24 July 2016

Beyond the Sapphire Gate by R.V.Johnson Book Spotlight!



A family whisked apart. 

Crystalyn discovers a power over symbols when she accidentally activates a curtain of darkness between sapphire obelisks. Ever curious, younger sister Jade, the one person she cares most about having raised after their mother’s disappearance, touches the gateway and vanishes. Fearing for the safety of the sibling she’d always before kept from harm, Crystalyn steps into a strange land infused with magic and those that Use. 

Aided by magic killing her with each use, Crystalyn searches a realm locked in turmoil, her concern for Jade mounting. Though a political Circle of Light made up of mystic users, a Citadel of warlords, and a Hundred Season War block the way; she must go on. 

Equipped with a seemingly useless ability to read auras, Jade embarks on a harrowing journey to escape the Dark Citadel with her life, and more importantly, her soul intact. 

For both Crystalyn and Jade, time is fast flowing away; with far more at stake than they first realize. 

A riveting, original fantasy novel. Book one in the Flow of Power series.


Amazon

R.V. Johnson grew up in USA, Utah wandering through beautiful tranquil forests, exploring the unique alien-like setting of the red rock desert, and climbing the rugged trails of the high Uinta Mountains where mountain goats roam. Indoors, he read from his large library or wrote in his journal.
One can now find him writing and reading outside.


Goodreads
Website

23 July 2016

The Seven Year Dress by Paulette Mahurin Review! @MahurinPaulette



One of the darkest times in human history was the insane design and execution to rid the world of Jews and “undesirables.” At the hands of the powerful evil madman Adolf Hitler, families were ripped apart and millions were slaughtered. Persecution, torture, devastation, and enduring the unthinkable remained for those who lived. 

This is the story of one woman who lived to tell her story. This is a narrative of how a young beautiful teenager, Helen Stein, and her family were torn asunder, ultimately bringing her to Auschwitz. It was there she suffered heinous indignity at the hands of the SS. It was also there, in that death camp, she encountered compassion, selfless acts of kindness, and friendship. 

Written by the award-winning, best-selling author of His Name Was Ben, comes a story of the resilience of the human spirit that will leave you thinking about Helen Stein and The Seven Year Dress for years to come after the last page is shut. 

Amazon



Paulette Mahurin lives with her husband Terry and three dogs, Max, Bella, and Lady Luck in Ventura County, California. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where she received a Master's Degree in Science.

While in college, she won awards and was published for her short-story writing. One of these stories, Something Wonderful, was based on the couple presented in His Name Was Ben, which she expanded into the fictionalized novel in 2014. The first week out, His Name Was Ben, made it to top ten books sold in the Amazon Kindle store (topic: health/wellness/cancer). Her first novel, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, made it to Amazon bestseller lists and won awards, including best historical fiction of the year 2012 in Turning the Pages Magazine.

Semi-retired, she continues to work part-time as a Nurse Practitioner in Ventura County. When she's not writing, she does pro-bono consultation work with women with cancer, works in the Westminister Free Clinic as a volunteer provider, volunteers as a mediator in the Ventura County Courthouse for small claims cases, and involves herself, along with her husband, in dog rescue.

Profits from her books go to help rescue dogs.


Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

My Thoughts

Myra is a young student looking for a room, she is interviewed by an elderly woman, Helen Stein asked a lot of personal questions. Myra debates on whether or not to rent the room but decides that she does need a place that she can afford.

There is a reason behind all of Helen's personal questions she asks of Myra. Finding out that Helen has a number tattooed on her wrist is the clue to Helen's background. Helen tells the story of how she ended up with the tattoo, see, all inmates of the concentration camps are tattooed with numbers and once behind that fencing, are no longer a person, no longer have identities. That is the horror of Nazi Germany and the atrocities that one race of people inflicted on another.

Helen's story starts out in the 1920's, born of a Jewish family, living in Berlin. She was born after the Great War, at a time when Germany was floundering and looking for a leader, they found it in Adolf Hitler. Helen really didn't realize at a young age how the Nazi party was going to affect her and her family and what she was going to lose as a result of one man's hatred of the Jews.With the advent of Kristallnacht, Helen and her family's lives implode into a horrible series of events that find Helen interred at Auschwitz. 

Helen's story is one of many to come out of this terrible time in history, even though this is historical fiction, I could tell by the author's words, that this was a story she wanted to tell with compassion and honesty about a woman who could very well have lived during this time and experienced the atrocities of the fanatics that were the Nazi Party. I enjoyed it immensely.

I received this book for review purposes and my honest opinion.


Great Summer Countdown! Day # 12 @lovingthebook @donnahatch





Donna Hatch, author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” has won writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she is a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles multiple volunteer positions and her six children. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.


Q&A With the Author:


3.  What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?
Confidence is a major stumbling block. I always worry that my books aren't good enough and that my latest manuscript--whatever it is--is the most ridiculous, worthless drivel that has ever had the misfortune of being put on a page. I usually overcome it by talking to a critique partner. Reading fan mail sure helps, too.

4.   What kind of music do you listen to while you write?

I like either classical music or new age--nothing with lyrics or a drum beat. There's a Pandora station called Regency Classical that I like to listen to while I write those first few chapters. It help me create that believable Regency feel.

Connect with the Author here: 


"Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.                                                 Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone. Jocelyn will do anything to clear her father’s name, even if that means working with Grant. Time is running out. The future of England hangs in the balance...and so does their love."


~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ 


Snippet:

She glanced back at the doorway. He had arrived. With hair as dark as a starless night, a tall figure clad almost entirely in black strode toward them. Something shifted inside her and she took a step back from his presence of power. As he neared, his air of deadliness swept ahead of him like a giant clearing the path. Piercing gray eyes set in his fearsomely handsome face caught and held her gaze as he drew nearer.
She chided herself. Grant Amesbury had protected her. Why everything about him seemed so deadly tonight, she couldn’t explain, but she surely had nothing to fear from him. Firmly wearing the role of hostess, she moved to welcome him. He was dressed in beautifully tailored clothing, as fashionable as the clothes he’d worn the night he’d brought home Jonathan. His new haircut and style gave him Town polish.
“Welcome, Mr. Amesbury.” She sank into a curtsy.
He inclined his head. “You look lovely.” The words fell awkwardly from his lips as if he’d rehearsed them. She doubted he often paid compliments to anyone.
“How kind of you to say.”
He paused and focused on her. Something changed in his expression. He studied her in a way that sent heat from her face clear down to her toes. Oh heavens, if these were the kind of looks he was capable of giving, he clearly was dangerous to ladies, but not in the way she’d thought.
Her attention zeroed in on his lips, and hers tingled in response. Powerless under his stare, she wrenched her gaze from his and nervously touched her brooch as if to assure herself it remained in place, anything to restore her good sense, which had quite literally failed her for a moment.




To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



New Release of Caerwin & Marcellus by Lizzie Ashworth!


                     *´¨✫)
                      ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.💖NEW RELEASE

Caerwin & Marcellus
Book ll
Caerwinll cover.jpe

wtmo buy links.jpg

WTMO synops.jpg
An ambitious Roman commander captures a fiery maid of Britannia and forces her to his will. A story of conquest and love set in the glory days of empire, their struggle to meet each other’s needs and expectations exposes the underbelly of Rome’s legal system, its dependence on slavery, and sexual secrets from Marcellus’ past. Can young Caerwin survive unexpected challenges to her womanhood?

caerll4.png

WTMO what others say.jpg
5 Stars
WOW! What a wonderful ending to a fantastic story!
~Bookaholic Mama


caerll2.jpe

wtmo also avaialble.jpg

Book 1

Caerwin and the Roman Dog
An Erotic Historical Romance Set in 47 AD Britannia
By Lizzie Ashworth

lacover.jpe

Caerwin, a young Cornovii princess, watches from the rocky battlements of her tribe’s hillfort as Rome’s legions approach. Surely the valiant warriors of her tribe will fend off this swarm of foreign invaders. Disbelief slowly changes to horror as Romans overrun her home.

Captured and held in Roman camp, Caerwin faces Legate Marcellus Antistius who makes it clear she will submit to his demands. In spite of her resistance, he forces her pleasure. She begs to die.

Caught between his increasing infatuation with this Briton princess and the demands of his military command, Marcellus must come to terms with his past.
A fiery novel of domination and submission, this historical romance follows Caerwin as she refuses to accept her new reality. Life as she knew it is over. Forever. In its place stands a man she can never love.
Set in the year 47 AD as four legions of the Roman army invade Britannia and blaze a path of death and destruction, this novel portrays the plight of native Celts who must yield their lands and possessions to become vassals of Rome—or fight to the death.


la3.jpe

WTMO author bio.jpg

lapp.jpe
Lizzie Ashworth has been through career, marriage, kids, and even ran her own cafe, but writing has always been her secret love. Hidden away on a remote woodland hilltop in the Arkansas Ozarks, she accepts advice from her hound dog Weezie and her black cat Esmeralda. She has authored seven novels and several short stories which explore the intimate nuances of human relationships.

Liz writes erotic romance because her mind just naturally runs to the gutter. Also, it’s way past time to celebrate women’s sexual freedom and the evolution of our culture to finally bring sex out of the closet. What she find most exciting about this minute in the history of literature is that through indie publishing, the author can directly connect with her readers.

She enjoys cooking, gardening, and vacations at the Pacific coast. Sunrise and sunset provide her favorite moments, the magical twilight between two worlds when anything seems possible. Most of all, she loves snuggling up with a good book.

Website and blog:  http://lizzieashworth.com/
Pinterest page (includes boards for all her books)  Check out my “Romans” board for more on Caerwin and the Roman Dog. https://www.pinterest.com/ashworthlizzie/romans/
Newsletter Sign Up

WTMO Hosted By Banner Final.jpg

Author Spotlight, Natasza Waters! @NataszaWaters @MoBPromo

Welcome to the $100 Paypal Giveaway Event!

http://www.ratsandmore.com/2016/07/100-paypal-giveaway-open-worldwide-ends.html



Celticlady's Reviews is pleased to bring to you the $100 Paypal Giveaway Event! Good Luck!

This is a fun event, brought to you by a great group of bloggers - To bring you an awesome prize to win! $100 via Paypal! 

Hosted by: Lil' Blog and More
A special thanks to the amazing co-hosts:  Coupons and Freebies Mom, Dorky's Deals, and Heidi's Wanderings.

Good Luck to everyone! Enter this giveaway, with the GiveawayTools form, below:
 


Disclosure: The bloggers involved in this giveaway were not compensated, and are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Lil' Blog and More will be sending the prize out. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter this giveaway. This giveaway starts July 23rd, 2016, and will end on August 18th, 2016 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be emailed, and have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form. Open to worldwide entries.

22 July 2016

Beyond the Sapphire Gate by R.V.Johnson Spotlight! @R_V_Johnson






Coming into her power in adulthood, Crystalyn activates a curtain of darkness between a pair of sapphire obelisks with a travel symbol. Her younger sister Jade, the one person she cares most about having raised since their mother’s disappearance, touches the gateway and vanishes. Crystalyn follows, developing her strength in a land where strife, warfare, and magic use are rampant.

The search for Jade grows ever desperate as Crystalyn learns each use of magic is killing her, her mind deteriorating. Though a political Circle of Light made up of mystic users, a Dark Citadel of warlords, and a Hundred Season war block the way; she must go on.

Time is fast flowing away from both her and Jade; with far more at stake than they both realize.



R.V. Johnson grew up in USA, Utah wandering through beautiful tranquil forests, exploring the unique alien-like setting of the red rock desert, and climbing the rugged trails of the high Uinta Mountains where mountain goats roam. Indoors, he read from his large library or wrote in his journal.
One can now find him writing and reading outside.


http://authorrvjohnson.com/

Miracle Man by WIllian R. Leibowitz Spotlight with Guestpost! @MiracleManBook @SagesBlogTours



Miracle Man
By William R. Leibowitz
Genre:  Thriller (medical/conspiracy/psychological)

REVERED   REVILED    REMARKABLE

The victim of an unspeakable crime, an infant rises to become a new type of superhero.  Unlike any that have come before him, he is not a fanciful creation of animators, he is real.  
So begins the saga of Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in human history.  But where did his extraordinary intelligence come from?
As agents of corporate greed vie with rabid anti-Western radicals to destroy him, an obsessive government leader launches a bizarre covert mission to exploit his intellect.  Yet Austin’s greatest fear is not of this world.
Aided by two exceptional women, one of whom will become his unlikely lover, Austin struggles against abandonment and betrayal.  But the forces that oppose him are more powerful than even he can understand.   


