Strange Daze Indeed

Gateway by Christina Garner  

Everybody has their demons. Some are just a little more real than others… Ember has always known she doesn’t belong in this world, but when she tries to correct the mistake, she wakes to find herself in a mental institution. There she draws the attention of Taren, a mysterious boy who isn’t what he seems. When chaos erupts, they are forced to flee the institution together, and the secret Taren has been keeping, brings Ember closer to understanding her own. And leads her to… the Gateway.  

Author Christina Garner 

Christina Garner began writing stories at the age of six, with some help from her older sister. At eighteen, her aspirations as an actor had her loading up her Buick and setting off for Hollywood. Since then, she has written and directed 10 short films, including Rewind and Reminder, both of which received acclaim on the festival circuit. In 2006, she began writing screenplays. A year later, she even got paid for one. In May of 2011, her debut novel, Gateway, became an Amazon Bestseller. A year later, Chasm, Book 2 in The Gateway Trilogy, did the same. Christina lives in Los Angeles, and when she’s not writing, spends her time traveling the world, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and playing with her dog, Griffin.  

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Illuminating Gracie by Lisa C. Temple

As an old woman’s lifeless body lies on a cold stone floor, her soul stands before an angel who offers her a miraculous opportunity: the chance to do it all again. But that is easier said than done. In order to change the path her life has taken, she must put aside years of self-loathing and pain, so she can help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been.

At 17 years old, Grace Bennett is a bitter young woman. Though blessed with a loving family, looks and brains to spare, she hides her light under a bushel, spending most of her time in the darkness of her mind with little more than sarcasm and self-pity to keep her company. But things are about to change for Grace. While delivering food for her family’s bed and breakfast, she turns onto a desolate dirt road and drives straight into her destiny. It’s on this isolated country lane that the damaged girl meets a strangely familiar old couple and two mysterious young men. Together the group fights the demons that surround Grace, and they teach her what it means to let her light shine.

 “Illuminating Gracie” is, at once, a metaphorical tale of the fight between good and evil and a spiritual saga of one girl’s journey from darkness into the light. If you liked “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games,” you will love the story of Gracie.  

Author Lisa C. Temple

On thirty-nine Senior scrolls, the Headmaster of author, Lisa C. Temple’s, small, private school wrote “Good Luck and best wishes for a prosperous future!” On the fortieth and final scroll, which was Temple’s, the Headmaster penned the words, “Lisa, I can’t wait to see to what use you put your unusual talents!” Temple spent the next 30 years trying to assuage her former leader’s curiosity – and her own. She sold BMWs in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, and hillbillies (as a booking agent) in Nashville, Tennessee. In an effort to escape the enforced servitude of the Junior League, she even attended and was graduated from law school and passed the Alabama State Bar exam in 2002.

Through it all, she battled problems and illnesses, many of her own making. But, it wasn’t until her father – her hero – was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), that Temple found her true calling – the “talent” that she finds joy in putting to use. “Illuminating Gracie,” is loosely autobiographical and born from a desire to, if only, metaphorically right the wrongs of Temple’s own past. It tells the story of a miserable old woman who is given the opportunity – by an angel – to go back in time and help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been. “Illuminating Gracie,” is the first book in a four-book series. The second book, “Instigating Gracie,” is due for release in December 2013. Temple laughs when saying she has a loving and complicated husband she deserves, and a wonderful son and two loving stepchildren that she does not. She also shares her life with her beloved pets: Pomeranian, Phebe; Bordernese, Flash; and Tabby cat, MInx.  

BookBlast Giveaway

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From 1880 to the present, cars have changed dramatically! I’ve always loved driving and though my car doesn’t have every accoutrement by any means, it’s hard to imagine not having my radio to jam to on long rides or heat during the New England snows!

If you’ve ever wondered when power steering or air-conditioning first evolved or even the cup holder, check out this cute video from Kia on the evolution of the modern car. I love the music and feel and it’s full of fun information.

Do you remember the first time someone taught you to drive? Do you have kids that drive or are approaching that age?

Seeing your kids drive for the first time can be so many things: exciting, fulfilling, nerve-wracking, horrifying!

I still remember when I was 15 and my Mom took me to an empty church parking lot and we drove around for quite some time. When she felt I was ready, she suggested we try it. And, apparently, I said: “You mean on the actual road ?”

I guess I was a little apprehensive.

On the other hand, my nephew could not wait to get his permit and I remember driving with him because my sister just did not want to. He had all the confidence in the world, but she didn’t.

It all worked out fine though – no mishaps and it solidified the bond we’ve always had. It’s great to be able to share what you’ve learned through experience and to watch those you love grow and take off on their own.

Now, can you imagine having, not one, not two kids ready and eager to drive, but five?

Well, meet the Jansens, a Midwestern famliy with quintuplets, yep, five ready to drive! They’re all fifteen years old and all learning at the same time.

State Farm’s new blog 5willdrive.com follows the Jansen family and their quintuplets through their journey in teaching all five of them how to drive.

Meet Mom, Dad, big sister Nicole, and the quintuplets: Elijah, Taylor, Miranda, Nick and Carter, the youngest. Each has their own unique personality and interests. Learn what it feels like to be in the joy and chaos of a big, loving family. It can be extremely challenging in general and learning to drive with five is a huge stepping stone.

Check it out in this video! You can also follow their adventure at 5willdrive.com/ which is a very cool blog.

