Thursday, March 15, 2012

Closed: BOGO eBooks + Win Amazon Gift Cards

The time has finally arrived for the March Win With eBooks Event! From March 15 - 18, when you buy one of the following eBooks for just 99 cents, you can get the second one for free plus enter to win one of several Amazon.com gift cards. You can enter here or check out winwithebooks.com for more information. Please note this giveaway is not being hosted by Library Girl Reads & Reviews. Those running this contest can be contacted through winwithebooks.com

There are 18 books participating in this buy one, get one event. Please be sure to view all pages of the widget to see them all.



MAIN GIVEAWAY a Rafflecopter giveaway JUST FOR BLOGGERS! a Rafflecopter giveaway PLAY TRIVIA FOR EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN! This contest is in no way affiliated with Facebook. All information is gathered via Rafflecopter and will only be used to contact the winners.


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Making of Julia's Song with Elyse Pierce (Guest Post)

Win With eBooksElyse Pierce is one of the authors participating in the Win With eBooks event for March. Several authors have come together to offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on their eBooks as well as a chance to win some Amazon.com gift cards. The promotion is running from March 15 - 18 and you can find all the details at winwithebooks.com. Today I would like to welcome Elyse to Library Girl Reads & Reviews to talk about creating Julia's Song ...

It all started with a news story almost 15 years ago. I was pregnant with my oldest son. I was watching something on television (don’t ask me what, I can barely remember what I watched an hour ago.) All of a sudden, a reporter came on to report that Princess Diana had died.

Like many people throughout the world, Princess Diana’s life intrigued me. I remember getting up early in the morning to watch her wedding on television. I was only 12 years old. I was glued to the broadcast – fascinated by the story of this beautiful woman who was about to become a real life princess.

I distinctly remember when both William and Harry were born. I remember seeing pictures of their first day of school. I remember pictures of Princess Di dressed in beautiful gowns. Pictures of her beautiful smile.

But I also remember other pictures. Pictures of her in the gym with not so nice captions. Pictures of her standing next to Prince Charles looking utterly miserable. Pictures of a woman whose eyes begged for privacy.

I so admired this woman who was a great mother, role model, and philanthropist. At the same time, I felt sorry for what she had been through since becoming a member of the royal family. I thought “What if...”

Suddenly the idea for Julia’s Song came to life.

It took me 15 years to actually write and publish Julia’s Song, but the message and memory of a beautiful woman are not forgotten.

ABOUT JULIA’S SONG:

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you were to suddenly become famous? Could you handle life in the spotlight?

Julia Alexander is a quiet girl from a small town. When she meets the love of her life, she is unaware of just how drastically her life is about to change. Suddenly thrown into the limelight, her life is no longer her own. Relentlessly followed by the paparazzi, Julia is forced to make tough decisions about fame, love, and relationships. Just how much would she be willing to sacrifice to regain her privacy? Is reclaiming her life even possible, or is it too late?

EXCERPT:

“Julia!”
“Julia! Over here!”
“Julia!”
The screams from the sidewalk outside pierced my ears before the car rolled to a complete stop.
My hands fumbled, as I reached for my compact. I quickly dabbed on some powder and ran my fingers through my waves of brown hair.
“Good enough, let’s get this over with.”
The glass shield separating me from the driver began to descend.
“Are you ready Ma’am?”
“Yes, thank you.” I tried to mask my unease; grateful no one other than myself could hear my heart racing. I smoothed out my grey wool skirt and waited.
The driver turned off the engine and got out of the car. I sat up straight and took a deep breath as he opened my door.
A sea of flashbulbs blinded me. I could feel the familiar forced smile overtake my face as I stopped to pose for the cameras, grateful there were velvet ropes separating the multitude of photographers and reporters trying to get close to me.
“Julia, what is your reaction to this latest round of accusations?” A voice yelled from my left.
I turned abruptly on my heels, facing the direction of the voice. I could feel the heat rising to my face.
“I try not to pay attention to petty rumors.”
I turned back around to the right and addressed the waiting crowd. “Thank you all so much for your support.”
I waved before turning back to the left, trying to brush off the last question. I waved once more and headed into the stately building.
The large entryway was quiet. I felt the cold marble against my back, leaning against the wall, relieved to have escaped the media relatively unscathed. A moment of calm, so foreign to me now, briefly took over.
The double doors at the end of the hallway creaked open, breaking the silence.
Susan peeked out from behind the doors. “Oh good, you’re here. They are ready for you now.”

