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Monday, September 25, 2017

Venetian Blood: Murder is a Sensuous City by Christine Evelyn Volker (Book Spotlight & Giveaway!)


Today, I'm kicking off the tour for a book that I've been excited about ever since I saw it at BookExpo this year and met its lovely author, Christine. Look out for my review tomorrow on Essentially Italian, but in the meantime, check out the book and enter to win a signed copy of Venetian Blood and a $10 Amazon gift card!

 Book Details:

Book Title: Venetian Blood: Murder in a Sensuous City
Author: Christine Evelyn Volker
Category: Adult Fiction, 328 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: She Writes Press
Release date: August 2017
Tour dates: Sept 25 to Oct 6, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are a few instances of bad language and a scene with partial nakedness but little concrete description.)

Book Description:

Struggling to forget a crumbling marriage, forty-year-old Anna Lucia Lottol comes to Venice to visit an old friend—but instead of finding solace, she is dragged into a police station and accused of murdering a money laundering count with whom she had a brief affair. In the days that follow, Anna, a US Treasury officer with brains and athleticism, fights to clear her name in a seductive city of watery illusions. But as she tries to pry clues from a cast of uncooperative characters who implausibly deny what she sees and hears, she begins to question whether they are hiding something…or she is losing touch with reality. Racing to unlock secrets, she succeeds instead in unleashing a powerful foe bent on destroying her. Will she save herself and vanquish her enemies, including her darkest fears?

A captivating tapestry of murder, betrayal, and family, Venetian Blood is the story of one woman’s brave quest for the truth—before it’s too late.

To read reviews, please visit Christine Evelyn Volker's page on Italy Book Tours.



Buy the Book:





 Meet the Author:





Christine Evelyn Volker became intrigued by foreign cultures at an early age, which propelled her to study Spanish, German, and Italian. After pursuing an MLS and an MBA, she was drawn to international banking and became a senior vice president at a global financial institution. Her career brought her to Italy, where she immersed herself in the language and made frequent visits to Venice. A native New Yorker, she resides with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, where she heads a local library non-profit organization and writes about environmental sustainability. She is currently at work on her second international mystery, this one set in the rainforest of Peru.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Ends Oct 14 

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Sunday, September 24, 2017

Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading? Sept 25 Edition


Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

So I missed posting these memes last week. My son was sick with painful stomach pain, nausea, and a migraine. After the 4th day, we thought he might have appendicitis and spent the day in ER at the Children's Hospital. Turns out several other teens showed up with the same symptoms. Some sort of virus going around that mimicked the symptoms similar to appendicitis. Lasted 7 days. Poor kid! 

 Montreal is going through a very unusual heat wave. Temps in the 80s and 90s (26 to 32 degrees Celcius) when we usually have temps in the 50s and 60s. We are on our third week. We barely had any heat this summer and it decides to show up now! I'm not complaining. The heat and sunny days are wonderful. Snow is just around the corner for us...
Mailbox Monday Edition


Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.
My mailbox!
For review:

Tribal Affairs by Matt Dallmann
A YA fantasy fiction with a genie! And a touch of romance.


The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes
Romantic suspense. I look forward to digging into this one.



First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna
It's been a while since I read a straight up romance novel.


The Black Market Concierge by Barry Oberholzer
A memoir that covers the author's former life in international espionage. I've been wanting to read this one ever since the author approached me a year ago.



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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.



What I read and/or featured last week:

Carbon (Watcher Book #2) by AJ Eversley (Review, Author Interview & Giveaway!)



A Year in the Company of Freaks by Teresa Neumann (Review, Author Interview & Giveaway)


Reading Now:



Stop by and enter my giveaways!


Also posted on the right sidebar.



Hope you all have a great reading week.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Carbon (Watcher Book #2) by AJ Eversley (Review, Author Interview & Giveaway!)


Earlier this month I read Watcher, the first book in the Watcher series, a thrilling dystopian trilogy that I loved. Carbon is an excellent sequel to the first book that I enjoyed just as much, but how am I going to patiently wait for Book #3?? Check out my review, as well as my interview with the author and then enter the giveaway so you can win one of 7 prize packages!


Book Details:

Book Title: Carbon - Book Two in the Watcher Series by AJ Eversley
Category: YA Fiction, 300 pages
Genre: Sci-fi Dystopian
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: Sept 26, 2017
Tour dates: Sept 4 to 29, 2017
Content Rating: PG (No swearing and PG kissing scenes)
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Book Description:

Sawyer has lost everything. Her family, the man she loves...her humanity. No longer a Watcher, Sawyer must now begin a journey to understand her new identity. Carbon.

With no where left to call home, and no one left to guide her, Sawyer must rely on the help of a stranger to learn who she really is now, and how to use it to her advantage. In a world where nothing is as it seems, and who to trust is a thin line between friend and foe, Sawyer will turn to the stars that have shaped her destiny long before she even knew she had one. And the man who fate has sent her.

Book two in this epic series, Carbon will answer questions you didn't even know you had. And strangers will become the only ones who can help her. Join Sawyer as the journey to save humanity continues.

Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Earlier this month I read Watcher, the first book in the Watcher series, a thrilling dystopian trilogy that I loved. Carbon is an excellent sequel to the first book that I enjoyed just as much, but how am I going to patiently wait for Book #3??

Carbon continues off where Watcher left off, and like most thrilling dystopian books I've read in the past (Hunger Games and Divergent) these books need to be read in order. They are not stand-alone novels. Although there are similarities to the Hunger Games in this trilogy: kick-ass female lead, love triangle and sadistic enemy, this trilogy truly stands on its own.

As in the first book, the author succeeds in immersing her readers in a dystopian world, with strong compelling characters battling complex issues and a plot that is well executed. Kenzie is now back under the control of Coleman, the enemy bent on ruling the world, and Max is on a journey with Sawyer as she learns to harness and deal with her new Carbon body. Sawyer is grieving and must learn to move on and Max plays a huge role in helping her do that but also in helping her prepare to take on Coleman.

Once again, this was a fast read for me. I flew through its pages, enjoying not only the suspenseful and action-packed scenes, but also the whole gamma of emotions that Sawyer goes through. She is strong, yet vulnerable; stuck, yet moving forward; torn between her feelings of grief, guilt and love, yet willing to face them onward. I have to say that I loved Chevy, Sawyer's dog. He was a great character, endearing and heroic. I loved the scenes with him in it.

Once again, the ending was satisfying but left us with a cliffhanger that has me eager for the next book. Thankfully, the author has a few novellas featuring the backstory of several characters that will keep me not only invested in this trilogy but happy to be continuing to read more of her work. AJ Eversley is an author to watch for, and I eagerly anticipate reading more of her work. Her books are now on my list of Best Reads for 2017.

To read more reviews, please visit AJ Eversley's page on iRead Book Tours.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not told how to rate or review this product.​
Buy the Book:


Watch the Trailer:




Interview with AJ Eversley:

LCR: Hi AJ, welcome to Library of Clean Reads! I'm thrilled to have discovered a fellow Canadian author. Can you describe your series in 20 words or less?

AE: The series is Divergent meets Terminator with a kick butt female lead in a city over run by Bots and Carbons! (Sorry 21 words lol) 

LCR: How did you come up with the concept of Watchers and Carbons in your dystopian setting?

AE: I had the opening scene of Watcher running through my head for a long time, and truthfully the story just built from there. I was looking for something relatable yet unique, and wanted to add a bit of a twist with a bad guy(s) who may not always be that bad. My goal with the setting was to create a world that COULD be our future, and maybe bring up a few questions by the reader as to where we are going and the consequences of our choices. 

LCR: I'm really enjoying your series, so I have to ask. Is there a book #3? Any future projects you want to share?

AE: You bet! Book 3 will be coming out in spring 2018, and that will be the conclusion of the series…HOWEVER I will have 2 new FREE novellas to compliment the series. One coming out in December 2017, and the other January 2018. Much like Max and Kenzie, these new novellas will introduce characters we already know, but it will be their back stories. And I’m super excited about these two!

LCR: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? The easiest?

