, mission right now. What if I fail to sneak into the fair? 
And once I get in, how am I going to locate Mistress Jocelyn? Rianne willed herself to be calm. 
First things first. Where is the best place to slip in? 
She scanned the edge of the fair, ignoring the scampering children, bypassing the men carrying sacks of feed and bales of hay, disregarding a burly blond lord stealing a kiss from a redheaded wench behind a booth, and…  Wait. Is that…? 


I admit that I left the book after the first few pages going on to another book but was drawn back to the story wondering how this would go. Surprising a was wound up in the story being well written and paced to keep you reading to find out if it was a dream or it was real?  My hats off to Deborah for pulling this story off in such good fashion. I highly recommend this book to fairy tale readers and others that like a good story.

 “If Variety is the spice of life, Humor is my favorite flavor.” –Deborah Ann Davis 

About the Author-DEBORAH ANN DAVIS has joyfully taught Science (Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science) for 25+ years. Even though they had followed separate paths, Deborah reunited with, and married her childhood sweetheart, twelve years after their first kiss. Somewhere in the middle of all that educating, she stepped out of teaching for 6 years to do the mommy thing and run the office for the family construction company. During that time, she and her husband coached a Girls AAU Basketball Team, which swept States two years in a row. She is also an Educational Speaker and a Certified Personal Trainer. For several years their daughter and their money went to college. They currently reside on a lovely lake in Connecticut. Deborah enjoys dabbling with living a sustainable life, writing novels, dancing, playing outside, and laughing really hard every day.  She actively promotes increasing the amount of movement throughout your day via Wiggle Writer posts on her blog, Merry Meddling. You can learn more at www.DeborahAnnDavis.com @DeborahAnnDavis. or follow her
DEBORAH ANN DAVIS 

Talk back, I'm listening and follow this blog for more reviews of good books. 

Friday, June 12, 2015

All quiet on the home front or is it?

At left is my first picture on my blogs. At right is Tracy, one of my first guest authors on my blog. From that first real push of my blog it has grown and grown. The number of posts have surpassed 300 and counting. My blog "Lightning Chronicles" has had several guests Some well known others just getting their feet wet in today's publishing industry.  I have found great pleasure in bringing these authors and their books to you as I have found discovering new stories, old stories retold in a totally different manner that they appear as new material. Some the original stories had the main character as a male. Lately, I have been finding the character has become female. The old fashion stories of wimpy is me females has disappeared. They no longer need a male to protect them, in more stories the female is the one doing the ass kicking.  Is your lead female character a strong character or depends on the man for everything? Years ago, the female mostly from birth was taught they needed a strong male to make decisions, income and to protect them. Their role was to stay home and keep house, raise the children his way, make the meals from what was provided for them by the male and follow his rules. Now days, a female is more and more likely to shatter that mold proving to the world they are equal if not superior to males in many ways. The man might be physically stronger but the one thing I hear a lot is, men could never survive child birth proving women are stronger.
Talk back, I'm listening.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Release day Blitz- Proven by Kristen Day of the Daughters of the Sea series-guest post

   
Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KKho1x
The thrilling last installment of the Daughters of the Sea series is the culmination of a breathtaking saga that will steal your heart and enchant your soul.
As the Atlantean Games draw near, every Order will descend upon the magical island of Atlantis; resurrecting an ancient tradition and setting in motion a fate determined centuries earlier. In her relentless search for retribution, Selene uncovers the one vulnerability capable of destroying not only Stasia, but all fifty of the Nereids. Traitors will emerge and old rivals are reawakened as Stasia discovers the shocking end of her elusive prophecy. With Fallon and Olivia still missing and an Army of Auras preparing for battle, Stasia and her Council must unlock the secrets of the Nereids and find a way to save their world before destiny intervenes. But like the Nereids themselves, even destiny is vulnerable to the sands of time.
Haven't started the Daughters of the Sea series yet? Get Forsaken for FREE!
FREE on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JsE09t
Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…
Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago. Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her
Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and a dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.
Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendants of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.
But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.
She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesized to be a part of. The fate of all the descendants will forever depend upon it.
About Kristen Day
I am a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. I love all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. I’ve been told I see the world through rose-colored glasses, but I prefer to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses – swirling and morphing reality into something I can digest (who hasn’t pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?). When I’m not writing I’m making jewelry, painting, drinking sweet tea, watching the discovery channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with my amazing husband.  
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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Finding time to read or do you?

I have been trying to set aside a few hours a week to read but it seems like there is so many things that come up. Like writing, my blogs, and staying on top of my social media and other people's blog. I am trying to catch up on my reviews but something prevents me from reaching the words "The End" of the stories I am reading to review. Besides finding time, I have another problem, whatever my mood is that day determines whether I read one kind of story or another. If my mood is down, I tend to stop reading unless the story lifts me from my hum drums in one fashion or another. How does your mood effect your reading or your writing? I know that if I am into writing, I tend to write the scene in the negative manor, maybe actually kill off an antagonist to make me feel better. LOL!  

Currently, I am reading Letty's Story which is boring me now as it reaches current time frame and gets into things about money. I liked a lot the early years about when she was five and the Japanese bombed her city of Manila in the being of the war, her failures and triumphs as she grew up in war torn Philippines learning to read to read and going to school. Her early years in Medical college as she grew older. I will try to finish it so I can do a review. 

Talk back, I'm listening and confused.