Book Blast: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos

Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out

Anya Michaels is having the time of her life. She has the man of her dreams by her side. She has graduated at the top of her class. She has the job others were lining up for. Between late night drinks at her favourite bar and fancy dinners at the most expensive restaurants, she has a string of adoring friends.

Everything changes when she hears the dreaded words, "You are sick." Being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, her world starts to fall apart, one piece at a time. Now dumped, her four year relationship is nothing but a memory filled with pictures, thoughts and a very broken heart. Her job becomes an even further challenge as she tries to hide her condition. Her friends suddenly have more important things to do, what is a party without a party girl? Perfect could not crumble any faster. Soon, caught between situations, people and pieces of life that she never dreamed of planning for herself, Anya begins to wonder if her brain condition is all that bad. As she absorbs the changes in her life and realization sets in, she begins to wonder if she is the only one saying: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out.

Amazon Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Amazon

Author Pandora Poikilos

Pandora Poikilos has been writing for more than 10 years for various media which include newspapers, radio, television and various websites.

A social media enthusiast who is passionate about blogging and finding her way around the virtual world, she wills away time in the real world by reading, writing and people watching.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Facebook

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/28/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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Book Blast: Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford

Replacing Gentry

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.

Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry; and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.

What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past, ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.

A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.

Grab a copy!

Replacing Gentry is just $1.99 on Amazon

Author Julie N. Ford

Julie N. Ford graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a Marriage & Family Counselor. She is the author of two women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married and No Holly for Christmas, published in 2011. In addition, she wrote a romance/chick-lit novel, Count Down to Love, also published in 2011. Count Down to Love was a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. Her next novel, Replacing Gentry, is due for release April 9th, 2013.

Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one hedgehog.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/30/13



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Blog Tour: Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas (w/bonus Ten Books Nicole thinks should be movies!)

Tour Schedule

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas

Retta Heikkinen knows the unspoken rule of society: love between androids and humans is forbidden. A simple enough edict until Hemingway Koskinen spends an evening charming her with his intense gaze, bewitching smile, and sparkling conversation that hints at so much more than the usual obsessions of high school boys. Rules were meant to be cast aside, especially when love beckons.

If only it were as simple as being in love.

Trouble is brewing, not just for Hemingway--for all androids. Secrets have been kept, lies propagated, and Retta soon discovers that a frightening future awaits thousands of androids if she doesn’t do something to stop it. Worse yet, she will lose the one love she’s ever endangered herself for: Hemingway.

Amazon

Ten Books That Should be Made into Movies, or

"Dear Hollywood, Let Me Help You Out"

I like to write YA books, but I read a lot of other books as well. Many of the great new YA books are already being made into movies or have been done as movies. So my list is made up of books that have been passed up by Hollywood. Some are old and some are more recent. But trust me, these books would be great on film. 

1. Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner. Probably the best story about friendship in the entire universe. I read this novel regularly and I die every time. The prose is lyrical but not stifling, the story moves at a decent pace, and you never feel bored. At least I don't. But you do love Charity, Sid, Larry, and Sally.

2. Eye of the World, Robert Jordan. Well, really, Game of Thrones is nothing compared to this. I say that having never read Game of Thrones, so maybe that calls my judgment into question, but Jordan's work is a masterpiece and hey, it's finished now! Yes, it took Brandon Sanderson to wrap it up, but nevertheless, such a great series with a fine beginning.

3. We, Eugene Zamiatin. The best dystopia ever and done by the grandfather of the genre. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love D-503. Yes, I'm in love with a number!

4. Elantris, Brandon Sanderson. This is a different kind of fantasy with a good pace and plenty of intrigue, mystery, and several cinematic moments. The ending is amazing.

5. Blue Hearts of Mars, Nicole Grotepas (heh). My book. Well, why not? It would be GREAT as a movie.

6. Twenties Girl, Sophie Kinsella. Her books are usually fun, quick, and hilarious with a good love story too. I'd love to see this one as a movie and it would work really well.

