Stories Unfolded | 3 Year Blogiversary Celebration & Giveaways!

March 1, 2015February 28, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

I can’t believe it’s been three years since I started this blog! It’s gone through a few changes over the years and it took some time to decide on what it’s focus should be, but I’ve finally gotten it to a place that I’m very proud of.

I want to thank my followers for all the support you’ve given me over the years and I look forward to what this next year will bring.

To celebrate, this month I will be featuring a variety of authors from several different genres. Each author will have various posts including interviews, excerpts, and giveaways!

Here’s the featured author schedule:

Jacqueline Smith: March 2nd – March 7th

March 2nd – Jacqueline Smith Bio & Giveaway
March 3rd – Book #1 Excerpt
March 4th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 5th – Interview with Jacqueline Smith
March 6th – Guest Post by Jacqueline Smith
March 7th – Book Review of Book #1 & Giveaway Winner Announcement

Alva Sachs: March 8th

March 8th – Alva Sachs Bio & Book Blurbs

Carrie Cross: March 9th – March 14th

March 9th – Carrie Cross Bio & Giveaway
March 10th – Book #1 Excerpt
March 11th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 12th – Interview with Carrie Cross
March 13th – Guest Post by Carrie Cross
March 14th – Giveaway Winner Announcement

Farzana Marie: March 15th

March 15th – Farzana Marie Bio & Book Blurb

Edward Mooney: March 16th – March 21st

March 16th – Edward Mooney Bio & Giveaway
March 17th – Book #1 Excerpt
March 18th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 19th – Interview with Edward Mooney
March 20th – Guest Post by Edward Mooney
March 21st – Giveaway Winner Announcement

Amanda Gale: March 22nd – 29th

March 22nd – Amanda Gale Bio & Giveaway
March 23rd – Book #1 Excerpt
March 24th – Book #2 Excerpt
March 25th – Book #3 Excerpt
March 26th – Book #4 Guest Post by Amanda Gale
March 27th – Interview with Amanda Gale
March 28th – Guest Post by Amanda Gale
March 29th – Book Review of Book #1 & Giveaway Winner Announcement

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY PACKAGE

In addition to the various author giveaways, I will be holding an amazing Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway! You’re not going to want to miss out on this giveaway. I can’t thank the authors who donated enough. They have made this giveaway amazing! Links to their websites and my book reviews are below.

You can enter from March 1st-31st. Winners will be announced the evening of March 31st PST. Please note that winners must reside within the United States.

The Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway Package includes the following:

(1) Grand Prize Winner

$25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
(1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

$10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Celebration & Giveaway Starts March 1st

February 24, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 3 Comments

To celebrate my 3 Year Blogiverary I’m holding a month long celebration. I will be featuring a variety of authors from several different genres. Each author will have various posts including interviews, excerpts, and giveaways! The festivities begin Sunday March 1, 2015!

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY PACKAGE

You can enter starting March 1st-31st. Winners will be announced the evening of March 31st PST. Please note that winners must reside within the United States.

The Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway Package includes the following:

(1) Grand Prize Winner

$25 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) Signed physical copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Audiobook of The End of Feeling by Cindy C Bennett
(1) Signed physical copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Signed physical copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) Physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris
(1) E-Book copy of the Off The Map Series by Lia Riley (Upside Down, Sideswiped, & Inside Out)
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Book copies of three children’s books by Alva Sachs (Circus Fever, I’m 5, & On Your Mark, Get Set,Go!)

(1) Prize Winner

$10 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book
(1) E-Pub copy of Family Inheritance by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of From a Grieving Mother’s Heart by Terri Ann Leidich
(1) E-Pub copy of For a Grieving Heart by Terri Ann Leidich

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card
(1) E-Book copy of The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett
(1) E-Book copy of any Ginger Scott book

(1) Prize Winner

$5 Amazon Kindle Gift Card

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to all of the following authors who donated to the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway:

Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris including their publisher BenBella Books (Check out my review of Finding Zoe)
Cindy C. Bennett (Check out my review of The End of Feeling)
Lia Riley (Check out my review of Upside Down, Sideswiped, and Inside Out)
Ginger Scott (Check out my review of This is Falling)
Terri Ann Leidich (Check out my review of Family Inheritance)
Alva Sachs who will be a featured author

WWW Wednesday | Feb. 18

February 18, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

It’s that time of the week again when I participate in WWW Wednesdays hosted by Should Be Reading. Feel free to leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments.

To participate in WWW Wednesday, you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENTLY READING

Title: Autumn Getaway, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen brings together a colorful cast of friends and family in Book One of the Seasons of Love series, Autumn Getaway. Newly divorced mom Lydia is just getting back on her feet. Her college roommate’s wedding promises a much-needed getaway weekend with old friends, at a beautiful manor in Connecticut.

When she meets Sam, a handsome friend of the groom, she’s nearly overwhelmed by a confusing mix of hope and trepidation. Their instant connection feels intensely real, to both of them, but the ink is barely dry on her divorce decree. It takes all her nerve, and more than a little prodding from her girlfriends, to convince Lydia to give her heart — and Sam — a chance. But when the magical weekend comes to a close, Sam must return to Chicago, while Lydia heads back to her complicated life and young son in New York. Can their newfound connection survive the trials of physical distance and years of emotional baggage?

Written with an appreciation for the day-to-day struggles of a newly single mom, Autumn Getaway explores the burdens and blessings of family, revels in the spirit of friendship, and celebrates the power of romance and hope as Lydia and Sam take a second chance at love.”

RECENTLY FINISHED READING

Title: Throw Like A Woman

Author: Susan Petrone

Publisher: The Story Plant

Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Genre: Women’s Fiction

“Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s toiling away in a cubicle instead, trying to make ends meet. Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation and then more than that.

The Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. Soon, she’s standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists?” Not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage. Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover. As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner at both baseball and life.”

WHAT I MIGHT READ NEXT

Title: Winter Hopes, Seasons of Love Book One

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Publisher: Booktrope

Publication Date: July 1, 2014

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Author Jennifer Gracen reunites sexy, sophisticated Sam and sweet but wounded Lydia in Book Two of the Seasons of Love series, ”Winter Hopes.” Newly divorced mom Lydia is still getting back on her feet, and still reeling from her intense encounter with Sam at a friend’s destination wedding. As they tentatively explore the demands and rewards of long-distance dating, their instant connection evolves against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Each begins to trust again – opening up is difficult, even painful, but the joy and hope they feel in each other’s arms demands they lay their hearts on the line. Can their love survive the miles that separate them, and the complexities of nurturing a relationship via email, text and phone? And when Sam finally meets Lydia’s family, will old resentments and unspoken biases bring them closer together or drive them apart? Full of the passion and tension any newly-joined couple experiences, this steamy yet hopeful book lays the foundation for Lydia’s budding relationship with Sam, and offers hope for second chances and a deep appreciation for the value of a loyal friend.”

(All book descriptions come from NetGalley.com)

Teaser Tuesdays | Feb. 17

February 17, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Hopefully you spent some time relaxing like I did.

As I like to do every week, I’m participating in Teaser Tuesdays. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It’s easy to participate. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

CURRENT READ

TITLE: Autumn Getaway, Season of Love Book One

AUTHOR: Jennifer Gracen

PUBLISHER: Booktrope

RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014

GENRE: Romance, Women’s Fiction

“Lydia lay in the hotel bed, lazy and content, stretching out her arms and savoring the feel of having the whole mattress to herself. Then she realized that last night, at some point, Andy had woken up in a dark, strange room, was probably scared, had probably gone looking for her, and Matt had probably just put him back to bed and told him to go back to sleep.”

Stories Unfolded Receives Beautiful Blogger Award

February 15, 2015February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 3 Comments

I was recently nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award by one of my amazing followers April from A Well Read Woman.

