The Shifters of 2040 Review

I was given the opportunity to review the book The Shifters of 2040 by Ami Rebecca Blackwelder. I was completely blown away. The book was so much more than I expected.

The story is a PNR (Paranormal Romance) and the first book from this author that I have read. The book is aimed for the young adult reader, but the author's mature content enables even the veteran reader to enjoy. Ami Rebecca Blackwelder shows a passion for the characters as well as details to the story that are lost on many "fantasy" stories.

The Shifters of 2040 is not an easy read, but one that will leave you satisfied It is part of a series, but definitely a stand alone as well. I give this book 5 stars.


I was given the opportunity to ask Miss Blackwelder some questions and she was kind enough to respond.

1. When did you begin to write?

I have always written stories in my head and then once I learned how to write, on paper. Elementary teachers would read my stories in class.

2. Who or what inspires your writing?

My imagination, and also painting, and other authors.

3. Which comes first for you...The story or the title?

Usually the story and from that I quickly have a title and cover. Then characters fall into place and the plot lines develop.

4. Do you see yourself writing any other genre of books?

Paranormal, scifi, historical --all with romantic elements

5. From where do you draw your biggest support in your writing?

Other writers and readers. From my own aspirations and will. My passion.

6. What is your favorite book?

So many. Shiver, Pride and Prejudice, Star Wars, so many different genres too.

7. What is your next project?

The Mers, a paranormal romance about a world 100 years from now. What lies beneath the water? Come to my website and find out:amiblackwelder.blogspot.com

Next stop on the tour is Secrets of A Book Lover.

Purchase your copy at Amazon.com.

Save My Soul Book Tour

Author Bio: Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. She lives with her husband and two cats. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear. For more information please visit Zoe Winters or Zoe Winters' Blog

Here is an excerpt from her new book. Enjoy!


Anna stood in the downstairs bathroom, wrapped in a towel, exhausted from spending all day decorating candles. Her hand swiped out to clean the steam from the mirror. She stopped herself in time. A single word was smeared in the moist fog.
Leave.
Anna felt a tightness curl in her chest. She gripped the pedestal sink, taking a few deep breaths, knowing the ghost was watching and waiting for her reaction. If she were sane, she’d flee the house, do not pass go. But she’d left sane about three exits back when she’d bought the house to begin with. She wasn’t giving it up to a ghost.
Anna wrote her own response on the mirror with her finger, just underneath the first message.
No.
It had taken all her concentration to keep her hand steady, but she’d accomplished the feat. She opened the mirrored cabinet and took out a comb to untangle her hair. When she closed it again, another word had been inscribed.
OK.
Anna didn’t like the sound of that. Somehow it didn’t seem like Beatrice was agreeing to be her roommate. The fear wrapped more tightly around her. She took another, slow breath. After about a minute of being a spaz, she became both angry at herself and exasperated with the ghost.
“Oh good lord! Do you go to a special drama school after you die? I mean, really. Could you possibly whine more? Oh whaaa, I’m a ghost. My life is so hard. This house is plenty big enough for both of us. It’s not like I had plans to put down tacky avocado linoleum. What exactly is your problem?”
A hot breath puffed out over her neck. Her knees buckled, and she gripped the edge of the sink to keep from landing on the floor. She’d spent all her courage on sarcasm and now couldn’t bring herself to look in the mirror again, afraid if she did she’d see the fuzzy outline of Beatrice reflected back to her.
“Scarlett, Rhett, come on,” she said as she left the bathroom. Two furry little heads poked out of the towel rack.
Anna turned on every light on the way up the stairs. Now wasn’t the time to prove she wasn’t afraid of the dark. The score was: Beatrice: 1, Anna: 0. She was freaked, and she had no trouble admitting it.
The cats followed her to the bedroom weaving in and out of her legs the entire way, clearly as bent on her destruction as Beatrice. As soon as she was settled under the covers, Scarlett shoved her head up underneath Anna’s chin while Rhett curled around the back of the pillow, his paws resting on her head. Normally, Anna would toss them off the bed, but tonight she didn’t want to sleep alone.
She spent an hour staring at the back of her eyelids, occasionally opening her eyes to see the green LED numbers mocking her as the time dragged on. Once when Anna looked, the clock had miraculously sped up ten minutes. She must have drifted off.
Now she was awake again. Soft, female cries drifted up the staircase. Then the moaning started. What the hell did Beatrice have to moan about? And could she come up with a bigger cliché? Would chain rattling be next? She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the muffled groans and fell into a fitful sleep.

