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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Wolf Sanctuary: The Wolves of Speedwell Forge by Chuck Rineer




What a wonderful book. Not only are there photo's of wolves but there is also a lot of information about wolves.  The book features The Wolves of Speedwell Forge Wold Sanctuary in Pennsylvania.

In 1976 The Darlington family was given a wolf dog. In 1980 the state of Pennsylvania decided that wolves were exotic pets, and that all owners of exotic pets needed a special permit in order to keep their pets. Of course the Darlington's applied for the permit. After receiving the permit to keep their wolves the Game Commission came to them to ask if they would consider letting them bring wolves to them instead of euthanizing them. And that was the beginning of the Wolf Sanctuary. Now more then 3 decades later the Sanctuary is still going strong. In 2007 the Sanctuary starting giving tours and educational programs in order to get more people to visit.

Chuck Rineer the author of the book has been volunteering since 2007 at the sanctuary. He has done an amazing job with the photos in this book. Documenting these beautiful animals and sharing them with the world.

I loved reading the stories and tidbits featuring the wolves by name. I would love to someday go and visit the sanctuary in person.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

The Timeless Seashore by Joe Votano




I wish I could give this book more then 5 stars. There are so many breathtaking photos in this book of seashores, coastlines, and everything else to do with the sea. I honestly cannot pick just one or even 5 of my favorites in the book, I loved every one of them.

Plate 49 is of the St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine Florida. I have been there and climbed the lighthouse many times.  Plate 46 is the interior of Ponce De Leon Lighthouse in Ponce Inlet Florida. I have also climbed those steps several times. The views from these lighthouses are just amazing in person. Looking at these pictures made me want to go back to both.

There are 75 photos in this book and each are beautiful.  Their is no words or descriptions in the book, just beauty. At the back of the book there is an index to tell you where each photo is from.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.


Creating Celtic Knotwork: A Fresh Approach to Traditional Design by Cari Buziak



I am so excited about this book. I have always wanted to learn how to make Celtic knots. They are so beautiful. I honestly figured they would be extremely hard to make and that it would take years of training to get them right. With this book, a sheet of graph paper, and a pack of markers I have learned the art. No mine are not totally perfect yet but I can say I have designed and made a few already. I have even used some plain craft ribbon to make some of my creations. I have designed a small knot to make out of wire to make earrings and a matching necklace to give as gifts.

This book is an instruction manual to making Celtic knots. It takes you step by step through multiple knots, shapes, and sizes. These knots are so intricate I never thought they would be so easy to make. The book is very easy to read and gives you all the information with diagrams you need to get you started and on your way to making these beautiful knots. This book is not just for beginners but advanced knot makers can find many useful tips and designs as well.

The book is very easy to follow. There is a diagram for each step in the creation process. There are simple knots, more advanced, and even shapes like the Celtic dog, lion, and even a person. This to me is the perfect book for anyone interested in making and designing Celtic knots.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

Monday, February 5, 2018

A WITCH'S PATH A Witch's Path, Book 2 by N.E. Conneely


Author: N.E. Conneely

Narrator: Jeff Hays, Soundbooth Theater

Series: A Witch's Path, Book 2

Length: 7 hours 26 minutes

Publisher: N.E. Conneely

Released: Aug. 27, 2015

Genre: Paranormal, Supernatural



After a near death experience, Michelle has vowed to do her job, magical assistance for the police, and leave the heroics to someone else. Besides, life should be settling down for her since the trolls have been captured and the sorceress was neutralized. Unfortunately, the power behind the sorceress wants her dead, Elron starts acting funny, a magical creature wreaks havoc on a town, and there's trouble with the werewolves. As if that wasn't enough, the clans have started to notice her power and she has more reasons than ever to fear the clans.

Things go from bad to worse when Michelle's best friend is abducted, and she must decide between her friend and her vow to stay out of dangerous situations.





N.E. Conneely lives in northern Georgia with her dog and a mountain of books. They sweat through the summer and freeze through the winter, and life as they know it comes to an end when so much as a single snowflake falls out of the sky. For fun, N.E. plays with her dog, reads, knits, crochets, paints, and does tie-dyeing and origami. She makes a great pizza and is currently negotiating with her husband about raising sea monkeys and growing a vegetable garden.
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Narrator Bio
Jeff Hays has made a name for himself in the audio book world by creating immersive experiences out of his productions. His versatility and authenticity in voicing characters, expressive low-impact narration, and dedication to offering the highest quality audio possible has earned him a loyal following of listeners. Having been fascinated with sound since he can remember, Jeff takes his background of composing and producing music, and his continual consumption of the avalanche of fictional media we all experience in these modern times, and uses it to inform his style of story telling in the audiobook realm.

And now, having produced more than 80 audio books and perfecting his craft, using the namesake of his live streaming narration show, the Soundbooth Theater shingle has been hung. Soundbooth Theater is dedicated to applying Jeff's production methods to new audio books with other budding narrator talent, and expanding his scope from audio books, to voicing and producing animation.
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 My Review: 4*
A Witch's Path is book 2 in N E Conneely's Witch For Hire series. the book picks up where book one A Witch For Hire leaves off.

Michelle Oaks is a covenless witch she is also a consultant to several Law Enforcement Agencies In the Atlanta Area of Georgia. In the series the Humans and the magic world live side by side. Lately some of the Magic world have gone a little rogue and are causing all kinds of problems.  In this book one of Michelle's best friend is kidnapped, Law Enforcement isn't working fast enough for Michelle and her friends so she takes it upon herself to come to the rescue. Also there is a large Dinosaur tearing up the town and it is up to Michelle to jump in and take care of business. All of this after Michelle decided to just do her job and consult and let the Police do theirs.

The series is a pretty action packed, there are a few dull moments though, and some repetitive parts not just in this book, but book one which bleeds over into book 2.  The books are written in POV between Michelle and Elron. This book makes a bit more sense as to why Elron gets his own POV chapters more then in the first book. With all that being said I am enjoying this series and and ready to jump into book 3.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jeff Hays. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Q&A with Narrator Jeff Hays
  • When did you know you wanted to be an audiobook narrator?
    • Probably after the first audio book I narrated. I enjoyed the process so much, and the product itself was so much more satisfying than any voice-over project I’d ever worked on. I was the director and the whole cast, and it was the closest thing to composing music I’d encountered up until then.
  • How did you wind up narrating audiobooks? Was it always your goal or was it something you stumbled into by chance?
    • This was definitely something I stumbled into. Voice acting itself was something I had the gear for (but I really didn’t) that I decided to give a shot. Before that I was trying to get work editing video. One time I was hired for an audio book project that pretty well… and I was hooked.
  • Did you find it difficult to “break into” audiobook narration? What skill/tool helped you the most when getting started?
    • I’m sure the “breaking into” part of my career was more of a gradual thing that I never noticed. I just kept producing until people started listening.I’d say music production and performance have been my most valuable skills in developing this craft. Melody and rhythm are essential to narrating audio books. And most important, for inflection and character voices, are ears.
  • A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
    • No. My theater background is a couple plays and classes, in high school, and I can’t say that those experiences have had a huge impact on how I act in the booth.
  • What type of training have you undergone?
    • I’ve taken some accent lessons from Amy Walker, taken a class with Elaine Clark recently about commercial VO and adding musicality to the read. I also took 3 sessions at the KC Improv Theater this year. Otherwise, all my other education is in other things,
  • How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
    • I have no idea! I just keep going and stay as focused as possible. It’s really not that hard cause I love doing it that much. But keeping myself from burning out is something I’ve had trouble with. I put too much on my plate, so I’m always busy as hell. I’m going to Thailand NEXT Friday, so that should help me reset!
  • Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
    • I don’t read audio books much. They’re too long, and it’s very difficult to find an audio book that I can stay awake through. I also tend to focus on critiquing inflection while I listen, so I totally lose the story. And since it’s what I do for a living, it’s sort of the last thing I want to do when I actually do give myself some time off.
  • What are your favorite and least favorite parts of narrating an audiobook?
    • My favorite part is always the characters and their voices. My least favorite part is probably the industry. I love producing and talking to listeners, but I don’t like the way the business works, really.
  • What would you say are your strongest narration abilities?
    • Dialogue is probably my biggest strength. It’s not just getting the individual characters right, it’s also getting their relationships to each other right. Timing, for dramatic or comedic effect, is something that I think most audio books absolutely do not get right, and it’s something I’ve always thought was essential to giving an effective performance.
  • Is there a particular genre you feel unsuited for? Have you ever declined a project because you didn’t think you were right for it?
    • I think I’m in the right genres right now: Sci-Fi and Fantasy. My actual specialty is a genre called LitRPG (Or RPG GameLit, there are issues with the genre name right now due to a ridiculous trademark issue), but it’s clearly a subgenre of sci-fi and fantasy. This is because I put so much into characters, and these genres tend to have more colorful, monstrous or alien types of characters. The more extreme and crazy a character is, the more fun they are to play.
  • What about this title compelled you to audition as narrator?
    • When I first found the job from N.E. Conneely, it was up for audition on ACX, and it had a $100 pfh stipend on it. This meant Audible would pay me $100 per finished hour of the audio book, as well as paying royalties to me for sales. But it was calling for a dual cast. I auditioned for both parts just for fun, and I was surprised to hear that the author just wanted me to do both characters. Narrating convincingly as a female is both an interesting challenge, and painful and humiliating. But sticking to it and finishing the first three books for N.E. Conneely was a great learning experience, and it truly conditioned my voice to a point that, at least when I play characters, making females sound convincing is completely effortless for me now.

Giveaway
A Witch's Path Series Giveaway: 3-Month Audible Membership


Book 1

Jan. 28th:
Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews
Jazzy Book Reviews
TheHufflepuffNerdette
T's Stuff
Jan. 29th:
Bean's Bookshelf and Coffee Break
Turning Another Page
Booktalk with Eileen
Jan. 30th:
Chapter Break
Bookworms Corner
Audiobook Romance
Jan. 31st:
Working Mommy Journal
Notes from 'Round the Bend
Feb. 1st:
Lilly's Book World
Two Girls and a Book
Feb. 2nd:
Bound 4 Escape
Holed Up In A Book
Feb. 3rd:
The Book Addict's Reviews
Up 'Til Dawn Book Blog

Book 2

Feb. 4th:
Bean's Bookshelf and Coffee Break
Feb. 5th:
Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews
Turning Another Page
T's Stuff
Feb. 6th:
Chapter Break
Bookworms Corner
Audiobook Romance
Feb. 7th:
Lilly's Book World
Feb. 8th:
Working Mommy Journal
Jazzy Book Reviews
Booktalk with Eileen
Feb. 9th:
Bound 4 Escape
Holed Up In A Book
Feb. 10th:
The Book Addict's Reviews
Two Girls and a Book

Book 3

Feb. 11th:
Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews
T's Stuff
Feb. 12th:
Bean's Bookshelf and Coffee Break
Turning Another Page
Feb. 13th:
Chapter Break
Audiobook Romance
Feb. 14th:
Bookworms Corner
Lilly's Book World
Feb. 15th:
Working Mommy Journal
Booktalk with Eileen
Feb. 16th:
Bound 4 Escape
Jazzy Book Reviews
Holed Up In A Book
Feb. 17th:
The Book Addict's Reviews
Two Girls and a Book

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As You Wish by Ja'Nese Dixon


As
You Wish
by
Ja'Nese Dixon
Genre:
Contemporary Romance

Is
their simmering attraction enough to defeat their crusades?
Damian
“The Shark” Hughes real estate billionaire lands in Houston,
Texas to handle a “problem tenant” stalling his partnership with
Rockstar Entertainment. But on first sight he doesn’t know which he
wants more, to evict her or bed her.
Imani
Scott is at the end of herself and her resources for keeping the
doors of Harmony Dance open. What she doesn’t have time for is the
sweet talking, money slinging gorgeousness from Atlanta. Her sole
focus is on her students. They are depending on her and she’s not
to go down without a fight.

The
blurred line between friend or foe…
Imani
organizes a Kwanzaa benefit recital to save her studio not knowing
she’s sleeping with the enemy. And Damian is willing to do whatever
it takes to close the deal
and
keep this ebony beauty by his side.
At
odds yet drawn to each other by their undeniable chemistry, the
ticking clock and a multi-million dollar development deal erect the
perfect battleground.
Will
they win the battle but lose the war? Or will they let love win?

