Long Time, No Review!

Hi book lovers! Sorry for the delay! I've been busy opening my bookstore and finishing my novel! Welcome November with open hearts, and lot of reading!! Today's review comes to us from Natalie Boucher, a college student here in town, and a good friend of mine! She asked me for a good read and I had to point to The Night Touched Chronicals. An amazing book by Maegan Provan! Well, let's see what Natalie thinks!

Book Review: Night Touched Chronicles by Maegan Provan

Book 1 Celine

The Night Touched Chronicles: Book 1 Celine by Maegen Provan breathes new life into the extensive genre of vampire fiction. A mystery laced with forbidden romance Maegen draws readers into the elegantly dark world of Harper the last night touched vampire, or so she thought.

Discovering another night touched like herself in danger, Harper jumps into action starting a rescue mission disrupting her and her two vampire friends comfortable living. Along the way Harper begins finding clues about her past while trying hard to not fall in love with the enemy. Prepare yourself for a fast paced action book with just a little spice, leaving you craving more. As Maegen Provan enraptures you with her fresh twist on Vampires.

Thanks so much Natalie!!! Maegen will LOVE to see this!!! 

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Jarod Meyer

About the Author

 

Jarod Meyer is a newly emerging author signed with Autumn Arch Publishing. His new science fiction fantasy adventure series "William of Archonia" follows the mortal and immortal life of a man who did not have good opportunities on earth but will find his place in the heavenly paradise known as Archonia. 

 

Jarod attended Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in creative design. After two years of writing as a hobby Jarod found his own distinct voice and began his own adventure of creating a fictional version of the afterlife using prominent religions and mythologies throughout the history of mankind.

 

Jarod hopes that his series will strengthen people's own personal faith while helping them understand other people's point of view. Ultimately he hopes that everyone will enjoy an adventure that will fill them with wonder.

 www.williamofarchonia.com

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Christian Connett

I AM: Inspired, Aware, Motivated
True stories of overcoming abuse, heartache, and self-indulgence

My new book, "I AM: Inspired, Aware, Motivated" is almost complete! This book features the most open, honest, and raw that I have ever been. The stories and allegories are very real, and the insight is not only very meaningful but also more in-depth than anything that I have previously written.

I am excited about this next project and I am looking forward to feedback and input from my readers.

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Brenda Scott

Have you ever had a dream but needed the courage to take that first step? Discover how God worked through one woman’s talents to turn her dreams into reality.

Life has often been a series of hurdles and obstacles for Brenda Scott that could only be overcome with her unwavering faith and constant determination for continuous improvement. This self-taught artist found her way through many art mediums with no formal training but was instead empowered by many strong, creative women along the way. Learn lessons of humility, gratitude, patience, and forgiveness as she takes us on a journey of her lifetime path of art and creativity.

Discover how her goal to become a successful artist led to the biggest project of her life: renovating her old country Victorian home. It became a major undertaking that would test both her spirit and her resolve to see the process through to the very end. Savoring country life while taking on the challenges of that renovation taught her the beauty to be found in the ordinary, everyday life all around her on the acreage. Through this endeavor she began to realize that she was on a course that would determine who she was as an artist and that the real restoration project was within herself.

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Michele Shriver

Michele Shriver writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Her books feature flawed-but-likeable characters in real-life settings. She’s not afraid to break the rules, but never stops believing in happily ever after. Michele counts among her favorite things a good glass of wine, a hockey game, and a sweet and sexy book boyfriend, not necessarily in that order.

Four women, once best friends, have not spoken to each other in ten years. A drunken, decade old promise and a class reunion will bring them together again. 

For Jordan, her lofty dreams now a distant memory and her life at a crossroads, a reunion with her one-time friends offers a chance to make amends and start anew, but only if she can avoid falling back into self-destructive habits. 

After years of struggling with her identity, Sarah has found personal and professional contentment. Will she finally have the courage to reveal the secret she hid from her friends? 

Beth thought she was on the verge of having at all, but after a personal crisis now risks losing it all. In order to face her future, she must first find a way to let go of the past.

Tracey is still searching for happiness and approval. Will she find what she is looking for at the reunion, or leave stronger because she doesn't?

A story of forgiveness, acceptance, the bonds of friendship and the age old question of whether you can go home again.

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Dakota Trace

I'm a busy mother of three

, that spends all her free time writing erotic fiction. I'm a published author with nearly fifteen novels and numerous short stories and novella length stories under my belt. When I'm not working in retail or clacking away on the computer, I love to garden and read.