ABOUT ELYSE PIERCE:

Julia’s Song is Elyse Pierce’s debut novel. Elyse lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three children, and two cats. She enjoys crocheting, gardening, spending time with her family, and promoting children’s literacy.

Find out more about Julia's Song at www.granddaisypress.com
Also on Facebook and Twitter


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Strong Female Heroines with Amy Lignor (Guest Post)

Win With eBooksAmy Lignor is one of the authors participating in the Win With eBooks event for March. Several authors have come together to offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on their eBooks as well as a chance to win some Amazon.com gift cards. The promotion is running from March 15 - 18 and you can find all the details at winwithebooks.com. Today I would like to welcome Amy to Library Girl Reads & Reviews to talk about finding strong female characters...

Thank you so much for having me here! I would love to begin by speaking briefly about strong female heroines. I am a fan of tough, intelligent females in novels, and I believe that comes from two places.

My mother is the strongest, most courageous woman I know. Being a career librarian, she taught my sister and I at a very young age that books were magic and T.V. and video games were not. Although I really did not like that idea when I was a teen, I learned pretty early on that she was absolutely right. It is because of that lady, that I became an avid reader and writer. I also got the love for strong female characters from my daughter. She is a reader extraordinaire, but when she was not reading, Buffy was playing in the background. Shelby always loved the fact that the girl was able to kick major butt, and that she was the ultimate hero in a world full of men…and vampires, of course.

In a historical series I write called, Tallent & Lowery , the main character is a very tough, very intelligent woman who has a card catalogue for a brain. She can pull up all sorts of information, head out on adventures, and solve puzzles that no one else even understands. She actually brings the mysteries to life. Funny - a bit sarcastic, at times - she is the ultimate heroine.

So when I began my foray into the young adult world, I decided that I very much wanted to tell a unique angel story (not ‘fallen’ or tormented…at least, not at first). I wanted that female angel to be the toughest of the tough; not by wielding swords, but using her talents to go against the most difficult things you can possibly think of - human emotions. When this angel meets up against love, fear, anger, envy - she is beyond confused, but she keeps going. Her mind and her heart were bent at times, frayed a bit around the edges, but she never gives up who she is or what she believes in, and I think that’s really the best type of character in the world. Whether the female characters are strong and powerful with their hearts or minds or talents, etc., does not matter. Whatever their ultimate fate is makes the story, and I hope that readers really understand and feel that with Emily in Until Next Time .

What are you working on now?
I have just finished book number 2 in the Angel Chronicles, and it is a whole lot of fun. I cannot tell you why they are where they are because I do not want to ruin the first book, but it has loads of adventure, romance, and historical locations that readers of all ages are really going to love.

What is the first thing you did when you found out you were getting published?
The only one in the house with me was Reuben, my German Shepherd, who sits beside me day and night while I write. So he was very excited. He got a lot of treats and a lot of hugs.

If you could have dinner with any author (alive or dead), who would you pick?
I have stated in the past that, just for fun, I would love to sit and have dinner with Dean Koontz. Because every time the man is interviewed, he has a spectacular sense of humor. But J.K. Rowling would be a fantastic dinner partner when it comes to writing. I mean, this is one tough woman who thought she was writing a book for her daughter and ended up creating a work of art that will be one of the greatest events in literary history that my great-great granddaughter will call a classic. That is a stunning accomplishment.

What are the last 3 books you read?
LOL. I am a book reviewer for so many sites, magazines, newsletters, companies - that I usually have at least twenty on my ‘to read’ table at any given moment. I just read Syrie James and Ryan James’ new YA book titled, Forbidden , which was wonderful. And the two before that were Wonderstruck , by the amazing Selznick, and A Soul For Trouble, by Crista McHugh, which is a new YA with a wonderful plot.

