Book Spotlight - Southern Adventures by Tracy Kauffman

Southern Adventures

Description


Kay remembered times when she had prayed and asked God for certain things in her life. She suddenly felt comforted. She was glad that he left some prayers unanswered. Oh, what kind of life would she have had, if she received everything she wanted? Kay Harrison sat in her living room, slowly flipping through the pages of a photo album filled with photographs from her past. She recalled her life as a child who was brave and
mischievous. Living in the south brought a life of adventures and mishaps for Kay. She searched hard for the meaning of her life. Follow Kay as she discovers this meaning as God's plan for her unfolds through the good times and rough times that she endured on her Southern Adventures.

Genre: Christian, YA, Coming of Age

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Tracy Kauffman is a Christian fiction author of Young Adult and Children Stories. She grew up in North Alabama, where she still resides with her husband and daughter. She loves taking cruises and traveling with her family. Her favorite place that she has been to is the Grand Canyon.

Tracy has an associates degree in Nursing. She is a registered nurse and works part time in a local nursing home. The rest of the time she spends her time writing books and marketing them. Her titles include: Gwendolyn’s Wish, Southern Adventures, Richard the Lionheart, My Boyfriend the Squire and Captain Honey Bear Saves Goldie Locks.

Tracy started writing poetry at a small age and won the title of editor in her school newspaper, when she was in second grade. She had her first poem published in a online writing contest called, The Cosmetology Student. She decided to write her first book, Southern Adventures, when her son left home for the Air Force.

She loves writing and hopes to be able to inspire her readers into living a happy healthier life. She feels like her own life experiences have made her a better writer. Learn more about her by visiting her website or blog.

Tracy’s website: http://tracykauffman.yolasite.com

Her blog: http://tracykauffman.blogspot.com

Review ~ The Faith and Fate of David Ghent by Maren Dille

ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

ASIN - B00AVQKDLY

Description
In the Lucen city dwell the descendants of Righteous and Fallen angels. Kept hidden from the rest of Earth and governed directly by Heaven, each descendant is given a chance to prove themself loyal to Heaven, and obtain salvation. For most, the task is encouraging and fair, but for David, it’s devastating.

David Ghent has waited twenty-one years to fulfill a prophecy foretelling the destruction of Lucifer’s power on Earth and Heaven, saving himself and the entire world from Hell’s power.
His training is complete, the city prepared.

As the battle commences, the city’s most beloved daughter, Layla, suddenly appears at the Hellgate. David is then faced with an impossible choice: fulfill the prophecy, or save her life.

The consequences David faces after choosing Layla force him to question his entire life, and his loyalty to Heaven. As the aftermath of failure unfolds, David discovers that the real battle against Lucifer has just begun.

My Opinion
OK, so I'm going through an angel phase right now so I jumped at the chance to review this book. I wouldn't class myself as being religious but I just can't get enough of angel books right now, especially when they have a strong romance. This book had an interesting plot line as it followed the question of whether David would be able to fulfill a prophecy or not and I liked the fact that this book wasn't the standard "angel comes to Earth, falls in love with a human, then has to leave or decided whether or not to fall." It did separate itself from the other angel books I have read, especially with the character development and how the story focused on defeating Lucifer rather than a love triangle or another romance between human and angel.

Although I found points of this book quite slow and at times and due to its length found myself skimming pages here and there the action was described well and when things did kick off I loved it. The imagery was clear and the structure Maren used helped heighten the tension and suspense I felt as to what the outcome would be. It became more obvious as the book went on what would happen in the end but this didn't spoil the quality of the writing.

My biggest problem with this book was the main character David especially during the first three quarters of the novel. He was just so whiny and sometimes came across like a petulant teenager rather than someone who would defeat Lucifer. I understand that he had to undergo a change before this could happen but during the start his constant conversations about wanting to end up in Heaven and not Hell became irritating and I almost wanted to stop reading at points (I did have to take a few breaks). He had a bad attitude, sulked and wallowed in self-pity which is OK to a point but not to the extent it came up. It was repeated in every chapter at least a few times and even though this torment made up the basis of the story I feel it would have been easier to read had it not been repeated so much. By the end I was cheering for David and I like how he changes, especially when with Layla however this makes up a small section of the end.

