REVIEW + Giveaway - A Separate Heaven by Alex Disanti (with Trivia Game and Scavenger Hunt)

Welcome to the next stop in the A Separate Heaven Series by Alex Disanti Tour! There are going to be reader games at each stop, giving readers a chance to win a kindle copy of A Separate Heaven at each stop.

In addition, we'll be having a Scavenger Hunt throughout the tour, and you will get an additional chance to win a Kindle Copy.

You will have to gather 10 clues, one clue at each stop. Once you have gathered all ten, email your findings to bk@vbtcafe.com for a chance at a Kindle Copy of A Separate Heaven.

A Separate Heaven 
by Alex Disanti
Publisher: Still Waters LTD
Published: January 25, 2010
Genre: Mystery | Romantic Suspense
Buy: Amazon

A DARK, SEXY THRILLER
The enigmatic Dominic Gianelli is a man whose immense wealth and power have earned him respect and admiration from the social elite of both Europe and America. But his legitimate wealth has long been rumored to mask the secrets and dark corners in his world. Nearing fifty, he lives by a strict code and allows few people to know him.

Beyond his carefully crafted image of sophistication, Dominic is a man with a tight grip on those around him. But a chance meeting with twenty-year-old Paige Hamilton forever changes his life.

Paige Hamilton is just beginning to find her own place in the world, away from her affluent, Long Island family. A striking beauty, she is a financial prodigy and a trusted market analyst climbing the ladder at a prestigious, New York investment firm where Dominic is a client. Their connection upon meeting is instant and profound.

Their first dinner date takes an unexpected turn and becomes a night neither will forget. But Dominic has doubts about a long-term love. His world can be dangerous and he fears for Paige s safety should she commit herself to him. Despite any qualms, he finds he cannot give her up. Her family objects, unsure of Dominic s secretive lifestyle.

Their relationship takes a surreal turn when Paige becomes engulfed in Dominic s world of tight security, clandestine meetings and increasingly erratic behavior.

Enter A Separate Heaven. Meet the characters and get to know them. From Long Island to the shores of the Mediterranean, this engrossing drama will hold you spellbound.

Book 2
Published: July 16, 2012
Buy: Amazon

The intriguing saga of the Hamilton and Gianelli families continues as book two takes them back to Salerno and Paige proves herself to be the asset the Gianellis have hoped she would be. Dominic’s aunt, Sophia, sees the couple as her last and only tie to a glorious but tragic past in Italy. With the nephew's marriage to Paige, Sophia's unspoken dream is rekindled, for in her mind, she now sees a chance for Dominic to rebuild what once was.

A mysterious incident abroad has far reaching implications stateside and creates havoc for members of both families. Information revealed in court has an impact on Paige because closely held secrets of the Hamilton family are revealed.

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Book 3
Published: September 17, 2012
Buy: Amazon

The drama builds as Paul Hamilton's betrayal of Dominic Gianelli fuels the D.A. to action. A fiasco of events causes Paige to fall ill and nearly costs her life. Dominic learns of the betrayal and the vile and duplicitous acts by his father-in-law and the D.A. Sacred boundaries have been crossed and forgiveness is not an option.

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​Author Bio: Alex Disanti lives in the Texas Hill Country.  While writing has been a lifelong love for her, A Separate Heaven is her first novel.  Early works were mainly poetry and short stories.  As A Separate Heaven progressed from thought to paper, friends and family began reading the manuscript.  Then, in an effort to test the marketability of the material, she enlisted the aid of what she calls her “test readers.” These readers vary in age, occupation and background.  It simply grew from there.  Alex’s rich detail brought the characters to life, and the ensuing chapters could not come quickly enough for her readers.

My Review


Author Links - 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.disanti.5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASeparateHeaven 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexDisanti 
Website/Blog http://alexdisanti.com

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Schedule

Tour Wide Giveaway: TWO $25 Amazon Gift Cards

Kindle Ebook Giveaway At Every Stop With Games

March 6 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
March 7 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books
March 9 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
March 11 - Reviewed at Bellevue Book Reviews
March 11 - Guest Blogging at My Book Tour
March 14 - Guest Blogging at Jody's Book Reviews
March 16 - Review & Guest Blogging at Read That Also
March 21 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words Book Blogger
March 25 - Review & Guest Blogging at Between Books
March 25 - Author Interviewed at Avenue Books​
March 28 - Reviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt

Giveaway

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**Clue**

Game Post

Which phrase is often used in describing A Separate Heaven?? Post the answer in a comment!

