Cindy

Book Blitz/ Chronicles: The Library of Illumination

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Cindy

Chronicles: The Library of Illumination – Release Blitz

By C.A. Pack

Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: April 29, 2014

Within the walls of a centuries-old building lies the magical Library of Illumination, a place where books literally come to life. 17-year-old Johanna Charette is the youngest curator ever chosen to oversee the day-to-day operation of the library and she knows, in case of trouble, having an assistant can be invaluable, so she hires 16-year-old Jackson Roth to give her a hand. Jackson gets off to a rocky start, but manages to prove his mettle. Besides, he’s kind of cute and a lot of fun.

Johanna is charming and brilliant—and a natural born leader. She keeps the library operating on an even keel. Jackson is clever and intrepid. He relies on his wits to keep them out of danger when trouble arises. Unfortunately, his derring-do is one of the reasons why they sometimes find themselves in awkward situations. So it shouldn’t be any surprise when his wanton curiosity sparks a journey to a distant realm, where they end up with front row seats in a battle against an ancient foe.

EXCERPT

“What’s this? Jackson asked, picking up a book that sat by itself on a bottom shelf. A thick layer of dust obscured the cover. “Did you leave this book down here?”

“What book?”

He opened the book to a random page to see what it was about. Dracula suddenly loomed over him, blood dripping from his mouth. “Uhhh …!” Jackson’s scream did not get past his throat.

Dracula moved in for the kill. The teen managed to slam the book shut just as the vampire’s teeth made contact with his skin.

“What are you doing?” Johanna poked her head around the corner of the shelf and spotted the blood on Jackson’s neck. She looked down and recognized the volume of Dracula by Bram Stoker and winced. “We must have missed that one. Are you all right?”

Jackson swiped at his neck.

“Come with me.” Johanna led him to the circulation desk. She took out a first-aid kit and cleaned away the blood with an antiseptic wipe.

“Am I …?”

“It’s just a surface wound.” She wrapped the bloody wipe in a tissue and threw it in the wastebasket. “You’re going to live … but not forever.”

Jackson sighed with relief. “You know, when my mother used to patch me up, she would kiss it to make it better.” He raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.

“If you got hurt working for Larry at Once A-Pawn A Time, would you ask him to kiss it to make it better?”

“You really know how to hurt me.”

Johanna laughed. She leaned in and lightly kissed Jackson’s neck.

He could feel the hairs along his nape tingle.

“All better?” she asked.

About the Author : Carol Pack

C. A. PACK, author of Code Name: Evangeline, Evangeline’s Ghost, and the Library of Illumination novelettes, is an award-winning journalist and former television news anchor/writer from Long Island, New York.

Authors Links

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Book Spotlight/ Afraid to Love

Posted on April 28, 2014April 28, 2014 by Cindy

Learning to trust again is the hardest thing to do.

Ana Perrot is crazy. Crazy about sex, and pleasing her lovers. She is passionate and as fiery as her red hair. She eats men like air. She is also willing to submit to any man anywhere. But outside of the bedroom, Ana is an independent woman who lives her own life by her own rules. And, her biggest rule . . . she won’t do long term relationships. She refuses to fall in love . . . again.

Teddy O’Rourke is an easy going, laid back Tampa bartender at one of the most popular clubs in town. All about family and enjoying life including all the women that throw themselves at his feet, he has no problems finding willing partners. His football player body, his personality, his warm hazel eyes all ooze sex appeal. He is the perfect package in every way for a woman like Ana, well for any woman really. An ex-cop, his instincts tell him Ana is one hell of a woman, but she is wounded and scarred by the past. What are her secrets? What will make her trust him? Why is she so afraid to love?

A one night stand, that is full of surprises for Teddy, opens his eyes to new possibilities. A single man enjoying his freedom meets his match in the bedroom, and elsewhere. He sees a future with Ana, a counselor for troubled youth. But could she be persuaded to fall . . . and to trust again?

Afraid To Love

MJ Nightingale

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | B&N

Excerpt One

“My name is Ana,” she said coolly as she leaned in and nodded in answer to his question, batting her eyelashes just a tad. He smiled. Teeth white, and straight.

He knew her sudden bashfulness was a ploy. He knew the game. “What will it be, Ana?” He said her name slowly, drawing out each sound, each letter.

“Let me have Sex on the Beach,” she answered. Then looking him straight in the eye. “I like sex on the beach,” she added.

He smiled at her again, and without looking at the ingredients began to make her drink. “Too sandy,” he chuckled, and then turned to go get the remaining ingredients to fill her order.

She watched his behind as he worked facing the wall of liquor behind him, and heat pooled in her loins. This man was truly a fine specimen. Thirty, she thought. And that was okay with her. She was thirty-four, so the age difference wasn’t too bad. She liked them a little younger anyway. They were easier to control and more readily agreed to her conditions, her rules.

Before she was prepared for it, he turned back towards her, and the sight of him almost took her breath away. He gave her one of his dazzling smiles, revealing dimples in his cheek, and a slight cleft in his chin. Bar towel in one hand, he wiped the counter in front of her again. Next, he placed a napkin down in front of her, and placed her drink on it. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry. She leaned in to take a sip of the refreshing cocktail, not picking up the glass, but leaning low to give him a better view of her cleavage. She wanted to turn the tables back to her side again, regain control. She was glad she had worn this dress; it was red. The green amulet swinging enticingly between her breasts was small enough to not distract from the view she was offering. She felt his eyes on her like lasers.

“Delicious,” she purred licking her lips then straightened up suddenly. She caught him ogling her breasts like a school boy, and he blushed. Gotcha, she thought as she watched his Adam’s apple bob while he swallowed, hard.

“So the beach is too sandy for you. How about a big bed?” she asked innocently, but then leaned in again to take another sip. She kept her head tilted to the side not breaking eye contact. There was definite electricity.

DreamCast

Book Trailer

Ten fun facts about the author

1.) I am a great cook.

2.) I have travelled to 18 different countries.

3.) I enjoy horse back riding.

4.) I drink coffee all day long.

5.) I wanted to be a stand up comedian.

6.) I have twin sons. My husband and I went through hell and back to have them, both having infertility issues. (Subplot in one of my books).

7.) I am Canadian and my husband is a New Yorker.

8.) My grandmother who is 90 teaches me how to use the computer.

9.) I teach high school.

10.) I wish I didn’t have to wear a bra. I’m stacked. (You don’t have to include the last statement, haha. Nah, go ahead and include it. I am sure many women can relate.)

Fire In His Eyes (Book #1)

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | B&N

About the Author

MJ Nightingale has spent over two decades teaching students how to write, and now she is doing it herself. Originally from Canada, she graduated from University with her Bachelor of Arts and then went on to get her Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary Education.

Reading has been a part of her life since she was a child. She has been an avid lover of classical English and American literature, but romance has always held a special place in her heart. She devours historical romance novels all summer long, and any type of fiction; thrillers, crime, suspense, and drama. This is her second published book, and she has one more book, Afraid to Hope, coming out in in the summer of 2014. All three, Fire In His Eyes, Afraid to Love and Afraid to Hope, are erotic romance standalone novels and are part of her Secrets & Seduction Series.

She is also working on a new series The Bounty Hunters for 2015.

She currently lives in Florida, where she continues to teach, with her wonderful husband of nine years, and her sons. She plans on pursuing her writing career full time very soon.

Contact the Author

**MJ Nightingale would love to hear from her readers. She can be reached at authormjnightingale@gmail.com

And you can also visit her author page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MJ-Nightingale/185806224943537?ref=hl to see what is coming next by MJ Nightingale.

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Review/ Here Comes Destructo-Saurus

Posted on April 27, 2014April 28, 2014 by Cindy

Here Comes Destructosaurus! by Aaron Reynolds
Format: Hardcover
Published by Chronicle Books on 2014-04-01
Pages: 32
Goodreads
Genres: Animals, Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures, General

Watch the unstoppable destructive force of a raging temper tantrum! Tremble at the enormous mess and disrespectful roaring! Despair as no amount of scolding can stem the heedless fury! Someone is heading for a time-out, Mister! Anyone who has witnessed (or been) a toddler in the throes of a full-blown fit will delight in this clever book's moviemonster rampage, and may just come away from it with a bit more sympathy for toddler and caregiver.

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I want to say that Jeremy Tankard did an amazing job with the illustrations. I think kids would like them.

This was another funny book that I read with my mom and we both laughed while reading it.

Destructo-saurus is just like a little kid who is having a temper tantrum. We don’t really know why he is so mad and upset until the very end of the book.

The narrator is talking in a motherly voice and you could see at points the destructo-saurus is being scolded for his actions such as not cleaning his feet as he is tracking dirt all over the place, throwing things all over the place and someone will get hurt, attitude, and a few other things.

When the reason behind this is revealed the narrator feels bad and aplogizes to destructosaurus and tells him that maybe next time he should use his words instead of his actions.

The only thing my mom didn’t like was that destructosaurus got away with his actions and was never punished which I agree with her. He should have helped to clean up.

Thank you Crystal and Raincoast books for sending me this to read and review.

Review/ I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…..

Posted on April 27, 2014April 28, 2014 by Cindy

I Didn't Do My Homework Because... by Davide Cali
Format: Hardcover
Published by Chronicle Books on 2014-03-04
Pages: 44
Goodreads
Genres: Beginner, Humorous Stories, Readers

How many excuses are there for not doing homework? Let us count the ways: Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood. Elves hid all the pencils. And then there was that problem with carnivorous plants.... The excuses go on and on, each more absurd than the next and escalating to hilarious heights. Featuring detail-rich illustrations by Benjamin Chaud, this book is guaranteed to amuse kids and their parents, not to mention anyone who has experienced a slacker student moment—and isn't that everyone?

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Its been awhile since Michael has gotten any books to review and he was thrilled when he got the package of 5 picture books to read and review for the blog.

Even though he is 11 years old he still loves to read picture books.

I wish I would have filmed him when he was reading this one because he was literally laughing the whole way through it.

Out of the five books I got to review from Raincoast books I have to say that this was my favorite one.

Before I talk about my review I just want to say that Benjamin Chaud did a fantastic job with the illustrations.

I Didn’t Do My Homework Because… begins with the teacher asking the boy why didn’t he do his homework and the boy gives you a million reasons why and with each reason why it gets more elleborate.

Some of my favorites are:

I was abducted by a UFO
Elves hid all my pencils.
I gave my pencils to Robin Hood
My brother and I were kidnapped by the circus.

There are a few more but I don’t want to give away all the excuses so you will go and buy the book to find out what the rest were.

Thank you Raincoast books and Crystal for sending this book to me. I really enjoyed it.

Review/ Everything I Want

Posted on April 25, 2014April 25, 2014 by Cindy

BOOK 3

Amazon US Amazon UK

Lily’s is moving forward after her break up with Alfie. Her journey continues through some extremely emotional times during key events, as she becomes more self- assured and begins to develop as an performing artist. It isn’t easy for Lily to forget Alfie because of circumstances with Alfie’s life. However, Lily is tortured by constant reminders of their time together, and this does little for her resolve to move on.

Although, Lily has made her choice, it is also tinged with sadness. Her love for Alfie remains strong, and she fights a constant internal battle, between loving him and loving her music. Lily thinks it’s impossible to have both. A fabulous opportunity arises for Lily, but there is a possibility of this bringing her face to face with Alfie again. Can Lily cope with the emotional turmoil this would bring her? Or, is the risk of seeing Alfie something she feels able to manage now?