Find more at her blog: http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/p/book-list.html

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Andrea Rodgers

Yes, I'm one of "those people" who has always been a writer. :) I wouldn't exist without the "writing" part of me--it's what makes me who I am. I told stories from my earliest days and my favorite childhood activity was going to the library to check out books. I read and wrote every day--at restaurants, as a passenger in the car, and while my parents shopped at stores. It was common for me to disappear at family gatherings and be found writing somewhere.

As a pre-teen, I recruited a couple of my friends to create a group called The Writers Club to write shorts stories and critique each other's work. In high school, I became editor of my school's literary magazine and had articles published in the local newspaper--but I wanted to touch lives through books as they had for me, so I was devastated to learn that being a novelist wasn't a "real job." I put my passion on hold when I went to Iowa State University, majored in journalism and mass communication, and enjoyed hosting an entertainment show on the campus TV station. English was my minor so I wrote for my college magazine and had several articles published in a newspaper where I interned for two summers.I graduated in 2002 and worked in both television and radio for the next few years. In 2003, I married my college sweetheart, had a son in 2008, and a daughter in 2011.

My life-long ambition never wavered, though. I joined the Romance Writers of America in 2005 and submitted my first manuscript in 2006, followed by another in 2007. After publication fell through, I took a hiatus to be a stay-at-home-mom, but re-joined the RWA in October 2013 after my oldest child started kindergarten. Every November, writers are encouraged to join NaNoWriMo (write 50,000 words in one month). I'd never participated--but decided to try. Although it wasn't a romance like my previous books, an inspirational story came to me in a dream so I immediately got to work. It was literally a "dream come true" when I was offered a contract in December 2013 for The 20th Christmas. The novel was released at Barnes & Noble on October 1, 2014. . .and on November 6th I was ranked an Amazon Best Selling Author when The 20th Christmas reached a #3 spot. On Black Friday it reached the Top 10 list again (#8 Christian Fiction) and a third & fourth time in December 2014.

In 2015, I signed a contract for my second novel, Caged Dove, about a woman who returns to her hometown after being gone for fifteen years - and a dramatic chain of events weave her life with a teenage girl.I spent 2016 with my youngest child (rather than publishing another book), since she starts kindergarten in the fall of 2017 - but my goal is to write 2-3 books a year from then on. I hope you will stay with me! Thank you!

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Twenty years ago, Aniston Kline learned that childhood rhyme wasn't true after being bullied in junior high. Now a newspaper reporter, Aniston returns to her hometown-a place she thought she would never return to-prepared to write an article about a boy's story that echoes her past. Aniston wants nothing more than to slip in and out of Savanna Shores unseen and unrecognized by anyone who might still remember her; however, a brutal snowstorm ushers her into town and leaves her stranded in a snowstorm with her high school crush, Arjay.

Arjay Mason was once the handsome quarterback of the high school football team. Now a police officer in Savanna Shores, he has yet to find lasting love. He realizes he already missed one opportunity with Aniston and doesn't want her to leave again-but how could she stay in a town that once caused her pain?

As Aniston faces her own demons from her past and sifts through old emotions with Arjay, the fate of a teenage girl named Maddie becomes intricately intertwined with the two adults to reveal a much grander plan for everyone involved. While it seemed like it was just coincidence that brought together Aniston and Arjay, the two begin to understand there's a reason they were brought together again

Meet the Vendor: IABE

Scentsy

Simplicity. Authenticity. Generosity.

Since 2004, Scentsy has grown from a small, family business to a thriving international fragrance company and a leader in the direct selling industry. But some things haven't changed. We still hold true to our core values and a dedication to contribute more than we take in our relationships with our Consultants, customers and the communities where we live and work.

At Scentsy, we're a family. We're honest and hardworking and real. We offer each other support and strive to give anyone who wants to enhance their life the best opportunity to do it.

Brought to you by Crissy Okones!

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Brooke Williams

Brooke Williams is a former radio announcer and producer turned stay-at-home mom/freelance writer/author. When she isn't writing blogs and articles for clients, she specializes in romantic comedy. Brooke has been married to her husband, Sean, since 2002 and has two daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie.

Megan Malone is the ultimate homebody. When her sister talks her into taking her place on the local version of the TV show Survivor called The Leftover, she isn't sure she'll make it past the first vote. Cane Trevino is nursing a broken heart by joining the show as a medic. With time away from his regular job and a host of contestants to distract him, he hopes he can finally get over the woman he thought was "the one."

