Blog Tour Stop & Review: Greenwoman Magazine

Greenwoman Magazine 
Winter 2012/Spring 2013

About Greenwoman

"Greenwoman Magazine celebrates garden writing in all its forms: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, commentary, biography, art, and comics! 

Daring and fun, Greenwoman is for the hip gardener who loves digging into the world of art and environmental thought that underlies gardening."

Greenwoman Magazine is a completely independent, one-woman-owned-and-run publication.  (Well, two-women, when Sandra’s daughter Zora, who is the Deputy Editor, has time from her full-time college work).

http://www.greenwomanmagazine.com/

My Review

Greenwoman Magazine: A Literary Garden is chock full of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, commentary, book reviews, arts, and comics. It’s an ideal read for those interested in homesteading, gardening, and literature with a natural theme.

The contributors offer quality writing that is engaging and fun. I found myself immersed in this issue, enjoying the artwork, and gaining some great information along the way. It is a unique publication that stands out from others in similar genres, and most importantly it is a one-woman-owned-and-run magazine!

The pieces that I enjoyed the most are:

• Poultry Season by Bonnie Simon

Bonnie writes about her chickens and the emotional bond she forms with them. I love how the chickens ultimately become her pets.

All day long, my little bird-friends roam around the backyard, doing what chickens were born to do. They run around and flap their wings. They eat all the kitchen scraps in what used to be the compost pile. They hold meetings under the deck. They make me laugh and remind me how to greet every day as an opportunity for something good.

• A Generous Season by Tom Preble

My heart strings were tugged while reading Tom’s piece. I never knew how romantic someone could make a story about their sweetheart’s garden and the overflowing growth they create with their green thumb.

• Grow by Carolyn Williams-Noren

• Diary of a Garden Goddess by Sandra Knauf

Sandy documents her part-time work as a professional gardener over a three-month period. Her writing is smart and witty as she describes the strenuous work, various clients, co-workers, and her love of gardens. I could read an entire zine or book made up of Sandy’s garden entries. She is a fabulous writer. 

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Visit Greenwoman Magazine's website to sign up for a free copy of the magazine!

UPDATE: 100 Things in 2013

6. Visit Astoria. - Done!

Last week I drove down to Astoria, Oregon and spent two nights. It was a quick visit that included going to the beach and checking out the Peter Iredale shipwreck, walking around Fort Stevens State Park, tromping through the woods to see a beautiful waterfall, and viewing The Astoria Column.

63.  Eat an avocado. - Done!

I ate an avocado! My manfriend made a delcious guacamole that I devoured.

74.  Submit art & writing to compilation projects. - Made progress!

I contributed a short essay to a Self-care compilation zine called, The Worth of Water.

To view my list of 100 Things in 2013, go HERE.

Blog Tour Stop & Book Review: Gated by Matt Drabble

Gated
by Matt Drabble

Print Length: 329 pages
Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

Michael and Emily are a happy and contented English couple, a writer and a school teacher. Their lives are complete when Emily falls pregnant, however their dreams are shattered one cold winter night by a car accident that robs them of their happiness.

To overcome their loss they up stick and move to Eden Gardens, a US gated community that offers "Heaven on Earth and Twice as Nice". The people are warm and friendly and welcome them with open arms. The town is a beautiful throwback to a bygone age, where the sun always shines and the sky's always blue.

As they settle into their new perfect lives, the circle is complete when Emily falls pregnant. The town is perfect, the weather is perfect and their lives are perfect. But are the stares from their neighbours a little too intense, is the town a little too interested in their happy news, and is Eden all that it seems.

They are about to find out that paradise comes at a cost, and when you sign a lease, you should always check the fine print.

My Review

Michael and Emily Torrance are a British couple making a fresh start in America. The beauty and friendly demeanor that never ends in their new gated community, Eden Gardens, blow the writer and teacher away. The couple allow themselves to get sucked into the bliss, but a few suspicious incidents have them questioning if the town is too good to be true.

After Emily becomes pregnant, the curious couple look deeper into the history of the town and the Christians, the founders of Eden Gardens. Darkness seeps in, and a handful of locals mysteriously turn up dead or disappear. A ruthless sheriff doesn’t like the nosy couple, but Michael and Emily have a purpose in the town that began years before their move to America, so Sheriff Quinn can not fulfill his monstrous desires.

I think Matt Drabble did a phenomenal job with Gated. The thriller is chock full of a thick and interesting history that adds a great deal to the present day story. The characters are well developed, and the plot is constantly twisting and turning. I had a hard time putting down Gated and was pleased with the exciting ending. 

Follow the Gated Virtual Book Tour:

Tour Schedule

February 18th I Read a Book Once ...
February 23rd Tulsa Books Examiner
February 24th ...the bookworm...
February 26th Aspired Writer 
February 27th Reading Renee
February 28th Four A’s & a D.
March 1st Matt Molgaard's Horror Novel Reviews

Blog Tour Stop & Book Review: HerStory by Delaina M. Waldron

HerStory
By Delaina M. Waldron

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: XLIBRIS (December 26, 2012)
• Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Synopsis

HerStory a novel by Delaina M. Waldron is a paranormal/thriller that takes the reader on a journey in the life of a young African slave woman named Ayira who has a dark secret.  A dark secret she does not understand and is beyond her control.

Ayira can see the past and the future and she can also speak to the dead. 

It is the beginning of slavery in America, a Native American tribe rescues Ayira and she struggles to balance her special powers and face her dark past to help the people around her.

Ayira must overcome her fears of her dark past, survive the present and accept her destiny to help prevent the Indian tribes fatal outcomes.

My Review

HerStory is a paranormal story that takes place during the beginning of slavery in America. Ayira is a young African woman who is one of the many people captured and sold into slavery. Ayira’s father was both a witchdoctor and healer in their tribe. His spirit haunts her as she travels from her homeland to America.

When the slaves reach their destination, a tribe of Native Americans attack the white men and rescue a few of the slaves, including Ayira. From the beginning, everyone in the tribe realizes there is something very different about Ayira. Her distance from the tribe causes them to be suspicious of her, but Ayira is being tormented by the dead.

The young woman believes the gifts that have been passed on to her are curses and torment her soul. Ayira must battle her personal demons, while coexisting with the Native American tribe. HerStory is a captivating read that includes the paranormal, love, and betrayal.

Author Bio

Delaina M. Waldron is a Screenwriter, Novelist and freelance writer in her spare time.  She wrote two feature length screenplays one of which was adapted to her novel "HerStory" and the other a comedy called "Ghetto Ghost Hunters" was a finalist in the 2011 Hollywood Screenwriting contest.  She also wrote a short screenplay a thriller called "Peeper", which is currently in production.

Delaina M. Waldron is a single mother of one and is currently a city bus driver and a military veteran for the Army Reserves, based in New York City.

Website:  www.herstorynovel.com

Twitter:  @delainawaldron

Blog: http://delainawaldron.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/hello-world/

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delaina-M-Waldron/227854963892903?ref=hl

Follow the HerStory Virtual Book Tour:

February 17th Four A’s & a D.
February 20th Lavender & Camomile Press 
February 21st Penny Lane Writes
February 25th Beagle Book Space
February 28th Book Fidelity
March 1st Aspired Writer 
March 1st Bookworm Babblings

Book Release, Kindle Freebie, & Grand Giveaway

Today, I'm happy to spotlight author, Tara Chevrestt!

Love Request /Tara Chevrestt

     I’m pleased to share with you my latest release, Love Request. This one is special to me because it’s not only the first romance I penned, but it features a “hearing-impaired” heroine, like myself.

I say “hearing –impaired” because really, there’s nothing wrong with Ciara. She’s not damaged or in need of repair. She just can’t hear as well as others.

     As a reader, I grew tired of all the women in romance novels being perfect. In real life, many of us have disabilities—and they are disabilities others can’t see. And worse, they are disabilities others can’t understand, and a lot of times what people don’t understand becomes something they fear…and belittle.

     This is where the bullying comes in. You see, this is more than just a romance novel. Open its pages, hit that Kindle “next page” button, and find out for yourself. Learn. Be enlightened. Relate.

Want to sample it first? No problem. Available on Kindle and FREE for the next five days, is a humorous Valentine short story, Mating Instinct.

You’ll find the first chapter of Love Request at the end.

      Thank you, readers, for celebrating this special time with me. Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of you, I’m giving away a print copy of Love Request, a plush dog, a lipstick for that special date, and 5 pheromone-soaked chocolate incense sticks! WARNING: Be careful if dogs are in the vicinity.

Blurb:

     When Ciara Littleton finally joins Facebook to socialize without the limits her hearing impairment gives her, she looks up a childhood friend on a whim. In sending him that first message, she ignites the memories of a crush from twenty years ago. Can a simple friend request fix all that stands between them and maybe even lead to something more?

     Hunter's plate is full. A recent divorce, a pregnant sister, and now, he realizes he's in love with a woman who lives states away. Can he overcome the boundaries of Internet romance to make this desire turn into something real, or will adversity and distance be their undoing?

     This book was formerly titled A Facebook Affair and has been revised with a new ending.

Love Request has been named a LASR Best Book and is now up for vote on Best Book of 2012 Poll. You can cast a vote here. I’m so excited and so grateful!

Blurb for Mating Instinct:

     This is exactly what you need!

     It’s Valentine’s Day and when Ariel receives a package of incense in the mail from her Pagan friend and mentor, she isn’t sure what to make of the enclosed note. Sure, she has some issues, but who doesn’t?

     When the smoke releases its magic, Ariel gets an evening of surprise humor and romance, and it is indeed exactly what she needs.

Links:

Love Request on Amazon

Mating Instinct FREE

     Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.

     Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She shares a website with her naughty pen name: http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html and they have a Facebook page:   

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.

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Book Review & Giveaway: The Kaleidoscope Kids

The Kaleidoscope Kids
Written by: Terry P. O'Grady
Illustrated by: Rick Barrett

• Paperback: 26 pages
• Publisher: Kaleidoscope Kids (September 28, 2012) 

About This Book

This book was developed as way to help children to learn their colors, shapes, and numbers. The unique characters of this book were conceptualized as each having a shape, color, and number so that children can see these concepts together.

Each character is introduced with their shape, color, and number. There are also a number of objects on each page to practice counting. The hope is that this book will make learning these concepts fun, engaging, and easy for your child.

http://www.thekaleidoscopekids.com/

My Review

This whimsical children's book is a perfect addition to any preschooler's collection. I enjoy the fun wording that Terry chose to describe the creation of the vibrant Kaleidoscope Kids. There are ten Kaleidoscope Kids in all and each one is a specific shape, color, and number.

I think the characters are an enticing way to help teach children about colors, numbers, and shapes. I like that Terry combined an interesting story and educational elements for young children. My eight-year-old daughter, Bella, said The Kaleidoscope Kids book is a friendly and helpful book for little kids and I agree!

GIVEAWAY! Author, Terry P. O'Grady is offering my readers an opportunity to win a signed copy of The Kaleidoscope Kids. Enter to win below:

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