Halloween Guest Post

Happy Halloween! 

 

I have a special post appearing on Sophia's Blog today. Please check it out over there!

 

Thanks! Hope you have a great holiday!

 

-Valerie

Halloween Eve

Here is wishing you a very Happy Halloween!

Book Review: Alison Brodie

Author: Alison Brodie
 
Personal Review: If you are looking for a quick, funny book then this may be the book for you. This book is about Ruby and her survival of Y2K. The book is written in an easy to read format that will make you laugh out loud.

This book was interesting in that it has both some parts adventure, as well as a little romance thrown in. The plot was one that kept my attention throughout.

The best part of this book for me was the characters. I enjoyed seeing what next thing Ruby would do. You can tell she is one of those people who has strong emotions and follows her gut, no matter what it gets her into.

All in all, an interesting book. Thanks for the opportunity to review.
 
Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

Book Nerd Bites: Winter Storms and Pumpkin Pie

Book Nerd Bites is an original monthly feature created by some lovely book bloggers Becca, Cyra, Kristie, Natasha, and I as part of the Book Blogger Creativity Project hosted by Nori. Thanks to my team for coming up with a fun and creative way to satisfy both our book-- and actual appetites!  

Each month we will be sharing exciting recipes inspired by some of our favorite books. Feel free to join in, but please make sure you link your post back to us so we can enjoy your favorite bookish delights as well!

Don't forgot to use #booknerdbites if you want to share your food inspiration with us on twitter or instagram!

Today for my post for this project, I will be featuring...Winter Storms!  
This book is 3rd in the Trilogy from one of my favorite authors: Elin Hilderbrand. I have so much that I could say about this book, but I really don't want to spoil it for anyone. All I can say is that it was wonderful and worth the read. I am so glad that I finally got to know what happened.

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But that said, this book has insipred me to start thinking ahead for the holidays and what will be cooking! In my house my husband actually usually does the holiday cooking, but I do enjoy the deserts, so here is one of my faves: Pumpkin Pie
(Full credit to Betty Crocker for this recipe).

Pat-in-the-Pan Pastry

1 1/3 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cold water

Filling

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Sweetened Whipped Cream

3/4 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, mix flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the oil with fork until all flour is moistened. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all water is absorbed. Shape pastry into a ball. Press in bottom and up side of 9-inch glass pie plate.
• 2 In large bowl, beat eggs slightly with wire whisk or hand beater. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ginger, cloves, pumpkin and milk.
• 3 To prevent spilling, place pastry-lined pie plate on oven rack before adding filling. Carefully pour pumpkin filling into pie plate. Bake 15 minutes.
• 4 Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake about 45 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Place pie on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• 5 In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Serve pie with whipped cream. Store in refrigerator.

Happy Reading and Happy Eating!

Book Review: A Time To Tour Ghost City

Author: Anjum Choudhury
 
Personal Review:
Are you looking for a spooky story that will get you in the mood for Halloween? Look no further! I have a ghost story for you. When Anjum reached out to me about reviewing her book, I thought I would give a try.

In this book, we are met with adventure, mystery, and the unknown. The book itself is pretty short, so I don't want to give away too much or spoil it for anyone. That said, the author does a great job of creating scenes for where the major events take place.


I liked this book because it was different than the typical books I read. I was able to peer into a world that I don't know much about and I appreciated that very much. I recommend this book for those who are interested in learning about new places or those who just love a good adventure. Thank you for the opportunity.

Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

 
Happy Reading!

Blog Tour: The Cryptic Lines

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with another audiobook review. This time I listened to The Cryptic Lines. This was just the book I needed to get me in a Halloween mood. 

The book is one in which we meet Lord Alfred Willoughby, who has to make a decision about his son. Should he leave him anything or not? That is when the idea for a set of puzzles or the 'cryptic lines' comes in. If you enjoy puzzles or learning about solving them, then this may be the book for you. I don't want to give away too much about the story or I feel like it may lead to spoilers.

I enjoyed this book as an audio book and this one seemed a little easier for me to handle then others I have listened to, because it was slightly shorter. I enjoyed the narrator and I am glad to have the characters come to life for me. 

If you are looking for a book that  will get you in the Halloween mood, then be sure to check this one out. Thanks Jess for the opportunity to listen to this book!