BLOG TOUR + Giveaway - Beating Cancer by Dr. Melinda C. Hill

WELCOME TO THE NEXT STOP IN THE BLOG TOUR!

 

Book Genre: Health, fitness, wellness, healing
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: October 30, 1015 and Oct. 18, 2015 for the ebook
Buy Link(s): Hard Copy | Amazon

Book Description:

Beating Cancer is a powerful illustration of God's healing power through the eyes of one of His favored daughters, Melinda Hill. This book is for anyone who is in the fight of their lives and wants to experience victory, discover their true identity, and achieve great success in their health, both physically and spiritually. Use the action steps in this book for living a healthier life, walk in your God-given authority, and live the life that God intended when He sent His son to bore our sicknesses. TAKE UP THY BED AND WALK! I won my fight and I continue to battle on a daily basis to remain cancer-free. In this book, I will share how the combination of faith, favor, and fulfillment can cause you to win your battle.




INSIDE:
* Actions steps for living a cancer-free life.
* Discover God's promises and keys to unlocking your inheritance.
* How to develop a winning mindset.
* 5 ways to beat cancer every day.
* American Anti-Cancer Institute's number one recommendation for natural products
* What to do while waiting on the next doctor's appointment.
* And much, much, more!

Blog Post
The hardest part of this journey, when I really got down, was during the week of doctor visits. I had to really work hard during that week to reframe my doctor visits as a time of celebration, a time when I would get good news to affirm that God is good and that God is a healer. These were days when I really had to get in the scriptures and really encourage myself as David did in 1 Samuel 30:6. I had to preach to myself and be my own cheerleader.  Like David, I placed very little confidence in men. I didn’t have anyone who knew what I was going through.
I would be fine the whole three months in between my visits, however, the week of and the day of the actual visit took a toll on me. It took me about two years to stop dreading doctor visits and to start looking at them as an opportunity to give thanks because good news was coming. With each report, with each test, I knew this was just confirmation that I was still cancer-free.   It was during these times that I felt the battle between my spirit man and my flesh.  The battle was real for me around these doctor visit days. I really had to battle my flesh.  I didn't have anyone to talk to.  I didn't have anyone who had already been through what I was going through.  I didn’t have anyone who would understand that inside turmoil that happens on doctor visit days or the week of the visit.  
So what do you do?  This journey is continuous.  The fight doesn’t end.  Even though I am cancer-free, I just had my 3-year colonoscopy this week along with blood work as another confirmation that God is a healer; the fight doesn’t end.  Every day is a fight for my life.  I am most successful when I combine my faith with knowledge and action; it’s a powerful combination.
       Throughout the chapters in this book, I have provided several references to weapons in my arsenal of fighting cancer.  Now, I want to share the research and information with you so that you, too, can be armed with weapons to fight.  In between doctor visits, whether it is months or years, you must continue to fight to win.  There cannot be a time of relaxation because you’ve received a cancer-free diagnosis.  You can’t eat whatever you want, put anything and everything in your body, neglect taking preventative measures, or fail to exercise to clean out the lymph system.  This is a fight and while waiting, you have to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 
       My weapons of mass destruction against cancer are my faith in God, favor over my life as His child, and the fulfillment of promises He has made to me.  Along with my faith, I have to have action.  Here are my favorite actions steps in winning this battle and where you can find weapons to add to your arsenal. 

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Author Bio:

Melinda is a coach, author, researcher, and cancer survivor.  Melinda is an ordained minister; however, it’s not a title she uses because it is every Christian’s role to minister; licensed or not.  Melinda's educational background has been focused in the areas of business, coaching and counseling. She holds a doctorate in higher education and organizational change, a master’s degree in counselor education and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. She is also a graduate of the Executive and Professional Coaching Program from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Working primarily in the health care, communication and education arenas, Melinda has devoted herself to helping individuals meet their goals; whether it is personal or professional.
Partnering with people for success is her mission. Leading an ethical, balanced, purposeful life while living your dreams are guiding principles for Melinda.
​
As a coach, Melinda is supporting and encouraging. She has a unique ability to support her clients while holding them accountable for their desired outcomes. She is known as a change agent.




Author Links - www.melindachill.com; www.facebook.com/drmelindachill

Follow The Tour Here

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BLOG TOUR + Giveaway - Developing Minds; An American Ghost Story by Jonathan LaPoma

WELCOME TO THE NEXT STOP IN THIS BLOG TOUR!   Developing Minds; An American Ghost Story by Jonathan LaPoma Book Genre: Literary Fiction Publisher: Laughing Fire Press Release Date: September 14, 2015 Buy Link(s): Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Minds-American-Ghost-Story/dp/0967492297/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442109831&sr=8-2&keywords=developing+minds Barnes and Noble.com:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/developing-minds-jonathan-lapoma/1122192543?ean=9780967492292 Book Description: -"Raw and edgy. . . Entertaining and authentic look at the troubled American education system. . ." --Kirkus Reviews, Recommended Review -"Should be required reading for anyone who is considering or has ever considered teaching as a career. . . most highly recommended." --Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review -"A scathing comic novel . . . sort of a M*A*S*H for Miami schoolteachers." --Patrick Murtha, Book 'em, Danno -"Incredibly artistic . . . raw and endearing." --San Francisco Book Review -"A multi-faceted exploration of growth, maturity, and eventual transformation. . ." --D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review -Finalist in 2015 Stargazer Literary Prizes for best Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY follows a group of recent college graduates who struggle with feelings of alienation and their addictions as they try to survive a year of teaching at two dysfunctional Miami public schools. A poetic and insightful coming-of-age novel, DEVELOPING MINDS is centered on 24-year-old Luke Entelechy, an aspiring writer who sees his creative output suffer when he begins teaching at one of Miami's most challenging middle schools. As the year progresses, however, Luke begins to relate to the neglect and abuse his students suffer, and is faced with a haunting decision: continue to let his dark past destroy him, or rise above the struggle to realize his potential as an artist and a real human being. Equal parts disturbing and humorous, DEVELOPING MINDS offers a brutally honest look at the American public school system and the extreme measures many teachers take to cope with working in it. Excerpt We joined the herd and sat somewhere in back.  Some far-too-energetic young woman, who probably had a horrible childhood she never left, was hopping around onstage trying to contrive spirit as some ‘80s pop crap blasted from speakers behind her.  She was nearly out of breath, punctuating her performance with “Yeah”s and “Super”s.  The music soon stopped, and she stepped to the mic. “Congratulations to all of you for being where you are.  You now join the wonderful family that is the MPSD.” “Yeah, the dysfunctional family,” said the brunette sitting beside Billy. “And we’re their bastard children,” Billy said. “I really hope that woman isn’t the mother,” I said. “She fucking scares me.” The bitch onstage was smiling like a goddamned idiot. The brunette held out her hand. “The name’s Abbi.  I just got sentenced to West Miami High.” “Hey, my school’s the feeder to yours!” I said, with far too much enthusiasm.  I hung my head. “Yeah, and my school’s the feeder to Dade County Corrections,” she said. Billy let out a loud snort.  Several people turned around to see where it came from.  I started chuckling. Some crazy, old woman stumbled onto the stage, and the cheerleader passed her the mic.  The woman spared no time in upping the day’s level of insanity. “Hello, my name is Sandy Frankles, and I’m the Deputy Superintendent of the Miami Public Schools District, and I want to say that I’m appalled by the likes of your filthy people slandering our dear Superintendent’s name.  Dana Canterbury never misappropriated any funds and to suggest that her recent purchase of a yacht in any way hurt our children makes you a damned fool—” The cheerleader came back out and yanked the mic away from Ms. Frankles.  Her words were amplified through the speakers. “Sandy . . . SANDY, this is the new teacher orientation, not a press conference.  Get it together!” Ms. Frankles, who may have been drunk, took back the mic. “I’m sorry, I mistook you all for something you weren’t.  Fear not, for I have the ability to change gears quickly, and I will deliver you a wonderful introduction.  That is, after all, what they’re paying me for—” “Yeah, too much!” yelled a heckler.                 Ms. Frankles pointed indiscriminately into the crowd. “I wouldn’t take a red cent that wasn’t mine!  Show yourself, you coward!”                 The cheerleader grabbed the mic away from Ms. Frankles and started ushering her from the stage. “Okay, okay, Sandy, I think we’ve got enough from you today.” But Sandy wasn’t going quietly.  She kept pumping her fists and threatening she’d show us all!  “What the hell was that about?” I said. “I don’t know, but it can’t be good for business,” Billy said. I scanned the crowd, but no one seemed fazed by what had just happened. People were texting, sleeping, reading books, and one woman was even crocheting a blanket.  Perhaps this was just another day in Paradise . . . Guest Post How I Came up with the Idea for Developing Minds In 2009, I finished writing a novel based on my experiences living in Mexico for about five months after I graduated college. I was severely depressed and had a lot of dark thoughts, but something about Mexico seeped inside me and made me chose life. When I finished writing the novel, I thought I’d said what I’d wanted to say about life and my experiences with it. But, in July of 2012, I took a road trip to Big Sur, and on the ride up the Pacific Coast Highway, I got to thinking about my experiences teaching at an at-risk middle school in Miami in 2007—and the personal, professional, and creative growths I had there—and realized the story wasn’t over. I started writing it almost immediately after I got back to San Diego, and finished the first draft in about a month. DEVELOPING MINDS is a sort of a loosely-linked sequel to the Mexican novel, UNDERSTANDING THE ALACRAN, and it shows the protagonist’s growth while trying to fit into society after returning from Mexico. My intention with DEVELOPING MINDS wasn’t to demonize teachers or the public school system—I simply wanted to show a portrait of these as true to my experiences with them as possible, while showing how these experiences affected the main character’s maturation and eventual transformation as a writer. DEVELOPING MINDS is more a coming-of-age story than it is a story about teachers and teaching. But while the focus is on the protagonist’s growth, I did want to raise awareness for some of the issues plaguing the American public school system, because they’re important for people to see and because I felt there were some parallels between these issues and those affecting the protagonist’s development. Some of these issues include assessing labels to complex things which reduce them into easily-classifiable stereotypes, ignoring child abuse/neglect even when it’s painfully obvious, pushing kids to master subjects/tasks when they don’t have the requisite skills to do so and calling them failures when they don’t achieve… On top of telling my story, with DEVELOPING MINDS I wanted to do two things: 1. Give readers a realistic portrait of what’s really going on in America’s public schools without exaggerating or romanticizing anything, 2. Challenge readers to think about the obstacles that may be blocking their own development on a personal, professional, and creative level. Author Bio: Jonathan LaPoma is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, songwriter, and poet from Buffalo, NY. In 2005, he received a BA in history and a secondary education credential from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and he traveled extensively throughout the United States and Mexico after graduating. These experiences have become the inspiration for much of his writing, which often explores themes of alienation and misery as human constructions that can be overcome through self-understanding and the acceptance of suffering. His five feature-length screenplays have won over 40 awards/honors at various international screenwriting competitions, and his novel DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY is a finalist in the 2015 Stargazer Literary Prizes for best Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction. He lives in San Diego and teaches at a public secondary school. Author Links -  Website: http://www.jonlapoma.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonlapoma Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonLaPoma LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanlapoma Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25586052-developing-minds Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Minds-American-Ghost-Story/dp/0967492297/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442109831&sr=8-2&keywords=developing+minds Follow The Tour Here

