Breathless Reads 2012
1 week ago
12/30/11
While I'm Still Myself {My Thoughts}
While I'm Still Myself by Jeremy Mark LanePaperback 125 Pages
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
You can also read the ebook version online or buy for 99 cents at
I have no Amazon or Barnes and Nobles buy links at present as the book comes out on
Book Synopsis
A passionate December love affair.
The meeting of an unexpected traveler.
The consequences of protecting a young new acquaintance.
A journey into an unknown past.
In the stories of While I’m Still Myself, Jeremy Lane eloquently describes the life changing impact of the brief encounter, showing that life and love are not shaped by an entire lifetime, but by the fleeting moments with unexpected people in unexpected places.
My Thoughts
Short stories have always appealed to me as they are snippets of time intricately woven into tales that sometimes touch you deeper than those that encompass a full length novel. The emotions are sharper, the feelings are stronger and the characters more finely drawn as their time to impress the reader is so short as to be almost over before it has begun. In "While I'm Still Myself" we take many small journeys that in the end have common denominators, they all deal with love, loss, fear, hate, shame, and lives changed in one way or another for all time in some way or another.
This is not a light read, rather it will open you up to feelings that range from ecstasy to despair and at times make you feel so overwhelmed that it is hard to go on to the next tale. The entire novel does not take more than one sitting to go through and it empties you out while at the same time it fills you up with the knowledge that we all have to keep hoping even in the darkest of moments.
[This was an ecopy provided by author in exchange for an honest review. The book releases in January 2012.]
12/22/11
First In Series Book Winners.
List Randomizer
There were 7 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
7 Aurian (confirmed winner)
6 Anna
5 Mel
2 marybelle
1 buddyt
4 elaing8
3 Jewel
Timestamp: 2011-12-08 17:44:44 UTC
US WINNERS (X3) OF FIRST IN SERIES GIVEAWAY
List Randomizer
There were 7 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
5 JoAnna(confirmed)
3 throuthehaze(confirmed)
7 Denise Z(confirmed)
1 Cate Masters
6 lisagkendall
4 donnas
2 Lisa Richards/alterlisa
Timestamp: 2011-12-08 17:49:47 UTC
Joanna won Heart of Darkness
Denise Z won Crimson City
Through The Haze won The Sweet Scent of Blood
International Winner __7 Aurian Chose "The Sweet Scent of Blood" bySuzanne McLeod
Happy Reading to everyone!
12/21/11
TAKING OFF FOR HOLIDAYS....
One can dream and this looks so tranquil, wish was on vacation here!
Thanks to google.com for my wishful destination.
google.com provided this photo
Down time before New Years means no blogging!
Another place provided by photos from google.com
Dream vacation home with views of green and gorgeous splash of what looks like Bougainvillea flowers to me.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
12/20/11
Guardian of Time {My Thoughts}
Guardian of Time by Linda HawleyEBook Published October 26th 2011 By Nouveau Publishing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Synopsis
It’s the near future, and society is government controlled. Technology tracks everyone, personal privacy does not exist, and even food supplies are being monitored. The hope for freedom lies in the operations of an underground organization, GOG, which fights against worldwide oppression. Their most powerful weapon is Ann Torgeson, a paranormally-gifted operative, who unseals The Prophecies with her powers. With the government doggedly pursuing her, she goes underground, fleeing the Pacific Northwest, but not before leaving three murders, one suicide, and an explosion behind her. Will she and her companions survive to change the world after everything twists and turns upside down?
My Thoughts
Not only did Guardian of Time surpass book 1 Dreams Unleashed in terms of action and suspense but it also proved once again that good research, a very thrilling story and excellent characters are well worth waiting for. Ann has quite a few shocks to face in book 2, a betrayal that shocks her to her core and some revelations about past happenings that help explain what is going on in her present day life. Not only did I read as fast as possible but screamed in agony when the cliff hanger ending snuck up on me when I turned that last page. Linda Hawley has created a series that is going to turn certain peoples perspectives upside down when they read the first two books, a story that resonates with our current world and scares me to think just how much of it is really going on without us fully realizing it every day and most of all a series that allows readers to enjoy stepping out of their comfortable box of normal reading preferences for something that will challenge the imagination and at the same time entertain with every page you turn.
{I must disclose that this book was an ecopy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.}Places to Follow Author:
12/19/11
Author Anna Patricio Posting her Inspirations From Antiquity.
Please welcome my guest author today, she has a little bit to tell us of her love of ancient history and how she came about writing her debut novel so take a seat and like I did enjoy:
INSPIRATIONS FROM ANTIQUITY
by Anna Patricio
My debut novel 'Asenath' is about the little-known wife of Joseph of
the multi-colored coat. It may seem curious as to why I chose this
obscured, nearly forgotten woman of the Bible to write about - as a
matter of fact, when I tell people I have written about her, the most
common reaction I get is, "I didn't know Joseph had a wife!" (And let
me tell you, if I got a dollar everytime I heard that remark...)
