Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop!

I have a lot of favorite books on my list for this year.  It has been an awesome year for books, right?!  So, today I'm going to give you a choice between a couple different books that I have loved this year.  I am offering these books as ebooks only because that allows for international followers to enter as well.  I can do ebooks through Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  So, check them out and enter below!  (pics are linked)  

Oh, and while you are here, enter to win the other awesome giveaways going on.  You can find them on the right sidebar.  :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

<!-- end LinkyTools script –>

Illuminating Gracie by Lisa C. Temple + a $25 Giveaway!

 

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.  
Illuminating Gracie is a book with such an interesting premise.  An old lady who has lived a cold and bitter life is offered a chance to go back and influence her younger self to choose a different and better path.  It really makes you think, right?  What would you do if you had the chance?  How would changing one decision alter the course of your life?  It's an interesting concept for sure.
This is a story of coming of age and of redemption with an added paranormal twist.  Demons and angels in the age old story of good vs. evil.  Mysterious men, lots of secrets and one girl with a large low self esteem problem.  I always like when characters make some sort of emotional or mental journey and grow into something better than when they started the story.  Gracie does this with the help of people around her.  When she starts to believe that she is smart enough and pretty enough and strong enough, the story reaches the best place.  I enjoyed many of the secondary characters who added much to the overall feel of the book.
The book starts out very slow but does eventually pick up.  
I thought this was a good book, although not quite up to par with the likes of "The Hunger Games" or even "Twilight" as touted in the summary.  
There is a bit of profanity (God and Lord used as exclamations).

“Locke?”

       “Yes, Grace?” he answered. His kind, caring blue eyes gazed into mine with transparent concern.

       “Where did Merc go?” I demanded. I had to know. This time, I had no intention of pretending I hadn’t heard the conversation. If my life was in jeopardy, I needed to know why and from whom.

       I’d always envied damsels in distress, thinking how wonderful their lot in life must be to have some strong knight to love them and fight all their battles for them. But in the cold light of reality, I realized I just wasn’t cut out for the part. I couldn’t just stand by helplessly watching others take risks for me while I sat in my ivory tower (or French Chateau) drinking tea and filing my fingernails completely oblivious to the peril.

       Locke hadn’t answered me, so I repeated the question more firmly. “Where did Merc go, Locke? I need to know where he is and I need to know what is going on.” I suddenly felt brave – strong – like Joan of Arc ready to take on whatever ominous enemy lay in wait for me. I wished I had a horse.

       And there it was again: the blank look, the deer-in-headlights, innocent-as-a-newborn-babe look Locke had perfected. “What are you talking about, Grace? Merc hasn’t been here. You must have hallucinated when you were passed out.” He was lying. I was sure of it. That is, until the strangest thing happened.

     

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.  
    Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 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

Tour Schedule

Studio C: Season 1 & 2 on DVD now! + $25 giveaway!

   

Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

Website * Facebook

Studio C is a sketch comedy series and I'm telling you, it can be so funny.  Some of these sketches literally had me wiping tears from my eyes they were so funny.  What I love about these is that they are clean.  Yes, things can be completely clean and still make  you laugh.  Over and over.  With Studio C, you can sit down with your whole family and not have to worry.  So much of comedy and humor today is full of crass and rude things but not Studio C.  Yipee!

This DVD provided me with one of the best nights we had this week at my house.  My girls and I (ages 16 and 11) sat down to watch these.  We were together, we laughed and it was such a good time.  So much fun.  My husband was in and out but when he was in, he was laughing.  

I once wrote a paper in college about laughing.  Did you know that when you laugh, your body releases endorphins , which is the body's own morphine?  Laughing lessens pain and makes you feel good.  I really need to laugh more.  Laughter really is the best medicine.  

My daughter literally did the happy dance when I signed on for this tour.  She loves Studio C and has already watched most of these sketches.  This would make a great gift for so many people.  If you haven't seen anything by Studio C, there are some videos below so you can check them out.  

Here's to some good laughs!

 Seasons 1 and 2 of the hilarious BYUtv sketch comedy series, Studio C, featuring Whitney, Mallory, Jason, Matt, and the rest of the cast pulling out all the stops with two full seasons of enough rip-roaring hilarity to make you spit milk out of your nose. Travel back to the moment it all began and watch some of the very first Studio C sketches, plus two never-before-seen features! Includes popular episodes featuring

• Presidential Shoulder Angel
• Facebook Friends Song
• Flirting Academy
• Captain Literally
• The Center for People That YouTube Made Infamous
• Candy Land Character Conference
• Bollyside
• Dana’s Dead
• And many more!

Special Features

• Exclusive Feature: “Just Jeremy Date”
• Exclusive Sketch: “Substitute Miss Frizzle”
• Season 2 Outtakes

Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.  

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

 


 


 

  Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Schedule

The Reaping $50 Book Blast

The Reaping The government is on the verge of perfecting its loyalty serum, and Terra knows exactly what that means—the agents will have absolute control. Terra has survived the labor camp, the agents, and the soldiers who hound her as she brings nomads to the water's edge. But now she faces her most daunting challenge yet: she must return to the colony to ask the council—and her father—to help her destroy the loyalty serum. With the aid of old friends and unexpected allies, Terra races toward a confrontation that will decide her fate on the Burn forever.

Buy the ebook: Amazon * Apple * B&N * Smashwords Buy the paperback: Amazon * CreateSpace

Excerpt:
The soldiers shrug and look around for a few seconds more before disappearing across the grove to cover more ground. The helicopter lifts into the air and flies above the forest. Our tree sways under its down draft. My foot loses its grip on the branch and I slip, my hands grappling the biting bark as my legs flail out from under me, and Jack catches my hand just in time to keep me from falling. We stay that way—me with one hand on the branch, Jack clinging to my other hand and the tree for all he’s worth—until the sweat is pouring into my eyes and both of our muscles are screaming for relief. I haven’t heard the soldiers for probably five minutes, and the helicopter sounds at least two miles away. I finally let myself relax and Jack pulls me back up onto the branch, and I let my cheek rest on the bark. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Jack sits down on the branch, his legs dangling on either side as he leans against the trunk. “I knew it would be like this. I knew it would be. I just didn’t imagine it would start so soon. That first week in the colony, I checked my back after leaving and entering every room.” His shoulders slump. “It was so strange to feel safe again. Jessa teased me every time I did it.” He looks at me and arches an eyebrow. “For being twins, you two are completely different. After a couple of weeks, I finally relaxed. I’m going to pick up the habit again pretty quickly.” I nod, and the tree bark scratches my cheek. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop checking my back.

 

Author Annie Oldham Annie Oldham grew up with an insatiable desire to read and came away with the insatiable desire to write. Away from her writing, she's the mother of the three most adorable girls in the world, has the best husband in the world, and lives in the hottest place in the world (not really, but Phoenix sure feels like it).

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

 

BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 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

The Blue Between by Patricia Little

Title: The Blue Between

Author: Patricia Little

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication date: August 29, 2013

ISBN 10: 1484066456

ISBN 13: 978-1484066454

Format: Paperback

Number of pages: 278

Genre: Young Adult – Sci fi, fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Heather Lucas is the freak girl who got hit by lightning, and she has a scar on her palm to prove it. Since then, everything has gotten weird. Her mother left them, which makes no sense. Her Dad thinks she's a liar, because she won't explain why she keeps running away.The thing is, she can't explain it. She just disappears and then reappears miles away, with the scar on her palm tingling. In between, she drifts in a sparkling blue void outside of time and space, where indistinct forms of people float by, lost in the blue. Is she going crazy?