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Review - Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

SWEET TEPTATION BY WENDY HIGGINS

PUBLISHED: 8TH SEPTEMBER 2015

MY RATING: 5 STARS

Summary from Goodreads
Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.


Author Note:
Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.

My Review
Every moment of being in Kaidan Rowe's head was pure bliss. Every single word was magic. I have never been more in love with someone as I am with Kaidan. Thank you so much Wendy Higgins for creating such awesomeness. This book deserves an infinity of stars.

It's my favourite book!

BLOG TOUR + Giveaway - Tillie's Tale by Mindy Mymudes

WELCOME TO THE NEXT STOP IN THIS BLOG TOUR

Genre: Middle Grade | Urban FantasyPublisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Book Description:


Who is the mysterious ghosty haunting puppygirl Tillie? And why? George, the magical basset hound familiar is on the trail. 

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Author Bio: I've worked in a hazardous waste lab, where under the sign for the Right To Know law, was added: if you can figure it out. I've been a metals tech, a bakery clerk, a professional gardener, and taught human anatomy and ran two university greenhouses. Along the way I picked up my Master's Degree in Biology, specializing in the population genetics of an endangered plant. I’ve also been a top breeder, handler, and trainer of English springer spaniels under the prefix of Muddy Paws. We three in the equivalent of the National Club's (ESSFTA) hall of fame. Every time I think I know dogs, another dog comes along and proves my beliefs are totally wrong. The truth is, the Muddy Paws Pack walk all over me.


Author Links - 

Website http://mindymymudes.weebly.com

Blog: http://mindymymudes.weebly.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindy-Mymudes/486126501426333

Twitter: @GeorgeBasset

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6702514.Mindy_Mymudes

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Mymudes/e/B00H9LFMR4

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Giveaway: Ecopy of George Knows & $10 Amazon Gift Card

Giveaway Entries: To enter this giveaway, click the bird above & Tweet about the giveaway, or click on share by Tweet on this post. Your Tweet MUST contain the following to enter - #vbtcafetours & @GeorgeBasset. Good luck!

All prizes courtesy of author, Mindy Mymudes.

Schedule


September 27 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
September 29 - Interviewed at Author, CA Milson's Blog
October 2 - Interviewed at Avenue Books
October 2 - Spotlight at Cherry Mischievous
October 5 - Spotlight at 4Covert2Overt A Place In The Spotlight
October 7 - Reviewed at Voluptuous Book Diva
October 9 - Interviewed at Writers Revolution
October 12 - Interviewed at SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
October 12 - Guest Blogging at Bellevue Book Reviews
October 16 - Reviewed at Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
October 19 - Spotlight at Jody's Book Reviews
October 21 - Review & Guest Blogging at Teatime and Books
October 23 - Review & Interview at Deal Sharing Aunt
October 23 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
October 23 - Spotlight at My Book Tour
​October 23 - Guest Blogging at Infinite House Of Books 

BLOG TOUR - Universal Scams and Fraud Detection by David Snow

Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher:
Release Date:
Buy: Amazon US | Amazon UK


Book Description:


Fraud and Scams are a costly menace to society and global industry. Learning from experience is the best way of developing skill and knowledge. This book will assist you in preventing fraud and financial crimes against you and your business. The book will teach you the tricks used by scam artists in modern society and give you the edge and ability from falling victim to fraud. Explore the many aspects of fraud, including; identity theft, retail scams, fraud against the elderly, insurance scams, employee theft and more. Learn how to conduct elaborate investigations including cross border and gathering of valuable evidence. If its too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true. Learn to trust your feelings from experiencing the different real life cases and scenarios. Don’t fall victim to fraud, learn how to protect yourself.

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BIO

David Snow has been working in the private security and financial investigation arena since 1989. He was one of the first graduates and members of the Institute of Irish Investigators. He obtained the "youngest student award" from the Institute in 1989. In 2013 he was awarded Investigator of the Year by the Europe Middle East and African chapter of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators. He was also presented with the International Investigator of the Year Award in Denver Colorado by IAFCI – North America and donated his winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports American troops injured at war.

He was initially employed by Sleator Carroll Investigators and then Pinkerton Security & Investigations. Pinkerton is the world’s oldest and largest Private Detective and Security agency with operations on every continent. He joined Pinkerton in 1993 and became the General Manager of the Irish operation in 1996, leaving in 2001 to pursue a career within insurance fraud investigation.

Today he is employed as the Head of Special Investigations for the Irish operation of a multi-national insurance company. He is a member of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI), the Association of Irish Risk Management (AIRM) and was one of the first Europeans to obtain the Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI) from North America. He has lectured on identity theft and financial crime in Ireland, North America and Europe. He is also a member of the Irish charity A Little Lifetime Foundation, formally known as ISANDS, obtaining an award in 2012 for his efforts in the prevention of the identity theft of dead Irish baby’s.

He lives in Dublin, Ireland with his wife and two children Olivia and Sarah.

