Sunday, December 24, 2017

Sunday Post #8: Christmas 2017 Edition

Merry Christmas Eve. I hope this week's Sunday Post finds you well. I do not have anything planned for the day. Tonight, however, I will be spending at my sister and brother-in-law's house. I was promised a night of appetizers and gift exchanges. What are your plans for this evening?
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄

Post Rewind
📌 19th = Excerpt Tour: Going Gone
📌 21st = Blurb Blitz: Man of Honor

Moolt Cartoon of the Week
(Please focus on Abo and the mother) I chose this particular one for the appetizer reference.



"Heads Up" - Posts for the New Week
There are no posts planned until the new year.


Goodreads Shelves
📚 Wild Whispers (by: Ryan Jo Summers) added to "want to read" list


***The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @
Caffeinated Book Reviewer

🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄 Merry Christmas  🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Blurb Blitz: Man of Honor




BLURB:

There is a unit buried within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.  Li Yong prepared his entire life for command of Unit 61398. Li Yong believed this was the ultimate honor and service to the State

How do you right the most terrible wrong? How do you prevent the State from slaughtering your entire family if you fail? How do you balance a moral imperative against a lifetime of homeland allegiance? How does Li Yong stop the unstoppable?

From Chris Malburg, author of God’s Banker, comes the Enforcement Division Series’
next riveting installment--Man of Honor.



Excerpt
“Getting colder,” Jack said and shuffled his boots over the icy turf. “By the time this is over all these people will be half frozen.”

Helen Kaito turned toward her husband and into the onslaught of wind and snow. Snatches of live broadcasts from breathless reporters floated on the wind and swirled around the crowd 200 strong. Just his way of preserving that stoic reserve, Helen thought. She pulled her scarf tight around her neck and stuffed both hands into her jacket pockets. Around them people stamped their feet in the snowy field hard against the banks of Elkhart’s St. Joe River. “How much longer?”

She watched Jack look around the field. Police officers stood in small groups talking quietly among themselves. Firefighters stayed near their rigs waiting to put their exhaustive training to work. The silence spoke volumes. No celebration here. “They told me it should happen about 4:10 pm.”

“My God, Jack...”

Jack nodded slowly. “I know, hon. It sucks.”

Helen watched the crowd searching the northeastern sky. Some pointed. At what? She checked her watch. Not yet. Too soon.

Jack unzipped his backpack and pulled out binoculars. Helen had given him the heavier items when they geared up back home. She took water—frozen by now—energy bars, extra gloves, socks, and the knit cap she knew Jack probably wouldn’t wear. Summer or winter, he liked the feeling of the breeze on his shaven head. “What?”



About the Author 

Chris Malburg is a widely published author, with over 4 million words published in 22 popular business books and four novels. Simon & Schuster, Putnam, Wiley and McGraw Hill all publish Chris' work which is consumed in most western countries. 

After Stanford Writers School, Chris began the fun side of his career. He has crossed the chasm into fiction with the fourth installment in his Enforcement Division series.

Twitter ... Facebook ... Linkedin ... Email ... Buy link

Chris Malburg will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Excerpt Tour: Going Gone


 GENRE:  Political Suspense/Thriller


BLURB:

Code Name Trackers: The elite of the elite. FBI agents, each with a secret, an extraordinary ability that defies reason and logic.

An intricate scheme to kidnap the children of high-ranking politicians gets disrupted when private investigator Kerry Branson rescues one of the victims.


Excerpt

Walking into her room, the accumulation of stress and the aftermath of adrenaline dumps sent waves of exhaustion rolling through her. Dropping the backpack on the bed, she wanted to collapse alongside it and forget the shower. Laying her keys on the table, she reached for her phone. It wasn’t in her pocket. Great, just great, it’s still in the truck. She stared at the keys as she debated whether to leave it. No, I’d better get the damn thing. Someone calls, and I don’t answer, they’ll call out the troops.

Exiting the elevator in the underground garage, she quickly scanned each of the parked vehicles as she passed. The only sound was the click of her heels on the concrete. Tapping her remote control, she unlocked the door as she approached the truck.


About the Author

Award winning author, Anita Dickason, is a retired Dallas Police Officer. 
She started a new business: Mystic Circle Books & Designs, LLC. As an author, her fictional works are suspense/thrillers with a touch of paranormal and romance. Characters with unexpected skills, that extra edge for overcoming danger and adversity, have always intrigued her. Adding an infatuation with ancient myths and legends of Native American Indians, and Scottish and Irish folklore creates the backdrop for her characters.
As a publisher, her diverse background has proven to be an invaluable asset. Assisting other authors to publish their works utilizes the gamut of her experience. Graphics design has become one of her favorite endeavors.

Links
Kobo ... B&N ... Amazon ... Twitter ... Website ... Facebook ... Youtube

Anita will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


Sunday, December 17, 2017

Sunday Post #7: Math....Complete, House....Blessed

At first, I was going to my this week's Sunday Post about the end of my math class. The grade is not posted yet. Because I had little to say about the class, I added a little bit about a house blessing.

 Hopefully, this will be the only math class I have to take. After studying the same subject two other semesters, I thought it would be easier to handle. I was wrong. However, I participated in class discussions more this semester than high school and the two times taking the course.

Yesterday my family invited the priest, his wife and kids to dinner at our house. Just before leaving, he had held a house blessing. I didn't think that he would, so I was surprised.

Post Rewind
📌13th = Promo Tour: Miracle on Aisle Two
📌 14th = Excerpt Tour: One Too

Moolt Cartoon of the Week




"Heads Up" - Posts for the New Week
🔼19th = Excerpt Tour: Going Gone
🔼21st = Blurb Blitz: Man of Honor
🔼22nd = Romance Between the Pages


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Excerpt Tour: One Too





BLURB:
Telepathy creates as many problems as it solves, as most of the members of the secret organization x0 would admit. When new member Lola discovers another group of telepaths with a completely different approach, those problems multiply at the speed of thought.
Soon, Lola’s family and friends are in danger. Lucky for her, she’s not your average budding psychic. Each person with whom she is close has a special gift of their own. That’s good, because it’s going to take every power they possess to keep this other group from succeeding with their plan to eradicate x0.






EXCERPT:
Monday night Lola and Alex sat out on the front porch, huddled together in jackets against the chilly December evening. Lola’s twinkly Christmas lights made an oddly festive backdrop to a serious conversation.
“I’m scared Alex. We’ve got something dangerous coming at us and we've got to trust each other and tell each other everything.”
Alex began his litany of reasons and excuses for why he’d never talked to Lola about his ability to slow down time, and Lola was wise enough to let him finish. She knew most of the facts already. She even understood them. The damn problem with understanding was that it was hard to stay angry.
“No more,” was all she said when he was done. “Whether it’s ego or fear or modesty, I don’t care. Everyone under this roof has got to completely understand what everyone else can do. No more secrets.”
“You sound like you’re getting ready to lead an army,” Alex said.
“I think maybe I am,” she replied. “You know, saving the world from my own front porch. You willing to help?”
He wrapped both of his arms around her in the way that she had always loved, the way that had always made her feel so safe.
“Reporting for duty, commander,” he whispered in her ear. “Keep me in mind for any assignment you have that requires speed or involves time.”
They walked into the house a few minutes later and found Teddie, Xuha, and Maurice talking softly in the living room. All three faces looked up, relieved to see that neither Lola nor Alex appeared to be upset.
“We have new house rules,” Alex said.
“Figured as much,” Teddie replied. “We’ve already been talking.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~





AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Sherrie grew up in Western Kansas thinking that there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.
She published her first science fiction short story long ago, and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next story. When it finally came,  it declared to her that it had to be whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.
The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down and  explained that in a fit of practicality she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and had spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was that she had found it at least mildly entertaining and ridiculously well-paying  The bad news was that the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.
Apparently she was now Mrs. Cronin, and the further good news was that they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved dearly, even though to be honest that is where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin  turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. &It's about time,& were his exact words.
Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and apparently had done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was, the book informed her sternly that it had now grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided that she better start writing it before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

twitter .... facebook .... goodreads ... amazon ... blog


Sherrie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Sunday Post #13: Goodreads Challenge ... Success!

For 2017, I set out to read twenty books. I know that others have more books to read for this year's challenge. However, for me, twenty was alot. I am planning on setting my 2018 goodreads goal on twenty-five books. What about you? How are you doing your goal? Are you going to participate in the goodreads challenge in 2018?

Also on Goodreads
📚 added Blind Tribute (by: Mari Christie) to "read" list
📚 added The Duke of Ice (by: Darcy Burke) to "want to read" list

Post Rewind
📌 5th = Pre-order Tour: Wild Whispers
📌 6th = Blog Tour: This Piece of Our Being (Clearing The Ice #3)
📌 8th = Romance Between the Pages' Weekly Podcast Interview
📌 9th = Review: Blind Tribute Rewind
📌 5th = Pre-order Tour: Wild Whispers
📌 6th = Blog Tour: This Piece of Our Being (Clearing The Ice #3)
📌 8th = Romance Between the Pages' Weekly Podcast Interview
📌 9th = Review: Blind Tribute

Moolt Cartoon of the Week





Heads Up" - Posts for the New Week
🔼13th = Promo Tour: Miracle on Aisle Two 
🔼14th = Excerpt Tour: One Too

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @
http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/the-sunday-post-meme

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Review: Blind Tribute

This is the first historical fiction book that I read. It also is the first book by Mari Christie that I read.

Harry is one of the most complex characters I have ever read in a book (out side of high school).
Most of his view can be seen not only in his editorials in letter to othwr characters.

Rating: 😃😃😃😃😃

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Blitz Tour: This Piece of Our Being (Clearing The Ice #3)



Title: This Piece of Our Being (Clearing the Ice Book Three) 
Author: Robyn M. Ryan 
Genre: Sports Romance 
Release Date: December 5, 2017 
Cover Designer: K. Fouts Designs  



From the author of This Piece of My Heart and This Piece of My Soul,
the conclusion to Andrew and Caryn’s journey, and to the Clearing the Ice trilogy. She no longer believes that love conquers all. He questions his convictions. Alone, each faces an uncertain future. However, Fate has other ideas. Just as Fate placed their lives on a collision course five years ago, Andrew and Caryn Chadwick’s paths cross once again in Toronto after a four-month separation. Despite Andrew’s assurances that he wants to repair their marriage, Caryn is wary, not certain she can trust him, and struggles with doubts and questions about his relationship with a member of his Rehab Team. Wracked with guilt, Andrew questions his determination to return to the Tampa Suns hockey team, and he seeks to convince Caryn their marriage will survive. Fate intervenes with a gift at the worst possible moment. Caryn can hide this secret for only a short time, but is Andrew capable of pushing his needs aside when he discovers the truth? Can she risk her heart and soul once again? This Piece of Our Being follows Andrew’s and Caryn’s journeys through a fragile reconciliation. Both vow to place honesty at the center of their future. But, will the secrets revealed heal their marriage or drive them further apart? The conclusion to the Clearing the Ice trilogy, This Piece of Our Being delivers Andrew and Caryn’s Happily Ever After, but the path to reconciliation is rocky and missteps prove costly.
**Please note: For your best enjoyment please be sure to read THIS OF MY HEART and THIS PIECE OF MY SOUL before this book. Check your favorite ebook site for special offers on the first two books in the series during THIS PIECE OF OUR BEING’s preorder period.** PRE-ORDER SPECIAL—Just .99 through December 9 release week



“Have you seen your brother lately?” Caryn asked as she and Andrew enjoyed lunch in the Rehab Center’s courtyard. Andrew nodded as he took a long drink of water. “Just for a few minutes. He looks like shit.” “I’d say sleep-walking. He arrived just as I was leaving. How do they manage those long shifts?” “No idea, Caryn.” He reached for a second sandwich. “He’ll revive if you saved some of this chicken salad. I guess doctors get used to long shifts. It’s worse for new residents, from what Tom says. Second and third-year residents get first chance at the on-call beds. Seniority rules, even if you’re napping.” Caryn made a face. “Poor Tom.” “He signed on for this. He’s tough…had experience with long shifts when he was an intern. Now, he’s expected to make decisions for patients he sees. I think that adrenaline spike will keep him focused when needed.” Caryn set her sandwich on the paper plate. “Did Tom mention counseling as a way for us to start working things out?” “Yeah, he did. What do you think about it?” Caryn met his eyes, she couldn’t read his thoughts. “It might help us in the beginning. I’m not sure where to start.” “I can make a list of all the shitty things I’ve done to push you away. But, that would take longer than I hope to be separated from you.” Now his eyes betrayed his thoughts, and Caryn felt herself grow wary. “I have my own list of things I’d change if we had a do-over.” She averted her eyes and tore off a small piece of her sandwich to eat. “We could try a counselor.” His voice lacked conviction. “If you think it’ll help.” Caryn’s temper flared. “Unless you have a better idea? Exchange our lists and take turns choosing topics?” “I have no idea. I want what we had yesterday…” “Just pretend nothing happened? Forget the last four months? I wish we could, Drew. I truly do.” His eyes met hers and she saw the resignation in his expression before he sighed. “I know we can’t. Maybe Tom’s right. A neutral counselor could start the conversation. I can get a recommendation and set up an appointment.” Caryn nodded, a lump suddenly forming in her throat. Talking about all this will bring up the feelings I’ve tried to bury. It will hurt as much as it did at that time. Andrew reached across the table and brushed a tear aside. “It’s hard for me to think about discussing everything with a stranger,” he admitted. “But easy to tell Kristen everything?” Caryn blurted the accusation before she could think, sarcasm lacing her words. Andrew didn’t respond, his eyes holding hers steadily. “She made sure I knew you ‘shared everything’ with her—even personal stuff between you and me. She got it right, so you don’t need to deny it.” “I’m not,” Andrew said quietly. “We talked during therapy, especially when I was in a shitty mood. She was a good listener.” “I’m sure.” Caryn crossed her arms over her chest and nodded for him to continue. “You want to talk about this here? Right now?” Andrew glanced at his watch. “We don’t have much time.” Caryn didn’t respond for a moment, her mind flashing back to Kristen’s comments and innuendoes, and of course, the subject of Andrew’s return to hockey. Should I tell him? How she wanted me to prepare him for a career that did not include hockey. Once again, a flicker of guilt pricked her conscience. Finally, she spoke quietly. “She isn’t your friend, Andrew. She was never your friend.” “Caryn, we had a professional relationship until that massage I told you about. We were friendly, but I never counted her as one of my friends.” Caryn nodded slowly. How can we ever discuss this, even with a counselor? What explanation can he offer? If he’s truthful and tells me about that kiss? Andrew’s eyes pierced hers with intensity. “Are you trying to tell me something, Cary?” She hesitated just a beat. “You’re right, Andrew. We don’t have time for this right now. And I don’t want to unravel everything that happened without someone to guide us. I don’t want to take the chance we slip back into the…abyss…I can’t go through that again.”


https://youtu.be/uVhA7zEwj7Q

 

By the time she was an eight-year-old tomboy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Robyn M. Ryan definitely knew what she wanted to do when she grew up—play major league baseball or write. She wrote throughout elementary and high school, first composing novels featuring favorite TV and music personalities, and then venturing into sports writing.

Attending UGA’s journalism school launched her career in public relations, which included an internship with the Atlanta Flames NHL hockey team. This Piece of My Heart, a hockey romance and the first book in Robyn’s hockey trilogy Clearing the Ice was published May 2016. The second book in the series, This Piece of My Soul, was published January, 2017, and the final book, This Piece of Our Soul concludes the trilogy with a December, 2017 release.

Besides writing, Robyn’s passions include following the New York Rangers, NASCAR, and the Atlanta Braves; splitting time between homes in Atlanta and Palm Coast, and visiting Paris as often as possible. Two brilliant Westies rule both homes.
As do many writers, Robyn chooses to write using a pseudonym—hers is a combination of her sons’ names, a contribution from her youngest nephew.





She wasn’t looking for love. Struggling to live up to the high expectations of overprotective parents and a hefty family name, Caryn Stevens only wants one Summer of Fun before focusing on finishing her college degree. She knows her destiny: to follow her dad as CEO of his multi-million dollar business. But that plan changes forever one day when she runs into—literally—sexy and single professional  hockey player, Andrew Chadwick. But love came looking for her. Sparks instantly fly between the two, and Caryn can’t resist his charms as she discovers that Andrew has a reputation of winning – both on and off the ice. One of the most eligible singles in Toronto  Andrew could have any woman he wants, and he’s got Caryn in sights. But, when Caryn’s parents disapprove of the match and threaten to disinherit her and his hockey team trades him to a new city, it make take more than love for the couple to survive this penalty play.



They believe love conquers all… Pro hockey’s golden couple, Andrew and Caryn Chadwick bask in their love, and the limelight reserved for elite professional athlete. An opportunity leads them to a new team in a new city. Neither foresees an event that challenges their love and threatens their marriage. Until it doesn’t... A life-threatening accident rocks their very core. Shattered by the incident, paralyzed with fear,  Caryn can’t provide the support Andrew needs. Distrust, fears, and secrets construct walls. Each makes choices that take them further apart. This Piece of My Soul follows the joint and separate paths the couple navigate as each hopes to rediscover the love that can conquer all.







Sunday, December 3, 2017

Sunday Post #12: Weight Loss (If You Can Call It That)

I downloaded the app called Lose Weight in 30 Days. I was hoping this would help me to remain disciplined enough to lose weight in time for my sister's wedding. Last night was day 3.

20 heel touch
20 left donkey kicks
20 right donkey kicks
44 crunches (clapping and bicycle)
20 flutter kicks
35 sec. plank

Check out my livejournal account to see about days 1, 2 and other entries on different subjects.

Post Rewind
This week's contains more than a month's worth of posts. It starts form October 30th and ends on December 1st.

 📌Oct. 30th = Book Blast: Son of the Moon
📌  [double post day] 31st = Blog Tour: The Highlander's Crusader Bride ..... Review Tour: Entromancy
📌 Nov. 1st = Spotlight: Love in Dublin
📌 2nd = Spotlight: Wyoming Winter
📌 3rd = VBT: Snakes Can't  Run
📌 4th = Promo Tour: Romance
📌 6th = Spotlight: Can't Miss Christmas
📌 7th = Release Tour: Shifter’s University
📌 8th = Book Blast: Protecting Her Secret Son
📌 10th = Romance Between the Pages' Weekly Podcast Interview
📌 [double post day] 13th = RWC: Deal Breaker ... November Lovestruck Release Day Blast
📌15th = RWC: He Loves Me...Knot
📌 16th = [200th blog post] Pre-order Social Media Blitz: Undercover Attraction
📌 20th =  Blog Tour: How to Woo a Wallflower
📌 21st = Book Blast: Prosecco Christmas
📌23rd = Cover Reveal: Bob and the Polka-Dot Highway
📌[double post day] 24th = Release Tour: Frozen Heart .... Romance Between the Pages' Weekly Podcast Interview
📌25th = Promo Tour: Fantasy
📌27th = Review & Excerpt Tour: Undercover Attraction  
📌 28th = Blurb Blitz: Man & Horse
📌 Dec. 1st = Release Tour: Any Given Snow Day

Moolt Cartoon of the Week
I couldn't resist. This week's cartoon fits this week's Sunday Post very well. Plus I understand how Abo feels.




Heads Up - Upcoming Posts for the New Week
🔼5th = Pre-order Tour: Wild Whispers
🔼6th = Blog Tour: This Piece of Our Being (Clearing The Ice #3) 

Currently Reading
📖 Blind Tribute (by: Mari Christie) = 71%

***The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @