Review - Kate Bloomfield - Alpha Girl - Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Best-selling and independent Australian author, Kate Bloomfield, has successfully made a name for herself in the world of self-publishing at just twenty-three years old. Her newest and most precious book yet, Alpha Girl, is a controversial Paranormal Romance between a student and teacher. A book not for those easily offended.

Seventeen year old Rose Goldman is highly unpopular in the little town of Halfway. Ever since the 'attack' when she was a girl, people and animals have been afraid of her. She gets bullied in school, and called 'wet dog' because of the way she smells, despite being extremely hygienic. However, life takes a turn when a new teacher starts at Halfway High. Mr. Stone, the quirky and charismatic English teacher is twice Rose's age, but she feels an unexplainable pull towards him from day one. Despite her better judgement, Rose pursues a friendship with Mr. Stone, who seems unable to stay away from her.

What is pulling this unlikely pair together?

Review: First off I loved the cover! The eyes draw you in with their warmth and mystery. You can see there is far more going on in the girls head than what she is letting on. The synopsis however leaves a bit to be desired. I know it's been said time and again that you should not judge a book by it's cover but in this case it is pretty much what made me decide to read the story!

It was an enticing read with a few unexpected twists and I could relate to Rose in so many ways. I knew how it felt to be bullied and made fun of in school and how hurtful it is and I don't think many can say that at some point they haven't had a crush on one of their teachers although I do think it's just icky having that personal of a connection between student and teacher no matter what grade level it is.

This was an interesting read and I liked it enough to want to carry on in the series.


Chapter Five Excerpt:

The doors of the library opened, and Mr. Stone entered with a book in his hands. I watched him as he placed it into the ‘returns’ chute at the front desk. I wanted to call out to him, but I was still embarrassed about our last encounter.

He must have felt my eyes upon him because his gaze suddenly slid towards me. The grin that broke across his face was heart melting. He was usually smiling but this was different; he looked genuinely pleased to see me.
He crossed the library, walking towards the desk I was sitting at. ‘Catching up on homework?’ he asked. I nodded, swallowing hard, as if something was stuck in my throat, preventing me from talking.

‘What are you working on?’ he asked.

I looked down at the textbook that was sprawled in front of me. ‘Math,’ I said. ‘Ah. I’m afraid I can’t help you there,’ he smiled. ‘Math was never my strong suit.’

‘Me either,’ I sighed, leaning back in my chair. ‘I’m terrible at it.’

‘I’m sure you’re not that bad,’ he said, leaning on the back of a chair.

I rifled through my papers, pulling out my most recent math test. I handed it to him and he looked down at the grade written in big red letters.

‘D minus,’ he read. ‘Okay, so maybe you are terrible at it.’

I laughed. ‘It just doesn’t stick with me,’ I admitted.

‘Maybe if you didn’t daydream so much,’ he said, handing the test back to me.

‘I don’t daydream,’ I lied.

He cocked an eyebrow, his expression sardonic. ‘You get this glazed look over your eyes all the time. Sometimes I worry you’re having a stroke.’

I rolled my eyes and continued packing up my books. As I slung the bag over my shoulder, Mr. Stone looked around to make sure we were alone.

‘Can I give you a ride home?’ he asked.

My knees felt weak. ‘Are you sure that’s wise?’

‘Everyone has gone home for the day,’ he replied. ‘I’ll drive around the corner and you can meet me there.’

There was something about his desire for secrecy that made my skin prickle. ‘Okay,’ I agreed.

I left the library before Mr. Stone, who exited a few paces behind me. He walked towards the teacher’s car park as I exited through the front gates.

Author Bio:

Kate was born in Enfield, London in 1989, but has lived in Wollongong, Australia for most of her life. Now working full time as an independent author, Kate has published four novels, and two short stories. Her fifth novel ‘Alpha Girl’ is a paranormal romance that explores a complicated a student/teacher relationship. It is due for release on April 1st 2013.

For more information about Alpha Girl, please visit: www.bloomfieldkate.com

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Wattpad / Goodreads / Amazon

Review/Giveaway - Nissa by Bethany Lopez

Book Description:

At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother's path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak.

To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she's met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren't meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

Review: Nissa was really a cute fluffy read and I adored it! The writing flowed so nicely I was finished with the story in no time it seemed but despite being fluff filled and cozy a part of the plot hits on two very serious matters especially among middle graders and teens which are low self esteem issues and bullying and Bethany handled the issues quite well. There was not alot of action or mind boggling experiences going on in Nissa but I enjoyed it for what it was, "a light read", a fairy tale and if I ever score a fairy Godmother I hope they send me Nissa. We're already friends and I think she is just awesome!


About the Author:

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Bethany Lopez / Facebook / Twitter / IAN / Pinterest / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review - Devour by Andrea Heltsley

Synopsis:

He wasn’t supposed to remember.
Callie is a royal vampire. She hunts by taking the blood from her victims and erases their memories afterwards. She goes undetected until a victim named Chase approaches her with all his memories intact. He is intrigued and attracted. She is terrified. What happens when a human mixes with the immortal world? Chaos.
Callie’s 18th birthday has passed and she is coming out at the annual blood ball. Will she find a mate or will she suffer the repercussions of her indiscretion? She is brought to the Vampire council and they must decide what to do with Chase. Do they kill him, or turn him to protect their secret?

Review: I liked Devour fairly well. It didn't have much action or romance involved but still had an interesting enough story line to keep me reading. It was interesting reading about the vampire girls coming out kind of reminded me of a Debutante Ball sort of. I never could make my mind up whether I ever liked Chase or not though? I mean he was placed in the bad situation thru no fault of his own but he didn't have to be so obnoxious. On the other hand I immediately fell in love with Cody! He was like a fairy tale prince come true! I recommend Devour for those seeking a light, quick vampirish read.

About the Author:

I’m a biologist turned writer. I write YA/NA paranormal romance books mainly. I’m the author of Devour and have several more books scheduled to come out later in 2013. I book blog for fun. I also have a strong addiction to caffeine and fruit snacks. You can find me in Tennessee with my husband and two Italian greyhounds.
If you ask anyone, I’m a total fangirl! I love the entertainment industry. I love Revenge and the Vampire Diaries on television. My favorite movies are Elektra and P.S. I Love You. I have a definite weakness for Tim Burton movies too. I’m beyond a huge fangirl for Shakira, both her English and Spanish music; Jack’s Mannequin comes in a close second. I have too many favorite authors to list, but Kelley Armstrong and Rachel Vincent are two of them. I’ve read all their books J

Review - Bound to You by Lola James

Synopsis:

Toni’s life is just one complication after another. First, her past comes back to her, then she has to deal with a psycho, and now it’s the biggest of them all. A choice that could destroy one life and be the bright future to the other.
How is a girl supposed to choose between two men that she loves?

On one hand, she has the Greek god Hades, the love from her past and the other, Ben the hot Vampire nurse that she met just over a week ago. Both have captured her heart in their own individual ways but whose love is the greatest?

Who does she ultimately love the most?

In the end, a decision is made in Bound to you…

**This Book Includes Sexual Content**
Bound to Remember, a Paranormal Romance (Book 1 of the Spellbound Series) FREE
Unbound, a Paranormal Romance (Book 2 of the Spellbound Series) $2.99
Bound to You (Book 3 of the Spellbound Series)

Review: I should have stuck to my rule about reading books in order because I feel like I missed a huge chunk of this story and kinda waded in at the back so I don't feel I had the vested emotions others who have followed the entire trilogy have had but still it was a fun emotional twist of a story and since reading it I have went back and picked up the other two books and am gonna read thru the whole thing.

About Author:

Lola James has been reading romance novels since her teens, and fell in love with the paranormal after discovering Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Her love of the dark worlds of vampires and witches, as well as her fascination with Greek mythology led her to create the Spellbound Series, an ongoing Paranormal Romance combining all of the above into tales of suspense with a little bit of humor in an Urban Fantasy setting.

A long time lover of reading and writing with a passion for a great story, James became discouraged by the complicated and arbitrary publishing process, James had initially set down her laptop and her hopes of being a writer. However, with the purchase of her first e-reader, James became re-energized by the new possibilities for an undiscovered author to reach the masses. Dusting off her keyboard she finally finished Bound to Remember, the first book of the Spellbound Series and self-published it. Energized and ambitious, James is now hard at work on both the Spellbound Series as well as the Fate Series, a paranormal romance about dreams and what happens if they come true.

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website / Literary Addicts

Guest Post From My Mama’s Kitchen By Johnny Tan

Synopsis:

From My Mama’s Kitchen book is dedicated to the realization and mastery of the power of unconditional love as potent leadership. It offers a wealth of wisdom, practical living skills, and effective communication techniques. The book reveals 30 timeless recipes for living, ranging from the power of relationships to the nature of love and the meaning of life brought to the reader in the nurturing comfort of a kitchen setting. From the virtue of spiritual awareness to self-actualization, Johnny Tan’s 9 moms have nourished him with their wisdom to become a person defined by his thoughts and actions.

Released with the endorsement of the National Association of Mothers’ Centers, the book has won five awards: Mom’s Choice Awards, Mr. Dad Seal of Recognition, Publisher’s Choice Awards by Family Magazine Group, International Book Awards, and National Indie Excellence Book Awards. The book also made the Amazon Best Seller List in the following categories: Parenting & Family Relationships: Parent and Adult Child, Self Help: Spiritual and Motivational, and Cooking, Food & Wine: Essay.

Designed as a keepsake for all occasions, meant to last and inspire forever. The book has a dedication page for readers to inscribe their own loved one’s name, and a space where readers can record their recipes for living. At the end of the book, Johnny incorporates nine of his favorite food recipes. Amazon Purchase Link

Mother’s Day From My Mama’s Kitchen By Johnny Tan

The Mother’s Day that we celebrate today tracks back to ancient times. A spring festival dedicated to the maternal, Greek goddess arose, honoring Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of many deities in Greek mythology. The Romans used their spring festival, Hilaria, as a dedication to Cybele, a mother goddess. Early Christians celebrated the fourth Sunday
of Lent in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. England later designated it to be Mothering Sunday, to honor all mothers.

Although Mother’s Day is now celebrated around the world, the modern version is actually an American invention. Various observances honoring mothers existed in America during the 1870’s and 1880‘s. However, the modern Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in America. She secured a trademark creating the Mother’s Day International Association in 1912. Thanks to her courageous effort, over 140 countries around the world honor Mother’s Day today. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first official Mother’s Day on May 9, 1914.

From My Mama’s Kitchen –“food for the soul, recipes for living” celebrates what mothers do all over the world. Mothers everywhere share an abundance of unconditional love for their loved ones. The power of unconditional love transcends all religious beliefs, genders, cultures and ages. It reminds us that we are all part of the bigger world, and we all have potential to succeed in life.

In 1999 I decided to pay homage to my 9 moms by composing a book that represented a collection of recipes from my moms. I called the collection, “From My Mama’s Kitchen – food for the soul, recipes for living.” It was still another seven years before I saw my vision. In 2007 the vision crystallized into a theme that provided a basis for a powerful message. I started writing about timeless recipes for living, which I recalled from the wisdom my 9 moms shared with me rather than food recipes. I kept the title because the kitchen is the heart of every home and it was where my moms and I had our heartfelt conversations.

How did I manage to have 9 moms, you ask? Most of the time, before I have a chance to answer, people would follow up with, “Is it a blessing or a curse?” My answer is always a blessing, a tremendous blessing. Adopted at birth by my Malaysian mom, I spent the first 18 years learning from her. Among the many things she taught me, everyone of us holds a seed of greatness—the key to success in life. The gem of this seed is the asset that develops our dreams, goals and wishes. At 18 I came to the United States to attend Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Here is where I began to meet my eight other moms one at a time over a period of the next 18 years. Starting with the first, my Southern Belle mom, Eleanora Carter, to the last, my German mom, Dianne Heise, they were my teachers, coaches, and counselors, always available to listen to my ideas and console me during need. Most of my 9 moms have since passed away, but each of them has left me with a valuable lesson that collectively formed the basis of my success.

Many look forward to this Mother’s Day with anticipation to express love for their mom. Whether it is an expensive gift or a just a nice dinner that mom doesn’t have to cook, she will know it was from the heart. Mothers have a way to mould the soul and guide the heart. For those whose mothers have passed on, Mother’s Day gives us a chance to recall those magical loving moments. It is this unconditional motherly love that makes us who we are. With 30 timeless recipes for living ranging from the power of relationships to the nature of love and meaning of life, the book provides skills and wisdom to assist us to become better teachers, coaches and counselors to our loved ones.

About Johnny:

Johnny Tan lived a life of unconditional love for the last 33 years. His journey began when he started college in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Adopted at birth by his Malaysian mom, he realized the rich spiritual connections that resulted from meeting his foster mom in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and 7 other women who would play important roles in his life. They represented his teachers, coaches, and counselors. Guided by his business achievements and his 9 moms, Johnny experienced the passion to compose From My Mamaʼs Kitchen to honor his moms and mothers everywhere. Released with the endorsement of the National Association of Mothers’ Centers, the book has won five awards and made the Amazon Best Seller List in several categories.