Monday, September 10, 2012

She Wulf by Sheryl Steines (Excerpt)

Please enjoy this excerpt from She Wulf, an action-packed urban fantasy by Sheryl Steines. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including a Kindle Fire, $550 in Amazon gift cards, 5 autographed copies of She Wulf, and 5 copies of its companion, The Day of First Sun.

Someone screamed; a terrified, naked shrill cry in the distance. There were sounds of hollering, screeching, grunting, stomping. The ground rumbled under Annie as she threw several layers of animal skins to the ground.

Spencer jumped up; the coven roused themselves.

“The mead hall,” he said as they threw open the door and ran to the village center.

Chaos turned to determination as the coven traveled through the forest toward the mead hall. Annie knew the Vikings were running, screaming, panicked— but all she could hear were footsteps, and her heart pounding in her chest. Spencer had come with her; she didn’t know where he was now. She only knew the steady rhythm surrounding her as the coven followed the trail. Instinctively she went into battle mode. This was what had brought here. Her adrenaline pumped through her, her heart beat quicker, her blood boiled with rage, and she ran faster.

They were through the forest and into the clearing that surrounded the mead hall. Annie’s senses changed, grew clearer and louder. She heard terrified voices; smelled fear hanging in the air. The anxious cries of the Vikings moved through her. She listened to the growling and grunting and the rage and horror the demons brought forth. It crowded her as they broke through the wooded area.

Swords swished in the air; metal sliced through flesh. Anxious, chaotic screams greeted them as they entered the massacre.

Blood covered the earth and stuck to their shoes and clothes. Large dark patches already drenched the ground around the hall and rolled off the dead bodies that littered the ground. Annie was sick. Women and children ran from the mead hall in the direction of the coven village, away from the demons that had overtaken them.

She reached down and pulled a small boy out of the way as a demon lunged for him. She threw her first jinx at the demon, surprised by the strength of her magic. The creature flew through the air and landed on another demon. The demon on top grunted, punched the beast below it and stood up. The one on the ground rose and looked around, confused at first until it focused on a Viking running past. It reached its large hands over and plucked the Viking from mid-run and held him in the air.

Terror filled the night; panic surrounded her as she conjured a small fireball. It hovered above her palm; it grew in size and strength, and she released it toward the demon. Its lightweight clothing caught fire easily. The demon hopped around in one spot, patting down the fire, but the flames grew and inched their way upwards before consuming the demon’s skin. It screamed; pain mixed with terror. The battle stopped around them and the warriors watched, entranced by the only known means to kill the demons.

“Fire!” Annie yelled to them. “Kill them with fire!”

As if the coven awoke from a trance, fireballs lit up the night, flying through the air and consuming the demons. Fire ate away at Annie’s demon’s flesh and crackled its bones. They popped until there was nothing left but ash. The last of the monster’s scream reverberated in Annie’s ear as the wind picked up and scattered its smoking remains in the air. She lit another ball of fire above her palm and threw it in the pile of ash, burning any possible traces of the demon. The blaze flashed and died down to nothing. She ran toward another creature.



As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the She Wulf eBook edition is just 99 cents this week--and so is the price of its companion, The Day of First Sun. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include a Kindle Fire, $550 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:
  1. Purchase your copy of She Wulf for just 99 cents
  2. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
  3. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
  4. Visit today’s featured social media event
About She Wulf: Annie is sent through an ancient time portal with only a prophecy to guide her; she struggles with a new destiny as she tries to figure out a way to destroy an un-killable demon and return home. Get it on Amazon. Also available in paperback.

About The Day of First Sun: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon. Also available in paperback.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

This giveaway is brought to you by Novel Publicity. Library Girl Reads & Reviews is not responsible for selecting winners or awarding prizes. All entries must be completed using the Rafflecopter form. If you are viewing this post via email or a feed reader you may need to visit the blog to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, September 6, 2012

OTL: Help Aflac Help Kids with Cancer

Do you know a child with cancer? It is sad how many of us do. It is sad how many children spend their days in the hospital having surgery or getting chemo when they should be outside playing with their friends. It is devastating how many parents grieve for children lost to cancer.

Research into cancer treatments and cures is a cause that is near to my heart. My family lost my sister to complications of cancer fifteen years ago. She was only sixteen. Although cancer research and treatments have come a long way since then, there is still so much more to be done.

SheSpeaksbutton From now until September 30, you can help the Aflac Cancer Center research for a cure and support families of children with cancer. Sponsor a duck for $12 in Aflac's Swim With Friends virtual duck race and you not only help fight pediatric cancer but you are entered to win a family trip for four to Orlando, Florida. Aflac is also matching each $12 donation. The virtual duck race will take place on the Facebook page on October 9, 2012.

Are you a Twitter user? Tweet using the hashtag #AflacKids and Aflac will donate $2 to pediatric cancer research.

Please give a little so that children can be children and families do not have to feel the burden that cancer brings in so many ways.

Information for this post was provided by Aflac and SheSpeaks. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own.

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Closed: Harry Potter The Complete Series (BluRay) #Giveaway

I am participating in the FREE Harry Potter The Complete Series giveaway event hosted by Mom Powered Media! One super lucky reader will win a BluRay boxed set of Harry Potter 1-7!  

Cost: Free with announcement post or 3.00 with out.  

Prize: Harry Potter The Complete Series on BluRay.  

Giveaway Open to: US and Canada.  

The event dates: September 19– October 13.  

Free Link Option: Pinterest  

Optional Paid Link Options: $2.00 for Facebook or Twitter

To sign up for this event click here. 