AE: I think the hardest thing for me was to sometimes have Sawyer choose a path I might not choose. When you write in first person POV you begin to feel like the character (this happens when reading as well), and there were times when I’d be saying “Sawyer, what are you thinking?” so that was hard. The easiest part was the characters themselves. I watch a lot of movies, and my books play in my head like a movie as I’m writing…so I found it easy to speak for different characters as I could see them and feel them as if they were right beside me!

LCR: If you were to give writers one piece of advice what would it be?

AE: Just keep writing! It’s very easy to get sucked into self-doubt or trying to please everyone, but if you just trust the process and keep writing, I bet you’ll end up with something you’re very proud of. Also, give yourself a break! As I mentioned above, its so easy for us to compare ourselves to others, but only YOU know your story, so keep writing it! 

LCR: Here's a fun one: If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

AE: Oh…good question! I think I’d go back to some amazing moment in history…like 1969 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! I think that would just be crazy to see and experience something like that for the first time ever!

LCR: Can you share with us some of your favorite authors and what you are currently reading?

AE: I will read anything by Sarah J. Maas…Tower of Dawn is my current read. But I just finished the second book in the Red Queen Series by Victoria Averyard and am loving that series too. I am of course a JK Rowlings fan, and love Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. 

LCR: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me!



Meet the Author:




AJ Eversley is the author of the WATCHER series. A true north Canadian girl, AJ currently lives in Central Alberta with her husband and dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found binge watching Harry Potter, quoting various movies in every day conversation, and eating copious amounts of candy.
​
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram


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Ends Oct 7


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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Children's Books: Waking up grumpy!

So it's back to school and back to waking up early for my kids. Although they are teens now and love sleeping in, my kids were never early birds but more like night owls, and you guessed it: they wake up grumpy. I loved both of these children's books because they address how to deal with that grumpy person in your life.:-)



Book Details:

Good Morning, Grumple
Written by Victoria Allenby
Illustrated by: Manon Gauthier
Published: April 23, 2017
Published by PajamaPress
Hardcover picture book: 24 pages
For children ages 1-3
Content rating: G

 Book Description:

Not every child greets the new day with enthusiasm. Those who don’t are called Grumples, and they must be dealt with carefully. Sing very softly, tickle one pinky toe, kiss the scrunched-up forehead. And then a big hug and a singing rhyme to see in the day. Even Grumples cannot resist.

There are many going-to-bed books, but Good Morning, Grumple is a unique look at the celebration of morning. Manon Gauthier’s endearing collage illustrations capture the love between a mother and child, even in cranky moments. Parents will find Victoria Allenby’s droll story in verse to be a perfect accompaniment to the beginning of the day, and a gentle way to turn their own Grumples into children again.

My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani & Son

My son and I thought this book was absolutely adorable. And of course, we could both relate! He the grumpy morning kid who needed singing, caresses and hair ruffling before he staggered out of bed, and me trying to come up with gentle ways to wake him up for school.

The book uses rhyming verse as it tells of a mother who awakens her grumpy little one to a new day of sunshine and discovery. It is humorous, delightfully told and fun to read. It celebrates the love between a mother and her child. It makes difficult mornings easier to face. It made my son and I smile as we read it.

The illustrations which were created with paper collage and mixed media seemed almost 3D on some pages. They really popped out of the book. They looked like they've been drawn by a child, however. They were in earth toned colors, mainly browns, black, taupe, tan, beige. My son wasn't crazy about them. He loves art, drawing and coloring, even as a teen, but these child-like drawings by an adult (he would have been okay had they been drawn by a 5 year-old) did not appeal to him.

This book is perfect for little "grumples" who have a hard time getting up in the morning, and a good reminder to be creative and patient for parents whose job it is to make that transition smooth in the morning.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
About the Author:


Victoria Allenby has been writing poetry and stories for as long as she can remember. Her debut picture book, Nat the Cat Can Sleep Like That, won the 2014 Preschool Reads Award and was nominated for the 2015 SYRCA Shining Willow Award. She has followed up the success of this debut with the critically acclaimed early reader Timo’s Garden and, in 2016, the lively picture book Rhino Rumpus. Victoria lives in Toronto, Ontario. Victoria’s website

About the Illustrator:

Montreal native Manon Gauthier is a self- taught illustrator and visual artist who studied graphic design and worked in that field for more than fifteen years. She has won several important prizes and nominations for her work, among them, four nominations for the Governor General’s Literary Awards (illustration), Canada’s most prestigious annual literary prize and more recently her illustrations for the book « Mon parc » published at Les éditions de l’Isatis have been selected for the prestigious Illustrator’s exibition at the Bologna children’s Book fair 2014.


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Book Details:

The Grumpy Crocodile
Written by Nigel Tetley
Illustrated by Simon Goodway
Published: April 1, 2017
Published by The Choir Press
Softcover picture book: 28 pages
For children ages 4-8
Content rating: G

Book Description:

What are the jungle creatures to do about a bad-tempered crocodile who is making their lives a misery because of his constant oversleeping? Find out in this amusing rhyming story for young readers.
My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani


The Grumpy Crocodile is a fun and amusing tale of a crocodile who makes the lives of the other jungle animals miserable when he oversleeps and wakes up grumpy, hungry and cold. But the animals put their heads together and devise a plan to solve this problem.

The book uses rhyming verse and is full of emotions describing the actions of a ferocious crocodile that is sure to catch the attention of young readers. The croc can be likened to a bully. The other animals are afraid of him but also want to play with him and figure out how to appease him. They use discernment to discover what is making the croc so grouchy and scary, and then work together to help the croc.

Teamwork, friendship and problem-solving are good themes to explore when reading this fun story aloud to children. Oversleeping rather than getting a good and fresh start to the day, is also a good lesson learned. The watercolour illustrations by Simon Goodway are simple and cute and depict the story well. Overall, a fun book with good themes!



Buy the Book:


Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


About the Author:


Since qualifying as a Religious Studies teacher in 1989, Nigel Tetley has worked in a variety of schools, spanning middle and secondary age groups in both the State and independent sectors. At the beginning of his teaching career, he also spent a year in Greece teaching English as a second language. In 2001, he started writing children's poetry at the suggestion of a colleague. Since then he has also written the texts for three carols: 'Alchemy,' 'Snow,' and 'The Way of Paradox.' (Encore Publications, 2006.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque (Review and Giveaway!)



What kid (or adult) doesn't experience the Monday blues? Alysson Foti Bourque addresses this in her new book in the Alycat series. Read our review and enter to win one of 5 prize packages!


Book Details:

Book Title: Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque
Illustrations by: Chiara Civati
Category: Children's Fiction, 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Books
Release date: Sept 12, 2017
Tour dates: Sept 18 to Oct 6, 2017
Content Rating: G (appropriate for all audiences)

Book Description:

Alycat wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues and is certain that nothing will go right. But when a mishap sends her astray, she discovers that helping a friend will help her discover her own hidden talent—curing her Monday Blues.


Our Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani & Son

I have two kids and we know all about the Monday Blues. After a fun weekend at home, it's hard to go back to school. My kids are teens now and they still experience the Monday Blues. Both my son and I thought this was a great topic to address in children's literature. He's always experienced anxiety regarding school.

Alycat is adorable. She is worried because she doesn't have a talent for the talent show and this weighs on her mind. But then she helps out another classmate with his talent and she discovers her talent. Music is a big part of a child's life and I'm glad the author incorporated this in the story. Music can uplift one's spirits and most kids can relate to Alycat's problem. The words of the song address this, showing children that what may seem like a bad situation can be turned around.

The illustrations by Chiara Civati are fun and bright. Children who love cats will enjoy the cute faces of the different types of kitties that represent well the different nationalities one may find in a classroom. The song included in the book has a funky blues beat that can be downloaded using the card that comes with the book. We listened to the song and thought it was fun and upbeat, making this a fun addition to the book.

Alycat and the Monday Blues is the second book of a new series that promises to be fun and educational for children. It's a perfect book to add to the library of daycares and early elementary classes.

To read reviews, please visit Alysson Foti Bourque's page on iRead Book Tours.


Buy the Book:
​
Watch the book trailer:
​


Meet the Author:



Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the Rhyme or ReasonTravel series, and the multi-award winning Alycat series. Alysson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She believes that there is an Alycat in all of us, encouraging our imaginations to guide us through new opportunities and adventures. ​

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook


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Ends Oct 14

Monday, September 18, 2017

The Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter (Review, Author Interview & Giveaway!)


Today, I'm kicking off the tour for Chris Ledbetter's latest fantasy novel. Scroll down to read my review and my interview with the author. And be sure to enter the giveaway to win this book and an Amazon gift card!


Book Details:

Book Title: The Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter
Category: YA Fiction, 300 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Month 9 Books
Release date: April 18, 2017
Tour dates: Sept 18 to Oct 20, 2017

Content Rating: PG + M (No f-words but there may be some mild profanity, and mild religious expletives such as "damn", "hell" and "Oh God!", some depictions of violence. No drug use or underage drinking. Some semi-mature themes - suggestion of sexual misconduct by certain characters, but not the actual performing of it.)
​
Book Description:

Duality dwells at every turn, and an adolescent Zeus will learn that all too well when Hyperion attacks his family on Crete.

When the dust settles, his mother is unconscious and his best friend left for dead.

Stacking epic insult upon fatal injury, Zeus discovers the woman who raised him is not his biological mother. But to ensure her safety while she recovers, a heavy-hearted Zeus leaves her behind to seek answers at Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia.

Zeus embarks on a quest to discover who ordered the attack on his home, avenge the death of his friend, and find his birth mother. When some of his new schoolmates vanish, Zeus's quest is turned upside down, and the only way to make things right is to access the power of The Sky Throne, confront a most dangerous enemy, and take his life back.

On his way to becoming king of the Greek gods, Zeus will learn to seize power, neutralize his enemies, and fall in love.


My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

In 2015, I read Chris Ledbetter's Drawn and loved the unique setting and characters so much they made it on my list of Best YA Reads of 2015. It was a really cool book. What did I think of this latest release?

The story in The Sky Throne is based on Greek mythology, a YA rendition of a young Zeus and his adventures as he attends Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia and discovers who he is. I am familiar with some Greek mythology but reading this book made me research Zeus to learn more about him.

The author introduced a good cast of characters, and initially it was hard to keep them all straight but eventually as the plot unfolds, it became easier to keep track. Including a character list at the beginning of the book would have been helpful since each character also has a nickname. Zeus is young and hot-tempered. He wants to avenge his friend's death and find his birth mother. He lacks maturity and discipline but is courageous and bold. He comes across as a typical teen and is likable for his sense of justice and ability to see the good in others.

After a strong start to the novel, the action slows a little as we are introduced to the other students at the Academia. There are a few scenes that feel like a high school soap opera, until the action picks up again as the students set out on a quest to look for their missing classmates. I loved how the teens worked together, each with their own distinct character traits and abilities, infusing some comic relief too. Ledbetter has a great way of describing the action and emotional scenes with shapeshifting, dragons, teleporting, fireshooting, energy bending and more! He really made these scenes come alive for me.

The Sky Throne has a satisfying ending but left room for a sequel, which I believe is to be released spring of 2018. I'm looking forward to continuing this saga!

To read reviews, please visit Chris Ledbetter's page on iRead Book Tours.
​
Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not told how to rate or review this product.



Buy the Book:



Watch the Trailer: 






Interview with Chris Ledbetter:

LCR: Welcome to Library of Clean Reads, Chris! Can you describe your book in 20 words or less?

CL: This Zeus origin tale re-imagines the Greek gods as teens in a story loosely based on Hesiod’s Theogony.

LCR: What made you want to write a novel with characters from Greek mythology?

CL: I have always loved Greek myths. The very first novel I ever wrote was also based heavily in Greek mythology. But it centered on mortals, and then having the gods intervene, as they were wont to do. In THE SKY THRONE, I sought to tell a story of the deities themselves, bring life to my version of their origins.

LCR: Who is your favorite hero in Greek mythology?

CL: Heracles is definitely my favorite hero. The Twelve Labors are epic!

LCR: What feedback have you received from your readers that has made you happy you wrote this book?

CL: I’ve had readers tell me that they loved some of the secondary characters, and that I really made them come alive on the page. Some friends really loved the way I made the gods relatable. I’ve also had Greek friends of mine tell me that I nailed the descriptions of place and cultural markers.

LCR: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? The easiest?

CL: The most challenging was definitely the ensemble cast and ensuring that each character was drawn three-dimensionally and that they held their own and carried their own weights.

LCR: If you could travel back in time, where would you go? Who would you see?

CL: I have two destinations… I’d love to see Ancient Alexandria in Egypt. In particular, I’d visit the Library and the Lighthouse. Secondly, I’d want to visit Ancient Rome at the height of the Roman Empire. I’d want to stroll around the forum and temples and of course attend gladiatorial bouts in the Colosseum.

LCR: What is the funniest (or strangest, or scariest) incident that has ever happened to you?

CL: When I was two years old, I pushed out the screen to a second floor window and fell two floors to the ground.

Also… when I was 7 or 8, I went to a summer wilderness type camp. I was sleeping on the top bunk. All of a sudden the camp counselor was shaking me about the shoulders asking me to get up. I looked around and I was in the middle of the floor. Apparently, I had rolled off the top bunk in my sleep… and remained asleep.

This is probably why I have a fear of heights. Haha.

LCR: Can you share with us some of your favorite authors and what you are currently reading?

CL: I love Laini Taylor, James Dashner, Heather Petty, Tracy Clark, Suzanne Collins, Carrie Ryan, Liz Crowe, Paolo Coelho

I’m currently reading Lightstruck by Liz Crowe. I love her work.

LCR: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me!


Meet the author:



Chris Ledbetter is an award-winning author of short fiction and novels for young adults. “Jason’s Quest,” a short story retelling of the Jason and Medea Greek myth was published in the anthology, Greek Myths Revisited. His first full-length novel, Drawn earned him two awards, Library of Clean Reads Best YA 2015 and Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice Award Best YA 2015, as well as a USA TODAY “Must Read” recommendation. His second novel, Inked, concludes that duology. The Sky Throne is his newest young adult novel. The second book in the series is set to release in 2018.

He's a proud member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and a strong supporter of the Need for Diverse Books. He now writes and lives in Wilmington, NC with his family, including three cats.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ facebook ~ Pinterest


Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Oct 28



Thursday, September 14, 2017

The Nomad's Premonition by Georges Benay (Review and Giveaway)


Eric Martin is desperate to forget his past, one that almost cost him his future. Can he put an end to the nightmare?

Book Details:

Book Title: The Nomad's Premonition by Georges Benay
Category: Adult Fiction, 240 pages
Genre: Thriller, mystery/suspense
Publisher: Story Merchant Books
Release date: April 28, 2017
Tour dates: August 14 to September 15, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 (some violence, a couple of swear words - minimal)


Book Description:

Eric Martin is desperate to forget his past, one that almost cost him his future.

Working in Paris as deputy head of a bank's internal security department, Eric notices a high-speed trader's uncanny ability to predict extremely profitable trades. Even though there's nothing illegal about the activity, he knows the trader's success is more than just luck.

But, no one believes him. Armed only with a handful of data and a powerful instinct, Eric searches for the mysterious trader on his own. He suspects that a predictive algorithm has fallen into the wrong hands.

Eric sets off for Istanbul to find answers promised to him by an informant. He finds an unlikely ally in Interpol agent Stephanie Brule. With Interpol wanting him back in Paris and out of the way, Eric's quest is also hampered by the sudden appearance of his ex-lover, a boss he's not sure he can trust, and a terrorist who always seems one step ahead.

Will Eric put an end, once and for all, to the nightmare that began when he accepted a job that was too good to be true? Or will his need for revenge and justice lead him deeper into a treacherous world he has no way of escaping?


Buy the Book: 





My Review:
Reviewed by Sandra Olshaski


This is the follow-up to Nomad on the Run and although it can be read as a stand-alone book, I was glad that I had been introduced to the characters and the plot in that book.

Three years have passed and protagonist Eric Martin is a sad, broken man. He barely escaped with his life fleeing Kurdish terrorists, losing friends and loved-ones in the process. Eric is no longer the confident man we saw in book one. Life has changed for him. He is unsettled – "the fear of not ever getting back his sense of self had suppressed his zest for life." The reader now finds him in Paris, still in banking, but this time in the internal security department. When he becomes aware of unusual trading that unfailingly profits a mysterious trader, he sets out to investigate.

Once again he is trapped in a crisis, becoming an unwilling action hero. Eric's fear is that the trader is using the predictive algorithm software described in the first book to disrupt financial stability. That search takes him from Paris to the Cote d'Azur, to Istanbul to the underground cities of Cappadocia in Turkey. Exotic to say the least. The descriptions of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque and the Bosporus made me want to visit.

Each character in this book is complex and hiding secrets. His once-trusted boss, Alain Petit, is not who he seems to be. His one ally is Stephanie Brule, an Interpol agent.

The Nomad's Premonition is more than a fast-paced action novel. The author obviously is well acquainted with and understands complex international financial dealings and he writes convincingly of the exotic places Eric visits. Obviously, he is very familiar with all of it. The plot-line is true to life in our modern world, from corrupt wheeling and dealing to international terrorism. It's authentic. This is basically a clean read, with the exception of a few expletives.

I believe the author left a cliff-hanger so I'm looking forward to the next creative, exciting installment.

To read more reviews, please visit Georges Benay's page on iRead Book Tours.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.



About the Author:

Georges Benay
Georges Benay is a former international banker who is now working as a Toronto-based writer and award-winning photographer. He is the author of two novels, including The Nomad's Premonition and a collection of short stories. His award winning pictures have been featured in several magazines and book covers.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Photography Website ~ Twitter

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Monday, September 11, 2017

Blackout by Lawrence Johnson Sr. (Book Spotlight & Audiobook Giveaway!)


Today I'm kicking off Lawrence Johnson's latest thriller that's also been released in audiobook. So if you love audiobooks, be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of 4 Audible audiobooks!


Book Details:

Book Title: Blackout by Lawrence Johnson Sr.
​Category: Adult Fiction; 126 pages
​Genre: Mystery, Crime, Detective
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: March 2011
Tour dates: Sept 11 to 22, 2017
Content Rating: PG

Audiobook Details:

Release Date:07-13-17
Publisher: Lawrence Johnson Sr.
Written by: Lawrence Johnson Sr.
Narrated by: Alistair Dryburgh
Length: 4 hrs and 9 mins
Series: Alexander Steele Mysteries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook

Book Description:

Alexander Steele is a private detective turned night club owner in the city of Philadelphia. Steele and his longtime girlfriend Shakia's plans for him to retire are derailed when his cousin brings him an encrypted travel drive. The drive is opened by Steele's hacker friend Stan. A few days earlier every transformer in Canada had been shut down by the terrorist. The drive in Steele's possession gave details as to how the event would happen. What made it even more frightening was that the documents on the drive were created 3 months before the actual event; Steele finds himself drawn into the well-crafted mind games of a madman known as Chameleon an American terrorist.

His goal is to shut down the country by collapsing the economy of the United States. From the snow cover streets of Montreal to the tropical beaches of Nassau Steele follows a trail of clues and dead bodies. As he gathers more puzzle pieces Steele inches closer hoping to reveal and thwart the plot to bring down the U S government. He finds himself narrowly surviving constant attempts on his life. The dramatic face-off between Steele and Chameleon takes place in downtown Philadelphia. How will it end? Find out in Blackout, now on Audible.


Buy the Book:

 ​Watch the Trailer:




Meet the Author:


Born and raised in the city of Brotherly Love I have been writing for nearly 10 years. I am the author of the 2012 scifi novel Escape 2 Earth. In early 2009 I completed the second installment in the the Escape 2 Earth trilogy called Return 2 Earth also several short stories including a fantasy story titled Dimensions in Time and a sci fi story titled Planet of Doom.

