Across the Pond
by Michael McCormick Synopsis: Across The Pond by Michael McCormick is the story of a young American who fights for his country during the war in Vietnam, only to be rejected when he returns home. The author, based the book on his personal experience as an infantry squad leader who served in combat. In the foreword for the book, author Ron Kovic wrote, “This little book grips the reader from the very beginning and does not let go.” My Thoughts: This is an interesting short novel about a young soldier who fought in Vietnam War. I felt so much emotions in this book, with the descriptive details of the violent scenes in the war and the struggles of the protagonist's life after his homecoming. A compelling yet emotionally painful read. If this was a full-length novel then i don't think I will be able to finish reading it without having an emotional breakdown. A recommended read that will give the readers insight of what the Vietnam War veterans' life were after the war. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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About the Author:
Michael McCormick is the author of Across The Pond. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps just out of high school at the age of 17. Soon after, he found himself in battle in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. He was nearly killed on several occasions, but managed to survive and return home at age 19. After the war, Michael earned his B.A. in psychology and his M.A. in clinical psychology. He lives in Oakland, California with his wife Gina. You can contact him at: [email protected].
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter Quotes: “I think war is a crime, if you don’t believe me, ask the infantry, ask the dead.” “With this work, McCormick takes his place among the other important chroniclers of this period.” “Sean McBride had survived his war in Vietnam. At the age of nineteen, he was about to be decorated with the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military award for gallantry in action.” “His experience in war had shaped his thinking in unique ways. He knew he was different from other men."
GIVEAWAY
The author is giving away a paperback copy of ACROSS THE POND to one winner of the Rafflecopter.
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Coming on May 1, 2015
Saving Marilee
by Annette K. Larsen
Marriage wasn’t bliss—not for Marilee. Instead of finding contentment with the handsome son of a sovereign duke, she found betrayal and neglect. And fear. A fear that finally lifts when her husband dies, freeing her from his domineering hand. But freedom alone can’t give her peace, and she must battle to regain her love for life, rebuild her happiness, and reclaim the ability to trust. When her charming neighbor intrudes on her quiet life, offering his friendship (and a dog, of all things), she must determine whether his interest is genuine, whether he is a friend or foe, and whether he deserves the fragile bit of trust she has managed to scrape together.
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"I was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find. I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it.
I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other." Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Cover Reveal Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/8/15 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Closed Set by Julia Harlow
Publication Date: June 15, 2014 Genres: Erotica, Romance
Synopsis:
Cassandra Carlson is working on her five-year plan. A professional dancer, she moved to Los Angeles after college to work at her best friend’s Hollywood dance studio. She decides she can put up with the glitterati for the time being until she saves enough to open her own studio back home in Cincinnati. When soon-to-be A-list British actor, Christopher Edwards, comes to her for dance lessons for his new film, the attraction is instantaneous and intense. Both are young, available and beautiful, but while she finds Hollywood garish and superficial, he’s on the brink of realizing his life’s ambition with no inclination for a serious relationship. Or so he thinks. Just when their white-hot desire can no longer be denied, a jealous actress targets Cassandra in an insidious scheme, and a powerful studio head poses a formidable threat to them both. Cassandra puts herself in jeopardy in order to protect Christopher, but will she lose him in the process? Excerpt: I face Cassandra, firmly grasping her shoulders. Without taking my eyes from hers, I nod towards the door. “Tell him to give us a minute.” Her eyebrows shoot up and her perfect pink mouth frowns at me. “What are you doing, Mr. Edwards?” “Please, just tell him to wait.” “I’m trying to run a business here.” I pull her into the alcove away from Kurt’s view, with her reluctantly trailing behind me. “You need to be really careful around this guy. He’ll take one look at you in that leotard,” my eyes flicker over her curvaceous body, “and if you touch him the way you touched me, he’ll interpret it as an open invitation to have sex with him.” She backs away from me dislodging my grip on her shoulders and bites out, “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Edwards. Consider me duly forewarned.” Before I can stop her she’s across the room, greeting Kurt and showing him where to change. She stalks back to me none to gracefully. “Well?” With her hands planted on her hips, she nods towards the door, clearly expecting me to leave. “Being on your guard is not