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I Wore The Ocean In The Shape Of A Girl Review

I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a Girl - A Memoir by Kelle Groom is a heartbreaking true story. Miss Groom conveys her thoughts and emotions remarkably well. Her story is difficult to read. The bravery to write about it is astonishing.

Kelle Groom has not lived an easy life. She has made some bad decisions and has had to live through the results. But this book isn't about a loser. It is about a woman coming to terms with the decisions and hurts in the past to make a better future for herself. She isn't asking for anyone to feel sorry for her. She is just telling her story, as honestly as she is able.

I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a Girl Official Book Trailer from Ben Rock on Vimeo.

This book is not for everyone. It isn't light reading. But it is an inspiring book. I give this book 4 stars.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. The opinions for this review are my own.

Wonder Girl Review

Wonder Girl by Don Van Natta Jr. is the biography of Babe Didrikson Zaharias, an extraordinary female athlete.

Van Natta shows us the life of this wonderful woman. She was a strong and accomplished woman in the athletic world as well as in her personal life.

This book isn't only for the sports enthusiast. She was more than an athlete. She was also a crusader for cancer awareness. Babe's story is truly inspirational. I give this book 4 stars.


Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (June 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316056995
ISBN-13: 978-0316056991
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.5 x 9.8 inches

Review of Children's Educational Books

I have been fortunate enough to review a series of educational books for children by Sylvan Dell Publishing. These books are appropriate for ages 5-10. All of the following books have vivid illustrations and fun learning activities to enhance the learning experience for your child.

Habitat Spy - Written by Cynthia Kieber-King and Illustrated by Christina Wald
This book is a fun spin on the eye spy game. This book takes you from the backyard to the mountain tops to the ocean. It teaches the child to identify 4 differnet living things in eachhabitat.

Meet The Planets - Written by John McGranaghan and Illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein
This book presents the planets in a mock popularity competition. The unique attributes of each planet are displayed in a fun way that helps kids want to learn more.

The Glaciers Are Melting - Written by Donna Love and Illustrated by Sherman Bersani
This book is told in a Chicken Little style. Peter Pika is concerned and goes to all the animals on his way to the Mountain Monarch, looking for help to stop the glaciers from melting. The story has fear, trickery and faith. This story introduces kids to environmental responsibility.

Deep In The Desert - Written by Rhonda Lucas Donald and Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh
This book is unique in that the stories are set to song. Old faves such as Pop Goes The Weasel tells the story of the gila monster. There are over 10 rewritten songs to tell the tale of life in the desert.

Big Cat, Little Kitty - Written by Scotti Cohn and Illustrated by Susan Detwiler
This book was my favorite. It follows the daily activities of many large cats through a week and compares these activities to a small house cat. The story show the differences between the large and small cats, and the similarities. I found this to be an educational book on the animal kingdom, but also a good book on diversity.

I reccomend the books to anyone who is involved with young children. My grand daughter is 4 and loves these stories. I give all of these Sylvan Dell Publishing books 5 stars.

The Gray Zone Review

The Gray Zone by Daphna Edwards Ziman is an exciting mystery/thriller novel. The action is smooth and the story line riveting. The characters are developed so well that you become a part of their story. I was captivated by chapter 2 and couldn't put it down.

Daphna Edwards Ziman's passion for correcting the atrocities in the foster care system are evident with The Gray Zone. She has been active in legislation for changing the system and her book portrays the worst side of our foster care system.

The Gray Zone is a well written book that will keep you on your seat. It portrays the basic human condition of survival. I recommend this book for any mystery/thriller lover. I give this book 5 stars. I enjoyed reading this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160832110X
ISBN-13: 978-1608321100
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches

Stilettos and Scoundrels Book Tour

Stilettos and Scoundrels by Laina Turner Molaski is a fun chick themed who dun it. It is a pleasant break from those intense murder mysteries we all enjoy. This book allows you to have fun with the story without thinking too hard about the plot.

The heroine of the story is a complete girly girl who heads back to her home town after living in a big city. When she is thrown into a high tense situation, she almost always makes some fashion commentary. Her character is what makes the story fun.

Stilettos and Scoundrels is an easy read. It will be a disappointment for those who enjoy complicated plots and story twists. But for a fun diversion, this book is a great choice. I give this book 3 1/2 stars.


Visit the secret Nurturz Tour Book Special page to get your paperback copy of Stilettos & Scoundrels for $5.00 or your Kindle copy for $1.90.

Don’t miss out on these fantastic savings!

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For the most recent updates in the book tour schedule, please visit the author’s book tour page at: http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbtblog/?p=317