Bloggiesta~2012!!

Its my first time taking part in Bloggiesta!! Hosted by Suey at Its All About Books I see this every year but always miss it, thanks to Felicia's post which has inspired me to try and get some things done, I signed up.

Challenges

Finish and set up the entire month of April's Indie feature coming Monday...(so my month will be free)

Update Review Page (seriously lacking)

Reflect on setting up specific blogging days. Six days a week is not working for me anymore.

Clean up sidebars again.

Since this is an eclectic blog Im thinking of having certain days committed to certain genres....ie like Ya Thursdays...... Contemporary Wednesdays. 

Update my remaining feature buttons.

Decide how I really want this blog to look, while I love my design and its designer (:D) I still feel the layout doesn't really show me.

Personal Note:

On a personal note, a few of my bloggie buddies know that Ive been seriously struggling with blog burn out, I love reading, however I think review books and the vast amount Im receiving on my doorstep is becoming overwhelming for me to keep up with. My hobby (which I adore) is starting to feel like work to me and I don't like that. Im hoping with getting April set up and done I can take a much needed break and come back refreshed and ready to focus this blog on reading books that I love and books that I WANT to read.

Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream

Losing  Clementine by Ashley Ream

March 6, 2012 by William Morrow

Paperback, 320 Pages

Review Copy

Art comes easy to Clementine, the world of color, the ease of her fingers on a canvas, the smell of the world around her...although that is not the case for her in ordinary life. Bogged down with mental illness, Clementine rides a roller-coaster in her own confused mind due to a nonexistent father, the loss of her mother and sister at fifteen and a deep sense of abandonment caused by years of neglect. 

Past issues compound into future issues causing a failed marriage, years spent in zombie-land due to the vast amount of antidepressants and drugs Doctor's have put her on, months of feeling nothing and other times when she felt free, creative and wild just to fight the "black monster" as Clementine calls it, who claims her joy and leaves her a blob of nothing without the medication. Either way with or without medication, she's living a life from both sides in complete misery. But that's all going to change now, because Clementine has had it......shes done with those feelings, she's over the nothingness, she's so over it that in 30 days she will no longer be alive. 

Determined to end her life, Clementine decides to tie up lose ends, in which she fires her best friend and assistant Jenny, makes emends with her past, become friends with her X-husband Richard and tries to find a loving home for her weird cat Chuckles. Clementine is not going to spend her last month in a state of zombie-girl though, so in this case the only thing to do is be drastic. She tosses all her medication, flushes it down the toilet, buys a casket and decides to live life like she never has for her last 30 days. Determined to go out with a bang, our complicated hero says things she's always been afraid to say, confronts things she's always been scared to face, eats everything her tongue desires and has sex all without the numbness. On day 25, a trip to Tijuana with her X, Richard (to buy the drug that will kill her) changes a few things in her plan and by the end of week two, Clementines iron clad determination begins to crack........riding the journey with her is just the first step into this complicated and intriguing woman's life. 

Told completely through the voice of Clementine, who presents us with a feisty, witty and snarky character, readers count down the days as each chapter signifies a day starting from 30...to the end. Clementines past is hard to stomach, its scary and haunting and certainly helps you understand her frame of mind in the present, how suicide could seem so indifferent to her, like just baking a cake or something. But as readers we also see the artist that lives inside Clementine and the tender spots she has in her heart, not everything is cut and dry, black and white......she truly is a character we wind up rooting for.

Despite the seriousness and tragedy of mental illness and suicide, I really loved this book because it explored so many layers of a deeply developed character. Its ultimately a very well researched and defined story about love, family illness and a surprising adoration for food. 

Rating

Losing Clementine is recommended to adult readers and contains: Sexuality (one graphic scene) strong language, mental illness disorders (depression-Bi-polar) child abuse, drug and alcohol use.

★★★★☆

4/5- Contemporary-Women's Fiction

Thanks to William Morrow and TLC Book Tours for Review Copy

About the Author

Ashley Ream got her first job at a newspaper when she was sixteen. After working in newsrooms across Missouri, Florida and Texas, she gave up deadlines to pursue fiction. She lives in Los Angeles and works at a nonprofit.

Shelf Cravings {47}

Welcome to Shelf Cravings a weekly dish on all things book. New releases, coming soon and books Ive just discovered. This week Im excited for:


Coming Soon

The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

July 10, 2012 by Simon and Schuster

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up. The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway. 

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

August 28, 2012 by Balzer and Bray

Eva's life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination - an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her 'other', if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it's like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready. But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this. Now she must abandon everything she's ever known - the guardians who raised her, the boy she's forbidden to love - to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive. 

7 Hours by Various Authors

July 2012 by Tyndale House

Death comes for everyone. But what if you were given seven more hours? Would you go back and relive a previous time in your life? Or would you live those seven more hours, starting now? In this collection of seven full-length novellas, seven writers come together to tackle the questions of life, death, and time as we know it. Each author has taken the same concept, featuring a mysterious central character, and spun their own story.

Stories include: All of Our Dreams, Whole Pieces, Teardrop, Escapement,Recollection, Rear View, and The Last Night of Alton Webber...............7 Stories. 7 Writers. 7 Hours.

Black City by Elizbeth Richards

November 13, 2012 by Putnam

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Just Discovered

Effie at the Wedding by Tracy MarchiniKindle- June 2011

Effie has a million reasons why she's not thrilled to be at her sister's wedding -- and the monstrously pink bridesmaid's dress isn't even on the list. When Effie finds herself locked in the bathroom, she thinks she might just stay there. After all, it's better than hearing from her mom about how often she's been to the buffet or how beautiful Ophelia looks in her wedding dress.

In this hysterical young adult short story, Effie will have to find a reason to celebrate... or get used to her porcelain throne.

Blueprints of the Afterlife by Ryan Boudinot

January 3, 2012 by Grove

It is the Afterlife. The end of the world is a distant, distorted memory called “the Age of F***ed Up Shit.” A sentient glacier has wiped out most of North America. Medical care is supplied by open-source nanotechnology, and human nervous systems can be hacked.


Blueprints of the Afterlife alternates between a richly imagined future in which the apocalypse is a distant, hazy memory, and a present in which a man recounts his search for a secret organization bent on harnessing the brightest minds to control human destiny and life on earth. There are giant heads that appear in the sky. The world's greatest dishwasher. Over 600 clones of an ancient pop singer's backup dancer. Red carpet events. A mystical refrigerator.

Oh wowza- these books look fantastic. Thanks to Relz-Reviewz for giving me the heads up on 7 Hours, this book looks super interesting, Im excited to see what each author brings to the table....The trailer is really good a little too long, but worth watching. The books (except for the wedding one) all have a death is coming for you, dystopian or end of things as we know it feel. I think the dystopian selections are becoming better and better.....cant wait to get my hands on The Forsaken and  Blueprints for the Afterlife!! 

Which one looks good to you?

The Hunger Games- Thoughts on the Movie

I went and saw The Hunger Games this weekend and after waiting for an hour in-line, getting a seat and being mushed with tons of other people...I walked away having seen probably the best book to movie adaptation ever! I just wanted to share my overall thoughts....

WHY I LOVED IT

The world of District 12 was exactly as I imagined it in my head, the clothing, colors, atmosphere, acting.......everything was perfect.

I think the most profound thing that happened while I watched this movie was the story's message- getting a visual effect on the voyeurism and war took it to a new level. I found it weird that everyone was eating popcorn and candy while we watched this movie about people starving. The movie gave the violence a visual that really broke my heart. Even now, I keep seeing that one little boy with the curly hair who was hiding get killed......from a parent perspective and having so many kids in the theater, I couldn't stomach it. While the violence was done in away to not show gore I cringed a lot.......

The scene with Rue- Um yeah I cried.....

I was surprised by how much I liked Gale in the movie, even with the few little scenes he had, I loved the way his character came across and how knowing the end of the story and having read the books, what a hard decision it must have been for Katniss......

Stanley Tucci- that was brilliant casting and Cinna- was awesome...even with the gold eyeliner!

I also liked how a few of the scenes weren't explained, only people who have read the books will understand the meaning behind them...and I LOVED how they made that special for the book fans.

The only thing I wished they would have done is drawn out more connection between Katniss and Peeta, more time in the cave and for sure the book ending with the hospital and more drama in the end interview, because book K&P had much more chemistry....but otherwise the movie was really brilliant.

Grade: A

What Im not Liking

I HATE the fact that elementary students are reading this and watching this, I cant believe how many little kids were at the movie I was in....I mean a 5-6 year old (maybe younger) was sitting behind me, while two little boys kept saying awesome when someone was killed... it makes me a little nauseous that elementary kids think its "soooo cooooolllll" .....can kids that young really understand the social commentary and political aspects Collins was trying to get across? Call me old fashioned but what the heck is wrong with these parents who take little kids to PG-13 and R rated movies????? That just pisses me off.

The Saturday Spotlight featuring Brett Sills and Giveaway

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature shining the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week Im excited to introduce readers to:


BRETT SILLS
~Author of My Sweet Saga~

Book Personality

by Brett Sills - 2012

I think the most common question I'm asked about my book is, “So, how much of this book is you?” 

It’s always said with a slight tilt of the head, and an even slighter squint that suggests I’d been hiding some darker, devious side that they never could have imagined based on my normal, somewhat harmless demeanor. 

And I though I've been asked this numerous times, I never know how to answer it. Because though the plot of  My Sweet Saga is purely fictional (though inspired by true events), it is emotionally biographical in a way that suggests I’m looking at my reflection in a severely cracked mirror. The essence of me is all there, but it’s distorted to the point where it is barely recognizable. To me, my book is a fairy tale, though admittedly, an odd one. And though I've never been engaged to a woman I don’t love, I've never been arrested, and have never run through the streets of Stockholm, Sweden naked, the book is clearly all me since, well, it was completely my imagination. 

The beauty of writing is that it allows us to safely live lives we are too scared to face, are too outlandish to concept, or in the case of fantasy novels, don't have the physical ability to experience. But writing gives us the opportunity to live vicariously through our characters in a contained environment, and in a strange way, allows both us and the reader to engage in a shared experience that feels real despite its absurdity. And though the character in My Sweet Saga that most resembles me is the protagonist, all the characters obviously share a part of me because I’m the one that created them. In each of the characters exists hopes, fears, bravery, and faults that I either have, or wish I had, and writing these emotions into a coherent story creates a kind of catharsis, as it allowed me to have an experience that I wish I could have… even if it involves getting beat up within an inch of my life. 

So, while I would never suggest a certain character in the book is one hundred percent me, the entire book is most certainly me…no matter how disturbing that might be to the reader…or even myself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for stopping by Brett! Its always fun to learn about authors thoughts behind their books and characters. Best of luck to you and the Sweet Saga books!

GIVEAWAY

Today thanks to Brett, I have one eBook copy of your choice to giveaway to a TBR reader. To enter just leave a comment. Winner will drawn March 31, 2012.

At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it. He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives. 
Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster. But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man's daughter, Saga. On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.
Find out More about Brett on The Web~Goodreads

Mini~Reviews- Featuring Saving June

~Little thoughts on a bundle of books Ive read~

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

May 1, 2011  by Harlequin Teen

Paperback, 336 Pages

Review Copy

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why. 

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California. Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs. 

Thoughts

That synopsis basically sums up Saving June in a nutshell. A messed up gal who travels to California with her best friend and guy interest to scatter her dead sisters ashes over the ocean. During the trip Harper tries to figure out why her sister committed suicide and with the help of music, love and healthy grieving, she can finally move on.

I loved this story on a lot of levels...first off the music in the story was a character itself. I loved the theme that music played from Jake's connections to songs from 70's classic music to today and that each song represented emotion or healing or what have you. The music gave the book its ups and downs and centered the story into a very hip, groovy, sad or punk rock atmosphere. I loved Harper's voice in the story and how I saw her from angry teen, confused teen, emotional teen....to adjusting and growing teen, she was a very endearing character who wormed her way into my heart.

Despite a few things that rubbed me the wrong way like the homophobic hating Christian that holds God hates F signs or the overbearing religious relative that force feeds Jesus saves (seriously authors get some new material on your modern day Christians) and the rather meaningless reasons for overachiever, perfect June's suicide....I really wound up loving the book. All together, Saving June was a moving coming of age road trip, high on music and first time romance.

Rating/Advisory

Recommended to mature teens (16-Up) and contains: Strong language, sexuality-including teen sex, teen drinking, suicide, dealing with grief and depression.

4/5- YA-Contemporary

Thanks to Harlequin for review copy

The Glass Case by Kristin Hannah

Kindle-November 2011

Freebie for Nook

Kristin Hannah is one of my top five authors, so obviously I read her books like candy. This is a short e-novella available for free on Kindle or Nook and tells the tale of a young mom who married her highschool sweetheart due to becoming pregnant. While dreams die young and aspirations get carried away with the wind, April and Ryan marry have more children and love each other more today than yesterday. April deals with the loss of her mother and the struggle of thinking shes not enough, that somehow she missed out on the big career, the big life she was suppose to have and the life Ryan was suppose to have.....but an incident revolving around her youngest son stops everything.....and April will finally see what she really has...........

Even though this was short and sweet, its classic Hannah- it brings an entire range of emotion and surprises you with its depth for an ordinary story. I can see the entire marriage, family and dynamics all played out, its my story, the next door neighbors story, the couples of reality....their story. I loved it!

4/5- Novella- Contemporary

Free on Nook

Chatting with Authors featuring Shelli Johannes Wells

Today Im thrilled to have Shelli Johannes-Wells, YA author on the blog today for a chat.

Hi Shelli, thanks for stopping by today, so to start, tell us a little about yourself.

I am the author of Untraceable (ya thriller) and On The Bright Side (tween light paranormal). I have an MBA specializing in Marketing and I own my own marketing business where I work with clients. I have 2 kids and 1 dog. Oh yeah, and a hubby. J

Wow- sounds like your a busy woman! How do find the time to write....and even a better question: What inspired you to write On the Bright Side?

It was Dec 08 at Christmas time. I had just finished reading Cynthia Leich Smith's Eternal and Lisa Schroeder’s “I Heart You, You Haunt Me”. I was subbing Untraceable to agents and needed to pass the time. I started to think about an angel book and wonder, what if the reader got to see the perspective of the angel who was longing for life again. So I played with flipping the roles. The book started out as a deep YA.

In the spring when other dark angel books started to sell I started to figure out how I could make it different. I saw a show about people who claimed they died saw the other side, and came back. They described it as peaceful and happy, I wondered if I could do a book about death in a humorous way and make it younger. The question became “what if an angel is forced to protect someone she doesn’t like?" Brought back all the times I wished I could be a fly on the way, listening to my crush and eavesdropping on my frenemies. Then I thought about the opposite of death. What if a girl didn't want to be a cool angel? What if she just wanted to be human again? That became much more interesting. I knew if I was going to do a middle grade, I needed it to be less heavy and more fun and light and hip. Something more like Meg Cabot or Ally Carter.

On the Bright Side is funny and light even though death, loss, forgiveness, and the fear of moving on are at its core.

That's cool how you gave the story your own flair and made it different in an array of angel books.....have you always been interested in the paranormal world?

No I actually write contemporary thrillers. But I got this idea and needed a light change after Untraceable.

What song would you choose to encapsulate On the Bright Side?

~Misguided Ghost by Paramore~

That is a great song! Paramore is one of my favorite bands.

What’s the last great book you read?

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Before you leave can you share what’s on the horizon?

I have a couple of thriller short stories coming out between now and July. And Uncontrollable, sequel to Untraceable comes out late summer. Beyond that – who knows?

Well sounds like you'll be staying busy for awhile! Thanks Shelli for stopping by today and chatting with me, readers you can learn more about Shelli at her website. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. 

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help. 

Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free.

How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue

How to Eat a Cupcake 
by Meg Donohue

March 13, 2012 by HarperCollins

Paperback 320 Pages

Review Copy

Funny, free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated, ambitious Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clair’s housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia’s San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls who know nothing of class differences and scholarships could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.

A decade later, Annie is now a talented, if underpaid, pastry chef who bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother’s death. Julia, a successful businesswoman, is tormented by a painful secret that could jeopardize her engagement to the man she loves. When a chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, they must overcome past hurts and a mysterious saboteur or risk losing their fledgling business and any chance of healing their fractured friendship.

Review

A good humored romp about two girls at totally different ends of the social spectrum who each in their own ways have special things to offer. Julia St. Clair comes from money and prestige, has talent with her no nonsense and smart business skills and Annie with her fun, carefree attitude creates magic in the kitchen with her beautiful and tasty cupcakes.

Things aren't that cut and dry in the girls life though, Julia is dealing with depression and secrets and tends to medicate herself with alcohol, while Annie is bitter from the past having grown up with the St. Clair's as her mother was their housekeeper. Annie always felt in the shadows next to Julia once starting highschool together, was always resentful of having to share her mom and had a sneaking suspicion that Julia was the cause of some tremendous consequences in her life . With all the past mistakes, rumors and hard feelings, its surprising when Annie years later excepts a business proposition to open her own cupcakery with no other than Julia as her partner. As the business launches and the girls reconnect a bit of romance and slice of mystery is added to plot. When things begin heating up and the cupcakery is vandalized, hurts, betrayals and major similarities from the past begin piling up, Annie could easily point the finger at Julia....but she chooses to trust her and no one knows for sure who the masked man stalking them really is, until one night when everything comes crashing down..........

This was a charming, super fast and super cute read that left me drooling for a lemon cupcake. I really loved everything about this book, despite the St. Clair's who came off a bit stuffy and uppity and Jake used for superficial reasons, I had fun connecting to Annie and Julia as their friendship grew, changed, overcame and confronted things that needed to be said. I also found (however much I wanted to dislike the silver spoon) Julia's character to be the most developed and realistic voice in the story, showing the reader a struggle through depression, loss, devastation, guilt, remorse and truly having a heart outside of the status of her wealth. Donohue has created an exceptional Chick-Lit drama sure to keep you reading, keep you laughing and guessing at its twists and turns.

Rating/Advisory

How to Eat a Cupcake is recommended to adult readers and contains: Mild sexuality, violence, issues with rumors, alcohol use and lots of fluffy yummy cupcakes. 

4/5- Contemporary

Thanks to Harper and TLC for review copy

Another Piece of my Heart by Jane Green and Giveaway

A Review by Featured Blogger: Tonya

Another Piece of my Heart 
by Jane Green
March 13, 2012 by St. Martins Press
Hardcover 400 Pages
Review Copy

Andi has spent much of her adult life looking for the perfect man, and at thirty-seven, she's finally found him. Ethan--divorced with two daughters, Emily and Sophia--is a devoted father and even better husband. Always hoping one day she would be a mother, Andi embraces the girls like they were her own. But in Emily’s eyes, Andi is an obstacle to her father’s love, and Emily will do whatever it takes to break her down. When the dynamics between the two escalate, they threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood—leaving both women standing at a crossroad in their lives…and in their hearts. ANOTHER PIECE OF MY HEART is a novel that illuminates the nuances and truths about relationships and is Jane Green at her absolute best.

Review

Prepare for a roller coaster of a ride. Andi married late in life, waited for the "one". When she met Ethan she felt as if the stars aligned. She wanted to have a house full of children. But, Andi's dreams of having her own child probably won't happen. She is going through peri-menopause. Ethan doesn't mind though, he was previously married and has two daughters; Emily and Sophia.

Sophia is an easy going child but Emily, Emily is the catalyst in the story. When Emily is acting nice, things are good. When Emily doesn't want to play nice, things get bad. Just how bad will things get though? When Emily is arrested for an underage DUI, Andi goes to pick her up. However, what Andi sees is even more shocking. Emily is pregnant. What Andi has wanted her whole life, Emily is getting and she doesn't even want it. Find out what happens when this family plunges deep into each of their own ideas, trials and tribulations.

Another Piece of my Heart is an excellent book. I felt myself fighting for Andi, then Emily, then Cal... Couldn't get any better!

GRADE: B+ 

GIVEAWAY

Today thanks to the publisher we have two copies of Another Piece of my Heart to giveaway to TBR readers. All you need to do is comment for an entry....following this blog is not required but always appreciated. Please leave email or just a link to your profile. Winner will be drawn April 1, 2012. Thanks and goodluck.

About the Author

Jane Green is the author of twelve bestselling novels, dealing with real women, real life, and all the things in-between, with her trademark wisdom, wit and warmth. She contributes to various publications, both online and print, including Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, and assorted Anthologies. Passionate about both food and the home, most weekends see her cooking up a storm in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives by the beach with her husband and their many children.

 Find out more about Jane on The Web~Twitter

The Saturday Spotlight with Kat Flannery & Giveaway of Chasing Clovers

Welcome to The Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

KAT FLANNERY

~Author of Chasing Clovers~

Hi Kat, welcome to the blog, please tell us about yourself. 

I am happily married and a mother of three boys. I’ve been a freelance writer for six years, which is what I do in between writing novels. My passion is creating emotional stories with three dimensional characters that will touch my reader’s lives. Chasing Clovers is my first novel, published by Imajin Books. My experience working with my publisher has been nothing but a pleasure.

What inspired you to write Chasing Clovers?

I’ve always loved to write, but as I grew older the need to scribe intensified. It wasn’t just a way to express my emotions but more of a need to expel the voices and ideas in my head. Stories would run across my mind while at work, or playing with my children. My thirst for writing wasn’t satisfied until I put pen to paper and wrote the scenes that had taken refuge in my mind.

The idea for Chasing Clovers didn’t come to me right away. Snippets of scenes and dialogue had begun to surface, but nothing that I could create a story with. I wanted to write a novel that would touch people’s lives.

My Grandmother lost two children a month a part in the 50’s and I often wondered how she made it through each day without crumbling. How she had more children? And how she learned to smile again? This is how my protagonist, Livy Green was born. I took the scenario of losing a child, turned the year back to 1884 and placed her inside a saloon. As I wrote, Livy became a part of me, and I needed to tell her story. I needed to take my readers on this journey of pain, loss, and turmoil, but also one of redemption, as, John Taylor and Livy Green learn to overcome their hardships. And renew their faith, love, and happiness in their tale of Chasing Clovers.

Did you have to do any research or traveling to write this book?


Yes, I researched Mail Order Brides. In the 1800's Mail Order Brides married for a sense of security, and financial stability. They were widows seeking help to raise their children, lost souls searching for independence. As I delved deeper into my research I learned that Mail Order Brides were very popular in the 1800’s. Men migrated west to farm land, build towns and cities, and mine for gold. Most being successful, soon found themselves financially stable.

{ColumbusBride.com}

But one thing was missing...women. There were very few women in the early days of the west and if a few popped up, they were always married. Soon men began sending letters to churches and newspapers back east looking for brides. Women took on the status of Mail Order Bride for many reasons, but one looms above all the rest...security. Times were tough back then and a woman needed to know she was taken care of. These weren’t marriages founded on love, but instead on convenience and knowing you had a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and money in your purse.

Have any authors or books inspired you or your writing?

Absolutely! If you want to be a writer you must read, and I read almost anything. I love Linda Lael Miller, Judith Stacey, Steven King, and Jane Austen. All of these writers are completely different, I know, but their writing style is what inspired me to want to write.

If you could pick a song that encapsulated your book, what would it be and why?

I listened to a lot of Dean Martin and The Beatles while writing this book. I’d have to say Blackbird would encapsulate Chasing Clovers best because Livy Green has broken wings she has given up on life. John Taylor is the one to heal her and help her fly.

**{Due to the Beatles Copyrights, I cant post anything here at my blog...however here is a link if you want to listen to Blackbird....which by the way is gorgeous song.  http://youtu.be/P5CUHHGlQg0 }

Any future plans you can share with us?

Yes, I am currently writing my second novel, and hope to see it released in the fall. Thank you, Tina for having me on The Saturday Spotlight. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Thanks Kat for stopping by today and Happy Patty's Day to you as well. How sad about your grandmother,  but how inspiring that you used some of those family tragedy's for writing your book!! Best of luck to your writing career and book Chasing Clovers.

GIVEAWAY

Today thanks to Kat, I have one signed copy of her book Chasing Clovers. To enter please just leave a comment. Winner will be drawn March 24, 2012.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mail order bride, Livy Green, is desperate to escape the memories of her past. John Taylor will never love another woman again, but his children need a mother. Will they learn to trust each other, or will their pasts interfere? 

Longing to escape the awful memories and the saloon she once sang in, Livy Green lies about her past so she can be a wife to John Taylor and mother to his two young children. Overwhelmed by the task, she struggles to put her resentment aside and love them as her own. 

John loved his first wife and is still heartbroken over the loss, but he needs a mother for his children. When his distant and unfriendly mail order bride arrives, he begins to doubt his decision, though one glance into Livy's terrified green eyes tells him he can’t turn his back on her. 

As Livy's past catches up with her and suspicious accidents begin to happen on the ranch, she is tempted to come clean and tell John the truth. But will he send her back if she does? Or will they forever be CHASING CLOVERS? 

Find out more about Kat on The Web~Goodreads


PS- Do you see my new graphic for the Saturday Spotlight...!! Yes that was made by the awesome and irresistible Jen over at In the Closet with a Bibliophile.....kisses and hugs to her for creating such genius!

From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop Spotlight and Giveaway

From Blah to Awe 
by Jenna Lucado Bishop

February 7, 2012 by Thomas Nelson

Paperback, 277 Pages

Review Copy

Everyone, especially teenagers, struggles with being bored with God from time to time. Sometimes church services and Bible reading don't seem that exciting, and it's easy to get busy and not make time to pray, but when this happens, we are missing out. Bishop shares her testimony and others' stories to see what a radical, living relationship with God looks like. 

About the Author:

If Jenna Lucado Bishop is sure of anything, she is sure of this, “I have a deep calling on my life to give hope to teenage girls.” What started out as a heart to encourage teen girls has now blossomed into a ministry. 

Daughter of best-selling Christian author Max Lucado, Jenna has realized that she has inherited a passion for writing and speaking just like her dad. She is currently a part of the Revolve Tour, an event for teen girls that includes a line-up of Christian artists like Natalie Grant, as well as speaker and author Chad Eastham and many more. 

Jenna has also narrated part of Thomas Nelson’s Word of Promise: Next Generation. Through all the piling projects, Jenna is driven by the thought of one more girl hearing about the love of Jesus.

GIVEWAY

Today I have one copy thanks to Thomas Nelson, of Jenna Lucado Bishop's book From Blah to Awe. I would love to pass this on to a teen/tween or mom, grandma, aunt of a teen girl who would like to share it with the special teenager in your life.

This contest is open to 13 and up readers and all you need to do is fill out the form
{PS- if form is not working - please just leave a comment for entry}

A Special Glimpse of Slated by Teri Terry and Giveaway!!

Shelf Cravings {46}

Welcome to Shelf Cravings, a weekly dish on all things book! New releases, coming soon and just discovered. This week Im excited for:


~Coming Soon~

Live Through This by Mindi Scott

October 2, 2012 by Simon Pulse

From the outside, Coley Sterling’s life seems pretty normal . . . whatever that means. It’s not perfect—her best friend is seriously mad at her and her dance team captains keep giving her a hard time—but Coley’s adorable, sweet crush Reece helps distract her from the annoying drama. Plus, she has a great family to fall back on—with a stepdad and mom who would stop at nothing to keep her and her siblings happy and safe. But Coley has a lot of secrets. She won’t admit—not even to herself—that her almost-perfect life is her own carefully-crafted façade. That for years she’s been burying the shame and guilt over a relationship that crossed the line. Now, Coley and Reece are getting closer, and as Coley has the chance at her first real boyfriend, a decade’s worth of lies are on the verge of unraveling.

Look into My Eyes (Ruby Redfort Novel) by Lauren Child

Spring 2012 by HarperCollins

Everyone knows that Clarice Bean is exceptionordinarily keen about the Ruby Redfort books. Now in her own starring role, this genius code-cracker and daring detective, along with her sidekick butler, Hitch, work for a secret crime-busting organization called Spectrum. Ruby gets into lots of scrapes with evil villains, like being trapped in a giant hourglass or held over a flaming volcano, but shes always ice-cool in a crisis. Just take a classic screwball comedy, add heaps of breathtaking action, and multiply it by Lauren Childs writing genius, and what have you got? Only the most exciting middle-grade series since, like, ever.

Quicksilver (Ultraviolet #2) by R.J Anderson

September 6, 2012 by Orchard Books

Once I was a girl who was special. Now I am extraordinary.......And they will never stop hunting me. 

The compelling follow-up to the bestselling ULTRAVIOLET, this psychological thriller will take your breath away...

So Close to You by Rachel Carter

July 10, 2012 by HarperTeen

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the experiments that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who’ve disappeared over the years. When she stumbles into a vessel that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, Lydia realizes that all the stories she’s ever heard about the Montauk Project are true—and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history. Alongside Wes, a darkly mysterious boy whom she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices. And if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them...and herself.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

by Rachel Joyce

July 24, 2012 by Random House

Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn’t seen or heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.

Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce’s remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live. 

~Just Discovered~

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

August 23, 2011 by Simon and Schuster

In this prequel to Mary Shelley’s Gothic classic, Frankenstein, 16-year-old Victor Frankenstein begins a dark journey that will change his life forever. Victor’s twin, Konrad, has fallen ill, and no doctor is able to cure him. Unwilling give up on his brother, Victor, his beautiful cousin Elizabeth, and best friend Henry begin a treacherous search for the ingredients to create the forbidden Elixir of Life.

Impossible odds, dangerous alchemy, and a bitter love triangle threaten their quest at every turn. Victor knows he must not fail. But his success depends on how far he is willing to push the boundaries of nature, science and, love -- and how much he is willing to sacrifice.

Hmmmm, a Frankenstein prequel....why is it that this just came to my attention? I cant wait to carry on with the Ultraviolet series and check out Quicksilver, dive into a mystery with Ruby Redford, discover Coley's and Lydia's big secrets and travel the world with Harold....

Which one looks good to you?

Mini~Reviews Featuring High Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond & Holy Ghost Girl

Where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books Ive read!

The Pioneer Women: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story 

by Ree Drummond

February 14, 2011 by William Morrow 

Paperback, 352 Pages

Review Copy

“That’s when I saw him—the cowboy—across the smoky room.”

I’ll never forget that night. It was like a romance novel, an old Broadway musical, and a John Wayne western rolled into one. Out for a quick drink with friends, I wasn’t looking to meet anyone, let alone a tall, rugged cowboy who lived on a cattle ranch miles away from my cultured, corporate hometown. But before I knew it, I’d been struck with a lightning bolt . . . and I was completely powerless to stop it.

Read along as I recount the rip-roaring details of my unlikely romance with a chaps-wearing cowboy, from the early days of our courtship (complete with cows, horses, prairie fire, and passion) all the way through the first year of our marriage, which would be filled with more challenge and strife—and manure—than I ever could have expected. This isn't just my love story; it’s a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet. It’s the story of a cowboy. And Wranglers. And chaps. And the girl who fell in love with them.

Thoughts

Hilarious!

If you enjoy Drummonds famous blog and her snarky, fun sense of humor then you'll love this book. Its no doubt funny and has tons of laugh out loud moments, though outside of Ree's signature humor the book gets personal as Ree shares some deeper issues like her parents divorce, her insecurities and the sometimes less than pretty things during pregnancy and birth. As a woman -minis the whole rancher wife thing- I was able to relate with Ree when she talked about reinventing herself and finding her place in a new life or finding significance in such a drastic change to the way she lived (like me going from gung-ho career banker girl wanna-be social worker....to stay at home mom trying to finish her degree).....and of course the having children chapters. I can defiantly say Drummond offers up more than fluff and recipes as she tackles the love story of her and Marlboro Man. I really enjoyed it.

4/5- Nonfiction-Memoir

Thanks to William Morrow and TLC Tours for Review Copy

Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson

October 13, 2011 by Blackstone Audio

9 Hours 4 Min

Narrated by Carrington MacDuffie

Review Copy

A compassionate, humorous story of faith, betrayal, and coming of age on the sawdust trail. Only three when her mother became tent revivalist David Terrell's organist, Donna was soon part of the hugely popular evangelist's inner circle. At seventeen, she left the ministry for good. Holy Ghost Girl brings to life miracles, exorcisms, and face-offs with the Ku Klux Klan--and that's just what went on under the tent. As Terrell's fame grew in the 1960s and '70s, the caravan of broken-down cars that made up his ministry evolved into fleets of Mercedes. The glories of the Word mixed with betrayals of the flesh, and Donna's mom bore Terrell's children in one of his secret households. Thousands of followers headed to cult-like communities to await the end of the world. Jesus didn't show, but the IRS did, and the prophet-healer went to prison. This memoir bypasses easy judgment to articulate a rich world in which the mystery of faith and human frailty share surprising and humorous coexistence.

Thoughts

Holy Ghost Girl is one of my favorite memoirs to date....and not because of the scandals or the sad often heartbreaking child neglect that went down, but because Donna's story was so honest and in the mix of soap opera drama I heard a little girls voice similar to my own and found so many things I could relate to.

Donna walks readers through her childhood years living with her mother and a traveling caravan of tent revivalists, where miraculous healing, chanting women and exorcisms were the norm. As a child (until the tween years) I was raised in a very similar religion, no traveling tent revivals but in a very strict Pentecostal Church that required women to look and act like the Amish, you know what Im speaking of, the no makeup-no jewelry-no pants-no speaking in public- woman who's inherent evil tempts a man to sin. David Terrell's message was almost the same of what I remember growing up- the fire and brimstone, the damnation and constant reminder of being set apart from the heathens and of course the unexplained miracles that seemed to happen in front of me. Donna explains some of the same things I saw as a child- like how people would roll around on floors, yell, chant, moan and get crazy with the shaking and dancing, but instead of being frightened or thinking these things were weird it was just apart of her daily life...just like mine were. There were of course plenty of differences in her experience, I never faced the traveling, the unsettled state of being, the lack of schooling and watching the adults around me get corrupted by sex or money, which did eventually bring the entire empire Terrell had built tumbling down.

While I have some sweet and tender memories of the people I grew up with and like Donna remember that part of my life as normal, as an adult I only see the legalistic, man-made rules that overshadowed the Grace of Christ. I really appreciated the candor and honesty of Holy Ghost Girl and only wish Donna would have shared her current feelings on religion and where she is spiritually today.

Narration

The narration was perfect for this story. Carrington's voice was raspy and a bit gravely, it fit the persona of Donna and brought to life the scenarios being told in a unique presentation that made you feel right there with the moaning, screaming and weirdness of a tent revival.

5/5- Nonfiction Memoir

Thanks to Publisher and Audiobook Jukebox for review copy

The Saturday Spotlight featuring Christy Hayes &Giveaway!

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature focused on Indie and debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:

CHRISTY HAYES
~Author of Heart of Glass~

Hi Christy, welcome to the blog please Tell us About yourself?

I'm a wife and mother of two tween kids (boy and girl). We have two rescue dogs and live in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. I spend my days writing when I'm not doing laundry or shuffling the kids to sporting events. 

What inspired you to write The Sweetheart Hoax?

TSH is a connected story to Heart of Glass. I enjoyed writing Kate and Danny's story in Heart of Glass so much, I wanted to let readers see a glimpse of their life in the future while exploring the romantic adventures of Danny's partner, Phil Williams. It was a stretch for me to write a "metrosexual" character, as that is not my typical hero, but Phil is funny and charming and there's a real man's man under his fancy clothes and perfect hair.

Did any major research or travel go into writing this book?

No. I wrote Heart of Glass after several trips to the South Carolina Lowcountry so the stage was set in both the story and in my mind. I did do quite a bit of research on my fictional town of Cash, Illinois. Thank goodness for the Internet! I tried to make Cash represent most small towns in America.

If you could pick a song or album that fit the mood your book what would it be and why? 

ZZ Top's Sharp Dressed Man. Phil Williams loves clothes and looking his best. He judges himself and others based on the things that are important to him. His whole way of looking at life changes when the tables are turned and he learns his hometown thinks he's gay.

Did you always want to be a writer? 

I never dreamed I could spend my days making up stories that others wanted to read. I've always written in one capacity or another and am thrilled to finally put my over-active imagination to good use!

What authors or books have inspired you? 

I love Nora Roberts and the way she describes her characters and settings. Two of my other favorites are Maggie O'Farrell and Marisa de los Santos as they are wonderful character authors. I love reading books where I can really connect with the characters, even if their lives are very different from mine. I try to write characters readers can relate to.

Any future plans you can share with us? 

I am currently working on a new untitled book about a bitter widower and the insecure piano teacher who changes his life. I have a short story available in the WG2E's Valentine Anthology that was a lot of fun to write.

Thanks Christy for stopping by today, your books sounds super fun and add in a ZZ Top song.....its probably awesome!

GIVEAWAY

Today thanks to Christy I have one Ebook copy of your choice between Heart of Glass or The Sweetheart Hoax. To enter please leave a comment with email or link to profile. Winners will be drawn March 17, 2012.

The Sweetheart Hoax by Christy Hayes

When urbane architect, Phil Williams, must bring a woman home to quell rumors he's gay, his only choice is the one woman least likely to impress: his dowdy receptionist. Margot Manning has been secretly in love with Phil for years. She's just quit her job and is ready to begin her life anew as a nurse. Phil's outrageous offer is one she can't refuse. As Margot readies to accompany Phil to his hometown, she steels herself for heartbreak. After Margot's makeover and a weekend spent attached at the hip, Phil admits he misjudged his former employee. He's ready to pursue her in earnest, if only her scandalous past didn't stand in their way.

Find out  more about Christy on the Web~Goodreads