Product Review: Firmoo.com

I recently received a pair of eyeglasses from Firmoo.com. The shopping process online was incredibly easy because you can search for your desired eyeware according to shape, material, size, and frame. I was pleased to see that they had a nice selection of large glasses. I adore big frames because they are fun, interesting, and I think they fit my personality.

Firmoo.com has over 300 classic and fashion frames to choose from. They are very affordable which allows customers to purchase multiple pair of glasses for what you would spend on one pair at a brick-and-mortar eyewear center. 

One of my favorite things about shopping online at Firmoo.com is their Virtual Try-On. You simply upload a forward-facing image of yourself and you are able to click on various glasses to "try them on." You can shop with confidence knowing which frames are best suited for you!

As though all the above wasn't enough awesomeness to get excited about Firmoo.com, they also offer a new buyer's program that focuses on providing free eyewear to first-time customers. That is to say, if a person who has not placed any order with Firmoo.com before, he/she can choose any eyewear at Firmoo.com and get them free. However, he/she need to pay shipping.

Disclaimer: I did not receive financial compensation from Firmoo.com for this post. I received one pair of eyeglasses in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Lady By Any Other Name by Jennifer Kitchens

A Lady By Any Other Name
by Jennifer Kitchens

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 3, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1477612416
• ISBN-13: 978-1477612415

Book Synopsis

A Woman in Hiding 
Nicole Farrington's life had never been easy, but it had always been bearable. At least it had been until now. Faced with a horrible marriage her step-brother has contracted for her, she will do anything to get away. She'll run—run to anyone who might be able to help her. But running blindly down an unknown path may take her to an unexpected destination.

A Man Seeking Answers 
Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, wants nothing more than to have his carefree life back. Now he is left with a title, a child, and a future that he never expected would be his. He refuses to believe his brother's death was an accident, no matter what people say. Someone killed him and Julian plans to find out who and why. Maybe then he can go on with his life—his brother's life. But will the answers he seeks be enough, or will he find love to be a worthier goal?

My Review

After the passing of her mother, Nicole Farrington’s life takes a turn for the worst. Her demeaning stepbrother decides to pay off a gambling debt by selling her off to be married to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Refusing to be bartered, she slips out into the countryside to escape. Her plan is to locate the family of her father she’s never met and seek shelter with them. On her journey, she uncovers family secrets, and ends up in London with the Earl of Foxley, Julian Huntington, his mother and orphaned niece.

Nicole Farrington goes through courageous lengths to pursue a life on her own terms and not by those of her shallow stepbrother. While keeping her distance from other people to stay safe, she begins to fall in love with a family who has no idea about her past. I think Jennifer Kitchens is successful in developing strong and interesting characters and a deep plot of mystery. Although many of these characters believe they are strangers to each other, their lives intimately intertwine in the past, but eventually it will all unravel. A Lady By Any Other Name is an adventurous love story smothered in sweetness.

Blog Tour: Catch the Sun by Lee Zamloch

Catch the Sun

by Lee Zamloch

• Pages: 316
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• ISBN-10: 1434830454
• ISBN-13: 978-1434830456

Book Synopsis

On a rainy morning in 1995, Marilyn Monroe appears on the bedroom patio of Amanda Grace, a former Playboy centerfold and jeans model whose acting career has tanked. Dancing, laughing, and gazing at Amanda through the glass doors, Marilyn seems to want something from her. But what? And how has the greatest sex symbol of her time been transported through time and space to contemporary Los Angeles?

"Catch the Sun" is a story of growing obsession as Amanda Grace, a woman whose beauty is undeniable but whose talents are questionable, becomes captivated by the haunting apparition of Marilyn Monroe. As she explores the fragility, beauty, and dazzling rise to fame of the once great movie star, Amanda gradually loses her own tenuous hold on reality.

My Review

After hearing about her mother’s suicide, Amanda Grace falls into a deep depression. She battles feelings of inadequacy, abandonment, and desperation. In the midst of Amanda’s darkness, Marilyn Monroe begins to appear around her. The sightings encourage Amanda to attempt to revive her lifeless acting career, but can she conquer her demons?

Lee Zamloch has written two stories that beautifully interweave in Catch the Sun. Zamloch introduces us to Amanda Grace, a former model and struggling actress, and shares the intimate side of Marilyn Monroe who walked a similar path as Grace, some thirty years earlier. Both women battle depression, substance abuse, and the desire to be loved for who they truly are opposed to the persona that everyone else sees.

Catch the Sun deals with stardom, obsession, losing yourself to please others, and grasping onto strings to regain control while dealing with intense issues. 

Author Bio

Lee Zamloch lives on the Central Coast of California where she writes fiction. Her work has appeared in a number of literary journals and she has won several honors for her writing including the Booklegger Award for best submission of the year from Toyon and honorable mentions from the Nelson Algren Award, and Raymond Carver Short Story Contest. She has published two novels which are available from Amazon.com in both print and kindle editions. She is currently at work on her next novel.

Lee has been a teacher, a consultant, a college professor and a program designer. She enjoys hiking, reading, traveling and romping with her two Siberian huskies, Sunny and Storm.

Follow Lee Zamloch:

Twitter

Goodreads

Blogger

Google +

Catch the Sun can be purchased on Amazon.com

Below is the tour schedule for Catch the Sun Virtual Book Tour

September 3rd @Lynelle Clark Aspired Writer
September 4th @Four A’s & a D.
September 5th @Over Cups of Coffee
September 7th @The Book Faery Reviews
September 8th @My Cozie Corner
September 11th @Penny Lane Writes
September 13th @Books and Swoons
September 14th @Addicted to Reading
September 17th @Book and Movie Dimension
September 19th @my name is: Sage
September 20th @Crunchy Farm Baby
September 21st @Every Free Chance Book Reviews
September 22nd @I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!
September 23rd @Indie Picks by Indie Chicks
September 24th @Book Fidelity

Book Review: Freelance Writing Guide by Christine Rice

Freelance Writing Guide

What to Expect in Your First Year as A Freelance Writer

by Christine Rice

Date Published: August 14, 2012

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Book Synopsis

Are you thinking about becoming a freelance writer? Are you unsure because you don't know what to expect? Or are you simply curious what it's like to be a freelance writer?

Freelance Writing Guide is here to help. It will answer your questions about the profession of freelance writing, explain to you what the life of a freelance writer is like, and tell you all you need to know about the type of work a freelance writer does during the first year of their career.

Written by an experienced freelance writer who has been a writer for seven years and a freelance writer for sixteen months, Christine Rice will give you the details--honestly and directly--of what she experienced during the first year of her freelance writing career.

In this book there are no exaggerations or claims of becoming famous or making millions. Rather, this book provides realistic information and lots of resources for getting started on your career as a freelance writer.

So get ready to find out all you need to know about freelance writing so that you can follow your dreams and use your love of writing to become the freelance writing professional you've always wanted to become!

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My Review

Freelance Writing Guide is geared toward writers who are interested in breaking into the freelance writing world. It’s an in-depth book that gives writers a realistic view on their first year of freelance writing. Rice’s guide is on point, practical, and well written. She absolutely covers everything, such as multiple writer’s online resources, supply lists, tracking income, marketing, and continuing education. Freelance Writing Guide includes advice for online article writing, periodicals, ghostwriting, and publishing in print and eBooks.

Simply put, I am impressed with this guide. I have been a freelance writer for five years, and I found plenty of information that I can use in my daily work. Researching about freelance writing can feel overwhelming, so I appreciate how organized the guide is. Not only is it a must have resource for beginners; I think it is the perfect refresher for any freelance writer. Rice includes the basics, the small things that writers might overlook, and everything in between. Freelance Writing Guide should be added to any writer’s bookshelf.

* Purchase your paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon!

August Vegan Food Swap

Yesterday, I was excited to find that the mail man had delivered a box of vegan goodies to me. My swap partner for August was Kimberly who doesn't have a blog or else I would link you all to her. Somehow, I must have sent Kimberly telepathic messages because she sent me items that I was craving or in need of. Below are the goodies I received:

• Earth Balance coconut & peanut spread
• Apple Sauce with Orange Zests
• Yogi Purely Peppermint Herbal Tea
• Candy Cane Lip Balm
• Sweet Chocolate Dream (dairy-free)

I love peanut butter, so I am looking forward to trying the coconut & peanut spread. I've never seen it before, but it was destined to find its way to my home. The applesauce with orange zests is another food product I've yet to come across, but sound very delcious. Being a chocoholic, I am very familiar with the creamy chocolate bar. It is one of my favorite treats. I was in need of lip balm, so you can only imagine how thrilled I was to find cruelty-free vegan balm in the package. Also, the weather is getting cooler which means I will be enjoying the peppermint tea soon.

You can learn more about the Vegan Food Swap here. Take a look back at the Vegan Food Swap package I received in July over here.

Sadly, since September is a super busy month for my family, I had to pass on swapping this month, but I'll be back mailing and receiving vegan awesomeness in October.

Cover Reveal: Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista

I am excited to participate in the cover reveal for the Young Adult novel, Reaping Me Softly by the lovely and talented Kate Evangelista. How gorgeous is this book cover?

Kate is also the author of Taste, which I enjoyed immensely. If you missed the review I posted about Taste, you can view it here. 

Reaping Me Softly

by Kate Evangelista

Expected release is October 30, 2012. 

Reaping Me Softly on Goodreads

Book description: 

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Cover reveal hosted by AToMR Tours!

Blog Tour: Mahogany Slade by Stephen Robinson

Sage's Blog Tours proudly presents the Mahogany Slade Blog Tour. I am excited to kick off the tour and share my review of this fantastic novel.

Mahogany Slade
by Stephen Robinson
http://mahoganyslade.com/
Date Published: September 2012
Pages: 354

Book Synopsis:

Beautiful, sophisticated, and unpredictable, Janet Tomalin represents every fantasy Brad Carlton grew up having -- and more than a few he never realized.

When they meet on their first day of college in Athens, Georgia, the stylish New Yorker completely upends the staid Southerner's ordered universe.  They fall for each other intensely and completely. It's the all-consuming passion of a natural performer and her adoring audience.

There's just one problem: Mahogany Slade, the woman from Janet's not-so-distant past... and inescapable future. Janet knows once Brad meets the dangerous Miss Slade and learns the truth, their once-in-a-lifetime love is doomed.

Mahogany Slade is the romantic yet acerbic story of young people escaping themselves in a town where your identity is everything. It's as sweet as Janet finds Brad and as irresistible as he finds her.

My Review

Brad Carlton arrives in Athens, Georgia from Greenville, South Carolina to begin school as a freshman at the University of Georgia. He quickly becomes infatuated with a fellow student and New York native, Janet Tomalin. Their social encounters and entertaining interactions balance on a fine line between friendship and intimacy. Surrounded by a lively cast of characters, Brad attempts to juggle his feelings for Janet, various friendships, city adventures, and school.

Stephen Robinson is a sensational writer who smoothly transports readers back to the 90s in Athens, Georgia. I enjoyed each quirky character, but Brad’s close friend Heather Aulds spoke to me the most. She radiates spunk, confidence, while also demonstrating moments of vulnerability. Brad comes off as a serious and talented individual who is quiet and prefers to absorb his surroundings instead of being the focus of attention. Janet is a well-to-do girl with a closet full of demons that continuously escape and haunt her daily life. Brad’s relationship with Janet mimics an exciting but queasy roller coaster ride that continues to twist and turn throughout the story. Mahogany Slade, someone close to Janet, appears amid the whirlwind of emotions, testing Brad as he has never been tested before. 

Author Info:

Stephen Robinson graduated from the University of Georgia in 1996. He has lived in many places but feels at home somewhere else. He’s written for newspapers and magazines. Mahogany Slade is his first work of fiction.

Giveaway Info:
"Mahogany Slade," by Stephen Robinson, is about first love, that moment when your favorite songs suddenly make sense because they're now about someone else.

Post a note on the wall of the "Mahogany Slade" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mahoganysladebook) telling us what song or movie will always remind you of your own Mahogany Slade... even if it's been years since you met.

The author will give a copies of "Mahogany Slade" to his 10 favorite posts.



Follow the Mahogany Slade Blog Tour:

Tour Dates

September 10th @my name is: Sage
September 11th @The Vagabond Studio
September 14th @Kaidans Seduction
September 16th @She's Got Books on Her Mind
September 17th @Lace and Lavender Hints
September 18th @For The Love of Film and Novels
September 20th @Maureen's Book Haven
September 21st @The Reading Diaries
September 22nd @Every Free Chance Book Reviews
September 24th @Crazy Four Books
September 25th @Four A's & a D.
September 26th @EK Ellis Literary Works
September 27th @Book Fidelity
September 28th @Not Now...Mommy's Reading
September 29th @The Book Fox
September 30th @Books and Swoons
October 1st @Nothing Better Than a Book

Book Review: Empty Net by Toni Aleo

Empty Net (Assassins #3)

by Toni Aleo

http://tonialeo.com/

Date Published: September 3, 2012

Pages: 353

Book Description: Definition of an Empty Net: When a team pulls the goalie for an extra attacker, desperately seeking a goal.

Audrey Parker was in a horrible place. She hated her job, her sister was getting married and moving out, but worst of all, she was in love with a total jerk. No matter what she did, every guy she met hurt her. All she wanted was her happily ever after. Her Prince Charming. Her Lucas Brooks! She didn’t know how to change her life but she knew she needed too. Feeling like she was about to hit rock bottom, Audrey wakes up next to Tate Odder.

Tate Odder had lost everything. After being brought up from the Assassins’ farm team, the Florida Rays to the Nashville Assassins, Tate hopes he’ll forget everything he has lost. He doesn’t. Each day gets harder to live in a place he doesn’t know. Even being the first rookie goalie to shut out an opposing team three times during the Lord Stanley Cup Finals, he still felt empty. With the loss of his parents and sister still heavy on his heart, Tate isn’t sure how to live like everything is okay.

But when he wakes up beside Audrey Parker, things start to change. She turns his life upside down with her kooky sense of humor and her bright clothing. She is intelligent and beautiful, and for once, he doesn’t feel empty. Will Audrey be the person to fill the holes in Tate’s heart, making him whole again? Or will another player ruin everything, leaving him feeling forever like an empty net?

My Review

Audrey Parker is a funky fashionista who loves baking, hockey and her family. One thing she longs for is a passionate relationship like her older sister has with her husband. Audrey often compares herself to other women and lacks self-confidence. Unfortunately, this self-esteem issue causes her to settle for less than she deserves when it comes to love interests.

Tate Odder is a powerful goalie on the Nashville Assassins professional hockey team. He is an attractive family-oriented guy from Sweden. Audrey and Tate share an interesting evening together that ignites a fiery attraction between the two. Audrey can't let go of an abusive relationship, and Tate is still healing from a past trauma. While the two seem destined to be together, the path to each other's lives is rocky to say the very least.

Empty Net is the third book in the Assassin Series. Toni Aleo has created a series that keeps your cheeks flushed, your heart racing, and your brain begging for more. Like the first two books in this series, the characters are well-developed and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself rooting for Audrey and Tate, cringing when things went awry, and swooning over steamy moments. I cannot say enough positive things about this book and the series. The characters are loveable, and the story never contains a dull moment.