If
you love Black woman White man romances (BWWM) and alpha males with
the means and ego to pursue and win at love, then this is the story
for you. It contains their happily ever after, no cheating, no
cliffhangers, and plenty of heat. What are you waiting for? BUY this
book.


EXCERPT 1

"Stop staring at the man and say something?"
Imani found working with Adrianna at the bar was worse than working at the studio. At least at the studio she could pull rank and kick her out the office.
"What man?" She let out a long audible breath.
"The man that has you spilling drinks and stepping on my toes."
“Ouch!” She stomped on Imani’s foot and wiggled out of reach.
Imani had been preoccupied with trying to see the features of his face. The booth he selected was tucked away off to the side. The overhead lights barely illuminated the table top. It was the table repeat customers chose when they wanted to partake of the live music and robust menu and have privacy.
It was public yet private. So private they'd witnessed more than one heated exchange going on in that booth over the length of her employment. It wasn't called the make-out booth for nothing.
Imani stole glances at him for most of the afternoon. She could see the top of his arm covered in a white dress shirt and the swirled tattoo on his forearm. That must be his girlfriend. She reasoned as the olive-skinned brunette took her seat across from him.
"You think that's his girlfriend?" Imani whispered. Adrianna topped off the customer's soft drink and walked over to stand beside her.
"If she's not, she wanna be." She dried her hands on her apron.
Imani faced her, "What makes you say that?"
"That man is a sexual magnet, paid with a Titanium Card, and his eyes," she shook her head and raised her hand in the truth, "panty droppers."
"For real?" Imani hissed. The forced air behind panty made curiosity dance through her veins.
"For. Real." She glanced over at the table as if validating her statement. Her face twisting in agony and she nodded.
Imani glanced back over there. The last thing she needed was to stare into his panty-dropper eyes. She wanted to ask Adrianna more but a warning voice in her head warned her to leave it alone.
There was no room in her life for men. Life was hectic enough without adding sexy, magnetic, panty-dropping men to the equation and her panties needed to stay in place. The last man she'd given her heart passed her up for a bigger fish and left her without so much as a blink of an eye. Her time was better spent trying to find another job.
"Have you heard from your landlord?"
"I got a letter about a new owner. But they didn't mention the balance and I didn't either. I sent what I could, hoping it will hold me over."
$1250 a month times six months left her owing the new landlord at least $7,500. It might as well have been a cool million because she didn't have a hundred dollars to her name. She hated owing people.
She was ashamed to admit what she sent barely covered the late fees but she still had to pay the utilities at the studio on top of her own household expenses.
"How long you think that's going to last? You can't keep doing this to yourself. This dance studio is like a leech draining you dry."
“Why would you say that? What’s wrong with giving my students culture?” Imani stiffened at her harsh analogy.
"Ain't nobody got time for that!" She turned to Imani tossing a towel in the sink. "Culture won't feed you and pay your bills."
Tears stung her eyes. But she didn't have time to cry or feel sorry for herself. She needed a plan.
"Is he cute?" It was better to talk about the panty dropper than her landlord.
It was Adrianna's turn to shrug, "He's alright for a white boy. You know I like my papi chulo sun kissed, bilingual, and Spanish in his blood. Can't have my momma passing out on me."
"Indeed, your mom would pass out if you brought anything but a Hispanic man home." Imani laughed.
"That's why I keep my business my business." She tossed her blonde hair and headed to the other end of the bar to check on a customer.
Adrianna talked a good game but she had a man. Her traditional ways went to her core from cooking authentic Mexican food to Salsa dancing every Thursday night. Imani looked back at his exposed skin, it didn't look white but not brown either. More like a warm beige. His head turned in her direction and she felt trapped. Unable to look away, but unable to see his face either.
The young lady returned to the table and Imani spun around, facing the mirrored wall behind the bar. She glanced up into the reflection and watched him lean forward. The light caught his profile with his thick wavy dark brown hair. He smiled up at his companion.
Imani's stomach clinched. He had a deep dimple.
She watched the young lady leave the table carrying her purse and shoulder bag. They must be done for the afternoon. She wanted to see this mystery man for herself.

