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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Thirty-Two Going On... Spinster by Becky Monson Book Blast and Giveaway

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Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson
Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her job, and lives in her parent’s basement with her cat, Charlie.
With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia’s mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie.
But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?
Purchase your copy for just $2.99!!
 
 
 
 
 
  Praise for Thirty-Two Going on... Spinster   "Oh my, oh my. I have just finished wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. This is seriously funny." ~Julie Darley (Never judge a Book by its Movie) "This was a refreshing change of pace for me to read. Some good clean romance was found in it’s pages and that is a rare find these days. It was some great chick-lit. I would not have thought this was Becky’s debut book, it was so well done." ~Liberty Ann (SnifferWalkBooks)   Becky MonsonAuthor Becky Monson By day, Becky Monson is a mother of three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful time will last... But it probably won't. Becky runs a large book club on Facebook called "This Chick Reads".  
 
 
 
 
 
  BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/30/14 Open only to those 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 enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway -- ~Inspired Kathy~ I Am A Reader

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail Review and Giveaway


Cephrael’s Hand by Melissa McPhail Review & Giveaways

About the Book - About the Author -

 

!

  About the book: "All things are composed of patterns..." And within the pattern of the realm of Alorin, three strands must cross: In Alorin... three hundred years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor's brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D'Lacourte's mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he'll have to find him. In the kingdom of Dannym... the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood-brother is slain during a failed assassination, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible. Yet his advisors have their own agendas, and his quest for vengeance leads him ever deeper into a sinuous plot masterminded by a mysterious and powerful man, the one they call First Lord. In the Nadori desert...tormented by the missing pieces of his life, a soldier named Trell heads off to uncover the truth of his shadowed past. But when disaster places him in the debt of Wildlings sworn to the First Lord, Trell begins to suspect a deadlier, darker secret motivating them. Honor-bound to serve the First Lord in return for his life, Trell continues on his appointed path, yet each day unveils new and stranger secrets that eventually call into question everything he knows. Get Cephrael’s Hand through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

  About the author: Melissa McPhail is a classically trained pianist, violinist and composer, a Vinyasa yoga instructor, and an avid Fantasy reader. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their twin daughters and two very large cats.
Connect with Melissa on her website, Facebook, Twitter,or GoodReads.


My review;

I just finished reading "Cephrael's Hand" and I really enjoyed it. This book is full of suspense, great characters and magic. This is Book One in the series, A Pattern of Shadow & Light. My question is how long is it going to take me to get the next in the series because I want to read it now.  This is a fantasy novel that should not be missed by anyone who likes this kind of story.  I give this book a 5/5.  I was given this book for the purpose of a review and all opinions are my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 29, 2014

Perfectly Ernest by E.J. Wesley Release Party and Giveaway

”perfectlybanner”



Welcome to the release party for Perfectly Ernest by E.J. Wesley! This is a New Adult Contemporary with romantic elements. Perfectly Ernest is now available for sale! 

”Perfectly
Description
A gripping story of striking out and winning big. From a distance, Ernie’s life seems perfect—he’s a star college baseball player adored by the student body and coveted by professional teams. Up close, he is a disaster. Since the death of his mother, he’s been trapped by a promise he made and forced to live her dream instead of his own. He reaches his breaking point in the biggest game of his young career and sets off a chain of events that will either define or destroy the rest of his life.

 Ernie grudgingly joins a quirky campus counseling group that empowers him to heal himself and right his wrongs. By testing old friendships, forging unlikely new ones, and exploring an exciting romance, he begins to unravel the jumbled knot his tangled inner-psyche has become. But old rivals, mental illness, and the risk of a forbidden relationship soon threaten his progress. Will Ernie’s new direction and friends be his salvation, or confirmation that he is forever doomed by his imperfections?

 Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person’s difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love.  

NOW AVAILABLE!


 

 Amazon |  Barnes & Noble |  Goodreads |  Book Page


Praise
“EJ Wesley has written a modern day Breakfast Club.” “E.J. tells a college love story with a real life feel. He has created a flawed and pitiful character who quickly becomes a rallying point for all the other characters of the story. Ernie is the sort of boy I could easily imagine myself being friends with in college and cheered on through life in general, but certainly the story.”

“EJ’s tale of a college baseball star and the demons he fights is powerful and captivating. Once you’re involved in Ernest’s world, you are invested for the ride. Fans of this genre will say EJ hit it out of the park!” Alex J. Cavanaugh, Amazon bestselling author of the Cassa series

 ”Great cast of characters. Lots of fun humor. Romance. Win! Definitely recommend!”

 ”This is not so much a “coming of age” story, as it is a “coming of self.” I loved reading it”

“It is an inspirational, heartwarming story in which any reader is likely to get lost.”

“This story made me laugh and cry and it was so great to read something sweet and awesome from a guy.”

“Perfectly Ernest offers an emotionally genuine tour through depression, friendship, and love.”

 “It’s wonderful when a story’s voice is so strong as to drag you into someone’s head so it feels natural. I devoured Perfectly Ernest.”

 “…captured my heart from page one.”  


 


 



”EJ About the Author:
Growing up in small-town Oklahoma, there were limits on the amount and types of entertainment at my disposal. Perhaps that’s why I set my imagination free. After collecting degrees in psychology and counseling, life brought me to Missouri, Texas, and Northern California–where I currently read, write, and live. I fill my spare time playing video games, watching movies, planning for the zombie apocalypse, reading graphic novels, and playing with my dogs.
 My passion for New Adult literature led me to producing the weekly New Adult Lit Chat on Twitter and contributing to the NA Alley Blog. I’m also the author of Moonsongs, a series of New Adult, urban fantasy novelettes. Find me on Twitter @EJWesley or Facebook and we’ll chat!  



What does one read when feeling mildly suicidal and verymelancholic?

I chose the collected work of Sir Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Published at seventeen, he was forced to leave Cambridge—where he was an ace student—before getting his degree to help care for his widowed mother and family. His second poetry collection was so slammed by critics, he didn’t publish again for a decade. He only went on to be best buds with the Royal Family and one of the most decorated poets of all time. Driven, optimistic, a dedicated family man and friend—if he were a poet superhero, I might be his brooding archenemy.

No, I had the distinct feeling Big Al wouldn’t put up with my bullshit if he were around today. Ernest, why doth thou protest like atwaddling child? Go forth! Seize the virtuous day!

The book was large enough, I decided to take over the musty loveseat in the back corner of the poetry section. I kicked off my shoes and draped my legs over the arm. At nearly six feet, four inches, the couch was more like a big chair. Anyway, this was dinnertime at the cafeteria, so I knew I’d have the place mostly to myself.

Resting the hardback on my stomach, I flipped through the pages, tapping my fingers to the beat of a classic Strokes tunes. I quickly found a winner:

 

Ask Me No More

 

Ask me no more: the moon may draw the sea;

The cloud may stoop from heaven and take the shape,

With fold to fold, of mountain or of cape;

But O too fond, when have I answer’d thee?

Ask me no more.

 

Ask me no more: what answer should I give?

I love not hollow cheek or faded eye:

Yet, O my friend, I will not have thee die!

Ask me no more, lest I should bid thee live;

Ask me no more.

 

Ask me no more: thy fate and mine are seal’d:

I strove against the stream and all in vain:

Let the great river take me to the main:

No more, dear love, for at a touch I yield;

Ask me no more.

 

I’d been swimming up stream my entire life. And for what? Two years of college felt like a waste. If the pro scouts talked to the Walrus, was he likely to give me a glowing endorsement? Doubtful. My only real friends were on the team, but if word got out that I’d thrown the game on purpose, I couldn’t see many of them showing at my next birthday party. The demands of life had left me exhausted. Maybe the time had come to go with the flow and let the river take me where it would…

Someone brushed my leg.

“Sorry,” I said, not really looking.

I figured my body was sticking out too far, so I scrunched my all the way onto the couch. I flipped through a few more pages. Another brush came, but it was more of an insistent tap this time.

“Yeah?” I asked, laying the book in my lap.