Thank you again for having me!

Until Next Time, Everybody
Amy

Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1
How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.

Amy Lignor's Bio:
Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend ; the thriller, Mind Made ; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13 .

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

Find Amy Lignor online:


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Finding Your Voice with BK Walker (Guest Post)

Win With eBooksBK Walker is one of the authors participating in the Win With eBooks event for March. Several authors have come together to offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on their eBooks as well as a chance to win some Amazon.com gift cards. The promotion is running from March 15 - 18 and you can find all the details at winwithebooks.com. Today I would like to welcome BK to Library Girl Reads & Reviews to talk about finding your voice as a writer...

Finding Your Voice – Can You Be The Writer You've Always Wanted to Be?

I’ve worked with many authors and writers over the last couple of years. It amazes me the talent that I constantly come across. I’m not talking just mediocre talent, I’m talking the next Nora Roberts or Nicholas Sparks kind of talent. I’ve helped authors and writers in many different aspects of writing and marketing, including interviews where I ask authors advice, and what they wished they knew before hand.

As many of you know, I interview authors live on Blog Talk Radio at my very own show called BK Media Entertainment. This is where I get down to the nitty gritty of writing and try to get as many answers in as many forms as I can.

One comment I’m always getting told is, “I’ve always wanted to write, I just don’t know where to start.” The advice from the authors I interview that is always said in one way or another, “Just write.” I recently read a book and interviewed the author, Write-A-Thon:Write Your Book in 26 Days (and live to tell about it) by Rochelle Melander. Her advice was simple. “Just show up everyday.”

So you want to be a writer, but can you be the writer you’ve always dreamed to be?

YES YOU CAN.

You have ideas swirling through your mind. Tons of them. You like vampires, or a good murder mystery, you just don’t know how you’re going to get started, let alone find time in between running kids to soccer, going to school plays, cleaning the house, and cooking dinner.

YOU CAN DO IT!

If you’re serious about writing a book, the first place to start is getting your ideas to paper, or into the computer. Jot them down, whatever they are. It doesn’t matter how silly they seem or far fetched they are, just write them down. They are your ideas, nobody ever has to see them. EVER!

Once you have some ideas out there, go read a book. If you want to write about vampires and werewolves, read a paranormal, there are tons of them out there. You could go for Laurel K Hamilton’s Anita Blake Series, LJ Smith’s Vampire Diaries, or even Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight Series. If you want to write a good mystery, read some JD Robb or James Patterson.

After you get a feel for what the genre is about, jot down some more ideas. Now your ideas should start falling into place, and you can actually see your characters and plot developing right before your minds eye.

What’s your next move?

Simple. Start writing your story. Don’t worry about where it’s going, and don’t worry about what people might think, just write. Keep writing everyday. Soon you will see it forming a decent plot, characters are developing even stronger in your mind and maybe even trying to tell their own story.

Carry a journal or small notebook with you at all times. You just never know when another idea for your story will jump out at you. If you can write it down, you won’t forget it.

As you continue to write, the words keep growing and the pages keep getting longer. It feels good doesn’t it? You’re actually reaching one of your dreams.

Next, as you settle into the added routine of writing, decide when you are at your best, and pick that time each day to write. Then, just do it, and keep at it.

Before you know it, your book will be complete and you will be ready for edits and revisions.

Congratulations! You’re now an author!

Connect with BK Walker:

Keara Crosby had the perfect life. Her family was not hurting for anything. When her parents are suddenly killed, Keara must learn to live without them. After mourning their death for two months, Keara starts to live again. She follows her favorite band, hangs with her best friend Jared, and falls for the new kid on the block.

When her favorite band is playing at Night Secrets, a new club downtown, she takes her first outing since her parents death and finds this mysterious boy watching her. Mesmerized by his lapus blue eyes, she can't help but feel drawn to him. Her body responds to him in ways she never thought possible, and she needs to figure out why. What is it about Channing that has her yearning for his touch?

