Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

February 14, 2014

Juniper Grove Spotlight Tour: Stronger than the Rest by Shirleen Davies

Title: Stronger Than the Rest

Author: Shirleen Davies

Published: January 13th, 2014

Word Count: approx. 68,000

Genre: Western Historical Romance

Content Warning: Mild Sexual Content

Recommended Age: 18+

Synopsis: “Smart, tough, and capable, the MacLarens protect their own no matter the odds. Set against America’s rugged frontier, the stories of the men from Fire Mountain are complex, fast-paced, and a must read for anyone who enjoys non-stop action and romance.”

Drew MacLaren is focused and strong. He has achieved all of his goals except one—to return to the MacLaren ranch and build the best horse breeding program in the west. His successful career as an attorney is about to give way to his ranching roots when a bullet changes everything.

Tess Taylor is the quiet, serious daughter of a Colorado ranch family with dreams of her own. Her shy nature keeps her from developing friendships outside of her close-knit family until Drew enters her life. Their relationship grows. Then a bullet, meant for another, leaves him paralyzed and determined to distance himself from the one woman he’s come to love.

Convinced he is no longer the man Tess needs, Drew focuses on regaining the use of his legs and recapturing a life he thought lost. But danger of another kind threatens those he cares about—including Tess—forcing him to rethink his future.

Can Drew overcome the barriers that stand between him, the safety of his friends and family, and a life with the woman he loves? To do it all, he has to be strong. Stronger than the Rest.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

Excerpt

“Hello, Drew.” She walked forward to stand a few feet away. “I hope it’s all right that I’ve come.” Her voice was unsteady, her nervousness apparent.

No, it’s not all right.“Of course. I’m glad to see you.” You look beautiful. He cleared his throat. “Did you have a safe trip?”

“Oh, yes, it was wonderful—so majestic and breathtaking. Sometimes we forget how beautiful some things are when we haven’t seen them in a while.”

Drew drank in the sight of her. “Yes we do, Tess. We certainly do.”

About the Author:

Shirleen Davies began her new series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She grew up in Southern California and now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona. Between them they are the proud parents of five grown sons.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website

Giveaway Details:

There is an international tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

· $25 Amazon Gift Card

· $10 Amazon Gift Card

· 2 eCopies of Tougher Than the Rest

· eCopy of Harder Than the Rest

· eCopy of Faster Than the Rest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October 15, 2013

Reviews (XVI)

Review by Kit Wylde Posted on Goodreads and rated 4 stars
This review is from: Shadows of the Past (Kindle Edition)

Anne and her boyfriend Neil are on vacation in England to reconcile. What is supposed to be a quick hike to a romantic inn turns into a nightmare. One night next to a forest that emanates evil draws Anne into a tragedy that played itself out over 500 years before. Genevieve, a 15th century nun, visits Anne and beckons her to follow. Anne cannot resist and finds herself in the forest, drawn to a giant oak tree. This vision proves to be a dream, but now Anne is compelled to discover the story of Genevieve and set her free, if she can. Caught in a freak, violent thunderstorm, Neil and Anne seek refuge in an abbey ruin. But the ruin is not without secrets, secrets that could see both of them killed. For an evil stalks what should be blessed ground, and it seeks to prevent the two lovers from reconciliation and Anne from helping Genevieve.

Stefanescu has done her research. The 15th century was not a romantic time period, and Stefanescu brings it to life in all its “glory.” Beginning less than ten years before the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition, superstition and fear ran rampant and being branded a witch meant certain death. The corruption in the church at this time is legendary and eventually led to Martin Luther, his 95 Theses, and the Protestant Reformation in 1517. The plague still cropped up randomly throughout Europe and England, wiping out entire villages. While the Renaissance had begun in other parts of Europe, it was just filtering into England as the War of the Roses was ongoing, only ending with the death of King Richard II at Bosworth Field in 1485.

In short, this was not an easy time to live.

Against this backdrop, we meet Genevieve, whose life is not surprisingly filled with desperation, sorrow, prejudice, and struggle. We follow her life through its many tragedies and few triumphs. As we do, we can only marvel at her resilient spirit, her ability to continue to love even though she has lost so much, and her desire to live despite it all. Finally, when all seems hopeless, she finds true love. But it is a forbidden love doomed from the outset as she is a nun and he is a priest. What will become of them?

The author does an excellent job seamlessly toggling back and forth between the story of Anne and Genevieve. I am more drawn to Anne’s story than Genevieve’s. This is because of the flowery prose in Genevieve’s section. Although this type of prose is indicative of the time period, it is not to my taste. That would be my only quibble with the book, even as I understand the reasoning behind it.

Still, this is a compelling story. I read it quickly and wanted to find out what became of Genevieve’s spirit and Anne and Neil’s relationship. I would gladly read a second book, if there is to be one. (The author certainly left an opening for a sequel.)

I would recommend it to people who enjoy atmospheric stories of the paranormal, love, passion, and history.

September 23, 2013

The Life Train in the AUTUMN Station

Do you have a favorite fall memory linked to a train? What do you imagine you would see if you were riding a train in the fall? Join the authors of Wild Child publishing and Freya’s Bower as we Take an Autumn Train Ride through our blogs.

Prizes will include

Four $50 gift certificates (two for Wild Child and two for Freya's Bower)

An awesome swag package that includes:

Bookmarks

Books

Wild Child T-shirt and mug

Wild Child and Freya's Bower bags

Four handmade, crochet coasters by Kit Wylde

An autographed copy of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

A rare DVD copy of the Matheson/Furst classic "Up The Creek" (lovingly used)

One ebook copy of Nita Wick’s short story, The Dream (previously published as part of a Freya’s Bower anthology.)

Book trading cards

Signed Dangerous Waters poster

copy of "Battle for Blood: The Blood Feud"

the winner’s name as a character in Kissa Starling’s next sweet romance story.

A Yankee Candle

and more...

The Life Train in the AUTUMN Station

(Carmen Stefanescu)

Each and every one of us, human beings, start our travel along the, sometimes exciting, sometimes annoying or dangerous, sometimes boring, paths of existence at a station called Spring.

Everything is lovely, inviting and tempting, carrying great expectations regarding the fulfillment of many dreams. Being the center of attention in the family, attractive toys, brightly colored, glossy story- books, the first big grade that brings praise from parents and teachers.

Summer Station follows. All is brightly lit by the sun and promising great things. We graduate, have the first job, first date, marry, have kids, enjoy the things life offers us.

The next station we reach is Autumn. We'd like to stay here as long as possible, aware that the road is coming to an end. Soon. We try to persuade the conductor not to leave the station any more even if the feelings Autumn brings are not always so joyful.

AUTUMN AGAIN

Autumn has turned up

on my doorstep.

Again!

Drenched, tempestuous, frowned.

Rusted leaves are coiled

in her dripping hair,

a gray, foggy cape

wrapping her to the ground.

She pierces my soul with

cold, distant eyes.

Her breath smells of

rottenness and rain.

Dejected, I bend my head,

then I sigh.

My hopes she forgot

where I lived were in vain.

Romanian Version

E TOAMNA IAR

Ma trezii cu toamna-n

pragul meu. Din nou!

Frunze ruginite

cad din parul ei.

Uda pin-la piele,

Mandra, nazuroasa.

Poarta-o haina lunga

din nori negri, grei.

Cu ochi reci si aspri

ma tintuie-n prag.

Miroase-a furtuna

Si-a frig si a zloata.

Mi-e inima trista,

Caci mult am sperat

Sa uite de mine.

Macar de-asta data!

AUTUMN SPLEEN
The smoky autumn air
sneaks into my heart,
Veiled in thick, gray layers
of ominous rain.
Mourning for the summer,
that abandoned us,
I still look for sunshine,
but, I look in vain!
Gone is now the wealth
of brilliant flowers,
Greeting me at sunrise
with dew moistened eyes.
Only gold and rust
colored, fallen leaves
Muffle my lost footsteps
and disheartened cries!
Glowworms and grasshoppers
have already left.
Empty, desolated
are the swallows’ nests.
Spiders span the branches
with gossamer thread,
Draping all the garden
for the winter rest.

Romanian Version

MELANCOLIE AUTUMNALA

Aer fumuriu de toamna

Invelit in ploi marunte

Imi patrunde-adanc in suflet

Plin de nori si doruri multe.

Dusa-i vara cu-al ei soare

Zadarnic strig si tot jelesc

Pomii-s goi, si unde-s oare

Florile ce le-ndragesc ?

Micutii licurici is tristi.

Tot pasaretul a plecat.

Paianjenii tes val cernit,

Gatind gradina de iernat

Most of the dreams have proved illusions. Looking back we regret some of our decisions. But there's no turning back. The raindrops on the compartment window look like tears. And, yet, we'd rather not go any further as the only station left is the Winter of our life.

Shadows of the Past

Publish date: 4^th December 2012

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Genre: paranormal/light romance/light horror.

Blurb

Anne's relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world--one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil's vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve's soul from its torment.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

EXCERPT

"Come, we should leave at once," she said and glanced nervously over her shoulder. "Something terrible happened after you left for town. I think the Abbess found out about us. Our meeting in Uncle Ryan's cabin is no longer a secret. We have been overheard. For all I know someone spies on us even as we speak. I think the Abbess, or one of her 'friends,' is hovering somewhere nearby and listening to every word."

Andrew pulled Genevieve to his chest. "Do you regret you've come with me?"

Passion smothered Genevieve's doubt and guilt. "Never," she answered, aware of her body's response to his touch, and she succumbed to his embrace.

Calming the gnawing unease in her mind and the thought of Sister Dominica guessing she was the dough of a sinner, Genevieve repeated, "Never."

With her eyes closed and their bodies touching she became, for the very first time, simply a woman. She melted in his embrace in spite of the invisible vicious threat breathing around them. Aware they might never be alone again, she fought hard to silence the voice of conscience berating her.

"Oh, God. Please forgive me," Andrew muttered under his breath when he bowed his head to kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate first kiss.

Genevieve's spirits fell and her heart skipped a beat when, a couple of seconds later, she opened her eyes and her gaze fell on a knot strangers.

* * * *

Tears welled in Anne's eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood?

Anne shivered. Why the deep feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her mind was far away?

Away from the forest.

Away from Neil, the man who'd betrayed her trust and her love.

An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her.

Anne edged cautiously closer to the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid. She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the shadows in her heart. An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.

Megan's face contorted, the voice no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words, "Yes, come... I'm waiting... I've been waiting for you for such a long time..."

TRAILER

Author Links

Buy Link: Wild Child Publishing wildchildpublishing

Buy Link: Amazon

Amazon.co.uk
Buy Link: Barnes & Noble Barnesandnoble

Please visit these sites for more chances to win, the more you visit the more chances you have to win. We have 46 participating authors. You can stop at as many or as little blogs as you wish. At each stop, you will find two chances to enter per blog to win some awesome prizes. If you visit all, that’s 92 chances to win! There will be five, lucky winners.

Take the Blog Train and Visit These Blogs for more chances to win

Marci Baun/Kit Wylde

Critters at the Keyboard

Teresa D’Amario

Judith Leger, Fantasy and Contemporary Romance Author

Highland Rogue Writing

The Fictional World of Jaime Samms

Follow Where the Path will Take You

The Wandering Mind of Lizzy P. Bellows

Where Love and Magic Meet

Kissa Starling

Marianna Heusler