I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker

Title: I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac
 
Author: Tracy H. Tucker

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published Date: July 16, 2012 

Buy on Amazon: Paperback / Kindle 

Synopsis:

Christine Bacon has a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a threesome with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to "shake things up." Christine reluctantly agrees (although she is more wholesome than threesome), never expecting just how much she'd be rattled. As her marriage to Richard, a/k/a "Dick," falls apart, so, too, does Christine, whose fear of her own demise causes her to research every freckle, blemish, cough, bump, lump, tingle and hiccup. She isn't a doctor, but she plays one on the internet. There is solace for Christine: in raising daughters Lily and Carli, leaning on her friends, and wearing out the shower massager. In order to heal, she struggles to become her own person and to view her symptoms (and ex-husband) as less malignant, while searching for that special someone who will love her- despite her grave condition.

My Thoughts:

 
Tracy H. Tucker's I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac had me in stitches (pun intended) from the beginning until the end.  Christine is a forty-something year old high school English teacher with what seems to be a great life.  She believes she is happily married, has two great daughters, close friends, and lives in a nice home.  Chris has always been a tad quirky, believing the worst of her slightest aliment, however as her stress level is down so is her belief that she is dying. 

Chris' life is turned upside down and inside out when her husband pressures her into a threesome with his young, blonde, and foreign massage therapist.  Believing that he is going through a mid-life crisis and this is a one time thing, she finally agrees to give it a try.  However, once the designated day arrives Chris realizes that there is no way she can go through with it.  As a result, her husband bluntly tells her that he no longer wants to be with her.  Chris finds herself in a life that she never pictured, raising her two girls alone and being pestered by her mother to no end.  As Chris tries to stay somewhat sane and rebuild her life, her hypochondria rears it's ugly head.     

I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is a hilarious read that also pulls at your heart strings.  I'm not for sure if I should admit this, but I really found myself relating to the character of Chris.  I myself am somewhat of a hypochondriac.  To me, Google is both the devil and yet addicting like the worst kind of drug.  When sickness hits, I know I shouldn't type my symptoms in, but there is such a draw to the computer that I find myself researching every illness.  I've always laughed it off, but after reading Tucker's book it opened my eyes to just what I am doing.  I would laugh at Chris thinking she has Parkinson's because of a new shake in her arm, and then instantly get embarrassed because I had looked up the disease on Mayo Clinic when I was in my twenties due to muscle twitches.  

Chris' hypochondria is like a full time job.  Every little thing is blown into a huge issue.  It wasn't until Chris started dating Gavin that she began to look into why she thought she was always going to get sick and how to stop thinking that way.  At one point Gavin said, " 'When you hear the sound of hooves in the distance, assume it's a herd of horses.'  Every time you get some symptoms, you always think in terms of an exotic cause, like it's a herd of zebras.  It's not likely that it's zebra's, Chris." (Tucker, pg 238)  This is SO true and really is a great way to explain Chris' way of thinking.    

I really enjoyed reading about Chris' relationship with her daughters, Carli and Lily.  Tucker did a good job of showing how the children were affected by their parents divorce.  The girls are angry at their father for leaving and at their mother for letting him and then feeling sorry for herself.  As Chris worked to discover just who she was as a woman her relationship with her daughters improved.  I also loved Chris' best friend, Hank, who just happened to be a Doctor.  He had a great way of calming Chris down and giving her advice about life.  

Tracy H. Tucker's I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is a witty novel I definitely recommend.  It deals with many issues such as cheating, the affects of divorce on everyone involved, reentering the dating scene, and finding your true happiness.  Give it a try, you may find yourself addicted!  

Tracy H. Tucker

Tracy H. Tucker has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac, for the purpose of review.

99 Authors, 99 Books, 99 Cents Event

These prices are available on Amazon only.

For a listing of books offered and to enter to win, click here!!

Event Organizers:  Buymereadme.com

Giveaways Include:

$500, Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7", Amazon Paperwhite, $75, $50, $25, $20.   

 

'The Year I Almost Drowned' Release by Shannon McCrimmon

Title: The Year I Almost Drowned
 
Author: Shannon McCrimmon
 
Publisher: CreateSpace
 
Published Date:  December 20, 2012

Buy on Amazon: Paperback  / Kindle

Author Website: http://shannonmccrimmon.com/

Author Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/shannonmccrimmonauthor
 
GoodReads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280860-the-year-i-almost-drowned

About The Year I Almost Drowned:

In this continuation of The Summer I Learned to Dive, nineteen-year old Finley “Finn” Hemmings is living in Graceville, South Carolina with her grandparents. She's getting to know the family that she was separated from for the last sixteen years. Finn and Jesse's relationship seems to be going strong until they're forced to deal with obstacles that throw them off-track. As Finn prepares to leave for college, she has to say goodbye to the town, her friends and family, and the way of life that she has grown to love. 

 

At college, Finn tries to acclimate to a new setting, but quickly falls into an old pattern. Just as things start to become normal and Finn begins to fit in, something unexpected happens that takes her back to Graceville where she is forced to deal with one challenge after another. Her world nearly collapses, and she finds herself struggling to keep from drowning. Through it all, Finn discovers the power of love and friendship. She learns what it means to follow her heart and to stay true to what she wants, even if what she wants isn't what she originally planned.

About the Author:

Shannon McCrimmon was born and raised in Central Florida. She earned a Master's Degree in Counseling from Rollins College. In 2008, she moved to the upstate of South Carolina. It was the move to South Carolina that inspired her to write The Summer I Learned to Dive. 

When she is not writing, Shannon enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and watching movies. Shannon is a tea enthusiast and pop culture expert. She is inspired by music, art and the natural beauty of South Carolina. She lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her awesome husband and very cool toy poodle.

Shannon McCrimmon

Cover Reveal:

Check out the Cover Reveal that was posted on 12/13/12 at:
http://endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/cover-reveal-year-i-almost-drowned-by.html

Review of The Summer I Learned to Dive:

Check out the review I posted of The Summer I Learned to Dive on 7/31/12 at:

http://endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-summer-i-learned-to-dive-by-shannon.html

"An 8-track to 81 Chapters" by Robin L. Sanders w/ Guest Post featuring Robin

Title: An 8-track to 81 Chapters
 
Author: Robin L. Sanders

Published Date: November 7, 2012

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Format: eBook

Buy on Lulu

Connect with Robin L. Sanders on: Facebook & Twitter

 

 

Synopsis:

When a Social Studies teacher assigns a special project to six high school students, (Richard, Shelly, Nathan, Charles, Morgan and Britt) they receive a lesson that may indeed change lives of many worlds. As they work on the problems set before them they come to realize that the typical real world issues that each student had been dealing with doesn’t look all that bad. As the unlikely group of misfits explores the project, they discover strengths that they were completely unaware they had.  

For seven whole days they stay in a mysterious book unlocking puzzles, fighting demon-possessed statues, creating bonds with a memorable cast of characters and fighting a villain who controls the powers of the heavens. Mr. Hutchenson, a professor of social studies at St. Cardinals, is a man who plays a large part within this story, but just as the kids have to discover that, so does the reader. These six kids work on finding that strength by not only fighting the enemy, but the enemy within.

Buy Now @ Lulu

Genre – Young Adult / Fantasy

Rating – PG13

Connect with Robin L Sanders on Facebook & Twitter

 

Guest Post:

What are the mistakes you see in beginner writers?

by Robin L Sanders

One of the beginning mistakes that we all make as writers is having the idea of writing a great story but not knowing how or where to start.  I would often have times of imagining an epic battle but haven’t a clue where to place the scene in the middle of my story.  Some people would prefer to write a story from beginning to the end, which is practical but not possible for many.  Other writers would start off by breaking their story into outlines so whenever they’re lost, they could figure out where to go next or start somewhere else then come back to the scene later.  There was one method I learned from a screenwriter about writing the scenario that you’re most passionate about and begin from there whether forward or backwards.  When I started I had this belief that if you didn’t start from the beginning then you’re not doing it right.  Truth is there is no actual rule of how to start writing a novel, you could just do it the way you feel the most comfortable.  It’s your work so do it the way you feel, do what you want to do, that’s what I learned.

