Category: blogging

Sunday's In Bed With

Sunday’s In Bed With

Posted on by Cindy

This is being hosted by two of the sweetest people I have the privilege of knowing in real life, Kate and Kim. Sadly we don’t talk like we use to because you know real life happens but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of them both.

What a week it has been for me this week. It actually started last week (June 10th) I had horrible hip pain/upper thigh pain that wouldn’t go away so I ended doing the heat/cold, etc and finally went to physical therapy which seemed to help but then this past Monday I was in excruciating pain that I decided to go to the emergency. For me to go to emergency indicates the pain level it was. The ER dr thinks this could be MS related but can’t say for sure so I have an emergency appointment with the neurologist on Tuesday until then I am taking medication but its not really helping so this is going to be a long weekend.

Anyways on to the books which sadly isn’t much since I can’t get comfortable enough to read. I did finish up:

Prince Charming (Royals, #1)

Currently reading:

Her Royal Highness (Royals, #2)

What are you reading?

Great Summer Reads Day 15 – Pajama Party:The Story

Posted on by Cindy
E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals. 
 
Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years naturally led to her current endeavor of writing inspirational romance novels and teen and young adult fiction. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.

~ Facebook ~ Amazon ~
  
Most sleepovers are simple. Food, fun, and
pillow fights. But sixteen-year-old Karen Duncan has bigger plans for her
slumber party. Family troubles have changed her over the past year, and she’s
no longer the petty, selfish girl she used to be. Now she’s ready to shake
things up with her friends. The guest list comes as a surprise to some and a
slap in the face to others. This popular girl has invited some not-so-popular
guests. Even more shocking, she’s left out some of the girls she’s hung out
with since middle school.Diane and Evette are outsiders, nervous about being stuck in a house with the
same girls who tease them at school. Kathy, Lisa, and Joann come to the party
with the confidence of the in-crowd, but they’re masking inner-turmoil that is
bound to surface. Sandy and Angela are usually the voices of reason…usually.
And then there’s Linda, the friend that got away. She may not ever forgive the
girls who abandoned her years ago. Karen hopes to change her mind.

Her agenda is ambitious, and it could spell disaster. But Karen is convinced
God will use this party to spark a new beginning for everyone involved. This
companion book to A Living Hope gives us the inspired story Sadie Cummings
wrote for the girls of Shiatown.

 

 

Snippet:
Joann
wiped a wet cotton ball over Karen’s cheeks. “Stop frowning. Keep still.” She
tossed the cotton ball into the wastebasket and picked up a makeup sponge.
“Parents need to give their teens more freedom. My folks are never in sync with
me. Of course, I’m always right.”
“Unless
you’re wrong,” said Kathy. “My parents understand me perfectly, so they limit
my activities. My mom said, ‘We’re saving you from yourself.’ I like that.”
“It
sounds like a conspiracy to me,” said Linda. “My dad said the same thing last
weekend. He keeps trying to ruin my social life. Three of my friends wanted me
to spend the night with them in Tulsa after the game Saturday.”
“Your
parents are different from my folks. They would laugh if I asked to spend a
night out of town with friends without a chaperone. I’m not allowed to ask them
pointless questions,” said Diane. “Did you expect them to say yes? Did the
other girls stay overnight?”
“Two
of them did, and they convinced three other girls to join them.”

 

Someone
had to get the room for them. Five parents allowed their teenage daughters to
spend the night unsupervised in Tulsa. Doing what?” asked Angela.

 

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Great Summer Reads Day 14 – King’s Envoy, Book1 First Artesans Trilogy

Posted on by Cindy
Cas lives in the lovely county of Hampshire, southern UK, where she was born. On leaving school she trained for two years before qualifying as horse-riding instructor. During this time she also learned to carriage-drive. She spent thirteen years in the British Civil Service before moving to Rome, Italy, where she and her husband, Dave, lived for three years. They enjoy returning whenever they can. Cas supports many animal charities and owns two rescue dogs. She has a large collection of cacti and loves gardening. She is also a folk singer/songwriter and is currently writing and recording nine folk-style songs to accompany each of her fantasy books. You can listen to and download all the songs from her website: www.caspeace.com 
See the video of her performing live at the King’s Envoy book launch here: http://www.caspeace.com/cas-peace/the-wheel-will-turn

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Taran Elijah’s quest for knowledge
uncovers a plot that threatens the world…
In Albia, the fourth realm, the precious Artesan gift is dying. Although born to the craft, Taran is struggling to achieve his potential. Against his friends’ advice, he embarks on a foolhardy plan to acquire the teaching he craves. Alone, he crosses into Andaryon, the fifth realm, but instead of finding a mentor, he stumbles upon a treacherous plot.
In the wake of Taran’s actions, Albia suffers a series of vicious raids. Major Sullyan of the High King’s forces is sent to oppose them. But a dark and treacherous force is moving through the realms and both Taran and Sullyan will feel its power.
 
 
 
 

 


  
~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 

 
Snippet:
Taran’s metasenses pricked him
and he instantly woke, leaping to his feet and snatching his sword. He stopped
short, biting back a curse, as he registered the confident stance of the young
man standing before him. And he had every reason to be confident, Taran
realized, with armed hunters at his back. His failure to sense them sooner made
Taran scowl. Apprehensively, he waited for the man to speak.
“You’re trespassing, Albian.”
The man’s arrogant manner and
rich clothing confirmed Taran’s immediate suspicions—he was an Andaryan noble.
Taran’s sleep-muddled mind struggled to frame a reply but he wasn’t given the
leisure.
“The penalty for trespass is
death.”
Taran stared, knowing he was
trapped. The huntsmen stood with bows unnocked but he knew how swiftly they
could draw and shoot should he make a threatening move. And though the ugly
giant birds they had were hooded and leashed, they could be loosed in an
instant if he tried to run. His only chance lay in the bargain he hoped to
make. He opened his mouth to answer
but was again interrupted.
“However, I came out this day
for sport. What do you say to a duel, Albian, to determine your fate? If you
win, you’re free to leave. If you lose, you submit to my will.”
The noble’s pale, slit-pupiled
eyes were avid and he fingered the hilt of his sword as he spoke. The motion
drew Taran’s gaze. Events were moving a little fast for him despite this
seemingly favorable turn. He had not expected things to work out like
this—according to his father’s notes, he should be the one making the
challenge—but in the end, did it matter? And what choice did he have? The noble
had him at a severe disadvantage and would be within his rights should he
decide to kill Taran out of hand. Even if he wasn’t, there was nothing Taran
could do about it. No one would protect him if he could not protect himself.
He gathered his courage and
faced the noble. He looked a little younger than Taran’s twenty-eight years but
Taran had faith in his own skills. He was taller than the noble and he was
agile and fit, there was no reason to believe he would not win. And the noble
was an Artesan, Taran could sense it. He didn’t know what rank but that wasn’t
immediately important. His father’s notes indicated that Taran only had to
force a draw to win the right to the noble’s aid. If he turned out to be
incapable of teaching Taran himself, his duty would require him to find someone
who could.

 

“I accept,” he said, trying to
keep the nervousness from his voice. The younger man grinned and Taran frowned.
Those slit-pupiled eyes, unique to the Andaryan race, made his facial
expressions unfamiliar. Taran would have to be very careful when reading his
moves in the duel.

 

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

 

 

Great Summer Reads Day 13 – Death at the Dakota

Posted on by Cindy

 

Marni Graff writes two award-winning mystery series: The Nora Tierney English Mysteries and The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries. She teaches writing workshops and mentors the Writers Read program, and is Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press. 
 
 
 
Graff also writes the crime review blog Auntie M Writes, www.auntiemwrites.com.

 

 
Nurse Trudy Genova is making plans to
take her relationship to NYPD detective Ned O’Malley to the next level, when
she lands a gig as medical consultant on a film shoot at the famed Dakota
apartment building in Manhattan, which John Lennon once called home. Then star
Monica Kiley goes missing, a cast member turns up dead, and it appears Trudy
might be next. Meanwhile Ned tackles a mysterious murder case in which the
victim is burned beyond recognition. When his investigations lead him back to
the Dakota, Trudy finds herself wondering: how can she fall in love if she
can’t even survive?
Readers of Death Unscripted, the first
book in the Trudy Genova Manhattan Mystery series, will find the same pleasures
in this sequel: fast pacing, engaging characters, twists and turns on the way
to a satisfying close. From the award-winning author of The Nora Tierney
English Mysteries, this second series is a winner. Once again M.K. Graff
reveals her talents in crafting this delightful mix of amateur sleuth and
police procedural.
Part procedural, part cozy, Death at
the Dakota is a well-crafted and highly entertaining mystery.- Bruce Robert
Coffin, #1 bestselling author of the Detective Byron mysteries.  
I fell in love — not only with
co-protagonists, Trudy and Ned, the richly detailed and historic setting of The
Dakota, and the unique cast of characters, but with the unusual plot of Death
at the Dakota. Sherry Harris, Agatha Award nominated author of the Sarah
Winston Garage Sale Mysteries

 


  
~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
  
Snippet:
Rashid was right about one thing: the
trumpet gown with horizontal stripes did make Monica look like a Slinky. That
one went right back on the hanger, without debate from anyone.
          Next up, the Monique Lhullier, heavy
lace fitted down past Monica’s derriere that flowed into a wide circular train.
Expensive it might be, but it reminded me of the curtains from my Nana Genova’s
house.
          “Too heavy, Rashid,” Monica
complained. “I’m too short to carry all this around.” She didn’t mention the
way it strained over her small belly.
          The Jenny Packham was so sheer it
couldn’t be worn with any kind of undergarment. Made of silk charmeuse, it
shimmered as Monica dropped it over her head. “Packham’s done Sex and the City,
The Devil Wears Prada, and of course, Casino Royale,” Rashid gushed, adjusting
a large bow under the deep-V neckline. He stepped back. “There. What do you
think?”
          I thought Monica’s slightly rounded
belly showed in a too obvious way. “Does it remind you of a nightgown, Alice?”
I asked, raising my eyebrows and opening my green eyes wide to convey the
message “help me out here.”
          “Nix this one, Rashid,” Alice said
authoritatively. “She can’t wear a bra with it and you’ll never get those
nipples past the censor for the TV-G rating.”

