Showing posts with label Rafflecopter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rafflecopter. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Prism Book Tour and Excerpt ~ Holidays Inc.


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Holidays, Inc.
By Rachelle Paige Campbell
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 260 Pages
November 4, 2020 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc

Former child actress, Danielle "Dani" Winter, left Hollywood to transform an old cinema into a dinner theater, seeing the project as her chance to take control of her future. The middle-of-nowhere location in Wisconsin is a perfect escape from backstabbing celebrity friends. The small town welcomes her help with open arms, but one man questions her plan.

After unsuccessful writing stints on both coasts, Paul Howell returns home to New Hope. He's shocked to discover that his sister has sold the family business to a beautiful woman. With the encouragement of his neighbors, he reluctantly agrees to write Dani's next musical.

Working together, they discover more similarities than differences and grow close. When Dani's former best friend and America's sweetheart, Kara Kensington arrives, their blossoming relationship is threatened in more ways than one.

(Affiliate links included.)


Excerpt

Andy whistled. “We’re ready, boss.”

She withdrew her hand and straightened.

Paul’s throat was too tight to offer a verbal reply. Turning, he flashed Andy a thumbs-up.

Andy led an elderly couple to the microphone.

The man wore a seersucker suit and held the hand of a woman dressed in a floor-length, pastel gown. Under the stage lights, the couple’s white hair and pale skin glimmered. “Hello.” The man bobbed his head. “Thank you for having us. We are Margaret and Sherman. We will sing a duet.” Sherman waved to Andy and held out the other hand.

Margaret stepped forward and stood on the opposite side, interlacing her fingers with her partner.

Focused on each other, Sherman and Margaret belted a pitch-perfect standard.

Paul straightened. The performers commanded attention, and the sweetness of their interaction enraptured him. I’d like to have that someday . He slipped a finger under his crew neck collar. With only inches of separation, he heightened his awareness of her so close to his right side. He hadn’t felt anything either professionally or personally for a long time. At the theater, he couldn’t deny the rush of excitement for both. If he made a move, he risked his career. Would holding back shutter his heart?

Dani leaned toward him. “Now, they have a spark,” she murmured. “I can’t believe your family isn’t the most talented in town.”

 About the Author



Rachelle Paige Campbell writes contemporary romance filled with heart and hope. No matter the location—big city, small town, or European kingdom—her feel-good stories always end with a happily ever after. She’s grateful for the support of her family, her robot floor cleaner, and her reluctant writing partner (her dog).
Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

Ends November 19, 2020
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Friday, July 31, 2020

Prism Book Tour of Under The Shade of the Banyan Tree by Simi K. Rao

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree:

Poems, Rants, and Short Stories

By Simi K. Rao
Poetry, Short Stories
Paperback & ebook, 144 Pages
November 22, 2019

Life is not about achieving perfection, it's about reconciling with your imperfections.

Poems are fragments of life. In Simi K. Rao’s unique poetry collection for women, there are blissful moments; deep, invisible wounds; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. The poems and prose pieces compiling the collection are fragments of life elucidating the different phases of the human condition. Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree will leave readers wanting for more and have a deep impact on women of all ages. 

(Affiliate links included.)


Excerpt

The Ritual
(A Short Story)

It happened at one of the five-star hotels, Marriott I think, the fancy one in Juhu. Thank heavens it wasn’t at his home.

The room was cavernous and daunting, with creepy shadows all over created by the hidden lighting everyone is so crazy about nowadays. I was led in by two of my new husband’s giggly cousins. I’d have loved to smack their pretty faces, but that’d have invited a huge ruckus. Besides, I was preoccupied.

I was terrified. Terrified of doing it with someone I didn’t know anything about. What little I did know could be googled on the web. But then, was my lot different from most other women? Examples were all around me— my mom, my aunts, cousins, and friends.

Maybe it was because everything had happened so fast; because I had no clue of the future; because the ghost of Rohan still clung to me like my own shadow. Because. Because. Because…

The elaborately made up bed; the cloying scent of jasmine; the milk on the nightstand—it all sent me into a state of panic.

I felt sick.

We Indians talk so much about sanskars and morality and then a single ritual authorizes sex between perfect strangers. Madness!

I was desperate to make a run for it. But my Indianness— my culture—held me back. The scenes from the aftermath played in my mind. People searching all over for me. The terrible shame. I didn’t really care. But my parents would. Besides, where would I go? No lover was waiting for me with open arms.

It was depressing, but not worth dwelling on. I was, am a practical woman.

I spied my overnight bag set discreetly in a corner. Someone had been thoughtful enough to bring it in for me. I yanked at my jewelry, not caring when it caught on the fabric of my neon pink brocade saree. I quickly changed into the new red silk nightie I had bought on an impulse a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know what had prompted me to do so. It all seemed so silly now. The fine fabric felt cool on my skin.

I took the left side of the bed as it was closest to the window. That would give me something to stare at while…I couldn’t bring myself to think about what would happen next.

I lay down and was almost immediately seized by a violent shiver. Even my teeth chattered.

I tugged the cotton sheet loose and wrapped it snugly around myself and tucked it under my feet. Then I pulled the subtly perfumed heavy patchwork quilt on top. Maybe it was the weight or the warmth, but it helped me calm down.

I was about to drift off to sleep when I heard the door click open behind me, followed by the sound of creaky, new leather sandals. The muffled sound of running water in the bathroom was almost drowned out by my pulse banging in my head. I held my breath, waiting, hoping for a miracle. They say if you wish really hard for something you can make it happen.

I got the shock of my life when the bed sank under his weight. He slipped his arm around me. It was icy cold. I wrapped mine tight across my chest as he spooned my entire length with his body and nuzzled into my neck.

I squeezed my legs together and closed my eyes. His breath smelled extra minty. He was trying too hard.

“Are you asleep?”

“No,” I said quietly.

His thing rubbed into my backside. I had felt one before. In the local bus, as a schoolgirl; as a teenager and a young adult, victimized by the random sexual predator. I wanted to throw up. Instead, I tried to squeeze myself tighter and sink inside.

He tried to roll me over.

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Please Suraj! I don’t think I’m ready yet.”

It’s fair to say he didn’t force himself on me. For that, I was grateful.


About the Author


Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her work and experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles, and familial relationships. Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian American women face in real life. 

 She is a practicing physician, and much of her downtime is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction and poetry, and photography. She is also an avid reader and traveler and has visited many locations around the world. She has written four novels. Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree is her first collection of poems and short stories. She is currently working on a new novel. 

 She lives in Denver with her family. To learn more about Simi or her books, visit SimiKRao.com or find her on Facebook.
Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway

Two winners will each receive an ebook of Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree by Simi K. Rao (US only) Ends August 5, 2020               



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Monday, October 15, 2018

Prism Book Tour ~ Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Legacy of Mercy
(Waves of Mercy #2)
By Lynn Austin

 Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 400 Pages
October 2nd 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

 She Knew Her New Life Would Not Be Easy,
But Nothing Could Prepare Her For What Waits Ahead

 Having returned to Chicago, young socialite Anna Nicholson can't seem to focus on her upcoming marriage. The new information she's learned about her birth mother continues to pull at her, and she hires Pinkerton detectives to help her discover the whole truth.

 But as she meets people who once knew her mother and hears stories about the past, Anna soon discovers that some secrets are better left hidden. With pressure mounting to keep the past quiet, she discovers daily that her choice to seek God's purpose for her life isn't as simple as she had hoped.

 When things are at their darkest, Anna knows she can turn to her grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, back in Holland, Michigan. Geesje's been helping new Dutch immigrants--including a teen with a troubled history--adjust to America. She only hopes that her wisdom can help all these young people through the turmoil they face.

 Praise for the Book
"Varying points of view, well-placed clues, and an interesting subplot about Anna's grandmother welcoming Dutch immigrants to Michigan keeps the story interesting. Austin skillfully embeds her strong spiritual message into the actions of her characters, creating a wonderful historical tale that is naturally inspirational."--Publishers Weekly starred review

 Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Book Depository│Christianbook│Kobo│Bethany House
Excerpt:
       “I’m hoping that the detectives have information about who my real father is.”
       Mother purses her lips as if it will help hold her anger inside. When she finally speaks she sounds calm, but I know she’s not. “Isn’t it enough to know your mother’s story and how she died? You need to leave the rest of it alone, Anna, and get on with your life.”
    “But I’m curious about my father, too. If he really is Jack Newell, I would like to know what happened to him and why I don’t remember him at all.”
       “You may learn something very unsavory. It’s a stone best left unturned.”
       “I can’t leave it. I want to know.”
       “Listen to me.” She grips my arm again and hushes her voice as if she doesn’t want anyone to overhear, even though the only person near enough is our driver—and he would never tell family secrets, would he? “It’s entirely possible that your parents never married, Anna. If that turns out to be true, we would be obligated to make William and his family aware of it.”
       “Of course I’ll tell William. He’s going to be my husband. He’ll want to know who I really am as much as I do.”
       “That isn’t true. You are the only one who is obsessed with this. William and his family would prefer not to know.”
       I stare at her in surprise. “Did they tell you that? William never mentioned it to me.”
       “His mother let me know in a very delicate way that they would be happier not to have the past exhumed. Most of Chicago society has no idea you’re even adopted, let alone what your background is, because frankly, it’s none of their business. William’s mother and I both feel that the past should remain buried. As William’s wife, you must be above reproach. We cannot allow any unsavory details about your parents to taint your reputation.”
       “I promise that no one outside our family will ever know what I discover. But I have to keep searching until I learn the truth.”
“Once it’s out of the box, the truth can rarely be concealed. The harder one tries to hide it, the juicier the gossip becomes.”

Other Books in the Series
Waves of Mercy
(Waves of Mercy #1)
By Lynn Austin
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 4th 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

 Haunted by the Unknowns of Their Pasts,

 Two Women Search for Answers Along the Shores of Lake Michigan

 Chicago socialite Anna Nicholson retreats to the Hotel Ottawa in Holland, Michigan, after breaking her engagement with her wealthy fiancé. Filled with questions about her newfound faith and troubled by a recurring nightmare, Anna finds solace in Derk Vander Veen, a seasonal hotel worker who plans to go into the ministry.

Prompted by a request from her son, Geesje de Jonge begins to sift through memories of emigrating from the Netherlands almost fifty years ago. As she writes them down for the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the town's settlement, her story takes on a life of its own as she honestly and painfully recalls her regrets, doubts, hardships, and joys. Her story captivates Derk, who sees similarities between Geesje and Anna, and wishes to bring the two together.

Past and present collide as Anna and Geesje seek clarity, but neither expects the revelations that await them.

Praise for the Book
"Interlacing the past with the present-day lives of Anna and Geesje, Austin compassionately delivers a moving tale of family bonds, tests of faith, and abiding love."--Booklist starred review

"Austin has crafted an interesting, historically accurate portrait of two profoundly different characters: one looking back at life, the other taking her first faltering steps toward independence."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author
Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home in western Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest
Tour Giveaway
One Grand Prize Winner will receive Waves of Mercy and Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin and tulip notecards.

Two additional winners will receive Waves and Mercy and Legacy of Mercy.
For US winners only—international readers may enter, but a $35 gift card will be substituted for their prize if they are chosen as winners.
Ends October 26, 2018


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                                               Check out the Bookstagram Tour schedule                                                                                         October 22 - 26 here!
Tour Schedule
October 15th:
Launch
Cover Lover Book Review
An Indie Adventure
Author Kelly D. Scott

 October 16th:
Romancing History
Uplifting Reads

 October 17th:
The Power of Words
Hearts & Scribbles

 October 18th:
Fiction Aficionado
Splashes of Joy

 October 19th:
Wishful Endings
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Rockin' Book Reviews

 October 22nd:
Among the Reads
Book by Book

 October 23rd:
Jen Around the World
Heidi Reads...

 October 24th:
Jorie Loves A Story
Radiant Light

 October 25th:
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books

 October 26th:
Reading Is My SuperPower
Remembrancy



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Thursday, July 12, 2018

Prism Book Tour Featuring Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell

On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Excerpt below, don't miss it.

Stolen Obsession
(Annalisse Series #1)

 By Marlene M. Bell
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Paperback & ebook, 294 Pages
June 30th 2018 by Ewephoric Publishing

 People die, but legends live on.

 New York antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury recently lost her best friend to murder. The killer’s identity may be linked to her friend’s expensive missing bracelet—a 500-year-old artifact that carries an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family.