However, that is exactly why she would make such a great topic for a
fiction. Because hardly anything is known about her, I am thus at
liberty to stretch my imagination as far as possible.
Of course, that is not the only reason why I chose to write about
Asenath. I have loved the Biblical account of Joseph for a long time.
Though I have been familiar with it since childhood, it was only later
in life that I came to see what a touching and powerful tale it truly
was. I really admire Joseph's strength of character, how he remained
sweet and kind despite the numerous travails that befell him, even
forgiving his brothers in the end. The more I delved deeper into
Joseph's story, the more I realized why he continues to serve as an
inspiration for many.
Then somehow, somewhere along the way, I grew curious about the
Egyptian woman he married. Like many people (probably majority of the
world's population, or so it would seem), I too did not know Asenath
existed until I began reading up extensively on Joseph.
"Wow, really, Joseph got married?" were my thoughts when I first heard
about Asenath.
All Genesis tells us about Asenath is that she was a priest's daughter
who was given in marriage to Joseph as his reward for interpreting
Pharaoh's dreams. I wanted to know more about her, and began to look
her up. Alas, my research was in vain. There was hardly anything on
her. There was a few ancient accounts on her, probably the most famous
one the Greek apocryphal text 'Joseph and Asenath.' But they were all
fictional.
I then thought I could possibly imagine what she *might* have been
like.... and write about it. I didn't really think to take it to the
next level though - revisions, research, seeking publication etc. But
soon I grew attached... embedded, even, in the writing of 'Asenath.'
It was hard to let go of it. It had become a part of my life.
I was indeed afforded much liberty, due to Asenath's obscure status.
But a degree of research was required. I derived some inspiration from
other accounts of Joseph, such as the abovementioned apocryphal text
and even some episodes from the Quran. And of course, I also
researched on the lifestyle in Ancient Egypt.
Where there were grey areas (for instance, what certain temple
ceremonies might have been like), I simply incorporated artistic
licence, while trying to make it as believable as possible. I love
what famed historical novelist, Eloise Jarvis McGraw (author of 'Mara,
Daughter of the Nile) said, "I am not saying this is how it happened.
I am not even saying this is how it might have happened... I am only
saying, 'What if it happened this way?'"
photos and all info provided by author
GOODREADS BOOK LINK FOR INFO
BOOK BLURB:
Two Destinies...One Journey of Love
In a humble fishing village on the shores of the Nile lives Asenath, a
fisherman's daughter who has everything she could want. Until her
perfect world is shattered.
When a warring jungle tribe ransacks the village and kidnaps her,
separating her from her parents, she is forced to live as a slave. And
she begins a journey that will culminate in the meeting of a handsome
and kind steward named Joseph.
Like her, Joseph was taken away from his home, and it is in him that
Asenath comes to find solace…and love. But just as they are beginning
to form a bond, Joseph is betrayed by his master’s wife and thrown
into prison.
Is Asenath doomed to a lifetime of losing everything and everyone she loves?
GOODREADS BOOK LINK FOR INFO
BOOK BLURB:
Two Destinies...One Journey of Love
In a humble fishing village on the shores of the Nile lives Asenath, a
fisherman's daughter who has everything she could want. Until her
perfect world is shattered.
When a warring jungle tribe ransacks the village and kidnaps her,
separating her from her parents, she is forced to live as a slave. And
she begins a journey that will culminate in the meeting of a handsome
and kind steward named Joseph.
Like her, Joseph was taken away from his home, and it is in him that
Asenath comes to find solace…and love. But just as they are beginning
to form a bond, Joseph is betrayed by his master’s wife and thrown
into prison.
Is Asenath doomed to a lifetime of losing everything and everyone she loves?
author photo and bio provided by author
AUTHOR BIO:
Anna Patricio is a lover of ancient history, with a particular
interest in Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. She is also intrigued by
the Ancient Near East, though she has not delved too much into it but
hopes to one day.
She undertook formal studies in Ancient History at Macquarie
University. She focused mostly on Egyptology and Jewish-Christian
Studies, alongside a couple of Greco-Roman units, and one on
Archaeology. Though she knew there were very limited job openings for
ancient history graduates, she pursued her degree anyway as it was
something she had always been passionate about.
Then, about a year after her graduation, the idea to tackle historical
fiction appeared in her head, and she began happily pounding away on
her laptop. ASENATH is her first novel.
Recently, she traveled to Lower Egypt (specifically Cairo and the
Sinai), Israel, and Jordan. She plans to return to Egypt soon, and see
more of it. In the past, she has also been to Athens and Rome.
Anna is currently working on a second novel, which still takes place
in Ancient Egypt, but hundreds of years after ASENATH.
12/18/11
Books Devoured: 25 Days of Jubilation
Books Devoured: 25 Days of Jubilation: Welcome to Day 5 of 25 Days of Jubilation! 25 Days of Jubilation is hosted by Cyndi at DOG EARED AND BOOKMARKED , Jacinda at
THE READING HOUSEWIVES and Yani at THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AVID READER .