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jake Urry. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

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Audiobook Info

Audiobook Title: The Cryptic Lines

Author: Richard Storry

Narrator: Jake Urry

Publisher: Richard Alan Storry

Length: 4 hours and 13 minutes (unabridged)

Audio Release Date: March 16, 2016

Synopsis: Set in a sprawling gothic mansion in a remote coastal location, somewhere in the British Isles, the elderly recluse Lord Alfred Willoughby is deciding what is to become of his vast fortune after his death. Whilst his head is telling him to leave nothing at all to his wastrel son, Matthew, his heart is speaking differently. After much deliberation, in a last-ditch attempt to try and show to his son the importance of applying himself to a task and staying with it to the end, he devises a series of enigmatic puzzles cunningly concealed within the lines of a poem – the cryptic lines. If he completes the task successfully and solves the puzzles he will inherit the entire estate; but if he fails he will receive nothing. However, from Lord Alfred’s Will it emerges that Matthew is not the only interested party. The mysterious old house holds many secrets, and nothing is as it first appears…

Buy Links

Buy on Audible⎮Amazon⎮iTunes

 

Author Bio

Richard is the author of four published novels, with his fifth “A Looming of Vultures” due for publication in 2017. Prior to writing his first novel, “The Cryptic Lines” he was very busy in the theatrical world: He composed the incidental music to Chekhov’s Three Sisters, seen in London’s West End, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Eric Sykes, and subsequently broadcast on BBC4 television. His musical adaptation of “The Brothers Lionheart” premiered at London’s Pleasance Theatre, followed by a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival where it was voted Best Childrens’ Play. “The Cryptic Lines” has now been adapted for both the stage and screen.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads

Narrator Bio

Jake Urry is a British actor and audiobook narrator, and also co-founder of Just Some Theatre. Since graduating from an Acting degree course in 2012 he’s toured with Just Some Theatre as an actor and producer, worked on a number of commercial voice over projects and most recently started producing Audiobooks. Jake has produced over 10 titles since March 2016 and has rapidly found himself at home narrating Thriller, Horror, Mystery and Suspense titles. His audiobook work includes dark psychological thrillers White is the Coldest Colour and Portraits of the Dead by John Nicholl, occult mystery series The Ulrich Files by Ambrose Ibsen, and gritty Sci-Fi novel Shadows of Tomorrow by Jessica Meats.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Voices⎮Soundcloud

Happy Reading!

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons I love Halloween

Hi Everyone! 

Just stopping by with another Top Ten Tuesday!  This week's topic is Top Ten Tuesday is a Halloween freebie. I have to be honest, I dont read alot of scary books, so this is hard for me. 

So instead, I have decided to share with you the reasons I enjoy Halloween instead. :)

1) The weather! I love Fall and that it is finally cooler outside.

2) The candy. Can anyone say Reeses Peanut Butter Pumpkins? Yummy!

3) The costumes. I love seeing the kids excited and looking so cute! 

4) The trick or treating. Similar to 3, I get to give the kids candy. :) 

5) The food. People are so creative! Check out pinterest for lots of Halloween food ideas.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween? We can add them to this list!

Happy Halloween!

Book Review: Feng Shui on a Dime

Author: Stephanie Liang
 
Personal Review:

"Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement." In this book, the author shares with us tips on health, wealth, career, love and family. This book is full of tips on how to add new 'tools' for improving these areas of your life.

I enjoyed that this book is an easy to read format. The main points are called out in small box solutions and I enjoyed reading through them. The book has alot of insight about symbolism and how that can make a big difference in your life.

For those people who are interested in interior design, home improvement, or just trying out a new look in your house this may be the book for you. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Disclaimer: I was awarded a copy of this book. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

 
Happy Reading!

South America!

Hi Everyone!

Happy Sunday. As you know I have been trying to post every once in awhile about other topics then just books here. Not too much, but just every once awhile. I thought I would share with you a few pictures from our recent trip to South America.

We had a blast! We got to see the Middle of the World Monument, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon. Talk about a diverse place! It was a great trip.

Have you ever been to South America? What did you think?

Happy Travels!

Book Review: Class of 59

Author: John Heldt
 
Personal Review:
A few months ago, I was offered the opportunity to review a couple of John Heldt's books. I enjoyed them, so when he reached out one more time I decided to review one of the new ones: Class of 59. This is 4th book in the American Journey series.

In this book, we meet 4 individuals who are interconnected through time travel and adventure. The book is one that takes you back and forth throughout the experiences in a seamless way that leaves it easy to follow and interesting to understand.


The thing I like most about this book was the pictures that the author creates for each scene. When you read the passages, you are quick taken to those places and it is easy to imagine. I imagine this book would be liked by those who enjoy Indiana Jones, or time travel books.


Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.
 
Happy Reading!

Book Review and Giveaway: Pushing Perfect

Hi Everyone!

I am really excited to be here with you today to discuss a new book: Pushing Perfect. In this book, we meet Kara who has always been 'perfect.' When her life gets beyond her control and things start to get a little bit crazy, the story really gets going. This is a book that kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next.

I liked this story because the characters were interesting and it did not go exactly how I thought it would. It was an interesting plot and an interesting read.

If you enjoy a book that has good YA feel that is different (in a good way), I recommend this book for you. Thanks for the opportunity to read! More information below if you want to pick it up! 

Happy Reading!

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ABOUT PUSHING PERFECT:

A girl’s quest for perfection results in dangerous consequences in this layered, suspenseful YA novel by the author of Playlist for the Dead.

How far would you go to be perfect?

Kara has the perfect life. She gets perfect grades. She never messes up. Until now. Because perfection is an illusion, and Kara has been struggling to maintain it for as long as she can remember. With so much pressure to succeed, it’s hard not to do whatever it takes. 

But when Kara takes a new underground drug to help her ace the SATs, she doesn’t expect to get a text from a blocked sender, telling her to follow a set of mysterious instructions—or risk her dark secret getting out. Soon she finds herself part of a group of teens with secrets of their own, who are all under the thumb of the same anonymous texter. And if they don’t find a way to stop the blackmailer, their perfect futures will go up in flames.

This dark, emotionally resonant contemporary YA novel is perfect for fans of We Were Liars and The Secret History.

LINKS: Amazon | B&N

ABOUT MICHELLE FALKOFF:

Michelle Falkoff's fiction and reviews have been published in ZYZZYVA, DoubleTake and the Harvard Review, among other places. She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and currently serves as Director of Communication and Legal Reasoning at Northwestern University School of Law.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

10/17: Lost in Lit - Review

10/18: Books, TV, and More ... Oh My! - Mood Board

10/19: Girl vs. Books - Review

10/20: Resch Reads and Reviews - Guest Post

10/21: He Said Books or Me - Review

Week 2:

10/24: The Irish Banana Review - Top 10

10/25: In Wonderland - Review

10/26: Quest Reviews - Playlist 

10/27: The Book Return - Review

10/28: The Alchemy of Ink - Review

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of PUSHING PERFECT (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: Not My Life

 Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with a guest post. When Kathy and Bob reached out to me about their upcoming book, I said that I would share some information here. Kathy provided me the guest post below to share with us some thoughts on why they write what they do. Thanks for coming by the blog today!

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WHY WE WRITE TIME TRAVEL

By Kathy Clark (writing as Bob Kat for our YA Books)

WIN a beautiful heart-shaped shell necklace.  Details at the end of this post.

NOT MY LIFE, the 5^th book in the Time Shifters YA time travel/romance/mystery series will be released on October 18^th.  Nothing is as it seems and everyone has a story that needs to be heard.  Our teens travel back to either vindicate or convict their old friend, Dan Denucci.  But the man with a medical degree, a beautiful wife, and a young son is very different from the sad, homeless guy who lives under the pier on Fort Myers Beach, FL.  Who is the real Dan and what did he do to lose everything?

Of all the concepts (or tropes), I think time travel would be the most amazing adventure.  You can have the trips to Mars or an excursion down to the Titanic.  Give me a trip to the late 1800s any day to see what the Old West was really like.  Or the early 1800s in Ireland before my family left to come to the U.S.  Or even back to the 1960s just because I love the Beatles.  The hardest part of the trip would be deciding where and when to go first.

Where would you go if you could travel back in time?  Who would you want to meet?  What historical event would you like to witness?  What era’s pop culture, fashion and music would you like to experience? 

That was the idea that sparked our Young Adult series TIME SHIFTERS.  How would it be for four teenagers to be able to go back and see how average people lived, and, along the way, experience the feelings and textures of different times and places?  What kind of challenge would it be for them to do without things they thought they couldn’t live without while having to deal with issues (such as no electricity, different currency, and child labor) that they’ve never thought about?

Bob and I have had over forty books published (as Kathy Clark and as Bob Kat), but most were written for adults…about adults.  Writing a YA presented new outlooks on everything from friendship to romance to problem solving.  Obviously, a sixteen-year-old is going to react differently to almost everything than an adult would.

