Hardback Book Hotties: November 2013

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Death Is But A Dream - Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Death is but a Dream

by Erin Hayes

Death is but a Dream by Erin Hayes
Publication date: Fall, 2013
Genres: Adult, Fantasy,

Mythology

Synopsis:

Caught between life and death, all Callie wants is to live again.

Homicide detective Callie Saunders knows that death isn’t all pearly gates and angels. After being hit by a bus, she finds that it's the ancient gods and goddesses of Greek mythology who are in charge of everything.

So when Hades offers her a deal, she accepts. If she wants to be brought back to life, she’ll have to figure out who is trying to kill his son. But if she fails, both her soul and the world will be destroyed.

With the odds mounting against her, it’ll take everything she has within her to wake up from death. But the rules are constantly changing. And someone wants her to stay dead

GOODREADS

Purchase:

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

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My Review

Between the cover and the title, I was very excited to see what this book was about. The cover shows a young lady dressed in a black dress, hands to her chest and her looking down. The expression on her face seems to be sad, or could it be deep in thought? Hmm, hopefully the book will answer that question.

Behind her is the silhouette of either one large tree or several trees, mainly their branches what looks like the end of fall, where the leaves are almost all gone and the tree is just ready for winter. Could the tree branches be a symbolism for life and/or death?

Grey skies fill the sky behind the trees and the young lady, but you can see a little peak of sunlight. Could this mean that the storm is almost over?

Way too many questions that I am eager to find out.

Last but not least, I love, love, love the font the author chose for the title. It fits so perfectly with the picture.

Now the question is, how was the book?

The book was such a fun read! I could not put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I love how the author Erin Hayes incorporated her character, Callie Saunder's life with Greek Mythology. I especially loved how Callie and my knowledge on Greek Mythology is almost the same. Although I think Callie had me beat in some of it.

In the story we meet a very strong character, Callie Saunders, who takes many licks and keeps her head high and keeps it moving. Not even Greek Gods and Goddesses are a match for her strength. And I think that was one of the best qualities author Hayes could have given her character.

Oh and when did Hades son become Hunk-a-licious? Thanks Erin Hayes for that one! But on a more serious note, Hayes made Hades son remarkable. I do not know much of Greek Myth but I can say this, she made Hades son's character one to love, admire and most of respect.

Hayes will give her reader a spectacular journey. What I absolutely loved most about the book was that when it felt like it could end, it didn't. Hayes kept the journey going. And if this was a real ride, the reader would be left breathless, with sweat beading down their face, but wanting more and more. That is the ingredients needed for a fabulous book.

You don't have to be a Greek Myth buff to enjoy this fun book, and I realize that fun and death is an oxymoron, but it is a fun read although death is brought up in the book. It isn't dark or sad. It just is, and it is part of the book and it makes the book what it is. (did I loose you?)

Hayes could have ended the book a thousand different ways but her ending was beautiful and simple. It could easily be a series or just a very great stand alone book.

Without a doubt, on the hottie scale, this book is BLAZING HOT - Could Not Put It Down!!!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery Death is but a Dream and the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly Average. You can reach her at tiptoegirl87@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Author Links:

Website: http://erinsalterego.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5335865.Erin_Hayes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinhayes5399

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Bitter Like Orange Excerpt - Book Blog

Bitter Like Orange Peel

by Jessica Bell

Paperback, 268 pages

Published November 1st 2013 by Vine Leaves Press

original title: Bitter Like Orange Peel

ISBN:0987593110 (ISBN13: 9780987593115)

Six women. One man. Seven secrets. One could ruin them all.

Kit is a twenty-five-year-old archaeology undergrad, who doesn’t like to get her hands dirty. Life seems purposeless. But if she could track down her father, Roger, maybe her perspective would change.

The only problem—Roger is as rotten as the decomposing oranges in her back yard according to the women in her life: Ailish, her mother—an English literature professor who communicates in quotes and clichés, and who still hasn’t learned how to express emotion on her face; Ivy, her half-sister—a depressed archaeologist, with a slight case of nymphomania who fled to America after a divorce to become a waitress; and Eleanor, Ivy’s mother—a pediatric surgeon who embellishes her feelings with medical jargon, and named her daughter after "Intravenous."

Against all three women’s wishes, Kit decides to find Roger.
Enter a sister Kit never knew about.
But everyone else did

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Book Excerpt

Bitter Like Orange Peel: Excerpt 2

IVY

In the staff room at Seattle’s Ditsy Daisy’s Café, Ivy is having a cigarette break when her mother, Eleanor, calls. With one glance at the caller ID, she switches her to voice mail. The last thing she needs right now is to be told she should quit smoking. Especially by someone who has the ability to scare the pants off an extinct ape with medical facts and statistics. Not to mention the fact that she was lectured enough about her smoking from her ex-husband, Amir. Enough to last her till she finds the missing link.

On Ivy’s way out, her colleague, Raquel, gives her a snarly look as she returns to the floor. People are starting to walk out. She’s been swamped with take-out coffees and unable to tend to seated customers. Ivy grabs her computerized notepad and approaches a middle-aged man with long grey hair in a ponytail, the only man alone in the whole café. He is wearing cowboy boots and has a briefcase under his chair.

Two things I never thought I’d see together.

“I’ll have an Americano, please, ma’am. And don’t put any sugar in it. Last time, the waitress put sugar in it.” The man relieves a tickle in his nostril with his long pinky fingernail. He squeezes and rubs his nose several times during this request, interrupting his serious glare at Ivy with the occasional inspection of his fingertips.

What the hell am I doing working here?

“Of course, sir. I apologize for that, but it sounds very unusual because we never put sugar in the coffee ourselves. We leave that up to the customer for convenience.” Ivy stands still, electronic pen to computerized notepad, fake smile on her face, trying not to look at the contents excavated from the man’s nasal passage that he’s rolling between his thumb and forefinger.

“Well, I know that. But I was just making sure you understood I don’t want you to put any sugar in it, ma’am.” He rubs his fingers on a napkin.

Ivy tries not to gag. “Okay. No problem at all. Americano with no sugar it is then.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m so very grateful you find it no problem, seeing as you are the waitress and all. Oh! Ah, bring me a donut too.”

Ivy smiles at his sarcasm and grits her teeth beneath her glossy lips. Glad I risked being late this morning for a new lip gloss. Tangy, tasty. Complete shame I now associate it with snot.

Ivy returns with his coffee and donut covered in icing sugar. She is about to serve another customer, when she hears him groan and click his fingers in the air.

“Ma’am. Can you please come here?” He pounds his fist on the table. Ivy rushes to him. “You goddamn waitresses don’t give a good goddamn what customers want. All you girls care about is flirting with the pretty boys and touching up your makeup. You went ahead and put goddamn sugar in my coffee after I asked you specifically not to, didn’t you? Where’s your boss? I want to speak to your boss.” He taps his heel. It’s heavy, firm. No rhythm, no soul.

Flirting with the pretty boys? Touching up makeup? How dare you!

“I’m afraid he has just left, sir, but I assure you I did not put any sugar in your coffee. As I said earlier, we never put sugar in any of our customers’ coffee.”

“Well then, smarty-pants, can you explain why my coffee tastes so goddamn sweet?”

Ivy knows exactly why his coffee tastes sweet. But she doesn’t know if she has the balls to tell him. Perhaps she’ll embarrass him. Or even worse, get spat in the face in front of an entire coffee shop of curious customers looking her way. It’s happened before.

“Well, sir. I believe your coffee is sweet because—”

“Yes? Yes? Spit it out, doll.” A chunk of chewed donut escapes onto his chin as he utters the word spit. Everyone is staring in their direction.

“Because you seem to be dipping your donut in your coffee, sir, and it’s covered in icing sugar.”

The entire coffee shop bursts into laughter and applauds. Ivy can’t help but offer a victorious smile. He looks around, blushes a colour Ivy has never seen a man blush before, downs his coffee, throws a few coins on the table, and puts the remainder of his donut into his briefcase. It’s full of sheet music, a harmonica, and a tambourine. A struggling musician? Now Ivy feels sorry for him. Well, sort of.

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About the Author

(Taken from Goodreads)

If Jessica Bell could choose only one creative mentor, she'd give the role to Euterpe, the Greek muse of music and lyrics. This is not only because she currently resides in Athens, Greece, but because of her life as a 30-something Australian-native contemporary fiction author, award-winning poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist, whose literary inspiration often stems from songs she's written.

Being the daughter of a semi-famous rock 'n' roll duo from Melbourne, she grew up surrounded by song. For a while it seemed logical to travel the musician's path, especially when her first band, spAnk, hit it off in the Melbourne indie music scene back in the late 90s. Although she spent her years writing and recording dozens of songs she decided she also had a love for the written word, and began to pursue a career as a writer.

She started as a poet, drawing from her musical background and etching her thoughts and feelings into verse. Those stanzas soon turned into sentences and paragraphs, and eventually into published books. Her literary voice is said to overflow with "lyrical descriptions, unique metaphors, tight dialogue, and an abundance of sensory detail." She has also been told she has the ability to take a seemingly ordinary three-chord type story and turn it into a main stage event.

In addition to her novels, her poetry collections (including FABRIC, which was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2012), and her pocket writing guides (WRITING IN A NUTSHELL SERIES), she has published a variety of works in online and print literary journals and anthologies, including Australia's Cordite Review, and the anthologies 100 STORIES FOR QUEENSLAND and SHADOWS AT THE STAGE DOOR, both released through Australia's, eMergent Publishing.

Additionally, she is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and makes a living as an editor/writer for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

Note: Check out the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop she annually runs. In 2012 she had Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest, this year, 2013, she has Katharine Sands, New York literary agent as the main instructor.

Contact the Author:

website:http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/

twitter username: MsBessieBell

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Holiday Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Just in time for the HOLIDAYS - Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value) This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway #1 Sponsors:

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 12/18/13 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Blissfire by D.E.E.L Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Blissfire

by D.E.E.L

Print Length: 100 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1105559343
Publisher: D.e.e.L; 1 edition (November 17, 2012) Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English

Indulge yourself with these ten stories surrounding the endless chase for bliss that we are all constantly running. Each story focuses on a character that is striving to find that happiness that will change everything. Some chase after their dreams, others need to fill the wounds of their hearts, and some even need to be reminded of who they truly are. From down into a bottle to writing under a bridge, bliss comes to us in many forms. Each story pushes and compels you into the next as you meet new people and learn their worlds of mind.

Written in a poetic tone, this collection offers a read from the heart.

I was chasing my own bliss while writing this, filling the wounds of my own heart just as each character does. Follow them along and join in their strides for the eternal bliss we all crave, perhaps even discovering your own during the ride.

My Review

As I always do, I must begin with the cover. I really enjoyed the cover for its simplicity. I love the burgundy with a pop of blue.

As for the book, the book reminded me of some of the writings I had to read in my lit class in college. The stories were all had a dark undertone and written in poetic form. There were a few of the short stories that I did enjoy, the majority of the stories were okay. I felt it was a bit repetitive in its dark nature and author D.e.e.L's interpretation of finding "Bliss" was very interesting.

I think that this book would be best in a classroom setting where students can read it and write papers of their interpretations of the bliss each story told. But as a sit down and read for pleasure book, it just does not cut the bill for. Sadly the stories were not memorable, and I found myself wanting the book to just end.

I can say that I truly appreciate D.e.e.L in taking on this form of writing. Again, I would have enjoyed this book more as a reading assignment where I could dissect it with my own opinions. This is where I think this book will totally excel at and be with some of the greats like Edgar Allan Poe.

Because this book was not an enjoyable sit down read, I just cannot rate high. I would give this book a rating of Mild - Worth It.

About the Author

D.e.e.L has been writing most of his life; though as a child the stories made much less sense and contained much fewer words, as well as some poorly drawn pictures. Becoming anything but a writer has never been something to cross his mind (though he currently works a day job which makes it that much more painful). He grabs any second within the ticking hands to create new worlds of words and chooses some of them to post online to his many blogs; hoping only to have at least one person obtain a smile upon reading. He has one story collection out so far titled "Blissfire" , which is available on lulu.com, and many other stories and poetry collections on Smashwords. He also wrote this entire bio himself, which made wording things rather awkward and he hopes that he doesn't sound conceited.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Deeliopunk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeeLioPunk

Tumblr: http://deeliopunk.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5828599.D_e_e_L?from_search=true

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DeeL

Blog: http://deeliopunk.wordpress.com

Groovy Cool Writers: http://groovycoolwriters.wix.com/groovycoolwriters#!home/mainPage

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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah Pepper - WHITE RABBIT DOOR PRIZE

Death of the Mad Hatter

by Sarah Pepper

Paperback, 333 pages

Expected publication: November 29th 2013 by CreateSpace

ISBN 1492823910 (ISBN13: 9781492823919)

edition language: English

url: http://www.peppersreadingcorner.com/?page_id=1116

The Jack prophesied: If the king loses his head, then the Queen with a Bleeding Heart would rule the Red Court until Time ceased to move forward. When a second carried on for infinity, every creature in Wonderland would tip their Hat to the misfit girl with a Boy’s name (or was it a boy with a Girl’s name?) who’d end the Reign of Terror. However, it all hinged on the One-Eyed Hare being able to convince an uninspirable Heir that the impossible was indeed possible—like stopping time—and that Love was worth a Beheading.

Heads would Roll…

Hearts would Break…

In the end, would it matter who Reigned?

WHITE RABBIT DOOR PRIZE

White Rabbit Door Prize - Facebook Giveaway..CLICK HERE

Friday, November 15, 2013

Gratitude Giveaway - $10 Amazon Gift Card

We are so thankful to have you as an old or new follower. This is the time of year that we take time to reflect on how grateful/thankful we are for so many different reasons.

I am thankful to have a fantastic family and a successful blog with so many AMAZING new friends.

If you wish to leave a comment on what you are grateful/thankful for, please feel free. It is not mandatory for this giveaway.

This is a blog hop so don't forget to stop by other blogs...
http://www.iamareader.com/2013/11/gratitude-giveaways-hop-enter-to-win-a-20-amazon-gift-card-or-paypal-cash.html

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Monday, November 11, 2013

Book Blitz - Reckless Secrets by Gina Robinson

Book 2 of a fantastic series is here!

Reckless Secrets

by Gina Robinson

Check out the Hotties Review of Book 1 of the Reckless Series:
Reckless Longing: http://hbbookhotties.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-reckless-longing-by-gina-robinson.html

Book & Author Details:

Reckless Secrets by Gina Robinson
(Reckless #2)
Publication date: November 11th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Everyone Has a Secret
At nineteen, Ellie Martin is finally happy. Deliriously, delightfully, delectably happy. Her junior year in college, while not without some major issues, is turning out better than she ever dreamed. She’s finally found closure to a question that has bothered her for as long as she can remember. She’s even been able to put some serious distance between herself and her twisted mother. Best of all, she’s in love with the hot, handsome, and mysterious Logan Walker.
If only she could share with Logan the one thing she must keep secret. The one relationship that, if he finds out about it, will blow apart everything that brings her happiness.
Even as Ellie and Logan learn to open up to each other, even as they get closer than they’ve ever gotten to anyone else before, the reckless secrets they’re holding on to may just be the thread that unravels everything.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18593477-reckless-secrets?ac=1

Purchase:

Direct buy links are not y et available but will be found here come release day:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Gina+Robinson+reckless

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Gina-Robinson-reckless?store=allproducts&keyword=Gina+Robinson+reckless

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AUTHOR BIO:

Gina Robinson loves humor, romance, suspense, and spies. Not necessarily in that order. Her latest toy is a video spy pen. She plans on putting her engineering degree to good use by building a tasar out of a disposable camera using the instructions and schematics from The Evil Genius series. Fair warning--she hasn't held a soldering iron in quite a few years.

She writes contemporary romance featuring sexy spies and plenty of adventure and humor. The Spy Who Left Me, the first book in her new Agent Ex series, published by St. Martin's Press, is available now. Diamonds Are Truly Forever, the next book in the series, will be released on May 22, 2012.
Her first two novels are published by Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing.

She's also published a humorous women's fiction novel, Pink Slipper. If you like Sophie Kinsella, you'll enjoy Pink Slipper.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.ginarobinson.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1890237.Gina_Robinson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GinaRobinsonAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginamrobinson

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Hardback Book Hotties

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Death Is But A Dream - Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Bitter Like Orange Excerpt - Book Blog

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Holiday Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Blissfire by D.E.E.L Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah Pepper - WHITE RABBIT DOOR PRIZE

Friday, November 15, 2013

Gratitude Giveaway - $10 Amazon Gift Card

Monday, November 11, 2013

Book Blitz - Reckless Secrets by Gina Robinson