Strange Daze Indeed

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#Win a $50 Amazon GC or Paypal Cash – Pathways Book Blast #Giveaway

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We’re pleased to bring you another book blast and giveaway featuring Pathways by Camille Peters. It’s available on Amazon and you can read an excerpt below. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Pathways by Camille Peters

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father’s abandonment, she’s vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest’s pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom’s Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, but the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen’s heart, the one thing she’s vowed never to give.

Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea”

 

Praise for the Book

“This was SUCH a cute book! The characters were very well developed…The supporting characters were just as endearing…as the main characters. The descriptions of surroundings were impeccable, I could just see the environment and feel the feelings that were invoked by them. The plot was really well thought out, the ideas were super creative, and I love the general fairy tale feel…I couldn’t put it down, I just fell in love with the characters and I can’t WAIT for the next one!”

“I ADORE the creativity in this book! The forest is so magical and has so many enchanting moments throughout the story. I loved being transported into a fairy tale theme as I read; it was a perfect escape into a sweet and charming era! I absolutely loved the direction the story went and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventure Eileen stumbled upon. There are so many fun characters in the story, each with unique personalities! This is such a darling story about loyalty, romance, friendship and all with a fairytale feeling!”

“This is a delightful story of romance and adventure, centered near a magical forest that guides its travelers to discover not only its own enchantments, but also to find true love along the way. It is also a story of growth and overcoming one’s weaknesses, and of going forward despite one’s fears. Both of those things are inspirational to me, and I found myself relating to the characters and hoping for their success. An enjoyable journey to give hope to your heart!”

“I really enjoyed this story. The characters are fun and delightful and they were well developed. I liked that it was only loosely based on an existing fairy tale and branch out in interesting ways to create romance and drama. I get really bored with the same re-telling over and over and this was fresh and new.”

Excerpt

A knock sounded on the door. I bit back a sigh, both of impatience and relief. “Come in.”
I gasped as the door swung open, for it wasn’t Alaina who stood there but—“Aiden?”
He beamed, his eyes lighting up as they settled on my face. Warmth seeped over me to see him again after all these weeks, and my heart performed several cartwheels as he stared at me, his expression tender.
“Aiden!” I fell into his arms, burrowing myself against him.
He nestled against my hair. “It’s wonderful to see you. I admit I thought it’d be much longer before our paths crossed again, and I’m pleased that’s not the case.”
I tipped my head back to gape up at him. “Wait, what are you doing here?”
“An excellent question; one I was about to ask you. May I come in?”
I slowly nodded. He shut the door behind him, his eyes never once leaving my face. The shock of seeing him at the palace of all places slowly subsided and I tentatively smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never thought I’d see you again.”
He returned my smile with a lopsided one of his own and my insides fluttered. “I promised we’d see each other again. How are you?”
I sighed. “I’m in a bit of a predicament.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Indeed. So you’re a secret princess keen on trying to persuade the prince to marry you?”
I pulled a face. “No, this is all some horrible misunderstanding.”
“Is it?” He folded his arms and leaned against my bedpost. “And how did a common girl end up in such a plight?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. A secret danced within his dark eyes, taunting me. “You don’t happen to know the answer, do you?”
He chuckled, and the warm sound I’d fiercely missed washed over me. “I do, actually.” His smile widened. “I’ve really missed you, Eileen. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Why am I here?” I pressed my hands on my hips and glared at him, demanding he answer me.
He straightened and came over until he stood directly in front of me, enveloping me in his warmth and causing the strange sensations that only came from him to fill my heart. “It so happened I witnessed your unexpected arrival last night.”
“What are you even doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m a member of the court.”
My brow furrowed. “I don’t understand. How does your being a member of the court explain why I now find myself trapped here?”
“Because thanks to my position, it wasn’t difficult to convince the guards that you’re one of the princesses come here to woo the prince.” He winked.
I gaped at him, my heart pounding furiously. With each beat my insides burned, my anger searing and poisonous. “You told them what?”
He frowned. “I told the guards that you’re a princess.”
“You mean to tell me,” I hissed through gritted teeth, “that it’s your fault I’m tangled in this dangerous mess?”
Perplexity twisted his expression. “Mess? It’s an opportunity.”
“An opportunity for what, exactly? To be executed?”
He rolled his eyes. “Why so dramatic?”
My fists tightened. “If I’m caught posing as a royal, what do you think will happen? You think the royal family will merely have a good laugh before releasing me? No, they’ll send me to the gallows.” My blood chilled. I needed to escape. I stomped to the door, but Aiden blocked my exit.

 

Author Camille Peters

Camille Peters was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew up surrounded by books. As a child, she spent every spare moment reading and writing her own stories on every scrap of paper she could find. Becoming an author was always more than a childhood dream; it was a certainty.
Her love of writing grew alongside her as she took local writing classes in her teens, spent a year studying Creative Writing at the English University of Northampton, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and History. She’s now blessed to be a full-time author.
When she’s not writing she’s thinking about writing, and when’s she’s not thinking about writing she’s…alright, she’s always thinking about writing, but she can also be found reading, playing board games with her family and friends, or taking long, bare-foot walks as she lives inside her imagination and brainstorms more tales.

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Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/28/19

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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

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#Win $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash – Book Blast #Giveaway

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We’re delighted to bring you another fun Book Blast Giveaway! This is a perfect summer read with furry pirates, and a feisty fairy princess.

John William and the Bandits of Basswood by Elizabeth Parkinson Bellows

John William Drake was born an explorer; just like many, many Drakes before him. His adventure really began with the discovery of an old book hidden in the ceiling of the Drake home, followed by the mysterious disappearance of his father. He lived everyday in misery until his twelfth birthday. A new friend gave him an invitation he could not turn down… follow me and change your destiny.
He never imagined being captured by bandits and taken to a ship riddled with river rats was part of his fate. Not just any bandits – the Bandits of Basswood; known to be a ruthless and wild crew of thieves. Trying to escape would be a ridiculous idea. No one has ever escaped and lived to tell about it. Uncovering traces of his missing father gave him hope and upped the stakes. John William was determined to get off the ship alive and search for the missing pieces of the puzzle. The chase out of Basswood was on. He took a chance to change his destiny and ended up on a wild ride to solve the most important mystery of his life.

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Praise for the Book

“The imaginative world created by the author is especially fun. Some animals can talk (with attitude!), magic is in the air and emu-like creatures provide fast transportation. Yes, I realize this series is for children- and they can certainly read it. Just as soon as I’m finished.”

“A simple walk into the world of furry and fairy alike. Enjoyed the character building, as the young boy finds himself in a world with furry pirates, and a feisty fairy princess.”

“Love this book! Great kids book!”

Excerpt

The Door in the Ceiling

John William huffed and dragged his feet over to the ladder. “I

don’t like climbing this old thing.”

“You’ll be fine. I will be right behind you with the lantern.” His

father gave him a nudge.

“Fine…” John William clutched his hands around the rails.

“Relax, son.” He rubbed John William’s white knuckled hands.

“This is just another walk in the park. You can do it.”

“Okay, let’s get this over with.” John William took one step,

then another; then he closed his eyes and climbed until his head hit the ceiling. He pounded the hatch with his fist repeatedly with no results. His father climbed up behind him.

Thud! He gave the ceiling one good hit. John William ducked his head and the hatch flew open. “Here, take the lantern.”

John William looked at his father’s excited smile. He swallowed

the lump in his throat and grabbed the lantern. A chill hit his arm the instant it moved across the threshold. He used his elbows to boost his body through before he could talk himself out of it. “It is tight up here. My head hits the top; and the smell… it reminds me of Uncle Andrew’s old tree fort.

“Yes, yes… but do you see anything?” His father huffed.

John William moved the lantern around every part of the

opening. “Aside from some scratch marks in the wood, it is completely empty – not a single trace of anything.”

“Maybe I should come up.” His father took another step up the

ladder.

“Those scratch marks – they are from a rodent, right? Like a

cute little mouse?”

“Yes, John William; don’t worry.”

John William crawled deeper in. Something in the wall caught

his eye. He narrowed his eyes. “I, I think I see something. No, it can’t be.”

“What is it?” His father blurted.

Thump! “Did you hear that?” John William gasped. He jolted the lantern around. “I’m not alone up here.” A dark shadow darted across the wall, accompanied by more thumping.

“Look out! I’m coming down!” John William stumbled through

the hatch in a frantic fit, barely getting one arm around the ladder to secure himself. The lantern hit the ground; glass shattered everywhere.