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, September 4, 2012

Pleng's Song by Patrick Maher (Review)

Title: Pleng's Song
Author: Patrick Maher
Publication Date: April 2012 (2nd edition)
Publisher: booksmango
Age Group: Young Readers (as stated by author)
Source: Author for review (paperback)
Available Formats: eBook

Pleng is a girl in Thailand who in some ways has everything. She goes to a prestigious private school, lives in a nice house with a cook and driver, and has access to technology like an iPhone and laptop. On the other hand, her parents are entirely absent leaving Pleng to face disastrous floods on her own. Pleng's Song is the story of a girl forced to grow up and face reality through a series of harsh adventures.

Pleng's Song is fast-paced and easily read in a day. The author accurately captures the voice and attitude of a privileged adolescent girl. While Pleng is not an easy character to like at the beginning of the book, it quickly becomes clear that her story is more complex than that of a spoiled brat. The adults in Pleng's life tend to be cruel, absent, or both. I think kids could identify with many of her feelings even if her situation is far more extreme than theirs.

As an adult, I am clearly not in the target audience for this book and I wonder if the adult perspective leads me to be a bit more critical of the plot. I found parts of the story to be unrealistic in nature although they were related in a very realistic fashion. Pleng becomes famous after she is lost in the floods that ravage Thailand but why is she famous when so many others were lost as well? One simple line relates that her parents had called for a nation-wide search to find her but why would they do that when they had deceived and abandoned her for the majority of her life? Even when she is found and brought to safety, her parents do not show affection for her or make any attempt to apologize for the past.

I also wonder at Pleng's ability to survive on her own especially following a head injury. After a life filled with maids, drivers, private school, and technology it is hard to believe that she would suddenly develop the skills and knowledge necessary to survive in and out of the water for that long.

Despite these plot questions I enjoyed Pleng's Song a great deal. I think this book could be a great way to introduce children to another culture and to show the impact that natural disasters can have on a family and community.

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Becoming a Writer by Pauline L. Hawkins (Guest Post)

Today I would like to welcome Pauline L. Hawkins to the blog to talk about her journey as a writer. Pauline has written Ashes Ashes The Twins Fall Down about the events of September 11, 2001 and how they redefined the direction of our country. Pauline will be touring online in September and participating in a Labor Day Book Fair. Check out the News section of her website for all the details.

What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.

I think I've always been a writer. I’ve always had stories bouncing around inside my head and most anyone who knows me will tell you that I have an over-active imagination. As an Instructional Designer I always loved writing analogies and just think that all goes hand in hand with be a writer. Also I don’t know why but I find it much easier to share my thoughts and emotions in writing then verbally. I’m not sure if it’s the anonymity that allows me to share what I’m thinking and feeling or what it really is. Maybe it’s the fact that writing comes with spell check and grammar check. LOL

Writing also helps me arrange your thoughts and make more sense out of what I want to say. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written a few pages or even a chapter and then decided I wanted to head a different direction and scrap them and start over. With all of my Instructional Design training I’m also very in tune with writing for your audience and I’m sure that has a lot to do with my decision to sometimes head a different direction. As much as every writer would like to we can’t write to everyone out there we have to decide on a basic audience. But as enjoyable as writing is it is still work.

All writers, or authors, get writer’s block. We all find ourselves not in the mood to write when we need to be writing to meet a deadline or whatever. Writers are their own worst critics. I’m been frustrated before with a chapter and about ready to trash it but when I ask a neutral party to read it they just love it. I don’t know I guess we just expect the perfection from ourselves and we won’t settle for anything less. You also sometimes find yourself being discouraged by family and friends when they tell you that your writing is a “nice” hobby or that your book is “nice” but it’s no best seller. Ouch! We all hope to write the next best seller but we realize that the odds are against us but we don’t need our family and friends reminding us of it.

About the Author: Pauline L. Hawkins was born in Munson Army Hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on Easter Sunday. As her mother says, Pauline chose to enter the world in the middle of a tornado, and she has been going strong ever since. Pauline and her two adult sons currently reside in Texas, where she has been in the health insurance industry for almost thirty years, working her way up from the mailroom to corporate management and claims payment. In 2002, Pauline received her Instructional Design certification, which allows her to create instructor-led and learner-paced training curriculums, along with computer-based learning activities and website creation. She has enjoyed the opportunity to exercise her creativity. Pauline has enjoyed writing since she was in high school, and has decided to start sharing her stories. This is her debut book. Connect with Pauline on her website or on Facebook.

About the Book: 9/11: The Day That Defined a Generation Where were you on 9/11? That question has become part of the fabric of our lives as Americans. On that bright, sunny day, none of us had any idea what was in store and how it would change our lives. Depending on what part of the country you lived in, you may not have known anything was going on until several hours after the first plane struck. You may not have heard the news until you got to work, turned on your car radio, or received a call from a loved one asking if you had seen or heard the news. Ashes Ashes the Twins Fall Down is a look at the events of 9/11 from personal and informational perspectives. Author, Pauline Hawkins, who lived in Texas at the time of the attacks, shares her experience of 9/11, and its repercussions for her family, her job, and how she viewed the world. Pauline's story of coping with the news, reframing how she thought about America and the world, and making a conscious decision to become better-informed will resonate with anyone who lived through 9/11. In addition to her personal testimony, Pauline provides a thought-provoking context for the events of 9/11, including political background, social commentary, and reflections on the contributions of everyday heroes. You'll come away from this book both enlightened and comforted by Pauline's honesty and common sense, as well as her heartfelt appreciation of those who sacrificed for our country, and those who continue to work toward healing and rebuilding.

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta