Spotlight - Fairly Certain by Deborah Ann Davis + GIVEAWAY

In the spotlight today we have "Fairly Certain" by Deborah Ann Davis  A Love of Fairs Tale

TITLE:    Fairly Certain (Love of Fairs)

AUTHOR:    Deborah Ann Davis

INFO:    Fiction,  196 pages

PUBLISHED:   D&D Universe, 2014

GENRE:    YA Fiction

ABOUT:  Fairly Certain is the unlikely adventure of nineteen year old Petir Capota, a computer geek who finds himself back in the days of Robin Hood after falling out of a tree in Connecticut. He awakens surrounded by a band of young British scavengers, clothed as if in Old England. His instinct to freak out is tempered by the arrival of a fair maiden wearing a bow…and arrow. Normally, fair maiden types don’t go for computer geek types, but for some reason, Petir is fairly certain he can do whatever he wants in this realm. 

With the conflict of the Royals escalating, Maid Rianne has joined the outlaws hiding in the forest, outwardly defying the handsome and accomplished knight to whom she is promised. She is fairly certain she merely feels flattered by Lord Petir’s uncensored admiration of her skills with the staff and bow, the same unmaidenly pursuits disdained by her own knight. However, that does not explain the quickening of her pulse produced by Lord Petir’s unguarded gaze.

The outlaws bring Petir to their camp to tend his injuries. To Petir’s delight, and to Maid Rianne’s dismay, they invite him to join their merry band. It’s all fun and games until she is captured by the enemy. Now, a geek with no ability to defend himself must find a way to rescue the fair maiden.

EXCERPT:  Maid Rianne lifted off Petir in alarm, her arms bracing her from both sides of his body as she hovered just inches away. Although they did not touch, their gazes locked them together as their ragged breathing blended with the night noises. Still she did not retreat.

That was enough of a signal for Petir. He propped himself up high enough to reach her mouth and waited. Her face tilted toward him, and he brushed her lips with his.

Now, that was a tingle.

Magically, she deepened their kiss. She was so warm, and—

“Be sure to check on our guest before you bed down,” directed a male voice from outside the tent.

Maid Rianne’s head shot up. Panic washed across her face as she scrambled to her feet, frantically tugging her clothing and smoothing her hair. The flap of the tent quietly opened, and a head popped in.

“All’s well, Maid Rianne?”

“Yes, yes,” she snapped. “Of course all is well, sir.”

The intruder offered a puzzled look at her waspish tone as she self-consciously straightened her sleeves. He politely tipped his head at Petir, a suspicious glint in his eye. “Very well. Good evening, sir.”

“One moment, sir,” she said, scooping up her belongings. “I shall accompany you,” And just like that, she was gone.

Dazed and elated, Petir flopped back on the pallet, all pain forgotten.

Maid Hottie had actually jumped his bones. Too bad you couldn’t wrap it up in a box and put a bow on it. Now that would make a great birthday present. 

Best dream ever!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  DEBORAH ANN DAVIS writes Quirky New/Young Adult Fiction with a Twist. She began writing when searching for inspiration for her 5th grade English Journal. Lo and behold, she found her world was full of funny tales just waiting to be told. As she grew older, it never occurred to her to pursue writing, not even when she discovered her flare for telling stories at college parties.

After a string of undergrad majors, she realized she could reach a captive audience EVERY DAY in the public school system. As you probably know, teenagers love to laugh, and what could be more entertaining than Biology, Earth Science, and Environmental Science? Then there's an added bonus: Once teens know you like to laugh, they want to make you laugh. Go figure.

After a particularly nasty bout of Lyme disease, she turned to Fitness to boost her health, and to Writing to boost her happiness. Currently, she is a healthy and happy Educational Speaker and a Certified Personal Trainer.

Twelve years after their first kiss, Deborah reunited with, and married her childhood sweetheart. Together they coached their daughter's AAU Basketball Team, which swept States two years in a row. (Yay!) Then, for several years, their daughter and their money went to college.

They presently reside on a lovely lake in Connecticut. When she isn't writing novels for her Love of Fairs series, she enjoys dabbling with living a sustainable life, dancing, playing outside, and laughing really hard every day. She also promotes increasing your movement throughout your day as Wiggle Writer in her Merry Meddling blog. You can track Deborah’s meddling on Twitter HERE or HERE.  LinkedIn, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Fairly Certain is available through:

IndieBound / Amazon / Smashwords / Kobo / Barnes & Noble  / Inktera / bLio

Deborah is giving one lucky reader a $20 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can easily enter below and then be sure to check out the other tour stops for more excerpts and more ways to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Stops

1: Long and Short Reviews
2: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
3: T's Stuff 
4: Edgar's Books
5: BooksChatter
6: Independent Authors
7: Musings of a Writer
8: One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
9: Christine Young
10: Unabridged Andra
11: Room With Books
12: Books Direct
13: Hope .Dreams. Life... Love
14: Romorror Fan Girl REVIEW
15: 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
16: Queen of the Night Reviews
17: Linda Nightingale...Wordsmith
18: Aly's Miscellany
19: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
20: Deal Sharing Aunt
21: Reviews By Crystal
22: Two Ends of the Pen
23: Sapphyria's Book Reviews
24: Wendi Zwaduk ~ Romance to Make Your Heart Race
25: Straight from the Library

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Spotlight - Near the Wild by Maureen Willett

Today we're welcoming author Maureen Willett to One Book Shy as she begins her tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, showcasing her new book: Near the Wild.

TITLE:    Near the Wild

AUTHOR:    Maureen Willett

INFO:    Fiction, 229 pages

PUBLISHED:   Amazon, 2015

GENRE:    Historical Fiction

ABOUT:  COWBOYS AND LEPRECHAUNS. Both occupy Maeve MacKeighry’s world in 1870, and she must decide which will win her heart. Leprechauns are feared, even in Ireland, but that doesn’t prevent Maeve from striking up a friendship with one who lives near her village. But once Maeve becomes a young woman, the local villagers start to gossip, especially since the MacKeighrys are known to practice magic in their home. It’s just for entertainment, but the town folk don’t see it that way. Rather than be outcasts, the MacKeighrys set off to America to homestead in Kansas, vowing to leave their magical ways and friends behind. Little do they know that Maeve’s friend follows and protects them on their journey. 

The MacKeighrys encounter many adventures along the way to Kansas, only to find a simple sod house on their new farm at the end of the journey. The untamed land offers a fresh start for the family, as well as two very interesting men who both compete for Maeve’s attention. Pretty young women in a wild western town are a rarity. But can she forget her magical friend, and turn her attention to two of the most interesting men she has ever met? Perhaps cowboys and outlaws have a certain charm that a leprechaun doesn’t, after all.

Most of the novel takes place in Kansas in 1870 and is based on my family’s history. The idea of the MacKeighry’s sod house came from the home of my great grandfather. I was lucky enough to visit it as a teenager before the house was destroyed. One of the characters, Nikki Fuerst, is based on an ancestor, a prince from Austria who was disinherited for marrying a commoner and sent off to America. Stories I’ve been told my entire life about my family’s history and traditions, such as levitating tables, are included in Near The Wild.

NEAR THE WILD contains mild sexual references and some violence.

Available now at:  Amazon 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Maureen Willett is a writer of fiction that pushes the boundaries of established genres. Her stories mostly come from her own family legends that have been passed down through generations, but then she tops them off with a twist of faery dust and angel wings. But at the core of each story are great characters in very human conflicts that anyone will find compelling. Each novel is crafted as an experience that will take readers beyond their day-to-day lives, incorporating themes of time travel, reincarnation, and magic. She is a former journalist, public relations professional, and media marketing specialist. Maureen lives in Hawaii with her family and walks the white-sand beaches of Oahu each day to get her inspiration for writing.

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Improper Wager by Kristabel Reed + GIVEAWAY

Up for review today, a new first in a series by Kristabel Reed: Improper Wager

TITLE:    Improper Wager

AUTHOR:    Kristabel Reed

INFO:    Romantic Fiction, 248 pages

PUBLISHED:   CreateSpace, 2015

SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

ABOUT:   Two years ago, Isabella Harrington defied her parents and society, and ran off with her lover to Milan. They thought they’d conquer the world at the gaming tables. But her dream of happily-ever-after led to nothing but debts and a shattered heart.

Abandoned and left on her own in a foreign city with little but her wits and skill, Isabella managed to survive. Survive and thrive, commanding the cards until she won enough to send for a very particular matchmaker.

Isabella needed a way back into the society she shunned and what better way than through a proper, aristocratic marriage? And this matchmaker of note would be her key back home to England.

Traveling the Continent, Jonathon, Duke of Strathmore, agreed to meet the mysterious Miss Harrington. Wary of the rumors surrounding her, a woman who vanished from London with only scandalous tales left in her wake, he hadn’t counted on the intriguing Isabella to thoroughly capture his attention.

Will a game of cards change both their fates? Will she become a mistress or a duchess?

EXCERPT:  “I’ve observed you this evening,” he said as they stepped outside.

“I’m well aware,” she said with the control that so fascinated him.

He raised his eyebrow and bit back a smile. Oh, that restrained passion captivated him. “I’d no idea you were so skilled at the games,” he said instead, leading her carefully along.

Watching her, he had the feeling she knew his game and didn’t rise to the bait. Jonathon bit back another smile.

“You didn’t give me an opportunity to show you the other night,” she said with a small grin that was more pride in her talents than interest.

But her gaze remained steady on his, darker in the shadowed balcony. Miss Harrington stood straight, with none of the deference normally given a duke. And none of the deference a woman in need of a suitable match to return to England ought to show.

She fascinated him all the more.

“And if I’m ready now?” His voice lowered, and Jonathon didn’t fool himself when he saw her breath hitch.

Her smile turned predatory. “I wouldn’t mind relieving you of the coin from your purse.”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice again. He watched her, knowing she followed his every move and was not unaffected. “Money holds no interested as a wager.”

She raised her own eyebrow in question. “You wish to make it a more interesting evening, then?”

“What terms would you suggest,” he asked softly, his breath a caress along her cheek, “to make it more stimulating?”

MY TAKE:    This is a fun story with a lot of give and take between the characters. I enjoyed watching them (Jonathon & Isabella) deny their love for each other while all the time proving and showing it to everyone else. Their attempts at one-upping the other kept this story hopping. I won't delve into what happens during the adventure, but there are a lot of twists and turns that form a lovely backdrop to the love story that unfolds.

I especially enjoyed Isabella's independence and resourcefulness. It is refreshing to have a protagonist that isn't all simpering and wimpy, but instead can truly fend for herself using her wits and skills. Isabella's cardshark tendencies come in very handy here.

From what I understand this is the first in the author's series: Scandalous Encounters. I think it is a very good introduction and a sign that this will be a fun series to follow.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Kristabel Reed lives on the East Coast and loves to explore the steamier side of historical romance. "There are so many sexy situations that didn't just pop up in the 21st century and my goal is to burst the myth of the prim and proper debutante." She loves romances of all sorts but currently writes Regency and Contemporary romances with curvy women. She also loves old movies, taking the dog for walks, and anything Cary Grant. And is always interested in talking about erotic romance, so drop her a line: kristabelreed@yahoo.com; or Tweet her @kristabelreed; find her blog: kristabelreed.blogspot.com

Buy links:

AMAZON  / BARNES & NOBLE

Kristabel is awarding one lucky reader a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble giftcard. Enter below and be sure to stop in and visit with the other tour hosts to get more chances to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Stops

November 17: Unabridged Andra's
November 24: Buried Under Romance
November 24: The Reading Addict
December 1: One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
December 1: Two Ends of the Pen - promo
December 8: Harlie's Books
December 8: LibriAmoriMiei

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Spotlight - Dead in a Park by B. L. Blair + GIVEAWAY

B.L. Blair is on deck today with the newest installment in the '

Leah Norwood Mystery series:        

Dead in a Park

TITLE:  Dead in a Park

AUTHOR:    B. L. Blair

INFO:    Fiction, 177 pages 

PUBLISHED:   Amazon, 2015

GENRE:    Romantic Suspense

ABOUT:  When Leah Norwood finds the body of Donald Collins in the city park, she doesn’t know he is a distant relative. Young Donnie was a jewel thief and a career criminal. Hidden in the lining of his suit jacket was an exact replica of a ring that has been in Leah’s family for over a hundred years. After her home is burglarized, the sexy chief of police is convinced the ruby ring has something to do with the murder.

Leah wants to find out what happened to Donnie, but why would someone kill for a hundred year old ring? She discovers a connection between Donnie and the drug-dealing Cantono family, between the Cantono family and a jewelry appraiser, and between the jewelry appraiser and one of her own employees. Chief Griggs might be onto something. All clues lead back to the family ring.

EXCERPT:  “Was he murdered?” I asked softly.

“Oh, yes. It was murder,” Griggs replied.

The last time I found a body it had never occurred to me that the police would consider me a suspect. As a law-abiding citizen, I had just assumed that people knew I was innocent. My experience with the police showed me I was wrong. I looked at both Griggs and Reddish.

“Please tell me you don’t think I killed him.”

Griggs snorted. “No, we don’t think you killed him. He was taller than you, and his neck was broken. No way could you have done that.”

“It was fast and neat,” Reddish added and then turned to Griggs. “Probably someone with military or combat training.”

“Someone who knows how to kill with their hands,” Griggs said softly.

I swallowed. Candace had shot and killed two people in December and tried to kill me twice. She had been crazy, her behavior unexpected and unpredictable, which had made the situation scary. This sounded worse. A person who was calm and rational murdering someone with their bare hands was chilling. And I couldn’t forget about the weird shoe thing.

“Did you find his shoes?”

“No,” Griggs replied, turning toward me.

“Why would someone want his shoes?”

“Who knows? There wasn’t much of a struggle, although there were multiple sets of footprints. But all appeared to be made by people wearing shoes.” He turned away from me and back toward Reddish. “Between Leah and her dog stomping around, I doubt we’ll get any viable footprints.”

“Hey,” I said indignantly. Both men ignored me.

“Let’s keep the area secure anyway,” Griggs continued. “Send a team out to see if they can find anything. Maybe the shoes will show up somewhere else in the park.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  B. L. Blair writes simple and sweet romance and mystery/romance stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.

She is the author of the Holton Romance Series and the Leah Norwood Mysteries. She enjoys reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.

http://www.blblair.com/

https://twitter.com/blblair100

https://www.facebook.com/blblair100

http://blblair100.blogspot.com/

http://leahnorwoodmysteries.blogspot.com/

Buy Links for Dead in a Park

Amazon / iBooks / B&N / Kobo / Smashwords

~~~~~

B.L. Blair is giving one lucky reader a $20 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Enter below and then be sure to check out the other stops for more info on the books as well as more ways to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops

November 16: Romance Novel Giveaways

November 17: BooksChatter
November 18: Journey of a Bookseller - review
November 19: Jane Reads - review
November 19: T's Stuff
November 20: Fiction Zeal
November 20: Queen of the Night Reviews
November 23: The Reading Addict
November 24: Harps Romance Book Review
November 25: Wendi Zwaduk ~ Romance to Make Your Heart Race
November 25: fuonlyknew
November 27: It's Raining Books
November 30: One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
December 1: Unabridged Andra's
December 2: Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
December 3: Archaeolibrarian- I dig good books!
December 4: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

GIVEAWAY Ends Tonight! Castles, Customs and Kings: True Tales by Historical Fiction Authors

Ends tonight at midnight PST. Be sure to comment on the original post HERE to get your entry in.

Castles, Customs, and Kings: True Tales by Historical Fiction Authors

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Zenobia: Challenging a Legend by Russ Wallace + GIVEAWAY

Wrapping up his blog tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours is author Russ Wallace. Here today with the second in his new series: Zenobia - Challenging a Legend.

TITLE:    Zenobia: Challenging a Legend
AUTHOR:    Russ Wallace
INFO:    Historical Fiction, 512 pages
PUBLISHED:   Geode Press LLC, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Sequel to the award-winning Zenobia – Birth of a Legend.

The continuing saga of the deadly young warrior who will one day challenge Rome for the supremacy of her world.
As the dynamic girl continues her education in Egypt, for a time she is diverted from her warrior path. Complicating Zenobia’s life is a budding romance with her brilliant and charismatic instructor. The challenge – he is the scholar, she the warrior. Can they blend their worlds to become the most exciting couple in Alexandria?
Learning of a slave trade in kidnapped young women, Zenobia determines to free the oppressed. Warrior skills will not be enough. Her new challenge – to become a pirate, then a temptress in her fight for justice.

MY TAKE:   I like reading original and creative takes on actual people or events in history. It makes it so much more enjoyable to learn about the past when you can imagine along with the author what the characters may have been like in their personal relationships or situations. 

I was lucky enough to be able to read and thoroughly enjoy both this second book in the series and the first: Zenobia - Birth of a Legend. While you could be satisfied with just reading this book, I found it to be very rewarding to start at the beginning and follow along her journey into the second story. 

Zenobia is another of the historical warrior women who became a legend and a true inspiration to her people. Much has been written and theorized about her. I found this book/series to be a refreshing change from many of the other books as we are introduced to the person she may have been and we see what things may have shaped her and the world around her. 

There is a lot of action, emotion and adventure in this tale along with plenty of historical figures and events. The author has done a fine job of blending fact and fiction to create a lovely story that most any reader will find enjoyable. I highly recommend this series and am looking forward to the next installment.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Both books are available now at Amazon

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Russ Wallace is an avid student of history and religion. Zenobia, one of the deadliest and most fascinating women of history, comes to life in his series about her. Russ is working on future releases in the Zenobia book series.

Russ and Amy from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours are giving away a copy of these first two books in the series to one lucky winner. Rules are simple:

~Must be 18 or older to enter.

~Giveaway is open to the US & UK only.

~Only one entry per household.

~All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. 

Entry is easy, just leave a comment on this post. Drawing will end Saturday, Dec 5, 2015 at 11:59pm PST. 

Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour to learn more about this series.

Blog Tour Schedule

Saturday, November 14 Tour Kick Off & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Monday, November 16 Character Interview at Boom Baby Reviews
Tuesday, November 17 Review at History From a Woman's Perspective Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
Wednesday, November 18 Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More Thursday, November 19 Excerpt & Giveaway at Unshelfish
Friday, November 20 Excerpt at Let Them Read Books
Saturday, November 21 Spotlight at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Tuesday, November 24 Excerpt & Giveaway at Room With Books
Thursday, November 26 Excerpt at Just One More Chapter
Friday, November 27 Review at Book Nerd
Saturday, November 28 Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
Sunday, November 29 Interview at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

~~~~~ 

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own. I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links. I may receive books in order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one. Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.