Human life has value.
The poor living in the gutter is as valuable as the rich living in a manor.
The scoundrel is no less valuable than the saint.
Because of this, every life a reaper takes must be redeemed.
Raven has lived by this first tenet since she was trained by her father to become a reaper. But since his death, she’s been spending years redeeming the lives she’s taken. By her count, she’s even and it’s time for that life to end. If she settles down and becomes a wife, she might just feel human again. But on the way to the life she thinks she wants, the baron of New Haven asks her to complete a task which she cannot ignore… Just when Raven decides to give up on her life as an assassin, she’s pulled right back in.
The Chronicles of Steele: Raven is a steampunk-inspired fantasy set in an alternate universe.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Book Blast and Giveaway: Goddess Born by Kari Edgren
Goddess BornPennsylvania, 1730
Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.
A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it’s Selah’s sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there’s no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.
When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope—that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.
But when news of Samuel’s death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice—forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?
Friday, April 25, 2014
Book Review: The Tangled Red Thread by Elle Cuardaigh
Title: The Tangled Red Thread
Author: Elle Cuardaigh
Pages: 370
Release date: April 11, 2014
Where I got the book: I actually proofread this book, but that does not affect my review about the actual writing.
Summary:
Born into the social experiment of closed adoption in the early 1960s, Noelle was taken home directly from the hospital at the age of three days. Her early life in rural Washington state seemed idyllic. With loving parents, two brothers, and her beloved pets, she had a childhood to be envied. But all that was ripped away, first by the violent loss of her innocence, followed by the slow death of her mother. Essentially left to raise herself, she embarks on a lifelong journey of self-discovery, guided at unexpected times by "the voice" only she can hear. Even the most mundane choices, such as where to go to college, seem to be divinely directed. Haunted by recurring loss, Noelle is determined to find her birth mother, to uncover the secrets of the feelings and visions she cannot contain or control. In surviving the breakdown of her husband and marriage, she realizes she has a psychic connection with the family she never knew, and in a series of incredible events reunites not only with them, but also eventually with her soulmate. A true account of one woman's life, existing as not one, but two people: one born and one adopted, and enduring the reality of not completely belonging in either world.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Book Review: In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long
About the book:Title: In Leah's Wake
Author: Terri Giuliano Long
Release date: March 27, 2012
Pages: 372
Where I got the book: I got the book from Amazon on a free promo day.
Summary:
In this haunting coming-of-age novel, award-winning author Terri Giuliano Long delves into every parents’ nightmare as a rebellious teenage daughter unravels before her family, forcing them to reevaluate the choices they’ve made….
Star player and captain of her soccer team, sixteen-year-old Leah Tyler has a bright future ahead of her. Though she’s only in her junior year of high school, several colleges have already expressed interest in recruiting Leah—including Harvard, where her father desperately wants her to go. But when she meets bad boy Todd Corbett, her life soon spirals dangerously out of control.
From ignoring her curfew to experimenting with drugs, Leah is breaking every rule. For the first time in her life, she feels like she’s the one in control, making her own decisions instead of following her parents’ dreams. But as Leah is about to discover, her actions have the power to forever fracture her family.
My review:
Do you ever leave a book on your Kindle or shelf for a while because you're not sure if you'll like it? I've done that several times, and every single time, I wish I hadn't. Last year, In Leah's Wake was offered for free one day, and after seeing it all over the blogosphere and Twitter for months, I thought I'd see what the fuss was about. But I'd heard it was sad, so I kept putting it off. I really have to stop doing that.
It was gritty and certainly not a fairy tale, but I didn't cry. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it. It was so easy to empathize with the characters, while simultaneously wanting to throw something at them. You could see that they were all trying to do the best they could, but still falling short somehow.
Leah and Justine are craving the love and attention of their parents, who both think they're doing all they are supposed to for their children. A massive communication breakdown builds for years, and ultimately culminates in tragedy.
