Reviews!

I am still having a difficult time concentrating on reading a book, I hope to get back into it at some point. Still doing book promotions just not reviews Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. I appreciate all of you. Kathleen Kelly July 2024

18 September 2016

@KimHeadlee King Arthur's Sister In Washington's Court By Kim Iverson Headlee Book Blast and Giveaway!



King Arthur's Sister In Washington's Court
By Kim Iverson Headlee
Genre: Scifi, Fantasy, Time Travel Romance
Solidly entertaining.” –Publishers Weekly
Winner, 2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal for Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Winner, Summer 2016 NABE Best Fantasy Book.

Morgan le Fay, sixth-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan. She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world. But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.

Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do? Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.

Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball… and the human heart.

I’M GIVEN TO understand some of my posthumous critics have intimated that I was jealous of Jules Verne—that maybe I even felt threatened by him. I have never heard such cocky popping beetle dung in my entire death.

Verne was a hack of the First Order whose publisher (engaged after he had inflicted two decades of the most unengaging whining and pleading, pining and wheedling upon all the other High Lords of Bookdom) viewed it necessary to transform his dyspeptic drivel into something within shouting distance of palatability for the reading public. Jules Verne didn’t invent science fiction; his publisher, Pierre-Jules Hetzel, did,—and I’m sorry I wasn’t born a couple of decades sooner to save everyone the time, trouble, and confusion.

As for this book, here I confess it’s long past overdue. I buried one clue in the joined opposites of Hank Morgan, Technology-Wielder, and Morgan le Fay, Magic-Wielder. Furthermore, Mrs. le Fay was the only important character in A Connecticut Yankee whom I didn’t kill off, of the thousands I did lasso, hang, shoot, electrocute, explode, drown, torpedo, and otherwise murder. Unfortunately, certain Weightier Matters contravened my intent, and I never put pen to parchment to commence the duologue’s conclusion within my lifetime. That nobody acted upon my clues in the hundred years since my sadly unexaggerated demise, speaks to the fact that I’ve been waiting till I’m well and truly dead before whispering my words into the quick and able ear of my chosen Ghost-Writer. For the matters depicted herein, of course, are things which ought to be settled. I don’t have anything else in particular to do in eternity anyway.


Book is on Sale for .99 until 9/23!!




Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins—the latter having been occupied as recently as the midtwentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet.
Kim has been an award-winning novelist since 1999 (Dawnflight, Sonnet Books, Simon & Schuster) and has been studying Arthurian legends and literature for nigh on half a century.



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17 September 2016

@LeighStatham The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl By Leigh Statham!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


Book Tour Grand Finale for
The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl
By Leigh Statham

We hope you enjoyed getting a little taste of Lady Marguerite Vadnay's adventures in this Steampunk world. If you missed any of the tour stops, go back and check them out...

Launch - Tour Welcome


"I’m so excited to share my latest adventure with you. Lady Marguerite Vadnay is at it again, causing problems, and getting in trouble around the world."

The Broke Book Bank - Review


"Right away, I was pulled into the story. It was easy on the eyes and flowed beautifully. There’s plenty of refresher information so I didn’t feel like I missed anything. It was quite comfortable just jumping in. My luck paid off and the good feeling lasted."



Falling Leaves - Excerpt


Lady Marguerite Vadnay strapped herself into the tiny compartment and slipped her goggles over her eyes. A glass hood lowered over the upper half while her lower body sat snug in the cockpit of the single-man aership. The wind was blowing enough to rock the small cabin back and forth as her envelope filled beside her, eventually leaving the ground completely, its seams tight with helium.

Letters From Annie (Douglass) Lima - Interview


What dangers should we avoid in New France?

Don’t get on the wrong side of a pirate, or a nun. Some of the girls at His Royal Majesty’s Flight Academy for Resilient Young Women wouldn’t be fun to run into in a dark alley if you’ve recently stolen their boyfriend. But for the most part it’s a wonderful place to visit.

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium - Promo

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Top 10 Tools Lady Marguerite Always Has on Hand


2. A Dashing Young Man (or two) – This goes without saying. A lady must have someone to dote on her every need and provide for her, unless you are a young lady who can take care of herself, then a dashing young man is an excellent target for anger or love, depending on the day.



Wishful Endings - Excerpt


The view was instantly breathtaking. Her new home city of Montreal lay beneath her in all its splendor. The river wound like a loose ribbon through the brick and wood dwellings. Her school was visible almost immediately, its roof littered with experimental equipment for weather and aviations. The chapel caught her eye next, its soaring crucifix and brightly colored windows winking in the perfect morning sun.

Bookworm Lisa - Excerpt


Before she could call for help, Marguerite was whipped around the tower, her envelop caught in the trusses. She banged into one pylon and then another, the glass around her shattered, tearing at her exposed cheeks and nose. She cried out and braced herself for impact with the ground, her giggles from the moment before were now cries for help.

Rockin' Book Reviews - The Beauty of a Steampunk Setting


But even better than the aesthetic beauty of the steampunk life is the versatility it affords a history buff. You can take almost any story from the past and turn it into something amazing using the basics of steampunk world builind.



Mel's Shelves - Crushing on Jacques


Jacques Laviolette is a man of many talents. Marguerite frequently takes for granted the tiger she has by the tail in this series. He comes from money, but he’s seen the rough side of life as well. He’s handsome, has a secure future as an aership captain, and certainly doesn’t need the headaches she brings to his life, and yet, he loves her anyway.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt


“Marguerite!” Jacques was the first on the scene. “Are you alright, my dear? Quick! Someone get a ladder. Call the medic! Move!” He was barking orders like the Air Captain he was born to be.

EskieMama Reads - Interview


What’s your next project?

I have a scifi book out on sub right now, and this amazing idea for a steampunk novel based on a Broadway play. Can’t really say much more, but keep your eyes open for some awesomeness!


Don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway below!


The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous GirlThe Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl
(The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl #2)
by Leigh Statham
YA Steampunk
Paperback & ebook, 297 pages
September 20th 2016 by Month9Books

Lady Marguerite Vadnay and her trusty automaton, Outil, have settled into life in New France rather well. Marguerite is top of the class at flight school and her future as an aerpilot is nearly secure. She has everything she wants— except a commission on the pirate hunting dirigible The Renegade. Using every card in her aristocratic arsenal, Marguerite wiggles her way onto the finest warship France has to offer. But as usual, Marguerite’s plans endanger the lives of those she holds dear— only this time no one else is going to save them. As Marguerite and Outil set off on a rescue mission they may not return from, she finally realizes it’s time to reorder her cogs.

This steampunk adventure is littered with facts from The Golden Age of Piracy and follows (not too closely) some of the lives and adventures of the brave men and women who sailed the seas as privateers, pirates and soldiers.



Other Books in the Series

The Perilous Journey of the Not So Innocuous Girl (The Perilous Journey of the Not So Innocuous Girl #1)The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl
(The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl #1)
by Leigh Statham
YA Steampunk
Paperback & ebook, 297 pages
March 17th 2015 by Month9Books

Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th-century French girls can only dream of: money, designer dresses, suitors, and a secure future. Except she can’t quite commit to a life of dull luxury and she suspects she may be falling for her best friend Claude, a common smithy in the family's steam forge. When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him and test her suspicions of love—only the trip proves to be more harrowing than she anticipated. Love, adventure, and restitution await her if she can survive the voyage.

Based on the true story of The Daughters of the King, Louis the XIV’s social program to settle the wilds of Canada with women of noble birth, Marguerite’s steampunk adventure follows in the footsteps of nearly one thousand brave women and girls who were rewarded handsomely for trekking across the pirate infested Atlantic to a strange land.

"The writing is solid and the world-building – that clever combination of historical detail and Ms. Statham’s imagination – is excellent."~ The Australia Times Books



Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho, but found her heart in New York City. She worked as a waitress, maid, artist, math teacher, nurse, web designer, art director, thirty-foot inflatable pig and mule wrangler before she settled down in the semi-quiet role of wife, mother and writer. She resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, five chickens and two suspected serial killer cats.

Leigh is also a founder of QuantumFairyTales.com and is currently serving a life sentence there as senior editor and gnome driver. She loves all things sparkly and strange that go bump in the night.


Tour Giveaway


• 1 winner will win signed copies of The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl and The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl plus some awesome Steampunk goggles (US only)
• 3 winners will win ebook sets of The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl and The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl (open internationally)
• Ends September 23rd
Grab Our Button!

Roman Style Chicken Recipe!

I love to cook/bake and I rarely make anything twice. Not that it isn't any good, only that I love to try new recipes and hubby loves it when I do that. I love the Food Network, I have made so many different recipes from there. This one is simple to make and is courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis!


Roman-style Chicken

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Total Time:
1 hr
Prep:
20 min
|
Inactive Prep:
--
|
Cook:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 skinless chicken breast halves, with ribs
  • 2 skinless chicken thighs, with bones
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS

Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a heavy, large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, cook the chicken until browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside. 

Keeping the same pan over medium heat, add the peppers and prosciutto and cook until the peppers have browned and the prosciutto is crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, wine, and herbs. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan, add the stock, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Printable Area
Page 2 of 2
Roman-style Chicken (cont.)

DIRECTIONS (CONT.)

Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes. 

If serving immediately, add the capers and the parsley. Stir to combine and serve. If making ahead of time, transfer the chicken and sauce to a storage container, cool, and refrigerate. The next day, reheat the chicken to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the capers and the parsley and serve.

@alisonmelloauth Love Conquers Life Series by Alison Mello Blog Tour!




 Saved By A Soldier
Love Conquers Life Series #1
Patricia Ann Fitzgerald is no man’s arm candy…
Refusing to entertain her mother’s ridiculous notion that she should become the perfect little housewife for her ex-boyfriend Ben, Patty escapes to her father’s lake house to focus on what matters most to her. She has to break through her writer’s block and start her next book.
Medically discharged from the service and suffering from PTSD, Carter Montgomery is still trying to get his life back in order…
When Carter's father Jackson suggests a week at the lake, it's not only so he can gain a little clarity about his future. Jackson has other plans for his recovering son, intending for him to watch over his best friend’s daughter while she’s on a solo writing retreat—an idea that doesn’t please Carter at all.
Patty finds it hard to get any work done when her attention keeps diverting to the handsome stranger next door…
Patty is persuaded to attend a charity event, despite knowing her ex will be in attendance. When Ben rudely interrupts Patty’s dance with her father and drags her off the floor, Carter is quick to intervene. He’s tired of admiring Patty from afar, and refuses to see her treated that way. Ready to ditch the stuffy event, Patty escapes with her savior someplace where they can finally talk.
Ben always gets what he wants, and he isn’t willing to let Patty slip away…
Patty fights to preserve her blooming relationship with Carter from the critical eyes of her mother and the scheming ways of her ex. Will Carter manage to get his life back in order in time to save Patty from the life she never wanted? 

My Broken Soldier
Love Conquers Life Series #2

Patricia Fitzgerald is finally ready to bring her relationship with Carter into the limelight, despite what her mother thinks…
Patty is prepared to face the consequences and announce her relationship at her first public fundraiser with Carter. But when a strange woman makes a move on him, and she finds them in what appears to be a mutual, passionate kiss, Patty can’t believe she’s been so foolish. She should’ve known better than to trust a man.
Carter’s been set up, but he can’t get anyone to believe him…
Floundering under the stress of losing Patty, the PTSD nightmares start in again, leaving Carter no choice but to turn to the only thing that will numb the pain. Alcohol—and lots of it. His family quickly intervenes and takes him to the hospital to kick-start his road to recovery. Carter knows burying the pain isn’t the answer. He has to heal…and save his relationship with Patty.
Outside forces work to keep Patty and Carter apart…
Suspicious of her mother’s recent actions, Patty pushes her to come clean about the setup at the fundraiser. Her jealous ex, Ben, has been blackmailing her mother into helping him ruin her relationship with Carter, and it doesn’t stop at that. Ben shows up at the lake house unwilling to accept no for an answer.
Carter needs to piece his broken life back together, but he’s running out of time…
With so many who want to destroy their happiness, he has to be strong enough to save Patty from an empty, loveless future—or he’ll be nothing more than the broken soldier she used to know.


Forever My Soldier
Love Conquers Life Series #3
All Patricia Fitzgerald wants is to live happily ever after with her soldier…
With their relationship finally out in the open, and Carter on the fast track to recovery, Patty spends Black Friday helping him with his charity event. Their attempt to spread Christmas cheer is interrupted, though, when Patty’s ex-boyfriend Ben, who has been harassing her for months, shows up. Fearing for Patty’s life, one of the men on the protection detail springs into action.
Patty finally thinks her worries are over, but the media won’t leave her alone…
The press is everywhere. Patty wants to move on with her life, but they’re relentless in their badgering about the circumstances surrounding Ben. If that isn’t enough stress to endure, someone spikes Patty’s drink during a New Year’s Eve event, and it isn’t her meddling ex. Luckily, Carter is there to save her when she collapses, but this constant threat to her life isn’t going away.
Planning a wedding becomes tedious instead of fun when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder…
A cake tasting is supposed to be one of those days as a future bride when you get to sit back and take a break from the chaos of planning the ceremony. Someone new is out there, though, and they aren’t happy with how Patty handled Ben and her newfound fame in the press. Can Carter manage to keep his fiancé slong enough to put their ordeal with Ben behind them for good and finally become…
…forever her soldier?


A Soldier For Bella
Love Conquers Life Series #4
Bella Campbell has a budding modeling career, a terrific boyfriend—and a stalker…
Everything in Bella’s life seems to be working out. She’s landed the guy of her dreams in former soldier Derek Thompson, and now she’s attained the contract of a lifetime—centerfold model for a famous swimsuit magazine. The only problem is she has a stalker. He keeps leaving her notes, roses, and now he’s taken to cyberstalking.
If dealing with Bella’s unwanted admirer wasn’t trouble enough, Derek has his own problems…
One of the rehabilitation facilities Derek oversees fails inspection, while another needs new equipment for the returning troops staying at the home. But Derek isn’t about to let the constant flow of bad news interfere with protecting Bella. He decides to take matters into his own hands and lure her unwanted shadow out of hiding, so he can take care of it once and for all.
But Derek isn’t the only one with a plan to end this feud over Bella…
Derek knows Bella’s stalker believes he is simply a complication that can be removed with force, but this soldier is ready for a fight. Bella is everything Derek has ever wanted, and nothing, not even death threats, is going to keep them apart.
Can Derek use his skills to put an end to Bella’s stalker? Or will this unknown villain finally succeed in capturing Bella for his own and take Derek out of the picture?
There isn’t a price Derek won’t pay to make sure there will always be…
A Soldier for Bella.



Alison Mello is a wife and stay at home mom to a wonderful little boy. She lives with her amazing family in Massachusetts. She loves playing soccer, basketball and football with her son.
After having her son, Alison started reading again and fell in love with Contemporary Romance. Reading made her happy and gave her something to do when she had downtime. As she started to read more, she started to noticed things she really enjoyed in a book and things she didn’t. She began to have ideas for writing one of her own. One day she literally woke up and started writing. She realized that if there was ever a time for her to write, it was now. She had a part time job to give her something to do. The hours at work were slow and she was bored with what she was doing, so while her son was off enjoying his friends over summer vacation she got started.
Alison finished the first book in two weeks and decided that she really enjoyed writing, so she kept going. She already had ideas in mind for books two and three, so she kept writing. That is how the Learning to Love Series was born. Somewhere along the line, one of my Beta readers convinced me that Michael, a character from Finding Love, needed his own story. That is when Alison added the fourth and final book. Alison hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
She’s so glad she started this writing journey and hopes you will stay with her for the ride.
Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive sneak peeks and contests!