Siding with Plato: A Romantic Comedy Chick Lit About College Life, Love, and Chaos

Siding With Plato is a romantic laugh-out-loud chick lit novel about Being Young, Beautiful, and a Seriously Hot Mess! Brooke Aarons can’t get to college fast enough. Leaving behind her small town life, she intends to transform herself into a brilliant psychologist at the University of Texas, with no distractions to slow her down. But when a twist in her plans lands her on double date with the school’s star jock – and worse, enjoying it – Brooke has to wonder if she’s the one who needs her head examined. James Cartwright’s easy life, endless bucks, and long line of willing girls should make him a non-starter for Brooke, but as she learns, the psychology behind a bad crush is a whole lot messier of a subject.  

Author Michelle Manning

Michelle Manning is a Southern California native who ventured over to Arizona State University in 2005, where she majored in journalism and met the friends who would later inspire her book series. After receiving her degree, she worked in the entertainment industry as an editor and red carpet reporter for a news outlet in Los Angeles until she moved to New York – shortly after releasing her debut novel, Siding With Plato!  

$100 BookBlast Giveaway

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Have you seen the new Showtime series “Masters of Sex”? It premiered on September 29 of this year and was developed by Michelle Ashford and based on Thomas Maier’s biography Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love.

This wonderful new series stars Michael Sheen as Dr. William Masters and Lizzy Caplan as Virginia Johnson, pioneering researchers of human sexuality at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

You know, I had heard about Masters and Johnson, but I never really knew their story as they were around way before I was and I’m finding this series completely fascinating. It delves into the main characters’ lives and personalities and shows how they found one another and began the studies that would change how we all look at sexuality.

Lizzy Caplan is strong and independent. Michael Sheen is stubborn, yet vulnerable. Their performances are stellar as are their co-stars, including Beau Bridges and Allison Janney. The direction is excellent and each episode has become more interesting as we delve deeper into the characters’ lives and emotions.

Also, the 1950’s decor, wardrobe and hairstyles are impeccable as great care has been taken with the details. It’s another era and one which is so very different from our own.

If you are interested in a no holds barred series with comedy, tragedy, laughter and a few tears, then, Masters of Sex is most definitely worth checking into. Its powerful performances and plotlines have me impatiently waiting for the next episode!

If you haven’t looked into it yet, you can check out the trailer here and look for it on Showtime!

Have you watched yet? If so, what are your thoughts?

Tied by Laney McMann

Normal people don’t believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either. Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares. Or is that all in her head? Layla doesn’t know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken. No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible? The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first. In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction. Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves? The answer may never be far enough … away.

 Praise for Tied: “The author has taken a unique concept and created a brilliantly written story. One of my new favorite fantasy books.” — The Reading Diaries “I was so engrossed in this story that real life went on without me being aware of it.” — Crazy Four Books

Author Laney McMann

With a passion for the supernatural and all things magical, Laney developed a voracious appetite for reading fantasy at a young age. A vivid imagination helped set the stage for creating her own worlds and placed her onto the writing path. By the time she reached her teens, she’d accumulated notebooks full of poems, which led to short stories and finally novels. Young adult dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and mythology are among her favorite genres. A former classical dancer and chef, she grew up in sultry Florida where she still resides with her family.  

BookBlast Giveaway

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Jawbreaker

You have created yourself every second since the day you were born. Bit by bit, layer by layer. You are a million moments. You are your gift to the world. You are a jawbreaker. This exciting new non-fiction book for young adults is a guide to exploring who you are, and deciding who you want to be. Get ready to: – Find and fuel your fizzing center spark. – Tune in to personal guidance techniques. – Unleash your absolute uniqueness. – Develop a cutting edge brand from scratch. – And so much more! Packed with tools and jewels to navigate the new world, Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse (17,000 words) will let you build on your strengths, and show you your story in a whole new way. It’s time to uncover the world’s best kept secret: You.

  ***Book Blast Special 1 Get your Kindle copy of Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse for 99c!

***Book Blast Special 2 Jolene’s YA non-fiction, Total Blueprint for World Domination shows you how to design your dream world and make it happen! And it’s free for a limited time:

***Blogger Special Fill in the form to get free e-copies of Jolene’s books to review!   Parents, educators, and teen readers have called Jolene’s books inspiring, empowering, powerful, and life-changing. If you’re looking to get motivated, love your life, and explore who you are, Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse is for you!

Author Jolene Stockman

 Jolene Stockman is an award winning writer, speaker, and an expert for Girlfriend Magazine Australia. She is a Master of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and one of the youngest in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Jolene lives in New Zealand, and is the author of motivational non-fiction Total Blueprint for World Domination, and contemporary fiction The Jelly Bean Crisis. Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse is her latest book.

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 $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/24/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sierra by Taylor Dean  

Have you ever been lost in the woods? Alyssa Fontaine’s life, loved ones—everything familiar and dear—are brutally taken from her. Taken captive by two men, she endures a horrific nightmare. A new life is forced upon her and even a new name. Just when it appears that no hope is in sight, she is saved by an unlikely twist of fate. Trapped in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, life will open its arms to her again and she will embrace it. She will find love such as she never knew existed. Sierra is a heart-wrenching story of the power of the human spirit to survive amidst impossible circumstances and severe losses. It is a story of survival . . . and hope.  

 Praise for Sierra: Every now and then you come across a novel that profoundly takes your breath away, and Sierra is that novel. -Kathleen of Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Author Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.  

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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/22/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway;