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Friday, October 24, 2014

TEN THANKFUL TURKEYS by Angela Muse

Ten Thankful Turkeys by Angela Muse

About the Book

Title: Ten Thankful Turkeys | Author: Angela Muse | Illustrator: Ewa Powdles | Publication Date: October 4, 2014 | Publisher: 4EYESBOOKS | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 2 to 8 Summary: This colorful autumn tale follows ten turkeys as they get ready for an important celebration. This story teaches about gratitude. There are also fun turkey facts in the back of the book.

Kindle version available for only 99 cents from Amazon on October 24 & 25, 2014. Grab your copy now!!

Amazon (Kindle) * Amazon (Paperback)


MY REVIEW:

Ten Thankful Turkeys is a super cute picture book featuring the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday through ten turkeys. I was a little concerned at how the main course was going to be handled since all the guests to the dinner were turkeys, but found I had nothing to be concerned about. 

The story is about relationships and taking the opportunity to enjoy good food and company. I liked the fun facts offered and found the illustrations to be delightful. All in all, a nice read. 
 

About the Author: Angela Muse

Angela Muse, Author Angela Muse was born in California to a military family. This meant that she got used to being the "new kid" in school every couple of years. It was hard trying to make new friends, but Angela discovered she had a knack for writing. In high school Angela began writing poetry and song lyrics. Expressing herself through writing seemed very natural. After becoming a Mom in 2003, Angela continued her storytelling to her own children. In 2009 she wrote and published her first rhyming children's book aimed at toddlers. Since then she has released several more children's picture books and released books in her first young adult romance series, The Alpha Girls, in 2013/2014. Her husband, Ben Muse writes suspense/thriller books that can also be found on Amazon.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

 

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon $50 Gift Card Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) Contest closes: November 23, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the Angela Muse and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews.

If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Servicesthe

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Gone For A Soldier by Marsha Ward





Rulon Owen loves two things more than life---his country and Mary Hilbrands.

When Virginia secedes from the Union, Rulon enlists, and finds himself
fighting foes both in battle and in his own camp. He struggles to stay
alive against all odds, with a knife-wielding tent-mate and a Union
army that seems impossible to defeat. It will take every ounce of
vigilance he has to survive and, with a little luck, he might make it
home to his wife and the son he's never seen.

Forced to live with her parents for the duration, Mary faces a battle
for independence. With a mother whispering that her husband won't come
home to her and a son who needs her to be both father and mother, Mary
has to dig deep for strength to overcome her overwhelming loneliness
and the unknown future ahead.

Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not
all enemies wear the Union blue.

MY REVIEW:

There is so much to love about "Gone For A Soldier" that it is difficult to know where to start. I found the novel to be riveting on many levels. I enjoyed this portion of the Owens family saga as the Owens men made preparations to fight for their "new country" (the South), their God, their women, and their children. It was refreshing to read about men who honored their women. The men fought valiantly in battle and the women on the home front, each person having to find the courage to do what they used to think is impossible.

The story mostly revolves around 3 couples, the heads of the Owens' clan: Rod and Julia, as well as 2 of their sons and their wives: Rulon and Mary (and their son: Roddy) and Ben and Ella Ruth. War changes each of them in many ways, but it also gives each of them purpose to get through the day, not wanting to disappoint their loved ones that they are away from. 

Marsha Ward has a gift for writing well-rounded characters that you can't help but root for. You may want to shake them at times (as in the case of Ella Ruth), but you always want them to achieve their goals and dreams. I was reminded while reading "Gone For A Soldier" that some of the perceptions that people used to have about their bodies and the bodies of others has changed in a good way, but more so, I found myself wishing that people living today honored themselves and others the way the Owens were taught. A lot of society's ills could be mended if people felt more responsibility for those around them and accountable to maintain their own personal integrity. 

I write realistic fiction of a stalwart, contemporary farm family, so reading about the Owens family resonated with me deeply. (I also have an Owens family in my series--though they start out the bad guys in my story. (Maybe my Owens' are a branch of the contemporary black sheep family tree of Marsha's Owens'?)  Probably not. :) 

At any rate. I enjoyed Gone For a Soldier. I laughed (not so much after the war started), I cried (more than I care to admit--but hey--it's war time and bad things happen), and most of all, I rooted for each and every one of the characters--except Von Garth--he's a mean piece of vermin. 

Purchase links and a Rafflecopter can be found at the end of the post.

Laugh lots ... Love much ... Write on! ;) 


SAMPLE SCENE 1

Rulon saw the bend in the road ahead where lay the turnoff to a lane that he could find on the

darkest of nights. At the end of the lane, his family would be going about their daily tasks,

perhaps thinking about him, perhaps not. He cleared the bend in the road and reined the horse

into the wide path. He had to be quick. Harrisonburg wasn’t far away, as the crow flies, but he

would need most of the time left of the day to make the trip on horseback.

Julianna saw him first when she turned from feeding the hogs. “Rulon!” his younger sister

shouted, then dropped her pails and ran toward him, braids flying, spindly legs showing beneath

her swirling skirt, skinny arms outstretched to him.

He dismounted before she reached him and caught her in his arms, noting the tears streaking her

face.

“Why are you goin’ to fight?” The anxiety in her voice caused it to come out high and thin, and

he hugged her tighter than before.

“Our country needs me,” he answered, muffling his answer against her sunbonnet.

“What if you die?” she wailed.

He couldn’t reply. When he raised his head to take a last look around the place, Ma was there

with Marie beside her, their grave faces bringing a lump to his already tight throat.

Then Albert, the mischievous scamp, came running down the lane, with Pa and the rest of the

boys walking behind him. Ben was the only one missing. They had made their farewells in town.

He had to hug them all, even Pa. Then Ma began a prayer, and they quit their hats, joined hands

right there in the lane, and listened to her heartfelt plea for a short war and safety for the troops.

As Ma spoke the “amen” and the family joined in, Rulon was reminded that he hadn’t left Mary

with a prayer. Mayhap he should have, instead of bedding her one last time. Devotion to God

should be in their marriage, as it was in his parents’ union, he reminded himself. As he climbed

on the horse, he pledged that he would be a better husband when he got the chance. If I get the

chance.


Gone For A Soldier Tour:

October 9   www.saslack.com
October 11 http://stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com/ AND/OR http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com/







AUTHOR BIO

Marsha Ward was born in the sleepy little town of Phoenix, Arizona, in the southwestern United States; and grew up with chickens, citrus trees, and lots of room to roam. She became a storyteller at an early age, regaling her neighborhood friends with her fanciful tales during after-school snacks. Her love of the 19th Century Western era was reinforced by visits to her cousins on their ranch, and listening to her father's stories of homesteading in Old Mexico and in the southern part of Arizona.

Over the years, Marsha became an award-winning poet, writer and editor, with over 900 pieces of published work, including her acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association, and a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West. A workshop presenter and writing teacher, Marsha makes her home in a tiny forest hamlet in Arizona. When she is not writing, she loves to spoil her grandchildren, travel, give talks, meet readers, and sign books. Visit her at either her website or one of her blogs!

marshaward.com
http://charactersinmarshashead.blogspot.com/

Buy links:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Cover Reveal of: Case File 13: Curse of the Mummy's Uncle by J. Scott Savage

The cover that the Whitney award finalist, Author J. Scott Savage revealed to us on Tuesday was amazing, right? (Click here if you didn't get to see it!) Well, today we have a cover to share with you from his other amazing YA series, Case File 13.

First, for those of you who didn't get to see his author bio on Tuesday, lets help you guys get to know the man behind the amazing books real quick!

Author Bio:

J. Scott Savage has returned after being lost in a Mexican rain forest. His office is now filled with Mayan scrolls, hieroglyphics, artifacts, and star charts. His children and children-in-law, Big Nick, Erica, Scott, Natalie, Jake, and Little Nick, look pale, and claim to be cursed. His grandchildren, Gray, Lizzie, and Jack, are heavily wrapped in mummy-like bandages. And his wife, Jennifer, has reportedly been seen glowing green and hexing the neighbors.

You can visit him on his blog jscottsavage.blogspot.com or on Twitter @jscottsavage.


Praise for Case File 13 Zombie Kid (Book 1 in the series):

An Amazon Best Book of the Month 
A Whitney Award Finalist

“Sure to please young readers looking for a thrill. It’s hard to imagine that readers (particularly boys) won’t enjoy every minute of hair-raising fun.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review.

“With its mix of creepy chills and laugh-out-loud humor, Zombie Kid is the perfect book. Nick and his friends are my new favorite people.” —James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze.



Now about the book that this absolutely AMAZING cover is for! Here is the back cover blurb:

BEWARE! This is not your ordinary back-cover blurb! 
(It may cause uncontrollable giggles and/or out right laughter.)

You hold in your hands a very sinister story.
I have searched every nook and cranny to compile the evidence in Case File 13. Now, in this book, you will find the next eerie installment in the adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three monster-obsessed boys whose harmless trip to Mexico turned into something so horrendous, so revolting— 
Wait a second, Mr. B! You’re making this whole thing sound way scarier than it really was. Maybe dial it back a notch?
But Nick, it is that scary. In this volume alone there are haunted pyramids, alien artifacts, and even a mummy with a terrible curse. 
True, but there’s also the part with the hidden treasure, and the time when Carter used his knitting needles to—
Yes, all right, you win. Now if you’ll excuse me... 
You hold in your hands a very sinister, VERY SILLY story, following the WACKY adventures of three boys whose expedition to Mexico turned into something OUT OF THIS WORLD. This is the fourth volume. Read on if you dare...


Totally hilarious right?!?!? 



You should be totally eager to take a peak at this cover now.





Are you READY?????





BAM!  
Amazing cover, right? Leave your comments for the author below!!! 

If this isn't awesome enough for you, Author J. Scott Savage ALSO set up a Rafflecopter for all of you wonderful fans! Be sure to get your name in the drawing!
Click here to join in the  Rafflecopter giveaway!
The drawing ends tonight!!!!


Cover Reveal Blog List:


Monday, October 6, 2014

J. SCOTT SAVAGE's FIRE KEEP COVER REVEAL....TADA!!!!


Today I am super excited to feature the magificent Author J. Scott Savage. BEFORE we show you his AMAZING new cover, lets get to know the man behind the book a little!


Author Bio:

J. Scott Savage has returned after being lost in a Mexican rain forest. His office is now filled with Mayan scrolls, hieroglyphics, artifacts, and star charts. His children and children-in-law, Big Nick, Erica, Scott, Natalie, Jake, and Little Nick, look pale, and claim to be cursed. His grandchildren, Gray, Lizzie, and Jack, are heavily wrapped in mummy-like bandages. And his wife, Jennifer, has reportedly been seen glowing green and hexing the neighbors.

You can visit him on his blog jscottsavage.blogspot.com or on Twitter @jscottsavage.



Now for a little bit about this, the 4th book in the Far World Series.

Back cover blurb for Fire Keep:

With no word from Kyja, the people of Farworld are beginning to face the possibility that she is truly dead, and the quest to save Farworld and Earth has failed. In an effort to find a way to bring Kyja back, Marcus goes on a quest that lands him in the most dangerous place possible--the realm of shadows.

Meanwhile, Kyja wakes up in a world of lost souls and memories. With no idea who she is, she wanders Fire Keep, home to the most quick tempered of the elementals. the other spirits around her have given up hope. But Kyja is driven by a strong sense that something is wrong and getting worse.

To recover her memories, she must face a literal trial by fire. Can Marcus survive the realm of shadows to reach Kyja? Can Kyja survive Fire Keep in time to regain her memory? Time is running out for Kyja, Marcus, and their worlds--and the Dark Circle's real plan is only now beginning to be revealed.

So, do you think you are ready for the awesomeness that is this cover?


I'm not sure you are ready...


Are you sure you can handle this?











TA-DA!!!!

Here it is!!!!! Leave your comments below for the author!

But WAIT! There is more! This isn't the only cover reveal Author J. Scott Savage is sharing with us this week! On Thursday, the cover for The Curse of the Mummy's Uncle, Book 4 of the Case File 13 series is going to be revealed!!!!

Here is the FB event page so you can stay tuned: https://www.facebook.com/events/291102321088972/

We aren't done YET!!!!! In honor of the double reveals for this week, J. Scott Savage has been generous enough to giveaway some prizes too! So be sure to get your name into the Rafflecopter, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a list of all the blogs that will be helping us to promote this super AMAZING cover! Show your support for J. Scott Savage by check them out too!