Knowing Vera Giveaway!

ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN THEIR CHOICE OF 

$20 AMAZON / PAYPAL GIFTCARD

PLUS A PRINTED BOOK FROM RACHELLE AYALA

Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide !!

Vera Custodio has never fallen in love, though she has strong feelings for her friend and sometimes lover, Zach Spencer. Long-forgotten memories resurface when Vera discovers Zach’s mother was the woman her father supposedly murdered many years ago.

After losing his leg, former triathlete Zach Spencer reevaluates his life—and realizes he’s falling in love with Vera. After she ends their relationship, Zach is determined to prove his love and follows her to Australia in search of the killer.

Caught between a web of family secrets and a deranged adversary, Vera and Zach must depend on each other for survival. Love blossoms, but the truth explodes everything Vera knows about herself. Will she close her heart forever or risk it all for a shot at happily-ever-after?

Book 3 of The Chance For Love Series - Each book can be read standalone, but earlier plots will be revealed by reading later books.

Winners Choice of Book (plus $20 Amazon/Paypal Giftcard)
Michal's Widow
Michal is one of those fascinating women in history who had the guts to stand up to the establishment and the courage to take her punishment. I knew there was more to her story than the surface presentation in the Bible. If God was so adamant about men remaining with the wife of their youth (Proverbs 5:18-19) and not mistreating their covenant wife (Malachi 2:14), then why did it seem as if David got away with his burgeoning harem? 

Michal was shortchanged in most history books, novels and Bible commentaries, so I wrote my own version of her story to vindicate this heroic woman, too strong for her time.

#1 of The Chance For Love Series - Broken Build (Dave & Jen)
When a woman wrongs a man… can a man forgive and love?

Jen Jones wasn't a criminal. She just made a few bad choices and ruined a few lives, primarily that of her boss, CEO Dave Jewell. When her blackmailer is murdered, she becomes the next target.

Dave Jewell protects Jen because she holds the key to his company's code. What he doesn't expect is love, lies, and a link to his past. Jen must solve the mystery and thwart a ruthless killer while keeping her heart from being broken.



#2 of The Chance For Love Series - Hidden Under Her Heart (Maryanne & Lucas)
Maryanne Torres has sworn off sex. Intent on finding a marrying man, she joins a church youth group. A party at her pastor’s house turns into a drinking binge, and Maryanne is raped.

Lucas Knight’s only concern was winning the Ironman Triathlon until the morning he finds Maryanne unconscious in the church parking lot. He becomes the prime suspect, even though Maryanne cannot identify her attacker.

Maryanne wants justice but the identity of her rapist is hidden in the baby she plans to abort. A trap is set. Lucas races to clear his name and keep Maryanne’s secret from drowning her and her baby.

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Live Giveaway!

One Lucky Winner will win $20 Amazon Giftcard,

courtesy of author of Wonderfully Dysfunctional: it must be genetic, Buffi Neal

Ending on Sunday 15th December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide 

The true story of... A woman who laughs at funerals. A gypsy mother who refuses to wear a bra and a father who refuses to leave his first wife. A brother who sleeps under the coffee table and a sister who was kidnapped. A cheating minister, a missing uncle and a feisty, red-headed grandmother who was longing to leave it all.

Buffi always knew her family was unusual, but she was lucky enough to escape that gene. Or was she? Joined by her siblings at the bedside of their dying grandmother, Buffi begins on a journey of self discovery as they recall stories of their youth including juicy family secrets, inappropriate practical jokes, abuse and betrayal. She is on a quest to find Normal but finds herself instead.

It Must be Genetic is about an American family of no particular importance, descendants of the once wealthy and revered Perry clan, but stripped of their family wealth during the Great Depression. It’s full of quirky characters like grandmother Mopsie; a sexy divorced mother of two in the 1950’s who would turn the heads of her conservative neighbors when hosting the best poker parties in town, but who can now be found sleeping her days away in the bed of a nursing home. The story climaxes when Mopsie accidentally reveals a secret that sends her family frantically searching through old documents to find the son she gave up for adoption half a century ago.