Blog Tour: The Eyes Die Last by Teri Riggs

The Eyes Die Last

by Teri Riggs

$2.99 - Amazon

Pages: 293

Book Synopsis:

The Las Vegas Mayoral race is heating up, and the incumbent doesn’t have a prayer. Wealthy real estate speculator Nick Campenelli, who wants to legalize prostitution in Clark County, and former pastor Louis St. Louis, running on a 'clean-up-Vegas-by-getting-rid-of-the-whores' platform, are the front runners.

They’re also front runners on the suspect list for a string of murders. Kennedy O’Brien, four-year detective with cop blood running in her veins, and her partner Wilder “Wild Thing” James, a veteran, are determined to find the man who’s murdering prostitutes who work the wrong side of the street, and they don’t care how important or politically active he is.

The killer is a man with a mission. He stalks the women before he kills them, leaving a “BEFORE” photo on their bodies, and sending an “AFTER” shot to the local news hound. Ed Hershey, an aging newscaster with just the right amount of grey in his hair, is determined to turn this story into a network gig, and his interference, along with the LVTVS legal team, are making Kennedy and Wilder look bad. Campenelli’s good looks and charm, and St. Louis’ vitriolic hatred of prostitutes are muddying the waters too, and now the killer seems to have taken a liking to Kennedy.

Author Bio:

Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer.  As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own.  Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head?  When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories.  On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending.  Her girls loved it.

After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in.  It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.

Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world.  And some days Teri thinks maybe they do.
Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep.  The only difference now is she wakes up the next morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.

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Q&A with Teri Riggs

How long did it take you to write The Eyes Die Last?

One year for the first draft. It seemed like twenty years to finish all the edits.

What was your inspiration for this story?

My husband and I go to Las Vegas every year for our anniversary. One trip while I was sitting in a casino mindlessly feeding money into a very hungry slot machine, the idea came to me to write a mystery about a Vegas cop. And maybe in the back of my mind, I may also have been thinking… ‘Man, what a great place to do research!’.

What attracts you to the genre you write in?

I love to read Mystery and Romantic Suspense. I like to try and figure out who the bad guy is. I’m actually getting pretty good at it.

Who is your favorite character of this book, and why?

Hard to pick. I love Kennedy. She’s a very confusing character. She likes to come across as all business and bad ass, but over the course of the book, she softens up and even finds she has a sense of humor. She’ll continue to evolve over the course of the series. And you gotta love the crazy Elvis. He’s someone I’d love to hang out with, blinky suit and all.

What has been the most challenging part of publishing your book?

Having the small press who originally published the book go out of business. I had to learn how to put the book back up as self-published through Kindle Direct Publishing. It was a nightmare. Somehow the format got scrambled and the book came out a mess. Fortunately, I had a friend who found the problem and was able to fix it for me. I’m still learning how to market it myself and that’s been another whole new experience.

Do you have any advice to offer aspiring writers?

Hang in there and never let the rejections get you down. It took almost seven years of rejections to finally get one manuscript sold. Learn everything you can about writing and promoting yourself. There are so many great online writing groups and classes you can take. I think if I spend the next fifty years writing, I’ll still not know everything about the craft. Not giving up is finally starting to pay off. I just sold another book to a publisher I’m looking forward to working with. Most of all, I’d say have FUN! You have to enjoy what you’re doing.

The author is offering the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card to anyone who purchases a copy of The Eyes Die Last during the tour. If you purchase a copy, leave a comment with your email, and Teri Riggs will be drawing a winner at the the end of the tour!! 

Find Teri Riggs on Facebook & Twitter: @TeriLRiggs

Follow The Eyes Die Last Virtual Book Tour:

September 10th @Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

September 11th @A Little Bit of R&R

September 12th @Hooked in a Book

September 13th @CelticLady's Reviews

September 14th @Bookworm Babblings