And even though dragons and witches and vampires are very popular, we wanted our teens to be real.  No magic spells or mythical creatures save them.  Instead, they have to deal with their issues using only their own ingenuity, creativity, and the friendship they share.  Plus, we wanted our young readers to “accidentally” learn a little about history and what was normal back then as compared to now.

My favorite books when I was growing up were Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew mysteries, as well as Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart.  We wanted our teenagers to be 21^st Century versions of the very interesting and intelligent characters from those famous novels. 

Having never written a book with lead characters under the age of twenty-one, we were a little nervous about capturing the innocence, insecurities, and youthful logic of teenagers.  But the four characters we created became so real to us that we easily slipped into their heads and their hearts.  Their vulnerabilities and dreams are so pure and yet heart-breaking as they discover the cruelties of the real world.

Bob and I plot the books together, usually sitting outside on our deck.  He then writes the first draft, and I add all of the color (clothing, scenery, hair, etc.), personalities, romance, and polish.  We have totally different writing schedules.  He’s up early and fills about three to five pages before I ever get up.  I’m a night-writer and don’t even start until around ten p.m., then go to bed around two or three a.m.  I like to let my subconscious mind take over, so I always have the TV on for background noise.  I don’t think I could write a coherent sentence if it was quiet or before noon.  I heard that Mozart’s wife would read to him while he was composing his brilliant music because the words would occupy his left brain so his right brain could create.  

Basically, this series allows Bob and me to do a little time travelling, too, as we go back to the memories of our own teenage years and hang out with our four new friends, Kelly, Austin, Scott, and Zoey as they learn how to love and live and survive in a world that’s not always kind.

Come along.  Whether you’re twelve or ninety-two, you’ll enjoy the trip. 

Visit us at our website www.LoveRealityRomance.com or write us at Kathy@Nightwriter93.com.  We would love to hear where and when you think our teenagers should travel to in the next book.  Reviews are always appreciated.

Bob Kat loves to hear from their fans.  Write us at TheThrillOfSuspense@gmail.com and tell us where you’d like to have Kelly, Scott, Austin and Zoey travel to next.

To celebrate the launch of NOT MY LIFE, we’re giving away a very special heart-shaped mother-of-pearl shell necklace.  (The photo doesn’t do it justice.)  It is 18” long.  All you have to do is send us an email at Kathy@nightwriter93.com with your name, email address, and the words SHELL NECKLACE.  You will be entered into the drawing that will be held on December 1, 2016.  The winner will be notified by email.  

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AUTHOR BIO

Long ago and far away (in Alvin, Texas) Kathy Clark began her career writing and performing plays for the neighborhood kids.  She charged a nickel, but the attendees got a free bottle of ice cold Coke along with their entertainment.  Flash forward a few years and Kathy Clark still loves telling stories. 

She started writing solo for such publishers as Harlequin and Dell.  In 1993, she met and married her prince charming, and after his career as a business executive, he became her co-writer.   Together they have had fourteen books published, bringing her total to thirty-seven.  Their books are about real people caught up in unexpected and extraordinary circumstances, and just happen to fall in love in the process…just like Kathy and Bob did!

They write adult romance and romantic suspense under the pen name Kathy Clark and YA romance/time travel/mysteries under the pen name of Bob Kat. 

They currently live in Colorado Springs near their five sons.  When they’re not plotting their next book on what they call their Authors’ Deck with a glass of wine, they love to travel to far-away places…always together.

NOT MY LIFE is #5 in the Time Shifters YA romance/time travel/mystery series.  The first four books have won numerous Readers’ Favorite and other awards. 

Our latest adult romantic suspense series, Austin Heroes had book #2 ALMOST FOREVER released in July and book #3 ANOTHER CHANCE to be released in November.  We are currently working on a new adult romance series called Breathless that is set in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

We love to hear from our readers and encourage everyone to leave reviews.  Add your name to our newsletter at  http://nightwriter93.us4.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=36aefea91512cdbd3abf603cf&id=b02a931508  and receive updates on our books, household hints, recipes, and contests. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Website:    www.LoveRealityRomance.com

Email:         LoveRealityRomance@gmail.com

Sign up for our Newsletter at http://nightwriter93.us4.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=36aefea91512cdbd3abf603cf&id=b02a931508

Twitter:       @93NightWriter

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kathy-Clark-Reality-Romance-1608739986057729/

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/author/show/150098.Kathy_Clark

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/BobKat1993/

Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Clark_(American_author)

Link to purchase NOT MY LIFE on Amazon:  http://lrd.to/not-my-life

Link to purchase ANOTHER CHANCE on Amazon:  http:// lrd.to/another-chance