A girl wearing a floral dress, sneakers, and a lavender cardigan looked down on me from the end of the couch. Her lips and cheeks were an identical shade of sunset pink, the former moving quickly.

“Forgot I had these on.” I slipped my headphones off. “What’s up?”

“I was curious.” She offered me a tight-lipped smile. A ponytail of curly red hair swayed behind her. “How much longer are you planning on using that book?”

Her arms were folded over her torso, her hips jutted slightly to one side.

I shrugged. “Just started with it. Might be a while.”

She adjusted a set of thick-rimmed glasses with a wrinkle of her nose. “I really need it.”

I laughed a little too loudly for being in a library. She startled.

“Sorry, it’s just that I can’t imagine anyone needing it more than me right now.”

Her gaze drifted to my torso. My shirt had ridden up, revealing my abs. I smiled at her and she flushed. She was pretty, in a huffy, confrontational sort of way.

Her eyes rolled slightly. I wasn’t sure if she was more exasperated with herself or me.

“I’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I really have to have that book.”

I scratched my chin, pretending to think. There was no reason I couldn’t pull up poems on my phone, or find another book. Still, so could she. And I hated being bossed around.

“I’ll leave it out when I’m done.”

Her hands went to her hips. “I’m sure you think hanging out in libraries, pretending to read poetry, is a great way to pick up chicks—or whatever it is baseball players are doing for giggles these days. But some of us are here to actually learn and require this information to do so.”

Realizing I was wearing one of my team T-shirts, and that she hadn’t been checking me out earlier, embarrassed me more than I was insulted by her basically calling me an athletic chimpanzee. I hid my stomach with the book. I’d dealt with her type before. Jocks weren’t supposed to read, think, or eat with utensils.

I put my feet on the ground. “What makes you so sure I don’trequire this as much as you? Maybe I’ve got a paper to work on?”

It was her turn to laugh too loudly. “I’m quite familiar with the English department. I’m pretty sure you don’t. Anyway, Isn’t there a team tutor who’d do it for you?”

Well-played, overly presumptive and judgmental stranger.

“Not that it’s your business, but poetry is really important to me. My mother…”

I realized she was standing there, eyebrows arched, waiting for me to finish. But I couldn’t. At last, I’d found a way I hadn’t let my mother down.

I pushed the book into her arms and took off at a trot. Halfway to the stairs, I remembered I wasn’t wearing my shoes. She watched me as I ran back, a confused grin on her face. Dangling my flip-flops from one hand, I patted her on the shoulder with the other.

“Thanks for being such a pain ..,” I said.

She frowned.

“No seriously, thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”


 

Website  | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Facebook | G+ | LinkedIN | Newsletter 



Giveaway:
1 New Adult sports books bundle (INT)
1 $15 iTunes gift credit (INT)
1 signed paperback copy of Perfectly Ernest + Ernest team jersey. (US)

”500″


a Rafflecopter giveaway

License to Nerd by Chris Redding Review Tour and Giveaway













License to Nerd

by Chris Redding



~~~~~~~~~~~~~



BLURB:



Madison West appears on Peter Quincy’s doorstep as expected, when her husband, Charlie, disappears. Peter had been her husband’s best man and had promised to take care of Madison if something happened to him. Neither Madison nor Peter are what they seem, but will their lies to each other to save the world, instead fail to save them from each other?










Excerpt

He pushed non-existent glasses up his nose, having forgotten he’d worn contacts today. An ex-girlfriend suggested them. She’d left him in the dust long before he could think to purchase them.


Now he had but he still felt glasses sliding down his face.


A glance at his computer screen told him the knocker was not any of his colleagues. A woman glanced over her shoulder in the image from the surveillance camera installed outside in the alley.


His eyes narrowed. Who could she be? The resolution was not as good as he liked, but the new monitor was on order. If he’d remembered to order it.


He needed to start writing things down.


Sighing he pushed an intercom button. “The front door is on Main Street. We don’t let anyone--”


Please. Someone’s following me.”


But you’re not allowed—“


I’m scared.”


The hair on the back of his neck went up. She was truly in need of saving. Without hesitation he unlocked the door. “Come in.”


She rushed into the room. Her momentum would have knocked down a smaller man.


Oh, thank you.”


She glanced over her shoulder at the closed and locked door.


Sit. What’s wrong?”


Q, as his colleagues called him, wished one of the real detectives was here. He was just the gadget guy. His days of cloak and dagger were long gone. And those days hadn’t ended well.


That's when he realized who she was. A flood of feelings he'd thought long dead washed over him. Madison. Why here? Why now? Why her?




~~~~~~~~~~~~~



AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, one dog and three rabbits. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When she isn’t writing, she works for her local hospital. Her books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.



Links:












Buy Link:



Along Came Pauly http://amzn.com/B00EN33QNI

My review;

I just finished reading "License to Nerd" and I really found it interesting. It had it all action, suspense and romance.  I really liked the storyline and the characters. I have put this author on my list as a new favorite read, and cannot wait for the next installment in this series. I give the book a 5/5. I was given this book for the purpose of a review and all opinions are my own.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Quilts of Love Series A Grand Design by Amber Stockton Book Tour and Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, A Grand Design by Amber Stockton. Who hasn't struggled to let painful memories go and move into God's healing? You’ll be sure to love this heartfelt and encouraging tale set on historic Mackinac Island.

Celebrate August’s release by entering to win a Kindle from Quilts of Love and RSVPing for the "Fall into Fall" Facebook author chat party.


Quilts of Love Kindle HDX Giveaway, Amber Stockton, A Grand Design

  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle HDX
  • A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
  • Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll


NEW FROM QUILTS OF LOVE: A Grand Design by Amber Stockton | Kindle HDX Giveaway, Facebook Party, and Blog Tour

Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, A Grand Design by Amber Stockton. Who hasn’t struggled to let painful memories go and move into God’s healing? You’ll be sure to love this heartfelt and encouraging tale set on historic Mackinac Island.
Celebrate August’s release by entering to win a Kindle from Quilts of Love.
Quilts of Love Kindle HDX Giveaway, Amber Stockton, A Grand Design
One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle HDX
  • A Grand Design by Amber Stockton
  • Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 16th. Winner will be announced at the Quilts of Love blog. Plus make sure you RSVP for the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on October 7th!

###
A Grand Design, Amber Stockton

{More about A Grand Design}

New From Quilts of Love || A Grand Design
A getaway on a charming island may be just what Alyssa needs—if only she can let go of her past.
When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?
Find our more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love website.
Amber Stockton

{More About Amber Stockton}

Amber Stockton is an award‑winning author, a national speaker, and a direct‑sales brand partner with Nerium International. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie. Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards. Find out why readers love her by visiting her website AmberStockton.com.
Find out more about Amber at http://amberstockton.com.
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog. Plus make sure you RSVP to the October 7th author chat party with Amber Stockton and Robin Caroll for an evening of book chat, quilting tips and tricks, prizes, and more!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on October 7th!

My Review;
    When I read "A Grand Design"  I felt like I was on the island with the main characters. The way the author wove events that really happened into this story it made me want to go there. I loved the storyline. This is a story of love, family and learning to move on with one's life. Alyssa is the kind of friend you would love to have, and I really liked her Grandmother and the wonderful person she was. I have loved all of the books in this Quilts of Love Series and this is one of my favorites. I give this book a 4/5.  I was given this book by Litfuse Publicity Group and all opinions are my own.

Rtgs Micro LED 60 Warm White Color Indoor and Outdoor Review


Product Features: 60 Super Bright Warm White Color LED Lights on 20 Feet Long Ultra Thin Silver Wire with 4 Inches Distance Between LED Bulbs and 20 Inches Clear Cable Between Wire and Battery Box. TOTAL STRING LENGHT OVER 21 FEET !!!

Lights Have Over 20 Years of Life Span and Use Fraction of Energy Needed by Regular Light Strings.

Ultra Thin, Bendable but Sturdy Silver Wire with LED Lights is Totally Submersible but NOT BATTERY BOX!!!

Newest Indoor and Outdoor Weatherproof Black Battery Box with ON / TIMER / OFF Feature that is Easy to Hide and Requires 6 AA Batteries (Not Included). It Has Locking Clips to Easy Open and Close the Box.

