Blogiversary | Carrie Cross Bio & Giveaway

March 9, 2015March 3, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

This week I’m featuring another Women’s National Book Association – Los Angeles Chapter member, Carrie Cross. Carrie Cross is the late Sylvia Cross’s daughter. Sylvia was the past national president of WNBA.

TITLE: Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills

PUBLISHER: Teen Mystery Press

PUBLICATION DATE: January 17, 2014

GENRE: Teen Mystery

“Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins is horrified to learn that she’ll be stuck at her bullying cousin Gwendolyn’s creepy mansion for the summer. She has no idea how much excitement and danger awaits her in Malibu’s Shadow Hills. As soon as Skylar arrives at the estate, unexplainable events begin to happen. She discovers a hidden garden in the huge back yard, and her new friend Kat pronounces it the perfect place to perform spells. Practical Skylar is skeptical, until the magic appears to start working.

Is Kat a real middle school witch and a true friend, or is she just interested in the cute stable boy? Did she use magic to control Skylar’s body, or was it all part of a complicated hoax? Who or what is making those terrifying noises up in Shadow Hills at night?

Rumors are flying and the locals are afraid. Kat challenges Skylar to take increasingly dangerous risks while she tries to solve the mystery. Armed with her detective tools, brains, and a huge dose of courage, Skylar will face her deepest fears to find the truth.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON

TITLE: Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of the Hidden Jewels

PUBLISHER:Teen Mystery Press

PUBLICATION DATE: December 6, 2014

GENRE: Teen Mystery

“A deserted mansion perches on a steep hillside, overlooking a rocky canyon. Tattered curtains hang behind broken windows, and a turret stretches toward the sky. Three years ago the wealthy owner disappeared suddenly, leaving behind a house full of secrets: A mysterious note, tantalizing clues, a hidden floor, one piece of a treasure map, and a missing fortune in diamonds.

Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins moves into the mansion with her parents and embarks on a new and dangerous mission. Armed with her detective kit, and with the support of her BFF Alexa and a team of secret agents, Skylar sets out to decipher the clues and find the diamonds. Can she outwit a gang of aggressive bikers and find the hidden jewels before they do? Or will the perils of middle school–like battling ruthless bully Emelyn Peters for the attention of class hottie Dustin Coles–get in her way?”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON

ABOUT CARRIE CROSS

WEBSITE | TWITTER

Carrie Cross is an avid reader who fell in love with books as a little girl after reading Goodnight Moon. She wrote her first “book” at age four: Blackie the Little Black Dog and the Flying Washing Machine. Carrie discovered her love of mysteries reading Nancy Drew books and The Happy Hollisters series, and after writing THE MYSTERY OF SHADOW HILLS, she continues to look for clues in unexpected places to this day.

Carrie’s influences include Judy Blume, Deb Caletti, Sarah Dessen, and Lee Child. In addition to writing Skylar Robbins mysteries and reading, Carrie loves to cook, hike at the beach, go boating, and travel.

CARRIE CROSS GIVEAWAY

Carrie Cross has generously provided (1) e-book copy of Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills. This giveaway will run until March 14th.

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Carrie Cross week continues tomorrow with an excerpt of Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills.

Blogiversary | Alva Sachs Bio & Book Blurbs

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

Today, I’m featuring a fellow Women’s National Book Association – Los Angeles Chapter member, Alva Sachs. While I don’t read Children’s books at this time, I know that some of my followers do have children and might appreciate a little change of pace. That’s why I decided to share Alva’s four children’s books during my Blogiversary Celebration.

TITLE: Dear Master Dragon

PUBLISHER: Three Wishes Publishing Company

PUBLICATION DATE: September 19, 2013

GENRE: Children’s Books

“Danny Dragon decides to write a letter to the Master Dragon for help. Why would Danny need help?

Will The Master Dragon write him back, or will he have to solve his problems by himself?

Join Danny on his adventure as he discovers what it is like to be REAL dragon.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: I’m 5

PUBLISHER: Three Wishes Publishing Company

PUBLICATION DATE: June 6, 2011

GENRE: Children’s Books

“Julie is turning “5” and celebrating with delicious cake, colorful balloons, best friends, and fun games.

The party is over and Julie is ready for school, but school is NOT ready for her!

How could this happen? How can this be?

Join Julie on her adventure as she waits for the BIG day to arrive. Hurry, you don’t want to miss the big yellow bus!”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

PUBLISHER: Three Wishes Publishing Company

PUBLICATION DATE: October 28, 2009

GENRE: Children’s Books

“Justin, Mario, and Marcus are
best friends.

Saturday is their favorite day!

They wait all week to hang out together, but this Saturday is different.

What happened? It takes all three of them and their dads to make this Saturday the
best ever!”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: Circus Fever

PUBLISHER: Three Wishes Publishing Company

PUBLICATION DATE: April 28, 2008

GENRE: Children’s Books

“Jessica has a BIG imagination, and an even bigger love for clowns. The circus is coming to her town, and she can’t wait to go.

There are lots of surprises waiting for her and YOU!

What happens to Jessica under the big top is an adventure she will never forget!”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT ALVA

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN

My life has been one “serendipity” after another!

I was born and raised in the “Windy City,” Chicago. I moved around quite a bit with my family over the years when I was younger. I always loved going to school, making friends, doing homework, and reading Archie comic books with my sister, Bonny. I landed back in the Chicago area and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, however I never intentionally wanted to be a teacher! I say, “Serendipity!”

It was the most exciting and rewarding “accident” that I had ever had. After teaching for 16 years and continuing on with my education, I received a Master of Education degree from Northern Illinois University and kept enjoying all the children who entered my classroom over the years.

Meeting my husband, Paul, and having my three children are all part of my serendipity experiences. I am such a lucky girl!

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Blogiversary | Cemetery Tours by Jacqueline Smith – Book Review

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 7 Comments

BOOK REVIEW | CEMETERY TOURS

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Some secrets are best kept laid to rest.

At least, that’s as far as Michael Sinclair is concerned. At twenty-seven, he has spent his entire life perfecting the art of pretending that the ghosts he encounters on a daily basis do not exist. Now, if only the dead would let him rest in peace.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem likely, especially after Kate Avery and her ailing brother, Gavin, move in next door. Kate and Gavin are haunted, and not by a dearly departed loved one. This spirit is aggressive, menacing, and harboring a dark resentment toward Gavin. In spite of every instinct advising him to walk away, Michael finds himself seeking to uncover the mysteries of Gavin’s past, and falling for the bright and lovely Kate. Yet competing for her affection is Luke Rainer, television’s hottest celebrity ghost hunter and the only (living) person to know Michael’s secret.

But the dead have secrets, too. Some will go to any length to withhold what should have gone with them to the grave, while others will risk everything to make their voices heard, even if that means putting another’s life at stake. Now, for the sake of friends and strangers alike, Michael must choose between preserving his cherished anonymity and lending his aid to those for whom all hope seems lost.”

MY THOUGHTS

I’m not the type of person who believes in ghosts. I was telling my fiancé this the other day. I told him that I would essentially have to see it to believe it, but Kate Avery is the complete opposite. She believes in ghosts even though she can’t see them and Michael Sinclair can.

I never thought that I would like a book about ghosts, but I throughly enjoyed it. There were a lot of twists and turns in Cemetery Tours and the way Smith portrayed Michael’s ability reminded me of the movie Sixth Sense (if the boy was older).

While I was reading it, I started thinking about what I would do if I had the ability to see ghosts. Would I use my gift to help ghosts find peace or be like Michael and completely ignore them. I don’t blame him for ignoring them, especially after what happened to him as a teenager (I won’t give it away).

In Cemetery Tours, ghosts are people who have died and have some sort of unfinished business, at least that’s what I got from the book, but then Michael mentions that he talks to his grandmother and unofficial roommate all the time. Both seemed like they didn’t have any unfinished business. These two elements got me thinking, perhaps the ghosts had a choice about whether they stayed on earth or moved on.

I really admired Michael. He’s essentially keeping a part of himself locked up from everyone and can’t fully be who he is because of it, but I do understand why he would keep his ability to see ghosts a secret. Considering how cynical I am about ghosts, I personally would think that Michael was crazy and I wouldn’t believe him. Then Michael meets Kate and everything changes for him. She makes him want to open up about what he can do, but it takes a little push from a pseudo-celebrity and an angry ghost to finally admit to it.

Now let me tell you a bit about the character Kate Avery.

Kate was in a tragic car accident that left her with a lot of questions and left her feeling like a fragment of herself. Her family was keeping something important from her and I couldn’t put the book down when I realized what it was. I just couldn’t wait for that reveal.

Jacqueline Smith really keeps your attention and keeps your imagination flowing throughout the book. Each time I thought the book was ending something else smacked me in the face, but it was tying up loose ends I was questioning.

I honestly don’t want to give away any of the juicy details because I believe this is a great book to read and be surprised by the ending, but I can tell you that I was yearning to find out what happened. I will admit that there were a few parts that got me wanting to sleep with the lights on, but it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t sleep (let’s just say I can’t sleep after reading Stephen King books).

Overall, I loved Cemetery Tours and it made me excited to read the sequel, Between Worlds (which I finished in two days). I would recommend this book to anyone who’s open to reading a story about ghosts.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“It was amazing, the effect that the simplest sentiment from the right guy could have on a girl’s entire day.”

“Illuminated only by the light of the waning moon, the headstones of the graveyard seemed far more sinister and ominous. If she didn’t know better, she’d have sworn that the eyes of the angels perched atop several graves were following them as they made their way to the center of the cemetery.”

“Michael had always thought that he wouldn’t fear death. He’d been wrong. The idea of death didn’t bother him. The act of dying, however, was a whole different story.”

OVERALL RATING

BUY LINKS: AMAZON | B&N

PUBLISHING COMPANY: Wind Trail Publishing

RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2013

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Jacqueline E. Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Performance in 2010. Two years later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Humanities.

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Jacqueline has generously provided (3) e-book copies of Cemetery Tours and (3) e-book copies of it’s sequel, Between Worlds. There will be (3) Winners who will receive one copy of each book. This is your last chance to enter this giveaway as it ends today. I will announce the winners tomorrow morning.

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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 Jacqueline Smith for participating in the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary!

Blogiversary | Guest Post by Jacqueline Smith – The Publishing Experience

March 6, 2015March 3, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

THE PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE

GUEST POST BY JACQUELINE SMITH

When I first decided I wanted to publish Cemetery Tours, I had no idea how I planned to go about doing so. First, I thought about pursuing the traditional route: query agents, sign contracts with the big publishing houses, etc. For a while, that sounded like the way to go. After all, I knew nothing about copyright, barcodes, ISBN, or how I could turn my piddly little manuscript into, you know, a real BOOK. The whole idea was actually really overwhelming.

But then I did a little research. I went to the library and read every book I could find on publishing. I met up with a friend who had independently published his own novel and who also happens to be a lawyer. He gave me a run down of all the pros and cons of independent publishing. The cons being, of course, less publicity, less resources, and you had to do all the work yourself. But the benefits, I realized, were substantial. For one thing, I would be in total control over my books. Not only that, all the legal rights would remain with me. I wouldn’t be bound to any contracts or any bottom lines. I would be free to do with my books whatever I wanted.

As it turned out, making the decision to independently publish was the easy part. I didn’t realize that there would be a hundred more decisions to be made. For example, did I want to purchase my ISBN in bulk or did I want to buy them one at a time? Did I want to design my own book cover or did I want to hire an artist? I will spare you the gory details of every decisions I made and how I made them because, to be honest, it will probably bore you. Also, I’m a firm believer in what works for one person will not necessarily work for another person (however, I did buy in bulk and I did hire a designer).

The biggest piece of advice I can offer to any aspiring author is to go for it. Make your dreams come true. We’ve all heard that old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” That is 100% true. You can do anything you set your mind to. Fear and self-doubt are incredibly powerful, and they will try to get you down. Don’t let them. Persevere. Work hard. And most importantly, believe in yourself and in your abilities. Most of us are capable of so much more than we attempt.

I’d like to thank you, Danielle for this week and for everything you do for the literary and blogging community. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you next! I’m sure it will be great! Happy Blogiversary!

CEMETERY TOURS BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

BETWEEN WORLDS BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with my book review of Cemetery Tours and the announcement of the giveaway winner.

Blogiversary | Between Worlds by Jacqueline Smith – Excerpt

March 4, 2015March 3, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 5 Comments

EXCERPT | BETWEEN WORLDS

TITLE: Between Worlds (Cemetery Tours Sequel)

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: June 29, 2014

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

Up in his apartment, Michael told Kate and Luke to make themselves at home while he fetched them something to drink. As always, Brink felt compelled to express his flat out astonishment that Michael was actually having guests over; even more so that he was having Luke Rainer over.

“What’s he doing here, anyway? Isn’t he supposed be off filming graveyards or something?” Brink asked.

“He said he was in town and decided to stop by,” Michael muttered softly.

“And here he is on your date. Nice,” Brink smirked. Michael glared at him. It was like talking to a skinny, teenaged Luke.

Michael could feel Brink trailing him as he made his way back into the living room, where Luke was filling Kate in on all of the team’s latest adventures. After handing them their drinks, Michael took a seat on the couch next to Kate. She took a sip of her soda and casually snuggled up next to him while Luke continued to talk. Michael was honestly beginning to think that he really had just dropped in to catch up when Luke asked, “So, have either of you ever heard of the Stanton Hall Manor?”

“No,” Michael answered.

“Maybe,” Kate replied. “I think it was featured on a documentary I saw about historic mansions in New England.”

“It probably was. It’s one of the most extravagant manors in Maine. Hell, it’s one of the most extravagant manors in the nation. It also happens to be one of the most haunted.”

Oh no… Michael already knew where this was going.

“Cool,” Kate grinned. “Are you guys going to investigate it?”

“Well, that’s the plan. However, there are some… conditions.”

“What kind of conditions?” Michael asked.

“The person who owns it now is a woman named Carolyn Drake. She inherited it from her uncle after he died. I’ve been trying to get her to let us investigate ever since the show premiered, but she’s always turned me down. She’s hoping to convert it into some kind of luxury bed and breakfast and she’s always thought that if we tell the world that it’s haunted, no one would want to stay there.”

“That’s strange. I’d think being on Cemetery Tours would make more people want to visit. I mean, look at the Stanley Hotel. That place is so haunted that it inspired Stephen King to write The Shining and now everyone wants to stay there,” Kate said.

“Well, her problem is that she doesn’t actually believe that it’s haunted. If she doesn’t believe it’s haunted, then she doesn’t have a whole lot of incentive for us to come investigate, and so on and so forth. But then, just as we’re in the midst of shooting for this season, I get an email from her. She said that she would agree to let the team film,” he paused and looked Michael in the eye. “But only if you come with us, Mikey.”

“And there it is. The catch,” Brink commented. Michael was still trying to register what Luke had just said.

“Wait, what?” he asked.

“I don’t know. She didn’t explain it to me. All she said was that she’d agree to let us come and investigate, but only if we brought you with us.”

“That just doesn’t make sense,” Michael said.

“Maybe she wants you to come along because she wants to show folks that it isn’t haunted,” Kate said. “Maybe if you get there and you don’t see anything, then that will prove once and for all that there are no ghosts there.”

“Oh, come on. Everyone knows that place is haunted. Mrs. Drake is just a crazy old fruit loop,” Luke crossed his arms and slumped back against his chair. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Michael said.

“So, what do you think?” Luke asked. “Will you come with us?”

Michael didn’t know how to respond. For the first time, Luke was asking him to be part of the show at the request of somebody else. Not just a request. Michael had to go or the episode wasn’t happening. That was a lot of pressure.

“Luke,” he began. “I know this means a lot to you, but I can’t just drop everything and go.”

“Why not?” Luke asked. “You’re already ‘out,’ so it’s not like you can use that as an excuse anymore. You don’t have a job to worry about – ”

“Actually, I do,” Michael corrected him. “I got an offer this afternoon, and I’m going to take it. I have to take it.”

“Why? Are you the new Captain of the Enterprise? Because if the job is for anything less cool than that, you still have no excuse to turn this down.”

“It’s for an insurance company. I’d be – ”

“Are you kidding me?” Luke interrupted him, exasperated. “I am here, offering you a gig on the most popular paranormal show on television, just like I have a thousand times in the past, and you’re turning it down to sell insurance?”

Okay, yeah, when he put it like that, of course it sounded lame. But what Luke didn’t understand was that the gig on Cemetery Tours was a one-time thing. Michael would still need a permanent job after it was over, and he didn’t know if he’d be lucky enough to find another company willing to take on a creepy ghost-talker.

“I’m sorry, Mikey, but this time, I really don’t understand you,” Luke continued. “You are so hell-bent on being normal and doing what you think everyone wants you to do that you’d pass up an opportunity that anybody else would jump at. Don’t you think so, Kate?”

“I want to go,” she agreed.

“You’re invited,” Luke told her. “But of course if Mikey doesn’t go, then no one gets to.”

Oh, great. Michael knew exactly what Luke was doing, and Luke knew it too. It had been one thing when him not going meant that Luke couldn’t go. But now, knowing that it also meant Kate couldn’t go was a whole different scenario. Michael had no problem saying no to Luke. But saying no to Kate? Impossible. That was how Luke had conned him into going to that stupid graveyard. He’d tricked Kate into asking Michael, knowing that Michael wouldn’t be able to turn her down.

Sure enough, as soon as the words were out of Luke’s mouth, Kate turned wide, pleading eyes up at Michael.

Luke just smiled. He had Michael exactly where he wanted him. Meanwhile, Brink snickered from the sidelines. “Well, it looks like you’re going to Maine.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an author interview.

Blogiversary | Cemetery Tours by Jacqueline Smith – Excerpt

March 3, 2015February 25, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 1 Comment

EXCERPT | CEMETERY TOURS

TITLE: Cemetery Tours

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: September 17, 2013

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

He’d seen them for as long as he could remember.

They’d never scared him, really. When he was younger, he hadn’t known that there was anything different about them. By the time he was old enough to figure out that no one else could see them, he was also old enough to realize that being dead didn’t turn people into monsters. It just meant that most of them were lonely.

This guy scared him.

He was tall, almost as tall as Michael, who towered above most people at 6’2, and muscular, something that Michael couldn’t boast. His dark hair was buzzed short, like an army crew cut, and he wore dark navy jeans, a gray T-shirt, and an old black jacket. As intimidating has his physical appearance seemed, however, nothing compared to the fury and repulsion with which he stared at Gavin Avery.

“Michael?” Kate’s voice snapped Michael out of his stupor. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, fine.” He wasn’t fine though. His voice had gone hoarse, the same way it always did whenever he tried to choke out a lie. He cleared his throat and assisted Kate and Gavin setting the mattress against the wall. No matter how he tried to convince himself otherwise, he could feel the stranger’s eyes boring into the back of his neck. Although he didn’t think the ghost had noticed him staring, he didn’t want to draw any sort of attention to himself.

This was the reason he never complained about the strange noises or feelings of discontent that plagued the other residents of Building 17. He’d always been a terrible liar, and anyone observing him too carefully would realize that when he said he had no explanation for the weird things that happened, he wasn’t telling the truth.

Once ghosts figured out he could see them, they followed him home. Over the years, he’d gotten better at ignoring them, tuning them out, but there was always the occasional slip-up. He’d respond to an otherwise unheard voice, or accidentally make eye contact with someone who’d grown accustomed to being invisible. That was when the trouble started.

Michael had learned the hard way that nothing good came from interfering in the affairs of the afterlife. He’d always been careful not to let anyone know what he could see, but everyone, from his classmates to his own mother knew there was something wrong with him. Their suspicions were somewhat confirmed after he was arrested as a suspect in a murder investigation at the beginning of his senior year of high school. The charges were quickly dropped, but still, the damage had been done.

Now, whenever spirits followed him home, he ignored them. This was frustrating for all parties involved, but especially for the ghosts. They knew he could see them, but when he didn’t acknowledge them again, they grew agitated. Some of them went crazy, throwing pots and pans around or heaving books off of shelves, in desperate attempts to get his attention. They usually gave up and moved out after a week or so of being ignored. But some of them, the more annoying ones, tended to linger. Some acted out of spite, some out of boredom. Some flat out refused to move on for reasons that Michael could never figure out. Maybe they were waiting for someone, or maybe they were scared of crossing over. Michael could accept that. Still, he would have preferred they not make his apartment building their halfway house.

Thinking back to everything Kate had told him about Gavin, his mysterious ailment, even the break-in, Michael knew he should have realized that those were the products of a haunting. He’d experienced the same symptoms of dizziness and exhaustion on multiple occasions. Spirits thrived on energy. It was how they moved heavy objects, or manifested themselves to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to see them. They took this energy from any source they could find; electricity, radio waves, even the living. Especially the living. Michael had always been particularly susceptible to their attacks. He had a theory that since his mind was already so open to the spirits, it made it easier for them to drain his energy.

He wasn’t sure if that was what was happening or if all the physical exertion was finally catching up with him, but all of a sudden, he felt dizzy and lightheaded. He broke into a cold sweat and without warning, the ground begin to tilt.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an excerpt from Between Worlds, the sequel of Cemetery Tours.

Blogiversary | Jacqueline Smith Bio & Giveaway

March 2, 2015February 25, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 2 Comments

To kick off the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Celebration, this week’s featured author is Jacqueline Smith. Jacqueline has been so amazing to work with throughout this process and I’m excited to be sharing her work with my followers. Today I want to share a bit about each of her books. She will be participating in an author interview and will be sharing her experiences getting these books published later this week.

TITLE: Cemetery Tours

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: September 17, 2013

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

“Some secrets are best kept laid to rest.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: Between Worlds (Cemetery Tours Sequel)

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: June 29, 2014

GENRE: Paranormal Thriller

“Someone always dies… Someone is always left behind…

Now that his secret is out, Michael Sinclair finally agrees to join paranormal superstar Luke Rainer and the Cemetery Tours crew on an investigation. Not just any investigation. The biggest investigation of their career.

Once home to the wealthy Sterling Hall and his beloved wife, Joanna, Stanton Hall Manor in Maine is famous for the love story that inspired it… and the ghosts who now inhabit it. For Luke and the crew, Stanton Hall is a dream come true. Unfortunately, some dreams turn out to be nightmares.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | B&N

TITLE: Boy Band

PUBLISHER: Wind Trail Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: April 21, 2015

GENRE: Young Adult

“Sam Morneau is Melissa Parker’s best friend. He’s also a member of The Kind of September, basically the hottest boy band on the planet.

After two and a half years, Mel is all too familiar with the day-to-day occurrences that come with being a member of the band’s inner circle, including hectic schedules, passionate fans, and gossip-mongering celebrity girlfriends.

Now, with the release of the group’s third album just weeks away, their lives have never been crazier and Mel is doing everything she can to keep up, all the while trying to cope with the ridiculous rumors that follow the band everywhere they go and pretending that she isn’t harboring a secret and hopeless crush on Sam.

It’s weird enough being in love with your best friend. It’s even weirder when the rest of the world is in love with him, too.”

ABOUT JACQUELINE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Along with writing and publishing, Jacqueline loves photography, traveling, and nature. (Photo Credit: Kaylynn Krieg)

JACQUELINE SMITH GIVEAWAY

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

STORIES UNFOLDED BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to enter the Stories Unfolded Blogiversary Giveaway that’s running from March 1st – March 31st.

(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

Jacqueline Smith week continues tomorrow with an excerpt from Cemetery Tours.

Giveaway | Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus & Gail Harris

January 8, 2015January 7, 2015 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 4 Comments

Today is the last day to enter to win (1) physical copy of Finding Zoe by Brandi Rarus and Gail Harris. I thought this was a great book. You can check out my review here.

Enter here to win a copy of the book.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

“Four-month old Zoe was gradually losing her hearing. Her adoptive parents loved her—yet agonized— feeling they couldn’t handle raising a deaf child. Would Zoe go back into the welfare system and spend her childhood hoping to find parents willing to adopt her? Or would Zoe be the long-sought answer to a mother’s prayers?

Brandi Rarus was just 6 when spinal meningitis took away her hearing. Because she spoke well and easily adjusted to lip reading, she was mainstreamed at school and socialized primarily in the hearing community. Brandi was a popular and happy teen, but communication—and being fully part of every conversation—was an ongoing struggle.

In college, Brandi embraced Deaf Culture along with the joys of complete and effortless communication with her peers. For the first time, being deaf wasn’t a handicap; it was a passport to a new and exciting world. Brandi went on to become Miss Deaf America in 1988 and served as a spokesperson for her community.

It was during her tenure as Miss Deaf America that Brandi met Tim, a leader of the Gallaudet uprising in support of selecting the school’s first deaf president. The two went on to marry and had three hearing boys—the first non-deaf children born in Tim’s family in 125 years.

Brandi was incredibly grateful to have her happy and healthy family, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her life. She had always dreamed she would have a daughter. Little did she know that just across the state line, Zoe was waiting for her.

Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is an uplifting story of hope, adoption, and everyday miracles.”

Upcoming Book Review Excerpt | Inside Out by Lia Riley

December 3, 2014December 1, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ Leave a comment

To get you pumped for tomorrow’s book review and for TWO chances to win prizes, I wanted to share an excerpt from Inside Out by Lia Riley. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow because you don’t want to miss the amazing prize pack!

BOOK EXCERPT | INSIDE OUT BY LIA RILEY

Who was I when I first fell in love with Bran?

A person who had courage to stare down an unfeasible situation and say, Sure, I’m up for the challenge.

Who was I when Bran threw himself at me like a wounded animal, all claws, abandonment fear, spit, and fang?

A person who accepted that the moon has two sides, light and dark.

Who am I now?

I feel like a lost soul rocking in the corner, fresh out of ideas.

Bran pushes me through the long line until it’s our turn at the passport desk.

“How long do you plan to stay in the United States?” The customs official glances from Bran’s face to his passport photo and back again.

My stomach squirms like a writhing snake. We’ve avoided any discussion about future plans, focused instead on the short term. I had to accept the reality that I couldn’t return to the Peace Corps, even with the medical separation. I was too sick, too shattered. Our discussions about the logistics of leaving Africa were easier to concentrate on than the looming issue of what we were going to do with each other. I treated the topic like an abandoned lot, filled with weeds and rusting cars, a subject to walk past and pretend to ignore.

Now a stranger is forcing the issue.

“Until this one gets better.” Bran cocks his head in my direction.

The woman scoots forward, peers at me with a faint frown. “May I see proof of a return ticket, sir?”

Bran digs out the photocopy of his itinerary. When we bought the tickets, he had to borrow money from his dad. He hasn’t said much, but I know the fact must eat at him. Add another bitter drop to my guilt bucket—soon it’s going to overflow.

“You’re on a temporary tourist visa.” The customs agent flips the passport to a blank page and stamps with obvious relish. “You have three months, starting now.”

Here we go again.

Visa issues.

Ticking clocks.

People imagine international romance is excitement, hot accents, and adventure. They don’t want to hear about the bureaucratic drudgery that threatens to harden the arteries of even the most passionate hearts.

I thought I was going somewhere.

Nope.

I am an idiot Icarus who flew too close to the sun.

Bran leans forward, his lips hover an inch from my ear, his breath a hot caress on my cool skin. “You okay, Captain?”

“Fine.”

“What are you thinking, thinker?”

“I’m just sitting here, a sitter.”

We roll past an American flag overhanging a framed photo of the president. His smile seems smug, as if to say, You really thought you’d get away?

Yes, sir. I kind of did.

“We’re up next.” Bran hands a final customs form to yet another officer who waves us toward big silver doors that open and shut like gnashing teeth. On the other side is California. I can’t shake the disorienting sense we’re heading in the wrong direction.

“Ready?”

Nope.

Bran crossed an ocean for me. I have to find the way out of this black swamp, but I’m manacled to an island of self-doubt, and the tide is rising.

***

Thank you to Lia Riley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read a copy of this book for an honest review.

Book Review | Sideswiped by Lia Riley

October 11, 2014October 11, 2014 ~ Danielle Olson ~ 3 Comments

Book Review | Sideswiped

“Sometimes in order to find yourself, you need to venture off the map.

Talia and Bran broke all the rules and navigated dark and stormy emotional waters to be together and now that they finally seem to have found their way back to each other, the winds of change threaten to blow their love off course yet again…”

***

Sideswiped is about finding out who you are and what you want to become. It’s also about making difficult choices and not letting the world influence your decisions. It’s about love and challenges that couples face.

Lia Riley’s second book in the Off The Map Series didn’t disappoint. It continued the story of Bran and Talia, a young couple trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do, while trying to make their relationship work.

When you’re young it’s all about figuring out what to do with your life, but when you throw love into the mix it gets complicated. Then it’s a balancing act of making that person happy and following your dreams. That’s exactly what was going on with Bran and Talia during the second book.

At the end of Upside Down, the first book in the series, Bran flies from Australia to California to win Talia back and ask her to move in with her. Then Sideswiped begins when Talia is traveling back to Australia – to live with Bran and finish her thesis project at the University of Tasmania.

They seemed to be doing fine at the beginning, but as Talia thought about what she would do next, their world together started to change. Bran had the opportunity to work with the Sea Alliance, a marine conservation organization, and Talia secretly applied for the Peace Corps. While Bran was so desperate to keep things the way they were, Talia was wondering if they could make things work and still be able to follow their dreams.

I really enjoyed Sideswiped because the relationship elements were so relatable. It’s hard to be in love with someone when you want to follow your dreams. I had to let a relationship go because we wanted completely different things. I was going places that he wasn’t willing to go and the more we fought, the more I realized we weren’t right for each other. I’m happy that it turned out the way it did because I wouldn’t be where I am today, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work out for others. There are people who can make it work and have the strength to keep fighting – like Bran and Talia.

So far I love the series and I can’t wait for the final book to come out. Thank you to Lia Riley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read a copy of this book for an honest review.

Favorite Quotes

“If miracles were real, I’d swear we were designed to fit together.”

“Before I met Tailia, my foot was on the gas – in the wrong-ass direction. She stepped into my blind spot when least expected.”

“I broke my life rules for her, without thought or hesitation. Because when you love somebody, really love them, there are no rules.”

Giveaways

Take a chance on winning a digital copy of the first book in the series, Upside Down. You can check out my review of the first book here.

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I have been given an extra digital copy of Sideswiped to give away via Net Galley. All my fellow Net Galley users please take advantage of this giveaway!

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Overall Rating

About the Author

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult Romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling fourex with station hands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn’t mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach comps, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.