Ja’Nese
Dixon writes tales of romance laced with strong women and stronger
men. My happily ever afters are meant to inspire. So, if you’re
looking for a page turner that will leave you blushing, with your
heart racing, and lying to yourself about reading “just one more
chapter” then grab a book.
She
is an avid reader and coffee drinker, who also loves to run, cook,
and quilt (and not in that order). Her ultimate goal as a writer is
to give you a little “staycation” with every story.
Ja’Nese
calls Houston home with her husband, three kiddos, and a four-legged
diva dog. Visit her website at http://www.janesedixon.com if you
enjoy romance, suspense, and good sweet & spicy stories that
inspire.






Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!

Enter
the Author's giveaway HERE!








A MEDDLE OF WIZARDS by Alexandra Rushe



A MEDDLE OF WIZARDS
by
Alexandra Rushe
Genre: Fantasy

Pub
Date: 1/9/2018



Welcome to Tandara, where gods are
fickle, nightmares are real, and trolls make excellent bakers . . .
Raine Stewart is convinced she’ll die
young and alone in Alabama, the victim of a chronic, mysterious
illness. Until a man in a shabby cloak steps out of her mirror and
demands her help to defeat a bloodthirsty wizard.
Raine shrugs it off as a
hallucination—just one more insult from her failing body—and
orders her intruder to take a hike. But the handsome figment of her
imagination won’t take no for an answer, and kidnaps her anyway,
launching her into a world of utmost danger—and urgent purpose.
Ruled by unpredictable gods and
unstable nations, Tandara is a land of shapeshifters and
weather-workers, queens and legends. Ravenous monsters and greedy
bounty hunters patrol unforgiving mountains. Riverboats pulled by
sea-cattle trade down broad waterways. And creatures of nightmare
stalk Raine herself, vicious in the pursuit of her blood.
But Raine isn’t helpless or alone.
She’s part of a band as resourceful as it is odd: a mage-shy
warrior, a tattered wizard, a tenderhearted giant, and a prickly
troll sorceress. Her new friends swear she has powers of her own. If
she can stay under their protection, she might just live long enough
to find out . . .




Alexandra Rushe was born in
South Alabama, and grew up climbing trees, searching for sprites and
fairies in the nearby woods, and dreaming of other worlds. The
daughter of an English teacher and a small-town judge, Rushe
developed a love of reading early on, and haunted the school and
local libraries, devouring fairy tales, myths, and tales of
adventure. In the seventh grade, she stumbled across a worn copy of
The Hobbit, and was forever changed. She loves fantasy and
paranormal, but only between the pages of a book—the flying monkeys
in The Wizard of Oz give her the creeps, and she eschews
horror movies. A psychic friend once proclaimed the linen closet in
Rushe’s bedroom a portal to another dimension, and she hasn’t
slept well since. Rushe is a world-class chicken.





Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!







Rite of the Vampire Saga by Juliana Haygert


The Vampire Heir
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #1)
Publication date: March 5th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance
A young woman with a secret. A man with a death sentence. And a terrible fate that might destroy them both …
When I was invited to the secretive castle DuMoir, I knew I’d end up dead. The guests might be excited by the exclusive tour around the estate, and the ending ball that concludes it, but I know better.
The castle’s inhabitants are vampires. And they want our blood.

I must find a way to survive their feast, because I’m not here as a clueless visitor. I’m here for a reason. Undercover work can be hard, but I’ve been through worse. That is until I unwillingly become a blood slave to Drake, a mysterious, brooding vampire prince.
Tragedy strikes the castle and chaos arise. Despite the new dangers surrounding us, I soon find out there’s more to Drake than he lets on, and feelings I’m not supposed to have stir in my chest.
But I can’t afford any distractions or everything will be lost. After all, I’m hiding a secret—a dark secret that might save us all … or doom us forever.

--


The Witch Queen
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #2)
Publication date: April 16th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Blurb TBA












--


The Immortal Vow
Juliana Haygert
(Rite of the Vampire Saga #3)
Publication date: May 28th 2018
Genres: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Blurb TBA












The Vampire Heir (Rite of the Vampire Saga Book 1) by Juliana Haygert WON’T have a pre-order!

So if you want to receive a short email notifying you of its release, please fill out this form!


Author Bio:
While USA Today Bestselling Author Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in North Carolina and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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