Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Sweet, Soft Glow by Joshua Magnotta

A Sweet, Soft Glow

Author: Joshua Magnotta

Publication Date: December 15th, 2020

Genre: Adult Thriller

Book Description:

In the ten years since John Malley lost his wife and daughter, he has slowly faded into obscurity in a rural Pennsylvania town. He spends his days at the local bar and tries to numb the pain of his loss. That is, until Ted’s Dead Rose Tavern becomes the home of the biggest mass killing in the history of the town. John, the lone survivor of the killing-spree, is forced on the run. He heads north where he hopes to hide out at his brother’s house.

Meanwhile, in New York City, young Melanie Parker investigates a disturbing new trend she discovered online. From what she has learned, metallic black bands worn along the forearm are responsible for some form of mind control. Skeptical of this theory, Melanie embarks on a night time excursion that places her in the middle of a riot in the middle of the city. Melanie fights for her life as chaos spreads throughout the city.

As John witnesses the events in New York, he is compelled to take action. But once in the city, John is forced to confront his past.

Buy Links:

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Freak by Leslie Georgeson

Freak

(Something Real #1)

Author: Leslie Georgeson

Publication Date: December 15th, 2020

Genre: Adult Romance / Suspense

Book Desciption:

Jealousy. Betrayal. Family secrets.

Appearances are everything in my family. We are the Strongs. Fame is our birthright. Music flows through our veins in a continuous harmony. Flaws are unacceptable.

When my parents got a good look at the freak they’d created, I was hidden away, my existence wiped out.

Until they discovered my secret.

Now I had something they wanted.

Taking it from me didn’t faze them. They believed they were entitled.

I was just a boy, unable to fight back.

So I did the only thing I could.

I vanished.

That was seven years ago.

Now they are back, and they want something from me again.

They send the sexy and oh-so-tempting Mia Bennett to persuade me, and I’m helpless to resist her.

Mia seems innocent in my family feud, but is she really?

I can’t be sure.

All I know is she makes me feel alive again. She gives me the courage to just be me. She’s the new inspiration behind my music, my heart’s own melody.  

But something dark and twisted lurks close to home, and leaves me questioning who is friend and who is foe.

Now I am forced to make a decision that could well break me.

How far am I willing to go for the woman I love?

Buy Links:

Amazon ¦ UK ¦ Barnes & Noble ¦ iBooks ¦ Kobo

BOOK REVIEW: Winter of the Wolf by Martha Hunt Handler

Winter of the Wolf

Author: Martha Hunt Handler

Genre: YA Mystery / Coming of Age
Release Date: 7th July 2020
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group

Book Description:

A tragic mystery blending sleuthing and spirituality

​An exploration in grief, suicide, spiritualism, and Inuit culture, Winter of the Wolf follows Bean, an empathic and spiritually evolved fifteen-year-old, who is determined to unravel the mystery of her brother Sam’s death. Though all evidence points to a suicide, her heart and intuition compel her to dig deeper. With help from her friend Julie, they retrace Sam’s steps, delve into his Inuit beliefs, and reconnect with their spiritual beliefs to uncover clues beyond material understanding. 

Both tragic and heartwarming, this twisting novel draws you into Bean's world as she struggles with grief, navigates high school dramas, and learns to open her heart in order to see the true nature of the people around her. Winter of the Wolf is about seeking the truth—no matter how painful—in order to see the full picture.

In this novel, environmentalist and award-winning author, Martha Handler, brings together two important pieces of her life—the death of her best friend’s son and her work as president of the Wolf Conservation Center—to tell an empathetic and powerful story with undeniable messages. 

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

Ooh, this one did not work out for me. Initially, as the story kicked off, I thought it was going to be right up my alley, but as I continued reading, it just settled on the surface instead of digging deeper into certain discussions and topics that were mentioned but just shrugged under the carpet. I was left feeling a little uncomfortable, disappointed and rather unsatisfied. 14-year-old Bean is struggling to deal with the apparent suicide of her older brother, Sam, the only person it appears Bean truly cares about. Bean knows her brother very well, and she’s certain he would never commit suicide. He was full of life and was happy, so why would he suddenly take his life? That’s exactly what Bean intends to find out.

Bean’s family each grieve in their own way and oftentimes don’t operate as a family unit who are all going thought a shared grief. Bean appeared selfish and inconsiderate at times, particularly towards her mother, who she often complained didn’t bother with housework chores such as washing and cooking. Albeit Bean appearing to be quite capable of taking care of her basic needs during these arduous times, she nonetheless has the audacity to disregard her mother’s breakdown and trauma over the loss of her child. After all, everyone grieves in their own way; there’s no right or wrong way to deal with tragedy, and you can’t dictate how a person should or shouldn’t handle a traumatic situation as the loss of a loved one. Bean admitted herself that she didn’t consider just how much Sam meant to Chase and Adam just because they weren’t as close to Sam as she was to him. Seriously? Okay, well, I give her credit for acknowledging her ignorance. She is still young, so I guess I can cut her some slack.

For reasons unknown to me, Bean isn’t close to her two Chase and Adam. The only person Bean cares about, which, at times, can be viewed as slightly obsessive and inappropriate, is Sam, and I still didn’t see why she had such a bond with Sam that she couldn’t have formed with her other two brothers. Chase and Adam didn’t appear to be monsters or mean in the slightest, so I imagine, if she had wanted to, she could have spent more time with them just as she chose to spend time with Sam. I wasn't convinced that Sam was that more caring than the other two, as there’s not much focus on her living brothers as there was on the brother she had loss. I wouldn’t have minded if the focus on Sam reflected more of his belief into the Inuit people and their culture, especially considering the major effect his belief had in relation to his death. Bean claimed to be very close to Sam but knew little to nothing about the thing Sam was most passionate about, that being the Inuit culture. I was trying hard to find out what it was about each other that made Bean and Sam so close, as we never really got to witness their relationship on the account that he died at the onset of the story. I must say, however, that some of the interaction and conversation between Bean and Sam left me feeling uncomfortable, as it didn’t seem the thing to be said between a brother and his sister. At times, their bond appeared sensual rather than protective, which was awkward. I’m all for showcasing love between siblings, but there was something off about this display of affection.

I wanted a lot more than what was offered to me. I wanted to dig a little deeper into the story to get that heart-wrenching tragedy that was promised at the start of the book. I wanted to empathise with the characters, but they lacked motivation and chemistry (I don’t mean romantic, obviously). The reveal behind the cause of Sam’s death was underwhelming, not the actual event and story behind what happened, but the reaction that followed the revelation of how he died. This could have been a lot more than what it was, which was disappointing because I can see a lot of potential here.

This is the second audiobook I have listened to, and I’m still not sold that audiobooks are better than ebooks, but it could just be down to the way it was narrated, which did not win me over. Had it not been for the fact that it was an audiobook, I probably would not have finished it. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t leave me wanting more. By the end, I felt unsatisfied - or, maybe I was just hungry, I don’t know. Either way, it wasn’t a great feeling. This was just an okay read for me.

VERDICT

Award: Bronze

Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

Source: NetGalley

BOOK REVIEW: Mommy, Where do babies come from? by Dr Robert Roper

Mommy, Where do babies come from?

Author: Dr Robert Roper

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Release Date: 7th July 2020
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing

Book Description:

Explaining a child's beginning, is sometimes difficult and considered taboo. This book is an honest, eye opening, and humorous, mother's attempt to satisfy her daughter's curiosity, of where babies come from?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

A jolly good read and an insightful explanation into how babies come into the world. I thought the author handled the topic appropriately and in a way that would encourage kids to enquire further and broaden their imagination. This is a topic that kids often enquire about. The author provides answers that satisfies the mind without going into any unsettling or uncomfortable explanations. This book certainly instigates curiosity. Delightful set of illustrations that help to bring the story to life.

It’s an engaging read that people from all walks of life can enjoy and relate to. I would definitely recommend it for young minds.

VERDICT

Award: Platinum

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Source: BookSirens

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Little Hood and Her Wolf by Janie Marie

Little Hood and Her Wolf

(The Big Bad Wolf Trilogy, #2)

Author: Janie Marie

Publication Date: December 8th, 2020

Genre: Coming of Age / YA Fairy Tales

Book Description:

Kylie knew Logan Grimm came with a price. She just had no idea that the price was being told what to do by the most dangerous residents of Blackwoods.

She should run and survive, but Logan’s sweet words and even sweeter kisses keep her where she is.

Right where the Big Bad Wolf lies in wait.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

December Giveaway + Group Promo – FREE and Discounted Books

We are just TWO WEEKS away from Christmas, and what better way to start the celebration than filling up your stockings with some freebies?

I'm hosting a Christmas Giveaway over on my blog, CBY Book Club, for a $10 Amazon Gift Card, so be sure to pop over and enter for a chance to win. The December eBook Giveaway is still active, so if you fancy winning an ebook of your choice, enter here.

Arcadia Saga Giveaway Winner:
Caroline R.

You still have time to VOTE for Talisman Of El (Arcadia, Book 1) in the December Cover of the Month Contest on AllAuthor.com!

Check out all the free and discounted ebooks and giveaways on offer below. Sharing is caring.

FREE & DISCOUNTED YA FANTASY BOOKS

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DECEMBER GIVEAWAY

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Cover Reveal - Amends: A Psychic Mystery Series by Carissa Andrews

Amends: A Psychic Mystery Series

(A Diana Hawthorne Supernatural Mystery, #2)

Author: Carissa Andrews

Publication Date: February 26th, 2021

Genre: Adult Mystery / Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

For as psychic as she is, shit goes sideways far too often around Diana Hawthorne.

Diana now has everything she ever wanted–her memories, and the soul mate she didn’t realize she was missing. There’s just one problem… the old gods expect her to make amends for her absence. And her work starts now.

But time lost at the oracle isn’t the only thing she has to atone for. Her friend Demetri was stripped of his powers–and it was all her fault. If she could just set things right, she’d feel a whole lot better about moving forward. Unfortunately, Demetri wants nothing to do with her and knows exactly how to keep her out of his head.

To make matters worse, in the age of social media, Diana’s abilities have gone viral. People from all over the world are clambering to get on her books. One case, in particular, hits her radar and despite herself, she can’t shake it. A 14-year-old boy is wrapped up with a deadly governmental agency and he’s scared to death. And he should be–they want to weaponize his power.

Torn between what was and what is, Diana struggles to fully embrace who she’s becoming. Will she be able to help Demitri and make things right? Or will her new role mean leaving the past behind?

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

About the Author

“An author emerges from the depths of Minnesotan waters. Sci-fi/Fantasy is my pen of choice.”

Carissa Andrews is a Minnesota-based genre-bending author who writes a combination of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia. When not writing her own books, she’s busy reading them.

Carissa’s internationally bestselling trilogy, The Pendomus Chronicles, is now in digital, print, and audiobook formats. She has hit the scene as an up and coming speculative fiction author who uses a mix of scifi and fantasy, twisted in modern mythology and alternative history. Check out The Final Five, Oracle, Awakening, and Love is a Merciless God!

Carissa has big plans for 2020. Check out her upcoming series, The Windhaven Witches.

For more information on their release, visit Carissa Andrews’ author website: www.carissaandrews.com and sign up for her newsletter notifications.

She lives in central Minnesota with her husband and brood of five kids. Not to mention, her insane husky puppies, Aztec and Pharaoh.

Carissa is also a freelance graphic designer, writer and content creator, social media manager, and marketing professional. She writes consistently on topics of science, technology, art, writing, photography, graphic design, health, self-improvement, and more. Her articles can be found published across the interwebs. Carissa is also a Top-Rated Freelancer on Upwork, and can be contacted for freelancing opportunities: http://bit.ly/UpworkCarissaAndrews

Author Links:

Website ¦ Goodreads ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram ¦ Pinterest

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Shattering Glimpse by Nicole Putter

A Shattering Glimpse

Author: Nicole Putter

Publication Date: December 10th, 2020

Genre: Adult Romance / Thriller

Book Description:

The dreams: For years, Claire Baxter has been haunted by ceaseless dreams of an FBI Agent.