Another big mistake that most writers often do is fail to develop a tough skin.  Writing is considered a literary expression in visual art; the writing industry is filled with critics that live by an established modern code.  Whenever they see something that is of the ordinary, they would either praise or insult the writer without any warning.  Some critics can be spiteful and would wake up every morning with their eyes set on any literature they disliked especially if it was a person. In other words develop the strength to accept criticism.  Constructive criticism is very important and can help sharpen and hone in on your writing skills as well as style.  Actual criticism whether good or bad could be harmful but knowing when and how to handle it could be a big step to becoming a fearless author.  Some writers developed the ability to use negative criticism as a source of fuel to produce more positive work while others are capable of weighing the differences of good and bad criticism.

Horribly written and edited work is a big mistake when publishing a book; placing commas, periods, and proper use of words into sentences without producing fragments are essential elements to having a good novel.  Even if you’ve written over a hundred thousand words in an epic novel it wouldn’t make any difference if you’ve spotted over thousands of errors.  Finding a professional editor can be hard and expensive especially if he’s a real good one.  Finding the right editor is also difficult and could take a long process if they’re real busy or accepting inbox mail from other clients.  I remember being rejected by professional editors from left to right over a years span and when I found one he wasn’t a real good one.  Later I had a friend who was a freelance English teacher who had taught English overseas and decided to edit my work with pay of course.

There can be many major set backs in the writing industry but the greatest mistake that could be ever made is to tell someone about your ideas without copyright protection.  Plagiarism is definitely a crime and is seen as literary suicide in the writing world but that doesn’t stop any money grubbing backstabber who can spot that as a business opportunity.  Working on a story while brainstorming new and creative ideas is definitely hard work.  The lands filled with characters that we created are apart of our lives, as we constantly have to live the roles of each and every one of them.  The stories that we create have an emotional connection with all of us and to have someone take that away from us is not a good feeling at all.  That is why it is very important on having your writing protected by any means as possible.  I’m not stating that it’s bad to exchange any ideas, instead keep the ideas that you want and give some of the ones you’re not interested on keeping to good use.

Buy Now @ Lulu

Genre – Young Adult / Fantasy

Rating – PG13

More details about the book

Connect with Robin L Sanders on Facebook & Twitter

COVER REVEAL- The Year I Almost Drowned by Shannon McCrimmon

I am very excited to be featuring the Cover Reveal of Shannon McCrimmon's book, The Year I Almost Drowned.  It is the sequel to her wonderful novel, The Summer I Learned to Dive.




































Title: The Year I Almost Drowned
 
Author: Shannon McCrimmon
 
Publisher: CreateSpace
 
Published Date:  December 20, 2012

Buy on Amazon: Paperback 

Author Website: http://shannonmccrimmon.com/

Author Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/shannonmccrimmonauthor
 
GoodReads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16280860-the-year-i-almost-drowned

Christmas Lights by Christine Pisera Naman

Title: Christmas Lights
 
Author: Christine Pisera Naman

Publisher: Random House/Doubleday Religion

Published Date: October 30, 2007 

Buy on Amazon: Hardcover / Kindle 

Synopsis:

Alternately laugh-out-loud funny and poignant, Christmas Lights celebrates the most significant aspects of the season. Small, beautifully designed, and full of festive cheer, it is the ideal gift for anyone longing to rediscover the magic of Christmas.

My Thoughts:

I chose the perfect time of year to read Christine Pisera Naman's heartwarming book, Christmas Lights.  Full of Christmas spirit and joy, Christmas Lights helped me remember the true meaning of Christmas, which does not include a million presents under the tree. Christmas Lights is a very quick read, at only 120 pages and will leave you immersed in holiday spirit when done.

Christmas Lights begins on Christmas Eve and is at first written from the point of view of Katherine, an older woman visiting her husband in a nursing home.  Each subsequent chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of Katherine and Joseph's daughters.  It is evident that Katherine and Joseph instilled Christian values into their children as each turns to God for guidance and assistance in the midst of their struggles.  

Julianna is the youngest daughter at 16 and is struggling to get the boy of her dreams to notice her, while her sister Adrianna finds herself at a crossroads in her marriage.  Cassandra is working to push through a tremendous grief as Victoria has decided she is finally ready to find 'the one,' but has she waited too long?  Finally, with her health in question, Alexandra is waiting for a sign from her dearly departed grandmother that everything will be OK, while Isabella turns a new and exciting page in her life.  Katherine and her six daughters come together at the end of the novel to remind readers what is important in life and what the true meaning of Christmas entails.   

Christine Pisera Naman did a great job having her characters embrace the magical feeling of the Christmas holiday while thanking God for what they had, and believing that He would provide what was still needed.  I defintely recommend Christmas Lights to those looking for a fast and yet warm holiday read with a happy ending.  

Christine Pisera Naman

                                                        

Random House has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, Christmas Lights, for the purpose of review.

BOOK BLAST- Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard

Title: Lethal Circuit
 
Author: Lars Guignard

Genre: Mystery & Thriller/ Technothriller
 
Rating: PG13 

Buy on Amazon

Author Website: http://www.larsguignard.com/

 Facebook & Twitter

Warning: You will not be able to let it go until you read to the very last page.

 


From Bestselling Amazon Author, Lars Guignard, comes the #1 turbo-charged, Techno-Spy Thriller, Lethal Circuit.




A Chinese satellite is on a crash course with Earth. It contains enough plutonium to irradiate a large city. 
And that’s the good news…

Michael Chase is a twenty-six year old backpacker, a recent college grad, an amateur. He flew to Hong Kong to find his missing father. Four hours later, he’s running for his life. The Chinese Secret Police want him dead. The Conspiracy wants him dead. And the one person who he thinks is on his side, may want him dead too. If Michael is going to live, he’ll need to find a hidden piece of Nazi technology lost since World War II. And he’ll have to do it before anyone else. Because if he doesn’t, a little plutonium is going to be the least of his problems.

Can Michael Chase team up with a beautiful but deadly MI6 agent to find a lethal piece of Nazi technology that will save the world?

If you can’t get enough of the action and suspense of Lee Child, the intrigue of Robert Ludlum, and the adventure of Clive Cussler and James Rollins, you are going to LOVE Lethal Circuit!


*Watch for the soon-to-be-released explosive sequel to Lethal Circuit - Blown Circuit. The action is about to blow sky high!


**If you were looking for a chilling paranormal mystery try Lars’, Brood. It’s a wild and frightening ride deep into the Alaskan wilderness where fish are being bred for more than their meat.


***If you’re a kid or a kid at heart, try Lars’ children’s chapter book, Ghost Leopard. Join Zoe and Zak as they journey high into the Himalayas in a magical adrenaline fueled adventure to a place few have been, and even fewer have returned to tell about it.

 
About the Author





Lars Guignard is a former television writer and graduate of both McGill University and the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. His work can be seen on television screens across the globe in such cult classics as Beastmaster and Big Wolf on Campus. His bestselling novel, Lethal Circuit, has been a TOP 100 Amazon Technothriller since its release.

Lars’s work has also been produced for film and published in magazines. Ever since attending high school in the Indian Himalayas, Lars has been an avid backpacker and traveler. He now makes his home in the Pacific Northwest where he is busy completing the next Michael Chase thriller for release in 2012.


 
*Special Offer*


From now till 31st December 2012, Lars Guignard is offering a 25% discount for a paperback copy of the following books:

GHOST LEOPARD 25% off

Coupon code is CQ3XXT28

Purchase link is https://www.createspace.com/3883138


LETHAL CIRCUIT 25% off

Coupon code is J5B45PUZ

Purchase link is https://www.createspace.com/3775071


Giveaway Details

- $50 Amazon.com gift card or cash via PayPal and 1 ebook copy of Lethal Circuit

- 2 ebook copies of Lethal Circuit
  

Rafflecopter Link

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/34cab45/

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and emailed after which he / she will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

The Very First Bite by Cynthia Langston

Title: The Very First Bite
 
Author: Cynthia Langston

Publisher: Cynthia Langston

Published Date: August 8, 2012 

Buy on Amazon: Paperback / Kindle 

Author Website: http://www.cynthialangston.net

Synopsis:

The Very First Bite chronicles the toils and triumphs of Lanie Albers, who has just ten weeks to mentally and physically prepare for the ultimate day of reckoning: her high school class reunion. 

With twenty pounds of extra weight, a dead-end job and a boyfriend who won’t commit, the prospect of revisiting old classmates has Lanie reeling with panic. Not to mention the loose ends she’ll finally have to face, like Chad, her first love, for whom she suspects she might still have feelings. And Candace, her lifelong best friend, who abruptly ended their friendship seven years ago with no explanation. 

By examining the ghosts of her past, Lanie begins to prepare for the revelations and confrontations of the big night. She also launches a desperate campaign to lose weight: an uproarious battle with fad diets and disastrous workouts, most of which lead her right back to the cookie jar.

My Thoughts:

Cynthia Langston's The Very First Bite is a fun and entertaining novel that many women will easily relate to.  Every year across the United States, women receive their High School Class Reunion invitations.  When Lanie received hers in The Very First Bite, she immediately felt a mixture of excitement, dread, curiosity, and depression.  Excitement and curiosity to see where her old friends (and enemies) were in life, yet dread and depression knowing that she is still somewhat single with no engagement in site and 20 pounds overweight.  With ten weeks to go, Lanie decides that she is NOT going to be that loser that everyone gossips about to make themselves feel better.  She is going to lose that pesky 20 pounds that snuck up on her and dress to impress everyone.  Lanie's life may not be perfect on the inside, but she wants it to seem like everything's great to those she reunites with.

My hunch is that many reading The Very First Bite will see something of themselves reflected in Lanie.  Cynthia Langston really does a terrific job in making Lanie the poster child for every lady that has self esteem and body image issues.  Lanie is desperate to lose her belly jiggle and fat rolls, and will do just about anything to get rid of them.  She quickly flies through diet after diet that all ends badly.  How many reading this has tried fad diets?  I have to raise my hand!  Atkins- check.  Weight Watchers- check.  Hydroxycut- check.  Slim Fast- check.  When nothing else works, hitting the gym for exuberant amounts of time and pain- check.  All the while congratulating yourself with a bowl of ice cream for doing well that day.  Crash diets are all the rage these days.  Nobody wants to make a permanent lifestyle choice that will lead to weight loss and healthy living, they instead want a quick plan that will leave them looking like Jennifer Lopez in two weeks.  You can admit it, I know that you've been there!  And because you know what I'm talking about, you are going to LOVE Lanie and her various dieting catastrophes.

At the Very First Bite is not just about Lanie's war with food.  Cynthia Langston creates wonderful friendships for Lanie. Throughout the book, Lanie flashes back to her high school days with her bff Candace and boyfriend Chad.  College and miles broke up her courtship with Chad.  Years later, Lanie still views him as 'the one that got away.'  Lanie hopes to see him at the reunion (rumor has it he is divorcing) and knock his socks off.  

Candace is another story altogether.  Lanie and Candace quickly became inseparable as teenagers.  Throughout grad school they shared an apartment together.  However, one day Lanie arrived home to a cleaned out house with all of Candace's belongings gone.  No bye, see ya later, nice to know you, or explanation was left.  For seven years Lanie has wondered what went wrong and why Candace lost interest in their friendship.  The Class Reunion is a way for Lanie to show Candace that she is doing just fine without her...even though the wound remains fresh.   

Cynthia Langston's The Very First Bite is a witty and funny story about one women's struggle with life in general.  I definitely recommend it and dare you not to laugh and cringe at Lanie's crazy antics!  

Cynthia Langston

Cynthia Langston has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, The Very First Bite, for the purpose of review.

How I Came to Sparkle Again by Kaya McLaren

Title: How I Came to Sparkle Again
 
Author: Kaya McLaren

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Published Date: October 2, 2012 

Buy on Amazon: Paperback / Kindle 

Author Website: http://www.kayamclaren.com/index.htm

Synopsis:

Set in a Colorado ski town, Kaya McLaren's How I Came To Sparkle Again is a remarkable breakout novel that chronicles three people and their journey from loss to love; heartbreak to hope.

Three people at the crossroads of heartbreak and healing.  Three lives that will be changed one winter in Sparkle.  One tender, funny, tear-jerking novel you won’t soon forget. 

My Thoughts:

Kaya McLaren's How I Came to Sparkle Again is a heartwarming novel full of love, laughter, tears, friendships, and new beginnings.  In the throes of heartache and grief, three people that are in desperate need of healing are brought together in Sparkle, Colorado.  After all that they held dear is torn away, Jill, Lisa, and Cassie find themselves emerging stronger with their hope in humanity restored after a fateful winter in Sparkle.  Amidst all of the turmoil, McLaren does a fantastic job in mixing in hilarious dialogue and fun, memorable characters.  Before I felt things getting too heavy, I found myself laughing at the funny conversations the characters had with each other.  Kaya McLaren has quickly found a spot among my favorite authors.  By weaving together the stories of Jill, Lisa, and Cassie, McLaren should win literary gold!

Lisa is a permanent resident in Sparkle.  She knows everyone and has sadly slept with most of the single men in town.  After a particularly awkward hookup, Lisa struggles with her feelings of inadequacy and regret.  Feeling unfulfilled and dirty, Lisa decides that she no longer will participate in casual sex.  She wants to be respected, introduced to parents, and looked upon with pride.  Lisa finds herself pledging that she will turn over a new leaf.  As a sign that she is doing the right thing, Lisa wakes up the next morning with her long lost best friend, Jill, on her doorstep.

Jill is a thirty-something year old nurse who hasn't been back to her home in Sparkle for over a decade.  Focused on her life with her husband, Jill's world is turned upside down when she suffers a late term miscarriage and as a result is no longer able to have children.  To top things off, Jill then walks in on her husband cheating.  Not knowing what to do, Jill finds herself running back to Sparkle to seek solace from her uncle and best friend, Lisa.  McLaren writes about Jill, "Two months ago, she had a normal life, and now she had an unfaithful husband and a rental room in a trailer with men who peed all over everything and dogs that dragged their butts all over everything else, and she had a job working on ski patrol in the ski patrol first-aid room and another job taking care of Kate's daughter- Kate, whom she'd never really like that much but couldn't quite believe was gone." (pg 76) 

Ten year old Cassie lost her mother to Cancer four months before How I Came to Sparkle Again began.  Cassie's story really pulled at my heartstrings and made me embrace my own daughter through the story.  Cassie is an intelligent little girl who has no hope and has lost herself in grief.  Caught in a real life nightmare, the only time Cassie feels at peace is when she is sleeping...until her nightmares wake her up, which occurs nightly.  Cassie yearns for sleep because she feels that by sleeping she can escape.  McLaren described Cassie by saying she, "Surrendered again to the feeling that life would be more manageable if she was not awake." (pg 52)  Jill's path crosses with Cassie's as she begins to babysit her.  In each other they are able to find solace and strength and realize that life does go on.

I very much enjoyed Kaya McLaren's How I Came to Sparkle Again.  It is a witty, warm, and touching read that had me tearing up one minute and laughing out loud the next.  Once I started it I was NOT able to put it down!  McLaren's novel is a wonderful read for this winter.  McLaren does a great job in reeling in her readers from the start and not letting go.  If you are looking for a holiday gift to give to your best friend, sister, or mother, How I Came to Sparkle Again is the book you must give.  Not only will if fill your loved one's night with laughter, and it will also leave her loving the characters in Sparkle.  I without a doubt give How I Came to Sparkle Again five stars and I recommend it to ALL chick lit lovers!!!  Job well done McLaren!!!!     

Kaya McLaren

St Martin's Press has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, How I Came to Sparkle Again, for the purpose of review.

Bittersweet Seraphim & Crushed Seraphim- Released from HELL Blog Tour & Giveaway

 Bittersweet Seraphim has been released from Hell.

Satan Jack invites you to come…and indulge yourself in his journey to save the angel he loves. After running Hell for over a thousand years one foul-mouthed Seraph has changed his end game.

Even if it means destroying the universe, Jack refuses to give up on Emma. He didn’t know what love was until Emma’s skin pressed against his, the addiction to any of his other vices paling in comparison. Jack has never been a fearful man, but he gets it now. Fear comes when you have something to lose. Or someone.

Title: Bittersweet Seraphim (Sequel to Crushed Seraphim)
 
Author: Debra Anastasia

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Published Date: November 20, 2012 

 
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBQEc1_iIsE

Synopsis from Back Cover of Bittersweet Seraphim:

Suffering is worst when you’re doing it alone. But Emma’s taking Hell like an angel—even though her languishing began with having her seraph wings torn from her back. Now her worst enemy lords his body and his evil desires over her while she tries desperately to remember the words to her favorite prayer. 

As Devil, Jack used to have Hell and its women humming like well-oiled machines. Too bad he’s nowhere near the place now. Stuck on Earth as a human, he must work with a ragtag team of exiled minions and half-breeds to save the angel who’s become all that matters. 

Rescuing a seraph is the plan, but breaking into Hell means letting evil things out. Once they collide, minions and angels converge in the battle of the ages: good versus evil. But which side is which? Will Jack destroy the world as he fights to save Emma, his true and timeless love, from a damnation he designed?

An action-packed sequel to Crushed Seraphim, this tale reveals—time and again—what happens when the heart’s deepest desires break free. With a story both sizzling and sensual, emotional and enigmatic, Debra Anastasia invites readers to join a battle with nothing less than love on the line.

Some Jack Links:

Book Website: http://www.debraanastasia.com/

Book Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/debra.anastasia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Debra_Anastasia

Jack's Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Satan_Jack

Book Trailer - http://youtu.be/yBQEc1_iIsE

Title: Crushed Seraphim
 
Author: Debra Anastasia

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Published: 2011

Synopsis from Back Cover of Crushed Seraphim:

 

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth? 

When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail. 

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God. 

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous? Falling from Heaven, or falling in love? 

Debra Anastasia has twisted a fast-paced tale of intimate relationships with literally universal impact. Rich with humor and electrified by attraction, this novel offers a playfully off-beat take on the good and evil that make up the world.

Other Links:

Omnific Publishing  http://omnificpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=95  (Print, eBook, ePack)

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Bittersweet-Seraphim-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00A9WTRNA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353381893&sr=8-2&keywords=Bittersweet+Seraphim

Amazon Print http://www.amazon.com/Bittersweet-Seraphim-Debra-Anastasia/dp/1623420008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353381893&sr=8-1&keywords=Bittersweet+Seraphim

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bittersweet-seraphim-debra-anastasia/1113773523 (Print, Nook) 

Check out Debra Anastasia's BLOG for a list of tour stops, more chances to win, and a buddy prize with crystal bracelets!