Welcome to my stop on the Blood Moon Blog Tour! Make sure you check out my review, grab a copy of this great book, and enter the giveaway!
About the Author:
Teri Harman has believed in all things wondrous and haunting since her childhood days of sitting in the highest tree branches reading Roald Dahl and running in the rain imagining stories of danger and romance. Currently, her bookshelf is overflowing, her laundry unfolded, and her three small children running mad while she pens bewitching novels. Utah is her home, but she often imagines living in the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. She also writes a bi-weekly book column for ksl.com, Utah's number one news site and contributes regular book segments to Studio 5, Utah's number one lifestyle show. Come share in the magic and chaos at teriharman.com.  The Blurb:
A hand slowly reaches out a crack in the window to feel the light sprinkles of rain. The hand, cemented with dirt, sweat, and blood, trembles like a withered leaf clinging to a dead branch. Although filthy, the hand emits a history of grace and elegance long lost to the evils of torture and imprisonment . . . From what Willa recalls, seeing this pitiful hand, and, eventually, the person connected to it, was the catalyst to the discovery of her true self. Willa is a witch, and it turns out her boyfriend, Simon, is a witch, too. Soon after Willa first sees the reaching hand, Simon and her embark on a rescue mission, only to find themselves catapulted into the alluring, but dangerous world of witches and witchcraft. Answers to all of Willa and Simon's questions are now within reach, but they've also stepped into the middle of a deadly war where many will stop at nothing to control the magic of The Six Gifts. Willa and Simon must now learn to harness their powers to protect their lives and the lives of their newfound friends before the blood moon arrives, or all will be lost.
The Review:
Not every book you pick up that has witches in it will sit well with a real life one. Some are over the top, others are just full of stereotypes and cliches. There is nothing as boring as reading about the same ol' same ol' just with new names and different places. Teri manages to skip the cliches and creates an amazing debut novel.
Since this is the first book in the series, you can only hope that we get to see more of Willa and Simon. Teri has done an excellent job at crafting her characters. The arcs are wonderful and you really get attached to the story. The destined to be together angle was a little hard for me, but once I got past it, things were golden on that front.
I like the good vs evil concept that Teri employs with her book. Also, just a note, it is not all gore and guts. She has written a tame book in both sexual encounters and violence. She had plenty of opportunities to take the book to a different level and she maintains the context throughout.
If you've got a love for witch stories, fantasies, and books that fall in that area, then you'll like this one. I recommend it for those that liked the Sweep books by Cate Tiernan. You'll enjoy this book and I am happily awaiting book 2. :)
MAKE SURE YOU ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Welcome to my stop on the Empire Betrayed Blog tour! Check out the great excerpt!
About the Author Born in Edmonds, Washington, author James Mace is currently a resident of Meridian, Idaho. He enlisted in the United States Air Force out of high school; three years later transferring over to the U.S. Army. After a career as a Soldier that included deploying to Iraq, in 2011 he left his full-time position with the Army National Guard to devote himself to writing. His well-received series, "Soldier of Rome - The Artorian Chronicles," is a perennial best-seller in ancient history on Amazon. In his latest endeavors, he also branched into writing about the Napoleonic Wars. After he finishes the last of The Artorian Chronicles in 2013, he looks to expand into a series about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. ONLINE LINKS:  The Blurb:
In 29 A.D., Emperor Tiberius Caesar, living in self-imposed exile on the Isle of Capri, entrusts his Praetorian Prefect, Lucius Aelius Sejanus, with the administration of the vast Roman Empire. Under Sejanus’ iron fist, and unbeknownst to Tiberius, the ranks of the Senate and equites are subsequently purged of the Praetorian’s enemies. Treason trials, once prohibited in Rome, have become commonplace as Sejanus relentlessly punishes any who would defy him in his quest for power.
After many years of commanding the cavalry of the Army of the Rhine, Tribune Aulus Nautius Cursor at last returns to Rome, amidst the turmoil. Two years later is elected as a Tribune of the Plebs; the representatives of the people who hold the power of veto over the Senate. It is Cursor who discovers Sejanus’ sinister plans; that he seeks to overthrow Tiberius and name himself Emperor.
Duty bound to save the Empire from falling further under a tyrannical usurper, Cursor resolves to unravel the conspiracy and bring the perpetrators to justice. Aiding him is an old friend; a retired Master Centurion named Gaius Calvinus. Regrettably, they know that if successful, Tiberius’ retribution will be swift and brutal, sparing neither the innocent nor the guilty. This leaves only two dark paths for Cursor and Calvinus; either allow the pending reign of terror under a ruthless usurper, or unleash the unholy vengeance of an Emperor betrayed.
