Thursday 27 June 2013

Book Tour & Giveaway - How You Leave Texas by Alana Cash - 3 short stories

HOW YOU LEAVE TEXAS won a first prize in the Global Book Contest 2013


How You Leave Texas is a volume of three short stories and a novella about four young women who leave Midland, Austin, Fort Worth and Mayville, Texas for New York, California, Jakarta, and in one instance, jail.  The young women seek escape from boredom and sorrow and they find it.  Hilarious, tragic, and revelatory, the stories are about extraordinary women with ordinary lives

Synopsis of individual stories:

Dam Broke – On the night of their high school graduation, Annabelle and Mickey ride a scooter in pouring rain as they reveal closely held secrets. (6 pages). 

In sixth grade, I abandoned the reading glasses for a blond wig and a fake mole above my top lip. Mickey started wearing sunglasses indoors and carrying business cards.

 Camille’s Net Worth – On the day she turns 40, Camille’s life goes from bored to worse in uncontrolled demolition.  She accepts an exciting job opportunity and travels back and forth to Indonesia.  The job isn’t what is appears, but the irony of how things turn out causes Camille to laugh until she has tears rolling down her face. (42 pages). 

“I’m not going to spend much time repeating myself,” Camille said, “I want you to remove whatever you want to keep from this house. You can store your stuff in a rental truck if you need to until you find a new home, but you will be gone from here by midnight and never return.”

“You can’t do that!”

“If you are not gone by midnight, I will set fire to the house.” 

Krystal’s Wedding – Krystal leaves her seriously flawed family in Midland, heading for New York City, where she takes a few slippery steps.  Krystal’s mother encourages her to find a husband in order to escape her loud roommate in Hell’s Kitchen and her boring job. However, Krystal actually gets her footing in New York and in life when she is offered a new, fulfilling direction (21 pages). 

Krystal felt safer with Hudson there, but it must be as clear to him and his family as it was to her that theirs was a match of china and paper plates. As Krystal faked a sip of the champagne with a name she couldn’t read because it was printed in twirly letters in French, she wondered how hard his mother would try to prevent Hudson from getting too serious … 

Frying Your Burger – Nicky and three irreverent friends spend mornings at a coffee shop tossing repartee on love, sex, and religion.  For a short while, Nicky is caught up with a sexy Hollywood player, becoming a pawn in the battle of egos between two movie directors trying to ruin each others careers.  The affair flares, then fizzles, but Nicky lands on her feet (108 pages). 

I went into the room marked Cashier and got into a long line. And there he was. Grinning that grin. He should have had a license for it. It was that bright. I stood next to him in my white t-shirt and white pants looking like someone straight out of the “hospital orderly fashion catalogue.” It was all I had clean that day. 

About the Author:








Alana Cash is an adventurer.  She's been on ride-alongs in New York City patrol cars. She’s kissed a man inside Norman Bates’ Psycho house. She trekked alone through war-torn Serbia.  She’s used her experiences as inspiration for her work as an acclaimed writer and filmmaker.  Some of her favorite accolades are:
  • She was one of 60 US teachers profiled on the PBS series, "A Writer's Exchange," for her talent as a teacher at the University of Texas Informal Classes 
  • Her feature film, "Tom's Wife," based on her novel of the same name, won awards all over the world
  • Her documentary "Anna Freud: Under Analysis," part of documentary trilogy on women in science, was translated into German for broadcast in Austria, Germany & Switzerland

She’s a native Texan and makes great chili.

WEBSITE:   WWW.ALANACASH.COM


Fiction Addiction Book Tours

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Book Review, Author Interview and International giveaway -- Chasing Shadows by J Carmen Smith

 A COMPELLING DEBUT BY AN EXCITING NEW TALENT
CHASING SHADOWS by J Carmen Smith
 
A journey into the past and the secrets it holds
 

Part family saga, part memoir, this compelling book tells the true story of Micaela, a Spanish immigrant to Liverpool at the turn of the last century. It is also the story of her Granddaughter's search, one hundred years later, for her own lost heritage and the truth about Micaela's early life.

 
J Carmen Smith writes:
Chasing Shadows   
is Micaela's story, from her birth in Santiago de Compostela in the late 1870s, to her death in Liverpool in 1950. The story unfolds as tragic events alter the course of Micaela's life, taking her from a comfortable life in nineteenth century Spain to a poor, working class environment in early twentieth century Liverpool. In Liverpool, she meets the Spanish seaman whom she marries in 1907.
 
Chasing Shadows tells of their life together, the difficulties they face in a foreign land, their hopes and disappointments.
It tells of Micaela's failure to fully adapt to her new environment and how this affects her eldest daughter's life as Pilar is torn between two cultures, two languages and two religions after making a hasty marriage.
 
Micaela was my grandmother and Chasing Shadows is also my story. It tells of my travels through northern Spain in search of my lost heritage as I explore the culture and the landscape that Micaela left behind. Seemingly chance meetings influence my search, helping me, after many false leads and dead ends, to unearth the secrets of past generations."

About the Author
 
 J Carmen Smith was brought up in the Liverpool suburbs, the youngest child in a working class family. She went to grammar school but left at the age of fifteen to start work as a typist in a Law Stationer's Office in the city centre. At the time, she promised her English teacher that one day she would take her English Language and Literature 'O' levels. She eventually kept her promise, gaining '0' and 'A' levels while her children were young, then a BA (Hons) in English and History when they had all flown the nest. At the age of 59 she graduated from The University of Liverpool with an MA in Victorian Literature.

Chasing Shadows is her first full length work.

Authors website - www.jcarmensmith.com
Authors Twitter - @jcarmensmith
 
Chasing Shadows is published by Corazon Books. Available from many good retailers - Click here
For Amazon UK - Click here
For Amazon US - Click here
 
MY REVIEW
 
I have a few passions in my life, reading obviously being one of them; the other two being genealogy and travel. It was as if this book was written just for me.

J Carmen Smith tells her wonderful story of her quest into her Grandmother Micaela's background; trying to find how she came to live in Liverpool from Galicia in Spain, and what secrets her family’s background held.

The author shares with us her travels through the beautiful area of Galicia in Spain. Her descriptions of the area really bring it to life, and I assure anyone who reads this book, that you will want to travel there. I just didn't like the part about travelling up mountain and hillsides which have edges. My one fear is edges and it makes me feel ill just reading about them! At least that shows how well written her descriptions are. She visits places where her Grandmother Micaela spent her childhood years, and along the way meets some people with amazing characters who freely give of their time to help her on her quest, and whom end up becoming good friends. The language barrier is somewhat of a hindrance but she manages to get by.

I loved how the author would write one chapter based on her Grandmothers time in Liverpool and the trials and tribulations she encountered in a Country who's language she never seemed to completely master. Then the author would switch to another chapter based on her travels in Galicia in search of Micaela's roots.

As an amateur genealogist I desperately wanted her to find out about her Grandmothers birthplace, family home and childhood years, as I know how I have tried to do the same with my own Grandfather and it can be really frustrating at times and I have been doing it in a country with a language I am fluent in. It must have been even more frustrating coping with the bureaucracy and language barriers in a foreign country. I really felt for her on her lows and was joyous on her highs.

I really liked all the elements of this book. I would have liked to have found out more about Micaela and parts of her life, but them I'm sure the author would too. I hope she continues her research into this part of her family tree as I am sure it will reap many more rewards.

 My Interview with the Author J. Carmen Smith

     1.   I am an amateur genealogist and, like you, love researching my family   history. Do you think you will continue to do research into your grandmothers family and go back further in time?

I desperately want to continue researching my grandmother’s family. Discoveries such as finding myself in a restaurant in Santiago, knowing that my great-great-grandmother had died in an upstairs room in that same building, drive me on. I have gone back to the early 1800s on her father’s side – but as research is, as yet, not possible via the internet, I’m restricted by the amount of time I can spend in Santiago.  I’ve also hit a snag following Micaela’s mother’s side; her marriage certificate gives the date and place of her baptism but to date I’ve been unable to locate the actual certificate, which would take me back another two generations. Frustratingly, I have also been unable to unearth any information about my Spanish grandfather. I was recently interviewed by the Galician newspaper La Voz de Galicia and I’m hoping that might lead to something.