Website

www.davidsnow.iehttp://www.davidsnowauthor.com/


Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Davidsnowauthor?ref=bookmarks


Twitter


https://twitter.com/author_davesnow/

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Schedule

September 28 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
September 30 - Interviewed at Author, CA Milson's Blog
October 1 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books
October 5 - Guest Blogging at Belleve Book Reviews 
October 7 - Spotlight at SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
October 9 - Spotlight at Teatime and Books
October 12 - Guest Blogging at 4Covert2Overt A Place In The Spotlight
October 14 - Spotlight at Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
October 16 - Spotlight at Writers Revolution
October 19 - Spotlight at My Book Tour
October 19 - Guest Blogging at Avenue Books
October 21 - Spotlight at The Self-Taught Cook
October 24 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
October 24 - Guest Blogging at Infinite House Of Books

February 29th - Frank McCaughey

FEBRUARY 29TH BY FRANK MCCAUGHEY

PUBLISHED: 12TH APRIL 2015

RATING: 5 STARS

Summary from Goodreads

February 29th is a quirky and chaotic tale of twin brothers.

Frank & Jimmy are 12 years old. Their simple lives start to unravel when Frank’s big stupid mouth gets them in trouble with a mysterious shop keeper. They get drawn deeper and deeper into a mysterious world which forces them to face their worst nightmares. Nothing is as it seems.

“It is a gift to you but what it gives it takes. And if your greatest dream comes true then your nightmares will surely come true too. The portal has great power. Be mindful of your dreams and your fears here. Be mindful of everything.”  

My Review

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I give this book 4 stars. Okay, where do I start? This was one chaotic story! It's about Frank who tells his and his twin brother Jimmy's story and it's not in a chronological order. And definitely not what I expected. I thought the book would be about the lives of two kids who did something wrong. But I couldn't be more mistaken. This is a book about time travel, portals, magic marbles, loss and grief.

So, when I thought that I finally had the story sorted out, I was wrong once again. The end blew my mind. It was the very last thing I expected. I was surprised and sad because it was tragic. The ending was my least favourite part, because I don't like depressing things.

Overall, this is book is surprising. Very surprising. The characters aren't flat at all. And that is what makes it so real.

Thank you Frank McCaughey for letting me read your book and have a wonderful experience.

Blog Post - Lucien and I by Danny Wynn

Book Genre: literary fiction
Publisher: Bright Lights Big City
Release Date: Late August 1994
Buy: Amazon

Book Description:

Be Careful What You Wish For…

What if you had the chance to relive your twenties the way you really wanted them to be?

Thirty-nine-year-old David is presented with that opportunity by Lucien, a charismatic young Englishman. Ranging from downtown Manhattan to Istanbul, Majorca, and the Hamptons, the two of them live a life of excess—drugs, beautiful women, and adventure—and forge a strange but great friendship.

But with every journey, there comes a price; and in every paradise there lurks a temptress. For David, will his quest for excitement lead him to betrayal and loss?

"Wynn immerses readers in psychologically rich studies of his characters and their quiet but fraught interactions. The prose is subtle but vivid, intellectually engaged but never arid, as the author provides readers with a flurry of glittering snapshots that gradually coalesce into a picture of tarnished longings. An engrossing and vibrant...meditation on friendship and the deep currents that run beneath its surface." 
—Kirkus Review

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Author Bio:

Danny Wynn is a full-time fiction writer, and before that, he was an executive in the record industry and part-time fiction writer. He has lived in New York City, Los Angeles, and London, and now makes his home in the West Village with his wife and two children. His other favorite place in the world (after the West Village) is the island of Mallorca, Spain

He is currently finishing two novels.

Danny describes himself as a creature in search of exaltation. In addition to attending the original Woodstock Music Festival, some of the other great concerts he’s been to include: Roxy Music on the Avalon Tour at Radio City, Bon Iver at Town Hall and subsequently at Radio City, The National at BAM and later at The Beacon, and The Waterboys at the Hammersmith Palais, Bruce on his solo tour, U2 on Zooropa and later tours, Dylan on the right night, and Van on the right night.

Among his favorite movies are: Performance, Bad Timing, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, and Withnail and I. His favorite novels include: The New Confessions by William Boyd; A Flag For Sunrise and Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone; The Magus by John Fowles; Legends of the Fall by Jim Harrison; andThe Comedians and The Quiet American by Graham Greene.

He derives enormous sustenance from his close friends.

Website dannywynn.net

Facebook https://www.facebook.com

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Lucien-I-Danny-Wynn/dp/069239964X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434649173&sr=8-1&keywords=Lucien+And+I

Excerpt:

Late August 1994

It was around three in the morning in a pulsating Istanbul nightclub when I caught Lucien’s eye. The club was called Twenty-Nineteen—written 2019—and we were dancing with the exquisite Azine, Lucien’s Turkish ex-girlfriend who lived in the Eurasian city—light brown hair, golden skin, stylish, the epitome of feminine elegance as far as I could see. We were moving loosely, sweat-drenched, Lucien in that whirling, psy­chedelic dervish way of his. I was in a transcendent state, one of those all-too-rare moments when the pure act of dancing makes you high, fills you with euphoria. I caught his eye and shouted above the blasting tech­no-soul, “I’m alive!”

He nodded and grinned his grin. He knew.

That’s the way he made me feel. He enhanced my capacity to enjoy life, made the good times better. And the most acute thread of the feeling was the sensation of living life to the full, which I yearned for like a parched plant with long twisting roots seeking moisture. The sensation was a drug for me, just a notch or two below the jolt of ego-juice a guy gets when a sexy woman looks at him with desire, or better yet, succumbs. Some of my many demons.

I was a creature in search of exaltation.

There was, however, an element of desperation in my quest, and in the moments, or longer times, when I was in the sought-after state, the heady pleasure was bolstered by a strong sense of relief at having made it to that elusive place.

In a way, the trip to Istanbul was the peak of my friendship with Lucien and the night at 2019 the high point of the expedition. Not in any exact sense. It’s just that when I look back, Istanbul seems like the pinnacle of our bond, and the night at the club the time we soared the highest. The experience of connecting, of shared good times, was distilled to its very essence. And yet the stain was already there, dark and spreading.

10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer. 

1.  Always tell a story.  Telling stories is the essence of the dramatic arts, and don’t let any idiot ever tell you plot isn’t important. 

2.  Become a close reader of the books you  read for pleasure, read slowly and see what the sentences accomplish, both via their actual words and the inferred information and meaning they contain; 


3. When you read other writers, stop and think how they are accomplishing what they are accomplishing (e.g., how did they convey the story or progress the story other than  by just telling you, the reader. 

4.  Take workshops – they are an inefficient, painful way to learn, but they’re the best method we have. 5.  do your best to find workshops led by people that treat leading a workshop as a skill, rather than something any writer can do. 

6.  Try to find workshops with writers who are as good as you or better. 

7.  Open your mind to input from others – yes, you will get a lot of feedback that reflects a failure to get your work, or is just stupid, but you will also occasionally get input that you initially disagree with that gradually makes some sense to you (and you can only get this benefit if you allow for the possibility that you are wrong on the point concerned – always consider that possibitity).  A highly successful workshop will give you input, 10% of which is helpful; some workshops fall far short of that; be happy if you get a 10% workshop. 

8.  Learn your craft – all the little things good writers do to make their writing professional (e.g., learn POV rules, how to create a pause and add a telling a detail at the same time, learn about the aversion to adverbs and the aversion to “ing” words, learn what you can leave out – nothing is more amateurish than including words containing info a close reader would naturally supply for you. 

9.  Extremely unoriginal advice, but show don’t tell- let the reader see and hear things for themselves and form their own conclusions – e.g., don’t tell them someone is brave; show them being brave. 

10.  Understand that you will have to write in the face of tremendous self-doubt most of the time – you will regularly think your stuff is crap and that you are deluding yourself to think you can write a decent dramatic work.  Accept that tremendous self-doubt is part of the process, and don’t let it stop you, however close it comes to making you quit your efforts.  Do everything possible to preserve the tiniest flame of inspiration you have in the face of constant criticism from others and their lack of belief in you.  Very, very few people thought, based on my early efforts, that I could write a good book, but I continued to make a lot of effort to figure how to write well, and I got better, and I have written some very respectable works of fiction, and the best is currently in the works

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