Tuesday, August 19, 2014

50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot: Book Blast & Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the book blast tour for 50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot, as told to Belinda Stevens. It's a contemporary parody that is available now.





This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a signed copy of 50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot, as told to Belinda Stevens to a randomly drawn winner via the Rafflecopter at the end of this post during the tour.

A delightful, yet somewhat bawdy “tail” about Missy Barkalot, a petite rust-colored long-haired Dachshund and the apple of her eye, Humphrey B (aka “Hump”), and the other characters, both dogs and cats, who are frequent guests at Doggie Bath. Missy is pursued by Ralph the Bulldog, but she only has eyes for Hump, who was seduced by the glamorous toy poodle, CoCo. It turns out CoCo was a victim of her environment, as her owner had some kinky habits using a gray tie. Bondage with leashes, bite marks, jive-talking cats and cross-dressing Dobermans – not to mention a Doggie Blues band – keep the story rolling as Missy Barkalot uses her feminine wiles to woo Hump away from CoCo. DoggieBath has a little bit of everything – sexual intrigue, rock-n-roll and blues – canine style, and of course, a little weed. This fun romp through the world of Missy and Hump make a “furfect” read! If you love animals, you will love “50 Shades Of Fur.”

Enjoy an excerpt:

The next four months were perfect – or should I say furfect. We had matching His and Her sweaters, provided by our owners who thought our canine love was so cute! We couldn’t wait to get to Doggie Bath so we could spend as much time together as possible. We counted down the days on our paws until my owner or his mistress went on their annual trips so we could spend 24/7 together. Doggie bliss. We were definitely a canine couple to the chagrin of those furry tramps that still followed Hump around.

And then CoCo made her grand entrance. A toy poodle named after Coco Channel. That canine counldn’t design a decent dog collar if her over-priced self depended on it. Her reputation had preceded her – love the dogs and leave them type. It didn’t take her long to locate her next victim. She sashayed over to Humphrey, hiked her furry rump in his direction and gave that little tail she had a wag. He was immediately entranced. He stuck out his buff chest, pranced over to CoCo and gave her an introductory sniff. She sniffed back. It was weeks before Humphrey made his move but it was obvious that the interest had been there from first sniff. That cheating canine included CoCo in all our play groups. He even shared a doggie bone with her – something he had never done with any other dog but me.


Belinda J. Stevens was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the gateway to the Mississippi Delta, in 1948. She grew up in the turbulent sixties, and has a true appreciation for the difficulties experienced Katherine in her first novel, "Just Out of Reach.” A radical departure from her first novel, her lastest effort is a fun parody, “50 Shades of Fur by Missy Barkalot, as told to Belinda Stevens.”

An attorney by profession, Belinda tells the story of young love and dark secrets in the world of the Doggie Bath. Canines, cats and even a skunk with a prestigious lineage converge for a bawdy “tale” that will keep you laughing.

Belinda is a graduate of Belhaven University and earned a Masters in Social Science and a Law Degree from Mississippi College. From 1987-1997 she served as Special Assistant to Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore. She resides in Brandon, Mississippi with her dog Humprey B., and practices law in Yazoo City where she is a Public Defender.

Learn more about Belinda at www.belindastevens.com, or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/belindastevensauthor.

You can order her book at Amazon.

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#boutofbooks 11: Read-a-Thon Updates

Bout of Books 11 Wrap-Up

Last week I was crazy busy so I had to rely on audiobooks. I didn't meet my visitation goal, but I did meet my reading goal. I'll try to get around to visit some blogs this week.

What was the best book that you read during the read-a-thon?

Day 7

On Tuesday (August 26), I'll be hosting a book blast for FOR LOVE AND COUNTRY by Elizabeth D. Michaels. One of the entries in the book blast giveaway (prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash) is downloading the first book in The Horstberg Saga, Behind the Mask. It's free. I am going to get ahead of the game and download it to read today.



Day 6 

Today I finished My Soul to Loose by Rachel Vincent, The Viscount and the Witch by Michael J. Sullivan, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Truber audiobooks. They are relatively short. I haven't seen the Ben Stiller movie adaptation of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty yet. Have you?


     

So that clears my list of free audiobooks. Now my list of free ebooks is a whole other story. SMH. Maybe I'll tackle them during my next read-a-thon.

Day 5

This morning, I decided that I am going to listen to the free audiobooks on my Kindle for the rest of the read-a-thon. I am not a free book hoarder. I don't care what my Kindle says ;-)

I finished Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business and Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella (Evan Gabriel Trilogy) today.



My reading is going well, my visiting five participants each day is not. I might have to do it after the read-a-thon.

I am coming to visit y'all, I promise.

Day 4

Still listening to Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business. I think that I'll do a series of posts about the show next month. I wonder when the new season starts.

Anywho...

Of course, things started to get crazy today. Life seems to find a way to disturb my reading plans, especially during scheduled times like a read-a-thon. I will not be kept down. LOL!

Day 3

Are you a fan of the television show Shark Tank? I don't watch the show consistently, but manage to catch a few episodes from time to time. The audiobook of Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business: How to Launch and Grow a Business from Concept to Cash by Michael Parrish DuDell is free on Amazon right now.



Day 2

I am kicking off the read-a-thon with an audiobook, Sixth Grave on the Edge: A Novel (Charley Davidson Book 6) by Darynda Jones. I won the book in a giveaway. I haven't read the first five books. I hope that I make it through okay. I am a fan of the narrator, Lorelei King.

Have you read any of the Charley Davidson sereies?


 

Day 1: Goals

This time around I am doing a  5 & 5. My goals for the read-a-thon:

  • Read five books
  • Visit five participants each day

I am going to wing it on this books. I'll pick up whatever calls to me.

~~~~~~~~~~


About Bout of Books: "The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional." - Bout of Books team

For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 
 

Bout of Books

Bout of Books 11: Goals 5 & 5

Are you ready to get your read on? I am all in! I've signed up for Bout of Books 11. Have you?

This time around I am doing a  5 & 5. My goals for the read-a-thon:

  • Read five books
  • Visit five participants each day

I am going to wing it on this books. I'll pick up whatever calls to me.

From the Bout of Books team:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional.  

For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 


Bout of Books



Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY and TOMORROW.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Monday, August 18, 2014

Guardians: The Girl by Lola StVil: $50 Book Blast

Welcome to my stop on the book blast tour for Guardians: The Girl by Lola StVi, a young adult fantasy novel.

Check out the new cover! The old cover is on the side bar on the right.

GuardiansGuardians: The Girl 

by Lola StVil 


******OVER 450 FIVE STAR REVIEWS!******* 

Sitting there in the car, a part of me bitterly resented what she was doing to me. I knew it wasn’t her fault. But does she have to be so... alluring? I need to focus on something else besides the spot between her earlobe and neck. It looked so soft. Her lips were slightly parted as she looked out the window. I wanted to part them further with mine. I put both my hands on the steering wheel. I could not allow myself to let go until she was out of the car. Suddenly she leaned in and kissed me. It was far better than I could even begin to explain to you. I've fought and died a slow and painful death on earth. And nothing, NOTHING can compare to how hard it was for me to pull away from her lips. I don't think any angel could to do it twice in a lifetime...

Excerpts   


“Your courage is in your tears. Every time you cry, you lose a little bit more of it. That’s why you’re so breakable. Not because you’re human, because you’re always shedding courage from your eyes.”  
~~~
Marcus, choose me. Choose the path that is perilous and leads to certain annihilation because it’s also the path that leads to me. They can’t understand that we are powerless to stop what we have for each other. But we know. We know that if we don’t bend to the will of this love, it will break us.
~~~
“I heard this guy say once that he thought if he said ‘no’ to doing drugs then the fight was over. But it turns out he had to say ‘no’ each and every day. I didn’t get it until I met you. When I first fell for you, I said ‘no’ to it. Then the next day the feeling came back. Now every single day, I have to say ‘no’ to being with you.”


   


Praise 


"This book shows a whole other side of angels the good, the bad, and the ugly. Each character has their own story or "core" . This is only the beginning. Where can I find the second book?" ~Maya Twitty

"Could not put it down!!" ~Misty

"I didn't actually chose this book on purpose but I got it because it was free. After reading the first chapter I was hooked...and devastated. How could you let that happen Lola? I definitely recommend that you read this book...with a box of tissues." ~Amazon Review

   add to goodreads 
 

 Lola SAuthor Lola StVil 


Lola was seven when she first came to this country from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where her main focus was creative writing. In addition to plays, she also writes screenplays and short stories. She has been commissioned to write for ABC, CBS and Princeton University. She won the NAACP award for her play "The Bones of Lesser Men". In addition to being nominated for LA Weekly awards. Her work has also received positive reviews from The LA Times, Variety and LA Weekly. This is her first novel.

  book blast button        

Book Blast Giveaway 


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/7/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 48 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 Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014

Odyssey Adventure Club iPad Mini Giveaway!

oacaugust-400


The end of summer is in sight, and OAC is giving away an iPad Mini back-to-school bundle! It might seem like summer just began for your kids, so if they need some added motivation to get their homework done, remind them they can jump on the Odyssey Adventure Club after their papers are written and their math problems are solved.

As members, your kids can also listen to Album 58 before the album is released to the public! Sign up today for just $5!

Here's what part one is about (which you can listen to for free HERE):
It’s a time of surprises as Wooton becomes the celebrity guest at Comic-Connellsville and Whit finds himself in conflict over the upcoming “Let’s Get Together Festival” in Odyssey. Plus, hear an interview with writer-director Paul McCusker about the entire 14-part series.
Album 58 was inspired by Focus on the Family’s The Family Project, a 12-session small group experience that explores the theological, philosophical, and cultural underpinnings of the traditional family, and combines that information with inspiring stories and practical tools to help 21st-century families thrive. Plus, here's a sneak peek of a new episode called "The Lone Lawman"!


LoneLawman_Final 2
 
 Jason, Whit, Red and the gang rustle up herds of fun while performing a new Kids’ Radio show set in the Old West. “The Lone Lawman” features a confused boy getting mixed up with a shifty band of bank robbers. Can a hero on horseback set things right? See just how wild the West can get in this action-packed send-up of old-time radio dramas.

NOW . . . on to the iPad Mini back-to-school bundle. One grand prize winner will receive:
  • An iPad Mini
Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. All winners will be announced August 28th on the widget on this page.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit this page again on the 28th to see if you won! (You'll see the winner's name in the widget.)

Friday, August 15, 2014

LAND OF KALDALANGRA's Kristi Strong selects SOUL OF ASIMINA Dream Cast

Welcome to my stop on the book tour for the Land of Kaldalangra fantasy series (The Lady of Steinbrekka, Heart of Kylassame, and Soul of Asimina) by Kristi Strong.


http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/07/nbtm-land-of-kaldalangra-series-by.html


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kristi will offer a signed paperback copy of The Lady of Steinbrekka, along with a Land of Kaldalangra bookmark prize pack to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.

Please click the banner to visit other stops on this tour.


The Lady of Steinbrekka 


Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.

With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?

Join Rhea as she fights to take destiny back into her own hands.

Buy Links:  Kindle | Nook | Paperback



Heart of Kylassame 


It has been two years since the reign of the tyrannical King Verikhan has ended, and the realm of Kaldalangra flourishes.

Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.

Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.

The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their world is better than ever before.

But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.

Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny.

Buy Links:  Kindle | Nook | Paperback

  

Soul of Asimina 


In the land of Kaldalangra, one woman stands at a crossroads.

Sabina de Nespa has known a life of freedom and peace, thanks to the actions of her heroic parents. As a child of royalty, she has kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown of the realm may one day rest upon her brow.

When two strangers stumble across her path, she finds her peace shattered as dangerous family secrets begin to emerge, along with a malignant force that threatens to destroy her entire world. These men have the ability to help her rise to brilliant heights, or cause a devastating plunge into darkness.

It is now up to Sabina to continue her parents’ legacy of honor, courage, and strength through adversity. With the fate of Kaldalangra upon her shoulders, she has vowed to follow the path of righteousness, or die trying.

Buy Links:  Kindle | Nook | Paperback



Soul of Asimina Dream Cast


I think most authors dream of the day that they get to see their book on the big screen, and I'm no different. It would be a dream come true to see Kaldalangra come alive, with all of the magic and intrigue, action and romance.

Where I am a little different though, is that I never really thought of who would play the different characters! I have how they act and look in my head, but unless the actor/actress is on The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, or Restaurant Possible, I haven't seen them in a while. After some time remembering movies/tv shows I love, and at the recommendation of fans who fell in love with the characters of Soul of Asimina, this is my dream cast!

Sabina  - Leighton Meester
Darian -Kit Harington
Alcine -Ian Somerhalder
Eric - Alexander Skarsgard
Rhea - Rachel McAdams
Rowan - Gary Stretch or Chris Hemsworth
Nyssa -Charlize Theron
Katrina - Emilia Clarke
Verikhan - Johnny Depp (because I couldn't possible have a movie without him :) )

How awesome would this movie be?



AUTHOR Bio and Links


Fixing broken computers, wrangling a very spirited little toddler, and creating a world with a tyrant king, are all parts of the average day for Kristi Strong. While she has called Virginia her home for two decades, her head has rested in two countries, three states, and far too many houses to count. She was more than happy to give up her nomadic lifestyle and settle down with her husband, daughter, cat and chinchilla.

While attending James Madison University, she was given the rare opportunity to work as part of an archaeological team on a variety of dig sites in Virginia, including the homes of former Presidents, James Madison and George Washington, civil war sites such as The Stevens’ House and Fort Evans Mississippian Encampment, and a variety of pre-historic hunting sites and camps.

Kristi now uses her extensive studies in human cultures to create her own world in her fantasy novels, beginning with her debut novel, The Lady of Steinbrekka, and continuing with Heart of Kylassame and Soul of Asimina.

Connect with Kristi

Blog: http://strongnovels.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/strongnovels
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/strongnovels 
Email: Strongnovels@live.com


GIVEAWAY


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Thursday, August 14, 2014

TRAITOR'S LEGACY: $35 Super Book Blast

Welcome to my stop on the book tour for Traitor's Legacy by Beth Trissel, an historical romance (The American Revolution) released yesterday from The Wild Rose Press.




This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Beth will be awarding a $35 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.

1781. On opposite sides of the War of Independence, British Captain Jacob Vaughan and Claire Monroe find themselves thrust together by chance and expediency.

Captain Vaughan comes to a stately North Carolina manor to catch a spy. Instead, he finds himself in bedlam: the head of the household is an old man ravaged by madness, the one sane male of the family is the very man he is hunting, and the household is overseen by his beguiling sister Claire.

Torn between duty, love, and allegiances, yearning desperately for peace, will Captain Vaughan and Claire Monroe forge a peace of their own against the vagaries of war and the betrayal of false friends?


Now enjoy an excerpt:

She dashed between them, followed by a wiry slave who made for the stables. “I am truly sorry for your violent reception at Thornton Hall and beg your forbearance,” she blurted, and flung herself at Vaughan’s feet just across from the wounded guide. “Spare my foolish brother, I beseech you.”

Hardly in a position to indulge her notions of chivalry, as he was stained with blood and constrained by the need to apply pressure to Percy’s wound, Vaughan scowled at her in bemusement. “Get up, woman. I shall consider your request.”

She raised her head and met his annoyance with a plea in her earnest gaze, like sunlight on water lilies. So clear, her hazel eyes, cast with a greenish hue, and her face was really rather pleasing. Remarkably so. What on earth was he thinking? Vaughan wrenched his attention away from the distracting girl. “Might I have clean cloth to stem the flow, Miss—”

“Monroe,” she supplied, and reached into her bodice. “Claire Monroe.”

Lovely name. Too bad it belonged to a Rebel.


Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles, and nonfiction about gardening, herbal lore, and country life.



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