Overall this is a well structured book with a solid storyline. Yes, the main character irritated me to the ends of the Earth at times but it was an enjoyable read that is different form the many angel books I have read. Even if your like me and get annoyed by David, I guarantee you will love him by the end so if you're looking for a different angel book you may want to check this out.

Book Spotlight - The Angelites by Richard Moran

The Angelites 

Richard Moran
ASIN: B00BTFDS04

Description

Gina Vasquez was on top of her game in law enforcement. She graduated with top honors from the police academy and was the best detective for the NYPD.

Years later, after relocating to New Mexico to become a small town sheriff, Gina encounters a demonic cult, which were the first steps heading toward her true destiny, leading a group of special officers named The Angelites, to defend the earth and humanity against hell's army known as The Clucifix.

Gina must now make the choice on whether to accept her destiny or go back to the quiet life in New Mexico, allowing her keen skills to go to waste.

This paranormal fantasy thrill-ride is adrenaline-packed and filled with twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very last page. If you want a supernatural drama that brings action and a touch of horror, then you'll enjoy being a part of this new series.

Buy Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author
I was born in Bronx, New York - the South Bronx to be exact, the birthplace of hip hop. I now reside in Queens with my wife and two beautiful baby boys. I work for a fashion sleepwear company called Briefly Stated and I've been there for about 8 years. The fashion field used to be fun for me and after I graduated with my BFA from Fashion Institute of Technology, located in midtown Manhattan, I thought that's what I wanted to do. Over the last few years, Its becoming stressful and very boring! Its time I decided to take one of my many talents and make a huge career move with it. I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember, but it used to be for short comic books. I used to make up my own characters or draw my favorite ones from TV and make new stories and draw the comics out. That routine stuck with me until I got into Jr High School and then I wanted to draw more than write. After one of my best friends died in a tragic fire, my passion for writing all of a sudden bubbled back into me. He wanted to be a horror writer, following his idol Stephen King, so I'm thinking I'm living my dream to get mt stories out to the world, but his dream on writing novels. I also do graphic design, but writing and storytelling is my major strength and I hope to be sticking with this for a very long time.

Links

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

I can't wait to receive my copy so

look out for my review coming soon! 

Book Tour - Rhapsody by Sharon Clare (Blurb Tour)

Description
Isabelle plans to escape the real world when she takes a tropical vacation to work on her relationship recovery program. But escape becomes too real when she realizes Paradise Resort has disappeared. She is trapped in an immortal world where she must win her freedom by seducing her opponent, a man she labeled off limits, in a board game of seduction. Her resistance is solid, safe, and steadfast until her traitorous body decides this is a game she wants to play.

Jonathan has made seducing women an art form. His needs are simple: break down Isabelle’s resistance, seduce the panties off her, and get back to the real world fast where an emergency needs his attention. He plays to win, but when Isabelle takes a penalty and they must play out her secret fantasy, Jonathan struggles to follow the objective and keep his own arousal under control. Desire grows between them as each roll of the die reveals secrets, truths and a greater expanse of skin, until the mastermind behind the game forces Jonathan to confront his worse fear or lose Isabelle forever.

Excerpt

Isabelle was vaguely aware of the stricken expression on Jonathan’s face as her knees buckled. Only with legs clenched tight did she keep herself from tottering over.

Impossible.

The sun was a blazing half disc hovering over the horizon, the trees, an ink smudge rimming the beach. Within minutes, the shore would be chilling, isolating, disorienting, all except for this one fire-lit area.

Jonathan’s gaze rose from the bizarre note she’d found. “It’s a joke, it has to be. We have to play a game to get back to the resort? Rhapsody? That’s insane.” He peered once again at the forest where ten minutes ago the resort had stretched over a few kilometers. Not a sound came from that site now, not even wind through the trees.

Besides the flicker of fire, the night was still as a corpse. 

“Did you find any sign of life out there?” She forced the words out evenly to tamp her panic and keep her voice from cracking.

“No, nothing. Did you know the resort has an invisible security fence? We won’t get past it if we go through the forest.”

“That’s odd. No, I didn’t hear anything about invisible security. Whoever wrote this note is playing games with us. Do you think this is a hoax put on by the resort?” 

Though she didn’t wish to admit it out loud, something about this scenario seemed . . . unearthly. A few feet from the fire lay a carpet with over-sized pillows placed for comfort and as the note suggested—pleasurable game play. She couldn’t kid herself into believing that display had been on the beach five minutes ago. The cozy fireside retreat seemed to have appeared from under the snap of a magician’s cloak.

“I doubt it. 

“The note says we can’t escape the beach. ‘Play the game of Rhapsody to win your return to Serenity Resort.’ I don’t know who the lunatic is behind this, but we’re cut off from the hotel.” Jonathan checked his watch. As if the time mattered. With the sun sinking, it was light’s out any minute.

“I don’t have time for this,” he said.

Like she did? “Late for your date with the redhead?”

He shot her a wry look. “Not tonight.”

“Triplets?”

“I’ve got them lined up for Saturday.”

His dry sense of humor appealed to her from their first conversation. She couldn’t deny she’d behaved like his Monday night date until the redhead showed up. He’d been too easy to be with, like an old friend—they’d fit like parts clicking in perfect sequence.

She could blame his good looks, the wine, the atmosphere, the conversation, but the truth was she’d gone to his room Monday night because she was too weak to keep to her relationship recovery program. But that was Monday. Today was a new day. “It’s some kind of magic trick. Mirrors?”

His gaze fell on the pillow arrangement. “I don’t think so. I see the game.”

She took a quick step back as he crossed in front of her, the thud of his footsteps a muted sound over the sand. Four torches rimmed the blanket sending shadows rippling over Jonathan’s features. “This is it—Rhapsody.” He read the words stamped across the box top before flipping the lid off.

“A board game? Are you kidding me?” Her panic subsided to a slow canter in her chest. This was nothing more than a silly hoax. 

As Jonathan studied the board, she studied him. Her cast-away partner exuded some sort of undefined magnetic force that drew her closer, close enough to notice the mahogany highlights in his hair. The distinguished angles in his face knocked him up a level from handsome to devastatingly gorgeous.

Oh, sweet heaven.

He had a way of standing with his arms behind his back that made him appear open, receptive, with boyish, innocent appeal. His jaw was shadowed with a dark dusting under full lips with luscious curves turned in a pervasive grin. Luscious? She shouldn’t think luscious. He could have lips like sun-ripened peaches, it didn’t matter. 

She’d made herself a promise. No, stronger than a promise—a vow. No sexual relationships for one year. What was one year out of an entire life time?

She dropped her gaze when she realized he was watching her. That smile of his was infused with enough male heat to melt an iceberg. “What could there possibly be to smile about?”

“Guess what the objective of the game is?”


Author Bio

Sharon Clare lives in Ontario with her husband and three wonderful grown-up kids who come and go from the nest. She fell in love with writing at the University of Toronto where she graduated with a science degree in psychology and professional writing. She writes light paranormal romance and has published short stories, art reviews, newsletter and magazine articles. Her favourite place to write is outside under the maple trees
beside the lily pond. Find out more at: www.sharonclare.com

Buy Rhapsody at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, itunes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour!

Book Spotlight - Murder in Death's Door County by Elizabeth Rose

Murder in Death's Door County

Description
Everyone has been stuck in a job they can't stand. Free-spirited Annie Malone needs to ditch her dull, drab job, but doesn't know how. Thrown a lifeline from her moonlighting job, she packs her suitcase and heads up to idyllic Door County. Asked to ghostwrite a book for an impossible client by an almost-impossible editor, Annie wonders if she is in over her head. Suddenly, the whole story changes and Annie is in danger. Attracted to mysterious dark stranger, Donovan Archer, Annie doesn't know who she can trust until it is almost too late.

Buy Links: Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Smashwords

About the Author

Elizabeth Rose was born in Wisconsin in the United States. She has lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin. After working as a technical writer, desktop publisher, ghostwriter, and waitress, she decided to put pen to paper for herself. The book "Murder in Death's Door County" is very loosely based on a bizarre ghostwriting project she had (names, specific circumstances, and situations have been changed significantly). In addition to continuing with the Annie Malone mystery series, Elizabeth loves to write children's literature, and draw and paint. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time in Door County, which really is one of the most beautiful places.

Follow Her Here:

Website