The dilemma: She has no idea who he is or if he even exists.

The death: Right before she’s set to graduate from college, a dream reveals him dying in a brutal explosion.

One touch and not-so-normal Portland girl, Claire Baxter, can get a glimpse of your nearby future. She considers nothing about her clairvoyance a gift, it’s a curse, to say the least. Her parents raised her with the rule that she is to keep the secret at all cost, leaving little room for relationships of any kind. As if the burden isn’t enough, FBI agent Byron Black becomes the phantom of a series of sinister dreams.

The night before her final college exam, she has another dream, except in this one, he dies in a nuclear explosion. Does he exist? Will she find him? If so, can she save the countless lives affected by a blast that can crush steel like it’s a piece of paper, or… is this something her lost, psychic mind conjured up?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

Christmas Giveaway - Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Christmas Giveaway

December 8th to January 8th

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Open to entrants 13+ worldwide

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Christmas Spirit by Alexandrea Weis

The Christmas Spirit

Author: Alexandrea Weis

Published by: Rosewind Books

Publication Date: October 27th, 2020

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

“Ghostly occurrences and ancient folklore make this feel like a modern, romantic twist on A Christmas Carol.” ~Library Journal

SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.

Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.

Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.

Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.

Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

BOOK REVIEW: Special by Chino Chakanga

Special

Author: Chino Chakanga

Genre: YA Fantasy / Dystopian

Publication Date: 14 August 2019

Book Description:

From super speed to telekinesis, everyone in Hope’s world has special abilities. Through ill fate, she is born without any. Her peculiar case is a medical mystery which warrants comprehensive research and countless visits to the hospital.

Hope undergoes painful tests and unorthodox treatments to cure her of her unique condition and make her normal while grappling with the pitfalls of being different at school and leaving in the shadow of her multi-gifted younger brother.

Will Hope ever gain abilities? Is there a place for her in a world where great emphasis is placed on special abilities?

Special is an abstract look at the pressures of meeting the societal mould.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

It was the book cover that made me want to pick this one up. It stands out, and just like the cover, the main character, Hope, also stands out in this story. This book has all the hallmarks of our reality, but the world has been flipped upside down. If parallel universes did exist, I would imagine there would be a reality just like this one where everyone had a special ability or at least it was common to possess a superhuman quality. Hope is surrounded by people with magnificent abilities. Those without abilities, such as Hope, are ostracised and ridiculed for being abnormal.

Hope wants nothing more than to fit into her world and not feel like an outcast at home and at school. She's tired of being a lab rat, undergoing treatment after treatment in a bid to find the cure to unleash her dormant powers. Apart from her best friend, Allie, the only friend who stood by Hope after developing her abilities, the only other person who makes her feel a little less hopeless is Asher, the highly intelligent student she met on one of her many hospital visits who has the ability to mimic people's voices but can sometimes remain stuck with the last replicated voice for days. Due to his defective ability, Asher falls into the same category as Hope, a maladroit, those who exhibit undesirable abilities and are at the bottom of the food chain.

Having to deal with school bullies who constantly remind her of her failures is one thing, but when Allie starts to drift away from her in favour of the popular crowd, Hope and the school hottie, Eric, start to grow closer. The closer they become, they more she realises there's something familiar but rather odd about Eric's behaviour. When Hope discovers the true reason behind Eric's strange behaviour, she's left with a difficult decision that could mean hurting those she loves. Being forced to take charge, Hope learns that sometimes being the odd one out can have its advantages and maybe, just maybe, she's special because she is unlike anyone else.

This was a very moving coming of age story and an enjoyable one at that. I liked the character of Hope. She held the story well. I thought there was a little too much focus on her lack of abilities that we didn't really get to see much of her other qualities until nearing the end of the book. While I understood the motivation behind Asher's decisions and the reason why he was not prominently featured throughout the story, I would have liked more interaction between him and Hope in the earlier chapters to get a better inclination into his turmoil. I felt I didn't connect with him as much, which was a shame because he played such a big part in making Hope acknowledge her inner strength. Having said that, I liked the themes portrayed throughout. Despite being unfamiliar with Hope's reality in the sense of everyone exhibiting special abilities, I felt a great familiarity with the ambience of Hope's world and had reasonable knowledge of the social pressure of trying to fit in that could leave one emotionally damaged. I definitely felt a connection to her on some level. I also liked Allie as a character. She had her flaws, which made her feel real, but I would have appreciated a little more insight into her home life or just more insight into her mindset so as to rationalise her behaviour in certain scenes. I liked that the characters were all different and had different personalities. Sometimes it's hard to remember certain characters because they all seem so similar, but that's not the case in Special. I recalled all the characters, even the stereotypical bullies, which was good as it means they made an impression on me and they helped to bring the world alive in my head.

This was a quick read, and I would certainly recommend it.

VERDICT

Award: Gold

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Consequences of Fate by Mary E. Palmerin

The Consequences of Fate

(Heartless, #2)

Author: Mary E. Palmerin

Publication Date: December 1st, 2020

Genre: YA Contemporary

Book Description:

When I was little, I wanted to be a superhero to fly over the moon. Then I found a suitcase with a photo of the brown-eyed angel. The bad man changed me. I became lost and unlovable. After the consequences of fate reared its ugly head, I decided I would be the master of my ultimate plan.

I am not a good boy.

I watch people.

I hurt them.

And I destroy the truth.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

About the Author

Mary E. Palmerin is an internationally bestselling author of The Monster Series, Redeeming Rhys, and half the madness behind The Red Market Series. She currently resides in Indiana with her husband and two boys. She enjoys writing raw, taboo tales that strike various emotions in her readers. When she isn't busy writing, she usually has her nose in a good book. Mary loves spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, cooking, art, tattoos, red wine, traveling, and anything that makes her laugh. She loves to connect with her readers!

Author Links:

Goodreads ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram

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Cover Contest + eBook Giveaway

I have two things to share with you all today. I’m excited to tell you that my book, Talisman Of El (Arcadia, Book 1), has been nominated for the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor.com. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I need you to do just that. If you liked the cover of my book, please vote for it for the December Cover of the Month contest so that I can get to the second round!

I need as much support from you guys. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover via the link below.

Next year, via my blog, CBY Book Club, I will be hosting a monthly giveaway whereby entrants can win an ebook of their choice. To celebrate my book cover nomination and as a thank you for every vote I receive, I am rounding off the year with a December eBook Giveaway. Enter the contest below.

COVER OF THE MONTH

VOTE NOW

MONTHLY EBOOK GIVEAWAY

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Last Kiss Under the Mistletoe by Melanie A. Smith

Last Kiss Under the Mistletoe

Author: Melanie A. Smith

Publication Date: December 3rd, 2020

Genre: Adult Holiday Romance / Suspense

Book Description:

From award-winning and international best-selling author Melanie A. Smith comes a steamy holiday murder-mystery romance with a psychic twist.

Holidays should be filled with cheer…

CJ Roberts just wants to be a normal girl, have a normal job, normal friends, maybe even a normal boyfriend. Unfortunately, she’s about as far from normal as it gets, because she can See the future. And like two sides of a coin, her twin brother, Matt, can See the past. Sounds like a neat party trick, right? Actually, it’s frustrating and sometimes even dangerous. And if the past is any indicator, CJ can’t do much to change what she Sees.

Drew Davies lives and breathes his job as a chef at one of the hottest restaurants in San Francisco. He’s content to focus on his craft, and dating has always been on the back burner. That is, until he meets CJ. When sparks fly, things heat up quickly between them. It’s an unexpected but welcome connection as the holidays approach.

But just as hope blooms, CJ has a vision that changes everything. She doesn’t know how it will happen, but she knows Drew is going to die. Now she’s left with a decision: Does she risk exposing herself to save Drew, or does she play it safe and let fate deal its hand? Secrecy has protected her until now, but can she really do nothing when the life of the man she’s falling for hangs in the balance?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK