Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A Lasting Impression - Virtual Book Tour


                                                         About the book:
A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price?

Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.
The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.


Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.
For more information please visit www.tameraalexander.com







My Review:
This was one of the few books I've read that has left me with a feeling of wow.  The characters, the setting, the storyline...everything seemed to line up perfectly to create a fantastic novel.  Claire was brilliant.  The perfect mix of repentant with enough of a real person to really make her come alive.  Her life was extreme but still believable, if a bit lucky at times.  Her relationships, not just with Sutton, but with the entire cast of the book, come slowly at first and the develope into something very rich and meaningful.  I truly enjoyed watching Claire and Sutton get to know one another and discover their lives together.

Now many of you may remember me saying that I wasn't a big fan of Christian novels.  Well, this book is one of the reasons I keep giving them a try.  Religion was not written in every line, but rather between the lines, with characters trying to live their lives in the way they know they should be.  They just picked right back up and tried again. 



Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander! While Tamera and her book,  A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually (with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a minute of the fun. Swoon!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.


One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
  • A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired giveaways (complete listing here).

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!


Blog Tour Schedule:




11/4
Lena at A Christian Writer's World http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Holly at 2 Kids and Tired Books http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com
Alena at Little Bit Of Wonderful http://little-bit-of-wonderful.blogspot.com
Tara at Ramblings of the Blonde Mother Bear http://www.theblondemotherbear.com
Patricia at It's Time To Read Mamaw http://itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com

11/5
Jenny at Book Reviews By Jenny http://bookreviewsbyjenny.blogspot.com
Diana at hanging by a thread http://www.pencildancer.com
Debra at Footprints in the Butter http://debrakb.blogspot.com
Pam at Southern Gal Loves to Read http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com
Maggie at Tethered Mommy http://www.tetheredmommy.com
Renee at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot http://steelergirl83.blogspot.com

11/7
Margaret at Creative Madness Mama http://creativemadnessmama.com
April’s Lifestyle Show http://aprilslifestyleshow.com
Mindy at A Room without Books is Empty http://detweilermom.blogspot.com
Mary Ann at A Mom With A Blog http://www.amomwithablog.com

11/8
Trish at In So Many Words http://trishdoerrler.com
Misha at On my Bookshelf http://mollystories.wordpress.com
Diane at That's What I'm Here For http://www.dianeestrella.com
Kim at Window To My World http://berlysue.blogspot.com
Crystal at My Reading Room http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
Tiffany Amber Stockton http://amberstockton.blogspot.com

11/9
Michele at My Blessings From Above http://koreamom.blogspot.com
Caroline at Happy Four http://happyfour.blogspot.com
Stacie at Hobbit Door http://hobbitdoor.blogspot.com
Krista at Welcome to Married Life http://www.welcometomarriedlife.com
Elizabeth at Count It All Joy http://texasjoy.blogspot.com
Casey at Writing for Christ http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com
Annette at Net's Book Notes http://www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com

11/0
Christy at Southern Sassy Things http://southernsassythings.blogspot.com
Mandie at Taking Time for Mommy - Online Magazine for Moms http://takingtimeformommy.com
Celena at The Traveling Sisterhood http://thetravellingsisterhood.blogspot.com
Theresa at Frugal Experiments http://www.frugalexperiments.com
Christen at mom, writer, crafter, coffee drinker http://ChristenKrumm.com
Whitney at Rambles of a SAHM http://ramblesahm.blogspot.com
Debora at A Book and a Cupcake http://abookandacupcake.blogspot.com
Kristen at Read Great Fiction http://readgreatfiction.wordpress.com
Katie at Legacy of a Writer http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com l
Melissa at Bibliophile's Retreat http://www.bibliophilesretreat.com
Lauri at Knits, Reads and Reviews http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
Brooke at I blog 4 books http://iblog4books.blogspot.com
Paula at Grace Reign http://gracereign.blogspot.com