Musically, Lily concentrates her efforts much more, which brings success, post Alfie. Through this, she finds friends in some of the most unlikely of circumstances. All of her friends continue to protect her, and are all well aware of the impact Lily’s relationship with Alfie has had on her. All apart from Elle, who gives Lily food for thought. Although, Lily’s mind is still plagued with memories of Alfie, which continues to impact on her to such an extent, Lily has been unable to form new romantic ties. Professionally, her relationships couldn’t be better. She is offered some amazing opportunities rarely available, and is determined to do make the most of them. This is especially important to her, given the sacrifices she has made in the past to do this.

Will Lily’s music be enough for her, and prove to be everything she ever wanted?

MY REVIEW

I should start of by saying that this is the third book in the series and personally I found that I would have needed to read the previous two books to follow along in the story line since quite a few things happen that I felt I would have liked to know more about such as the relationship between Lily and Alfie.

From what I can gather is Lily was from London and went to Miami to study music and is about to graduate. She is in a band called XrAID with a great group of guys. It was at the university where she met Alfie. Alfie is also in a band called Crakt Soundzz and they are a pretty successful band. Alfie has always made it clear that they will bascially be friends with benefits and nothing more.

In the previous book Alfie leaves a sleeping Lily in bed and walks away from her. Lily is trying to getting over her heart ache of what Alfie did but deep down Lily still loves Alfie and probably always will.

Things for Lily’s band are looking good and they are on the way up until she discovers that her band XrAID has decided not to partake in a festival because Alfie’s band will be performing and they want to protect Lily. Lily convinces them that it will be okay and that they shouldn’t back out. They think they can be in and out before Alfie even appears. Well Murphy’s Law would have it, it doesn’t work out that way.

When Lily and Alfie cross paths you can tell that there is still very deep feelings still left in them. Lily is trying very hard to not go down the heart break path again because she knows if she gets involved it won’t end well but Alfie is trying his hardest to prove to Lily that he has changed and he wants to be with Lily?Can he work his magic on Lily or will Lily be strong and resist the feelings she has for him?

I have lived my
whole life with comments from both, relative strangers and close friends
telling me I should write a book. People continually tell me I have an ability
to tell a story and make even the mundane sound interesting. (I’m personally
not aware of that.)

The thought of
doing this, was something I never thought I would entertain, because being
dyslexic, during my childhood and adolescence, I found it very difficult to get
past how to spell something, never mind how coherent the sentence sounded. So
writing a few paragraphs usually made me sweat.

As a child I
discovered coping strategies and developed my own ways of getting by, I wasn’t
stupid by any stretch of the imagination, but left school at fifteen without
any academic qualifications. I wasn’t diagnosed with dyslexia until I attended
university at the age of thirty.

(Both of my
children were diagnosed with dyslexia, one at the age of seven and one much
later, although, I could see my traits present in him, and both have excelled
academically in their chosen professions.

Thanks to the
invention of the computer and information technology, my world changed. I
learned how to communicate in written form effectively, not afraid to use
language present in my oral skills that were lacking in my written work, for
fear of spelling them wrongly, which gave me the confidence to write the books.
Had I, had to write a book on paper, I know I would never have finished the
first page.

I recently
discovered the joy of writing after a challenge by a friend, which turned into
three books. As I am constantly challenging others to face their demons, I
decided, after some persuasion, to brave it out and share the books with
others. I don’t have any expectations for them other than to tell the
story.

This was a huge
step for me, and took courage because there are so many fabulous clever people
out there, writing amazing pieces of work that sadly, very few people ever
see.

My work:
I have had the pleasure (and the drama) of working in The National Health
Service and in an independent capacity for Social Services in the UK for many
years. My work has been supporting many women, children, young people, and
families during this time. Sometimes, this has been at some of the toughest or
most vulnerable times in their lives.

During this
time I have observed the communications of all parties involved both, in their
relationships with others and how their decisions affect the subsequent
outcomes for them and others. I have shared in the births and in the deaths of
some of these people, and I never take advantage of the privilege my position
brings me.

People ask what
does the K.L. stand for K.L. Shandwick is a pseudonym. This isn’t to ‘hide’
behind, (I am not ashamed of what I’ve written), but to afford my clients the
appropriate level of confidentiality by association. So, K L stands for KL. I
am an independent author, who presently self publishes through kindle, but I
hope to have a print copy of my books shortly.

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Book Promo/ The Everything Trilogy

Posted on April 25, 2014April 25, 2014 by Cindy

BOOK 1

Amazon US Amazon UK

Want To Read ~ Goodreads

Lily’s friends in London regard her as having the whole package. Smart, beautiful, and musically talented, she’s finally realised her dream to study in the USA, by securing a music place at college in Miami. She regards herself as worldly, having lived the London life and travelled to Mumbai to work in an orphanage in the past, so felt more than able to cope with living and studying abroad.

On arrival in Florida, everything on the surface seems to be running to plan. That is, until a chance encounter on campus with a stunningly handsome, charismatic, rock-god-like musician, Alfie, leads her into a no-strings sexual relationship with him. Until she arrived in the USA, Lily had tried to avoid personal relationships with the opposite sex, not wanting anything to affect her plans. She was sexually naïve but after meeting Alfie, she convinces herself she’s able to deal with what Alfie is offering her. What follows takes Lily on a roller coaster of emotions and after a surprise visit from Max, her friend and room mate’s brother it leaves her questioning her morals.

At college Lily quickly teams up with Will, a handsome sax player, who helps her develop her creative ideas and performs with her as a duo in the Miami music scene. A series of bad choices in her relationships with Alfie, Max and Will, create emotional turmoil for Lily which leaves her doubting her judgement about men. Each of the three men has a special place in her heart for different reasons. She realises that she’s no match for Alfie and tries to resist his attention. He’s told her he can’t love her, but wants to be with her physically, arguing, sex between them is enough. The reality for Lily is she knows enough isn’t everything.

He pulled himself up and sat back on his heels,
tracing his hands up to my rib cage and down my sides with the pads of his
fingertips. I shivered and smiled softly, but winced at the same time,
trying to squirm away from the pangs of pleasure and the ticklish
sensation he was awakening in me. “I enjoy touching you, Lily.”
He smiled.

He was watching my reactions, smiling
seductively at the effect he was having on me. The more aroused I became,
the less inhibited I felt. My passion was building for him, and I wanted
more than this.

My hands explored his beautiful, strong, hard
body, and he shivered when I hit an erogenous zone just under his ribs on
the side.

When I did this, a loud groan escaped.
“Fuck, you’re driving me crazy. I want you, so much.” His voice
was shaky and he threw his head back when I kept stroking his body.

BOOK 2

Amazon US Amazon UK

Want To Read ~ Goodreads

Lily’s back on her home turf in London for Christmas, after a turbulent term, studying music in Miami. She wonders if her relationship with Will can survive their stupidity and what this means for their music collaboration. Lily realises all too late, that she’s fallen hard for Alfie despite his declaration to her that he can’t love her. This has left Lily devastated, knowing that the man she loves will never feel the same for her. Meanwhile, Alfie has continued his relentless pursuit of Lily to take what he wants from her, testing her resolve not to continue their relationship. She had found the strength to resist all of his advances, until the night before she flew home. After giving herself one last night with him, she fled across the Atlantic, thinking time and distance with family and friends would help heal her broken heart. What Lily never expected, was for her traumatic love life to follow her, both to London and Miami through the chapters of her life, during the following year. Her music career and studies improve tremendously though, fuelling her performance and personal identity, but her love life is as complex as ever. Alfie makes some disclosures which could be game changers for the both of them, and asks for her trust and time. Lily wonders if she should trust him, asking herself if Alfie could ever be, everything she needs?

Alfie was tentative at first, dancing in a
restrained way. We’d danced together at Christmas so I knew how flirty he could
get on the dance floor. I decided to take the initiative and grabbed his hips
as we swayed together in time with the music.

He began to lose himself in the dance and found
his natural rhythm, his hands moving over my body…

BOOK 3

Amazon US Amazon UK

His strong arms held me tightly, like he might never get the chance to do this again. The front of his hard body came flush with mine. I could feel he was aroused as he tilted his hips into mine. My body went stiff, and I fought with everything I had inside me to resist him, but I still craved the closeness with him.

Alfie let out a shuddery breath and kissed the skin on my neck before drawing his nose the length of it and letting me go. In my head I was telling myself to get out of there before something happened between us. Because if it did… I knew I’d be lost to him all over again.

This was a huge
step for me, and took courage because there are so many fabulous clever people
out there, writing amazing pieces of work that sadly, very few people ever
see.

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Media Event/ We Create Change Tour

Posted on April 24, 2014April 24, 2014 by Cindy

I was invited to take part in the We Create Change Tour yesterday that was going to be held in one of the local schools in the area.

The We Create Change Tour is a an epic road trip that is touring across Canada ( from Newfoundland to British Columbia) and its happening from April 11th to June 17th. Its like a mini version of We Day with a school setting.

The amazing speakers on this tour is Spencer West, Hannah Alper and the Canadian band Neverest.

Spencer West is the author of Standing Tall: My Journey and a Me to We motivational speaker. Spencer lost his legs at the age of five due to a genetic disorder called sacral agenesis and since then he has never let anything stop him from doing what he wants. In 2011 he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and in 2013 he walked from Edmonton to Calgary on his hands and in his wheelchair to fundraise for Free The Children.

Sadly we didn’t get the chance to meet and talk with Spencer personally but this is the second time we have heard him speak and he truly is an amazing person. He was entertaining and funny.

Michael and I have made it our mission that the next time he is in town we are going to meet him.

We are currently reading his book Standing Tall: My Journey.

This is my second time meeting the totally amazing Hannah Alper. She is wise beyond her years. She is the same age as Michael, 11 years old.

Even though she is cute as can be she doesn’t want to be know for that, she wants to be known for all the work she has done and wants to show kids that you are never to you to make changes.

Hannah has a blog called CallMeHannah.ca .

Hannah is a Me to We inspirational speaker, Free The Children ambassador, blogger and youth activist.

Every time I hear Hannah speak I am always blown away because she is such a great speaker. Hannah is a great spokesperson to have because I think kids can relate to her and look to her for inspiration and she is a great role model for kids.

Michael was absolutely thrilled that he got to meet Hannah and they spoke for a few minutes.

(Neverest 2014) Greg, Spyros, Michael and Paul

Ever since meeting Neverest at We Day in the fall I have been a fan.

They are a Canadian pop band and they are currently working on their first full length album which I hope will be out very soon.

Michael was thrilled when he found out that he was going to meet them. He has been watching their youtube videos for several months now.

I have to admit that I actually fan girled a bit because Paul knew who I was before I re-introduced myself to the guys. I think I was pretty cool and collected on the outside but on the inside I have to admit I was freaking out a little bit.

I will include the videos I took of the two songs they played yesterday at the end of this post.

Watching Neverest interact with the kids I was so impressed with them even more. The took the time to speak with the kids and sign autographs. I think this shows what a great group of guys they are.

I know Michael said he wish he could have gotten their autographs and at the time we didn’t really think of it but I told him that there is always a next time.

The We Create Change Tour is part of the Free The Children’s Year of Education. They are fundraising in hopes of building 200 schools in the Free The Children’s developing communities around the world.

In the past 19 years they have built 650 schools and school rooms through the Adopt a Village model.

The adopt a village is designed to remove the barriers to educate. They are providing communities with clean water, health care, food, security, and economic enpowerment. They want to enable these communities so that they can break the cycle of poverty.

Did you know that 57 million children are still denied access to education?

If your interested in donating please follow this link: http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/adopt-a-village/

I want to thank Free The Children/ Enfants Entraide for inviting Michael and I to this event.