It’s time for a cover reveal Monday! ( I don’t think I’ll turn this into a thing, but you can never be too sure 🙂 )
Cover Reveal For: Almana
Book Blitz for: Mayan Blood + Author Interview (& Giveaway)
Woo-hoo! I have another book blitz and giveaway post for you guys today! Plus, an author interview with Theresa DaLayne. 🙂
Mayan Blood (Stone Legacy #1)
Author: Theresa DaLayne
Release Date: December 29th 2015
Limitless Publishing
Pre-order link: Amazon
Synopsis:
Their empires have fallen, but their mythology lives on…
Zanya Coreandero is a seventeen-year-old orphan with only a single friend and no hope for a normal life. Diagnosed with anxiety and night terrors, no one believes her cuts and bruises are a result of an evil entity, and not a brutal case of self-harm.With the only home she’s ever known being the isolated institution—where breakfast is a handful of medications, the psychiatry sessions are mandatory, and her every move is watched—the only relief is her red-haired roommate named Tara, who’s more like a little sister than her best friend.
Free will is strong, but destiny is stronger.
When Zanya is kidnapped, she meets a group of gifted Mayan descendants, each with a unique ability. Gone from a nameless castaway to the only hope of mankind, Zanya is forced to make a grueling decision: bond with an enchanted stone and save humanity from rising underworld forces, or watch helplessly as Earth falls victim to a familiar dark deity from her dreams. This time, he’s playing for keeps.
A wicked secret hides behind a handsome face…
When Arwan, a dark-eyed timebender, takes interest in Zanya’s mission, it’s unclear if his intention is to help, or if he’s on a hell-bent mission for revenge. Wary of falling for another guy with major secrets and a tainted past, Zanya fights to keep her distance. If only her heart gave her a choice.
As I’ve said before, these types of books always catch my attention, so I’m pretty excited for this one. ^__^ The author interview is just below, but be sure to stick around for the giveaway at the end of the post!
Now, on to the author interview with Theresa DaLayne:
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
No, not even close. In fact, in grade school I was a terrible reader and had very bad grades. I had to go through additional tutoring in order to read simple stories and struggled for years with literacy. Only when I was in high school did I fall in love with writing. It started in journalism and branched out from there.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
When I read an article—can’t remember which one—that said, “If you love to write, you’re a writer. You have something important to say. Something others want to hear. Don’t ever forget that.” I had to believe that or I wouldn’t have made it through some of the struggles I faced as a self-taught writer. And you know what they say: If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
I wrote my first book in 2011 and it was published in 2012. It was a very accomplished moment because I’m a self-taught author with no professional training, and I was still very new to the literary industry.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
Yes. In addition to writing, I also manage an online Amazon store, and I also write the official book blurbs for Limitless Publishing. It’s a fun mix and I love it.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My most recently published book is Mayan Blood, book 1 of The Stone Legacy series. Twenty words? That’s tough. How about…Disturbed teen discovers Mayan bloodlines and faces the grueling decision of embracing her destiny or running for her life.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
I have two fantastic publishers. Bloomsbury Spark who published my new adult contemporary romance, THE EDGE OF YOU.
Limitless Publishing has both of my series—The Stone Legacy series and a new young adult inspirational series, The Five Pillar series.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I’d say about nine months. That is from an idea to a clean draft. But that’s just me. Everyone is different. It also depends on my kids’ schedule and how much extra time I have.
Book Review: Food52 Vegan Cookbook
I received this lovely cookbook from Bloggingforbooks and initially I was motivated to review this cookbook because my brother has been curious about becoming vegan since he switched up his eating habits.
He even asked me for a few tips and advice since I’m a vegetarian and do frequently make vegan dishes. However, I am no expert and since I have been a vegetarian for over seven years, I’ve developed my own internal method and regimen when it comes to the foods I eat.
So, when I saw the opportunity to review Gena Hamshaw’s Food52 Vegan book it felt like fate because besides the recipes, the book offers beginners tips, ingredient substitutions options and a whole section on general vegan cooking basics.
It was really difficult to pick just one thing to try out and review, so I ended up doing three from this book: Roasted Ratatouille, a Penne with Summer Squash, Corn and Herbs, and Sweet Pea Hummus, with a few alterations because of personal preferences.
Now, my photography skills are not as great as those in the book, but I am extremely proud of the fact that my creations resemble the originals so closely. ^__^
First, I did the Sweet Pea Hummus:
This was really fun for me because I had never made homemade hummus before and it turned out fantastic! Not to mention, I that I am a snacker with crackers.
If I wasn’t spreading the humus on some Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits…
Then I was spreading on some rye toast and topping it with some scrambled eggs…
Or putting it a veggie tortilla wrap with a Boca spicy chik’n patty. Soo yum!
Next, I tried the Penne with Summer Squash, Corn and Herbs recipe:
The first alteration I made to this one was that I used zucchini (which the book offers as an alternative) instead of summer squash because I felt that the dish would be sweeter than I would have liked.
The second alteration I made what I used my favorite pasta for this dish which was Ronzoni’s Garden Delights for an added pop or color and nutrition. And I topped it with a bit of tofu.
The third and final recipe I tried was the Roasted Ratatouille
and it was really, really good.
Overall, I think this book is hidden goldmine. The recipes are extremely varied and easy to follow. The only thing I would like to point out is that if you are unfamiliar with figuring out how to adjust serving size portions, the recipes in this book could be a bit confusing.
All of the dishes in the book give serving suggestions, but since I was trying these out for only two people, my measurements and estimates were about a quarter or half of the recommended amounts in the book.
Thanks so much for reading. Until next time,
Gia.
Book Review: Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis #1)
“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”
Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis #1)
by Kelsey Ketch
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology
Release Date: October 26, 2013
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |Kobo | Smashwords
Synopsis:
Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.
The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.
Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.
The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.
*Note: Content for Upper YA*
Book Spotlight & Interview Post For: Sanctuary
Sanctuary
by Zainab T. Khan
Release Date: December 19th 2015 (Pre-order Now Available. )
Genre: Young Adult, Short Story
Synopsis:
Sanctuary (n.) the protection that is provided by a safe place.
“And Sanctuary was the right word to describe our small town with its mouth-watering Pakistani fruits, Spain’s bullfighting, Italian pizzas, French artists, Indian spices, Korean kimchi, and Turkish delights. Because to every single one of us – a Pakistani, Spanish, Indian, Korean, French, Italian, and Turkish – it was a sanctuary. Our own safe haven. Our home with its different cultural styles yet with a culture of its own.”
A Prelude to The Interview:
One of the main reasons I am so excited for Sanctuary’s release is the fact that it is built on such a multicultural foundation and, if you know anything about me, you should know how much I love studying, reading, experiencing and talking about all things multi-culture related. As a double plus, plus for this book promotion event, I had the opportunity to interview Zainab T. Khan, the author of this lovely novelette. My quick Q & A is just below, but be sure to check out Sanctuary when it’s released on December 19th and visit Zainab’s webpage. ^___^
What’s was it that sparked your inspiration to write Sanctuary?
I’m a sociology student so it always strike me hard when I read about discrimination. It’s unfair. And I despise unfair things. So I tried to create a world (a town, basically) which had no discrimination of any kind, but mainly on ethnic grounds.
Were the stories in Sanctuary solo pieces that you put together, or were they always meant to be in a book?
They always meant to be in a continuous novel, despite its short length. It made more sense to have a multicultural town rather than writing solo stories.
What would you say was your favorite story from this book to write?
I loved writing about Italian wedding, Enrique and Giovanna’s. Also the masquerade ball.
Is there a character from Sanctuary, or any other book (that you’ve written or read) that you wish you could be friends with in real life? If so, why?
That’s a real difficult question. I’m not sure how to answer that. Just one person? Aw, man. Okay, it’s a tie, between Fern, from Making Faces by Amy Harmon, and Millie, from The Song of David by Amy Harmon. There is a long list of reasons behind my choice but I’m afraid if I start writing it down, the answer will turn into a lengthy essay.
What were some of the things you had to research before you began creating such a culturally infused town in Sanctuary?
Languages. Names. Their country’s specialties. And some of their traditions.
If different from the book, could you describe your ideal sanctuary?
Home. My ideal sanctuary would be home. It is my home. A sanctuary is described as a safe place. Home is one place where I feel nothing but at ease. So that’s my ideal Sanctuary. It’s all thanks to my parents and grandparents who turned house into a home, then home into a sanctuary.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hello, you beautiful person.
The only thing you need to know about is my favourite book boyfriends (Yes, boyfriend(s), deal with it. We all have them.) Jesse de Silva, Maxon Schreave, and Flynn Rider (he’s a fictional character too) and of course Adrian Ivashkov. Oh, how I wish I could resist them. But, David ‘Tag’ Taggert has my heart. Sorry, you four gorgeous guys.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website |Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr
Thanks so much for the interview, Zainab! ❤ 🙂
And thank you so much for reading. Until next time,
Gia.
Book Review: The Time Chamber
The Time Chamber by Daria Song
I received Daria Song’s The Time Chamber book from Bloggingforbooks in exchange for an honest review. This was my first adult coloring book ever and I’m so happy to say that I think this book is really amazing. It made me feel like an artist! 🙂
This book is also really relaxing and easy to get lost in because it was so mind clearing and stress-relieving for me, it kind of reminded me of playing Sudoku or putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
There is no rush to get through the pages, or the little story inside of the book about a curious fairy (which made me think of Tinker Bell) who decides to explore the world outside of her home in a cuckoo clock. There is even a cute image index and hidden treasure key in the back of the book to reference for each page.
With so many tiny pieces of detail from cover to cover in this one book, there’s an endless list of color combinations, and levels of creativity that you can have with just this one book. Not to mention how much shelf life this book has.
You can take your time with these intricate images and watch them come to life the way you want them to. When I started to color in even the slightest bit of detail on a single page in this book, it felt like my mind and body began to relax.
There seems to be something very symbolic and meditative about coloring in all of these interactive details. Kind of like how as an adult you’re faced with millions of little problems and responsibilities all at once, but–as in life and–in this book you can really only do certain sections at a time.
That may be overtly dramatic, but you get my point. ^__^ I love, love, love this book. The patterns and layout is amazing. An instant favorite for some creative meditation.
Thanks so much for reading,
Gia.
Swirl by M.L. Spann Book Blitz
Are you looking for a steamy, New Adult read?
Swirl by M.L. Spann
a Swoon Romance title, may be just what you’re looking for!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Synopsis:
He needs her help.
She wants his heart.
Both will get more than they bargained for.
SWIRL is a steamy New Adult story about a girl in love with a guy who’s off limits at a time in her life where things are very much outside of her control.
After a handsome jerk publicly humiliates her because of her weight, 24-year-old Brianna “Bri” Davis hits an all-time low. With no career, no place to live, and no self-confidence to speak of, Bri has reached rock bottom.
The only stable thing in her crumbling life is the Drip Drop Coffee Shop, where she drowns her sorros in danishes and mugs of delicious coffee, served by an equally delicious barista.
28-year-old Jayce offers Bri a job, but it comes with strings attached: Bri must help him recapture the heart of his ex-girlfriend. She will remake him into a most irresistible specimen so that his ex has no choice but to take him back.
Excited to finally have an income, Bri jumps at the opportunity, especially if working next to Jayce all day is part of the deal. Who cares if the man she’s been pining away for has the hots for someone else?
And the ex he’s trying to win back? She’s more interested in what he can buy her than a real relationship. Why can’t Jayce see there’s a more deserving woman right in front of him?
Bri can’t take any more disappointment. So, going after Jayce is probably a bad idea. But then everything changes, and soon, the steam in Jayce’s lingering stare is hotter than the coffee they swirl.
Amazon | B&N
Megan Spann also known as M. L. Spann is an eclectic blend of sex, sarcasm, and a dash of darkness. Her love of books blossomed at an early age and it has developed into a passion for writing as well. She also writes darker fiction under the pen name M. T. Harrte. She’s definitely one of those people that carries around books in their bag. She adds a touch of sass to her novels by using her southern roots to set the tone.
She spent a great deal of her life moving from state to state with her military family, until finally settling down in Mississippi. Despite graduating from Ole Miss with a business degree and going on to gain a Master’s degree, she has decided to truly follow her heart by pursing a writing career.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card & your own digital copy of Swirl!