It is Celticlady's Reviews pleasure to have William R. Leibowitz, Author of Miracle Man, here today!

Thanks for asking me to write a guest post.  I appreciate the opportunity to connect on your blog.
–Let me tell you what Miracle Man is about and why I wrote it.
Miracle Man is a novel that tells the story of a fictional character, Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in human history (we’re talking 10X Einstein’s brain power).  The book covers his life from the time of his birth and tragic childhood through his extraordinary accomplishments in curing diseases.  Miracle Man is a scientific/conspiracy/ psychological thriller with a fast paced twisting plot that’s full of surprises and drama. Austin battles abandonment and betrayal, Big Pharma and its political cronies, the CIA, and metaphysical forces that may or may not exist in reality, but are very real to Austin.
I wrote Miracle Man for a few reasons.  One was that I wanted to create a believable modern day ‘super hero’ who is an ‘anti-celebrity’.  I thought that such a person could be inspirational when contrasted with the meritless celebrities that dominate media today (e.g., the reality TV stars who are famous for being famous, but have no real talent).  I think that the cult of self-centered “non-entity celebrity” has undermined our social fabric and creates a very bad example for kids.  
I also wanted Miracle Man to be the vehicle within which I could convey, in an entertainment context, certain spiritual and humanistic messages that are important to me.  
In particular, one of the underlying themes in Miracle Man is the sanctity of each and every human life.  As the story of the protagonist unfolds, the reader will come to appreciate that one can never predict the ramifications of a single person’s death.  Robert James Austin should have died as a new born, but he was saved in the most unlikely of manners; he then went on to change the world in extraordinary ways.  His life was not expendable.  We all are bombarded every day by statistics of death –how many people died in the latest war, or from famine, or epidemic or other manmade or natural cataclysm.  People’s lives are jumbled together by the media as meaningless numbers.  But what I want the reader of Miracle Man to think about ---is the individual.  That’s why Miracle Man begins with the quotation – “To destroy one life is to destroy an entire world, and to save one life is to save an entire world.”
In writing Miracle Man, I also wanted to get readers thinking about a real-life problem that affects us all. One of the powerful forces fighting Austin is “Big Pharma” which views him as their enemy since he cures diseases and thereby makes many of their “cash-cow” drugs obsolete.  In short, Austin is bad for their business.  Like Austin, I find it incomprehensible that virtually no major disease has been cured in over 50 years.  How can that be the case when so much money has been spent over the decades on research?  Simply put, there’s a lot more money in treating symptoms than there is in curing diseases.  Austin realized that Big Pharma has no interest in curing diseases.  It just wants to keep on selling expensive symptom treatments.  As we know, many people are on expensive ‘medication maintenance programs’ for years, sometimes for life.  Austin wanted to change that.  I think people need to start questioning Big Pharma on many fronts –from the price of drugs -- to why there aren’t more cures.

---So what I tried to do in Miracle Man is first and foremost to write an entertaining book that engages readers and keeps them turning the pages.  But within that entertainment context I wanted to get my readers thinking.


Author Bio


William R. Leibowitz has been practicing entertainment/media law in New York City for a number of years.  He has represented numerous renowned entertainers and many entertainment and media notable companies.  William has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a law degree from Columbia University.
William wrote Miracle Man because of its humanistic and spiritual messages and because he feels that in our current times--when meritless celebrity has eclipsed accomplishment and the only heroes are those based on comic books, the world needs a real hero--and that, of course, is Robert James Austin, the protagonist in Miracle Man.


Website URL:  miraclemanbook.com

Social media links:




Purchase links:




View My Stats!

View My Stats

Pageviews past week

SNIPPET_HTML_V2.TXT
Tweet