New Blog

Hello followers!

First, let me say sorry yet again that I have not been very active on my blog site. The reason for that is because I have been in college, working, and helping raise two little boys for my (ex) roommate. Now that I am being put on hold with school, I am going to try and focus on my reading and my blogging a lot more. With all of that said, I have decided to revamp my blog, and sort of start new, and fresh. I am moving from blogspot and going over to word press. I feel like it is way better to manage, and I feel like it is more "professional", in a way. So, if you are following me on this blog, please feel free to go on over to my new blog and follow me there. Also, look me up on Facebook and follow that as well for upcoming updates! Below are the links to my Facebook page, as well as a link to the new blog.

Thanks, readers! I look forward to seeing you on my new website!

Facebook
New Blog


Stephany

Author Spotlight: Martin Gijzemijter: Author of Dinner with God

I received an email last night, from someone who touched me with his story. My email came from Martin Gijzemijter, and he was telling me his incredible story of how his father (and himself of course) had the unfortunate circumstances of losing someone very close to the both of them. Martin's Mom, his father's wife, passed away. His father was having a hard time dealing with it, and coping, and from an "outsiders" view, Martin felt helpless at how to help his father come to terms with the sadness around him, and the pain of losing his wife.

Of course, Martin was sad too. But it is a whole different story when you see someone else go through so much, as Martin's father had.

This story touched so close to home for me. December 28th, 2013, my Grandma passed away. It was devastating to so many of us in our family, but it just about killed my Mom. It killed me, and still does, to see how heartbroken she is. That was her Mother. Her best friend. She never knew a life where she did not have her. Same for Martin's father.

Well, Martin did something incredible for his father. He decided to write a novel, Dinner with God, to help his father cope with the loss of his wife. In Martin's words, "It started with a letter, then turned into a story, and eventually into a novel".

In the novel Dinner with God, Martin is able to send his father on one last adventure with his mother, to allow them to say goodbye. To have closure they did not get. By doing this, Martin states that he is showing his father that he still does have things to live for, and to be grateful for.

Martin was having trouble finishing the project. He couldn't understand why. He met deadlines all of the time. But then he came to the realization that there really wasn't a deadline. There wasn't necessarily a hurry to get in entirely finished, over night. And that, folks, is how his next dream on this project started. Martin decided to write his novel online, with one requirement. He had to write 1000 words a day. By doing this, he would gain followers, who would want to know more, who would want to come back to see what happens.

Once he finished this amazing feat, he was able to get the book published and translated into Dutch. How amazing is that? The novel has been very popular among the Netherlands and now he wants to get the book translated back into English, doing the same thing he did before. 1000 words a day, online.

Once it is completely translated, he will leave it online for an entire week, then take it down to have it edited and published in English.

Based on all of this alone, I cannot wait until 1. this is published online for a week and 2. It is published for all of us to go out and purchase. I will be the first one in line. I promise you that.

The reason Martin is doing this, getting it published, is because it helped his father so much that he and his father are hoping to touch others, and that it will give others hope and courage to be okay again after losing someone close to them.

Finally, with all of that said... this is what we need from you, as readers, as followers, as believers, as what you are...

We, and mostly Martin and his father need to get the word out there. We need to let everyone know about this project. We need to show everyone how important it is to get this novel translated back in English, and to get in published.

You can find more on Martin's project by going here: http://www.dinnerwithgod.com.

Research more into it if you want to. But please, share this if it is on your heart. I feel like this was brought to me for a reason, it is weighing on my heart to get this out there, and I hope it does your as well.

I have told Martin that I will everything I can to help make this dream come true.

If you need anymore information about what you can do, please contact me and I will be in touch with Martin every step of the way during this project. We will do what we can to make this dream come true.

Winner for Finding Me by Michelle Knight Book Contest

Hello, everyone!

Sorry for the late post. July 30th was the last day to enter the contest to win Michelle Knight's book Finding Me. Unfortunately, only 4 people entered the contest. I used random.org to choose a winner, and Pat S. won! She had 24 hours to respond, in which she did! She is very excited to read Finding Me!

If you haven't read it yet, I highly suggest you do so! You can find my review here.

Congratulations, Pat! Expect your copy of Finding Me in the mail very soon!

Review: The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

Title: The Chance

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Pages: 315

ISBN: 978-1-4516-4703-7

Rating: 4 Book Marks

The day before a teenage Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other and buried them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later, dig the box up, and read the letters. But now, as that date approaches, much as changed. Ellie has abandoned the faith she grew up with, her days consumed with loving her little girl and trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches TV to catch a glimpse of her old friend Nolan, now an NBA star, whose faith is known by the entire nation. But few know that Nolan's own personal tragedies have fueled both his faith and athletic drive. Despite his success, Nolan is isolated and lonely, plagued by a void in his heart that has remained since that night beneath the old oak tree with Ellie. For both Ellie and Nolan, the coming date is more than just a childhood promise. It's the chance to make sense of it all--the chance to find out if it's ever too late to find love again.

Karen Kingsbury weave a moving tale of heart-wrenching loss, the power of faith, and the wounds that only a forever kind of love can heal. She delves deeply into a theme that resonates within us all: Hope lives for those willing to take a chance. [[ Blurb taken from inside flap of the book. ]] 

First, can I say that sometimes I feel like the blurbs on the inside flap of the book or the blurb on the back of the book gives too much away? I had a hard time adding the information on the inside flap of this book, simply because it gave so much away. Are you one to read what a book is about before reading the book? I more than likely will not read about the book before reading it.

Anyway. Back to the review.

I am a huge Karen Kingsbury fan. I have read all of her books, with an exception on the last few that have come out. I am a Christian and believe in the power of God himself, as well as Prayer, so reading her books always makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

While reading the book, I debated back and forth on the rating I was going to give it. In the beginning, I thought about 4 stars, then it quickly started to go down to about 2 stars. Honestly, the only reason I thought about giving it such a low rating is because it got super slow for a while. Not much was happening, there was not a lot of answers to things, etc. However, as I kept reading, the overall rating started to go up quite a bit.

Karen writes in the way that you can FEEL what her charterers are feeling. Ellie was broken, alone and confused. That is how I felt. I felt like it was me who was moved to California from the only place I had known. I felt like it was me who had the child out of wedlock. I felt like it was me who was in love with Nolan Cook.

In this book, you felt for every character. Ellie. Nolan. Ellie's parents, Nolan's dad. Ellie's daughter, Kinzie. There was so much passion, loving, caring, laughter, heartache, etc. in this story, that you felt like you were on a roller coaster ride full of emotion.

When you read this book (and you better ALL read it!) you find yourself routing for all of the characters. For Ellie to find herself again. For Nolan to win at some sort of basketball championship. You will find yourself routing for Ellie's mom within the first few pages, hoping something good happens with her and her family.

Most of all, and probably what I enjoyed most about the book... I had no idea where the story was going, nor how it was going to end. This was probably the less predictable book I have read in a while. With each page, I had no idea what was coming next.

Even if you aren't a believer in God, Prayer, religion, etc. I still suggest you read this book. Karen's books aren't overpowering. There is just enough of all of this in it for those who believe, and just enough for those who do not.

As I mentioned above, I really am only giving it 4 out of 5 stars instead of 5 out of 5 simply based on the slow part of the book. But that is no way a deal breaker on whether or not you should read it, because YES YOU SHOULD!

Book Giveaway!!! Contest to Win Finding Me by Michelle Knight

It's time for a contest!!! After reading and writing my review on Michelle Knight's book, Finding Me, I was asked if I would like to do a contest and have someone win a free copy of her book. I am very excited to do this, and hope you are all excited to enter yourselves to win!

There will be ONE winner chosen at random by using the Google random counter widget. I will keep track of everyone who is entering themselves. The contest begins TODAY and will end at 11:59pm EST on July 30th. On July 31st, I will announce the winner via a post on here, as well as email them. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. If I do not hear from them, a second winner will be chosen.

The winner will receive a free copy of Finding Me, as well as a few other book-ish type things.

You get ONE entry just by entering your name and email. If you would like additional entries added for a greater chance to win, you can go and follow Michelle's Facebook, Goodreads, etc. I will provide links below. For reach social media that you follow, you get another entry. For example, you will get ONE entry for adding your name, then if you follow Michelle on Facebook, you will get an entry for that, giving you two entries. You can also gain entries by following my blog, and/or my Facebook page. Again, gaining one additional entry per social media. If possible, please provide the links proving you followed these areas.


Michelle's Goodreads 

Michelle's Facebook

Stuck Between the Pages Facebook


Use the form below to enter the contest. Have fun, and good luck!

Author Spotlight: Laura dion-Jones Author of Commit to get Fit

Laura Dion-Jones is a pro-health activist, Corporate Wellness Coach (CCWC), Certified Wellness Coach (CWC), radio show host, and motivational weight loss and
lifestyle speaker/writer.

Laura’s weight loss success story speaks for itself. She shed 150 pounds in 2-1/2 years by cutting white starch and sugary carbs from her diet and by making walking her daily cardio of choice. Serious walking! Since January 1st, 2003, Laura has walked over 35,000 miles. That’s all the way around the earth at the equator. And she’s still walking daily -- for the health of it. Today, she’s considered an “Elite Walker” averaging over 50 miles per week.

Laura brings expertise and vast experience in fitness, fashion, and beauty to her coaching
career. This background has helped her become one of the country’s top experts and
motivational coaches in the fields of weight loss, fitness walking, improved personal
appearance and increased self-esteem.

Think of Laura as a catalyst, a one-of-a-kind motivator who provides effective,
accountability-based fitness programs and motivational seminars for healthy weight loss
and maintenance – custom-tailored to the needs of the individual or corporate wellness
program. Her coaching touches on the physical, emotional and environmental aspects of
each person’s life.

With her straightforward and encouraging “if I can do it, YOU can do it” approach, Laura
will give you, your employees, or your organization the jump start needed for increased,
sustainable wellness.

It’s a win-win. Balancing personal health and on-the-job, professional performance will
help your employees lead productive, happy and well-balanced lives. And what company
doesn't want happy, more productive employees? See http://www.commit-fit.com

Author Spotlight information above was provided by BreakThrough Promotions

If you are interested in reading Laura's Commit to Get Fit, I highly suggest you do so. You can hear her entire story about her journey from an plus sized model from the 60s to who she is today. Visit her website at: http://www.commit-fit.com to inquire about the possibility of interviews and/or review copies of her book.

Check back in the next couple of weeks for my honest review of Laura's book!

Review: Finding Me; A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed by Michelle Knight with Michelle Burford

Title: Finding Me - A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings

Author: Michelle Knight with Michelle Burford

Where I Got It: I was contacted to read and review it.

Why I Read It: Because I wanted to know the honest story that Michelle and the other two girls went through with the kidnappings.

Rating: 5 book marks

Michelle Knight was kidnapped in 2002 by a Cleveland school bus driver named Ariel Castro. For more than a decade afterward she endured unimaginable torture at the hand of her abductor. In 2003 Amanda Berry joined her in captivity, followed by Gina DeJesus in 2004. Their escape on May 6, 2013, made headlines around the world. Millions of well-wishers now wonder: What really happened in that house, and how did Michelle find the strength to go on?

Barely out of her own tumultuous childhood, Michelle was estranged from her family and fighting for custody of her young son when she disappeared. Local police believed she had run away, so they removed her from the missing persons lists fifteen months after she vanished. Castro tormented her with these facts, reminding her that no one was looking for her, that the outside world had forgotten her. But Michelle would be be broken.

Heartbreaking, shocking, and ultimately triumphant, Finding Me reveals the details of Michelle's story, including the thoughts and prayers that helped her find her courage to endure her unimaginable circumstances and now build a life worth living. In sharing both her past and her efforts to create a future, Michelle becomes a  voice for the voiceless and powerful symbol of hope for the thousands of children and young adults who go missing every year. [[ Blurb from the inside flap of the book. ]]

WOW! Where do I even begin with this book!? It is the most heart breaking, heart wrenching, saddest, shocking, powerful book I have ever read. 100 percent hands down. I kept going back and forth with thinking about just how good this book was, because it is a true story. All of these terrible, awful things happened to this person, to Michelle, and here I am, reading her story and thinking, "This book is amazing". I sort of felt like a bad person for thinking that. This book is a page turner that you will not be able to put down. And again, being a true story, I feel/felt bad for saying that. This poor girl, who turned into a woman and missed out on SO MUCH of her life, was tortured, raped, beat, and here I am, thinking it's a good story.

However, I also decided that it is very well written. The book isn't just about when she was kidnapped. It is written from the beginning of her life. From when she was young, and with her family, with events leading up to when she was kidnapped. It was so well written, that I FORGOT sometimes, that is WAS a true story. Does that make any sense?

The way she wrote her story, made me feel like I knew her. Like I was living it with her, just not getting the physical, emotional and sexual abuse. When she was crying and heartbroken, I could feel it in my heart. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to jump into the pages of that book and hold her. Hug her. Take her out of that prison she knew for 11 years.

I have always felt weird, or indifferent about reading a Memoir. I feel like all of the ones I've written (besides this one, of course) isn't written well. But this one... Wow. Just, wow.

I encourage you to go out in buy this book. Put your entire self inside of it. Read it. Cry. Read it again. In fact, I would be willing to BUY this book FOR some of you, it is just that good.

Michelle, if you ever read this review, please know you are my hero. You are by far the strongest, most courageous woman I have ever known. I hope one day to meet you, to give you a hug and tell you how amazing you are. Keep going strong, girl. Keep making that new life for yourself!!!

 

 

Book Review: Ondine by Ebony McKenna

Title: Ondine

Author: Ebony McKenna 

Where I Got It: Ebony found me on the website Book Blogger List and contacted me about a book review.

Why I Read It: A few reasons, actually. Ebony's passion for this book and her writing made me want to read it, and the book sounded like something I would like.

Rating: 3 book marks 

Ondine had the strangest sensation of having had a particularly awful dream. Shambles had become a real man, and a stunningly handsome one at that, but then some force took it all away and he was back to being.... a ferret.

But what if Ondine's dream came true? What if Shambles is the man of her dreams, trapped by a witch's spell? 

Ondine can't get the idea out of her head, or her heart. After all, love is blind, and sometimes it's hiding in the most unexpected of places... [[ Blurb used from the back of the book. ]]

 
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Someone fell in love with their pet? A pet ferret? That was kind of my thought at first too, but really, how many of us have never really thought about that? I remember when I had my dog, I had multiple dreams that she was an actual person in dog form. So really, it isn't all that far fetched to think like that, right? 

First, I have to tell you that I loved Ondine as a character. She was quirky, and upbeat, and awkward all at the same time. The way Ebony wrote her in the book, makes you feel like she isn't JUST a character. Ebony made her feel like a real person to me. As if I was friends with her in real life. 

Also, have you ever wondered what a pet's voice would sound like if they could really talk? For example, my roommate and I think our cat would sound like Eeyore. HA! Well, when I first started reading this book, I was thinking, "What does a Ferret sound like?" I loved how Ebony made up the voice. I can't think of the right word to explain the language... other than, perfect. In my mind, reading the words, I pictured an old man with proper English and then added that to what a ferret looks like. Like I said, perfect. 

Honestly, the only thing I didn't necessarily like is the foot notes through out the book. I don't like having to read a novel and see there is a number and having to look at the bottom of the page to see either an explanation, or sometimes, something that had absolutely nothing to do with the book/story. A lot of them were side thoughts, which I feel like could have either been left out, or just added into the actual pages of the book and not as foot notes. Eventually I just stopped reading the foot notes because they weren't important to the story, and I still understood what was going on. This is the biggest reason that I gave this book 3 stars. When I first started reading it, and saw the foot notes, I felt like I was reading a high school report. However, once I did stop paying attention to that, I enjoyed the book and think it is definitely worth the read. 

Overall, it's a good book and worth the read. Enjoy! 

 

 

Romantic Mystery Author, Jacki Delecki: Grace Walters Best Dress Heels Contest!

Ladies, I am sure that each other us, at least one time in our live, has been on Pinterest, or any where else on the internet and looked at pairs of heels, one right after another and wished how we could buy them all and wear them, right?

Well, Jacki Delecki is offering a contest to win a $50 DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) gift card! All you have to do is go to her Facebook page (link is shown below) and a post a photo of your favorite pair of high heels (can be ones you really own, or ones you wish you did have!) on the post. Easy, right?

The contest is running from now until June 30th, where a winner will be chosen at random on July 1st. You can also post as many times between now and then for better chances at winning!

Here is where you can go enter the contest:

https://www.facebook.com/Jacki.Deleck/posts/641016979318022


Also, in case anyone is interested, here is a bit more about it on Jacki's website, which can be found here:

http://jackidelecki.com/2014/06/enter-now-grayce-walters-best-dressed-heels-contest/#.U5kdYvmwJgs




And if you are the winner... Happy Shopping!!!

The Fault In Our Star by John Green

Title: The Fault In Our Stars

Author: John Green

Where I Got It: A friend of mine bought it, and I asked to borrow it

Why I Read It: I have heard so much about it, read so many reviews, and with the movie coming out in a few days, I just needed to read it

Rating: 5 book marks

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. [[ Blurb from barnesandnoble.com ]] 

Amazing. Stupendous. Brilliant. Marvelous.

There are not enough words in the world to explain how great this book was. In fact, this book was so good, I am not sure that I can write a good enough review on the book to even give it justice.

I can tell you this: If you have seen the movie trailer, you know the movie looks just as good. However, I suggest you definitely read the book before you see the movie. Not only because 9 times out of 10 the book is always better, but also because the book is just that good!

I absolutely loved the characters. Augustus was a true gentlemen. Nowadays, you do not find too many guys like Augustus. No offense, guys. He found someone who he found attractive, and saw passed her sickness. I found myself routing for him to keep winning Hazel over. I really loved Hazel too. She was this laid back, shy, kept to herself girl who let herself open her heart to Augustus, even though she knew having cancer could put an end to both of their new found happiness.

There were a few other characters in the story, Isaac and another friend of Hazel's. Neither of them were discusses a whole lot, but I did enjoy Isaac's character as well. He was a nerd and well, who doesn't love nerds?

Something else that I loved about the book, it wasn't really predictable like some books are. I honestly, 100 percent did not expect to happen, what did. I of course won't tell you what it is so I don't spoil it for you, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised too.

Close to the end of the book, I felt like it was being rushed a bit, but that changed after a few chapters and things were being explained better and made more sense and I no longer got that rushed feeling that I feel with a lot of different author's books.

Honestly, my only "complaint" (which really isn't a complaint) is that I did not necessarily like how it ended. The ending was abrupt. However, I think I know why. It is hard for me to give you a reason without giving too much away, so I won't say. But if you read the book, you will know why.

Overall though, it is an amazing book. Hands down the best book I have read so far this year.



John Green's Facebook
John Green's Website

Twitter: @realjohngreen

Where to buy:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Amazon vs. Hachette Book Group

Has everyone seen the articles going across the interwebs, the Twitter and Facebook posts, etc. about the feud going on between Amazon and the publishing company, Hachette Book Group? If you have, what do you think about it?

For those of you who haven't, I will post a couple of links at the bottom of this post for you to get caught up, but for now, this is basically what is going on:

Amazon and Hachette could not come up with an agreement on pricing verses the amount of discounts that were going to be given. Amazon prides themselves on a few things. One of them being pretty fast shipping without the high cost, and the low prices of their books. From what I gather, Amazon is trying to get bigger discounts for Hachette books. The two sides are not agreeing, so what did Amazon do? A few things. At first, they were removing the buy buttons from e-books, then they were making shipping time up to 5 weeks. And then, the biggest thing in my opinion, they stopped selling books that were published by Hachette Book Group. Before they stopped offering them altogether, they were raising prices drastically. One book could be found on Barnes and Noble for $17, but when you searched for the same book on Amazon, it was found to be $25.20. Outrageous, right?

Childish? I think so. They can't come up with an agreement, so they do something drastic. Amazon is basically saying, "If you don't give us what WE want, we will take it all away from you."

Who is the real victim here though? Authors.

The people who chose and accepted to be published by Hachette Book Group are now losing their profits due to Amazon being so childish and removing their books. When more than one party is involved, there are always better answers.

My question to all of you, what is your opinion? What could have been done differently? Do you think they will be able to come up with an agreement? Do you think Hachette Book Group will have to give in?

Please let me know what everyone thinks.




Articles:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/authors-publishers-say-feud-with-amazon-has-escalated/2014/05/23/03bea8d6-e2b5-11e3-810f-764fe508b82d_story.html

http://seattle.cityandpress.com/node/7824182

Do You Read YA Novels?

Hello, everyone!

I believe a lot of us read different genres throughout our lives, but we always have one genre we always go back to. For me, I absolutely love YA novels/teenage novels. The Twilight Saga, Divergent, The Hunger Games series, etc. For some reason, I always go back to the same genre. I gravitate to though "Young Adult" section at the bookstores and libraries. Do you feel this way about a certain genre? Which genre is it?

My next question is, do you read YA novels? In case you are unaware, I am 26 years old, which is considered a young adult, but in the book world I think of YA novels as teenagers or preteens. Do you think the same way? Why do you suppose that we, who are older than the preteen/teenagers that the YA novels are "meant" for, want to always read them?

My reason for this post is because while I was reading my June addition of Cosmo, there was an article in there by John Green (Author of The Fault in Our Stars) about YA novels and why adults always seem to go back to those books time after time, and if we are too old to read YA novels.

My take: No, we will never been too old to read YA novels. They are interesting. Give you real life situations. They are emotional and powerful and for some reason, give you the warmth that other books do not seem to give. At least for me.

John speaks in his article (which could be read here) about pretty much the same thing I said. We will never be too old to read YA novels, and the reason we do is because we can relate to them. Sometime in our life, past or present, we have felt the way the young adults our YA authors write about. We have felt lost, confused, unloved, betrayed. Being able to FEEL in a book, is the best kind of book.

Do not get me wrong, any other genre can make you feel, and can have confusion, not feeling loved, betrayal, etc. But there is just something about a YA novel that gives it a different feel than other genres.

What do all of you think? Am I completely crazy, or do you think the same thing I do? Do you read YA novels, and if you do not, can you tell me why?

I am interested in hearing all of your thoughts, opinions and ideas!


Always a book worm,

Steph

Book Cover Reveal: Starlight Saga by Sherry Soule

BOOK COVER REVEAL

Today bestselling author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! She will be publishing a brand new Upper YA / Sci-Fi romance series: the “Starlight Saga” with scorching-hot character chemistry, exciting suspense, and epic romance on June 26, 2014.

To help promote this interstellar love story, “LOST IN STARLIGHT,” Sherry is doing this fun guest post to share the news with fellow booklovers.

Please mark your calendars to buy your copy of LOST IN STARLIGHT on June 26^th 2014!

Read the first 3 chapters on wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/43691448-lost-in-starlight-ya-syfy-romance-lost-in

VOLUME ONE: Starlight Saga

Is a star-crossed romance worth sacrificing your own life?

High school senior Sloane Masterson lives a quiet existence. She has awesome friends, gets excellent grades, and writes a column for the Haven Gazette. But her life goes from dullsville to bizarro when she witnesses mysterious loner Hayden Lancaster performing some freaky superhuman feats.

Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, and she’s not above stalking. But one look into Hayden’s remarkable eyes, and she’s crushing hard.

Even at the swoonworthy hunk’s insistence that hanging out with girls like Sloane is “off limits” by his strange family, she can’t resist him or wanting to solve the mystery.

Things get really complicated when a beautiful alien sets her sights on Hayden—and this devious girl’s not looking for a green card!

Now Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and getting a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating. As their diverse worlds collide and the romantic sparks fly, Sloane must decide if Hayden’s secrets are worth risking her life to protect.

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:

Official Blog: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com/

Twitter @SherrySoule: http://twitter.com/SherrySoule

Add to your TBR on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20707942-lost-to-starlight

The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom

Title: The First Phone Call From Heaven

Author: Mitch Albom

Where I Got It: My favorite grocery store --- Meijer

Why I Read It: I have read his books in the past, and loved them. I read this was also a great read, and of course wanted to check it out myself.

Rating: 5 book marks

The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.

Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling, will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time. [[ Blurb from Amazon.com]] 

Honestly, I don't have a lot of complaints about this book. It was amazing. From the first page to the very last, Mitch Albom has you completely sucked in. He starts off by explaining where the book takes place, which is Coldwater, Michigan. For those of you who don't know, I, and Mitch are both from Michigan. Reading a book where it is actually taking place somewhere I know about and/or have been, makes me feel like I can relate to the book even more. Albom then goes into tell us about some of the characters, and that they are receiving calls from their loved ones who have passed away.

How many of us can admit how nice it would be to still receive phone calls from those who have passed on? My Grandmother recently passed (this past January) and reading this book made me want to speak to her. But, that is not a bad thing.

There were parts of this book that gave me goosebumps. I kept wanting more. I kept wanting answers. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. And the best part of the book? I wanted to reach out and hug these characters.

This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. And it will even make you angry. To me, a book that can make you feel multiple emotions, deserves 5 stars on that alone.

There was really only one thing with the book that irritated me a bit and that I didn't care for. That was that in the book, Coldwater was fictional. While it is a REAL Michigan town, Albom made up parts of the town that doesn't really exist. For example, Coldwater isn't a small town, and in the book, Albom has it as a small town. Also, it is not on Lake Michigan, in fact, it is a few hours away. However, this is just a minor detail and isn't important. In fact, one of the last pages in the book, after the story ends, Albom mentions that he made Coldwater fictional.

Overall, this is probably the best book Albom has written and I would definitely recommend it.


Mitch Albom's Facebook
Website
Twitter: @MitchAlbom

Where to buy:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Book Cover Reveal -- Mama's Ink by Rachelle Vaughn

Mama's Ink by Rachelle Vaughn will be released in April, and the cover has been revealed!

Synopsis:

As soon as she was old enough, Sadie Callahan left her hometown of Red Valley in the dust and never looked back. Now she’s a world-renowned photographer living in San Francisco with the perfect apartment, a successful boyfriend and a job she’s always dreamed of.

When Sadie receives a mysterious phone call about her mother, her seemingly perfect life comes to a screeching halt. She is forced to return to the town she never fit into and is confronted with tragic news that changes everything. If that wasn't bad enough, she runs into her high school sweetheart, Jared Ferrara. Jared is the ultimate bad boy with sleeves of tattoos, a leather jacket and, of course, a motorcycle.

While trying to keep her past at bay, Sadie finds out that most tattoos aren't skin deep.

 About the Author:

Rachelle Vaughn is the international bestselling author of several romance and erotica tales. Her first novel,Home Ice, consistently appears on bestselling lists years after its initial publication. Rachelle lives in California with her husband and their sassy calico cat. When she isn't writing, she enjoys watching action movies, cruising Pinterest for inspiration and cheering for her favorite hockey players. Visit her website at rachellevaughn.com.

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Book Cover Reveal-- Can You Guess Who?

Hello everyone!

I decided that I want to try and start doing some posts about upcoming books and when author's reveal their covers to all of us book readers!

My first cover reveal is going to be Jodi Picoult's new book, Leaving Time.

Most of you probably know Jodi is one of my top favorite authors. I love the way she writes, and how passionate she is in all of her books.

Leaving Time is her newest, which will be released in October of 2014. Below is the blurb about the book, used from Barnes and Noble.

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

I am so excited to read this book. And, without further ado, here is the cover reveal of her book, which was originally revealed by Entertainment Weekly, and then on Jodi's Facebook.

Review: Aqua Blue by Marian L. Thomas

Title: Aqua Blue

Author: Marian L. Thomas

Where I Got It: Marian contacted me and asked me if I would review her newest book. I also reviewed another one of her books last year, which can be found by clicking here.

Why I Read It: Because the first book I ever read from Marian was very good, I wanted to read more by her. Plus, I can never pass up a book!

Rating: 5 Stars






"Best friends Aqua Blue and Haley, grew up together in the small town of Jackson County, Tennessee. Each had aspiring dreams to move to the big city of New York, vowing to stay friends what come may. But when secrets are revealed, their friendship is soon put to the test, and the strings that once were thought to be so strong, begin to unravel." --Excerpt taken from the inside, back of the book, almost to the very end.


I felt like the above passage was the best way to pretty much sum up this book. There are of course some other important parts and important characters that are in the book, but you can find that when you read the book, or do some research on it. ;-)

I absolutely loved this book. It was the kind of book that you just had to keep turning the page, no matter what you had to do... have to do homework? It isn't going to happen if you're reading Aqua Blue. Need to go to the store? Again, not going to happen when you're reading Aqua Blue. I stayed up many nights way past my bed time to read this book. Let me list the things I loved most.

• The characters. Every single one of them. Well, maybe except Jack. He was a little scary, and I was not sure what he was up to. However, every character I felt like I knew. I felt like I had a connection with them all. 
• The way the book was written. I like a book with short-ish chapters in it, or quite a few stopping points. I felt like having more chapters, but short chapters made it a very easy read. 
• The book was also broken up into parts. I like when books are like that, it makes me feel like we will get to see different parts to the characters and their lives.
• Detail. Most of the book had a lot of detail, giving you descriptions on how each person was feeling, what they were like, etc. That is one of the many things that make me feel so connected to characters.

There are so many reasons I enjoyed this book. Mostly, it was enjoyable because of the characters. They were all amazing and I just had such a connection to them all.

With all of that said, there were only two things that I did not really enjoy. One of them was that towards the end of the book, it jumped quite a bit. Aqua Blue and Haley both had grown up considerably and had been in New York for quite some time, then it jumps to part 4, which is fine. I just wished that there were a little bit more detail in how and why they got where they did, what all happened between first arriving in New York, etc. While there was a lot of detail throughout the book, I was just a little disappointed that these parts were left unsettled.

The only other part that I sort of did not enjoy (and I am sure Marian had a reason for it we do not know yet) was the tie in two her other three books she has out. Tying those books in, no matter how it is done is not a bad thing, but it was not really mentioned or more detail on why they were tied in. Again, though, Marian may be planning on telling us in the future with another book. Who knows. ;-)

I definitely recommend this book. It is a must read, and I promise you that you will enjoy the book immensely. If you read it, or plan to read it or when you do read it, please tell me what you think!






Helpful Links:

marianlthomas.com
Marian's Facebook

Where to buy her book:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Review: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

Title: The Bridge

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Where I Got It: I bought it for my birthday last year

Why I Read It: I love everything about Karen Kingsbury and the way she writes, her books, etc. I have read every book of hers.

Rating: 5 stars



This book is about a book store owner who named his book store The Bridge, and who had a rough time bringing his book store back up to par after a massive flood ran through the town. It talks about the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies that occurred, and was also about a girl and a boy who met in college, and fell in love, even though they did not know it at the time. We follow Charlie and his wife Donna, as well as Molly and Ryan as they grow and develop in the trust and hands of God himself.

As usual, Karen Kingsbury earns 5 stars from me. She is an amazing writer, and I love how she can make you feel like you know her characters in real life. She brings these characters to life, and makes you feel like they are apart of your very own family. I found myself really routing for the couple who met in college and drifted apart, and also for Charlie, the owner of The Bridge, which was his book store that he built from the bottom up.

This book sort of hit close to home because recently I have been learning about second chances, and how everyone deserves a second chance. Karen shows us how God is the giver of second chances, and that is the best and most important thing I took away from this book.

I also loved this book because I am going to school for business management, so I can own my own book store some day. Considering that this book is about a book store owner, it showed me that even though it is taking a long time to get where I am going, it is going to be great to have customers coming into my book store that they feel like is home to them, and making those customers my family.

With all of that said, the only thing that surprised me about the book is that it did not seem as "God like", like most of Karen's books are. Yes, there was some mention about how great God is, and the power of Prayer, etc. But usually he books are more in depth with it. Based on how this book was verses her other ones, I prefer her books to speak about the Great and Powerful God, rather than not.

I would highly recommend this book for someone who wants a great, but quick read and for someone who wants to feel warm inside after you read the last page.


Useful Links:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenKingsbury
http://www.karenkingsbury.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Novel-Karen-Kingsbury/dp/1451647018/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381074687&sr=1-1&keywords=the+bridge+by+karen+kingsbury

Author Bio: Alan Shelton

Alan Shelton is a leader who colors outside the lines, a corporate executive mentor with an entrepreneurial spirit and a gripping speaker who engages his audiences. 

With a reputation like that, it is no wonder that his book, “Awakened  Leadership: Beyond Self-Mastery,” has 

become so successful. Shelton graduated from Brigham Young  University (BYU) in Utah after completing missionary work in Peru. By 1977, Shelton had landed his first big gig in the corporate world at PricewaterhouseCoopers, now PwC, where his clients included IBM, Sunkist, Beckman Instruments and Toyota Motor Sales. His journey continued through 1990 when he sold his CPA firm, Shelton, Smith and Townsend, and turned to leadership training. Since then, his client list has grown to include the University of San Diego, 

 Wrangler, VF Corp., The North Face, Celgene and many others.

“Awakened Leadership,” published by Red Hatchet Press in May 2012, has taken the leadership world by storm. The book is the winner of a 2013 National Indie Excellence Book Award as well as a 2012 USA Best Book Award.

Shelton advises and facilitates workshops for international businesses in Oceanside, Calif., where he lives in a refurbished fire station with his loving wife, Justine. He has two children, Kristin and Michael, who earned business degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Arizona, respectively. 

Awards Alan has received in his career:

Indie Excellence Winner 2013

USA Best Book Awards WInner

Important Links and other information:

Book Information:

Hardcover $24.95

ISBN: 978-0984712502

Motivational, 220 pages

Red Hatchet Press, May 2012

Author Links:

Author Website: http://alanshelton.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5751092.Alan_E_Shelton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaneshelton

Twitter: @AlanEShelton

Review: Awakened Leadership: Beyond Self-Mastery by Alan E. Shelton

Hello everyone! I was contacted by Sami again at JKSCommunication to review a book, and the book that I chose this time was called Awakened Leadership: Beyond Self-Mastery. I chose this book for a few reasons. Not only did it sound like a great book, but I also chose it because I am going to college for Business Management, and I was interested to see if I could put them together.

While I enjoyed this book very much, I do have to say that I was not able to finish the whole thing before this review, simply because I have been so incredibly busy with other things. I did, however, get through 80% of the book, and would recommend it to anyone.

Below is a synopsis of the book that was sent to me in the press kit:

Transformational leadership books and processes have delivered us to the era of self-mastery. But how do we move from being effective leaders to being awakened leaders? By situating leadership in the nest of the seeker's journey toward truth, you can now stand on the shoulders of the visionaries who have come before, and become conscious of your own position within Source.

Leaving behind charts, maps, and graphs, “Awakened Leadership” is a portal to direct experience via pointers and personal stories that will help you recognize the gift of being who you really are. Then your leadership essence will effortlessly manifest not only in the boardroom, but in all facets of your life.

One of the biggest things that I enjoyed about Alan's book is his ability to make you see what it is he is trying to see in the "real world". He is able to give you the real life examples, or his own examples that gives you a better understanding. Also, the way he wrote was very inspiring a well. I am a book review blogger, and obvious a book reader, but seeing the way he is with words through out this book, made me want to write something inspiring of my own.

Alan also adds his own coaching style in the book, which gives you a feeling of wanting to try everything he suggests and mentions.

As I stated earlier, I wanted to see if I could compare what he had to say to what I already knew, and to the business management world, and while there were some things that I did not agree with, and others that I did, I also learned quite a bit. 

I was able to read about 80% of the book, and I feel like it was one of the best "self help" books I have read to date. I will continue reading it, and will post a better review on how it ended, and what I thought. So check back soon! 

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those trying to discover their leadership. 

Please visit my next post for more information about Alan as an author, links where you can get the book, and other information! And again, do not forget to come back for a better review!