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Saturday, September 22, 2018

The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson

TheOrnament Keeper_BLOG

Welcome to the blog tour & giveaway for The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

the ornament keeper Title: The Ornament Keeper  
Author: Eva Marie Everson  
Publisher: New Hope Publishers  
Release Date: September 24, 2018  
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Holiday

Award-winning author Eva Marie Everson wraps up a Christmas story of hope, love, and forgiveness just in time for the holidays.

The Ornament Keeper, a contemporary Christmas novella, features Felicia and Jackson Morgan who are spending their first Christmas apart after twenty years of marriage. But a lifetime of gifted ornaments helps Felicia piece together the story of their marriage and the one mistake of unforgiveness she made before they said, “I do.”

Can these memory-filled ornaments reunite this family before Christmas? Only time will tell.  
Review:
Wow,I'm still emotional over this read! There's some good memories and some tough ones that Felicia aka Leesha,has to process as she painstakingly hangs each of the nineteen ornaments on the Christmas, remembering what each memory signifies. I was determined not to cry but atlas, the author grabs my heart with a revelation that hits close to home. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more from this author. This is a very touching story that teaches about love and forgiveness that I'm sure we can all learn a little from the lessons Felicia learns. I recommend this book hundred percent! 

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

eva-marie-hi-res

Eva Marie Everson is a multiple-award winning author and speaker who hails from the picturesque Southern town of Sylvania, Georgia. She is president of Word Weavers International, director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, Managing Editor at Firefly Southern Fiction, and enjoys coaching new authors through her company, Pen in Hand. She is an avid photographer who enjoys turning her photos into inspiring memes for you to share (with proper attribution). Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida. They are the parents of three fabulous children who have blessed them with the world's greatest grandchildren.

CONTACT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

the ornament keeper blog tour giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive:
  • a print copy of The Ornament Keeper, and
  • an ornament handpicked by the author
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 17, 2018 and last through 11:59pm September 24, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Follow along at JustReadTours for a full schedule of stops!
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Thursday, September 13, 2018

Cover REVEAL:Brutal Curse by Casey L Bond

Title: Brutal Curse
Author: Casey L. Bond
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling
Editor: Stacy Sanford/ The Girl with the Red Pen
Cover Designer: Melissa Stevens/ The Illustrated Author Design Services
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb: Prince Carden of Tierney lost his home, family, and claim to the throne in one fell swoop when he rebelled against his father for a cause he knew was right. Instead of wallowing in despair, he embarks on a new journey, starting a new life on the Southern Isle. When he finds himself caught in a web woven by the famously ruthless fae queen, Coeur, he insults her and she vows to teach him the most difficult and heart-breaking lesson he will ever learn: that humans are incapable of love, and that hearts are beastly things.
Arabella wasn’t really living, she was existing and surviving as best she could.  A chance encounter with Carden changes everything for her, but the deadly game he’s dragged her into might cost her life.
Still, she agrees to play. The rules the fae queen gives them are vague, and it’s obvious there are things Queen Coeur isn’t telling them. She’s sure of it. But what she does know is that together, she and Carden must pass a series of tests and trials. If they fail, game over. But if they succeed, she just might be able to restore her family and carve out the life she’s always envisioned.
Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links: 

Monday, September 10, 2018

Dickensen Academy by Christine Grabowski

Dickensen Academy
by Christine Grabowski
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: September 12th 2018
The Wild Rose Press, Inc




Summary: 

This school may be her dream come true…or her worst nightmare.

Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.

Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.

When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?

Two Character Interviews

Interview with Autumn, Protagonist

So, tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Autumn Mattison. I’m from Seattle, and I just started my freshman year of high school at Dickensen Academy.

Why did you choose to attend Dickensen Academy?
Who wouldn’t? Almost no one gets in the place. So when I got in, it shocked us all. And it made my dad so proud. It’s got this great writing program, which I’m really excited about. And the art classes sound fun too. And I’ve got it admit, it was great to move out of the house. My dad is a control freak and sometimes I feel like I can barely breath around him.

What do you like about boarding school so far?
It’s so amazing to be off on my own. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks and I’ve already got four really good friends. My roommate, Aditi, is so sweet. And then there’s Hannah, this girl I run cross country with. Ben and Ryan usually hang out with us too.

What about the classes?
I’m really liking school so far. The classes are small and the teachers are super-passionate. Especially Mr. Robbins. He teaches Creative Core which is this art class that is supposed to be the backbone of the fine arts program. To me, it just seems like drawing and art and stuff. But the faculty says it’s much more than that.

Anything you don’t like?
Well…there’s something weird about this place that sometimes gives me the creeps. It’s almost like I’ve been here before. I keep having these déjà vu moments. But it’s probably all my imagination. My dad would say I have too much of that. But there are also all these rules. Like freshmen can’t leave campus until Thanksgiving, and we can’t hang out with the upperclassmen. There’s even this huge fence hidden in the woods. It feels like we are locked in. But the teachers say its because up here in the mountains there are lots of wild animals. But it seems a bit overkill to me.

