Crystal the Christmas Angel by Theresa Oliver ~ Book Spotlight

Title: Crystal the Christmas Angel 

Author: Theresa Oliver
Publisher: Write More Publications
Pages: 66
Genre: Children’s Picture Book

All of the angels in Heaven are preparing for a big event, and Crystal, a little angel, wants to be a part of it. But the more she tries, the more the angels tell her that she is just too little. That is, until God himself gives her the biggest, most important task of all ... going with the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, and bringing God’s greatest gift to the world. But can Crystal do what God asks? Journey with Crystal as she discovers that God sometimes chooses the most unlikely for the greatest tasks. Crystal also discovers that you are never too little to do great things. You just need to believe and never give up.

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Meet the Author

Theresa Oliver grew up in southern Indiana, across from Louisville, Kentucky, in Clarksville, Indiana. In her childhood, she fell in love with the power of the written word, a love affair that has continued her whole life. She moved to Florida, where she has lived much of her adult life. She attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, Tenn., and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree, News Editorial sequence. She also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, Early Childhood Education sequence, from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Ga. She is currently a writer, a full-time teacher, and the owner of Write More Publications and TNT Author Services. However, her greatest adventure is as a mother of three beautiful boys. Oliver currently resides in Kissimmee, Florida, with her husband and children.

Her latest book is the children’s picture book, Crystal the Christmas Angel.

For More Information

• Visit Theresa Oliver’s website.
• Visit Theresa’s blog.
• Connect with Theresa on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out more about Theresa at Goodreads.

Chosen Soldiers by R.H. Scott ~ Book Spotlight

Title: Chosen Soldiers 

Author: R.H. Scott 

Release Date: February 9, 2016 

Publisher: Harper Voyager 

Genre: YA Dystopian/Thriller 

After the missiles tore up the Earth, societies crumbled, leaving scattered patches of humanity struggling to survive. Slowly, a group came together, helping each other regrow a world worth living in.

And then the Others attacked.

Realizing the need to truly protect themselves, they formed the Academy: a place where young people could be built into an elite military force. The training is intense…and so are the consequences for failure. Sloan Radcliffe is not a failure.

In fact, she’s the best of the best—the girls’ Senior Champion—and the only one who can match her is matched to her: her betrothed, Jared Dawson. They are the perfect couple: exemplary fighters, pure leaders, and exceptional role models. But as their time at the Academy draws to a close, Sloan is starting to see signs that maybe their life is built upon secrets…and that secrets are never a strong foundation.

With the battlefront looming and whispers growing louder, Sloan is caught up not only between her loyalties to her people, but also to the man she loves.

 A combination of military sci-fi and dystopian thriller, R. H. Scott’s Chosen Soldiers is an intense look at a young woman’s world shattering under the weight of its own illusions.

Meet the Author:

R.H. Scott, born 1991, has spent the better part of her life travelling with her mother and sisters. Having lived on three continents by the age of 21, she developed a unique interest in differing societies and psychology. Scott completed a Bachelor of Arts Sociology & Socio-Legal Studies and is currently working on her MSc Experimental Psychology. The granddaughter of two published authors, writing has been a lifelong passion, and outside of her academic endeavors, Miss Scott writes full time, enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and reading.

 

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Tour Schedule

Monday, February 8 - Book featured at Reader Girls

Thursday, February 11 - Book featured at Born to Read Books

Friday, February 12 - Book featured at Hot Off the Shelves

________

Monday, February 15 - Interviewed at The Review From Here

Tuesday, February 16 - Guest blogging at Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

Wednesday, February 17 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Thursday, February 18 - Book featured at Bound 2 Escape

Friday, February 19 - Book featured at CBY Book Club

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Monday, February 22 - Book featured at Rambling Reviews

February 23 - Interviewed at I'm Shelf-ish

February 24 - Book reviewed at Wishful Endings

February 25 - Interviewed at PUYB Virtual Book Club

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Monday, February 29 - Book featured at A Title Wave

Wednesday, March 2 - Book featured at Ali the Dragonslayer

Thursday, March 3 - Book featured at Around the World in Books

Friday, March 4 - Interviewed at Voodoo Princess

Amid Wind & Stone by Nicole Luiken ~ Cover Reveal

Title:  Amid Wind & Stone (Otherselves, #2)

Author: Nicole Luiken

Release Date: Mar. 7, 2016

Genre: YA Fantasy

There is one True World, and then there are the four Mirror Worlds: Fire, Water, Air, and Stone.

Audrey and Dorotea are “otherselves”—twin copies of each other who live on different

Mirror Worlds.

On Air, Audrey has the ability to communicate with wind spirits. As war looms, she’s torn between loyalty to her country and her feelings for a roguish phantom who may be a dangerous spy.

Blackouts and earthquakes threaten the few remaining humans on Stone, who have been forced to live underground. To save her injured sister, Dorotea breaks taboo and releases an imprisoned gargoyle. Brooding, sensitive Jasper makes her wonder if gargoyles aretruly traitors, as she’s always been told.

Unbeknownst to them, they both face the same enemy—an evil sorceress bent on

shattering all the Mirror Worlds.

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Author Bio:

Nicole Luiken wrote her first book at age 13 and never stopped.

She is the author of nine published books for young adults, including Violet Eyes and its sequels Silver Eyes and Angels Eyes, Frost, Unlocking the Doors, The Catalyst, Escape to the Overworld, Dreamfire and the sequel Dreamline. Through Fire & Sea, book one of Otherselves, and Amid Wind & Stone, book two of Otherselves, are her most recent releases. She also has an adult thriller, Running on Instinct, under the name N.M. Luiken and a fantasy romance series, Gate to Kandrith and Soul of Kandrith.

Nicole lives with her family in Edmonton, AB. It is physically impossible for her to go more than three days in a row without writing.

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Racing Hearts Paperback Compilation by Laura Lascarso ~ Character Interview

Today, I have with me up-and-coming NASCAR superstar Brooke Bradley who it has been said, races like a jackrabbit on Ritalin. She also happens to be my girlfriend. Brooke, how are you today?

I’m excellent, Jesse. How are you?

Spectacular. Now, every since you hit the NASCAR circuit six weeks ago, you’ve been spinning heads and breaking hearts. I’d like to give the fans what they want, which is to know a little bit more about you. You ready?

I was born ready.

All right then, let’s start with the hard-hitting stuff. What’s your favorite food?

Hmmm… there’s so many to choose from, but I’d have to say tacos.

Favorite ice cream?

You know that one already.

Spumoni?

[Laughing] No, strawberry.

Indy 500 or Daytona 500?

Daytona, of course. Hometown represent!

Ford or Chevy?

Chevy. No question.

If you could go any place in the world, where would you go?

New Zealand.

New Zealand?

Yeah, it looks gorgeous.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the summertime, besides racing cars?

Surfing.

What’s one thing not many people know about you?

I’m dyslexic.

Who’s your hero?

Danica Patrick. And my dad. Now it’s your turn, Jesse Copeland. What do you do when you’re not racing cars?

Hang out by the beach with my hot girlfriend.

Who’s your hero?

My father, #67, the late, great Phillip Copeland.

Long live the Conqueror. If you could be any superhero, who would it be?

Hmmm…I’d have to say Batman because of his sweet ride.

And if you could have one wish, what would it be? And don’t say wish for more wishes.

I’d wish for you and me to be together forever.

[kissing sounds]

One more question: what are you going to do after this interview?

I’m going to take my baby to get Mexican, order salsa that’s way too hot for me and pretend I can handle it.

[laughing] Sounds like a plan.

**********

Title: Racing Hearts Compilation
Author: Laura Lascarso
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: Available Now!!!

Book One:

Eighteen-year-old Jesse Copeland learns of a local car race sponsored by his father's nemesis, Shep Bradley, and the prize money might be enough to keep his family from losing their home—if he can win. 

Brooke, Shep’s daughter, is also aiming to compete, with or without her father’s approval. She’ll do whatever it takes to persuade Jesse to make her car race ready. Both are driven, both are risk-takers, and soon it’s more than engines getting fired up. Jesse tells himself their relationship is strictly business, until it isn’t.

Can two star-crossed lovers overcome a family feud as old as Ford vs. Chevy, or will the competition become too explosive for these racing hearts? 

Book Two:

See you at the finish line… 

With the big race weeks away, eighteen-year-old Jesse Copeland struggles to keep his head in the game and his hands off his smoking hot competition. But when Brooke reveals a secret that could destroy Jesse’s family, it sends him into a tailspin of self-doubt.

Jesse must pull himself together if he hopes to have a shot at the prize money, save his home, and win the heart of the girl he loves.

Can these two competitors overcome the sins of their fathers or will a shadowed history destroy their dreams forever?

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Author Bio:
Laura Lascarso aims to inspire more questions than answers in her young adult fiction. Her debut novel COUNTING BACKWARDS, which deals with mental illness, was awarded the Florida Book Award gold medal for YA lit in 2012. Her most recent novel, RACING HEARTS, tells the story of two star-crossed lovers set in Daytona Beach, the mecca of motorsports, and has been described as a Romeo & Juliet on wheels.

She lives in North Florida with her husband, two children and a menagerie of animals.

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Racing Hearts

by Laura Lascarso

Giveaway ends February 17, 2016.
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The Vatican Princess by C.W. Gortner - Review

Title: The Vatican Princess
Author: C.W. Gortner
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Length: 400 Pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias became Italy’s most ruthless and powerful family, electrifying and terrorizing their 15th-century Renaissance world.

To this day, Lucrezia Borgia is known as one of history’s most notorious villainesses, accused of incest and luring men to doom with her arsenal of poison.

International bestselling author C.W. Gortner’s new novel delves beyond the myth to depict Lucrezia in her own voice, from her pampered childhood in the palaces of Rome to her ill-fated, scandalous arranged marriages and complex relationship with her adored father and her rival brothers—brutal Juan and enigmatic Cesare.

This is the dramatic, untold story of a papal princess who came of age in an era of savage intrigue and unparalleled splendor, and whose courage led her to overcome the fate imposed on her by her Borgia blood.

Many of you may have watched the show The Borgias on TV (I forget what channel). This is not that show. While it may share some characters and events, the way their are treated is very different. Which one is more accurate? I have no idea.  I don't think anyone really does. Everything the Borgias did was steeped in secrecy, which leaves much to the imagination. Perhaps this is why the world seems to be fascinated with them.

I really enjoyed C.W. Gortner's take on the life of Lucrezia Borgia. We really get to focus on how events shaped and changed her life. And those events were ones that helped make history. While we may never know the reality of what she thought and felt through these years, C.W. Gortner does an amazing job bringing her to life. Lucrezia came back to life in her pages.

The corruption, not only in the Vatican, but in all of the religious and political spheres was astounding. Everything was done for a reason, and many of the people in high positions seem to have bought there way into them with favors or money. I'm amazed that the people seemed to be as OK with it as they were portrayed to be. It seemed to be common knowledge, but everyone looked the other way.

There are some potential trigger moments in the story - but nothing is described in an overly graphic way. I found the portrayal of her family and the intrigues that she was made a pawn of to be cruel - and her ability to rise against them and try to find happiness was incredible.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Blues Bones by Rick Starkey ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Title: Blues Bones
Author: Rick Starkey
Genre: Middle Grade, Paranormal
Release Date: March 7, 2016

Thirteen-year-old Rodney Becker has found the perfect cure for stage fright. Voodoo! 

Armed with the stolen finger bones of a dead blues guitar player and a mishmash of voodoo spells from the Internet, he and his best friend enter a graveyard at midnight to perform their ritual. Now, all that stands in his way of winning a local guitar competition is the power of RETURN – a side effect of the voodoo that spells disaster for Rodney. 

His cure has become a curse. How else can he explain jamming his finger so bad he can't hold a guitar pick, his part-time dad stealing his guitar, and his mom getting into an accident that could have taken her life? 

How much is Rodney willing to risk to achieve his dream of being a guitar legend? 

Pre-Order Sale Price of just $2.99 – regular price starting March 7^th.

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About Rick Starkey

Rick Starkey is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature. His main interest is writing novels for middle grade. Rick has sold short pieces to Highlights for Children including a game, magic tricks, and a short story. Knowing that most writers often wish that they had started their career earlier in life, Rick teaches a basic course for the Talented and Gifted Program (T.A.G.) at Walter’s State Community College in Morristown Tennessee. Rick’s students learn the basics of magazine submissions including cover and query letters, market research, and manuscript preparation. The T.A.G. program is for students grades 5 – 8 and come from seven counties in East Tennessee.

Rick lives in a 200-year-old log cabin in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he and his wife, Betty, own and run Make It Magic, a magic shop and craft store. A day in Rick’s life includes recommending and performing magic tricks for customers of all ages, carving a bear from a log with a chainsaw, and working on his next novel.

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The First King of Shannara by Terry Brooks ~ Review

Title: First King of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #0)
Author: Terry Brooks
Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Length: 489 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: March 6, 1997
Source: Library
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

THE SECOND WAR OF THE RACES

Horrified by the misuse of magic they had witnessed during the First War of the Races, the Druids at Paranor devoted themselves to the study of the old sciences, from the period before the collapse of civilization a thousand years before. Only the Bremen and a few trusted associates still studied the arcane arts. And for his persistence, Bremen found himself outcast, avoided by all but the few free-thinkers among the Druids.

But his removal from Paranor was not altogether a terrible thing, for Bremen learned that dark forces were on the move from the Northlands. That seemingly invincible armies of trolls were fast conquering all that lay to their south. That the scouts for the army - and its principal assassins - were Skull Bearers, disfigured and transformed Druids who had fallen prey to the seductions of the magic arts. And that at the heart of the evil tide was an archmage and former Druid named Brona!

Using the special skills he had acquired through his own study of Magic, Bremen was able to penetrate the huge camp of the Troll army and learn many of its secrets. And he immediately understood that if the peoples of the Four Lands were to escape eternal subjugation they would need to unite. But, even united, they would need a weapon, something so powerful that the evil magic of Brona, the Warlock Lord, would fail before its might...

All those events you hear Allanon talking about - well here's the first hand look into the life of Bremen, the fall of the Druids and the first battle with Brona. Seeing the events unfold all together as a single story was a lot of fun. You pick up on the various parts of the legends and the histories that you hear in bits and pieces throughout the series. As such, it can easily be read as a stand alone and you will still get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

In fact, you may get more enjoyment out of it. I found I had learned a little too much about the events and characters, and when they didn't live up to my expectations, especially Jerle Shannara, who I found to be very un-heroic and a little whiny at times.

The druid Bremen, on the other hand, was great. I loved his tenacity and his sorrow that he wasn't able to make people (like the Druids) change their mind about how they would react to events. Overall the adventure was a little predictable (but I already knew what was going to happen), and the hero was a little too underwhelming, but it was still fun.

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The Shannara Series
The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #1)
The Elfstones of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #2)
The Wishsong of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #3)
Indomitable (The Original Shannara Trilogy #3.25)
The Scions of Shannara (The Heritage of Shannara #1)
The Druid of Shannara (The Heritage of Shannara #2)
The Elf Queen of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara #3)
The Talisman of Shannara (Heritage of Shannara #4)