If you like family drama, I'd definitely recommend this book, but even if you don't like drama (not my favorite genre), this is a well-written story that will make you care about the characters and leave you wanting to see more of their lives.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Book Blast and Giveaway: Peacock by Katie Femia
Peacock Swamp: Book 1 | The Nine
In 2064, The Nine are preparing to assemble. This board of individuals is President Madame LaFonte’s solution to an ailing nation in search of medical care. While it seemed ideal at first, the folks of the borough are quickly discovering it isn’t quite what it seems. The lucky ones are issued a red gown and another chance at life. That’s the happy ending. However, not everyone gets a red gown. The others have to make their own second chance at life--if they’ve got the heart to do what it takes. When the superstitions of the swamplands run just as deep as the mud, every little bit of luck helps. They named her Vitalia, a name that means life. But her name was the only advantage that she had. In need of a heart transplant, Vita leaves Peacock Swamp behind to stand before The Nine. With her family by her side, they run into the dangers that government healthcare has created: an underground medical clinic that services the rejected citizens...for a price. Her whole life has been a struggle. Why should her death be any different?Purchase on Amazon - Paperback / Ebook
Katie Femia took a leap of faith several years ago and left her career as an elementary school teacher to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She now enjoys the day-to-day musings of writing for a variety of blogs and websites as a regular contributor. She covers topics such as home finance, DIY projects, money saving strategies, and everything in between. While a number of manuscripts still slumber in a kitchen drawer, Peacock Swamp | Book One: The Nine is her first published novel. She lives in South Bend, Indiana with her husband and three children, where they enjoy the typical Hoosier summers of chasing fireflies in their bare feet. When she isn’t writing, Katie can be found making over vintage furniture pieces and scouring local thrift spots.
The author is giving away a copy of her book (winner's choice - ebook or paperback ) and peacock bracelet. Fill out the form below to enter.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Release Day: Turning Home by Stephanie Nelson
Turning Home (A Small Town Novel) by Stephanie Nelson
When Brooke Kingsley finally captures the interest of her four-year crush—Dylan Crawford—her world turns upside down. Feeling alive for the first time, Brooke decides to spend her last three days of summer with Dylan and discovers there’s more to him than the rumors being whispered all over town. The problem is, Brooke’s father doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near the blue-collar bad boy. As Brooke leaves for college, she’ll realize that some boys aren’t easy to forget.
Dylan Crawford has hated the Roseville Snobs his entire life, but one particular Snob has captured his eye—Brooke Kingsley. He knows he should stay away from her, but willpower has never been his strong suit. Soon Brooke is all he can think about. When she leaves for school, Dylan tries to move on with other girls, but the memory of Brooke taunts him. There’s an undeniable pull to the very girl he’s been warned to stay away from. When tragedy strikes the Kingsley household, secrets are uncovered. Brooke and Dylan must decide if what they feel for each other is strong enough to conquer their families’ dark past.
This is a NA (new adult) book and intended for readers 18+.
Purchase on Amazon
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: Twelve Houses by Olga Soaje
Welcome to one of the tour stops of TWELVE
HOUSES by OLGA SOAJE. Lady Reader’s Bookstuff Tours is hosting a
week-long tour for Ms. Soaje for her new book. Twelve
Houses which is Contemporary Woman’s Literary Fiction. The book
addresses and tells the tale of one woman discovering her life is far from
over. Join us today and follow along to see some great posts including an Amazon
Gift Card giveaway!
Can anything good follow the best thing that ever happened to you?
Amelia Weiss loved her husband of thirty-five years very much, but now he’s left her a widow. Without him, she is unable to work in her sculpture studio without crying. She no longer has a bridge to her estranged daughter. And she can’t seem to keep her mind in the present.
But when her daughter reaches out asking for her help and her agent threatens a lawsuit if Amelia doesn’t deliver for an upcoming exhibit, she’s forced to make a choice. Will she reengage with her life and the people in it—allowing room for things to be different than they were before? Or, will she remain stuck in the past, choosing her memories over real-life relationships?Thrust fully into the present, Amelia stumbles into a surprising journey of self-discovery.
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On my latest novel Twelve Houses, I tell the story of a widow who discovers that her life story is far from over. Amelia is a brave woman who struggles to find her true place in the world and at the same time to create a life that holds spiritual meaning and purpose.Though my first book, Borrowing My Mother’s Saints, was a comedy set in New York, I think both books describe a similar spiritual journey. The struggles of all of my characters are very important to me, and I love to hear from my readers about my books.In my everyday life, I am married, and my husband and I are raising two sons. We currently divide our lives between San Diego, California, and Mexico.
Hosted by:
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$25 Amazon Gift Card - Ends 2/5/14Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Card Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Amy from Lady Reader’s Bookstuff Tours and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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