Showing posts with label VBTC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VBTC. Show all posts

28 August, 2012

August 28, 2012 2

#BookReview :: Gallagher's Hope (Gallagher Series #2) by M.K. McClintock



She sought a new beginning.
He sought what he didn't know was missing.
Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

 Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

 Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.




When Isabelle Rousseau is left with no choice but to fled New Orleans along with her little brother, she takes up the job of a school teacher in Montana. Born into an affluent family, Isabelle has always had money and never had to worry about it. Now not only she has to settle down in a new town with nothing but responsibility of a younger brother, Isabelle is hoping for a fresh new start. Gabriel Gallagher is a happy man who is happy with what life has dealt him. That is until Isabelle arrived in town. It is only then that he is fully aware of what he was missing. When a terrible truth from Isabelle’s past threatens to rip off everything she had been working for, Gabriel steps in to rescue her. But there be an happily ever after for them?

This is the second book in the Gallagher Series. The first is Gallagher's Pride; which dealt about Ethan Gallagher. I haven’t had the chance to read the first book in the series, but that did not hamper my experience with this book. There were some references to the first story and I am sure that there are a lot of details about the Gallagher family in the first book. However, this book can almost stand on its own. But I also have to say that the idea of weaving in three different stories (or sub-plots) in three different books, but all under the same plot is great.

The characters of this installment (remember all of them are new to me) are brilliant. I love Isabelle for her strength to move in and settle in a foreign place because that was only right thing she could do by her brother. She takes whatever is thrown at her and takes the practical solution. I love the dynamics between Ibby and Andy. I love Gabriel, because he is so caring, gentle and patient! A perfect Gentleman. (There you go – I am in love with another fictitious character!!) But what I loved the most was the rest of the Gallagher family. They were in no means the perfect family – they had their own quirky little things and faults – and that’s what made them so believable! I loved the whole bunch.

The author has pretty straightforward way of storytelling. She builds up her characters and lets them grow throughout in whatever small way.  However, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something missing. That could be because I delved into the second part directly and anyway I am one of those people who is always looking for more in a book in some way or the other. 

This is fairly fast read and I finished reading it in one sitting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a Love Story.




About the Author

McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer, and multi-genre author. She was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business-college, and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.
Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

Connect with M.K
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Youtube
Goodreads

Giveaway
Three signed paperbacks and a gift card using the same Rafflecopter widget (below) for each tour stop. Drawing takes place end of tour. (If a winner is not in the US, an ebook will be given instead of print). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops
July 31 - Introduction at the VBT Cafe' Blog
August 1 - 3 : Book Bonanza
August 1 - Review & Interview at A Book Lover's Library
August 3 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
August 6 - Review & Character Interview at Whoopeeyoo 
August 8 - Reviewed at The Lucky Ladybug
August 10 - Interviewed by Louise James 
August 13 - Review & Guest Blog at A Case of Reading Insomnia
August 15 - Guest Blogging at Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More 
August 17 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
August 20 - Review & Guest Blogging at Hardcover Feedback
August 22 - Guest Blogging at Kimberly Lewis Novels 
August 24 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services 
August 28 - Interviewed at Infinite House of Books 
August 28 - Reviewed at b00k r3vi3ws 
August 30 - Interviewed at  Unnecessary Musings 


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
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10 July, 2012

Witches by Phil Stern



For centuries, the witches have controlled the power of magic. They have travelled between the worlds and used their ‘gifts’ freely. But now a wizard has rising and challenging their powers. One by one, three young witches have disappeared. With notes left behind in their place, it was as if the wizard was mocking the witches. The council decides and sends six of their best to find and kill this wizard. With other dead or captured or injured, it falls on Tiffany to take care of the business herself. She is the strongest witch of their generation and turns out to be the only hope that her people could have of survival.

This is an action packed novella of some 55 odd pages. There’s a lot in those few pages. We learn a lot about the different worlds, how the witches’ council works and how the witches themselves live their lives. There is a lot of action, emotion and drama. There’s also a matter of domestic violence handled in this book.

Phil Stern’s writing style in unquestionably amazing. Few days back I had the chance to read & review another book of his, and though the plots of both the books are very different – two things about his writing has turned out to be consistently good – his writing style and his characters.  I loved them both.

About the Author

Phil Stern is the author of both Contemporary and Science Fiction.
His debut novel, The Bull Years, was published in 2011. A hard-hitting commentary on both the frustrations and ultimate validation of modern-day life, The Bull Years follows the lives of four people throughout the late 80′s, 90′s, and into the 21st century, directly addressing the gradual alienation and disconnection often experienced during young adulthood.
“I wanted to write about characters everyone could relate to,” Stern says. “We’ve all had our ups and downs. I think people sometimes feel everyone else has experienced more success than they have, or are more firmly grounded in our world than they could ever be. My hope is that everyone will recognize a little part of themselves in Steve, Sophia, Dave, and Brooke.”
Born in 1970 in Ossining, New York, Stern grew up with a love of all types of science fiction, including the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, John Wyndham, Piers Anthony, and more.
“Speculative fiction is so different today than it was back then,” Stern says. “I wanted to write stuff a bit more recognizable to fans of my generation. Science fiction should be about ideas and alternate worlds, strong characters and good stories.
Going into talk radio after attending SUNY Albany, Stern hosted regular shows in the New York City area, Albany, Utica, NY, and Greenville, NC. He later went into the advertising and sales industries.
Stern now lives in Florida, and is working on his next novel.

Connect with Phillip
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon

Tour Stops

May 2- Witches Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 4 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 6 - Witches Reviewed at The Writing World 
May 11 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 18 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 19 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at My World
May 25 - The Bull Years Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books 
May 26 - Witches Reviewed at My World
May 31 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Book Reviews, Fiction Reflection, & More 
June 8 - Witches Reviewed at Immortality & Beyond 
June 8 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Book'em Eric
June 12 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
June 12 - Witches Reviewed at Book'em Eric 
June 16 - The Bull Years Reviewed at My World 
July 16 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at A Book Lover's Library
July 19 - Witches Reviewed at A Book Lover's Library 
June 19 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
June 22 - Witches Reviewed at Book Spark
June 23 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Book Spark 
June 26 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
July 1 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 2 - A Time For Ryda Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 3 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 3 - Witches Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy 
July 4 - Witches Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 5 - The Bull Years Reviewed at Soliloquy 
July 6 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at B00K R3Vi3Ws
July 10 - Witches Reviewed at B00k R3Vi3wS 
July 11 - Witches Reviewed at MK McClintock's Blog 
July 13 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Bren's Book Reviews 
July 29 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Self Taught Cook 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*




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06 July, 2012

Rogue Powers by Phil Stern



The story is set up in a time when royalty ruled over common men and ‘special powers’ was connected to royal blood only. If a commoner was found to possess some special power, they were arrested and promptly executed. In such a situation, the only thing that a commoner with power could do was to avoid discovery. Anson was such a commoner. When he was drafted to join the kingdom’s army, his mother is naturally scared for her son’s life. Once there, Anson’s power is immediately discovered by Lydia. The defiant princess finds herself drawn towards Anson even she is betrothed to another. And soon enough there’s love in the air. Since Lydia has no intention of marrying Prince Tenen, she and Anson plan to make their escape and leaving the kingdom behind. But the royal family will not let that happen so easily. So what happens? Do they get their happily ever after? Read the book to find out!

Phil Stern has done a real good job with this book. The book is a good mix of fantasy, romance and action. I liked his style of writing which is really inviting. He has set a rich setting with a lot of background history so that as a reader, I felt that I knew the characters and their lives. Another thing that I really liked was the strong characterization – the author has taken care to ‘develop’ not only the protagonists, but also the other characters. The protagonists were easy to like.

However, I found the plot to be a little weak as I could practically predict what was going to happen and thus lacked the surprise factor for me. 

About the Author

Phil Stern is the author of both Contemporary and Science Fiction.
His debut novel, The Bull Years, was published in 2011. A hard-hitting commentary on both the frustrations and ultimate validation of modern-day life, The Bull Years follows the lives of four people throughout the late 80′s, 90′s, and into the 21st century, directly addressing the gradual alienation and disconnection often experienced during young adulthood.
“I wanted to write about characters everyone could relate to,” Stern says. “We’ve all had our ups and downs. I think people sometimes feel everyone else has experienced more success than they have, or are more firmly grounded in our world than they could ever be. My hope is that everyone will recognize a little part of themselves in Steve, Sophia, Dave, and Brooke.”
Born in 1970 in Ossining, New York, Stern grew up with a love of all types of science fiction, including the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, John Wyndham, Piers Anthony, and more.
“Speculative fiction is so different today than it was back then,” Stern says. “I wanted to write stuff a bit more recognizable to fans of my generation. Science fiction should be about ideas and alternate worlds, strong characters and good stories.
Going into talk radio after attending SUNY Albany, Stern hosted regular shows in the New York City area, Albany, Utica, NY, and Greenville, NC. He later went into the advertising and sales industries.
Stern now lives in Florida, and is working on his next novel.

Connect with Phillip
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon

Tour Stops

May 2- Witches Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 4 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 6 - Witches Reviewed at The Writing World 
May 11 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 18 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
May 19 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at My World
May 25 - The Bull Years Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books 
May 26 - Witches Reviewed at My World
May 31 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Book Reviews, Fiction Reflection, & More 
June 8 - Witches Reviewed at Immortality & Beyond 
June 8 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Book'em Eric
June 12 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
June 12 - Witches Reviewed at Book'em Eric 
June 16 - The Bull Years Reviewed at My World 
July 16 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at A Book Lover's Library
July 19 - Witches Reviewed at A Book Lover's Library 
June 19 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
June 22 - Witches Reviewed at Book Spark
June 23 - A Time for Ryda Reviewed at Book Spark 
June 26 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
July 1 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 2 - A Time For Ryda Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 3 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 3 - Witches Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy 
July 4 - Witches Reviewed at Soliloquy
July 5 - The Bull Years Reviewed at Soliloquy 
July 6 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at B00K R3Vi3Ws
July 10 - Witches Reviewed at B00k R3Vi3wS 
July 11 - Witches Reviewed at MK McClintock's Blog 
July 13 - Rogue Powers Reviewed at Bren's Book Reviews 
July 29 - The Reclaimed Reviewed at Self Taught Cook 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*



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02 July, 2012

Review & Interview:: Guardian Trilogy by Liz Schulte


The summary of the book on various sites doesn’t really do justice to the storyline. It’s so much more.
The protagonist is quite an introvert and thus her profession of a photographer suits her quite well. She is used to seeing the world through the lenses and she is quite comfortable with her life until she realizes that a couple of strangers are following her. Their entry in the book brings in a lot of mystery with them -- the mystery surrounding these two men and the mystery surrounding Olivia herself.
The best part of the book is that the story is told from two people’s POV. So while we always know what or how Olivia is thinking, we also get a second person’s take on the same situation. Even though this causes quite a bit of repetition, it’s quite refreshing actually to be able to see a third opinion (besides the protagonist & the reader). Secondly, I love the characterization. Even with paranormal situations, Ms.Schulte manages to keep Olivia quite believable. Juliet is loveable and Holden is definitely swoon worthy.


The thing with sequels is that, it usually gets difficult for the author to live up to the expectations set by the first book. Ms.Schulte has definitely delivered a sequel that’s as good as the first one – if not better.
I am finding it really difficult to review this second book in the trilogy without giving out much spoilers. So, I will keep it really short. The first thing about ‘Choices’ is that you need to read ‘Secrets’ first. Otherwise you may find yourself doing a lot of wondering and asking a lot of questions. The characterization remains to be one of the strengths of the plot. The dialogue delivery was better in this book. And yes, there are a hell lot of twists to keep you turning the pages.
  
About the Author

I am a Scorpio. I enjoy long walks on the beach, drinking copious amounts of alcohol, and men in hockey masks. In my spare time I work to foil the plans of my arch nemesis, utilize my eight finger discount, and lecture from my soapbox about social injustices. I do not tolerate fools or like people who make Walmart plural. I judge people who are missing more teeth than they have, unless they are old. I would like to someday be the scary old woman in the neighborhood that all the children are afraid of, however I will be misunderstood and actually a sweet old lady turned bitter by the disappointments of this cruel, cruel life. I will have made my vast wealth telling fortunes under the alias the Mad Madame Mim and selling t-shirts in tourist destinations that say “Life isn’t always flowers and sausages”


An Interview with the Author



DDS: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a somewhat normal girl from the Midwest. I have two dogs and two cats, an overactive imagination, and a deep love for horror movies (good, bad, cheesy, doesn’t matter to me). I love movies and traveling, but I spend the vast majority of my “free” time writing or reading. If I could do anything in the world I would love to write a travel book about haunted hotels and bed and breakfasts where I got to stay in each of them. Maybe someday. 

DDS: What got you into writing?   
I am a just a girl with a wild imagination really. I have always enjoyed making things up and telling stories, but writing wasn’t something I ever seriously considered doing. I was pretty focused on being a lawyer through junior high, high school, and college. I used to read constantly. My mom would take me to the library and I would check out the maximum allowed and devour the books in two weeks—I think I read every YA book our library had. In junior high I wrote short stories very much influenced by RL Stine’s series, Fear Street, but those were mainly just for fun. It wasn’t until I graduated college that law no longer seemed as appealing. My mom encouraged me to write so I thought I would take a shot and Dark Corners was born.

DDS: Tell us about the Guardian Trilogy.
This is really hard to do without spoilers, but I will do my best. The Guardian Trilogy is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy trilogy about a woman named Olivia Martin who is thrust into a destiny she never asked for. It starts with her meeting two very different strangers. Both are odd, mysterious, and secretive, but they are two sides to a very precarious road she has to travel or all those she cares for will suffer.
The series is about good and evil, light and darkness, love and hate, and how the line between right and wrong is sometimes blurred. A person’s actions can define them more than their intentions and love and destiny don’t’ always fall in line with one another.

DDS: What was the hardest part about writing the book?
It really depends on the story that is being told. In general I think getting to a place in your story where you can be somewhat objective about it is very difficult. In order to produce a good book you have to be willing to cut, change, and kill characters that you might love, but sometimes between writing the story and editing the story as a writer you have to flip the switch and be willing to cut our a scene that you might adore because it doesn’t add to the story in anyway.  

DDS: What are your writing pet peeves? 
As a reader present tense drives me crazy. As a writer I am at war with the word just.

DDS: Who is your favourite Character? (one of your own creation – published/unpublished)
Wow, this is really hard. I sort of love all of my characters (even the mean ones). I think my favorite to write is Holden. He is your quintessential bad boy which makes him extra fun. He says and does things that are so out of my normal realm it makes writing him exciting. But as far as wanting to hang out with I think that I would enjoy an evening with my main character from my mystery novel Dark Corners, Ella. She snarky and a writer and lives in a haunted house. What isn’t fun about that?   

DDS: Now time for some fun facts about you. If ‘Guardian Trilogy’ was to be turned into a movie – which Actor/Actress would you like to see playing the characters? 
I don’t actually write stories with actors in mind, so casting is normally a challenge. I think that for Olivia you would need someone pretty yet wholesome, sort of an Anne Hathaway type actress. For Quintus someone like Raoul Bova (the Italian guy from Under the Tuscan Sun). And Holden is always the hard one. It would need to be someone attractive, tough, not too soft looking, who could also blend in. I really have no idea who to cast. I will leave that up to the reader’s imaginations.

DDS: If you were to be stranded on the famous ‘Deserted Island’, what three things would you want with you?
If I am being serious I would say a satellite phone, a magnifying glass, and a really long book I could read while waiting for a rescue.
If I am being fun I would choose: a ridiculously hot man (i.e. Michael Fassbender), bottled water, and rum.

DDS: Who is your favourite author & which is your favourite book? I know it is beyond difficult, but you can name only one in each category!!
Jane Austen is probably my favorite writer. I love all of her books and Pride and Prejudice could very well be my favorite book. However I also like Edgar Allen Poe, Oscar Wilde, Jim Butcher, Brett Easton Ellis, Joseph Heller, Thomas Harris, Jeaniene Front, Karen Marie Monnig, etc.   

DDS: One thing readers would be surprised to know about you… 
I absolutely loved the show Jackass.

DDS: Besides writing, what else do you enjoy?
Movies, reading, traveling, museums, theatre, and playing games (especially trivia).   

DDS: Anything else you would like to say to your readers/fans?
Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you. 

Contact the Author
Blog
Goodreads
Facebook Page
Amazon
Twitter

Tour Stops

June 4   - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
June 6   - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings 
June 8   - Character Interview at MK McClintock's Blog 
June 12 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services 
June 14 - Guest Blogging with Ami Blackwelder 
June 14 - Interviewed at Incredible Indie Books 
June 18 - Choices Review at Ereading on the Cheap 
June 20 - Secrets & Choices Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
June 22 - Interview & Books I & II Reviewed at A Case of Reading Insomnia 
June 26 - Interview & Books I & II Reviewed at Waiting on Sunday to Drown 
June 28 - Interview & Books I & II Reviewed at My Reading Addiction 
July 2    - Review & Interview at B00k R3vi3wS 
July 5    - Character Interview & Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
July 7    - Guest Blogging at Margaret West's Blog
July 9    - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews 
July 11 - Character Interview at Cait Lavender's Blog 
July 13 - Character Interview & Review at Ramblings of a Bibliophiliac 
July 17 - Guest Blogging at Froggarita's Bookcase
July 19 - Interviewed at Kimberly Lewis Novels 
July 23 - Guest Blogging & Books I & II Reviewed at Kindred Dreamheart 
July 25 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words 


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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By at July 02, 2012 4 comments:
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