Review to come once I get my copy. :)
 EXCERPT:
Chapter I: All Roads to Rome
Rome
August, 29 A.D.
***
The sun had just started to break over the hills to the east as the Eternal City came into view. The well-worn road the small group travelled on was known as the Via Aurelia, or Aurelian Way. It was nearly three hundred years old and served as the main thoroughfare from Rome to the west coast of Italia. At the head of the entourage rode a man dressed in a Tribune’s armor, complete with muscled breastplate, with white leather trappings, a dark red cloak, and an ornate helmet, decorated with a lion’s head on the crown and with a magnificent red crest running front-to-back. Far from being just ceremonial, his armor had seen battle on many occasions, and even constant polishing and buffing could not eliminate the scouring from the blows of countless enemy weapons.
His name was Aulus Nautius Cursor. Taller than most men, he had a pronounced nose that was common among many of the nobility, though it was devoid of the aquiline hook. His frame was lean and more designed for speed and agility, rather than brute power. Having gone completely bald at a young age, the padded skull cap beneath his helmet was doubly important. Now in his late thirties, he’d spent nearly twenty years as a military Tribune with the Army of the Rhine; substantially longer than many of his peers. All members of the lesser-nobles of the Roman Empire, known as the Equites, were required to perform a minimum of six months with the legions. Though many stayed on longer than the compulsory time required, especially if other political or magisterial postings proved scarce, few ever made the army their primary career path. Being neither legionaries from the ranks, nor with ever having any opportunity to command legions as legates, Tribunes were confined to mostly staff duties. If one were lucky, he’d get command of a cohort of auxiliaries; the non-citizens who augmented the Roman Army with the promise of being awarded citizenship after twenty-five years of service.
For Cursor, his path had been much different. Though his name literally meant ‘runner’, and he was indeed quite nimble and fast on his feet, his true skill lay in horsemanship. His riding skills, plus natural ability for coordinating large bodies of fighting men, led to his assignment as a cavalry officer, under the tutelage of the now-legendary Commander Julius Indus. He’d also done his mandatory time as a staff officer, and was fortunate enough to have served directly under the late great, Germanicus Caesar. During the wars against the Germanic Alliance, following the disastrous ambush in Teutoburger Wald, Germanicus had demanded that all of his officers would first and foremost lead their men by their own example. In one of the few times he ever fought on foot, Cursor had accompanied his commanding general during the assault on a barbarian stronghold at Angrivarii; a terrible battle which thankfully brought the wars to an end.
Despite the accolades given to him for his bravery at Angrivarii, it was with the cavalry that the Tribune excelled, and it was following a rebellion in Gaul that he was given command of all mounted forces within the Rhine army. This was expanded even further during the Frisian Rebellion, when Cursor was handed operational control over all auxiliary forces during the campaign. With a force of ten thousand men, he had more soldiers under his charge than even the senatorial Legates who commanded the legions. It was at the Battle of Braduhenna that Cursor achieved his greatest glory, though he personally viewed it as his utmost tragedy.
“We’ve been away for far too long,” his wife, Adela Theodora, said as the city came into view over the horizon. The River Tiber stretched before them, running north to south. Just beyond was the Campus Martius, also known as the Field of Mars. A plethora of foreign temples and cults were housed here, as it also served as a place to greet dignitaries who could not for cultural reasons pass into the city proper. The most dominating feature of this district was the massive Baths of Agrippa. Beyond the field was the Capitoline; one of the famous Seven Hills that dominated Rome. The magnificent Temple of Jupiter rose from atop this hill and accented the skyline.
“To be honest, my love,” Cursor replied, “It was on the Rhine, leading my regiments, that I felt most alive.”
“And if you were still there, we should remain unmarried,” his wife replied.
“Ours was indeed an unusual courtship,” Cursor chuckled. Though arranged in the traditional sense by contract between Cursor and Adela’s father, Theodorus, Adela herself had adamantly refused to follow through with the marriage as long as Cursor was still leading men into battle.
“Father relented once he saw that I would not budge, and that you were willing to wait for me.” She had three sisters, two of whom had been widowed within their first couple years of marriage, when their husbands were killed in battle. The eldest had been wed to the Chief Tribune of the Twentieth Legion; in what their father felt was a great step forward, joining their family to the Senatorial class. Sadly, the young man was killed at Braduhenna, just four months into the marriage. He had never known that his wife was with child, though her grief would be compounded when their son was stillborn.
During what became a lengthy betrothal, Adela and her husband-to-be grew surprisingly close to each other. She had lived with family friends who owned an estate outside of Cologne, on the Rhine frontier. She therefore was able to remain close to Cursor, and was exceedingly proud of his valiant service to the Empire. However, she would not allow herself to become widowed like her sisters.
“Your father once told me that you were too intimidating for him to try and marry off to anyone else,” Cursor remembered with a laugh. “He told me I’d better not die in battle; otherwise he wouldn’t know what to do with you!” Adela simply smiled and shrugged. Being very statuesque, she was tall enough to easily look her husband in the eye, something that most normal-sized men found rather unnerving. Because Cursor treated her as an equal, their presence together made them a very strong couple.
As they reached the edge of the city, the streets were crowded with pedestrians, and they were compelled to dismount and lead their horses through the hectic thoroughfare, their travelling companions going their own ways. They skirted through a residential district, just north of the busy heart of the city. To the south was the Forum of Augustus; a small complex that housed the Temple of Mars Ultor. Further south, the great Capitoline Hill stood against the sky, with the Temple of Jupiter casting its shadow over the Roman Forum. As the road they were traveling along was crammed with street performers and observers, Cursor and Adela decided to chance going down a side street that would take them by Capitoline Hill and the Forum. Just before the Temple of Jupiter was the smaller Temple of Concord that overlooked the Forum itself.
“The Gemonian Stairs,” Cursor observed, nodding towards the long steps that led up to the temple.
“The Stairs of Mourning,” Adela added somberly. “Many a life has ended on those bloody steps.”
One would never guess from the flocks of people climbing the steps that it served as the primary place of execution for notorious criminals. Almost inconspicuously off to the right of the Temple of Concord stood the Tullianum, a prison that was used to temporarily house those awaiting trial or execution. Interestingly enough, long-term prison sentences were rare in Roman society. Punishments such as public scourging or financial penalties sufficed for minor offenses, with banishment, enslavement, or death awaiting those found guilty of capital crimes. If one looked closely, they could almost see the blackened stains on the lower steps, where the bodies of the condemned were torn to pieces by the mob. As public executions were the norm in most parts of the world, both within and outside of the Empire, and that those who met their ignominious ends on the Gemonian Stairs hardly warranted pity, Cursor and Adela paid it no more mind and continued on their way.
On the outskirts of the Forum, Cursor saw the first face he had recognized all day. The man was in his early fifties, with close-cropped hair that was a mix of black and gray. He wore a formal toga, accented with the narrow purple stripe that identified him as a member of the Equites, though he carried himself with a force of authority, like an old soldier.
“By the gods,” Cursor said with a grin, then hailing the man, “Calvinus!”
The man was startled for a moment at the call of his name, but broke into a broad grin as he walked over to Cursor and Adela. He instinctively almost saluted, but after a moment’s pause extended his hand instead.
“Tribune, sir,” he said.
“Please,” Cursor replied, clasping the old soldier’s hand, “I see by the purple stripe on your toga that you are now my peer. There is no need to call me ‘sir’.”
“Old habits,” Calvinus replied with a nonchalant shrug. He then gave a respectful nod towards the Tribune’s wife. “Lady Adela.”
“A pleasure,” she replied. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Gaius Calvinus, ma’am; I served with the Twentieth Legion when your husband commanded the cavalry of the Rhine Army.”
“And as a retired Master Centurion, he was elevated into the Equites,” Cursor added.
“Rome does afford at least some opportunities to better one’s social standing,” Calvinus observed, “If one has the ambition to use them.”
“I did not know you returned to Rome,” Cursor said.
“My daughter and her family live in Neapolis,” Calvinus explained, walking with them and helping guide their way through the Forum. “This brought me close enough that I can at least pay them the occasional visit. It was bad enough that Calvina grew up hardly knowing her father, and with my grandson fast approaching manhood, I felt compelled to make up for lost time. And besides, how many retired soldiers have the opportunity to influence the governing of our beloved Empire after they remove their armor for the last time?”
“Very few,” Cursor conceded. For every hundred men who served out their term in the legions, perhaps three or four would be in a position to have a second career in continuing service to Rome. And only approximately three in every thousand ever achieved sufficient rank to elevate themselves up the social ladder.
“I felt a responsibility that once I was officially named an Equite, I needed to act as a voice for our brethren still in the ranks. I have no desire to try for a governorship or anything of that nature. However, it would be unethical if I took the privileges of being raised up within the social orders and not any of the responsibilities. If I can still be of service to Rome, I will.”
Roman society was extremely rigid in its class structure, with every citizen and non-citizen expected to know their place without question. Those within the Senatorial class were the noble patricians who lorded over the Empire, answerable only to the Emperor. All were from the oldest and wealthiest families within Rome, and while at any time as many as three hundred were sitting members of the Senate, their total number was perhaps six hundred to a thousand total households.
The Equites were the lesser nobles who provided the Empire with many of its magistrates, public officials, minor provincial governors, as well as military Tribunes and the coveted Tribunes of the Plebs. Those not born into this class could be elevated into it by serving in the army; though this often required one attaining the rank of Centurion Primus Pilus, also known as a Master Centurion. Centurions who had served as cohort commanders were also sometimes eligible. As soldiers who retired at these exalted ranks were so few in number, they made up a very small fraction of this class. All told, there were perhaps a few thousand members of the Equites, and between them and the Senate they made up the noble classes of an Empire that numbered around seventy million persons.
“Where will you be staying?” Calvinus asked as they skirted the Forum and passed the Temple of the Divine Romulus, at the start of the street known as the Via Sacra, or Sacred Way.
“I arranged purchase of a house not too far from here,” Cursor said, “Thankfully it keeps us away from the daily insanity of the Forum. We’re about a mile south of the Castra Praetoria.” The place he referred to was the central barracks of the Emperor’s Praetorian Guard.
“Ah, I’m not far from you at all,” Calvinus observed. “Well I have to be off again; remember, I have not been away from the legions for long and am still learning the ways of an Equite former soldier who still wishes to serve the public. Give yourself a day or two to get settled, and then please call upon us. Lady Adela, my wife, Petronia, would love to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise,” Adela replied. As they watched the old soldier make this way through the crowds, she turned to her husband. “Did you know him well?”
“Well enough,” Cursor replied. “He was one of the few survivors of that disastrous ambush in Teutoburger Wald, twenty years ago. He and a young Tribune named Cassius Chaerea saved the lives of over a hundred legionaries when they cut their way out of that nightmare. It was also his legion that my men trekked forty miles in a day to relieve after they were cut off and surrounded at Braduhenna.”
It isn't too often that I take a moment to check in with the world. In fact, most days I ignore my blog unless I have a commitment to it... I know, I know, I'm really slacking.
So I thought I take a minute to tell you guys what's up.
I am still running a sale for Bella Notte until the 11th. It drops the usual price of 3.99 down to .99! You can get this awesome deal on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo. Network Deserted is done. I'm waiting on a proof for the print edition then I'll format the ebook and do a release for it. YEAH! Bella Tristezza is going through edits. I am seriously hoping to get it done this month and out to you guys. Fur the Record is almost to 50k words of my expected 75k! Woo hoo! In non-writing related stuff... my five year old son had his first t-ball game. It was just plain silly. I absolutely loved it! ;) This is the first he's done a sport.
My hubby is off to South Dakota for the next bit, so it's a little frustrating and kinda scary. I hate being off on my own. Of course, I'll miss him while he's gone.
Oh and we have fields that surround our house, and the cows keep coming to visit. The kids love it!
Okay that's all I've got right now. Maybe I'll work on being a better blogger... there are some more reviews to come and blog tour posts. So make sure you check back!
Hey Everyone! This Book Blast is to get Fairy Godmothers, INC up in the ranks! See if you can help! It's a great book, one that I've reviewed! You can check out the review HERE. Make sure you get in on the giveaway action too! Now on to the meat and potatoes of this blast! 
The Premise!
In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.
Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)
But, of course, things never ever happen as planned.
 About the Author: Jenniffer Wardell is the arts, entertainment, and lifestyle reporter for the Davis Clipper. She's won several awards from the Utah Press Association and the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is her first novel. Jenniffer Wardell’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/wardellwriter Jenniffer Wardell’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennifferWardell
Feel free to throw some tweets out or Share stuff on Facebook about this, here are some pre-made ones for ya! LET'S GET THE WORD OUT!
#FairyGodmothersInc by @wardellwriter. Click to buy the book: http://ow.ly/kNQII Please RT. #BookBlast #Giveaway: http://ow.ly/l70jN
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“A+ across the board!” FeatheredQuillBookReviews on #FairyGodmothersInc by @wardellwriter. Click here for the #giveaway: http://ow.ly/l70jN
 Today we have a guest post from Bob O'Connor about writing historical fiction. Bob's book The Return of Catesby is currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and pick up your copy of the book at : http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-8206-1. My historical fiction story "The Return of Catesby" is very believable because it tracks real historic events chronologically that surround the story. The trial of Henry Wirz happened in real life as it is described in the book. As a prisoner at Andersonville prison, it makes perfect sense that Catesby gave a deposition and watched the proceedings. The feud between the white population of Harpers Ferry and the students and teachers of Storer College is well documented. The use of Mr. Russell, a real Harpers Ferry merchant, to explain to the students and teachers why the trouble existed makes perfect sense. The massive flood that carried away much of Harpers Ferry and many of its citizens is an actual event witnessed by Catesby. His friends lost family members in the tragic flooding of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. I strive to accurately depict the actual events while at the same time, tying them into my characters in such a way that most readers will not know which part is true and which part is fabricated.
 Blurb:
The Return of Catesby is a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves. Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesbys journals, papers and letters.
Welcome to my stop on the Return of Catesby Blog Tour!
About the Author:
Bob O’Connor has been a life-long student of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He has published six books about the Civil War era and has given over 500 presentations about his subjects in the last six years. The Blurb:
The Return of Catesby is a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves. Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesbys journals, papers and letters. The Review:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a freed slave during the times of the Civil War? I know that when I was in school and we were learning about it, I often contemplated what it would be like or what it would be like trying to escape being a slave. I have to believe that somewhere in my family history that there was once a freed slave because they often took the last name of Freeman and that was my Grandfather's last- although he was as white as one man could get. There must be someone, somewhere back in the day. Just saying.
Anyways, this book is a a GREAT book. It really lets you get a feel for what it would have been like for someone during these times that was faced with being a newly freed slave when slavery wasn't something that was looked down on all that much. I can't even imagine what it would be like, although the story helps you get into the mind of the lead character.
I love the plot and the character development. It is a great historical fiction that really uses facts and history to create an awesome tale. This is a wonderful book for inspiring a curiosity into the past. It seriously leaves you wanting to know more.
I recommend it for those that like historical fictions, or even those that like pieces set in the past. If you want to know more about the Civil War period and what it was like for newly freed slaves,
Welcome to my stop on the Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour. Check it out! Oh, and enter the giveaway!
~ About the Editor ~ Michael Knost is an award-winning author, editor, and columnist in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Supernatural Thriller genres. He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine. He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing. He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year. Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.
~ About the Publisher ~ Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher located in Lexington, KY. SSP specializes in speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and horror). The company was established in October of 2008. Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Seventh Star Soundoff The Blurb:
Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.
This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her. Featuring essays and interviews with: Neil Gaiman Orson Scott Card Ursula K. Le Guin Alan Dean Foster James Gunn Tim Powers Harry Turtledove Larry Niven Joe Haldeman Kevin J. Anderson Elizabeth Bear Jay Lake Nancy Kress George Zebrowski Pamela Sargent Mike Resnick Ellen Datlow James Patrick Kelly Jo Fletcher Stanley Schmidt Gordon Van Gelder Lou Anders Peter Crowther Ann VanderMeer John Joseph Adams Nick Mamatas Lucy A. Snyder Alethea Kontis Nisi Shawl Jude-Marie Green Nayad A. Monroe G. Cameron Fuller Jackie Gamber Amanda DeBord Max Miller Jason Sizemore This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson. Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads
 - Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: iUniverse (March 25, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1475962576
- ISBN-13: 978-1475962574
- Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 4.5/5
The Blurb:
Franciszka and her daughter are unlikely heroines. They are simple people who don't stand out… that is, until there is a crisis. In 1939, the Nazis come to Poland and start to persecute the Jews. These are unreasonable times when providing shelter to a Jew has become a death sentence. Despite this, both Franciszka and her daughter hide Jewish families and a German soldier in their small home. For all of them to survive, she will have to outsmart the German commander and her neighbors. The Review:
Having grown up listening to stories of the Holocaust and the things that people had to do to escape the brutality of the Nazis, when I was approached to review this book I knew I had to. There's something that is amazingly powerful and beautiful about the stories that come out of this moment in history.
I must say that this book follows suits of all the other stories I've heard or read. It is written in a way that seems to flow through the mind as you read the words. It is beautifully crafted.
I love how you get more than one perspective- allowing you to see the different stories and ways things are looked at differently. This is a great book to get older children and YAs introduced into the nit and grit that was part of the Holocaust. But that doesn't mean that is should be limited to youths. I'm 28 and I enjoyed it.
This is a powerful, amazing story that everyone that has any interest in the Holocaust should read. It's beautiful!
 About the Author:
J.L. Witterick always wanted to write a book that would make a difference. She found inspiration to do so based on a true story of courage that occurred during the Holocaust. A child of poor immigrants, she learned empathy, compassion and kindness first hand and wrote it into this story. Now an accomplished investment professional, she has decided to donate proceeds of the book sold at Indigo/Chapters to the Love of Reading Foundation, which buys books for children who cannot afford them. She remembers buying used books from the Salvation Army for 5 and 10 cents when she was a child. J.L. Witterick lives in Canada.
 - Paperback: 158 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (March 10, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1481998080
- ISBN-13: 978-1481998086
- Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 4.5/5
The Blurb:
“… he heard a strange rumbling noise coming from the kitchen. Then a loud crash. He got there just in time to see a small glacier go right through the kitchen wall, into the living room, and out the front door.” (from “The Glacier That Almost Ate Main Street”) A glacier that starts in a refrigerator is just one of the weird things that can happen in these twenty-one stories by Highlights for Children author Gene Twaronite. What if you showed up for school one day, but the school wasn’t there? What if words suddenly leapt off the page in the book you’re reading and floated away? What if the jet you’re on is afraid to fly? What if your parents gave you a real live rhino for your birthday? What if a little snake stretched and stretched to become the longest snake in the world? What if dragons really exist somewhere? What if …? Discover the answers to these and other questions. But be careful. Imagination can be a dangerous thing … especially if someone closes the book on you while you’re inside. While some of these stories were first published in magazines including Highlights for Children and Read (Weekly Reader), many are brand new. So what are you waiting for? Jump right in—have fun with your head! The Review:
I have a 5 year old and a 20 month old. When I read this book to them, they loved it. I also totally did too. Gene has a way with words that makes you laugh when necessary and enjoy the ride as you go.
This is my first encounter with Gene's writing and I must say that I find it refreshing. He makes you remember what it was like to use your imagination and be a kid. I enjoyed reading the stories as much as my kids seemed to like hearing them.
His introduction gives you a feel for the book and the person writing these great stories. The imagination and creativity that these stories include are amazing.
I highly recommend this for parents and even those adults (like myself) that enjoy being reminded that it's okay to be silly. This is a great collection of short stories!
 - Paperback: 274 pages
- Publisher: Montlake Romance; Unabridged edition (December 18, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1477813179
- ISBN-13: 978-1477813171
- Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 5/5
The Blurb:
In Tell-All, New York City writer Kat Callahan is just finishing an explosive unauthorized biography of Hollywood's 'It' couple, Alex and Victoria Janssen, when they mysteriously disappear along with their 7-year old son, Jeremy. Now Kat's publisher is hot on her heels to finish the book to cash in on the free publicity. Little does Kat know the charming cowboy who's just strolled into her life is actually Alex Janssen's brother, Luke, dead-set on stopping the book. He knows it will reveal a fiercely guarded secret that could destroy the lives of all four Janssens. Now he'll stop at nothing to ensure that doesn't happen. The Review:
For those of you that haven't read anything by Nell, then you need to. She has two books out at the moment, this one and The Gingerbread House. Both are freaking awesome!
This book is a great lighthearted romance. This isn't a jump your bones kind of romance, but something sweet that makes you feel nice and warm and fuzzy- like the first occurrences of being in love.
Nell does a great job at writing her characters. These are not stock people, you get the feeling that she had them whispering into her ear and she knows them better than she knows herself probably. Her character arcs are amazing.
The story is well thought out and you can see where Nell took the time to figure out all the small details and do the research necessary to make the book great!
Besides recommending this book, I also recommend her other one- The Gingerbread House. I fell in love with it when I read it and it was introduction to her writing style. I highly recommend her as a writer. She knows how to spin a tale that won't disappoint and will leave you wanting more!
 About the Author:
I was born in Philadelphia but grew up primarily in Seattle. I obtained my degree in Literature from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I now live in Denver with my husband Ben and our beautiful baby boy, Cole. In my spare time I work on the endless renovations of our 1922 bungalow.
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