7. The Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters. This is the start of the Amelia Peabody series. I'm quite surprised they haven't been made into movies yet. They're hilarious and fun with a great mystery to move them along. I really see the guy who plays Niles in Fraser as Walter, Emerson's brother. If they stick to that, they'll be perfect!

8. Sister of My Heart, Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni. I loved this book. It's so colorful and mythical and it made me want to go to India so bad! I still do. I can see this story as a film and it would be dang beautiful. Please do it. Someone. Please.

9. Dragonflight, Ann McCaffrey. This really should be a movie. It's a great story with a female protagonist who overcomes her culture to become the most powerful woman. With CGI the way it is today, the dragons would be incredibly awesome indeed.

10. The Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson. This series has another female protoganist whose growth and development spans three books, with the absolute most amazing and epic ending of any series. I mean, I was stunned. And blown away. And just...mind-blown. Wait, did I already say that? I did. That's how mind-crippling it is. In a good way. All three books are phenomenal and should be films. 

Praise

"Nothing like I've read before. A true original story! Everything is so well described. Now if they could make a follow up book and movie, that would be great!" ~Mrs. Z (Amazon)

"I was addicted to this book from the beginning. Life on Mars was very real and not at all a sci fi world I didn't understand . . . I found myself rooting for Retta and Hemingway from the very beginning. Easy reading, couldn't put it down and had it read in a weekend. Waiting for a sequel!" ~TNielsen (Amazon)

"The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful . . . I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!" ~Kat Meyer, (Goodreads)

"I love how the author populated Mars . . . so descriptive and comprehensive . . . I could clearly picture everything as if I was seeing the movie &/or was along for the ride. . . . Retta, the main character, is strong, opinionated, and a great champion for her cause." ~Megan (Amazon)

"I had been in the worst reading slump ever and came across this on Goodreads and thought I'd give it a try. Well, I was pleasantly surprised on how funny and exciting and mysterious it was . . . Mei, Retta's bff, had me laughing out loud quite a bit as well as Retta herself. I'd definitely hang out with those two." ~Deanneluvbooks (Goodreads)

Blue Hearts of Mars has made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!

Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

Author Nicole Grotepas

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother's old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she's forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan--the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Internationally)

Signed Copy of Cinder & Blue Hearts of Mars (US only)

Ends 4/19/13



Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Book Blitz: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge by Donna Shields

Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

by Donna Shields

Hunting down a dangerous mob boss has brought FBI agent Mitchell Donovan home, reawakening an old flame, resurrecting a dead best friend, and discovering fatherhood. As if those aren’t enough, his new case will push everything else aside: finding the kidnappers who took the daughter he never knew he had.

Katherine Delaney never forgot the heartbreak Mitchell had caused with his abrupt departure all those years ago. With her dead ex-husband accused of murder and her daughter kidnapped, she will place her trust in the one man who could trample her heart again if she gets too close. But, will the resurrection of Katherine’s ex-husband and Mitchell’s chase for a killer destroy their second chance at love and happiness?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Soul Mate Publishing

About the author: I live in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina with my husband, our children, and some great haunts. Besides being a busy bee with my writing, I'm a Mom, a Grandmom, a co-owner of a motorcycle shop and an avid reader. And we love traveling to Mexico and Jamaica when life and finances allow us to go.

I have two books published with Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders, a paranormal romantic suspense, and Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, a romantic suspense. I like writing about things that go bump in the night and finding a new twist to include in my stories.

I can usually be found on Facebook and Twitter and on my blog. 

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Soul Mate Publishing

They followed the paramedic toward the ambulance while Gladys and the other woman continued to talk.

He’d had a nightmare in the early hours before Gladys’ call had awakened him. The Camaro from his dream sat in the same exact spot. Aidan pointed out the car and told Mitchell he had to save ‘her’, whoever that might be. He figured he was about to find out. If, in fact, he wasn’t losing his marbles.

As they rounded the corner to the back of the ambulance, Gladys stopped short causing Mitchell to nearly colliding into her. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he croaked, and then cleared his raw throat. “What’s the victim’s name?”