“Fire!” His father slid down the ladder and covered the

wreckage with his coat, followed by a vase full of water and flowers, extinguishing the flames.

John William perched at the top of the ladder, watching his

disappointed father catch his breath. “I’m sorry.” He closed the hatch and stepped lightly down to the floor.

“It’s okay; I was never really fond of that coat anyways.” He

paused and smiled at John William. “You did well; I’m proud of you.”

John William felt his dad’s reassuring hand ruffling his curls.

“Now can I go to bed?”

“Of course, we have an early start tomorrow… rest well.”

“Thanks, you too.” John William glanced up at the ceiling, and

shuffled out of the study.

“John William… you are certain you did not see anything?”

He paused before turning the corner. “Yes. I just heard

something. Maybe it was a rat?”

“Most likely; goodnight, son.”

John William waved and continued on. He did see something; at least he thought he did. What he saw was so peculiar it must have been his eyes playing tricks on him.

It was a small red door with a well-used brass knob set in the wall on the other end of the space where there was enough shadow to keep it out of sight… but there was no way he was going back up there tonight. His father would have to find out another time.

 

Author Elizabeth Bellows

Um, let’s see… when I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my very short lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a “Dollar Saver” with turkey poop splattered across the front page. Apparently that’s where the best coupons are.
Books… well, “Treasure Island” is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. I would also like to thank C.S Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds (even in the most unpleasant locations, e.g… the older brother’s closet, etc…)
I love to write… these days sneaking away just to use the bathroom is hard enough. Finding a quiet moment alone with my laptop is impossible. I’ve developed a talent for making airplane noises out the side of my mouth for my son while squeezing in a paragraph or two.
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep – I am a HUGE fantasy geek. I can’t help myself! It’s too darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment, self love, and living purposefully.
When football is on I turn into a different person. I may even use a curse word or two… or three. I enjoy running; which is a good thing because I need to do it in order to fit into my jeans.
I love to cook and really, really love to eat. I have a theory that avocados actually contain super powers and have the amazing ability to make any snack epic. I also love garlic… which, according to my loved ones, also has an unfortunate super power … the pungent breath-inator… or something of that nature.
Few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese, and a good bottle of vino… AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again – just once:)

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 7/2/18

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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#Win $50 Paypal Cash or Amazon Gift Code – Bonnie R. Paulson Book Blast!

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We’re excited to bring you another Book Blast Giveaway and a really fun read! Check out  With This Click, I Thee Wed  by Bonnie R. Paulson and enter to win $50 via Paypal cash or Amazon gift code, your choice!

 

With this Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson

“Uh, oh, what did I do?”

A lonely divorcee…

A rancher who can lose everything…

One website that matches them for marriage…

They have to learn about the importance of decisions and family or lose their one shot at love.

Stuck in a town where everyone knows her and her ex-husband, Rachel is distinctly aware of who chose his side – everyone – and who chose her side – no one. Even her hairstylist won’t schedule her.

But when she finds herself alone with a bottle of chianti and the internet, Rachel stumbles upon Clickandwed.com. The survey is easy and clicking “I Do” seems to be the magic button she’s been searching for.

Before she can snap out of her decision, she finds herself packed and flying across the country to meet her new husband.

Would her new life be better or worse than the horrors she left behind?

 

 

Praise for this book:

I will start by saying that I have not read a book by Bonnie R. Paulson that I did NOT like. I love the way she writes and I love the things she writes about. I find that when I read her books that I get pulled into them and can’t stop until I reach the ending.

Being afraid that happiness is something not for either of them, yet finding it in the most delightful way makes this a fun read.

 

Excerpt 

I closed my eyes at the fourth or fifth round of premature fireworks booming outside. My neighbors had an overzealous streak that showed its ugliness during celebratory times. The fireworks would be gone and they’d start on homemade balloon bombs to blow in the street next. There weren’t strong enough earplugs for that.

“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me.” I tilted my wine glass back and drained the rest of my red Chianti. The movies that I had picked out lost their luster when it was just me, all alone.

Time was now counted in glasses, or maybe bottles? I’d lost count. I’d been sipping on it pretty steadily for the remainder of the night. The new year was almost there. I had only a few more minutes left to go.

Nothing had changed.

What was I doing? Why was I just sitting there eating or drinking my life away? I hadn’t meant to be where I was. I didn’t want to live in my parents’ house. I didn’t want to live in the same small town where people liked my ex-husband more than they liked me.

A voice over a black screen with pink text reading ClickandWed.com said, “Why are you sitting there watching TV and drinking wine?”

What? I glanced at my nearly empty glass and blinked blearily at the TV.

The voice continued. “Put down your loneliness and rediscover your purpose. Stop messing around; take the next step. Be with someone who isn’t afraid of commitment.” A picture of happily smiling couples began to zoom across the screen, like a badly designed collage. “Get matched with your ideal spouse.” Another shot of the logo with a nice white text beneath it said, all candidates are verified. ClickandWed.com. Find your forever.

 

 

Author Bonnie R. Paulson

Real people, real loss, real love.

USA Today Bestselling author, Bonnie focuses on the emotional thrill of the romance, the discovery of self and the dynamic forces at play to both pull and push love growth.

With 6 children and her own eternal romance at home, Bonnie lives her own dream every day. She’s spoiled with blessings and wants to share the joy of ever-after possibilities with others.
Whether it’s a happy-ever-after or a happy-for-now, the emotions will leave you story drunk for days, if not years.

Feel good romances with sweet twists. Or is it Sweet romances with bold twists? You decide.

You’ll be able to say where you were when you closed the book.
Surviving all things real and coming out better on the other side.

Some of her favorite authors are Robyn Carr, Pamela Kelley, and Christine Kingsley!

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter

 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 3/18/18

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

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#Win $100 Paypal Cash or Amazon GC – Violet Barnaby Book Blast! #Giveaway

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The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby

In this sweet and funny follow-up to The Charming Life of Izzy Malone, Violet Barnaby searches for the joy in life after losing her mother.

Violet Barnaby is a having a blue Christmas. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother, and to make things worse, her dad has just married Melanie Harmer, a.k.a. the meanest teacher at Dandelion Hollow Middle School. But on the day Violet and her dad are packing up and moving into the new house they’ll share with Melanie and Melanie’s two children, Violet finds a letter her mother wrote to her before she died, asking Violet to enjoy Christmas, along with a Christmas Wish List—things her mom wants her to do during the holiday season. On the list are exactly the kinds of things Violet doesn’t want to do this year, like Be Someone’s Secret Santa; Give Someone the Gift of Your Time: Volunteer; and Bake Christmas Cookies.

Violet shows the letter to her friend Izzy’s Aunt Mildred, who calls a meeting of the Charm Girls, a club Izzy and Violet belong to along with their friends, Daisy and Sophia. Aunt Mildred decides she will give them each a charm to put on their bracelet if they do all of the tasks on the Christmas Wish List, which Violet is not too happy about. She’d rather forget about the list completely, but feels compelled to honor her mother’s wishes.

And when Izzy’s crush confides a big secret to Violet, Violet feels like she is stuck between her best friend and the boy who she just might have a crush on, too…

 

Praise for The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby

“[an] emotionally perceptive novel of grief and recovery.” – Kirkus

You’ll fall in love with Violet and love every minute of living in her wondrous world! – Stephanie Faris

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * IndieBound

 

Author Jenny Lundquist

Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, where she spent her time unsuccessfully learning how to surf. When she was younger, she wanted to be either a rock star or a published author. After she taped herself singing and listened to it on playback she decided she’d better opt for the writing route. Jenny is the author of multiple YA and Middle Grade titles including Seeing Cinderella, The Charming Life of Izzy Malone, The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby and the forthcoming The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams (2019).

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amazon or paypal$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 10/10/17

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Win $50 Paypal Cash or Amazon GC! – True Colors Book Blast Giveaway

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True Colors Cover

 

True Colors

When Landry Albright enters a modeling competition with her two best friends, she runs into jealousy when she advances to the next level without them. Now who should enter, but the gorgeous Devon, who also makes the first cut of the modeling contest. Devon seems like the perfect new best friend, but, the question is, can their friendship survive the competition? Throw in a new boy, jealousy and loyalty issues, and also insults from hair stylists. How’s a girl to deal?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

 
Author Biography

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and a book addict who has never met a bookstore that she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and she writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. Her debut novel, TRUE COLORS, was released  June 17th from Astraea Press. She is originally from Michigan but has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she is not busy catching up on her favorite shows.

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Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/8/14

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 and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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