 Weeks later, Annalisse sees a matching necklace at a Manhattan gallery opening. She begs the owner to destroy the cursed piece, but her pleas fall on deaf ears—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act.

 Desperate, Annalisse enlists the gallery owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.

 Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his mother, feared dead or kidnapped. When the killer changes tactics and goes after Alec behind Annalisse’s back, can her plan to rescue Alec’s mother save them all?

Hold on for a heart-thumping, thrilling adventure through exotic lands in this fast-moving romantic suspense mystery by Marlene M. Bell.

Praise for the Book

 "Debut author Bell delivers a great, slow-building romance, gently examining her characters' painful pasts." — Kirkus Reviews

 "An irresistible page turner and a successful melding of thriller and romance. With a splash of international adventure and plenty of surprises, Stolen Obsession is an entertaining read and a great beginning to the Annalisse Series." — Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
About the Author



Marlene M. Bell is an acclaimed artist and photographer as well as a writer. Her sheep landscapes grace the covers of publications such as, Sheep!, The Shepherd, Ranch & Rural Living and Sheep Industry News. Ewephoric, her mail order venture, began in 1985 out of a desire for realistic sheep stationery. A color catalog of non-fiction books and sheep-related gifts may be requested at www.marlenembell.com or www.texassheep.com. Marlene and her husband, Gregg reside on a wooded ranch in East Texas with their 50 head of Horned Dorset sheep, a lovable Maremma guard dog named, Tia, and 3 spoiled cats who rule the household.
- 1 Grand Prize winner will receive: One signed copy of STOLEN OBSESSION, One lined Journal with handcrafted pen, One set of Wool Dryer Balls, a Pair of Stolen Obsession style earrings and a $50 gift card from Amazon

 - 4 winners will each receive: One signed copy of Stolen Obsession, One sheep bookmark, One lined journal and a pair of Stolen Obsession-style earrings-Gold-various styles

 - US only
- Ends July 25th

Excerpt:

Annalisse set her purse down into the flipped over cushions on the couch, repositioned them, and stepped through what used to be neat stacks, years of gallery research. A groan passed her lips when she walked to the desk marred with new scratches, bereft of her monitor and tower hard drive. She looked around the room for her laptop; it, too, was missing.

Cursing under her breath, she saw her prized possession, a two-foot bronze statue of a shepherdess with a pair of sheep grazing near her feet, lying on its side next to a toppled plant stand. An expensive work of art from Florence she’d had no business buying, but she couldn’t resist. When Generosa had called from Italy describing it, Annalisse had to have it. Everyone who knew her well understood her love for sheep. Even if she’d declined Generosa’s offer to bring it back for her, she’d felt certain the bronze would end up in her hands eventually.

Alec waited by the stairs and whispered, “Your bedroom up there?” He pointed upstairs.

She nodded, lifted the mahogany stand upright and, with both hands, replaced the hefty bronze to its rightful place next to the desk.

“Stay downstairs. You’ll be safer. I won’t be long, and I’ll look for your cat.” Alec hit the first step.

“Be careful.”

Whoever destroyed her home had acted with malice. They had her personal data and internet search history, where she shopped online, email correspondence as well as business contacts. A privacy breach she couldn’t afford. Compiling a list of possible suspects in her head, she felt so violated, even more so than by what had happened with Peter. Names and faces blurred together. With fingertips pressed at her temples, she willed the jackhammers in her head to stop.

Raising her arms, as if a make-believe thief told her to, she said, “I give up. I may as well set a match to this place, for all the good it’s going to do me now.”

Alec uttered a sentence upstairs she couldn’t make out.

“Alec, did you find Boris?”

The sound of shuffling filtered downstairs then a thump.

“Alec, what fell?” She looked up at an empty landing.

The unnatural silence pricked the hairs straight out on her neck. “Answer me.”

A mechanical voice broke the silence. “Don’t move.”

She stopped breathing and froze, afraid to look up, but then looked anyway.

A figure in a brownish ski mask and desert camouflage occupied the top of the staircase. Holding Alec. He—or she— held him at gunpoint. One arm cradled Alec’s waist and a black pistol so close to Alec’s right ear, his curls hid part of the barrel.

She’d expected Alec’s expression to be as wild as hers must have been, but he appeared strangely calm.

“I’m all right, Annalisse.”

“Shut up.” The voice was distorted with some kind of voice altering mechanism. Deep tones, similar to a bumblebee in distress. 






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Friday, May 25, 2018

Prism Book Tour Featuring Author Jennifer Silverwood's ~ Silver Hollow

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Ye Olde English


I’ve always been a big fan of nonsense words, like in Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky poem. My first edition of Silver Hollow, I let that flight of fancy go to town. It was fun creating nonsense words for my local “hollow folk” and I felt enriched the experience. Plus, it was fun to confuse my main character. Unfortunately I also managed to confuse many a reader not accustomed to such fiddle-faddle. Thankfully, I had the sense to create a glossary for reference.

Six years later, while my love of language remains strong, my sense of control has greatly increased. So while we still have a few fun nonsense “Hollow” words, there are equally the amount of actual old and middle English thrown amix. I wanted to give you a better sense of realism this time and given the magical setting and history of the Borderlands, I pulled from true history. For your (and my) enjoyment, here are a list of phrases you’ll see in Silver Hollow 2018 with their meaning below:

Beek- to bask in the sun or a warm fire

Bilge Scum- comparing one to the filthy underbelly of a ship

Bellibone- A lovely maiden, pretty lass.

Breedbate- A person or something that creates strife.

Carked- Fretfully anxious.

Chitty-face- A person with a thin, pinched face; a term of contempt.

Daggle-tail- An untidy woman.

Fonkin – a little fool

Gramercy- Thank you

Hufty-tufty- A braggart.

Kiss the Hare’s Foot - To be so late as to miss dinner; to eat leftover scraps.

Mumper - a beggar, one who sponges off others.

Poplolly- A little darling; a female favorite; or a mistress.

Reaks- Pranks or practical jokes.

Samded- Half-dead

Skive- an old crone’s tough hide

Waghalter- A rogue likely to swing in a gallows.

“We beseek you meekly”- Form of please in Medieval English

― Jennifer

Sources:
-Peer Review: A948099 - The Geoffrey Chaucer Phrase Book.
-Susan Kelz Sperling, Poplollies and Bellibones, A Celebration of Lost Words,1977

-Manorial Language: http://home.olemiss.edu/~tjray/medieval/manorial.htm



Silver Hollow

(Borderlands Saga #1)
By Jennifer Silverwood

 Urban Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 429 pages

 May 31st 2018 by SilverWoodSketches

 "I shouldn't have to tell you this isn't a fairy story..."

 After her parents' car crash ten years before, Amie Wentworth trusts books more than people. She may be a writer, but she believes in reality over fiction. She ignores the unexplained mysteries surrounding her, never mind the dreams of a past life, or the fact she can fry technology with a touch. Not even a timely invitation from her long-lost uncle in England gives Amie incentive for anything other than ire.

 Until she is stabbed in an alley and brought back to life by a handsome stranger. Soon Amie is dragged into the very sort of tale she is used to selling. To make matters worse, the man who saved her life keeps turning up and her would-be-murderer is still at large.

 After crossing the Atlantic to her father’s homeland, she discovers a world beyond imagining. Silver Hollow is a place of ancient traditions and supernatural dangers, where everything is the opposite of what it seems and few escape sane. Faced with an impossible choice, Amie is forced to confront a deadly family legacy while remembering a life she soon wishes to forget.

 **Previously published in 2012. This NEW EDITION has been FULLY REVISED AND EXPANDED. The original novel is now no longer available.**

About the Author


 Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of two series—Heaven's Edge and Wylder Tales—and the stand-alone titles Stay and Silver Hollow.




PRIZE PACK #1: 1 winner will receive new Silver Hollow swag, themed bookmarks, stickers, bookish themed tote, and B&N Illustrated Hardcover Editions of Grimm's Fairy Tales and The Story of King Arthur & His Knights (US only)

 PRIZE PACK #2: 1 winner will receive signed swag (mainly Silver Hollow and Wylder Tales), ebooks of the Wylder Tales Collection, and a free voucher for Bound Beauty to be published later in 2018 (open internationally)
ENDS: June 6th

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