The paramedic shook her head, blonde ponytail swishing. “We don’t know. Haven’t found any ID yet, and she’s a little confused. Has a nasty bump to the head.”

He let Gladys climb aboard. Her upward movement stopped in midair, one leg dangling a little too close to Mitchell’s jewels. He jumped back as she whipped around, almost losing her balance. In a barely audible tone, she said, “I know her.”

“You know practically the entire town.” Mitchell gestured toward the victim. “Say something. Who is she?”

Her gaze stared off in the distance above his head. “It’s just so weird. It’s the widow whose husband drove off that bridge.” She pointed toward Jenkins Bridge, the old wooden-covered overpass in the distance.

An icy chill ran up his spine. Gladys moved aside, giving him full view of Katherine Delaney. She may be battered and bloody, but Mitchell could never forget her face, her high cheekbones, or the tiny, turned up nose. Shit.

Their eyes met, and his chest instantly tightened, his throat constricting. Something was wrong. She seemed to stare through him. Surely, she recognized him. He hadn’t changed that much. He managed to find his voice. “Hello.”

Katherine closed her dazzling emerald eyes. “What happened?”

He put his trembling hands behind his back interlocking them. “You were in an accident. What’s your name?”

She shook her head, the confusion apparent..

“It’s all right. This is Detective Freeman and I’m Detective Donovan.” Would the name register?

If it did, she didn’t react. She closed her eyes and turned her head away from them.

The paramedic announced, “Gonna have to finish this at the hospital after the doctor examines her.”

Mitchell reluctantly backed away allowing Gladys to jump down. Once the ambulance left, Mitchell said, “She didn’t recognize me.” Hundreds of miles apart and fifteen years later, and none of that mattered anymore. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and protect her. What was her life like now? Did she still live on the ranch with Aidan’s mother? Or did she have another whole life somewhere else?

Would she be okay? What if something happened to her? He couldn’t think like that. He wouldn’t.

“You know her?”

Of course he had. When he left Addison, he had been running from the hurt they’d caused one another. And his mother’s death. And his own demons.. “You keep forgetting. I grew up in this town.”

“What’s your connection?”

He didn’t want to get into his and Katherine’s complicated past at the moment. “We went to school together. Her husband, Aidan, and I were best friends.”

Gladys’ milk chocolate eyes grew large. “Oh wow. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. That was a long time ago.” Life goes on.

Book Review: Taylor's Gift by Todd and Tara Storch

Title: Taylor's Gift
Authors: Todd and Tara Storch with Jennifer  Schuchmann
Publisher: Revell

About the book: It was the last run of their first day on the slopes, the beginning of another great family vacation for Todd and Tara Storch and their three children.  But when thirteen-year-old Taylor's life was tragically cut short in a skiing accident, the Storches were overcome by the devastating loss of their daughter.  Still in shock, they were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear:  "Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?"

Their answer would change their family's lives forever and provide comfort during their darkest moments.  It would also save the lives of five desperate people anxiously waiting for a heart, a liver, a cornea, a pancreas, and a kidney.

Taylor's death could have destroyed the Storches -- and in some ways it almost did.  Instead, her gift of life brought them strength, knowing her heart was continuing to beat.  Taylor's Gift is more than Taylor's story, or even Todd and Tara's story.  It's the story of a nurse who can now be an active mom and fully present for her kids, a cowboy who now has the strength and ability to give back to the community, a biker who can now give of himself completely, and a teenager who can now see her future for the first time.

It's a story of finding strength in God and creating good even in the darkest times.  It's a story of hope.

Through the Gift of Organ Donation, Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Taylor Storch Brings Life & Hope

“The prayer of this book is this: may good continue to happen. May this story bring hope to anyone who has suffered tragedy. There is life after loss. It comes after a monsoon of tears. But it comes.”

- Max Lucado

On what was supposed to be the family trip of a lifetime, thirteen-year-old Taylor Storch's life was tragically cut short after a horrific ski accident two years ago. As Taylor lay unresponsive in the ICU, Todd and Tara clung to any shred of hope that they would see their daughter smile again. Devastated and still in shock about the accident, they were asked a question no parents think they will ever hear: “Would you be willing to donate Taylor’s organs?”

Their answer would change their family’s lives forever and provide hope during their darkest moments. It would also save the lives of five desperate people anxiously waiting for a new heart, a new liver, new corneas and a new kidney.

Now Todd and Tara Storch, with New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Schuchmann, share their heartbreaking, yet inspirational story, shining a light for those enduring their own ocean of grief. Todd and Tara share the ugly side of their grief. Todd’s impulse to bury himself in work and even worse, to just leave. Tara's inability to come out of the fog of grief for months. Taylor’s death could have destroyed them. Instead, her gift of life brought them hope, knowing her heart had never stopped beating.

Taylor’s Gift: A Courageous Story of Giving Life and Renewing Hope is more than Taylor’s story or even Todd and Tara’s story. It’s the story of a cowboy who has the strength and ability to give back to the community; a nurse who can be an active mom and fully present for her kids; a biker who can give himself completely; and a teenager who can see her future for the first time. It’s the story of finding strength in God and creating good even in the darkest times.

It’s a story of hope.

“The greatest gift we’ve received on this journey didn’t come from Taylor,” writes Todd and Tara. “It came from God. Her death is not the end of her story. God is sovereign, and he is still writing.”

After discovering their home state of Texas had the second lowest organ donation registration rate, Todd and Tara created the Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising organ donation awareness. The Foundation gave them a way to celebrate Taylor’s life and to use their story to encourage others to register to be an organ donor. In less than two years, they have spoken to thousands of people across the country have helped contribute more than two million registered organ donors in Texas and over 12 million nationally.

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My thoughts:  Taylor's Gift is an amazing story about a beautiful girl and the unselfish response that her grieving family gave when asked if they would donate her organs.  Through the book, you learn how caring Taylor was for her family and friends, even though she was only 13 when she was killed.  There were times while reading the book that I could hardly see the words through my tears.  But this isn't just a tear jerker.  There were also times when I was amazed at how God was working through the tragedy to bring hope to so many people. How God kept His presence known in so many ways and let them know His purpose behind Taylor's death. 

The Storches struggled with their grief. They got angry with God. Tara withdrew to her room for months while Todd had to stay full of activity.  But through it all they came together to create Taylor's Gift Foundation .  This is an organization working to inform people about the huge need for organ donation.  While a story like this has to touch everyone on some level, I love that -- as it says above -- it is a story of hope.  That even in the darkest of times, you can find strength in God. 

Loved it.

~I received a complimentary copy of Taylor's Gift from Revell in exchange for my unbiased review.~

© Frank Marott, Pixels–Coppell, TX

About the Authors: Todd Storch is a successful consultant, public speaker and community leader. After the death of his daughter, he began to pursue his new God-given mission to promote organ donation. Todd is cofounder and president of Taylor’s Gift Foundation, where he and his wife, Tara, work tirelessly to help those who have been touched by organ donation. Todd is honored to lead the foundation that has helped contribute to the registration of millions of new organ donors and is still changing the conversation about organ donation.

Tara Storch is first and foremost a mom, but she is also a sales and marketing professional, is active in her church, and is a community leader. Along with her husband, Todd, she cofounded Taylor’s Gift Foundation. She leads the marketing

 efforts of the foundation with the mission to “increase organ donation to Regift Life, Renew Health and Restore Families.” She loves helping others recognize the beautiful gift we all have within.

Todd and Tara have shared their story on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and other national media. They are the parents of Taylor, Ryan, and Peyton and have made their home in Texas.

Jennifer Schuchmann specializes in collaborations with celebrities and newsmakers. Among her many books, she is coauthor with Kurt and Brenda Warner of the New York Times bestselling First Things First; with Dan Woolley of Unshaken, the only book written by a survivor of the Haiti earthquake; and with Jim Cymbala of Spirit Rising.

Book Review; The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Title: The Dance (Book 1, The Restoration Series)
Authors: Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley
Publisher: Revell

About the Book: After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife.  Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs -- a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home om, an enviable collection of stuff.  Everything, that is, except what really matters:  love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough.  she longs to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it.  Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons -- something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage.  With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back.  What he doesn't anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him -- starting with himself. 

Combining the literary talents of bestselling author Dan Walsh and the relationship expertise of bestselling author Gary Smalley, The Dance is the first novel in The Restoration Series. Readers will get caught up in these flawed but sincere members of the Anderson family as they rediscover genuine love and start a transformation that ultimately affects all of them. Based on the principles behind Smalley’s bestselling The DNA of Relationships, Walsh expertly weaves proven relationship advice to restore a marriage into this powerful novel.

In The Dance, readers will meet the Anderson family amidst crisis. Jim Anderson is a successful businessman, and his wife, Marilyn, is the perfect wife. Jim never expected to come home one day and find Marilyn gone. What will it take to restore their marriage before their problems shatter the entire family?

Smalley previously collaborated with New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury on the wildly successful Redemption Series introducing her readers to the beloved Baxter family. After seeing the impact those characters continue to have with readers, Smalley partnered with Walsh to create powerful storylines that transcend words on a page and begin to impact readers’ marriages and relationships.

“I’ve learned what a tremendous impact novels can have on the real relationships of readers,” says Smalley. “And when I read Dan Walsh’s work, I knew—this was a guy who can tap into the needs of the heart.  I’m thrilled we could work together to create the story of the Anderson family.” 

Other novels in the series will following the Anderson family as Walsh and Smalley continue to draw from The DNA of Relationships as well as several other of Smalley’s bestselling books on marriage and family relationships.

Walsh’s writing is known for enthralling the reader and creating emotional connections with his characters. In a review of his last novel, The Reunion (September 2012), USA Today’s Happily Ever After said Walsh has a “… gift for pulling the heartstrings and encouraging a slow build of tears within his reader.” Similarly RT Book Reviews wrote, “Walsh is so gifted that the reader becomes a part of his stories.”

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My thoughts: This was a wonderful book! It really hit home learning that a Christian marriage and family can also have misunderstandings to the point that a person doesn't feel loved.  Marilyn was so strong to finally walk out, after who knows how many months or years of trying to get her husband's attention.  She moves in with a single christian woman and starts working at a local gift shop.  One day at lunch, she meets an elderly woman, Audrey, who used to own the local dance studio.  It is because of this meeting that she decides to take dance lessons.

Meanwhile, Jim also meets Audrey one evening after a confrontation with Marilyn outside that dance studio. Audrey talks to him a little about his troubles with Marilyn and convinces him to let her give him private dance lessons.  Jim hates dancing so much, he wouldn't even dance with Marilyn at their wedding!  Audrey uses these dance lessons to also start to teach Jim about relationships.  The Dance is very much a metaphor for life and how we relate to other people.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I order The DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley this afternoon.  I can't wait to share it with my husband.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the authors: Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of several books, including The Discovery and The Reunion. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. For more information about Walsh and his books, visit his web site at www.DanWalshBooks.com and follow him on Twitter at @DanWalshAuthor.

Gary Smalley is one of the country’s best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of more than 60 books. He has spent over 40 years learning, teaching and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 48 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children, all in full time ministry to families, couples and orphans, and they enjoy their wonderful relationships with their ten grandchildren.

The Dance

Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, April 2013

ISBN:  978-0-8007-2148-0

352 pages

Promo Blitz: Monster Night by Pb Azeltine and Me Drewry

Monster Night

Young Adult Fantasy

By Pb Azeltine, Me Drewry  

Date Published: November 2012 

Add to Goodreads

When a drug surfaces in town that turns teens into the mythological creature of the chupacabra, David Copperfield Finkleman is called in to help. Why? Because David possesses a rare gift. He is a true blue, magic out of the fingertips, potions and spells, wizard. Well, that and because his grandfather is the  lead investigator on the case and the drug is circulating in David's own high school. David is thrust into a world of danger and monsters he never knew existed, all the while living his normal daily life. He learns that he will have to save the very bullies who torment him in school and the chemistry teacher who wants nothing more than to flunk him. Adding to his problems, he deals with girl troubles, a boss who doesn't appreciate his sarcasm, and saving an agent's life before it's too late...no pressure!

Excerpt 

I retrieved my wand, held it over the potion and willed my energy into it. The potion began to bubble as if boiling on the stove. It became thick and turned blood red. The contents bubbled and expanded, spilling out from the bowl and on to the table. Then suddenly the bloody goo began to form into a shape, sprouting legs, and then swirling around and making a body, and lastly a head. I pulled back my energy, but it was too late. A Mastiff-sized chupacabra stood on the table, snarling, snapping, and baring its teeth at me.

I jumped back and cried out at the same time. The creature lunged at me. I dove under the table, feeling the breeze from its body brush my face. The animal thumped to the ground and scrambled, its paws slipping and scratching on the linoleum floor. I clambered to my feet, just in time to throw a wall of energy out, three inches thick and a large doggie-door size wide and high.

The chupacabra hit the wall, bounced back, and came at me, frothing and scrabbling at the energy again and again until he broke through and pounced on me, sending me hurtling backwards. My back, butt, and head smacked the linoleum at the same time, followed by my feet, the chupacabra’s teeth sinking into my coat. Its head thrashed from side to side. The material resisted at first, and then a loud ripping echoed in my ears. The animal won the battle with a mouthful of my stuffing and cotton-polyester blend material. Using my hands and feet and all my strength, I shoved the creature off of me, scrambled to my feet, and sent another stream of magic at it. This time I was able to throw it into the back door. Stunned for a few seconds, it slowly stood, shook its head and body, and showed me his fangs, the whites of them flashing in the bright light of the room.

Was something or someone controlling this creature? Its glazed eyes indicated that the lights might be on in its head, but no one was home, or at least in that house. But who or what was controlling it? And maybe even why?

The creature gathered itself for round two. It rose on its two back legs to full height. Long claws jetted out from its pads ready to slice me in two. Its gray body had a green hint to it with black spots. Black spikes stuck out along the spine and looked as sharp as its claws. Drool dripped from its long tongue and sides of its mouth. It growled, a low menacing hum that rose louder into a snarl.

For a moment, I was fascinated by its ability to balance as a human. Red eyes glowed and I kept from looking at them for fear of not knowing if it could hypnotize or freeze me.

P.B. Azeltine

P.B. Azeltine has been writing for many years. She is a Land SurveyorInstrument woman by day and a writer at lunch time, traveling in the car time, any spare moment time, days off time, and evenings. She loves writing young adult, middle-grade, historical romance, and contemporary romance. She tries to put humor in all her writing. She has learned that as she goes through life, humor can make it much easier to get through. She lives in Olympia, Washington (U.S.A.) with her husband, two daughters, son in-law, future son in-law, two dogs, one cat, and one lovebird.

www.pbazeltine.com

M.E. Drewry

M.E. Drewry is a teacher and writer. An avid fan and reader of fantasy, she decided to co-write her own fantasy story for young adult. She lives in Rochester, Washington (U.S.A.) with her husband, Jacob and her overly pampered black lab Shadow.

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Book Tour: Grim by Joseph Spencer w/Guest Post!

The Virtual Book Tour of Grim by Joseph Spencer is brought to you by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.  It runs from March 18 - April 12.

March 21 - My Reading Addiction - Review

March 22 - Comfortably Read - Review

March 24 - The Adventures Within - Review/Guest Post

March 26 - Author Ever Leigh - Review

March 28 - The Life and Lies of an Inanimate Object - Review/GuestPost

March 30 - Sinnful Books - Review/Interview

March 31 - Must Read Faster-  Review/Guest Post

April 1 - Words I Write Crazy - Review/Guest Post

April 4 - Book Reviews and More - Review

April 5 - Books and Needlepoint - Guest Post

April 6 - FUOnlyKnew - Review

April 7 - One Page at a Time - Review

April 8 - Bean Counting Mommy - Review/Guest Post

April 9 - Cabin Goddess - Review

April 10 - Turning the Pages - Review

April 11 - Genuine Jenn - Review

April 12 - RABT Reveiws - Review

Grim

by Joseph Spencer

Grim is a complex, gritty, and often gory tale which follows a series of grisly murders in Prairieville. The blood trail leads to a reclusive millionaire Heath Grim, who wears a mask to hide his war scars from the world, but he harbors a darker secret on the inside. Virtuous detective Adam White almost always gets his man, but he's haunted by the one case he's never closed - his wife's murder. When White is pushed to the limits of his sanity from a rising body count and a criminal kingpin who has turned crooked cops and corrupt politicians against him, will he be able to collar the killer? Or will a plot to tarnish his image and the killer's information on a common enemy turn White into the type of man he's hunted throughout his law enforcement career?

About the author: INTRO

Joseph Spencer is the author of the Sons of Darkness series launched by his debut novel, Grim, on September 1, 2012. Work on his second book of the series, Wrage, is already underway and is expected to be released some time in 2013. 

THE ROAD HERE

The Sons of Darkness is a series of paranormal crime thrillers following investigations into mysterious deaths in the central Illinois city of Prairieville. Home of the notorious serial killer, The Reaper, Prairieville has had a history of violence centered on an ongoing feud between the Marino and Black organized crime families. When bodies start showing up again at the abandoned Marino State Hospital, many fear the Reaper has returned. The people of Prairieville are about to find out their problems stem from a supernatural source which has lurked in secret for decades. 

THE STORYTELLER’S STORY

As a boy, Joseph Spencer immersed himself in the deductive logic of Sherlock Holmes, the heroic crime fighting of Batman and Spider-Man, and a taste for the tragic with dramas from poets like Shakespeare and Homer. 

Before Joseph took to spinning his own tales, he pursued a career in print sports journalism, graduating with honors from Clinton (IL) High School in 1996 and summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2000. He covered such events as NASCAR’s Subway 500 race in Martinsville, the NBA Draft Camp in Chicago, the Junior College World Series, and Minor League Baseball’s Midwest League All-Star Game during a ten-year career throughout the Midwest. Now, he works as an emergency telecommunications specialist with an Illinois police department. The combination of years of writing experience with a background working with law enforcement professionals gave rise to his writing aspirations. 

Joseph was married Dr. Amy (Waggoner) Spencer, an accomplished veterinary doctor, on March 14, 2012. He received word his debut novel was accepted by his publisher, Damnation Books, the next day. Joseph and Amy look forward to their honeymoon in Paris in September 2012. Murphy, a 15-year-old orange tabby, is perhaps the most vocal member of the family. The Spencer family enjoys reading Charlaine Harris, George R.R. Martin, Mary Janice Davidson, and most paranormal stories. The Spencers also enjoy quoting movie lines from The Princess Bride, Rain Man, Bridesmaids, and Office Space.

Ten Things I Wish I Knew About Being An Author Before Getting Published

by Joseph Spencer

You’ve done it! You committed to writing the great American novel you always thought you could write. You put your butt in the seat, your hands over the keyboard and your words on the screen. It’s finished. Your debut novel is finished, and set to skyrocket straight to the top of the bestseller list. The lion’s share of your work is done, right? WRONG!

For most authors, this step in the process is where the real learning takes place. The reality is debut authors, particularly ones who aren’t celebrities or aren’t being published by a major house, have to work as hard or harder on the business and marketing side of the book to get their masterpiece in front of a marketplace which isn’t familiar with them or their work. People are looking to stretch their dollars further in these times of economic hardship, and they have to be convinced that your work is worth spending their hard-earned dollars on. With that in mind, here are some things to consider if you’re looking to be published for the first time and aren’t quite sure what your next step should be.

1. No Agent, No Cry 

When I began my publishing process, I figured I had to have an agent before any publisher would even consider my manuscript. That’s just not the case. The truth is a majority of independent authors submit unagented manuscripts all the time. The right agent will definitely help, but you can be published without one. Also, when you query agents, don’t get depressed when you get form letter rejections. Every author gets rejected, and it’s common for rookies to get the cold shoulder.

2. Do your homework
Whether you’re querying an agent or a publisher, don’t expect to cut and paste a generic form letter and get great results. You’re writing professionals who see massive volumes of material every day. If you don’t stand out, you don’t get out of the slush pile. Besides, if you wrote a fantastic science fiction novel, you don’t want to submit it to a romance publisher or an agent who handles primarily nonfiction works. There are a number of online resources which can help. www.pred-ed.com is one of the best out there.

3. Do It Yourself?
If you’ve submitted your manuscript and aren’t getting any bites from agents or publishers, there’s another decision to make. It’s up to you whether you think the reason you’re getting rejected is that the material isn’t professional standard, whether it just needs more polish on the editing table or whether the scope of your work hasn’t found its niche. Another alternative is self-publishing. It’s becoming more common for authors to publish their own work through companies like CreateSpace, Lightning Source and Smashwords. The author eats a lot of upfront cost, but also keeps more of the profit when the book sells.

4. Together Everyone Achieves More
The TEAM acronym isn’t just a corny slogan for high school basketball warmup shirts. Authors go a lot further when they find the right network of specialists to help them with creative and promotional services. Did you know there are companies to help you find the right agent (www.agentresearch.com)? Online resources can help you choose editors, cover artists, publicists, and other specialists to help whip your manuscript into shape.

5. Love at first site
In this age of social networking and content delivery on the Web, it’s important for authors to have a strong online presence. If you don’t have one already (get out from under the rock), you need to get Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads accounts to post announcements to promote your book both before and after it’s published. This will help get the word out to your close friends and family who will be your best salesmen to other prospective readers. Depending on your economic situation, you can choose to make your sites either author or book specific. Also, try to blog content frequently on your site.

6. Everyone’s a critic
It’s important for authors to develop a thick skin when putting their work out on the marketplace. Please keep in mind that suggestions made by professional editors are meant to enhance the book’s appeal. If an editor sends back your manuscript with a lot of corrections, it doesn’t mean you’re an unskilled writer. It just means that editor sees potential for you to make your work even better.

7. Just face it
It’s not enough to lock yourself away in an office and write. Our society loves celebrities. Even if you don’t feel any differently, others look at you as a big deal once you get published. Readers want to meet and talk to the people responsible for the characters and stories they love. Make an effort to do a tour of local libraries, local book stores and fan conventions which make sense. Also, it’s just as important to do blog tours with companies such as Full Moon Bites (http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com). Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

8. Give to receive
Odds are that you never expected to be hawking pens, bookmarks, notepads, magnets and various other items when you started writing your manuscript. However, these promotional materials go a long way in trying to get readers to remember you and your work. Sites like www.vistaprint.com sell a variety of material you can purchase cheaply and give to readers at your appearances.

9. Upon Further Review…
There are times when all it takes to break open a treasure chest of potential readers is a favorable review from the right online blogger, media critic or genre-specific site. Sending out review copies costs money, but it’s essential in winning over readers who are on the fence about buying your book. Attempt to get as many reviews as you can because people are more likely to give you a shot when they see your material was liked by other readers.

10. Be Good to Each Other
Believe it or not, other authors can become your best allies when you’re trying to attract your following of loyal readers. Creating a network of writing friends, whether it’s a local group which can help you work on your skills and read your work or whether it’s an online group which can give you tips on promotion or help you cross-promote each other, is a rewarding and potentially lucrative experience. On my site, I do a weekly blog post of author interviews. I let other authors know they are welcome to promote themselves because it drives traffic and visitors to my site, too.