Just Another Girl and her Books

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Review Bloodlines by S.L. Dearing

Genre: Paranormal

Published: March 1, 2015

Pages: 26

Ages: 14+

Synopsis

When Sascha and Eduard Engle flee nazi occupied Germany and arrive at a small cottage deep in the woods of France, they have no idea what is in store for them or who the kindly old man is who is taking care of them. But on a cold winter the night, they will learn everything they have been yearning to know about their... Bloodlines.

This is a paranormal short story. It was originally published in the anthology, Paranormal Anthology with a Twist.

Review

I purchased a copy of this book (story), you can even check the reviews on Amazon to verify that if you want.

I have had a morbid fascination with the Holocaust and the European theater during WWII for about as long as I can remember, so this story appealed to me for that aspect alone. My husband and children have been somewhat obsessed with The Avengers and Marvel's Agents of Shield lately, which if you watch any of those movies or the t.v. show, you know one of the big enemies of Shield is Hydra, and in that universe Hydra was actually behind WWII. General Muller in this story made me think of Red Skull and Hydra from the Marvel Universe for basically the whole story. The two are not actually in any way connected, but that's the feeling I got while reading.

There isn't much else I can say about the story without spoilers, so I'm just going to end with I loved it, but wish it was part of a whole novel, like I'm already filling in gaps, backstory, and other details in my head to make it longer. If you like paranormal and are looking for a quick read for your lunch break, this would definitely fit the bill. 5 out of 5 stars. - Katie

Buy the Book

Amazon

About the Author

Shannon L. Dearing was raised in Westlake Village, California and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, then spent several years studying at Los Angeles City College’s renowned Television/ Film program. She has worked on several film projects in many capacities: directing, writing, First Asst. Director, Etc.. Shannon has been writing since grade school. Over the years she has written several screenplays, poems and short stories. She is wroking on the Lia Fail series as well as several Stand alone projects. Shannon currently lives in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, CA

Monday, July 6, 2015

Review A Scrying Shame by Donna White Glaser

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Published: July 7, 2015

Pages: 242

Ages: 14+

Synopsis

Following a near death experience, twenty-five-year old Arie Stiles decides she might as well take the job nobody else wants: a crime scene clean-up technician. It’s good money, which she could use, and death doesn’t hold a lot of mystery for her.

Or so she thinks.

Arie isn’t on the job long before discovering she’s been “gifted” with a new psychic talent—the ability to scry. Whether she wants to or not, Arie can read the memories of the dead in their blood.

When she is assigned to clean the crime scene of Marissa Mason, the socialite author of the best-selling gold-diggers' bible, Arie finds herself haunted by blood visions day and night, and to her shock discovers an unexpected family connection to the victim. With her brother suffering the unwanted attention of the police as the primary suspect, can Arie face her fear of the blood visions long enough to follow the trail of clues left in the murdered woman's memories and find the real culprit?

Review

I received a copy of this book because I nominated it on Kindle Scout for publication and it was selected. I'm fairly certain there was no expectation of a review being posted for that copy, but I review every book I read.

I am honestly not sure what to say about this book right now. I really just want to gush and tell you that you have to read it because it's so good, but I personally don't find reviews like that to be particularly helpful for me, so I want to do better.

One of my favorite parts of this book is that it had me playing detective with Arie (pronounced R.E. like the initials) and kept me guessing about who the guilty party was and their motivation. There were a few times where I was sure I had it figured out, but I also found myself waffling between a couple of the suspects fairly regularly. I really enjoy books where things like that aren't really obvious in the beginning.

The story itself is told in limited omniscient third person, following Arie around and occasionally diving inside her head. By the end of the story I felt like Arie was basically my BFF, because BFF's tell you everything anyway!

Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was very entertaining, kept me guessing, and kept me turning the pages. I would definitely recommend it to mystery and suspense fans. - Katie

Buy the Book

Amazon

About the Author

Donna White Glaser is the author of the Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery series. Like her main character, Donna is a psychotherapist and lives northwestern Wisconsin. As if that weren’t enough, she and her husband own a residential construction company where it’s Donna’s job to deal with any overly emotional, what-do-you-mean-you-can’t-put-roof-trusses-up-in-a-thunderstorm? clients. Strangely enough, she often comes up with ideas for creative murders and hiding bodies during business hours. Currently she is at work on the fourth Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery-THE BLOOD WE SPILL. Donna would love to hear from you via her website at www.donnawhiteglaser.com or on Twitter: @readdonnaglaser.

Challenge Scorecard

I used this book to fulfill 1/3 of the three books TBR Pile block because it is listed on my TBR for this month, so it totally counts. I'm really still dreading those series blocks because they're all looking so sad and empty right now.

Summer Blog Hop and Giveaway Destined for Despair by Ginna Moran

Summer Blog Hop Home Page

Title: Destined for Despair
Author: Ginna Moran
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Published: March 12, 2015
Pages: 320
Ages: 14+

Synopsis: Life isn’t easy for seventeen-year-old Nadia Petrov once she’s in love with Hunter Sullivan, a boy whose mother is on the board of the Human Preservation Agency, an organization determined to kill people with special abilities like her own. Desperate to experience a forever love, Nadia and Hunter risk their lives to be together even though the discovery of their relationship will not only destroy it, but will kill them in the aftermath.

A swell in HPA activity in a nearby city puts Nadia and Hunter on edge. Nadia finds her world falling apart when someone she loves is captured by the HPA and held prisoner in their termination facility.

Nadia and Hunter’s relationship must survive the ultimate test when Nadia, with the help of her friends, plans to cross enemy lines on a rescue mission to free her loved one. Faced with a heartbreaking decision, Nadia must decide if her love for Hunter is worth the fight or if she should accept that their life together is destined for despair...

Destined for Despair is the second novel in the Destined for Dreams series.

Book Links

Amazon

Goodreads

Excerpt

Her pale blond hair is pulled into a high ponytail and she’s wearing a puffy white jacket and jeans. She’s eerily beautiful, like an apparition in the snow. She smiles when she sees me and I stand up and open my arms for her to fall into.
I kiss her and hold her for a moment. “I’m glad you called.”
She pulls away. “I missed you.”
I kiss her again. “It won’t always be like this.”
I guide her to the backseat of my car and touch her chin so she looks into my eyes. I hate seeing her so sad. I’m hesitant to tell her why I wanted to meet her. I don’t want to worry her. The only thing I want is for her to be happy and safe.
I blow air through my lips. “I’m willing to leave the HPA for you. Just tell me and I will.”
She crinkles her nose. “And then what? I can’t just run away and neither can you. It wouldn’t be easy. The HPA would hunt you down.”
“I can protect us.”
She closes her eyes for a second. “I want to, but no, Hunter. I can’t.”
I keep my face expressionless. “The offer will always be here.”

About the Author

Ginna Moran is a writer living in Austin, Texas but originally from Southern California. She started writing poetry as a teenager in a spiral notebook that she still has tucked away on her desk today. Her love of writing grew after she graduated high school and she completed her first unpublished manuscript at age eighteen.

When she realized her love of writing was her life's passion, she studied literature at Mira Costa College in Northern San Diego. Besides writing novels, she was senior editor, content manager, and image coordinator for Crescent House Publishing Inc. for four years.

Aside from Ginna's professional life, she enjoys binge watching television shows, playing pretend with her daughter, and cuddling with her dogs. Some of her favorite things include chocolate, anything that glitters, cheesy jokes, and organizing her bookshelf.

Ginna Moran loves to hear from readers so visit her online at www.GinnaMoran.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. If you loved her novels, leave a positive review online for fellow readers.

Ginna Moran is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Facebook // Website // Twitter

Entry -Form

Review Gabriel's Treasure by D.M. Earl

Genre: Romance/MC

Published: July 4, 2015

Pages: 196

Ages: 16+

Synopsis

Gabriel “Doc” Murphy found the woman he’d planned to treasure for the rest of his life in a young, shy girl he had seen being bullied in a hallway between classes when they were just kids. Over the years, Doc loved and protected her with all he had, until the day came when he received news that there was something that could take her away from him…Cancer. Being faced with the possibility of losing the love of his life, Doc would turn the world inside-out to save and keep the only love that could shatter him, body and soul, if he couldn’t save her.

Fern knew the instant she fell into Gabriel’s arms all those years ago, that she had found her “one and only.” He became her everything-owning her heart and soul. As they made it through their life journey together, nothing could tear their unbreakable bond. Life struggles, financial losses, and even devastating miscarriages didn’t stand a chance until the day she received the phone call that finally shattered their world to the core, leaving Fern preparing for the fight of her life.

As Doc and Fern struggle through each day, praying for a miracle, one presents itself. Do they dare have hope, or do they accept that the fight is over as a dark shadow waits patiently to make a move to alter their lives forever.

Review

I was hired to proofread this book. The only feedback I provided was on spelling and grammar. The author was not and is not aware that this review is being written and posted. I made that decision on my own because I review every book I read. If you feel this connection makes my review unreliable, so be it, but this is my honest review of the book.

So this is the third book in a series and I haven't read the first two. There were times where I felt like I would understand things better, like the connections between all the characters and some of the secondary characters back stories, but it didn't negatively affect my experience with this story heavily. If anything, this book made me want to go back to read the first two to hopefully get clued in to those things I felt I was missing.

This story frequently had me on edge, basically wondering when the other shoe was going to drop, expecting it constantly. The author did a good job of making me care about these characters very early on in the story even though I haven't read the first two books. I really feel like I know Gabriel and Fern, and like I'm now a part of the Horde too.

The story is told in first person, alternating amongst several of the characters, but sticking mostly to Gabriel and Fern, and I think that is part of why I feel so close to the characters now, because everything felt so personal while I was reading.

Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It kept me on the edge of my seat and entertained me even though I was focusing on finding spelling and grammar errors. I would definitely recommend it to fans of MC books. - Katie

Buy the Book

Amazon

About the Author

D. M. Earl lives in Northwest Indiana. She is an avid reader and will devour a book usually in a day. She reads anything from romance, contemporary, erotica and dark reads. Loves to rider her Harley next to her hubby. Also D.M. likes being outdoors either working in her veggie or flower gardens or just hanging with her 10 four legged fur "kids."

Connelly's Horde is her first published work released July 3, 2014. This is a Novella in her series Wheels & Hogs. Cadence Reflection Book 2 released on 11/21/2014. Gabriel's Treasure Book 3 in the series released on 7/6/2015.

Also D.M. started a second series, The Journals Trilogy which is filled with suspense and a much darker read. Anguish #One released on May 11, 2015. The Journals #Two and #Three will hopefully release before end of 2015.

Please visit her:
Author Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DM-Earl/685360821541217?fref=photo
Twitter
https://twitter.com/dmearl
Email
dmearl14@gmail.com

Enjoy this Ride we call Life!!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Platypire's Read-A-Thon July

Photo Courtesy of Platypire Maribel

It's a new month, which means it's time for a new reading list (or the old list with some more books added on).

X - Read

R - Currently Reading

+ - To Be read

R - The Rewriting of America's History by Catherine Millard

R - Sector 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole

R - Sweetwater: The Kihn by Rivi Jacks

R - The Voyage by Tammie Painter

R - Circling the Sun by Paula McClain

R - The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

R - Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde

+ - Far From Home by Victoria Stolte

+ - The &Now Awards Volume 3 by Various Authors

+ - Shadows of the Unseen by Christine Steendam

+ - Affliction by S.L. Dearing

+ - Bloodlines by S.L. Dearing

+ - Drawing Heat by S.L. Dearing

+ - Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

+ - PrairyErth by William Least Heat-Moon

+ - Carus & Mitch by Tim Major

+ - House of Holes by Nicholson Baker

+ - Christmas in Paradise by Kathi Daley

+ - Pieces by Maria Kostaki

+ - Summer Secrets by Jane Green

+ - Forgiveness by Chiquis Rivera

+ - The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

+ - The Prophets of Eternal Fjord by Kim Leine

+ - Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu

+ - The Underwriting by Michelle Miller

+ - The Biology of Luck by Jacob M. Appel

+ - Omega City by Diana Peterfreund

+ - American Warlord by Johnny Dwyer

+ - When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi

+ - Bell Weather by Dennis Mahoney

+ - Deadly Design by Debra Dockter

+ - Unprocessed by Megan Kimble

+ - The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

+ - The Sparks by Kyle Prue

+ - Take by Silvia Ami

+ - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

+ - The Never-ending Story by Michael Ende

+ - Devil's Garden by Lance Tuck

+ - Minus Me by Ingelin Rosalind

+ - The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand

+ - It's You by Jane Porter

+ - Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

+ - Beautiful Girl by Fleur Philips

+ - The Road Home by Kathleen Shoop

+ - The Witch of Bourbon Street by Suzanne Palmieri

+ - Spelled by Betsy Schow
+ - The Mask by Taylor Stevens
+ - Bright Lines by Tanwi Nandini Islam
+ - Propose to Me: Romance Anthology by Various Authors
+ - Four Play by Amalie Silver
+ - A Scrying Shame by Donna White Glaser
+ - Killing Katie by B.A. Spangler

Maybe it's just me, but I think I've been adding more books each month than I've been reading. My list certainly seems to be getting longer and longer as the months go by. But maybe this will be the month that I put a serious dent in it. And if you'd like to challenge me, and try to read more of my books than I do, I've linked to all of them. Just click on the book title and it will take you to Amazon. There's a pretty wide variety of genres included so there's a little something for everyone I think. Which book would you most like to hear my thoughts on? - Katie

Read This Round Up #41

Photo courtesy of Felita @Lilac Reviews

Welcome to Read This, a collection of book reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of book reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the guidelines, then use the submission form.
Want to read more reviews? Check out Read This for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on twitter for the latest round ups. Read This is now accepting photo submissions for each edition.

CONTESTS

NON FICTION

Beat Writer’s Block: Increase Productivity and Maximize Your Word Count Every Day by Courtney Danyel and Connie Brentford ~Felita @Lilac Reviews

-INSPIRATIONAL

FICTION

The Book of Speculation by Erica Swyler ~Thoughts From an Evil Overlord

-WOMEN’S FICTION

-HUMOR

The Chronicles of Moxie by Z.B Heller ~Moxxley @Platypire Reviews

YOUNG ADULT

-SCIENCE FICTION

-PARANORMAL

-CLASSIC RETELLING

A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd ~Zeee @I Heart Romance & YA

NEW ADULT

ROMANCE

EROTICA

FANTASY

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins ~KissinBlueKaren

SCIENCE FICTION

Music of the Spheres by Valmore Daniels ~J. Hooligan @Platypire Reviews

MYSTERY

THRILLER

Author Spotlight TC Matson

T.C. Matson

Title: Mistaken Identity

Genre: Romance/Dark

Published: November 4, 2014

Pages: 289

Add to your Goodreads TBR

Synopsis

Ever held your breath as the elevator doors slide open unsure of who could be staring back at you? And what about walking to your car and finding a note? Ever wish it was from the man who catches your attention? Poor Samantha isn’t sure when to let loose of her breath. Her fresh start causes more problems than the nerves she feels on the first day of work. She soon falls prey to a love that transforms into evil, lies that become twisted, and threats that come to be promises. She’s oblivious that the elevator holds her love, her heart break and her strength.

***Warning***

This book contains graphic sexually explicit content and intense violence that could be disagreeable or distressing to readers. The content is intended for mature readers only.

Life sometimes gives you a fork in the road and doesn’t give you a hint of which direction to take. There’s no signs, no arrows, no neon lights to help. Luckily, Samantha Beckman chose the right path years ago and escaped from the horrors of her childhood. Along with her best friend, Jess, she lives a wonderful life—happy and carefree just as any twenty six year old should.

Opportunity arises when Samantha lands the job of a lifetime as the COO’s executive assistant for North Carolina’s leading business, Weston Company.

Yet, not everything is as it seems. Samantha soon learns Mr. Eye Candy from the elevator isn’t who he says he is, the sexy construction worker isn’t what she thought he was, and don’t forget about her new unwanted and clever stalker. Maybe her life isn’t as simple as she hoped it would be.

Caught in the sights of two men and a stalker, Samantha is forced to decide between flight and fight, fear over strength. Will she be able to take the right path again, or has her luck finally run out?

Buy the Book

About TC

New independent author, TC Matson, loves to let her characters voices be heard. With a head full of stories, she puts her keyboard through a beating daily. Regularly she visits the solidity of her writing cave, whether it be on the couch, at her desk, or wherever the three year old can’t reach the laptop. Currently she is publishing her debut novel, Mistaken Identity that stormed the shelves November 4^th, 2014.

She is an avid reader and is known to devour books within hours. As a romance junkie, Matson sets her sights to try to find stories that are relatable and real. She’s not a fan of vampires, fairies, or any other out of this world fiction stories. And understanding that love isn’t always instant and full of flowers…her writing mirrors it.

Matson resides in the peaceful piedmont area of North Carolina with her husband and three boys where she stays hopped up on caffeine and chasing children. She has a relatively normal life managing her home, or as she calls it, her looney bin. Chaos is indefinite and a sense of humor is absolutely a must.

Connect with TC

Facebook // Twitter

Goodreads // Website

Interview

What inspired you to become an author?

Honestly, I don’t have an amazing story like some of the other authors do. One morning I woke up and had my characters knocking on the door. I decided to start typing and BOOM! I had Mistaken Identity before I knew it.

I assume all authors also love to read, so what book inspired your love of reading?

RK Lilley-Bad Things. I freaking love that book!

How old were you when you wrote your first story?

If you are talking about how the cow ate hay in the barn, then I don’t know, maybe 7. LOL Last year was the first time I even thought about writing.

Who are some of your favorite authors now?

RK Lilley, Emma Chase, Skyla Madi, Harper Bentley, Alexa Keith, and Anne Mercier

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Depends on how it comes to me. With Mistaken Identity I used a mapping system that seemed like my 4 year old drew it. My WIP now I’m just writing and keeping tabs.

Are your characters based on people you know?

Some things are best left to someone’s imagination. ;)

What are some of your writing rituals?

I have to have ear phones and music. I cannot write at all without them.

How do other books influence your writing?

They really don’t. I enjoy reading other authors writing styles. It makes me realize that everyone reads what they like and to keep being who I am.

How do you get motivated to sit down and write with all the real world interruptions?

Being a stay at home mom with 3 kids and a hubby, it’s really not hard to get motivated to get lost in fantasy land.

Which one of your books is your favorite?

My WIP. I love how this one flows, how the characters talk, and how they are in general. It’s gone untitled for a while but I think I’ve settled on Leveled. {Authors note: due to the authors indecisiveness this could change!}

If you could have a writing retreat anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be and why?