Thank you April for all the likes and comments you you leave on my posts. And thank you for the Beautiful Blogger Award! I’m so lucky to have a follower like you.

Rules:

1. Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo.

2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them.

3. Nominate 7 (yes, only seven) other bloggers and say a little something about them.

Here’s her great blurb of my blog:

***

I would now like to recognize some of the blogs I follow. Every one of these blogs is well worth looking at:

1. Living Life With Joy – Arielle is my fellow CA blogger. She lives a short (maybe an hour or so) drive from me. We follow each other on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and it’s pretty clear we have some things in common (other than reading books of course). We both like hockey. She’s a Ducks fan and I’m a Kings fan, but I’ll cheer for the Ducks if my Kings are no longer in the playoffs. Her blog is great too! I love the daily quotes she puts up.

2. Paris Baker’s Book Nook – Paris was one of my early followers who left lots of comments and liked a lot of my posts. She really kept me motivated to keep up with my blog. Her reviews are amazing and she always has great giveaways!

3. Books Over People – I seriously can’t get over how cute this blog is! The little caterpillar with glasses gets me every time. Her posts are very well written and have just as much cuteness as that little caterpillar. Plus this girl is a Disney lover like me!

4. One More Page – I always enjoy reading Karen’s book reviews. The thing I love most about her book reviews (other than the fact that it gives me insight into a book I might be thinking about reading) are the pictures she includes in them. They are always photos of the book itself surrounded by flowers and and other cute things.

5. Dancing Through The Pages – I absolutely love the name of Kelly’s blog! That’s exactly how I feel when I read a book. I’m dancing away in the world I’m reading. She writes really great reviews and I’m always excited to see her posts in my feed.

6. Stephaine’s Book Reviews – Stephanie’s reviews are great! She’s very honest about the books she reads and sometimes she doesn’t sugar coat it if she doesn’t like one. I love her honesty. I also love her loyalty as a follower. She always likes and comments on my reviews as well.

7. Books for the Trees – This is a new blog I follow so I’m fresh into her writing, but I was instantly sucked in because of the pictures she incorporates into her posts. They are super funny and cute! I look forward to reading more on Anna’s blog.

Sunday Quotes

February 15, 2015February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day #FiftyShades

February 14, 2015February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 4 Comments

So, I’m anxiously waiting to see Fifty Shades of Grey tonight with my fiance! Isn’t he sweet for taking me (along with all the other men who are being dragged to see the movie)?

I have seriously been obsessing over this movie FOREVER! Ok maybe not forever. Just since I finished reading all three books in a week. At that point, I thought it would be super amazing if they were made into a movies. Then I heard that they were! Dreams really do come true!

I’ve also been fantasizing about being the female lead in the movie, but perhaps I should keep that dream to myself considering the movie has already been released.

Well now I’ve got to figure out what to wear on my date night!

Who else is going to see the movie? Did you read the books first?

Stories Unfolded Blogiversary | Free Promotion for Authors

February 13, 2015February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 8 Comments

Calling all authors! My blog’s three year anniversary is coming up in March. I’m going to be having a month long celebration that will include a variety of posts and giveaways.

If you’re an author or know of one, I would love to feature a book or books on my blog during the celebration.

Here’s some information on how to get involved:

Event Name: Stories Unfolded 3^rd Anniversary Celebration

Dates: March 1-31, 2015

Submit By: February 21, 2015

Description:

Throughout the month of March, Danielle will be hosting a series of blog posts and giveaways to celebrate the blog’s three-year anniversary.

Posts may include, but are not limited to the following:

Book Reviews
Book Excerpts
Author Interviews
Guest Posts
Giveaways

Authors may submit requests to Danielle to promote their book(s) through her blog. She will coordinate with the author and determine what type of post(s) will work best. Danielle is requesting donations for giveaway items to include with these posts.

The following is a list of acceptable giveaway items:

Physical copies of books
Ebooks (preferable as they are easy to send to winners)
Author “swag” (only if it accompanies a copy of a book)
Barnes & Noble gift cards
Amazon gift cards

(As many of Danielle’s followers are not from the Los Angeles area, she cannot accept gift cards to local bookstores)

To submit a request to Danielle, please do the follow:

Email Danielle.storiesunfolded@gmail.com
Subject Line: Stories Unfolded Anniversary Celebration – [Your Name]
Provide information about the book(s) you would like to promote and include websites and buy links
Provide the blog post types you would like to be featured in (note that book review posts will be limited)
Include information on items being donated for the giveaways (if any)

I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Friday Finds | Net Galley Finds

February 13, 2015February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Happy Friday everyone! Time for another round of…What did Danielle find on Net Galley this week?!

Feel free to share your Friday Finds in the comments. I’d love to see what all of you found.

Title: If We Lived Here

Author: Lindsey J. Palmer

Publication Date: March 31, 2015

Genre: Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction

“Razor-sharp and thought-provoking, Lindsey J. Palmer’s incisive new novel both celebrates and skewers modern relationships and their milestones, offering a witty and wise look at what it takes to commit—to love, to a home, and to the life that’s right for you.

After three years of dating and trading nights at their respective New York City apartments, Emma Feit and Nick O’Hare are moving in together. Or they will be, as soon as they find the right place. For two happily-in-love professionals—Nick’s a teacher, Emma tutors college-bound teens—with good credit and stellar references, how hard can it be? As it turns out, very—in ways that are completely unexpected.

Suddenly Emma is filled with questions about cohabiting, about giving up her freedom—not to mention about who’s going to clean the toilet. And while her best friend plans a dream wedding to her wealthy fiancé, and her older brother settles into suburban bliss, Emma must figure out what home means to her—and how on earth to get there.” (NetGalley Description)

***

Title: Change of Heart

Author: Jeanne Bishop

Publication Date: March 4, 2015

Genre: Biographies & Memoirs

“Change of Heart begins with tragedy: the murder of Jeanne Bishop’s sister Nancy, along with Nancy’s

husband and their unborn child, in their home some twenty-five years ago. In her dying moments, Nancy wrote a message in her own blood at the crime scene: a heart shape and the letter “u,” last words of love.

When the killer, a local teenager, was arrested for the murders, he denied responsibility for the crime and showed no remorse. After the murderer was tried, convicted and sentenced, Bishop determined to forgive and then forget him. Bishop became a public defender, an outspoken opponent of capital punishment, and a supporter of the sentence her sister’s killer received: juvenile life without the possibility of parole. All the while, she never once spoke the name of her sister’s killer aloud, never tried to engage with him.

Then she met a law professor who gave her a book espousing a radical idea: that as Christians, we have an obligation to work to reconcile with those who have harmed us. Bishop challenged the book’s author about that idea, and was challenged in turn to take seriously the prayer of Jesus on the cross and move beyond simple forgiveness to the hard work of personal reconciliation.

Change of Heart is the story of that uneven journey to confronting and reconciling with a murderer. The book takes on the larger issues of restorative justice, life sentences, and incarceration in the criminal justice system. It unflinchingly acknowledges the personal cost of advocating for mercy for people convicted of serious crimes.

In the end, the book is a story of moving beyond mere forgiveness to the deeper waters of redemption and grace.” (NetGalley Description)

My Life Update #6 | Bridal Shower Fun!

February 12, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

It’s been quite a while since I shared a Life Update post. I thought my bridal shower would be the perfect thing to share today.

My wonderful aunt hosted by bridal shower on Saturday. It was sprinkling outside, but inside there was an awesome party going on!

I absolutely loved sharing this day with many of the woman in my life. I had moms, sisters, cousins, aunts, and even a sweet old dog in attendance.

We played several games, but my favorite part was having everyone write down their favorite memory they have with me. There was a great mixture of all kinds of memories from funny to sweet.

Now to share a few photos from my AWESOME bridal shower!