Do you have any goals for the year?
I’m hoping to get good grades. I don’t think my dad believes I can hack it on my own. But I want to prove him wrong. No way will I ever do as well as my brother, Josh. But hopefully I can do well enough to get my dad off my back.

Anything you’d like to add?
Well, there’s this guy, Ben. He’s really cute. We hang out a lot, but usually in a group. Aditi thinks he likes me. He even dreamed about me before we got in. Weird, right? But I doubt he’s interested in me. I’m sure he’ll end up with someone more like Hannah, who is model gorgeous.

Interview with Ben

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Ben Coleman. I’m a freshmen here at Dickensen and turn fifteen next month. My family lives in Seattle.

Why did you choose to attend Dickensen Academy?
This place has a great reputation for academics and fine arts. I’m a focused student and like the challenge. But I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to leave home. I’m really tight with my family, especially my mom. It was just the two of us for years until Jim came along. And then there’s my brother, Calvin. He’d just five. The kid looks up to me like crazy, and I do a lot with him so my mom can get stuff done. I was worried about leaving them alone, especially because my brother has some medical issues. But then I had this vivid dream where my family was at Dickensen Academy, and I woke up feeling I needed to accept and that everything would work out. My family supported my decision.

What do you like about boarding school so far?
It’s great. I’ve got an awesome roommate named Ryan. He’s a bit of a goofball. But he gets me to let loose—something I couldn’t do much of at home when I always had to be responsible.  Then there’s this girl, Autumn. We have the deepest conversation. But as I’ve gotten to know her, I realize she is beautiful in this I-don’t-even-try sort of way, always wearing jeans and hoodies.  But I’m sure she sees me as just a friend, and I’m not really looking for a girlfriend right now.

What about your classes?
Love them. The teachers are fantastic. Most are really strict which I actually like. I’m here to learn. But then there’s Robbins. He teaches Creative Core which is this art class that is highly praised. So far, we’re just drawing. But the he’s super laid back, so we get to chat with our friend while we work. It’s a nice break from the academics.    

Anything you don’t like?
The rules. I’ve made some friends with some of the older guys playing sports after school. I’d like to hang out with them after practice, but supposedly we’re not allowed to “fraternize” with the upperclassman. What kind of a dumb rule is that? I’ve talked to this sophomore, Gabe. He basically said we could be friends later in the year, but not now. I feel like there’s something big they are hiding from us freshmen. Autumn gets the same vibe as me. She suggested it might be some form of hazing. But I don’t know. It feels bigger than that. Ryan tells me I’m paranoid, so I’m trying to let it go. But sometimes I really wonder if this school is more than it seems.

Do you have any goals for the year?
Good grades. Make friends. Just the normal stuff.

Anything you’d like to add?
Can’t think of anything.

Buy Links:

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Book Trailer:


About the Author

Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.

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Saturday, September 1, 2018

Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll Review



A murder investigation uncovers sordid secrets and haunting mistakes

The Darkwater Inn stands tall and proud in the French Quarter, the hub of New Orleans. Bourbon Street is bustling, and general manager Adelaide Fountaine has her hands full with a hotel at capacity. But she is shocked when a body is found: a hotel guest stabbed with a kitchen knife.

Detective Beau Savoie, Adelaide's childhood friend, is on the case. As Beau digs into the victim's past, he unearths a shocking connection between Adelaide and the murdered guest. Beau is hurt that his friend--the woman he's quietly loved for years--kept the truth from him. To make matters worse, the stress of the investigation has sent Adelaide right into the comforting arms of her coworker Dimitri. But Beau can't press Adelaide too hard . . . because he's keeping secrets of his own.

Can Adelaide and Beau afford to hide from the truth with a killer on the loose?
 
Review:

I have to say the first chapter or so was a bit slow at catching my attention but once the action started it gripped me to the end! I wasn't sure what to expect in this read but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed how the faith of the characters played a role in this story along with other cultures practices. This story has a mystery to and once the crime was solved I thought the book would be over,but I was wrong. The author wasn't finished with the growth of the characters and I really loved seeing how Addy grew in the end. I love reading books that take place in my home state and especially New Orleans with it's unique dimensions and cultural. I do have to say though, the author note at the end calls New Orleans Cajun Country, which it is not. It's actually Creole Country. There are restaurants that may call their food Cajun but it isn't authentic Cajun,atleast not any I have eaten at,I have been sorely disappointed when ordering Cajun food in New Orleans until my bestie reminded me they cook it differently there,it's actually Creole cooking. Also if you Google Cajun Country, you'll see Acadiana pop up,which is made up of 22 parishes which do not include New Orleans. I actually live in the heart of Cajun Country. Besides that I loved seeing the author bring in some of the actual places,sites,food and cultural of New Orleans into the story.