It Must be Genetic is about acceptance, forgiveness and the great capacity to love. The story is written from the perspective of a third generation divorced mother, Buffi, who realizes that the very traits that make her family dysfunctional may be the same traits that make it so wonderful. At 64,000 words, it's paced for a quick-and-easy read.

Author's Website

Buy the book from.....
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble

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Live Giveaway!

3 LUCKY WINNERS WILL EACH WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFTCARD

Courtesy of author of Both Sides, Paul Stawski

Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide !!

Imagine if you were in a tragic accident – unable to move or speak but otherwise cognizant of everything around you. Imagine hearing doctors deciding your fate without you having a voice in the outcome.

Alex is a 16-year-old girl who finds herself in that exact situation in Both Sides, a novel that begins when – while on a class field trip – Alex and another girl, Sandra, end up in a horrible accident.

If the doctors act quickly, they may be able to save one body…and one brain. Amid the confusion and uncertainty, we hear everything that’s going on in Alex’s mind – from her initial disbelief to her quips about the absurdity of it all to her realization that she may have to go through the rest of her life living in the body of a girl she couldn’t stand. If she survives.

Both Sides tackles these issues and more. Within its pages every reader will find her own answers and discover, in the end, a story of courage and a girl who never before existed.

Award-winning author Paul E. Stawski captures the minute-by-minute struggles of a 16-year-old girl whose world is suddenly turned upside down in Both Sides. Radical brain surgery is the only option. Time is running out and Alex’s mind is racing: will she still be the same person when she comes out on the other side?

Author's Website

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iTunes

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Both Sides Review

Imagine if you were in a tragic accident – unable to move or speak but otherwise cognizant of everything around you. Imagine hearing doctors deciding your fate without you having a voice in the outcome.

Alex is a 16-year-old girl who finds herself in that exact situation in Both Sides, a novel that begins when – while on a class field trip – Alex and another girl, Sandra, end up in a horrible accident.

If the doctors act quickly, they may be able to save one body…and one brain. Amid the confusion and uncertainty, we hear everything that’s going on in Alex’s mind – from her initial disbelief to her quips about the absurdity of it all to her realization that she may have to go through the rest of her life living in the body of a girl she couldn’t stand. If she survives.

Both Sides tackles these issues and more. Within its pages every reader will find her own answers and discover, in the end, a story of courage and a girl who never before existed.

Award-winning author Paul E. Stawski captures the minute-by-minute struggles of a 16-year-old girl whose world is suddenly turned upside down in Both Sides. Radical brain surgery is the only option. Time is running out and Alex’s mind is racing: will she still be the same person when she comes out on the other side?

My Review

The plot to this book alone is intriguing in itself. For something so powerful I feel the author did a wonderful job. I love how the author portrays the teenagers as exactly that, teenagers. Alex is not the "lovey dovey" type. She is at the age where she just wants to be treated like an adult. She loves her parents but they should just know that already without her having to say anything. Her best friend can be both a convenience and inconvenience depending on who is around. Alex is just a typical teenager. I found myself wanting to tell her about herself many times.

I personally identified more with Sandra. So naturally I wished there was more written about her. It had to be extremely hard for Sandra's mother to look and her daughter's body and know it's not really her or is it? The moment when Alex cried but didn't want to,had me wondering if Sandra's body was functioning on it's own.

Both Sides is a great book and I can barely wait to read the second book and find out what life will be like for Alex and Sandra. Who's in control, Alex or Sandra? Will the law change their mind and consider Alex/Sandra a living person? Will Alex/Sandra get to stay with Alex's parents or will Sandra's parents fight for custody?

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iTunes

About the Author
Paul E. Stawski won the Highlights for Children fiction contest for his short story, Code Red, a science-fiction story about a little girl who has to make a very grown-up decision. As a child, Paul was the subject of Newbery-Award winning author Lois Lenski's We Live in the North. Then, as an adult, he taught at an all-girls' high school before becoming a full-time writer. Both Sides is his first novel, he is currently writing the second book in the Both Sides series, Taking Sides due to be released January 2014. He lives in Troy, Michigan, with his wife and two cats.


