Accessible Fine Dining by Noam Kostucki and Chef Quentin Villers - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book details

Book Title: Accessible Fine Dining - The Art of Creating Exciting Food in Your Everyday Kitchen by Noam Kostucki, with Chef Quentin Villers

Category: Adult Non-fiction , 128 pages

Genre: Creative Cookbook / Fine Dining

Publisher: Amazon

Release date: Dec 10, 2018

Tour dates: Jan 7 to 31, 2019

Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Six months after opening my first restaurant, one of my dishes was selected as "25 dishes to travel around the world", featuring me next to culinary legend Heston Blumenthal.

Exciting and healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Over the years, I have seen some of the most exciting dishes come from the simplest kitchens and the most modest ingredients. The purpose of this book is to focus our attention away from the distractions of fancy kitchen equipment and luxury produce and instead focus our attention towards ingenuity in the kitchen and culinary innovation.

For some strange reason, cooking is taught in books as a series of mechanical steps to follow and repeat with precision. I see cooking as a creative art like painting or playing music: it is the freedom of expression that is most interesting to me. When we create from an artistic perspective, we give birth to something new and potentially magical.

The purpose of this book is not to teach you specific recipes, because the ingredients you will find in your local organic food market will likely not be the same as the ones we see here. Nor is the purpose to show you how to imitate us. The purpose of this book is to guide you into thinking about your dishes in a way that elevates them to a fine dining level, from ingredients which are easily accessible to you. Naturally, you will find a few recipes, but most importantly you will find a new way to look at food.

We will share how we think about food shopping, searching for unusual ingredients, the combinations of flavors, techniques, textures, nutritional value, and of course, plating. The purpose of this book is to guide you to become a more exciting, creative and adventurous version of yourself in the kitchen. What separates a craft from an art form is the story behind it; cooking is a craft, while fine dining is an art form.

If you want to create fine dining dishes, start to focus your attention on the different stories a dish can tell. Some stories can be told through your cooking, and others are told through words. Taking the time to present your dishes before people eat is crucial to creating anticipation for the food they will eat

.

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Meet the Authors:

Noam Kostucki

MY NAME IS NOAM KOSTUCKI AND I CREATE SPACES FOR MAGIC TO HAPPEN.

I was an awkward child, so I changed school 5 times. I spent most of my life trying to please others, and be the kind of person I believed everyone else wanted me to be. I wasn't happy and I struggled to get what I want. Everything changed when I started changing.

I spent the last 12 years creating the life I dream of. I've had the privilege to be homeless twice, and to speak at Harvard about entrepreneurship. I have grown to be myself more fearlessly than ever before. I am now surrounded by people I love, and who love me.

I traveled over 40 countries, and I've helped over 25,000 people create magic. For example Patryk Wezowski who raised $500,000 in 8 weeks and Esther Perel who gave the 30th most viewed TED talk. Some less public successes include a blind eyed student who experienced his blind eye for the first time and a journalist who left an abusive relationship.

As a university drop out, I was surprised when my first book (personal branding) became required reading at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, as well as receiving the UK Business Speaker of the Year runner up award, and a honorary degree in Business from Hofstra University. As an artist, I was honored to exhibit my photography at the European Union's Innovation Conference.

My most recent venture is HiR Fine Dining, a jungle culinary adventure. I create a discovery menu of 7 plates per person for groups of up to 12 people. HiR Fine Dining became #1 fine dining on TripAdvisor in Tamarindo within the first month. Within 6 months one of my plates was selected out of 40,000 restaurants by OpenTable as one of "25 dishes to travel around the world for". I was invited to speak at Chateau 1525, Costa Rica's most reputable cooking school and our guest chefs include a blind chef who traveled all the way the United Kingdom.

Quentin Villers

Quentin has been cooking in restaurant since the age of 18. He helped his brother build a restaurant for which they received a Michelin Star. Quentin moved to Costa Rica to consult for hotels and restaurants. He managed 3 of the 4 restaurants at Hotel Nayara in La Fortuna, for which he lead a team of over 20 people to be selected to enter Relais & Chateaux, a prestigious network of unique luxury hotels with exquisite cuisine. Quentin is a regular guest chef at HiR Fine Dining and consults for a number of fine dining restaurants in Costa Rica.

Connect with the Authors: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Grand Prize: Win a 4-seat dinner at HiR Fine Dining in Costa Rica (value $580) or win a paperback or ebook copy of Accessible Fine Dining (20 Kindle copies and 10 paperbacks) open int’l to wherever Amazon delivers

Ends Feb 7, 2019

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT TOUR SCHEDULE:

Jan 7 - Literary Flits - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 7 - #redhead.with.book - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 7 - found in words - book spotlight

Jan 8 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 8 - 100 Pages A Day - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 9 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 10 - Seaside Book Nook - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 10 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 11 - Amy's Booket List - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 14 - Olio by Marilyn - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 15 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 16 - Icefairy's Treasure Chest - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 17 - Words And Peace - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 18 - StoreyBook Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 21 - Books Direct - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 21 - Lukten av trykksverte - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 22 - A Holland Reads - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 23 - Laura's Interests - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 24 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 25 - Celticlady's Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Jan 25 - Cat’s Corner - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Jan 28 - Bound 2 Escape - bok spotlight / giveaway

Jan 29 - Books for Books - book spotlight

Jan 30 - The Autistic Gamer - book spotlight / giveaway

Jan 31 - ​Stormy Vixen's Book Reviews - book spotlight / giveaway

Alycat and the Friendship Friday by Alysson Foti Bourque - Spotlight and Interview

Book Details:

Book Title: Alycat and the Friendship Friday by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrated by: Chiara Civati

Category: Children's Fiction, 32 pages

Genre: Picture Book, Friendship

Publisher: Mascot Books

Release date: Oct 23, 2018

Tour dates: Oct 1 to 27, 2018

Content Rating: G

Book Description:

It’s finally Friday, and Alycat is excited to go on a field trip with her friends. But when she doesn’t have anyone to sit with on the bus, Alycat feels left out. Can she use her creativity and imagination to help everyone feel included?

Alycat and the Friendship Friday will teach readers that making new friends isn’t as scary as you might think.

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Meet the Author - Alysson Foti Bourque 

Alysson Foti Bourque earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center. After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. She enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. Currently, she resides in Sunset, Louisiana with her husband and two children.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

Interview

What genre do you write and why? I write children’s books. Having young children, I feel that it is important to teach through literature. There is a lot of books out there that lack problem-solving skills and self-evaluation. I wanted to write a series that teaches gratitude, generosity, perseverance, responsibility, and respectfulness.

What is the last great book you’ve read? Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis. This book is honest, enthusiastic, and relatable. All things I love in a book.

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack? Where do you write? Yes! I write in my office when my children are at school or in bed. I have to have a bottle of water, cup of coffee, and some sort of pack of crackers or candy.

Do you ever get writer’s block? Sometimes, but it is more of an overload of imaginary ideas that get me. I like to start a story, leave the ending blank, and come back to it with a fresh idea.

How did you do research for your book? When writing for children, you have to think like a kid so I read a lot of kid’s literature. Then I combine our own experiences with imaginary ideas and come up with the plot. It has to be relatable but a tad far-fetched.

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The Pumpkin Patch by Sandi Smith - Guest Post and Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: The Pumpkin Patch by Sandi Smith

Category: Adult Fiction, 316 pages

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Mindstir Media

Release date: November 5, 2017

Tour dates: June 25 to July 20, 2018

Content Rating: PG-13 + M

Book Description:

How can one small-minded, angry person destroy the lives of so many people in her path, connecting them all together in a game of destruction and heartbreak? It is possible, but what pushes a person to enjoy inflicting pain to such an extent, leaving a trail of hate, anger, and defeat behind her, which only seems to make her stronger and more satisfied. Ms. Terri Plotski, owner of the Authors’ Book Agency, is that person, who, unknowingly, with a single thread of hate, has connected the lives of a small group of people, bringing them together with one single common denominator. Anger. The anger from this small group of people is building, but it has nowhere to go, or does it? Ms. Terri Plotski, owner of Authors’ Book Agency, has gone missing.

To follow the tour, please visit Sandi Smith's page on iRead Book Tours.

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Meet the Author - Sandi Smith

Sandi Smith spent her time as a young girl combing the shelves of the public library. She has always enjoyed the magic that books have to offer and was inspired by her high school English teacher, Mr. Coolidge to embrace the arts. The author found her calling as a writer early one morning as her first story came to her in the form of a poem. Since then she has written more than 15 children’s books, with her most popular series about the adventures of an adorable spider in the A.R. Achnid series.

Sandi is happily married to her inspiration and husband of 40 years, John. She continues to write for her two precious grandchildren. When she’s not penning a new story, Sandi and John like to camp, kayak and to enjoy the simple life in their home in Pembroke, NH.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

Guest Post

Writing by the Seat of my Pants 

by Sandi Smith

Definitely, the Pumpkin Patch was written by the seat of my pants. Whenever I got words, I never knew what was going to come into my mind. For The Pumpkin Patch, it started out with just one line – Her secretary found the note. That was it. Nothing else to guide me or even give me a hint as to what I was going to write. As I started to get other words, the book seemed to be going in the direction of a love story, and the story of a young woman who had lost her mother at a very young age, or so I thought.

One night, I started getting the name “Mary Elizabeth” in my head. What came to me after that were words of sadness and tears, with some anger at her mother and father. I never did get a definite story plot. What I did get were different characters. I would write a chapter on Mary Elizabeth, thinking that, okay, we’re going to write about the trials of a young woman growing up without a mother, and that would be it, but as I waited for more words to guide me in a direction, nothing came. It would be maybe a month or two later, sometimes even six months later, that I would get more words.

At one point, when I started getting more words, the story line seemed to change. I had words about the war in Vietnam. I didn’t even know what I would do with those words. When I wrote them, I felt sad and disoriented, as if someone was telling me a story that needed to be told. It was rather upsetting at the time, but I kept writing the words, waiting to see what the connection was to this story. Then about a month later, there was a new character. A character that I couldn’t even begin to understand what it was doing in this story…that was the character with the name of Janice. She was a character that was self-absorbed and only seemed to care about herself. What could this character have to do with Mary Elizabeth?

It seemed to me that, if the story was heading in the original direction I thought it was heading, that Mary Elizabeth would need someone who was a little more receptive to Mary Elizabeth’s disappointments that she had had in her life, not someone who only cared about herself. At that point, I actually thought that maybe I had two different stories going on at the same time.

But, as I did with my first novel, I just kept writing down the words, writing chapter after chapter, not exactly sure where it was all going. I knew there was a connection between all of the new characters I was writing about, chapter after chapter, and eventually it all came together. There was one main character that connected them all, and brought them together as one. Each chapter connects them all together in a web of deceit by this one woman, and it would come to a breaking point. 

 

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Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen - Review and Giveaway

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book Details:

Book Title: Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen

Category: Middle-Grade Fiction, 174 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Odysia Press

Release date: March 2018

Tour dates: March 26 to April 13, 2018

Content Rating: PG (There is no bad language, but there is one "boss fight" scene.)

Book Description:

Best Friend Ever?

Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates - he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.

Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.

After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?

After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.

Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.

To read reviews, please visit David J. Pedersen's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:
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Meet the Author: David J. Pedersen

David J. Pedersen is a native of Racine, WI who resides in his hometown Kansas City, MO. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has worked in sales, management, retail, video and film production, and IT. David has run 2 marathons, climbed several 14,000-foot mountains and marched in The University of Wisconsin Marching Band and written 4 fantasy novels. He is a geek and a fanboy that enjoys carousing, picking on his wife and kids, playing video games, and slowly muddling through his next novel.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook 

My thoughts

This was a nice book with a good meaning behind it. It is a good way for kids to learn about bullying, self-esteem and being nice to others. Being the parent of a child that was bullied when she was young this story hits the spot with teaching kids how to deal with this issues. I liked how the book chapters were done by different stages of Clod's life. I also liked the magic parts of this book since it is a fantasy.

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Degrees of Love by Lisa Slabach - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: Degrees of Love: A Novel by Lisa Slabach

Category: Adult Fiction, 344 pages

Genre: Women's Fiction

Publisher: Bookbaby

Release date: Dec 1, 2017

Tour dates: Jan 3 to 31, 2017

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Adult themes including infidelity, occasional F-word, non-explicit sex scenes)

Book Description:

At thirty-six, Susan Sinclair has it all. She's just been promoted to Senior Vice President of Mobile Banking at her firm, a prestigious position bringing fresh creative challenges and a hefty salary increase. Like the shiny new BMW in the driveway of the Silicon Valley home she shares with her husband, Matt, and their two beautiful boys, Susan exudes confidence and style.

Yet despite her success in juggling the roles of wife, mother, and businesswoman, Susan struggles with a secret dissatisfaction. Matt's work in cutting-edge computer research pays less than her job, and with each advance in her career, he has grown more distant. But Matt refuses to admit there is a problem, and Susan forces herself to play along, determined to give her boys the close-knit family life she never had.

Then she meets her new boss, Reese Kirkpatrick. Working and traveling together, she and Reese become a crackerjack team, but little by little, pleasure mixes with business. For the first time in a long time—maybe ever—Susan feels seen and appreciated for who she is. Certain she would never allow their friendship to cross the line, Susan lets herself stray dangerously close to the edge.

A moment of weakness changes everything. Now, unable to stomach the façade her marriage has become yet unwilling to decimate her family by moving forward with Reese, Susan faces a choice that could cost her everything—including her children . . . but possibly bring her more than she can dream.

Praise for Degrees of Love:

"Slabach crafts a relatable, heartbreakingly real story that will no doubt resonate with those at a similar station in life: women who love their families yet yearn for just a little more—to feel wanted rather than needed, to feel passion rather than complacency. In engaging prose and through skillful storytelling, Slabach captivates with an all-too-familiar story that raises questions with no easy answers."
- Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"This does not read like a debut author’s book. Slabach shows herself to be adept at portraying the complex emotions of the human condition. Her characters live and breathe on the page in a way that every author strives for, but few actually manage. Susan’s struggles ring true, and the way she handles everything makes her a very likable and relatable character."
- Sarah Perry, San Francisco Book Review, 5 Stars

"Profound, heart wrenching and very emotional, it is hard to believe that Degrees of Love is a debut novel by Lisa Slabach. This is one of the best novels I have read this year."
- Rabia Tanveer, Readers' Favorite

To read more reviews, please visit Lisa Slabach's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:
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Meet the Author - Lisa Slabach

Degrees of Love is Lisa Slabach’s debut novel. She is currently working on her third full-length manuscript and a collection of short stories inspired by her experiences growing up in a small farm community in Washington’s Yakima Valley. In addition to writing, Lisa works for a Fortune 500 Company, leading a sales team in the financial industry. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband and has two daughters, who are both pursuing careers in film. In her free time, she enjoys drinking wine with friends and cooking in her pink kitchen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Beyond Forever by D.D. Marx - Review and Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: Beyond Forever (Book #3)

Author: D.D. Marx

Category: Adult Fiction, 200 pages

Genre: Chick-Lit

Publisher: Beyond Dreams Publishing

Release date: December 2017

Tour dates: Oct 16 to Dec 22, 2017

Content Rating: PG 13 (Light sex scenes/not explicit; language (couple f bombs)

Book Description:

Just as their life is seemingly back on track, Finn McDaniel’s gets news that sends him into a tail-spin. He is faced with the prospect of losing Olivia Henry forever. He immediately turns to Dan, Olivia’s deceased best friend, who is her loyal and constant guardian angel from the beyond, imploring him for his help. In the midst of all of the chaos a special package is delivered that changes their lives forever.

While Finn is determined to grow his restaurant to new heights by chasing after the coveted Michelin Star, it is Olivia who finally sees her dream come to fruition in a way never thought possible. Finn is determined to support Olivia through her shocking breakthrough and even has a very special surprise up his sleeve that she never sees coming. Just as their plan is set in to motion and they settle in to their new normal, they have an earth shattering encounter. In that moment it is revealed that they have much more than just a spiritual relationship with the beyond.

To read more reviews, please visit D.D. Marx's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy Beyond Forever:
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Meet the Author:

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always had a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

My thoughts

I have enjoyed this series from the first book I have read. I am sorry to see it end as it has been a crazy ride with Olivia, Finn and Dan. As with the rest of the books in this series. these books are a quick read. The author did a good job with the character development and you find yourself becoming friends with Olivia and wondering what she is up to. There is a little drama, a little romance and a little fun all rolled into one neat little package for you to enjoy. The scenes were also well thought out and described and I felt like I was a part of the story. A great chick-lit series to warm your heart. 

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21 Days to Happiness by Ingrid Kelada - Review and Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: 21 Days to Happiness: Increase Your Happiness, Productivity and Happiness

Author: Ingrid Kelada

Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 230 pages

Genre: Motivational, self-help

Publisher: Wellness Ink

Release date: September 19, 2017

Tour dates: Nov 27 to Dec 15, 2017

Content Rating: G (The subject is intended more for adults, but there's no explicit language or content.)

Book Description:

Struggling to find work-life balance? Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed and frustrated or just want to increase your happiness, you can learn how in just 10 minutes a day!

For some of us, feeling busy or stressed has become the new normal. Others feel okay, but just want a boost to productivity, energy and motivation.

Instead of hoping for happiness, what if happiness is something you DO, something you CHOOSE every day? The good news: it is and the solutions are simple.

Psychologist and happiness expert Ingrid Kelada provides a practical, step-by-step guide to help you increase your personal happiness and feel more motivated. You can learn how with simple 10-minute strategies. Each day of the 21-day journey focuses on one key area of your life, including:

• Time: how to break the cycle of chaos and manage your time effectively.
• Body Language: exploring the surprising links between body language and happiness.
• Relationships: how to make the most of the number one predictor of happiness.
• Work: how to use your strengths and talents so that you are engaged and motivated.
• Money: what you should spend your money on to feel most satisfied.

The book is interactive. Each chapter features resources like apps to try, videos to watch for deeper understanding, or tools to help you master these new habits. At the end of three weeks, along with increased happiness, you’ll find you’ve become more:

• productive
• focused
• patient
• energetic
• healthy
• motivated
• positive

Happiness is a choice. A daily decision to choose happy can be easy, fun and rewarding. With this book, in just a few minutes per day, you can practice one new happiness habit, add resources to your arsenal, and jot down your notes in the journal section.

Buy 21 Days to Happiness today to create a happier more satisfying life.

Buy the Book:
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Meet the Author - Ingrid Kelada

Ms. Ingrid Kelada is an experienced psychologist and happiness expert. She is a speaker and has facilitated over 1000 workshops all over the world. People find her to be pragmatic, inspiring and funny! She has an online personality questionnaire store to help people identify their talents and interests. With over 25 years experience, she offers her expertise to a wide range of clients. She is bilingual and a member of the professional association of Psychologists of Quebec. Visit her online at www.keladacc.ca

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ LinkedIn ~ Instagram

My thoughts

This was a very informative book that has helped me learn some new tips in how to bring happiness to my daily life.  The author does a good job of balancing the amount of fact with her tips for you so that it is not just a reference book. I liked that she included questions at the end of the chapters as they made me stop and think. I also liked the short chapters that way you can easily read a small portion each day. She also included a little humor in there just to make sure to keep you entertained while learning. This is a book that can be read more than once and I think you will get something out of it each time.

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Beyond Love by D.D. Marx - Review and Giveaway

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book Details:

Book Title: Beyond Love (Book #2)

Author: D.D. Marx

Category: Adult Fiction; 184 pages

Genre: Chick-Lit

Publisher: Beyond Dreams Publishing

Release date: November 2017

Tour dates: Oct 16 to Dec 22, 2017

Content Rating: PG 13 (Light sex scenes/not explicit; language (couple f bombs)

Book Description: 

After trusting in her beloved friend Dan’s guidance from the beyond, Olivia is finally on the path to realizing her destiny. Staring at a blank canvas after ditching her raucous corporate life and meeting the love of her life, Finn McDaniels, a hot, widowed celebrity chef, she is ready to begin anew.

Arriving back in Chicago, she receives more frightening news further delaying her future journey with Finn. Unable to control the outcome, she begins questioning her trust and faith in Dan once again. She distracts herself the only way she knows how, by diving head first into a new project. What seemed like a time-killer may actually be the thing that saves her and catapults her into a world she never dreamed of.

When Olivia and Finn finally reunite, a looming secret is uncovered threatening to ruin the relationship she has waited for her entire life. Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

To read more reviews, please visit D.D. Marx's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy Beyond Love:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author - D.D. Marx

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always had a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

My thoughts

This is a fun series that leaves you wanting more as you finish each book. Olivia is always getting herself into some sort of predicament that you just have to shake your head at her. She is like the friend that is always a mess but you just seem to love anyway. Olivia is still listening to her deceased friend Dan for advise which sometimes is not always the best. I really liked that we got to have more of Finn in this book. We also got to watch their relationship grow even more which I enjoyed. There are a few secrets that I can't giveaway that may or may not effect the relationship. You must read to find out. I am looking forward to the third book in this series. 

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Beyond Believing by D. D. Marx - Review and Giveaway

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book Details:

Book Title: Beyond Believing (Book #1)

Author: D.D. Marx

Category: Adult Fiction, 200 pages

Genre: Chick-Lit

Publisher: Beyond Dreams Publishing

Release date: October 2017

Tour dates: Oct 16 to Dec 22, 2017

Content Rating: PG 13 Non-explicit sex, swear words (light...couple f-bombs)

Book Description:

When Olivia gets news of her best friend Dan’s fatal car accident, her entire life is upended. Shattered with grief and struggling to find any meaning or purpose to life, she trudges along with a gaping void in her heart. Finally, when her frustration reaches its peak, Olivia decides to trust Dan’s eternal friendship. That trust allows him to break through to her from the beyond, and Dan guides Olivia through the twists and turns of her life into something new and entirely unexpected.

When Olivia exposes a gigantic internal scandal at work, her career implodes. With no job and no one to turn to, she escapes to Palm Springs for the sympathy and care of her beloved cousin, Garrett. He isn’t quite the comfort Olivia hoped for, but on that journey, meets someone who fills the void in her heart. She’s never experienced such a deep love. It heals her soul and rekindles her spirit - and just may have been the design of her dearly departed friend all along.

Beyond Believing is a sweet, funny and romantic story that touches the heart, serves up delicious twists and turns, and shows the reader that there’s no such thing as “coincidence.” Author D.D Marx regards this book as her love letter to friendship.

To read more reviews, please visit D.D. Marx's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy Beyond Believing:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads

Watch the trailer:

Meet the Author - D.D. Marx

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always had a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

My thoughts

This was the first book that I have read by this author and it was enjoyable. It is a story about love and friendship. The character development was very good as the author created some strong characters who could be someone you know. This is one of those books that you could not put down as you did not want to stop reading about your friends. There are some sad parts to this book as well but they have to be there to tell the story. But do not fret there is also some humor to this story. I think this would be a good quick beach read. A bit of trivia about this book is that it was written in memory of the author’s best friend Dan and she calls this book a “love letter to friendship”. If you like romance or chick-lit then you will enjoy this book. This book is a part of a trilogy and I have had the pleasure of reading the entire series. Watch for my reviews.

Guest post

How do you write a novel based in a place where you’ve never been?

When I embarked on the journey with this series, I started with foundational basics. First, my goal was to tell the story from two different perspectives, in alternating chapters. It was important for these characters to be leading parallel lives but in very different worlds. The easiest way to accomplish that was to create physical distance between them.

Olivia’s character was loosely based on my life so that was easy. I wrote about what I knew and what was comfortable. For Finn’s character, who is entirely fictional, I took pieces and parts from people and experiences in my life that were familiar to me. For example, I came up with Finn’s hometown because my neighbor was a lovely woman who was born and raised in Scotland. I loved her accent. She was always cheerful and pleasant. She’d greet me in the morning on my way to work and say, ‘you look smashing’. She told me stories of her childhood and I felt attached. I could envision the places in the stories she was sharing. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a hunk from Scotland? Hello, Gerard Butler and voila, that became the birth of Finn McDaniels.

From there, I went on a quest to learn more about Scotland, through research, to create back stories for this character. I just kept asking questions. Who was Finn? Where did he come from? Did he have siblings? What was his passion? What motivated him to pursue it? Each answer led me down endless winding roads that developed him into who he was. He became a real person in my head. Once I knew who he was and where he came from the rest came easy.

Don’t ever shy away from pursuing your dreams. The sky is the limit

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Appointment with Yesterday by Christopher Stratakis - Spotlight

Book Details:

Book Title: Appointment with Yesterday: A Novel in Four Parts with a Prologue and an Epilogue

Author: Christopher Stratakis

Category: Adult Fiction, 334 pages

Genre: coming-of-age / WWII / immigrant experience

Publisher: IndieReader

Release date: January 2017

Tour dates: Oct 2 to 20, 2017

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There is no bad language or violence, but there are references to sex and sexual situations (including between a pre-teen and teen)

Book Description:

A poignant and compelling first novel, Appointment with Yesterday tells the story of Yanni, a cheeky and delightful Greek boy growing up in a small town on an island in the eastern Aegean.

Left in the care of his loving grandparents, Yanni endures the deprivation and terror of the German occupation during World War II and finally leaves his beloved homeland and family to rejoin the parents who had left him behind to make a better life for themselves in America.

Filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of love, devotion, disenchantment, and dashed dreams, Appointment with Yesterday is, ultimately, the story of hardships overcome and a determined boy’s journey toward finding his destiny.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Book Depository ~ Books-a-Million
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author - Christopher Stratakis

Christopher Stratakis was born and raised in Greece. After moving to America, he graduated from Drexel University in 1951 and New York University School of Law in 1955. Shortly after joining the law firm of Poles, Tublin & Patestides in 1960, he became a partner, specializing in admiralty and corporate law.

He has written and published several articles, lectured on professional and historical subjects, served as Legal Advisor to several non-profits (pro bono), and was an arbitrator in maritime disputes. He is the author of Mnimes “Memories” (2010), a book of essays, short stories, and poems that he wrote as a teenager. In 2015, he co-edited Chains on Parallel Roads, a book published by Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York. In recognition of his extensive community involvement, he has been the recipient of several awards from religious, governmental, and educational institutions.

Mr. Stratakis lives with his wife in New York City. He is the proud father of three and grandfather of three. This is his first novel.

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The Sky Throne by Christ Ledbetter - Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: The Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter

Category: YA Fiction, 300 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Month 9 Books

Release date: April 18, 2017

Tour dates: Sept 18 to Oct 20, 2017

Content Rating: PG + M (No f-words but there may be some mild profanity, and mild religious expletives such as "damn", "hell" and "Oh God!", some depictions of violence. No drug use or underage drinking. Some semi-mature themes - suggestion of sexual misconduct by certain characters, but not the actual performing of it.)

Book Description:

Duality dwells at every turn, and an adolescent Zeus will learn that all too well when Hyperion attacks his family on Crete.

When the dust settles, his mother is unconscious and his best friend left for dead.

Stacking epic insult upon fatal injury, Zeus discovers the woman who raised him is not his biological mother. But to ensure her safety while she recovers, a heavy-hearted Zeus leaves her behind to seek answers at Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia.

Zeus embarks on a quest to discover who ordered the attack on his home, avenge the death of his friend, and find his birth mother. When some of his new schoolmates vanish, Zeus's quest is turned upside down, and the only way to make things right is to access the power of The Sky Throne, confront a most dangerous enemy, and take his life back.

On his way to becoming king of the Greek gods, Zeus will learn to seize power, neutralize his enemies, and fall in love.

To read reviews, please visit Chris Ledbetter's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository ~IndieBound

Quail Ridge Books ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon.ca ~

Amazon AUS

Add to Goodreads

Watch the Trailer: 

Meet the author:

Chris Ledbetter is an award-winning author of short fiction and novels for young adults. “Jason’s Quest,” a short story retelling of the Jason and Medea Greek myth was published in the anthology, Greek Myths Revisited. His first full-length novel, Drawn earned him two awards, Library of Clean Reads Best YA 2015 and Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice Award Best YA 2015, as well as a USA TODAY “Must Read” recommendation. His second novel, Inked, concludes that duology. The Sky Throne is his newest young adult novel. The second book in the series is set to release in 2018.

He's a proud member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and a strong supporter of the Need for Diverse Books. He now writes and lives in Wilmington, NC with his family, including three cats.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ facebook ~ Pinterest

My thoughts

This book was a new way of looking at Zeus from what we have always known. No one thinks of him as a fiesty young boy. I liked this new version and thought it was a good way to get kids interested in Greek Mythology. Then you have some added mystery that you are trying to solve along side Zeus. I felt as if the author did a good job of pulling you into this story at the very beginning. His writing style was also nice as the book moved right along. This will be a good book for your young adult. 

Guest Post

THE DAILY SCROLL & ORACLE

BREAKING NEWS: Infighting Fractures Top Performing Academy

By every standard heretofore devised, Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia sat high atop the Pantheon League in both academics and athletics. Recent events, however, have caused a massive split, leading Kronos, Son of Gaia and Ouranos, to found Othrys Hall Academy to the south of its predecessor.

“Othrys,” Kronos said, “Will be the shining beacon on the hill, the lighthouse that guides our students home to knowledge and enlightenment. We will extract everything that was positive about MO Prep. And we will leave to rot all the aspects that simply don’t work. This is about giving students and their parents a better choice. If one school isn’t working for our students, if it’s failing, why punish the student? Why not give them a better option?”

When our reporters interviewed Ouranos, current headmaster for Mount Olympus, he had this to say, “It’s sad the way Kronos’ thirst for power and self-gratification led to the sowing of lies and disinformation such that our once strong and proud faculty has splintered. Along with my daughter, Rhea, we will rebuild our academia into a galactic powerhouse once again. That begins with our current student body. One student at a time. The dawning of a new revolution.”

The High Temple of China and the Two Rivers Senior Edubba of Sumeria now battle to ascend to the top spot in the Pantheon League in academics. The Celtic Academy of the Emerald Isle, Yggdrasil Institute of the Nine Realms, and the Aztec Coatepec Calmecac should challenge for athletic supremacy, if neither Othrys Hall nor Mount Olympus Prep can regain what was lost and return to greatness. Time will tell. Stay tuned for more developments.

 ***

This article is more or less a prologue to the drama that unfolds in the storyline of The Sky Throne.

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Prizes: ​
Grand Prize: One winner will get a signed paperback of The Sky Throne + $20 Amazon GC (open USA only)

First Place: Two winners will each get an ebook copy of The Sky Throne + $10 Amazon GC (open internationally)

Second Place: Two winners will each get an ebook copy of The Sky Throne (open internationally)

TOTAL: 5 winners
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Overwhelmed Writer Rescue by Colleen M. Story - Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

I received this book free from the publisher

Book Details:

Book Title: Overwhelmed Writer Rescue: Boost Productivity, Improve Time Management, and Replenish the Creator Within

Author: Colleen M. Story

Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 280 pages

Genre: Self-help

Publisher: Midchannel Press

Release date: Sept 3, 2017

Format available for review: print & ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF)

Will ship print books to: USA only

Tour dates: Sept 4 to 15, 2017

Content Rating: G

Book Description:

FIND THE TIME, ENERGY, AND CONFIDENCE TO MAKE YOUR CREATIVE DREAMS COME TRUE.

Do you feel like you’re always behind? Do less important tasks frequently flood your schedule and sink your creative motivation? Are you frustrated and out of touch with your inner artist?

After 20 years experience in the writing industry, author Colleen M. Story extends a lifeline to pull you out of the sinking swamp of “busyness” and back into the flourishing creative life you deserve.

Today’s demands on writers and other creative artists are overwhelming. Not only must you produce the work you love, but build and maintain a platform and market your finished products to the world—all while holding down a day job and/or caring for a family.

You teeter on the edge. What waits on the other side are burnout, exhaustion, and a complete loss of creative motivation.

"Overwhelmed Writer Rescue" provides practical, personalized solutions to help beginning and experienced writers and other creative artists escape the tyranny of the to-do list to nurture the genius within. You’ll find ways to boost productivity, improve time management, and restore your sanity while gaining insight into your unique creative nature and what it needs to thrive.

Ultimately, you’ll discover what may be holding you back from experiencing the true joy that a creative life can bring.
​
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads

Meet the author - Colleen M. Story

Colleen M. Story has worked in the creative writing industry for over twenty years. Her novels include "Loreena’s Gift," an Idaho Author Awards first place winner, New Apple Solo Medalist winner, Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, Reader Views award finalist, and Best Book Awards finalist; and "Rise of the Sidenah," a North American Book Awards winner and New Apple Book Awards Official Selection.

As a health writer, she’s authored thousands of articles for publications like "Healthline" and "Women’s Health;" worked with high-profile clients like Gerber Baby Products and Kellogg’s; and ghostwritten books on back pain, nutrition, and cancer recovery. She finds most rewarding her work as a motivational speaker and workshop leader, where she helps writers remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers.

Colleen is the founder of Writing and Wellness (writingandwellness.com), a motivational site helping writers and other creative artists maintain their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being throughout their careers. Sign up for your free weekly email containing tips for living your best creative life at: www.writingandwellness/newsletter.

To find more information on Colleen and her work, please see her website or follow her on Twitter. She loves to hear from readers—feel free to use the “contact” form on either her website or Writing and Wellness to get in touch with her.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter

What did I think of this book:

I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me some good ideas on how to help myself to become more organized in my writing. My dream is to write a book one day and this may just give me the boost I need to get started. The start of the book had a story from Colleen that helped to make her advice seem like it was from a friend. There are also references to help you go even further into your writing process. The key points at the end of the chapters are a nice way to make your notes on what you need to remember to manage your time and thoughts. This book was so full of information that I will be reading it at least a second time if not more. It will be kept handy to help me along my writing path. 

Guest post:

How to Get Past Your Fear to Get Started Writing Your Book 

In her review of the book The Story Cure by Dinty W. Moore, Angela mentioned that her dream was to write a book, but she had yet to get over her fear of just getting started with it.

I nodded my head when I read that, as the same fear plagues many would-be writers—and even many experienced ones—each time they face the beginning of a new project.

The hardest part of any task is just getting started. You have to get past your initial resistance to doing whatever job you have in front of you. That means overcoming what I call the four “stoppers:”

1. Perceived Difficulty
2. Perceived Importance
3. Fear
4. Expectations

Getting Past the Four Stoppers

Writing a story isn’t usually an “easy” thing to do. Far from it. That means when you think about it, you’re likely to doubt your own ability to do it. This creates your first stopper—you believe the project will be hard, so you have a difficult time getting started.

Next, you perceive the project as being important. Maybe writing a book is a dream of yours, or a secret wish you keep to yourself. If it weren’t important, you could easily throw something together and not worry about it. But it is important to you, and the more important the project, the more intimidating it is to begin.

You hesitate because you don’t feel up to the task. You should be more alert to do it right, you think, and fear starting when you’re tired or less than inspired.

This brings us to stopper number three: fear. Fear is involved in all the stoppers, making you doubt yourself and your creative abilities. You fear you won’t be able to complete the task well, so you avoid it.

Wrapped up in that fear are your high expectations—stopper number four. You want your story to do well on the market, or to garner good reviews. Your expectations build the project up in your mind, making you even more fearful, intimidated, and overwhelmed by the perceived difficulty ahead.

It’s no wonder it’s hard to get started! But of course, if you are to make your dream of writing a book come true, you can’t keep putting things off.

Trick Yourself Into Getting Started

You can try to convince yourself that this book isn’t important, or that it will be easy, or that you feel totally confident doing it, but it’s likely that you’ll fail. You have these fearful feelings for a reason, and they’re not going to go away just because you’d like them to.

The key to getting started and to increasing your confidence is to trick yourself.

You have to get around your own tendency to hesitate. I’ve got several ways you can do that in my book, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue. For now, here are two methods to help you get started.

1. The 5-Minute Trick
Tell yourself that you’ll write for just five minutes. After that, you can do whatever you want. Five minutes is all you need to manage. Set a timer and go for it.

Most likely, your love of writing will take over and you won’t want to stop after the five minutes is up. You’ll happily complete your thirty minutes or hour or whatever you’d like to do, and you’ll feel super proud of yourself, because you’ll be one step closer to achieving your writing goals.

But even if you write for only five minutes, you’ll get some words down. You’ll get started. You’ll get over that hump, which will make it easier for you to put in another five minutes (or more) the next day.

2. Put off something else.
You can trick yourself into getting started on an important task by allowing yourself to procrastinate on another one.

Imagine you have a number of things on your to-do list. If your resistance is high and your inner child is whining, give in a little. Decide that if you put in some time on your story, you’ll put off something else on the list—getting the oil changed, for example, or doing the laundry.

It’s amazing how good it can feel to allow yourself to procrastinate on something. Give yourself that reward to help you get started on the thing that really matters—your writing.

If you dream of writing a book, don’t let fear stop you. All you have to do is get started, and that takes only five minutes. Do it today!

To learn about how you can trick yourself into getting started, overcome self-doubt, get past perfectionist tendencies, and make room in your life for writing, order your copy of Overwhelmed Writer Rescue today! Available at Amazon and all other print and eBook retailers. Enjoy your FREE chapter here!

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BOOK REVIEW TOUR SCHEDULE:

Sept 4 - Blooming with Books - review / giveaway
Sept 4 - The All Night Library - review / guest post
Sept 5 - Everyday Gyaan - review / author interview / giveaway
Sept 5 - Olio by Marilyn - review / author interview
Sept 6 - Library of Clean Reads - review / author interview / giveaway
Sept 6 - Self Help Daily - review
Sept 7 - A Mama's Corner of the World - review / giveaway
Sept 7 - Two Americans in China - review / guest post / giveaway
Sept 8 - A Holland Reads - review / guest post / giveaway
Sept 11 - From Isi - review
Sept 11 - Lovely Reads Publishing - review / guest post / giveaway
Sept 12 - Laura's Interests - review / guest post / giveaway
Sept 12 - This Mom's Delight - review / author interview / giveaway
Sept 13 - Books for Books - review
Sept 14 - Reading Authors - review /giveaway
Sept 14 - Simple Wyrdings - review / author interview / giveaway
Sept 15 - Create With Joy - review / giveaway
Sept 15 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review