 

 

 

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Great Summer Reads Day 12 – Healing Hands

Posted on by Cindy

 

 

Parents to four wonderful children, Jerry and Stephanie Jaeger enjoy working together as J.S. Jaeger to write uplifting, entertaining stories. 

 Jerry overcame bullying to earn his black belt in Kempo Karate. He served as a special agent for the FBI and currently works as a prosecutor. 

 Stephanie ran her own accounting practice for several years before turning her focus to writing Scrolls of Zndaria with Jerry. 

 Together, they are excited to bring readers of all ages into the magical world of Zndaria.

Denya’s excited to attend the Healing Hands Academy. It’s her chance to become a handmaiden, help others, and live a life of adventure.
 
But studying at the Academy isn’t everything she’d
hoped. The headmistress and many of the students still look down on human
handmaidens. It seems as quickly as she makes friends, she has to say goodbye.
And just as she starts gaining acceptance, she puts the other students in
danger.
 
Is Denya’s determination enough to see her through,
or will she be sent home, back to the peasant life she’s trying to escape?
The second Short Scroll of Zndaria, Healing Hands
parallels The Golden Wizard and allows readers to see the magical world of
Zndaria through Denya’s eyes. Readers will be reunited with favorite characters
from the main series as well as experience life in the Redwood Forest.
Buy this book today to get a glimpse into the world
of Zndaria or delve deeper into the journey that began in The Golden Wizard!

 


  
~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
  
Snippet:
Denya dashed forward, closing the gap between her
and the wolves. A wolf caught the back of one of trolls’ worn-out shirt in its
teeth. Denya brought her stick down on the wolf’s head. It skidded into the
ground with a piece of fabric stuck in its mouth. The young trolls escaped
across the bridge. The second wolf lunged at Denya. She met its chest with a
blow in mid-air. It fell to the ground. Snarling, both wolves rose and circled
Denya.
“Leave me alone!” She swung the stick frantically.
“Leave!” She fought to keep from panicking, but tears stung her eyes.

 

The wolves nipped at her. She struck one in the
snout. It growled and snapped at her again. Denya continued swinging her club,
searching for an escape that didn’t exist. One of the wolves bit her cloak,
ripping through the hem. She couldn’t remember a time she’d feared for her life
like this.
 

 

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

 

 

Great Summer Read Day Day 11 – Stevie-girl and the Phantom Pilot – Book One of Series

Posted on by Cindy

 

 

Ann has been a writer since junior high, but to pay the bills she has waited tables, delivered newspapers, cleaned other people’s houses, taught school, and had a stint as a secretary in a rock-n-roll radio station. She also worked as a 911 operator and a police dispatcher. 

Her fiction began to win awards during her college days. Since then she’s
published several short stories, novels, and novellas. She’s always reading and always writing, but even if she never sold another story, Ann would not stop writing. For her it’s a necessity, like breathing. Most of the time, it even keeps her sane.

 

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No matter who dares you, no matter what lures
you, do not go in the spooky old house…
 


When a small planes crashes behind Jase’s rural home, the ghost of the pilot begins to haunt him. Jase can’t figure out what to do until the day he sees his classmate, Stevie-girl, enter the legendary haunted house. That’s when he decides if anyone can help him solve the mystery, she’s the one. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Snippet:
The West Texas night wind
whispered and whistled around the window frames. I was in my mom’s favorite
chair reading The Tell-Tale Heart
when I heard the stuttering drone of a small plane. In our rural setting, it
sounded very low and very loud.
Then the noise stopped.
Lady, the German shepherd I’d
found lying mangled and near death beside the road, was standing in front of
the picture-window, head cocked to one side.
The silence was thick and cold.
As we watched, the tail of a small
plane disappeared behind the line of firs west of the house. There was still no
sound but the wind.

 

I dialed the operator and told her
what I’d seen. She immediately patched me through to the Sheriff’s office so I
could tell the dispatcher what had happened. Then I ran outside to see what I
could see. Lady was right behind me.
 

 

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

 

 

Sunday's In Bed With...

Sunday’s In Bed With…

Posted on by Cindy

This is being hosted by two of the sweetest people I have the privilege of knowing in real life, Kate and Kim. Sadly we don’t talk like we use to because you know real life happens but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of them both.

Its hard to believe that we are in the middle of June where is the time going? One week of exams are done for Michael and he has one more this upcoming week. Then I think by the end of the week we should know the results. I am sure I have nothing to worry about with Michael.

Anyways on to the books. This week I read and loved:

Currently reading and really enjoying:

Prince Charming (Royals, #1)

Up next will be:

Her Royal Highness (Royals, #2)

what are you reading today?