As the contests ramp up, Megan faces her shortfalls as well as the bullies that hit the beach alongside her while harboring a crush on the show's medic. How far with Megan get on the show? Will Cane get over his broken heart? Join a host of characters for contests filled with laughs, blind sides around every corner, and the ultimate showmance. Who will be The Leftover?

Wrong Place, Right Time is a humorous, light romance about TV traffic reporter, Kate Covington. After admitting she is in love with her best friend, Brian, Kate barges into a Las Vegas wedding chapel to stop him from getting married. When the bride storms out, Kate see that she interrupted the wrong wedding. The groom, Chad Leida, who needs to marry before turning 30 in order to inherit his family fortune, has an intriguing offer for Kate. Marry him and spend a year as his wife for a million dollars. Kate, who is greatly in debt and believes her friend has already married considers the offer.

Once Kate makes her spontaneous decision, her life is on the fast track and the real adventure begins. Caught between two men, she begins to realize that though she turned up in the Wrong Place, she might have arrived just at the Right Time.

Renee Lockhart has her eye on a lofty goal…to fill the open position of morning radio show host at the radio station where she works.  When her co-workers sign her up for a local TV version of “the Bachelor,” Renee goes along with it in order to raise her public profile.  Ben McConnell, the most eligible bachelor in town, insists that Renee be placed on the show, despite her bumbling audition.  Ben gets much more than he expected in Renee.  He gets a girl who doesn’t bow to his every whim…and a girl who opens his eyes to true, unexpected love. When nothing goes right on the local program called "Accept this Dandelion"...hilarity ensues. Imagine your worst possible dates happening...on TV!

Twelve men…one woman…plenty of dandelions. Eva Merida has her life in order. She loves her job at the Furry Friends Rescue League and has a loving, supportive family. But she’s still missing that one special person to stand by her side. When she comes in third place on the local TV version of “The Bachelor,” entitled Accept this Dandelion, she nearly loses all hope for romance. Fortunately, the TV station decides to do a second season of the dating show…and they name Eva as the Bachelorette! With a plethora of dating mishaps recorded for TV, Eva finds herself falling for several men at once…including the show’s host. Will she find love at last or simply embarrass herself in front of the entire city?

After Renee Lockhart appeared on the local TV dating show "Accept this Dandelion" and found the love of her life, she thought she was done with TV. But when she hears that the entire city has bets on how soon she and her fiancé will break up, she is determined to show that their love is meant to last. When Mike, the KETO producer, approaches her about airing the wedding live, she jumps at the chance. Once she is set up with a famous wedding coordinator, plans take a turn for the worse and the simple wedding they wanted becomes the event of the year. In the meantime, Eva Merida is dealing with her own life changing opportunity. Though she’s in love with her boyfriend, who she met on the second season of the dating show, she can’t turn down the chance to investigate a Hollywood TV show when offered a position. When she runs into an old flame, she questions the stability of her current relationship. Will Renee be able to prove her love for Ben to the city before her wedding falls apart? Who will Eva choose on her own emotional roller coaster? Hilarity ensues as the wedding of the decade melts into the disaster of the year. Because everyone knows weeds take over every garden…

It's a rainy day...what's a kid to do? Play outside in the rain of course! Mom is usually willing to enjoy the fun, but today, she hasn't even showered yet. When her daughter persists, mom gives in and simply showers in the rain! Join in on the fun any mom can have by going back to being a kid at heart with this whimsical story about a mom trying to handle it all and a child just trying to have a good morning in the rain!

Poor baby sheep has never had a haircut. When the farmer finally gives him a much-needed trim, he gets to see the farm for the very first time. The problem is...he doesn't know what his mommy looks like or where to find her!

His first day on the job, ambulance driver Jay has a horrible accident. The victim of the crash is thrown into a coma and Jay keeps vigil by her side. As their lives, past and present intertwine; a story of love through time unfolds. An intricate drama including adoption, love, suspense, and plenty of questions, Someone Always Loved You is a novel that keeps the mind churning and the soul alive.

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Scott Champlin

Sanford "Scotty" Champlin is a retired police officer that has turned writer. After working the streets for more than 32 years he has put some of his experiences on paper. Scotty, as everyone called him, worked for Mt. Vernon, Indiana Police Department for 22 years and was their Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and general Instructor, he also led the countywide SWAT team for several years. After leaving Mt. Vernon Scott took the position of Town Marsha of New Harmony, Indiana. A small tourist town in Southern Indiana, New Harmony is a quaint step back into the past. While there Scott's main duties were giving directions to tourists, helping little old ladies with an occasional burglary or drunk with a shotgun. Mt. Vernon sitting on the Ohio River and New Harmony being on the Wabash River, gave Scott plenty of time to be around the water, in his youth he and his friend Mike would build rafts and play Tom Sawyer, when he was older Scott just enjoyed a leisurely paddle in his canoe on the Wabash. Today Scott lives in Iowa and enjoys reading, writing, history, politics, and his dog Murphy. Scott is working on 2 more books, one being the true story of a friend and the hard road he traveled, the other a Historical Fiction set in early 1600 during the founding of America.

Sam has patrolled the streets in McCracken's Bluff for years and thought he could handle anything. Then his friend the District Attorney is murdered and turns Sams peaceful life, upside down. The investigation takes several twists and turns as Sam deals with the quirky people of this small town to try find the killer. Was it a local, or someone from out of town, or Maybe, the horse did it.

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Larissa Vitt

Larissa Vitt was a child of the 80’s. She joined the United States Army where she graduated top of her class and received distinguished honors upon completing the US army attack helicopter course and spent six years as a crew chief and mechanic.

Science fiction was still in her blood. From the first time she saw the science fiction explosion on the silver screen in the late 70’s and read the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, she was hooked. She had worked several jobs and after not finding an aviation career, the pen called to her.

         When not writing she spends her time painting and tinkering with old cars. These are some of the aspects of her life have found their way into the fabric of her stories. Her ability to see and paint a picture shines through from the beginning.

Today she lives alone with the love of her life in Shawnee Kansas wielding her brushes and painting with words.

His WWII fighter plane was as close as Bob Conner could get, since the times of magic, to dancing among the clouds nestled in the shoulders of his mighty emerald dragon. It has been thousands of with the magic buried deep in the Earth to protect it from mankind. Now the world is changed forever as it has been rediscovered and once again brought to the surface.

   Now that the magic has been released it is up to those few elves and dwarfs that have stayed behind to put things back. With the help of three special women and a small air force of vintage aircraft this courageous group battles the darkness and is the light that ushers in a who new age of magic.

Meet the Author: IABE

D. Nichole King

Born and raised in Iowa, d. Nichole King writes her stories close to home. There’s nothing like small-town Midwest scenery to create the perfect backdrop for an amazing tale.

She wrote her first book in junior high and loved every second of it. However, she couldn’t bring herself to share her passion with anyone. She packed it away until one day, with the encouragement of her husband, she sat down at the computer and began to type. Now, she can’t stop.

When not writing, d. is usually curled up with a book, scrapbooking, or doing yet another load of laundry.

Along with her incredible husband, she lives in small-town Iowa with her four adorable children and their dog, Peaches.

The Spirit is the first book of The Spirit Trilogy, and is her debut novel.

Moments.

Every life is made of thousands of them, each one strung together with the next. Some are yellow and happy, some are blue and sad, and some…

Some wipe out color altogether.

“I love you,” is what I should have told Maverick.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m still fighting.”

Instead I just watched him leave.

Now my husband, my everything is battling for each breath, and all I can do is stare at the machines as the clock ticks off precious minutes.

The doctors said the first twenty-four hours are critical—but every moment is critical.

You never know which will be your last.

This is our story, and I’m not ready for it to end.

Dear Diary, 

Leukemia’s been my life since I was eleven. Now, six years later, I want my life back. Only I’m not sure what that is. The test results came back today. 22,000. Which means I’m officially out of remission—again. I have three options:

1) Another round of chemo.
2) A super-new experimental drug.
3) Dump it all— forget the meds and treatments and enjoy the time I have left.

I think I know what I want. Then, in walks Damian, changing everything.

I mean, everything… 

He’s got his own set of issues. It binds us together, you know? We understand what it’s like to lose what matters most in seconds. Still, the last thing I need is to have someone else to crush if I can’t fight hard enough. And the last thing he needs is someone else to grieve. 

Never mind. I’m down to two options now.

Somehow I know that whichever one I choose, the result will be the same. With the sand in my hourglass seeping to the bottom, I hope there’s enough left to show Damian that life’s worth living. 

Worth fighting for. Worth dying for.

Love Always,
Kate

While seventeen year-old Carrie Reese’s parents were working out the details of their divorce, she headed to Villisca, Iowa to stay with her grandparents.

Villisca was home to the infamous Axe Murder House…

It’s known to be haunted by the ghosts of the victims and their killer. Carrie doesn’t believe in ghosts, but the moving curtains and red flashes of light in the windows of Lot 310 were starting to give her reason to watch her back.

Then in walked Lucas…

Within days, Carrie knew she was in love. But Lucas seemed strange: his hands were cool and hollow, he barely touched his food, and there was sadness behind his brilliant green eyes.

Lucas was falling for Carrie but knowing that loving her puts her in grave danger, he reluctantly slips out of her life….

He struggles between staying away and telling Carrie his darkest secret. Unable to stand being apart from her any longer, he decides she must know.

They say time heals all wounds. 

What a load of bull. It’s been four years, and Kate’s voice still echoes in my mind. 

Every. Damn. Day. 

I numb her memory when it taunts me. In college, I drown her out with booze and easy lays. 

I can’t do what she asked.

I can’t let her go.

Not even when Lia shows up, freaking ripping what’s left of me to shreds. Caring about someone isn’t worth the deadness that follows after they’re gone. I didn’t ask for this. Didn’t ask for her.

And I sure as hell didn’t plan to miss her when she walked out of my front door. Now, if I want to keep her, I have to straighten myself out and earn her. I can’t screw this up.

Because if I do, I’ll lose more than just Lia.

I’ll lose my life…

Find more at http://www.dnicholeking.com/

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Usborne Books and More

Mission

"The future of our world depends on the education of our children. EDC delivers educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime."

Why are Usborne Books so incredible? Because of the founder's philosophy:
"Children are clever - they are our equals. We shouldn't talk down to them, but look across at them.
 Books should be friendly, and as much like magnets as possible.
 They should be reliable and accurate, stylish and artistic.
Books should help get you off your couch so you're not just sitting there watching TV and chewing gum.
They should promote wondering.
They should be better than good."
- Founder, Peter Usborne

The Kane/Miller Philosophy
For more than 25 years, Kane/Miller has been publishing award-winning children's books from around the world. We're proud that our books bring the world closer to children but at the same time, open their minds to the differences that are part of that world.
Our aim is to publish books that make kids say "Wow, that's just like me." and also "Wow, that's different." And for them to know that maybe someone in another part of the world is saying "Wow" about the exact same book.

Brought to us by Michelle Armiger

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Thom Hotka 

Thom Hotka is the author/illustrator of the science fiction comic Nextuus: The Search for the Ocean Shard. The comic has been published and continually updated online since 2006 and in April of 2017 released its fourth printed volume. Thom grew up and lives in Des Moines, where he continues to write and draw three new pages of Nextuus every week.

                       

 

             

Meet the Author: IABE

Author of Paranormal and Fantasy Romance. Lover of fairy tails and dreams. Hospital worker and business owner. Often referred to as the crazy bird lady

Love doesn’t come easy. It doesn’t come fast. It comes with everything that’s made to destroy the heart and soul. Nikolai is a crippled PI suffering from fibromyalgia and a bad case of brokeitis. On the surface his crass disposition comes off rough, but deep down a loneliness eats at him Ada is hiding from her past, a victim of being pimped out at a young age. Her dream of becoming an artist is cut short by a boss with an evil agenda and creatures trying to attack her in the night. When Ada reaches out to Nikolai for help they soon realize neither of them will have answers if they can’t address their own emotion turmoil. They are thrown into a dark world, but when her life is in danger it’s the mysterious vampire named Steel who saves her. Together they can break a curse hundreds of years old and in the process might just find the love they have been yearning for. Together they make a love triangle between two people no one expected.

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Jackie Wiles

Jacquelyn Wiles is 27 and lives in Davenport, IA. She loves writing and enjoyed English in school. Writing is her passion. She is currently working on the sequel You Can't Trust Anyone and Neighborhood Nightmare.

Have you ever wanted to date someone online? Do you trust people easily? Sometimes that can be a deadly thing. Julia finds out first hand the dangers of being with someone you don't really know.  Never settle for less than you deserve. 

Meet The Author: IABE

This week, I bring you a newcomer! However I am sure she will fit right in!
Sara Weis

Sara J. Weis is a creative and passionate teacher who has inspired children for over eighteen years. Through her bestselling book, Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Using Yoga for Kids, she has combined her experience as an elementary and junior high teacher and as a certified kid and adult yoga instructor to help introduce children to the lifelong benefits of yoga. She is also the creator of the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards which allow adults and children to move progressively through yoga poses at their own rate and abilities.

Sara holds a Master’s degree in Education as well as a Bachelor’s degree in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She is a teacher for the West Des Moines School District and leads kids yoga classes for a nationally known health and fitness club. She lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, with her three children and her husband.

You can find Sara at gogoyogakids.com, on facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest and youtube.