Not only is Keara drawn to Channing, but the owner of Night Secrets seems to be drawn to her. Giving her special treatment, she can't help but wonder what he's hiding, and the sense she's seen him before. When she's attacked in the parking lot, her world turns inside out, literally. Keara will soon learn that secrets of the night, just may be the death of her.

Available at  Amazon.com


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The bright lights of Social Media with Lili Tufel (Guest Post)

Win With eBooksLili Tufel is one of the authors participating in the Win With eBooks event for March. Several authors have come together to offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on their eBooks as well as a chance to win some Amazon.com gift cards. The promotion is running from March 15 - 18 and you can find all the details at winwithebooks.com. Today I would like to welcome Lili to Library Girl Reads & Reviews to talk social media...

The bright lights of Social Media

Are you feeling overwhelmed by so many social media sites? Between Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Triberr, Tumblr, Pinterest, and blogging, who has time to write? They have all become one big blur to me.

This past weekend, my family and I attended our local Church Fair. Hubby got our kids a “bracelet” for unlimited rides. I strolled along while they rode each and every ride about ten times. At first, it was very exciting, running back and forth between Pharaoh’s Fury and the Ring of Fire, but eventually the lights and sounds all became one big blur. By Sunday afternoon, hubby said to me, “I’m all fair’d out.” I felt the same way, but the kids who have an endless pit of energy, still wanted more. By Sunday evening, even the most hyper of my children was dragging her feet for one last time on the Banzai ride.

Facebook is definitely like the Ring of Fire. It can quickly suck you into a vortex of political and religious arguments draining your creative energy one log-in at a time. My advice, use Facebook with caution. Take a break from Facebook, for a day or two, and not only will you feel refreshed but everyone who matters will still be there for you when you get back.

Twitter is the Pharaoh’s Fury. You’ll want to ride it endlessly, ignoring the world around you. I’ll admit, twitter can be a lot of fun and it’s an excellent place to interact with readers. Again, take a break once in a while. It’s ok to schedule some of your tweets via Hootsuite or Tweetdeck. You don’t have to answer every tweet in real time. Also, if you join a tribe on Triberr, you can have your blog posts tweeted out via Triberr by those in your tribe. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone. You’ll be scheduling tweets of cool blogs and your posts will be promoted by others.

Tumblr and Pinterest are all about images and pictures. These are the brightest lights at the fair like the Ferris wheel. Although the pretty lights can be mesmerizing, remember to step away from them once in a while. If you can’t do it alone, you may need an intervention.

If you’re all “social media’d” out, join me in letting go and taking a break for a few hours of “unplugged” silence for writing. It’s not the end of the world that my book falls in the Amazon ranks because I wasn’t there to promote, promote, promote… Once I’m refreshed, I’ll emerge with a new book and lots of renewed energy for social media, and my Amazon ranks will benefit more from it.

Lili Tufel is the acclaimed author of best-selling action adventure novel, Sand . Lili comes from a long line of artists and authors including great-great-great-grandfather, Juan Jose Botero, author of the Hispanic literary classic, Lejos del Nido. Lili Tufel lives in Miami, FL with her husband, three children, and their dog, Luna.

#1 Bestseller, SAND: Dallas is a Special Forces Lieutenant who is driven by his promise to protect the Colonel's daughter Abby from an opium drug lord. He is torn between duty and his love for her and when he discovers that the drug lord's charming--murderous son has befriended Abby, there's no limit to how far he is willing to go to protect her. Click here for more info: http://amzn.to/SandLTufel

 
Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Winding Road to Becoming an Author with Larry Peterson (Guest Post)

Win With eBooksLarry Peterson is one of the authors participating in the Win With eBooks event for March. Several authors have come together to offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on their eBooks as well as a chance to win some Amazon.com gift cards. The promotion is running from March 15 - 18 and you can find all the details at winwithebooks.com. Today I would like to welcome Larry to Library Girl Reads & Reviews to talk about his path to becoming an author...

First of all, I have always wanted to be a writer but my journey followed a winding sometimes circular road in getting to my destination. I spent 15 years working in the building trades in NYC with the Metal Lathers/Reinforcing Iron Workers until I was forced to leave that business when an insidious little demon known as MS (a handy little acronym for Multiple Sclerosis) attacked my central nervous system causing me to begin stumbling around like a drunk and then leaving me almost unable to walk at all. That was 30 years ago and today, after a lot of prayers, hard work and therapy, I use no walking aids of any kind and get around like most everyone else. My wife, Loretta, my three kids and I moved to Florida (doctor's advice) when this was all going down. I went to college and after I graduated I began doing part-time newspaper commentary for three local publications. I did that for about five years and, as is the way of things, those papers went out of business (I hope it wasn't my fault). That was around 1995 and I did not write much after that as many things were going on in our lives that took precedence over me. No excuses, it is just the way it was and I am glad that I was where I was at that point in time.

Loretta died nine years ago from cancer (melanoma) and I married a widow, Marty, about five years ago. Marty spent almost all of 2011 undergoing chemo treatments for cancer (Lymphoma) and, thank God, she is now in remission. I myself had prostate cancer and, in May, I will be five years out. It seems that cancer is like Al-Qaeda---always sneaking around and attacking people trying to kill them. Fortunately, due to incredible advances, cancers are not nearly as successful as they used to be but there is still a long way to go before, like Al-Qaeda, they are eradicated.

I began to write seriously about four or five years ago and my first book Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes (children's) was released in January 2011. My first novel is The Priest and the Peaches and was officially launched January 1 of this year. So, I am a husband, father, grandfather and officially a "senior citizen." Experiencing the life of a writer is my "permanent senior moment." It's ALL GOOD and I am not turning back.

The Priest and the Peaches Book Summary
Historical fiction novel set in the Bronx in the mid-1960s

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad's funeral.

They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, unchartered and turbulent waters of "grown-up world." A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Larry Peterson's Bio:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. A former Metal Lather/Reinforcing Iron-worker, he left that business after coming down with MS. He, his wife and three kids moved to Florida 30 years ago. Larry began doing freelance newspaper commentary after graduating from Tampa College in 1984.

His first children's picture book, Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes was published in 2011. In 2012, his full length novel, The Priest and the Peaches, was released and he is presently working on the sequel.

He also has a blog (http://www.ThePriestandthePeaches.com) where he posts weekly commentary. He lives in Pinellas Park, Florida and his kids and six grandchildren all live within three miles of each other.

You can also find Larry Peterson on Facebook and Twitter.


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Monday, March 5, 2012

State of the Blog March 2012: New Baby Edition

If you read my Our New Addition post recently, you know that we have a new baby in the family. This has been a wonderful thing but it also leaves me sleep deprived and with very little reading time. The result is that I'm not sure how many book reviews I'll be posting in the near future. I will continue to have book related content though - mainly author guest posts.

Win With eBooks During March, I will be participating in an event for winwithebooks.com. Several authors have teamed up to do a buy one, get one free promotion from March 15 - 18. Not only do you have the chance to get two great eBooks for the price of one, but you can also enter a contest for Amazon gift cards. I will have author guest posts leading up to the main event and then have the Rafflecopter widget posted on the 15th.

Here is what is up next on my reading list:
All of these books were sent to me for review. I'm slowly making my way through The Way right now when I get a few minutes here and there to read. I have no idea when I'll actually get these finished and reviewed but I wanted to give you an idea of what will be showing up here eventually.


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Friday, March 2, 2012

OTL: Are you earning giftcards with Swagbucks?

Search & Win
Today is another Mega Swagbucks Day! Today and every Friday you can win even more Swagbucks when using the Swagbucks search engine. These Swagbucks can then be redeemed for great prizes including Amazon.com gift cards.

For more about Swagbucks and how I've used the program to pay for Christmas for two years check out my post on How I Earn Swagbucks.

Have fun searching and I'd love to hear if you score a big win!


Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.