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Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurant National Beer Day Giveaway!


Celticlady's Reviews is pleased to bring you the Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurant National Beer Day Giveaway ~ Win a $25 Bravo Gift Card

Hosted By:
Presents The
Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurant National Beer Day Giveaway ~ Win a $25 Bravo Gift Card 1 - Winner

This September 28th is National Drink Beer Day Raise a glass of your favorite ale or lager and celebrate Drink Beer Day! One of the oldest man-made beverages in history, beer has been produced since the Neolithic Era with some breweries dating back as far as 1040. It is little wonder why drinking beer has come to be such a popular and entertaining activity. 

To help you celebrate this Nationally Celebrated Day, Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurants with the help of Holiday Contest and Sweeps is providing one lucky winner a $25 BravoGift Card.  

There is no place better than to relax with friend or significant other and enjoy a cold glass of your favorite beer and great Italian Meal, and you will find no better place to do that then Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurants

Let's Take a Look at some of there mouth watering meals. 

BRAVO'S HOMEMADE PIZZA'S 
 

OTHER MOUTH WATERING MEALS  

Top Left - Lasagna Top Right -Chicken Caprese Bottom Left - Grilled Tilapia with Crab Bottom Right - Veal Parmesan with Pasta 

Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurants can be found in the following States within the Continental United States. 

Click on your state to find a location near you. Alabama , Arkansas, Florida , Illinois ,Indiana ,Iowa ,Kansas ,Kentucky Louisiana , Michigan ,Missouri, Nebraska , Nevada ,New Mexico, New York,,North Carolina Ohio,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,Wisconsin 

Click here to visit their website today for more great meal ideas! Also, make sure you follow them on Social Media as well... 
Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , Instagram


A Big Thank you to our Sponsor: Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurants 

 

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, associated or affiliated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway will be valid in the Continental United States only and entrants must be 21+ years of age to enter. 

This giveaway will end at 12:00 AM (EST) 9/20/16. 

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Holiday Contest and Sweeps received a $25 Bravo Gift Card for this review/giveaway. Holiday Contest and Sweeps will be responsible for the awarding and shipping of the prize directly to the winner. If you have any issues with this giveaway please contact Bill at holidaycontestandsweeps@gmail.com

16 September 2016

A Perfect Plan by Alyssa Drake Book Spotlight!



Samantha Hastings lived a quiet, peaceful life on her family’s country estate.  With no man to order her around and no stifling society rules to follow, she considered herself blessed.  However, when her brother’s ship sinks during a short trip to France, Samantha receives a request from her sister-in-law to return to town and manage the late Earl’s finances.  Suddenly thrust into society, Samantha faces an unfamiliar world and a pair of very familiar green eyes.

Lord Benjamin Westwood never intended on following through with his rash promise to his best friend.  Now, with Edward’s death, Benjamin becomes the unwilling guardian to Edward’s bratty little sister, who has grown up considerably since the last time they met.  His intention to marry her off to the first available suitor is thwarted when he finds himself falling for Samantha’s unique demeanor.  He lights upon the perfect plan; a marriage of convenience, giving him the opportunity to romance Samantha without distraction.


However, when they discover Edward’s disappearance was due to foul play, Benjamin’s perfect plan begins to quickly unravel.  Now, Samantha is in more danger than either of them realized and Benjamin is running out of time.


Author Alyssa Drake has been creating stories since she could read, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. Enraptured with all types of writing, Alyssa has tried her hand at short stories, collaborations and poetry.  However, her first love has always been books.  She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when visualizing conversations between her characters.

Alyssa graduated from the University of the Pacific, with a B.S. in business and a concentration in French literature.  Currently she resides in Northern California with her blended family, where she works full-time at a chocolate factory.

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