In 2011 I completed my first detective novel called Blackout. Before writing Escape 2 Earth I began putting together a collection of inspirational and motivational quotes titled Observations from the Edge of Society. I am currently working on the final book in the Escape 2 Earth series called Earth 2, Redemption which will be completed in 2017.

Connect with the author:Website ~ Twitter ~  Facebook  ~ Instagram 


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Ends Sept 30

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Sunday, September 10, 2017

Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading? Sept 11 Edition


Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

It's still hard to believe that 16 years ago the twin towers fell...September is a crazy month for me with too many things scheduled. Thank goodness I'm reading some good books.
Mailbox Monday Edition


Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.
My mailbox!
For review:

Life Long by Ronald L. Ruiz
Another good literary fiction by a brilliant author.


Play Like a Girl by Ellie Roscher
I love books that broaden my viewpoint of the world, especially social issues.


Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque
Cats and music? Yeah...I'm in.




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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.



What I read and/or featured last week:







Stop by and enter my giveaways!


Also posted on the right sidebar.

Hope you all have a great reading week.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Watcher (Book #1 Watcher Series) by AJ Eversley (Review & Giveaway!)


AJ Eversley's debut novel in the Watcher series is a strong start to an exciting dystopian series that promises to be a thrilling trilogy. Read my review and make sure to enter the giveaway to win books, swag and a $15 Amazon gift card!

 Book Details:

Book Title: Watcher - Book One in the Watcher Series by AJ Eversley
Category: YA Fiction, 300 pages
Genre: Scifi Dystopian
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: March, 2017
Tour dates: Sept 4 to 29, 2017
Content Rating: PG (​No swearing or explicit sex scenes...there are kissing or romantic scenes that are considered PG. The word Hell or Damn is used only a few times.)

Book Description:

"I knew I was not alone. They would never leave until every last one of us was gone." Sawyer Russo has sworn to protect humanity, and as a Watcher she’s done just that. But the Bots and Carbons that took her city are evolving, and they start picking the Watchers off one by one. One last rescue mission will change everything. When someone betrays them, the line between friend and foe is no longer easily drawn. Sawyer made a vow, and she will fulfill it, even if it means ending the person who deceived them, no matter who it might be. It all comes down to one choice... Who can she save? And who does she have to let go?


Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

AJ Eversley's debut novel in the Watcher series is a strong start to an exciting dystopian series that promises to be a thrilling trilogy. I was pulled in right from the first page as we are introduced to Sawyer, a toughened 17 year-old girl trained as a Watcher to protect humanity from the Bots and Carbons that have taken over her city. But things are changing for the worst and Sawyer discovers the truth about what the enemy is truly after even as she gets caught up with Kenzie, a boy with a mysterious past.

I was truly impressed that this is Eversley's first novel. She succeeds in creating a dystopian world, strong compelling characters with complex issues and a plot that is well executed. Sawyer is one kick-ass girl with a big heart that is shielded because of her traumatic experience of losing both parents at a young age. Kenzie is less transparent, with more mystery surrounding him. Together, they propel the story forward and add a touch of romance to their seemingly doomed existence.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its unpredictable storyline, rich action and likable characters. And I also loved that it's a clean read. Yes, there is fighting and killing (mainly of non-humans), but the scenes are not gory. The ending left me wanting to read the second book Carbon right away. So look out for my review on Sept 21. In addition, the author has two novellas titled Kenzie and Max that tell the backstory of these two characters. They are currently free on Amazon and other retailers, and I just downloaded my copies. I'm invested in this trilogy, written by this Canadian author with talent.

If you like dystopian novels, you will definitely enjoy this one. This one is an Indie gem!

To read more reviews, please visit AJ Eversley's page on iRead Book Tours.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not told how to rate or review this product.
Buy the Book:


Watch the Trailer:




Meet the Author:




AJ Eversley is the author of the WATCHER series. A true north Canadian girl, AJ currently lives in Central Alberta with her husband and dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found binge watching Harry Potter, quoting various movies in every day conversation, and eating copious amounts of candy.
​
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram


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