enough. I’m staying.” “You are absolutely not staying.” She might as well be stamping her dainty foot with that petulant expression on her face. “Look, I know Kurt Jordan. He’s in the film I’m working on. This guy’s got a criminal record.” I soften my voice hoping to get through to her. “Please, don’t do this.” Casting her black-lashed eyes up at me I finally detect understanding in those green depths. “Okay, okay.” She shakes her head and sighs. “I’ll have my boss come down and stay in my studio while he’s here.” “Is your boss a man?” “Brinley Collins is every ounce a woman, but I wouldn’t cross her if you value your manhood.” “Call her. I’ll wait.” Glancing skyward in exasperation, she grabs her phone and calls Brinley. “Let me have your cell number so I can call you after his lesson to make sure you’re all right. Please.” I pat down my sweats in search of my phone to enter her number but remember it’s in my jeans pocket in the changing room. “My cell number is private and not for clients.” She starts to turn away from me. “Either I get your number or I stay here. Your choice, Cassandra. This is serious.” She grabs and pen and scribbles her number on a piece of paper and thrusts it at me. “Happy now?” “No, but at least it’s something.” Kurt passes me on my way to the changing room. After making a disgusting wet sound with his tongue he says, “That’s one sweet piece of ass in there. Can’t wait for my turn.” “What?” I snarl, jerking around to face him, fists tight at my sides, itching to knock that smirk off his cocky face. “Don’t be such a stiff ass, Edwards,” he sneers, punching me hard in the shoulder before sauntering toward Cassandra. Yanking off my sweats, T-shirt and shoes, I change quickly, far too agitated to shower. A small stack of colorful Dance Academy of Beverly Hills brochures sits on a glass-topped table at the entrance of the changing room. I snatch one up on the way back to the studio doorway hoping it contains information about Cassandra, whom I really shouldn’t be interested in. A slim blond with soft features perches on a stool keeping a hawk- eye on Kurt Jordan. Must be Brinley Collins. The mild, breezy late summer day is lost on me as I stalk to the parking lot. What the fuck am I doing? Without even knowing this girl for more than a couple of hours, I’m intervening in her business. Focusing on my career is first and foremost after struggling for fifteen years to finally get recognition. The last thing I need is to get ensnared in this Kurt Jordan shit, or to get involved with Cassandra Carlson. With a sharp yank, I slam the car door, start the engine and accelerate away from the Dance Academy of Beverly Hills and that frustrating, enticing woman. Available on About the Author:
"I love romantic fiction. Any kind of romantic fiction, whether it be historical, contemporary, fantasy, erotic - you name it. What's not to love about a swoon-worthy hero and a spunky heroine plagued by all sorts of conflicts keeping them apart, until it all works out and they live happily ever after? For the most part.
My first book, Closed Set, was published in June 2014. I am currently working on my second book. It definitely has a very swoon-worthy hero and an unforgettable heroine. Stay tuned for more info!" Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook Title: Amplify Author: Anne Mercier Release Date: February 22 , 2015 Genre: Adult Contemporary Blog Tour Hosted by: FMR Book Studio Synopsis: He’s my protector, my confidante. Then one night he became more. I want him, I need him, and, if I’m honest with myself, I love him. I just don’t know if he’ll ever see me as more than what we’ve always been: friends. I don’t want to lose him but it’s getting harder and harder to keep my feelings to myself. Should I risk it all or play it safe? She’s my light, my saving grace. The night we came together I knew I could never live without her. I want her to be mine: my lover, my friend. Maybe, if I can get her to see past all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together, she’ll be my forever. It just might be time to turn it up and go for broke. Teasers: Falling Down (Rockstar #1) 99c SALE!! Available on Blush (Rockstar #2) $1.99 Available on A Very Xander Christmas (Rockstar #2.5) FREE!! Available on Amplify (Rockstar #3) Available on About the Author: First and foremost Anne is an avid reader of romance reads every single day. Without reading, she wouldn't be inspired to write. The same can be said about music. She started reading with Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown's LoveSwept titles forever ago and went from reading solely traditionally published to reading nearly all indie authors. She still reads La Nora and a few others. A must. Anne hopes you enjoy reading my stories as much as she enjoys writing them. Anne lives in Wisconsin, is a huge fan of music, chocolate, fruit, Fall, Matt Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold, and Milo Ventimiglia. Author Links: Facebook Author Page I Facebook Group I Website Newsletter I Blogger List I Swag Mailing List Goodreads I Amazon Author Page I Spotify Pinterest I TSU
There's been a storm brewing in Liberty Calvert's life. But she didn't know just how strong it would be until Texas Ranger, Jackson Gentry, came to Liberty, Texas. Her already fragile life will be changed forever if he learns the truth. Her head tells her that the best thing for all of them is for Jackson to leave Liberty as soon as his investigation wraps up. But her heart is telling her this is the one cowboy she wants to spend the rest of her life loving.
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Praises for the Book:
“I can truly say that I love this series of books. Can’t get enough of them and I hope they continue. The characters and plot are totally believable and hold your interest. Thank you and keep them coming!” Amazon Reviewer
“Lisa Mondello is one of my favorite authors . I loved this book. All should read.” Amazon Reviewer
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Excerpt The refreshing feeling of swimming in the pond was long gone. Libby’s skin was still hot and electrified from being so close to Jackson during the ride back to the house. When she turned to leave the tack room, Jackson dragged her into his arms. “Hold on a second,” he said. Her legs melted beneath her and the only thing holding her upright was Jackson. In his arms she felt small and whole and special in a way she’d never known. Libby had dated men over the years. She’d thought she’d been in love once. But nothing had ever felt like this. Jackson pulled her closer, pressing her chest against his. But she didn’t feel the sensation she’d expected with the contact. She fought all the usual fears she’d had about what it would be like to be with a man and just allowed herself to feel. Would he know the difference in her? Would it matter? She didn’t want to think about it. Instead, Libby focused on the feel of Jackson’s arms wound tightly around her body, and the stirring she felt in her belly, as she pressed herself up against his hot skin. His strength and the gentleness of his hands as his fingers dug into her hair. When he finally bent his head and his mouth covered hers, it made it easy for Libby to forget the struggles she’d been facing. Oh, it would be so wonderful to stay in Jackson’s arms, she decided. Nothing could hurt her there. Jackson pulled away to gaze into her eyes and take a deep breath, but it only left her wanting more of him. Everything inside her screamed that this was so right. “I’d wondered what it would be like to taste you,” he said, looking down at her with a smile that stole her breath away.
About the Author:
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but being a published author is the last job she’ll ever have. She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she’d still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her popular series include FATE WITH A HELPING HAND, which features the award winning ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, TEXAS HEARTS and DAKOTA HEARTS. Writing as LA Mondello, her romantic suspense, MATERIAL WITNESS, book 1 of her Heroes of Providence series made the USA TODAY Bestsellers List and was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2012.
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 3/31/15 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Title: Unhidden (The Gatekeeper Chronicles, Book #1) Author: Dina M Given Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Horror Release Date: Dec. 29, 2014 Book Description: It’s not always easy to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys, especially when a trained killer may be falling in love with her evil hunter… Emma Hayes, a former military Special Forces Operative turned mercenary-for-hire, finds her tightly controlled world turned upside down when she becomes the target of attacks by powerful supernatural creatures. Emma must use every skill in her arsenal to stay alive as she tries to solve the mystery of why she has been targeted. Her list of enemies keeps growing - from Zane Shayde, an evil Mage, to a secret branch of the US government - and she doesn't know if there is anyone left she can trust. To complicate matters further, Emma is inexplicably drawn to Zane in a way she does not quite understand, even knowing her life is forfeit if captured. Who is he and why does he have this effect on her? How can she fight someone who calls to her, body and soul? Emma is left haunted by questions, doubts and fears as to why she has been targeted, when they will come for her next, and how she will possibly survive against an enemy she doesn't understand. Available on + Add to Excerpt: I body checked him so he stumbled through the doors, hitting the far wall of the elevator. I followed him in, keeping my gun pointed at his chest, then pressed the only button inside the elevator that would take us to the bottom of the shaft, fifteen stories below ground. The doors slid shut, and with a jerk, the elevator began moving. It was only when my prisoner began to change that I realized it might not have been the most brilliant idea in the world to cage myself into a small box suspended over open air with a complete stranger. I had once again forgotten I was potentially dealing with a supernatural enemy, and I shouldn’t have assumed my tail was only a normal human being. The man standing huddled in the corner straightened to his full height of only ’five-foot-ten, and his eyes began to glow a pale yellow. “I’m more of a lover than a fighter …” he said, his voice becoming deeper and rougher with every word. I heard the snapping of what I realized were his bones, and his skin bulged and rippled as if something living beneath it was trying to get out. His face elongated, and wickedly sharp teeth extended from what was quickly becoming a muzzle. “But I can dish out a pretty good disemboweling,” he completed in a growl before the transformation of his mouth prevented any further human speech. His clothes tore away as his limbs bulged and bent. He fell to all fours as course, gray hair sprouted over his entire body. Cold terror bled through my body, filling my veins with ice as I tried to remember all the rules I had seen in movies about taking down a werewolf. I had no way of knowing whether there was any truth to them, but it was all I had to go on. Unfortunately, the bullets in my gun were made of steel, not silver. He completed the transformation from man to wolf in a matter of seconds, although even before then, I had put three bullets into him. I continued to hold out hope that I could interrogate him; therefore, I didn’t aim for his head. Instead, I blew out his knee, trying to incapacitate him. I was surprised when the creature actually let out a yelp of pain as a spray of blood and cartilage hit the back wall of the elevator, and the wolf’s leg collapsed under it. He still had three good legs, though, and he lunged at me with snapping jaws. I got off another two shots, but they went wide, missing him as he barreled into me. I managed to keep hold of the weapon, but the wolf’s jaws clamped down on the gun. Unfortunately, the muzzle was not pointed into his mouth; thus, pulling the trigger would just put a bullet harmlessly into the wall of the elevator. I needed the gun though. I wasn’t about to let go of it. With my free hand, I punched the wolf square in the muzzle, raining repeated blows on its face, my hand going numb as my knuckles split and bled, but I kept hitting him. His eye was a bruised and swollen mess, and blood poured freely from his nose. When I felt his jaws loosening, I pushed past the pain in my hand and hammered him with one final fist to the nose, throwing my entire body weight behind it. He released me, and I brought up my gun, but he was changing again. Thinking he was shifting back into a man and conceding the fight, I held my fire. Instead, his muzzle sharpened and hardened into a point. His gray fur sprouted feathers, and his arms extended into broad wings that flapped wildly. His injured leg was less of an impediment now that he could fly. He lifted from the floor and dove straight for me. I ducked, instinctively raising my arms to protect my head and face. He hit the wall behind me yet recovered quickly and flew at me again. Staying low, I tried to get a bead on him with my gun, but he was moving too fast. The cramped elevator wasn’t large; however, this form made him quicker, more capable of tight turns, and gave him more room to maneuver since he could take advantage of the air space above my head. He launched at me with talons bared and sliced through my forearm as I shielded my eyes. The pain was sharp and intense, and blood flowed freely from the lacerations. **Exclusive** How I fell in love with PNR ~ by Dina Given When I was a kid, I don’t remember whether there were all of the sub-categories of Fantasy that we have today – Paranormal, Urban, Dark, Epic, etc. I just remember there being Fantasy, and I discovered it when I was about 10 years old. My mother went to the library and brought home for me A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony. I was immediately hooked and never looked back. I voraciously devoured everything by authors such as Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks and Raymond E. Feist. I would draw massive maps of these fantastical worlds and hang them on my bedroom walls, alongside my sketches of mythical creatures. When I was in college, I even wrote my honors thesis on Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Then I entered corporate America, got married and had two kids, and my reading fell off significantly. A few years ago my sisters discovered the world of self-publishing and started a blog supporting independent romance authors. Romance wasn’t really my thing, but I wanted to be involved in the blog, so I gravitated toward PNR. I fell in love with Amy Bartol, Denise Grover Swank, Amelia Hutchins, Rebecca Ethington, Karina Halle, and others, and it re-sparked my love for the genre. It also renewed my life-long desire to try writing a novel myself. Thinking about the old adage of “write what you would want to read,” I developed an idea for a high-action urban fantasy novel influenced by Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and Larry Correia’s Monster Hunters International. I wanted to write a book that played like a fast-paced movie with supernatural battles, car chases, monsters and magic, not to mention a dollop of steamy romance. I hope I succeeded in my goal of creating a high energy, page turner that you can’t put down. You be the judge… About the Author: Dina Given lives in rural New Jersey – home of farms, horses and the largest hot air balloon festival in North America – with her husband, two crazy kids, and one rescue dog. She is an exercise enthusiast and avid lover of food and wine (hence the need to exercise). Dina also works full time for one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. She attributes her ability to juggle family, work and writing to her obsessive, hyper-focused, Type A personality. Author Links: http://www.dinagiven.com https://www.Facebook.com/DinaGivenAuthor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8394925.Dina_Given |
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July 2016
About Shin
The Bookish Ailurophile
Shin is a 27-year-old mom of a fury baby, named Mofa, who had crossed the rainbow bridge, 2 years ago. She is a bookworm who loves books that give her adrenaline rush and makes her feel the characters' emotions. When she's not reading, she spends her time listening to oldies music while making some crafty stuffs made out of old book pages, or spends her time reading books with children at an orphanage. Also, she loves to scare herself with gory movies in the middle of the night. |