11/11
Kendra at Happily Managing a Household of Boys http://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/
Andi at Radiant Light http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com
Jendi's Journal http://jendisjournal.com
Stephanie at A Cooking Bookworm http://www.acookingbookworm.com

11/12
Vera at Luxury Reading http://www.luxuryreading.com
Linda's Lunacy http://lindaslunacy.com
Amy at My Friend Amy http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
Becky at Christian Chick's Thoughts http://christianchicksthoughts.blogspot.com
Sheila at Showcase Sisters http://showcasesisters.blogspot.com
Suzanne at Clicking Her Heels http://www.clickingherheels.blogspot.com
Melanie at So Many Books.. So Little Time http://www.melanieski.blogspot.com
Kim at Teaberry Cottage http://teaberry-cottage.blogspot.com
Sara at Shoopette's Book Reviews http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot.com
Kathy at Bags, Books & Bon Jovi http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com

11/13
Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood http://www.thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com
Renee at Doorkeeper http://reneeannsmith.com
Betsy Ann - Writer at Large http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com
Jen at Happy Little Homemaker http://www.happylittlehomemaker.com
Lauren at 5 Minutes for Books http://5minutesforbooks.com
Megan at The joys of life http://www.raunandmegan.blogspot.com
Laurel at Let's Go on a Picnic! http://headant.com

11/14
Megan at Inspired by Fiction http://inspiredbyfiction.blogspot.com
Charity at Austenitis http://austenitis.blogspot.com
Jennifer at Adventures in Unsell Land http://www.theunsells.blogspot.com
Michelle at Life in Review http://lifeinreviewblog.com
Savanah at Ridiculous Reviews http://ridiculousreviewsbysavanah.blogspot.com
Preslaysa at The Literary Mama http://www.preslaysa.com
Patty at Broken Teepee http://brokenteepee.com
Whitney at Rambles of A Stay at Home Mom http://ramblesahm.blogspot.com
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Better Off Dead - Pump Up Your Book Tours



About the book:

They say dead men tell no tales, but that’s just because they’ve never worked as a Grim Reaper.
Grim Reapers are real. They are governed by the Council of Reapers. Reapers are responsible for the capture and containment of dead souls that refuse to or cannot move on to the afterlife.
Lori Standford’s mother died six months ago. Now she’s back, haunting Lori out of her home. Lori turns to her close friend, Emma Grym, mother of Thane and Mort Grym, for help.
Now Thane and Mort find themselves embroiled in a mystery of dead men that stretches all the way to the top.





Jason Krumbine is the author behind the pulse pounding, wisecracking Alex Cheradon Series, the dead soul hunting Grym Brothers Series (including Two and a Half Dead Men, The Dead Couple and Better Off Dead), and the tongue-in-cheek paranormal romance “A Graveyard Romance.”
You can visit his website at www.jasonkrumbine.com or visit him at Twitter at www.twitter.com/jasonkrumbine and Facebook at www.facebook.com/jmkwriter.
You can also email him at onestrayword@gmail.com.







My Review:

Mort and Thane have a rather unusual case this time.  It isn't an official reaping, but rather a favor to a friend of their's mother.  Lori's mother died six months ago and for some reason seems to have not moved on.  Now, there's no reason for her to  not move on, and it should be a fairly easy reaping.  But of course nothing goes as planned.  It would appear that Lori's mother may have had some very serious unresolved issues...or that perhaps something is not quite right.

The best mystery of the series so far, this one involves family, friends, and poltergiests.  As Mort and Thane argue their way through things while still trying to find out what happened to their father.  The brothers are starting to make some progress that is quite surprising (I won't give it away).  This was my favorite of the series so far.

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Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

008Join Jason Krumbine at the Pump Up Your Book Live! November Author Chat / Book Giveaway Party on Friday, November 18 starting at 8 p.m. eastern!
Jason will be giving away three e-copies of his books in The Grym Brothers Series! You could win a copy of Two and a Half Dead, The Dead Couple and Better Off Dead simply by attending the chat and asking Jason a question. All there is to it!
For details on chat, visit the official chat page for the November authors at Pump Up Your Book Live!
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The Grym Brothers Series Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Tuesday, November 1
Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Wednesday, November 2
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Thursday, November 3
Guest blogging at Bookin’ It Up
Friday, November 4
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, November 7
The Dead Couple Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Tuesday, November 8
Guest blogging at Mad Moose Mama
Wednesday, November 9
Better Off Dead Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Thursday, November 10
The Dead Couple Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Friday, November 11
Guest blogging at Curling Up By the Fire
Monday, November 14
Book reviewed at Curing Up By the Fire
Tuesday, November 15
Thursday, November 17
Better Off Dead Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Friday, November 18
Monday, November 21
Guest blogging at Carol’s Notebook
Tuesday, November 22
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at Carol’s Notebook
Wednesday, November 23
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at From the TBR Pile
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

IMM (13)


Im My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. My mailbox was quite busy this week and I'm really excited about all the great books I got.

The Turning (Blood Ties Series #1) Jennifer Armintrout - Public Library

I'm no coward.  I want to mmake that perfectly clear.  But after my life turned into a horror movie, I take fear a lot more seriously now.  I finally became Dr. Carrie Ames just eight months ago.  Then I was attacked in the hospital morgue by a vampire.  Just my luck.
So now I'm a vampire, and it turns out I have a blood tie to the monster who sired me.  The tie works like an invisible leash and I'm bound to him no matter what I do.  And of course he's one of the most evil vampires on earth.  With my sire hell-bent on turning me into a soulless killer and his sworn enemy set to exterminate me, things couldn't get much worse - except I'm attracted to them both.
Drinking blood, living as an immortal demon and being a pawn between two warring vampire factions isn't exactly how I'd imagined my future.  But as my father used to say, the only to conquer fear is to face it.  So that's what I'll do.  Fangs bared.


Black Purse by Stephanie M Sellers - Contest win from My Devotional Thoughts

While history waits for Exilee Sheffield to rise up strong from twentieth century oppression to grab the reins of her destiny's purse, true love does not.
An eventful trail ride binds Exilee to the man she loves and to another she has reason to hate.  With the opportunity for revenge right in from of her pointed boot she makes a choice that will lead to emancipation.
As Exilee calls on all facets of her Lumbee Indian heritage the gravel in her gut and screams from her horses urges her to fight for righteousness and in the end, her life.




The Thirteen Hallows by Michael Scott and Colette Freedman - First Read

Ancient artifacts imbued with a primal and deadly power.  But are they protectors of this world, or the keys to its destruction?
A gruesome murder in London reveals a sinister plot to uncover a two-thousand-year0old secret.
For decased, the Keepers guarded tehse Hallows, keeping them safe and hidden and apart from each other.  But now the Keepers are being brutally murdered, their prizes stolen, the ancient objects bathed in their blood.
Now, only a few remain.
With her dying breath, one of the Keepers convinces Sarah Miller, a practical stranger, to deliver her Hallow - a broken swoard with devastating powers - to her American nephew, Owen.
The duo quickly become suspects in a series of murders as they are chased by both the police and the sadistic Dark Man and his nubile mistress.
As Sarah and Own search for the surviving Keepers, they unravel the deadly secret the Keepers were charged to protect.  The mystery leads Sarah and Owen on a cat-and-mouse chase through England and Wales, and history itself, as they discover that the sword may be the only thing standing between the world...and a horror beyond imaging.

Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus - Contest win from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

In an epic tale of identity and the indomitable human spirit, OUT OF THE TRANSYLVANIA NIGHT explores tyranny, freedom, love, success, and the price paid for misaligned dreams. An incredibly powerful memoir.
'I'd grown up in the land of TRANSYLVANIA, homeland to Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, and, worse, the Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu—who turned Romania into a land of gray-clad zombies who never dared to show their individuality, and where neighbors became informants, and the Securitate made people disappear. Daylight empowered the regime to encircle us like starved wolves, and so night had always been the time to steal a bit of freedom. As if bred into our Transylvanian blood, we were like vampires who came to life after sundown. I buried the family heirloom jewels, tucked the flag into my sweater and left my outpost to join the action . . . tonight Ceausescu would die!'
Known for using stand-ins to pose for him, Aura doubts if it was even Ceausescu himself who was killed that night. Nevertheless, when her countrymen topple one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc, Aura Imbarus tells herself that life post-revolution will be different. But little in the country changes. With two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, Aura and her new husband flee to America. Through sacrifice and hard work, the couple acquire a home, cars, and travel—but trying to be Americans is much more complicated than they expect. More difficulties set in: the stock market crash takes their savings, house, and cars; thieves steal three centuries' worth of heirloom jewels; and Aura's beloved mother dies.
Aura's marriage crumbles under the stress. Devastated, she asks herself, 'How much of one's life is owed to others?' Tested even further by the vagaries of fate, Aura discovers a startling truth about striking a balance between one's dreams and the sacrifices and compromises that allow for serenity, selfhood, and lasting love. More resolution comes when in 2010, Ceausescu's body is exhumed to answer questions of a cover-up, and Aura can finally lay to rest the haunting mysteries of her past.

Finding Fiona by Emily Ann Ward - ebook

The victim of a brutal attack, Fiona remembers little about her life until she meets someone who claims to be from her past. He tells her that her parents were killed for a human replication machine. He's shocked to discover she's still alive since her body was found in the wreckage of the fire.
She soon travels to her old home in New York to figure out what happened to her and her family. She needs to find out who she is, but more importantly, confront the men who killed her parents.
This coming-of-age scifi novella is full of mystery, action, and romance. At 45,000 words or about 180 pages, this book is a perfect weekend read. 


Children of Paranoia by Trevor Shane - Contest win from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time!

Since the age of eighteen, Joseph has been assassinating people on behalf of a cause that he believes in but doesn't fully understand. The War is ageless, hidden in the shadows, governed by a rigid set of rules, and fought by two distinct sides-one good, one evil. The only unknown is which side is which. Soldiers in the War hide in plain sight, their deeds disguised as accidents or random acts of violence amidst an unsuspecting population ignorant of the brutality that is always inches away.
Killing people is the only life Joseph has ever known, and he's one of the best at it. But when a job goes wrong and he's sent away to complete a punishingly dangerous assignment, Joseph meets a girl named Maria, and for the first time in his life his singleminded, bloody purpose fades away.
Before Maria, Joseph's only responsibility was dealing death to the anonymous targets fingered by his superiors. Now he must run from the people who have fought by his side to save what he loves most in this world. As Children of Paranoia reaches its heart-in-throat climax, Joseph will learn that only one rule remains immutable: the only thing more dangerous than fighting the War...is leaving it.

Under Attack by Hannah Jayne - Contest win from All Things Urban Fantasy along with some really cool Swag.                                                                         Sophie Lawson is a human immune to magic, which comes in handy for helping paranormal beings transition into everyday life. But fallen angel Alex Grace and his search for the Vessel of Souls is one curse she never saw coming. Suddenly an unexplainable string of killings and destruction has even San Francisco's demons fearing for their immortal lives. And Sophie isn't about to trust Alex's all-too-vulnerable charm or his secret agenda. Now their hunt is revealing dangerous secrets about Sophie's past, and a malevolent power hellishly close to turning one irreverent human into the ultimate supernatural weapon. . .



Sent as Omnibus - ebook

Immoratlis Series by Katie Salidas - Upcoming Book Tour
Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas:
Explore the emotional upheaval that is the transformation from human to vampire.
Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: An unyielding thirst for blood as well as the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.
As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.
Only by accepting her new-found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Hunters & Prey by Katie Salidas
Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she s missed more than anything.
Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan. Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers. If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum s new threat.

Pandora's Box by Katie Salidas
After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she'd learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package - a Pandora's Box.
Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?
When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander's old journals hold the key? And what if they don't?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves... 
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Monday, November 7, 2011

The Dead Couple by Jason Krumbine - Pump Up Your Book Tour


The Dead Couple by Jason Krumbine


About the book:

Jack and Cindy were a happily married couple. She was an elementary school teacher. He was an aspiring children’s book author. They had the perfect life together, until the day they decided to kill themselves.
Suicides, by their very nature, tend to head directly into the afterlife.
Jack and Cindy’s souls never arrived.
Grim Reapers are real. They are governed by the Council of Reapers. Reapers are responsible for the capture and containment of dead souls that refuse to or cannot move on to the afterlife.
Thane and Mort Grym are two such reapers.



My Review:
Thane and Mort, the Grym brothers and Grim Reapers for souls that did not find their way to the afterlife, have a new assignment.  There are two souls that should have crossed easily, but for some reason they didn't.  Jack and Cindy are happily married, but something pushed them over the edge and they became suicides.  Now usually suicides are the easy one, they wanted to die and move on, but something didn't seem to work that way in this case.  Meanwhile, Thane and Mort are still trying to find time to figure out what happened to their father who disappeared two years ago and figure out what the new Grim Reaping company that just moved into time is really up to. 

Not quite as entertaining as the first in the seris, The Dead Couple still had my attention throughout the entire story.  Mort and Thane are still at the brotherly bickering and both still have their bad habits.  Thane is constantly trying to do the good deeds and help the lost souls really find peace, but it only seems to get them into more trouble.  And with Mort's love life and gambling debts thrown into the  mix there's a lot going on.  Somehow, they manage to handle it all and still keep on track trying to find the souls of Jack and Cindy. 

Jason Krumbine is the author behind the pulse pounding, wisecracking Alex Cheradon Series, the dead soul hunting Grym Brothers Series (including Two and a Half Dead Men, The Dead Couple and Better Off Dead), and the tongue-in-cheek paranormal romance “A Graveyard Romance.”
You can visit his website at www.jasonkrumbine.com or visit him at Twitter at www.twitter.com/jasonkrumbine and Facebook at www.facebook.com/jmkwriter.
You can also email him at onestrayword@gmail.com







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Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

008
Join Jason Krumbine at the Pump Up Your Book Live! November Author Chat / Book Giveaway Party on Friday, November 18 starting at 8 p.m. eastern!
Jason will be giving away three e-copies of his books in The Grym Brothers Series! You could win a copy of Two and a Half Dead, The Dead Couple and Better Off Dead simply by attending the chat and asking Jason a question. All there is to it!
For details on chat, visit the official chat page for the November authors at Pump Up Your Book Live!
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The Grym Brothers Series Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Tuesday, November 1
Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Wednesday, November 2
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Thursday, November 3
Guest blogging at Bookin’ It Up
Friday, November 4
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, November 7
The Dead Couple Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Tuesday, November 8
Guest blogging at Mad Moose Mama
Wednesday, November 9
Better Off Dead Book Reviewed at Jasmyn’s Reviews
Thursday, November 10
The Dead Couple Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Friday, November 11
Guest blogging at Curling Up By the Fire
Monday, November 14
Book reviewed at Curing Up By the Fire
Tuesday, November 15
Thursday, November 17
Better Off Dead Book Reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews
Friday, November 18
Monday, November 21
Guest blogging at Carol’s Notebook
Tuesday, November 22
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at Carol’s Notebook
Wednesday, November 23
Two and a Half Dead Men Book Reviewed at From the TBR Pile


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Sunday, November 6, 2011

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.  I had a few good ones come in this week.

Two Moons of Sera by Pavarti K Tyler - Received from First Reads

In a world where water and earth teem with life, Serafay is an anomaly. The result of genetic experiments on her mother's water-borne line Serafay will have to face the very people responsible to discover who she really is. But is she the only one?

 
Amaranth by Rachel Wade - Contest win from See It Or Read It (eBook)

Knowledge changes everything…

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to escape her abusive past and dysfunctional family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the handsome Gavin Devereaux and plummet into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Wrestling to escape a deadly ex-boyfriend while giving Gavin a chance, Camille is confronted with decisions that threaten not only her life, but the lives of her inhuman friends she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of Amaranth’s ruler—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Now Camille must decide whether she will derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—what she still wants so desperately—or escape with Gavin before it’s too late for both of them. 

The 58th Keeper by R. G. Bullet - Pump Up Your Book Tours

The 58th Keeper is the story of a boy called Archy Bass, who stumbles upon a mysterious and powerful relic. The moment he touches it, two warring forces race to find his whereabouts. One side thinks he’s simply too young and too inexperienced to keep it, and the other just want him dead. Hold on to your seats! The 58th Keeper is a roaring trip that takes the reader on the most wonderful and hair-raising scenes imaginable. R. G. Bullet pulls out all stops in his debut novel to deliver an incredible journey with unforgettable characters. This book will resonate with you for ages past the last line.
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Friday, November 4, 2011

Book Tour and Giveaway: Cloyne Court by Dodie Katague




About the book: 
In 1977, when 18-year-old Berkeley college student, Derek moved into the student residence co-op, Cloyne Court, sight unseen, little did he know he would learn about life, love, sex, drugs, music, alcohol and co-ed showers—all on the first day.
Located one block North of the University of California, Berkeley campus, this real and notorious student-run house has provided an alternative, counter-culture, hedonistic, raucous, and unique living experience for the “Clones”, as the students call themselves, who choose to live here each year, despite the public and parents calling for a permanent shut down of this enduring and historic building.
Based on his journals and memories of his college days at this real-life “Animal House”, author, Dodie Katague weaves true events of life at Cloyne Court co-op into a zany, wild, and nostalgic story about the carefree time of every college student’s life.

About Dodie Katague:

Dodie Katague lived at Cloyne Court from 1977-79, while attending the University of California, Berkeley. He is an attorney and lives with his wife and family in Walnut Creek, California.

Dodie's Website.


My Review:
Let's go back in time to the 1970's to UC Berkely in California. Cloyne Court, a co-ed student housing co-op, is the central location for much of this story. Hour leading man, Derek, moves in half way through his Freshman year. Before living at Cloyne Court, Derek commuted from his parent's house to school every day. The experience would be an eye opener and life changer for Derek as he experienced life in a whole new way. We follow Derek from his Freshman year through graduation. He experiences his first love and first hearbreak. He meets people and participates in events that were new and at times exciting, at times disturbing. Derek goes into the house one person and one outlook on life, and leaves changed and slightly damaged. Who wouldn't come away from a real life "Animal House" a changed man?

It has taken me a long time to figure out what to say about this book. I hope my brief description hasn't scared you away, because it is well worth the read. It's a story that is difficult to describe without telling too much. I was amazed at many of the characters that came and went in Derek's life while he lived at Cloyne Court. Many were such a positive influence, often without anyone realizing it until much later. On the other hand, many were what gave the co-op housing such a bad name. The housing politics were some of the best parts, with elected positions and assignments that were highly sought after at times. There was also a little of the high school drama mixed in, especially when it came to where and who you sat with at dinner.

A very unique type of coming of age story that I wish I could have lived part of. The story was entertaining and enlightening at the same time. Keep in mind that this is definately an adult book, with language, drugs and a sexual theme that runs througout. However, it is not over the top, it's just an important part of the story.

4/5

I have one copy of Cloyne Court up for grabs. If the winner is from the U.S. or Canada,they will have the choice of paper or ebook.  If the winner is International, they will receive the ebook.  For the ebook, Dodie will be sending the ebook winners a free coupon code for Smashwords.com
 Just fill in the form to enter. Contest ends Nov 13.

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