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Website,  Facebook,  Twitter, Goodreads and YouTube

Taking Sides is the second book in the Both Sides series. In BOTH SIDES, Alex grappled with the idea of her brain being transplanted into Sandra’s brain-dead body. In TAKING SIDES, she struggles with her new reality, starting with the ride home from the hospital and the ensuing media circus. She’s now a celebrity who literally comes face-to-face with her new identity every time she looks in the mirror – and every time someone else looks at her. How will her friends react? How will Sandra’s? And what about their classmates and their parents? With everyone taking sides, Alex begins to wonder: is anyone on her side?

Tour Dates

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

Knowing Vera

Vera Custodio has never fallen in love, though she has strong feelings for her friend and sometimes lover, Zach Spencer. Long-forgotten memories resurface when Vera discovers Zach’s mother was the woman her father supposedly murdered many years ago.

After losing his leg, former triathlete Zach Spencer reevaluates his life—and realizes he’s falling in love with Vera. After she ends their relationship, Zach is determined to prove his love and follows her to Australia in search of the killer.

Caught between a web of family secrets and a deranged adversary, Vera and Zach must depend on each other for survival. Love blossoms, but the truth explodes everything Vera knows about herself. Will she close her heart forever or risk it all for a shot at happily-ever-after?

Book 3 of The Chance For Love Series - Each book can be read standalone, but earlier plots will be revealed by reading later books.


My Review

If you love twist and turns like I do you will love this book! This book was "jam packed" with drama, romance, mystery and culture. I just wanted to be entertained, but I was also educated on a culture I have never really known much about. And enjoyed every bit of it. The author is very detailed in her writing especially where it counts the most...... the romance. This book will have you never wanting to put it down. Before I knew it I had read the entire book! I haven't read the books before it but this is a great stand alone read. I was satisfied without wonder who was who and what was going on that I might have missed from the first book.

Spoiler Alert: (Somewhat)
Vera struggles with not only what love is but how to hold on to it. Being in love with the son of her father's murder victim is a lot to handle. She wants so badly for her father to have not been the killer that she follows mysterious leads all the way to Australia. She not only meets family that she has never met before but she learns so many things about her family that I for one would not have handled so gracefully. 

Vera may not have been one for love in the past but her lover Zach changes everything. His handsomeness on top of his charm reels her in slowly. Zach refuses to loose Vera to her uncle's friend Cliff. Cliff's flirting and determination to have Vera for himself only brings her closer to Zach her one true love. 

There is even a little surprise at the end of the book! Enjoy!

Buy the book from.....

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Other books in the Chance For Love Series

#1 Broken Build (Dave & Jen)

When a woman wrongs a man… can a man forgive and love?

Jen Jones wasn't a criminal. She just made a few bad choices and ruined a few lives, primarily that of her boss, CEO Dave Jewell. When her blackmailer is murdered, she becomes the next target.

Dave Jewell protects Jen because she holds the key to his company's code. What he doesn't expect is love, lies, and a link to his past. Jen must solve the mystery and thwart a ruthless killer while keeping her heart from being broken.


#2 Hidden Under Her Heart (Maryanne & Lucas)
Maryanne Torres has sworn off sex. Intent on finding a marrying man, she joins a church youth group. A party at her pastor’s house turns into a drinking binge, and Maryanne is raped.

Lucas Knight’s only concern was winning the Ironman Triathlon until the morning he finds Maryanne unconscious in the church parking lot. He becomes the prime suspect, even though Maryanne cannot identify her attacker.

Maryanne wants justice but the identity of her rapist is hidden in the baby she plans to abort. A trap is set. Lucas races to clear his name and keep Maryanne’s secret from drowning her and her baby.

About the author
Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic fiction crossing genres and boundaries featuring strong but flawed characters. She writes emotionally challenging stories and is not afraid of controversial topics. However, she is an optimist and laces her stories with romance and hope.

Rachelle is an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has three children and has taught violin and made mountain dulcimers.

Follow the author

Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Goodreads 

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

Slowly and Safely Becoming More Active

It's not easy going from not being active for years to running every other day. So here are a couple of tips for a person like myself who doesn't have health problems but would like to survive the workouts.

You will be tempted to get a gym membership and maybe even get a trainer. Stop and think for a moment. Gym's are okay if you are an active person so let's save that for after you get the hang of it. Instead let's start a lot slower.

Let's start with not sitting or lying down all day. It may seem simple and obvious to most but to someone that works sitting down or even standing you may want to more resting than working out. A lot of times we take our home time seriously. When you finally get home you just want to rest and do as minimal "work" as much as possible but if you have children under the age of 6, you know that that is not always possible. You have to look at the time you spend exercising as "me" time. You are taking time out for yourself and your health.

Do what you know you can do. Starting simple and easy with leg lifts and crunches. Dancing is always a great warm up. Turn the music up loud and escape. Stretch after about 5 minutes of dancing and head back into the workout that you love best. Clean the house in one go. Don't stop for breaks unless it is very necessary. Stand the entire time. If you hurt stop. Unless you are a fitness trainer who has been slacking off lately do not push yourself too hard. It's good to be sore the next day but not so much that you can't function normally.

Find things to keep you motivated. Update your playlist and get out there! If you have workout equipment at home you can turn on the t.v. as you workout. Before you know it you will be 30 to 40 minutes in. Listen to an audio book only when working out. If your book is interesting enough you will have the motivation needed to keep it up.

Get creative. If you don't have workout equipment available you can always find substitutes. Canned foods or water jugs make great light weights. Toddlers make for great heavier weights! Walk the children to/and from school. Go outside and play. Walk the lot a work on your breaks.

Treat yourself. Changing your lifestyle is a huge decision that takes a lot of self control. It's okay to have a treat every now and then as long as you don't over do it. This is something that you want to be able to do your entire life so be realistic about your eating habits.

Be Proud. Get pumped about the little things. So what you only walked for 10 minutes. That's 10 minutes more than you did yesterday! Congratulations! If you ate one bag of chips instead of two. Congratulations! No matter what you weigh or how old you are it is a wonderful thing to make lifestyle choices that could prolong your health. Congratulations!

Things to Know When Everything Seems to be Falling Apart

We have all had bad days, but what about when those days turn into weeks or even months or maybe even years? I have a few things that might help you to peel away your anxieties and worries. WARNING: I'm not certified in anything other than life and it has shown me that greater is always coming.

You're Not Alone

The first thing that I tell myself when things are not going as I expect them is that I'm not alone. There is some one else out there that has or is going through the exact same thing that I am going through right now. Although your problem still exist, it can be somewhat soothing to know that the universe is not picking on you.

There are People Who Care

Asking for help does not come easy to everyone but, if you can lower your pride just long enough, you never know who will become a blessing to you. I have taken people and animals into my home many times. Why because I hope that someone would be that kind to me if and when I need help someday. Family would be a great start. Church members would be the next best step. If you're not a part of a church home it's okay. A true Christian will do all they can to help no matter if you're a Christian also or not.

God Loves You

Sometimes you just feel alone and unloved. I know these feelings from experience. God has even felt this way. That is why you are capable to feel these feelings because he feels them also. Are we not made in his image? There are times when we may have even made God feel unloved. Unlike human love, God's love for us is unconditional. No matter how much we hurt him he will  always love us. Sometimes his love comes in the form of correction. If you seem to be having the same problem over and over again God maybe trying to correct something in your life or in the life of someone close to you.

Greater is Coming

No matter how long you may have been hurting or struggling please know that greater is coming.You have to go through in order to come out. If you feel as if you may not make it, consider that if you quit you'll never get to reap what you sowed. All of your struggling and hard work would have been for nothing. There is a blessing with your name on it. Don't give up!

Things To Keep Your Spirits High

• Pray
• Listen to music preferably spiritual
• Smile even when it hurts
• Draw or Color (yes color)
• Craft something or work on a hobby
• Think Positive (ALWAYS)
• Remind yourself of the things/people you live for
• Watch funny movies/cartoons
• Do family activities (game night)
• Cook something from scratch (always interesting)
• Journal your feelings
• Call a favorite friend or family member
• Visualize the things you want and know that they are yours

A stray we received a few days ago. We are fattening him up and preparing him for his vaccinations then we may or may not re-home him. We haven't named him yet.

This weeks nail color is Provoke.