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Underneath Everything Book Review + Giveaway
Underneath Everything Book Tour Banner hosted by FFBC. So, be sure to follow the full Book Tour Schedule 🙂
Underneath Everything
by Marcy Beller Paul
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 27th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction
Rate: 4 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
Synopsis:
Mattie shouldn’t be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason.
But now Mattie is a senior, and she’s sick of missing things. So here she is.
And there’s Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove. Mattie would know; she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson.
But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can’t figure out where Jolene ends and she begins.
Because there’s something Mattie hasn’t told anyone—she walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left.
Poignant and provocative, Marcy Beller Paul’s debut novel tells the story of an intoxicating—and toxic—relationship that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, love and loyalty, friendship and obsession.
Whether it was the lyrical or rhythmic way in which Marcy Beller Paul coursed Mattie’s unique story, I am sincerely grateful and in awe, that Underneath Everything was my first official Blog Tour book.
Mattie, the main character is quiet, calculative and extremely self aware with the people in her life. Even with her closest, tethering companion, Kris—whom she isn’t suppose to hold anything from—but she does.
And it is the small bread crumbs of the past that Mattie gives the reader as she not only recalls, but relives, over and over again, that kept me drawn to this story. Getting further and further into this story and realizing how cinched and interwoven Mattie was to Jolene, I started to realize just how addictive, yet toxic their relationship was.
The reader will watch as Mattie comes to grips with facing her past, the present and the future while she tries to get her barring over true friendship, love and the makings of her reality vs. the one around her as a result of her longing to be inimitable rather, “something new.”
The events that transpire between the main characters, Mattie, Jolene, Kris and Belle do push the dark boundaries in the book, but I felt that they were areas that needed to be explored to illustrate the serious, intense and dangerous realm that Kris and Mattie were so adamant about leaving behind*.
Likewise, Mattie and Jolene’s relationship borders a level of intimacy that goes beyond “friends,” which I think speaks to Mattie’s inner compass trying to tell her something she may not be aware of yet.
The poetic, literary narrative in which the story is told will make the reader fall that much more in love with the book’s main theme: knowing yourself/truly knowing who you are. (More or less) When you read Underneath Everything, you not only gain a better understanding of how and why Mattie still thinks, sees, hears and pines after a person who she knows, deep down in her gut is wrong for her, but also why she can’t seem to stop herself.
I have never been in such an intense, or toxic relationship as the one Jolene and Mattie have, but after reading this book I feel like I’ve lived through one. I really enjoyed the way Marcy not only exposed the reader to such a multifarious, condensed and rich topic, but also the way she exposes Mattie all the way down to her core. Thus, that in the end, Mattie is the one to save herself, see herself and love herself.
I recommend Underneath Everything for anyone who has been in a relationship or a friendship that was so gripping or suffocating that you thought there would never be a light at the end of the tunnel. A tether to someone with a pull so strong you feel you might never be able to cut that cord. A feeling of being so lost or so disconnected from who you are, on an unlit path, that you worry if you’ll ever find your way again.
Underneath Everything will take you on a string of emotions from start to finish, but it is one heck of a ride. 🙂
**(Side note: I have seen friends push the limits to be seen, to be remembered, to be popular or the center of attention over the years in school, so I didn’t feel all that all of the situations or actions that took place in this book were impossible to fathom.)
There were so many amazing lines and quotes from this book and I really wish I could share them all, alas I cannot. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to give this book a read. ❤ Be sure to enter the Book Giveaway below and follow the rest of the blog tour ^__^.
Follow the Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul Blog Tour and don’t miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.
Marcy Beller Paul is a young adult author, former editor, and full-time mom who still has all the notes she passed in seventh grade (and knows how to fold them).She graduated from Harvard University and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. Underneath Everything will be published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, in Fall 2015. It is her first novel.
raffle
Up Next On The Tour:
October 26th:
Collector of book boyfriends – Review
Ruth Reads – Review
nerdychampagne – Review + Playlist
October 27th:
Spiced Latte Reads – Review
A Perfection Called Books – Interview
One Night Book Stand – Guest Post
G. Jacks Writes (About Everything) 
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