 2. What do you think Micaela would make of your book?

I have conflicting thoughts about what would be my grandmother’s reaction to Chasing Shadows. When I’m feeling positive, I think she would be delighted and proud that she made such an impact on my life that I felt the need to travel to Santiago to ‘search’ for her. At other times, I can visualise her diminutive figure shaking her fist and crying, ‘How dare you!’ – in Spanish, of course. In my defence, there are some family secrets that were left out of the e-book!

 3. Where did you do your writing when writing this book?
I wrote the book in the days before I acquired a laptop, so my writing was done on the family computer in the smallest bedroom – laughingly christened ‘the office’ once the children had left home.


    4. Did you write in silence, or did you need music or background noise?
 
I don’t need absolute silence when I’m writing, although I must be alone and I hate being interrupted. I don’t think I could concentrate if I had music in the background, although I can sometimes hear my next-door neighbour’s TV! 

    5. Has this journey back in time inspired you to create a family tree, or have you already done one?

I do have a very basic form of family tree, consisting of A3 pages sellotaped together which my local printer photocopied for me – because my grandmother was one of ten siblings I had to glue extra bits on every time I found a birth certificate. One day I hope to organise it in the correct format but I’m waiting to see if I can discover my grandfather’s details first.
 
   6. Has this spurred you on to write another book and if so what do you think the subject matter will be? Fact or Fiction?
 
     Another book? Two storylines have been buzzing around in my head for the last couple of years; both are fictional, although they are connected to actual events. I keep promising myself that I’ll organise my time more effectively and get down to some serious writing – but ‘life’, as in husband, grown-up children, grandchildren, my local U3A group, reading and creative writing groups, blogging, etc, etc, keep pushing my ‘heroines’ into the background. One day, I hope, they’ll burst into life, kicking and screaming!
 
Thank you for your interview. They were really interesting replies.







Tuesday 18 June 2013

Guest Travel Blog - Arillas ~ Corfu, Greece - by Anne Cater


Welcoming Anne on her second guest blog travel post - This time she has left her home town of Lincoln and is telling us of her love of Corfu.

Welcome again Anne......

My first trip to Greece was in 1999 when we visited the island of Rhodes and fell in love with the Greek way of life.  The people, the food, the climate – we were hooked and knew that we would return.   And return we have.  We’ve been back twice a year for the last fourteen years, and although we’ve not yet been back to Rhodes, we have visited many of the islands including Crete, Kos, Paxos, Kefalonia and Ithaca.

However, it is Arillas on the north-west coast of Corfu that we have really adopted as our second home, returning every May for two weeks.

Arillas is a quiet, village resort – with a long beach and some beautiful walks.  There are just enough tavernas, a few bars and a couple of shops.  With many visitors returning year after year, there is a real family feel to this gorgeous place.  Walking down the street, regulars are greeted by locals and other tourists.  Bar staff remember your name, waiters remember your favourite dish and nothing is too much trouble.

Corfu has a mixed climate. Glorious hot sunshine can be followed within the hour by a sudden thunderstorm and torrential rain.  The rain rarely last long though and it is this climate that gives Corfu it’s beautiful flowers and plants.

The Arillas Trail, Corfu
The residents of Arillas are very proud of their little resort and work tirelessly throughout the winter months to repair and maintain the streets, the beach and the general surroundings.   A couple of years a group of locals got together and created the Arillas Trail – a footpath between the two roads in Arillas, as well as a walking trail that starts at the beach and goes through the village to the olive-groves.  It leads to areas that have not been easily accessible by visitors before and enables tourists to see Arillas from a different perspective.  The trail ends at the Corfu Micro Brewery where visitors can stop for a free beer sample and a guided tour of the brewery .   The Trail is fully sign posted throughout and there are short-cuts for those who do not want to complete the full 8km.

The local Corfu Beer
I think that in total there are around 15 or 20 tavernas in Arillas, with a wealth of choice from high-end fine dining to the traditional gyros and pitta.   We have never had a bad meal in Arillas, all of the taverna owners pride themselves on high standards and use locally produced produce where they can.  I’ve eaten some of the best fish dishes that I’ve ever tasted when I’ve been in Arillas, and all so reasonably priced.   Many of the tavernas produce their own wine, and I particularly enjoy the local rose wine although Martin prefers the beer brewed at Corfu Brewery.

Arillas Wine Festival
The Arillas Wine Festival is held during the second weekend in September.  Local people produce wine in the traditional way whilst music is played and souvlaki is cooked on a BBQ.   Visitors to the Festival purchase a carafe for around 3 Euro, this can then be filled with the wine that was produced last year  - and re-filled as many times as you like!   We’ve never actually been in Arillas during Festival time, but have heard many stories about it!



BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

I’ve read and enjoyed many books set on Corfu, both fiction and non-fiction, here are a few recommendations:






 
 
 
 
 
 VIDEO TOUR OF CORFU
 


I like Anne, love Greece and the Greek Islands. When hunting for a video to show you that gave you a run down on the Island of Corfu, I was disappointed to see that most of them were either from Tour operators promoting All inclusive holidays, or poorly made home videos. There was nothing found from the Tourist Board, promoting this beautiful Island.

I for one am totally against all inclusive holidays in the Greek Islands, as I feel it a/ stops you from experiencing the wonderful restaurants and tavernas, and b/ It takes away badly needed revenue from the local businesses who in this day and age are fighting for survival.

So if you want my opinion, having travelled to Greece many times, and going again in a week or so's time, immerse yourself into Greek life and book an apartment. The food prices are reasonable and the food is great! Plus you get to soak up the atmosphere, rather than eat in an ordinary hotel restaurant where you could be anywhere in the world.

Thank you again Anne for coming and sharing your wonderful experiences in Corfu. I know by the time this blog post has been published you will have just about returned from your annual pilgrimage to Arillas.

Visit Anne at her blog - http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.co.uk/

Trip Advisor - Guide to Corfu - Click here
Corfu Tourist Board Guide - Click here

Monday 17 June 2013

Book Tour and giveaway - How Not to Murder Your Grumpy - Carol E Wyer - Humourous Non Fiction

Welcoming to my blog today, Carol E Wyer's - How Not to Murder Your Grumpy. A very humourous insight into your Grumpy Old Man.......... This is a great book! My review for it is to follow in July!


How Not To Murder Your Grumpy
 
Humour/Non-Fiction

Release date 01.06.2013

Published by Safkhet Publishing

ISBN 978-1-908208-16-3
 




Is your Grumpy Old Man getting under your feet? Is he wrestling with retirement? Are you wondering if you should bundle him up and entrust him to basket-weaving classes? Then this book could be the answer to your prayers. This light hearted guide is packed full of lively ideas, anecdotes and quips. Not only does it set out to provide laughs, but offers over 700 ideas and ways to keep a Grumpy Old Man occupied.
From collecting airline sick bags to zorbing, you will be sure to find an absorbing pastime for your beloved curmudgeon. There are examples of those who have faced extraordinary challenges in older age, fascinating facts to interest a reluctant partner and innovative ideas drizzled, of course, with a large dollop of humour.
Written tongue-in-cheek, this book succeeds in proving that getting older doesn't mean the end of life or having fun. It provides amusing answers to the question, "How on Earth will my husband fill in his time in his retirement?" It offers suggestions on what might, or most certainly might not, amuse him. Ideal for trivia buffs, those approaching retirement, (or just at a loose end) and frustrated women who have an irritable male on their hands, this book will lighten any mood and may even prevent the odd murder.
The following is an excerpt from a recent article published in Men’s Health on NBC News
 
The look: A scowling face, a wagging finger, and a shaking head. The targets: The economy. Teenagers. Windmills.
Some informally dub it “grumpy old man complex.” British author Carol Wyer labels it “irritable male syndrome,” a spike in the outward crankiness of guys of a certain age.
“Women have friends and we talk about our problems and we take medication and all that kind of stuff. But for men, it’s something they suppress. It’s a male thing ,” says Wyer, author of the upcoming humor book “How Not To Murder Your Grumpy."
Feeling that they no longer are useful, especially, if a man has held an important position in employment prior to retirement, "can result in severe depression at worst and general grumpiness at best,” Wyer said.
Wyer's husband of 25 years, John, turned 60 this year and became very grumpy just after his birthday, she says. "I have spoken to other women in the same position who have said exactly the same: Husbands, even those who have looked forward to a big birthday, have become morose soon after,” Wyer says.
John Wyer, who owned his own business and misses "the cut and thrust" of his work, has self-diagnosed his own occasionally gloomy anger as something of a byproduct of Western society’s collective view toward — and value of — people who are 60 or beyond.
“One of the things that really took hold of me was the fact that I was approaching a ripe old age, let’s say, and I felt society can cast you off as a little bit of a no-hoper. I just feel that isn’t right. I feel people in increasing years have a lot to offer. And they shouldn’t cast off to one side. And I suppose my grumpiness is a little bit of a protest against sliding down that particular route,” he said. 
“You think, well, gosh, there’s got to be to be something a little more than this. Being grumpy is just my way of getting through it and laughing at myself.”
 
About the Author:
    After completing a degree in French and English, Carol E Wyer became a language teacher. She actually began her working life abroad, in Casablanca, Morocco, where she taught English as a Foreign Language in an American Language school. It was soon discovered that she could speak French rather well, and she became a translator and teacher to large organisations and companies such as ‘Regie de Tabac’, Morocco’s largest cigarette company, and the Mediterranean Shipping Company.
After a few years she was ‘head-hunted ‘to run the English as a Foreign Language department of a private school in the UK. (Imagine Hogwarts without the wizardry.)
  Carol taught English up to, and including ‘A’ Level, along with English as a Foreign Language. She also qualified to teach pupils with Dyslexia and became Head of English for Special Needs.
In 1988, Carol set up her own language company called Language 2000 Ltd and worked in schools and for companies. She taught a variety of languages, including basic Japanese, to all ages and translated documents.
            A recurrence of spinal difficulties that began when she was a teenager, forced her to give up teaching and choose a new direction. In order to deal with her health problems, Carol attended a fitness course (Premier), took the qualifications to become a fitness instructor and became a personal trainer. That led her to become a trainer for others, particularly for older people who, like herself, had undergone major surgery.
            Thanks to older age, Carol now no longer trains people, but she is currently writing a series of novels, articles and books which takes a humorous look at getting older. It is her hope that they will educate through laughter and help others appreciate life.
            Carol has written several short stories over the years, including humorous books for children which served to teach them French. She was not able to fulfil her desire to be a full-time author until two years ago when her son flew from the nest, leaving his bedroom which Carol turned into her office.
            Since then, she has written two novels, Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines and Surfing in Stilettos, both of which have enjoyed media attention and success, becoming best sellers and winning awards.
 
   Carol writes regularly for author websites and she has recently become a contributing author on a help guide entitled Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital Age.
Carol’s links:
Amazon UK : Click here
Author Page : Click here                                                                                                 
Amazon US: Click here
Author Page :  Click here                                                                                       
FeedARead (Paperback version)  Surfing in Stilettos :  Click here                     
FeedARead (Paperback version) Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines: Click here               
Website: Click here
loveahappyending.com: Click here
Thornberry Publishing: Click here
Safkhet Publishing: Click here
And:
Safkhet Publishing, How Not to Murder your Grumpy - Click here 
 
Blog: Facing 50 with Humour - Click here 
Facebook: For Carol E Wyer - Click here
Twitter: Carol E Wyer - Click here
Goodreads:Carol E Wyer author page - Click here
 
 
How to Murder Your Grumpy is on tour with Fiction Addiction Book Tours.
 
Thanks for joining us! Have fun reading this amusing book!


 


Book Tour - Going Home (Green Bayou Book 1) by Rhonda R Dennis




Book Info-
 
Title-Going Home
Series-Green Bayou Book #1
By-Rhonda R. Dennis
Publication Date-August 3, 2011
 
Blurb-
Paramedic Emily Boudreaux believes New Orleans is the perfect place for a young trauma junkie to see some action. Things start out fine enough, but years pass, and the job brings nothing but strife. Emily decides to make a fresh start by returning to her roots. She moves to the small town of Green Bayou, Louisiana. Thinking she will find peace and tranquility, Emily quickly learns that her imagination steered her wrong. Small town life offers far more tumult than she remembered! Mystery, excitement, deceit, and passion run rampant along the murky waters of Bayou Assumption. She struggles with the decision of which man to love: her amazing, new Paramedic partner, Jacob Templet or her handsome, former high school sweetheart, Deputy Pete Bergeron. Her ultimate struggle won't involve the decision of which man to be with. It is a quest for her personal survival! Praying to get out of a disastrous situation alive, Emily hopes that going home won't be the wrong decision.

Goodreads- Click here

Amazon Kindle UK- Click here
Amazon Kindle US - Click here
Author Info-



Rhonda Dennis is proud to be born and raised in South Louisiana. Her enthusiasm for the uniqueness of Louisiana’s culture is evident in her writing. Even though she loved writing, she put it on hold to work in the medical field.


After starting a family, she went back to college where her passion was reignited and Rhonda wrote her first novel, Going Home, Book One of the Green Bayou Novel Series. Rhonda lives in a small town in South Louisiana with her husband, Doyle, and her son, Sean. She appreciates the outdoors, spending time with her family and friends, and loves cooking.
cooking.
Links-
Twitter- https://twitter.com/greenbayoubooks


Going Home Tour Schedule

 
June 16th-
Manifestations of my Mind- Author Interview
Cu’s e-Book Giveaway- Spotlight/Excerpt, Character Bios
Angels With Attitude Book Reviews-author interview, guest post, spotlight/excerpt


June 17th-
Candy Coated Book Blog- Review, Character Bios, Excerpt/Spotlight, Book Soundtrack Post
Bookalicious Traveladdict- Spotlight/Excerpt


June 18th-
Sassy Book Lovers- Book Soundtrack Post
The Next Chapter- Excerpt/Spotlight
Alex’s Reads- Review


June 19th-
Lindsay and Jane’s Views and Reviews- Review, Character Bios
Consuming Words- Spotlight/Excerpt, Character Bios
Scandalous Book Blog-Excerpt/Spotlight


June 20th-
Black Words-White Pages-spotlight/excerpt, book soundtrack post, playlist post
Loco for Libros-Excerpt/Spotlight
Rate My Romance- Review, Excerpt



June 21st-
Lost in a Sea of Words- Author Interview
Book Freak-Excerpt/Spotlight
Reading in Twilight- Excerpt/Spotlight


June 22nd-
Sweet Treat Reading Review- Character Bio, Book Soundtrack Post
Mythical Books-Spotlight/ Excerpt
Book Geeks Unite-Review, Character Interview


June 23rd-
Author Karen Swart-Author Interview, Spotlight/Excerpt
Eclipse Reviews- character interview, character bio, spotlight/excerpt


June 24th-
Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After-spotlight/excerpt, book soundtrack
Reading Fiction For Life-review, book soundtrack, playlist post


June 25th-
Ohana Day Academy- Review, Excerpt/Spotlight
As You Wish Reviews- Excerpt/Spotlight


June 26th-
Sweet Treat Reading Reviews- Spotlight/Excerpt, Top Tens


June 27th-
The Phantom Paragrapher- Review, playlist post
Delphina Reads Too Much- Spotlight/ Excerpt


June 28th-
Bianca2b- Book Soundtrack Post
And then there was Sarah-Excerpt/Spotlight


June 29th-
Indy Book Fairy- Spotlight/Excerpt
My Family’s Heart Book Reviews- Review, Character Bio, Spotlight/Excerpt, Top Tens, Book Soundtrack, Playlist Post

June 30th-
Big Girls *Heart* Books- Review, Top Tens