Odd things are even happening at school. Why would the new boy, Alex, be interested in her? He shows her a paper he's written about a place called Alanar. The make-believe city from Mom's old bedtime stories? What does he know about her mother? Heather is determined to find out, especially after she sees the scar on his palm, identical to her own.

The Blue Between has a great premise.  I was interested in it when I first read the blurb.  Although the story and ideas aren't necessarily original- freak lightning, special powers, other worldly people- it was put together in a way that it felt original for the most part.  

The trouble I had with this book wasn't the concept or the story itself, it was just the lack of emotional feeling and depth that I was looking for.  I never felt personally invested or driven to read.  I just felt like it stayed on the surface and didn't go any deeper.  I wanted to care a lot more than I did.  

Having said that, I do think this was an okay book.  I read it, I finished it and, like I said, the story line is a good one.  There were a lot of ideas I can really get behind as a reader.  I just wanted more feeling and depth.

The relationship between Heather and her brother felt the most believable.  I think that was my favorite part of the book.  The relationship and interactions between Heather and Alex were more friendship than romance and that was okay with me.  

There was some mild swearing and profanity.

I'm currently living in Portland, Oregon; a wonderful city where you don't have to pay sales tax or pump your own gas. I've written three novels and several screenplays, all of them starting out in the real world and then veering off into the otherworldly.
​
The idea for The Blue Between was simply 'girl gets hit by lightning, then disappears and reappears somewhere else.' Okay, good start, but then what? I was originally going to tell the story with Heather as an adult, struggling with repressed memories of a traumatic event in her past. I wrote a short story about that event called Anywhere But Here, and it was a finalist in the Writer's Digest Writing Competition. That's when I decided to go ahead and stay with 16-year-old Heather as the events unfolded.

I'm currently working on the sequel, where Heather gets into even more trouble with Alex and the Travelers from Alanar.
http://www.patricialittle.com

Fighting For the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux + $25 Giveaway

 

Fighting for the Edge Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything… Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice. Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming. With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Since I've read the first two book in this series I was really looking forward to reading and reviewing this last book in the "Edge" series.  I love watching competitive figure skating.  It's one of my favorite sports to watch.  The Olympics is a magical time to watch figure skating and this book is set around making it to the Olympics.

It was nice to have Emily and Sergei married in this book.  I liked it.  Adding in Aubrey's story was awesome.  I have always liked Chris so it was good to see him so upfront and interacting with Aubrey.  Chris shoulders a lot of responsibility in this book and I just love his sense of loyalty and strength.

The story is engaging and it always felt forward moving.  I was interested and wanted to keep reading.  These are the kind of books that make reviewing easy.  The characters are real and I can see them and by this, the last book, I really feel like I know them.  I'm sad to see this series end but I'll be looking forward to reading whatever Jennifer Comeaux comes up with next!

There are some sexual references, steamy kissing and make out scenes, and sex behind closed doors between a married couple (although nothing descriptive).

Enjoy the following excerpt from Fighting For the Edge!

Sergei nudged one leg between my knees, bringing our bodies closer. I tilted my chin up, and he brushed a long curl away from my face.

“Winning is very sexy,” he said.

“Yes, it is.” I nodded slowly and fingered one of the buttons on his shirt. “You know what would be really sexy? Winning an Olympic gold medal.”

He chuckled. “It always comes back to the Olympics.”

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t obsess. But it’s getting so close that I can’t stop thinking about it. And lately I’ve been thinking about all the freak things that could happen in the next eight weeks.”

“Like what?” Sergei arched an eyebrow, seeming afraid to humor me.

“Like… I could step off a curb wrong and break my ankle. Just walking down the street and BAM! Olympics are over.”

“I could carry you everywhere,” he said with a smile.

“That sounds very appealing. Or I could get one of those motorized scooters old people use. A Hoveround!”

He rubbed both my shoulders and then cupped his hands under my chin. “Em, you can’t live in fear that something terrible is going to happen. You’ll drive yourself insane.”

“More insane than I already am?” I asked with a laugh.

“I want this dream to become reality for you. I want it even more than I did for myself. But whatever happens in Torino, it’s not going to define you. What will define you is how fearless you’ve been, how hard you’ve worked, how much you’ve inspired young skaters.”

There was so much love and sureness in his eyes. I reached up and caressed his stubbly cheek, and as I touched my mouth to his, I let my palm trail down his chest. His warmth always gave me such comfort, and being in his arms made me feel totally at peace. I might need to take up permanent residence there the next eight weeks.

Life on the Edge (Book 1) Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history. Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily’s dreams of gold.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Edge of the Past (Book 2) Summary: Emily's skating career and personal life have never been more golden. She and her partner Chris have won every competition they've entered this season, and she's found the man of her dreams in her coach Sergei. But when one of the biggest competitions of the year takes Emily and Sergei to Russia, Sergei's past explodes into the present and makes Emily doubt everything in their future.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Author Jennifer Comeaux

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren't any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she's a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing.

When not working or writing, she is an avid follower of the sport of figure skating, travelling to competitions around the country. Those experiences allow her to see another side of the sport and serve as an inspiration for her writing. Jennifer is blessed with a wonderful family and many friends who have encouraged her to pursue her dream of being a published author.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/19/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Tour Schedule

Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber

"From little things come big things," Gail Halvorsen remembered his father saying. As a twenty-seven-year-old American pilot, Brother Halvorsen's job was to airdrop much-needed food and supplies to the people of West Berlin in the aftermath of World War II. But it was his simple gift of two sticks of gum that launched an extraordinary humanitarian endeavor and earned him the nickname "The Candy Bomber." Each day as hundreds of small white parachutes delivered treats to the children of West Germany, the wounds of war began to heal. "Operation Little Vittles" captured the imagination of people everywhere, bringing the spirit of Christmas to a world in need of peace and hope. Famed broadcast journalist and author Tom Brokaw brings this remarkable true story to life in a stunning live performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, captured on the accompanying DVD.  Also included in the book is a template and directions for creating
your own "Candy Bomber" parachutes.

I'm so, so happy to share this book with you today because I love this story.  Why?  Because it's a story of hope, healing and love.

This is a true story set during WWII.  Gail Halvorsen was serving in the US Air Force as a pilot.  What started out as a small act of kindness by one man spread into the hearts of people all around him until it became something great and monumental.  It touched the hearts of so many people then and it touches my heart today.

I love how this book captures not only the setting of the book but the feelings as well.  The illustrations are beautiful and I love the real pictures sprinkled throughout the book.  It really gave it that sense of realness, of knowing it actually happened.  I love true stories of people who take what life has given them (even when it's hard) and turn it into something better.  It's inspiring and fills me with hope.

This book is so beautiful.  I really can't say enough good about it.  It comes with a DVD so you can watch the original presentation of this fantastic story.  Tom Brokaw tells this story in a way only Tom Brokaw can.  Combine this with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing and you have one amazing performance.  This is perfect to share with your family during the holiday season.  I feel so lucky to have it to share with my family.  I love Deseret Book for putting out such awesome literature and for allowing me to review for them.

Robert Barrett, Illustrator

Tom Brokaw, Narrator

You can purchase this book HERE.

AND, as if that weren't enough I have one more little thing to share with you today.  It's another thing put out by Deseret Book that I just adore.  

These little ornaments are my favorite.  There are 12 stars, each with a different name or title for Jesus Christ found in the Bible.  On the back of the box are the scripture references so you can see where the names are found.  I am going to use these as part of a countdown to Christmas.  The twelve days leading up to Christmas will find us adding one ornament a day to the tree.  This will be the perfect way to bring the focus back to Christ a little and still give the kids something daily to look forward to.  These ornaments are so sweet.  They fit right into the palm of your hand and are sturdy enough for even the littlest of hands.  I love them.  You can find the link for purchase HERE.