THE READING HOUSEWIVES and Yani at THE SECRET LIFE OF AN AVID READER .
photo from Books Devoured giveaway post
Shannon is giving away either a $20 book of choice from Amazon to US winner or $20 book of choice from TBD for International winner. Go to her blog to get full details and enter using link at beginning of post above!
12/17/11
Book Excerpt/Guest-Author Susan Bennett/International Giveaway for Grace
blurb, bio and photo provided by author
Book Blurb
Four women are about to start a mob war – and nails WILL be broken.
Some epiphanies look like diamonds. Isabella Albrici's diamond shaped epiphany begins when her womanising husband, Domenic, frames her and her best friend Teresa for his diamond smuggling operation to save himself from jail. Prime targets for the prison’s resident psychopath, they’ll be lucky to survive jail, even luckier to survive if they get out – thanks to Domenic, ‘the family’ thinks Isabella is an FBI informant. The big house ain't no fun house, but for Isabella and Teresa, it’s the safest house there is – until the evidence keeping them there suddenly goes missing.
Ladies, you are free to go.
Ah, if it’s all the same to you, maybe we’ll just stay where we are.
No chance. Close the door on your way out.
Ah shit. Thanks very much.
Some epiphanies are shaped like diamonds – others, like bullets. Sometimes grace is received; sometimes grace has to be earned. For years, these mob wives have lived off the wages of sin, now the path to redemption is clear: they gotta whack their old men.
Welcome to the inaugural general meeting of the first chapter of the New Jersey Mob Suffragette’s Whack Club.
Salut.
Book Excerpt and author's bio is followed by giveaway rules.
12/16/11
Making A Character Come Alive-Author Roberta Smith Guest Post/International Giveaway.
photo courtesy of goodreads.com
From the author, who gave us a very unique paranormal mystery, here is Roberta Smith's take on her characters making a positive impact and in her tale they surely do on the reader!:Making a Character Come Alive
One of the essential needs of human beings (after the basics like food, water, sex, shelter, love) is to have an answer to the question: What is the meaning of life? And when it becomes pretty clear that the answer is possibly not to be known or is a matter of opinion, many of us become satisfied with having a positive purpose for our own life. In fact, if we don’t have one, some of us may even sink to the level of despair.
In my book The Secret of Lucianne Dove I’ve created two characters driven by the need to give positive meaning to their lives. One is Lucianne, a prostitute from the Old West. I created her after traveling to ghost towns and old mining towns of California, Arizona and Nevada. The “soiled doves” of this era fascinated me. Take away the romantic images Hollywood has given us for some of these women and you’ll find a desperate way of life. It got me thinking, what if there was a woman in this situation who wanted to get out? What if society wouldn’t let her? What if she had to come back from the grave to change the legacy of her life? And what if there was a tormented soul from the present who could help her do it?
Enter my protagonist, Mickey. He’s suffering because he can’t get past something he did wrong decades earlier. This deed so stained him that it has become the meaning of his existence. His life’s purpose narrowed to finding something that will make up for what he did. So what if the soiled dove from the past could help Mickey at the same time he’s helping her?
In creating memorable characters, it’s important to go beyond what they look like, what they do, and what their back story is to what drives them. For me, knowing a character’s essential life-need is what breathes life into the fictional person and makes him or her authentic.
Mickey is real to me and very dear to my heart. So much so that after I finished Lucianne, I needed to spend more time with him. This resulted in two follow-up novels. Chapel Playhouse finds Mickey in a frightening situation, unraveling a mystery, saving a life, and battling a malicious, misguided ghost. The Accordo, to be released next year, puts Mickey through the wringer to such a degree that he may not be up for any more paranormal adventures. That’s why my fourth novel is a change-of-pace romance.
About the author:
photo from Goodreads.com
Roberta's Goodreads Author page
Roberta's Web Site
Roberta is a native of Southern California and a graduate of the University of Redlands. She lives with her husband and writes full time. She is the happy member of two clubs: The High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club and Victor Valley Vettes Corvette Club. She loves to explore the paranormal, go on outings with her hubby, and ponder the meaning of life (sometimes).
GIVEAWAY RULES:
*Do not have to follow blog.*
*Must leave a comment for author with valid contact email for entry.*
*Giveaway is for 1 PB copy of book and 1 Kindle edition copy of book provided to winners by author.*
*INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WELCOME*
Ends 12/30/11 at 12 noon CST
Winners will be picked using Random.org, contacted, confirmed, info sent to author and posted on the blog no later than 1/8/2012 dues to holidays.
*Do not have to follow blog.*
*Must leave a comment for author with valid contact email for entry.*
*Giveaway is for 1 PB copy of book and 1 Kindle edition copy of book provided to winners by author.*
*INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WELCOME*
Ends 12/30/11 at 12 noon CST
Winners will be picked using Random.org, contacted, confirmed, info sent to author and posted on the blog no later than 1/8/2012 dues to holidays.
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