Product Description:

NEW FEATURES [NEWEST VERSION]  These 60 Micro LED Battery Operated String Lights are perfect for use as a lighting addition to any decorative project. Very thin wire hosts 60 very small LED bulbs that are about size of the rise grain and are intensely bright. With steady 360 degree viewing angle they illuminate in every direction. They are easy to hide, give beautiful true color and use fraction of energy needed by regular light strings. Newly designed battery box (NO MORE SCREWS!!!) with locking clips is water proofed and very easy to hide.




My review;

We had so much fun with these.  We put them in windows, we used them outside and more. Everyone wanted them they thought that there were so romantic.  The best part is that you are not limited to where you can place them because they are not plugged in but rather use a battery, instead,

 
 
 
They are very pretty to look at, too. It would be a great idea to get a couple of these and put them around an umbrella and use them at night for s beautiful effect.  Your imagine can run wild. 
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber Book Tour, Review and Giveaways

Murder Strikes a Pose

by Tracy Weber

on Tour August 2014




Book Details:


Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Midnight Ink
Publication Date: January 8, 2014
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-0738739687
Purchase Links:


Tour Info:


Book Formats: Physical (very limited) & eBook
Hosting Options: Reviews, Guest Posts, Interviews
Giveaways: Available With Review + tour wide kindle giveaway!!

Synopsis:

When George and Bella—a homeless alcoholic and his intimidating German shepherd—disturb the peace outside her studio, yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s Zen-like calm is stretched to the breaking point. Kate tries to get rid of them before Bella scares the yoga pants off her students. Instead, the three form an unlikely friendship.
One night Kate finds George’s body behind her studio. The police dismiss his murder as a drug-related street crime, but she knows George wasn’t a dealer. So Kate starts digging into George’s past while also looking for someone to adopt Bella before she’s sent to the big dog park in the sky. With the murderer nipping at her heels, Kate has to work fast or her next Corpse Pose may be for real.


Read an excerpt:

I laid my body on the cool wood floor, covered up with a blanket, and prepared to die.
Metaphorically, that is.
Corpse Pose’s ten-minute rest always soothed my stressed-out nerves, and for once I didn’t feel guilty about the indulgence. My to-do list was blank, Serenity Yoga’s phone was silent, and I had a whole blissful hour between clients to do my favorite activity: practice yoga.
Even my eclectic Greenwood neighborhood seemed uncharacteristically quiet, lulled by Seattle’s rare afternoon sun. The residents of the apartments above the yoga studio were off at their day jobs; the alcohol-addicted patrons of the block’s two dive bars slept off their Jim Beam breakfasts; the soccer moms shopping at next door’s upscale PhinneyWood Market purchased the day’s supplies in unusual silence.
I wiggled my toes under a Mexican blanket, covered my eyes with a blue satin eye pillow, and inhaled deeply. The ooey-gooey smell of Mocha Mia’s chocolate caramel cake wafted from across the street and filled my nostrils with sweet toffee-scented bliss—my all-time favorite aromatherapy.
Paradise. Simply paradise.
I released my weight into the earth and silently coached myself, exactly as I would one of my students. OK, Kate. Feel your body relax. Notice the random fluctuations of your mind and—
A vicious snarl ripped through the silence, startling me out of my catnap. I sat straight up, eye pillow falling to the floor with an undignified thump.
What the heck?
When had a dog fighting ring moved into the neighborhood?
A dog fight was the only plausible explanation for the commotion outside. Bursts of deep, frantic barking were followed by high-pitched yelping, all punctuated by the peace-shattering sounds of angry yelling. The phrases I could make out confirmed my suspicions. This had to be a dog fight, albeit one-sided.
“Control your dog!”
“Get that vicious beast out of here!”
And even a simple, “What the hell?”
I closed the door between the yoga room and the studio’s lobby, hoping to block out the intrusive sounds. Snarls, shouts, and an occasional ear-piercing shriek continued to reverberate right through the wall.
Undaunted, I imagined that the sounds were merely clouds floating across my mental horizon. Most of those clouds were dark and ominous, like the deep thunderclouds preceding a hailstorm. But every so often I heard a soft voice, more like the fluffy clouds of childhood summers. I couldn’t quite make out his words, but I could tell that the speaker was a man. From his tone, I assumed he was trying to calm beasts both human and animal.
It wasn’t working.
Neither, for that matter, was my attempted meditation.
I’d obviously have to shift tactics.
I tried drowning out the clamor with low, soft chanting. Then I increased the volume. But even as I belted out Om Santi, my favorite mantra for peace, I felt my jaw start to tighten. My fingernails bit deeply into my palms. My shoulders crept up to my ears.
An entirely different mantra began pounding through my head: Don’t get me angry; you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
A series of yelps and the words “I’m calling the cops!” zapped me like a cattle prod. I leapt from my mat and stormed across the floor, determined to put a stop to that infernal racket. I hurled open the door and came face-to-face, or rather face-to-snout, with the source of the commotion. Not more than five feet away from the studio’s entrance stood a paunchy, dark-haired man and the biggest, skinniest, meanest-looking German shepherd I had ever seen. Don’t get me wrong. I like dogs. I love them, in fact. It’s their human counterparts I could sometimes do without. But this frothing breast was no Rin Tin Tin. A long line of drool oozed from its mouth. Its sharp white teeth glinted in the sunlight, and its black wiry topcoat still stood on end from the prior scuffle. The dog was obviously rabid. I didn’t recognize the man standing next to the frightening creature, but I did recognize his activity. He worked as a vendor for Dollars for Change, a well-regarded local newspaper that published articles about homelessness and poverty while employing those same homeless individuals as salespeople. Ordinarily I would have welcomed one of their vendors outside my business. If nothing else, supporting the paper demonstrated yoga’s principles of kindness and compassion. But this was not an ordinary circumstance. I absolutely could not allow that disgusting dog to raise a ruckus outside my studio. The prenatal class would have a fit. Suffice it to say that pregnancy hormones didn’t always leave expecting moms in the best of moods. My moms-to-be liked their yoga practice. They needed their yoga practice. And they needed to be serene while doing it. If a noisy dog fight disturbed their peaceful experience, I’d be the one getting barked at.
Thinking less than yogic thoughts, I marched up to the pair, determined to put a stop to the chaos.
“What in the world’s going on out here?”
The human half of the dastardly duo held a leash in one hand, newspapers in the other. He smiled at me and said, “Sorry about all the noise. I’m George, and this here’s Bella. What’s your name?”
“Kate Davidson, but—”
“Well, nice to meet you, Kate. I’d shake your hand, but mine are full, so Bella will have to do it instead.”
The vicious beast walked up and calmly sniffed my hand. I prayed she wasn’t about to ingest my fingers.
“Bella, say hello!”
Upon hearing her owner’s command, the giant hairy monster-dog immediately went into a perfect sit and sweetly offered me her paw. Maybe she wasn’t rabid after all. Just huge and ill-mannered.
“Don’t mind Bella,” he continued. “She’s very friendly to people. She just doesn’t like other dogs much. She’d be fine if people kept their unruly mutts to themselves, but they think if their rude dog wants to play, Bella has to as well.” He shook his head in disgust. “I don’t understand some people!”
I tried to interrupt, to tell him that his dog was the problem, but he didn’t give me the chance.
“Bella and I are new to this neighborhood, and we’re supposed to sell papers near the market. I tried setting up by the north entrance, but there’s a pet store at that end. Pete’s Pets, I think it’s called? The owner was a nice enough guy and all, but selling there was a disaster with all those dogs going in and out. Bella wasn’t happy at all.” He shrugged. “So I guess we’re going to have to hang out here instead.”
I bit the inside of my lip and considered my options. Up close, George wasn’t exactly the paragon of health I wanted standing outside my business. His friendly smile exposed yellowed teeth in need of significant dental care, and if the sharp, ammonia-like smell was any indication, neither he nor Bella had taken a bath in quite some time. At three-thirty in the afternoon, I could smell whiskey on his breath, and I suspected this most recent drink hadn’t been his first of the day. It would also likely be far from his last. I only knew one thing for certain: if George didn’t frighten my students away, his loud, intimidating, fur-covered companion would.
I needed them to leave, but honestly, I didn’t want to say it out loud. After all, I taught yoga for a living. People expected me to be calm and collected at all times. I wasn’t allowed to be mean, or even irritated, for that matter. I hesitated as I tried to come up with the perfect words to make him want to move, if not out of the neighborhood, then at least across the street.
Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), one of my favorite students picked that very moment to walk up with her five-month-old Lab pup, Coalie. “Hey, Kate!” she said. “I hoped I’d run into you! Do you still have space in your Core Strength class tonight?” Coalie was as rude and friendly as Labs everywhere. She couldn’t stop herself if she tried. She ran up to Bella, wiggling her entire body with glee, and covered Bella’s muzzle in sloppy wet puppy kisses.
Bella wasted no time. Faster than a 747 and stronger than a freight train, Bella pinned Coalie to the ground between her front legs, snarling and air-snapping on either side of Coalie’s neck. I heard the sound of canine teeth chomping together and imagined soft puppy bones shattering between them. My student screamed. Coalie yelped. George grabbed Bella’s collar while I reached in between razor-sharp teeth to pull Coalie from the jaws of death. The three of us wrestled the two dogs apart, but not before my student almost died of heart failure.
“What’s wrong with you?” she yelled. “Keep that vicious monster away from my baby!”
George quickly apologized, but said, “No damage done. Bella was just teaching that pup some manners.” He pointed at Coalie. “See, it’s all good!”
Coalie, oblivious with joy, seemed unscathed and ready to dive in again. Tail wagging and butt wiggling, she pulled with all her might, trying desperately to get back to Bella.
Bella had other plans. She sat next to George, glaring directly at that pup with a patented Clint Eastwood stare. Go ahead, she seemed to say. Make my day. My soon-to-be-former student ran off as quickly as her legs would move, dragging the still-happy puppy behind her.
“See you in class tonight!” I yelled to her rapidly retreating back. I doubted I’d be seeing her any time soon.
Yoga reputation be damned. I had to get rid of this guy.
I put my hands on my hips and stood nice and tall, taking full advantage of my five-foot-three-inch frame. “Look. I can’t let you stay here with the dog. She’s obviously frightening people. You have to leave.” I paused a moment for emphasis, then added, “Now.”
George stood a little taller, too. “Look yourself, lady. The last time I checked, I’m standing on city property. I have every right to be here. You don’t own this sidewalk, and you can’t stop me from making a living on it.” He glared at me, sharp eyes unblinking. “We Dollars for Change vendors are licensed, and no matter how much you don’t like us, the city says we can be here.”
“There’s no ‘us’ I don’t like,” I replied, frustrated. “It’s your dog. And you may have every right to be here, but the dog is another story. What do you think Animal Control will do if I report a vicious dog attacking people outside my store?”
George stepped back, pulling Bella closer. Seattle had the toughest dangerous dog laws in the nation. We both knew what would happen if I made that call. “You wouldn’t do that!” he said. “Bella’s never hurt anyone.”
I planted my feet stubbornly. “Try me.”
George gave me a wounded look and gathered his papers, shoulders slumped in depressed resignation. “OK, we’ll go. But I thought you yoga people were supposed to be kind.” He shuffled away, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath. Bella followed close by his side.
“Crap,” I muttered, watching their slow departure. “Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.” He was right. Like all good yoga teachers, I had extensively studied yoga philosophy and tried to live by it. The teachings were clear: A yogi should respond to suffering with active compassion. And George was clearly suffering, whether he realized that fact or not.
Threatening to call the cops on George’s dog may have been active, but it wasn’t all that compassionate, to him or to Bella. I felt like a cad. My solution probably wasn’t what the teachings had in mind, but it was the best I could come up with on short notice. “Hang on there a minute!” I yelled as I ran to catch up with him. Out of breath, I said, “You’re right. I overreacted, and I’m sorry. How many papers do you have left to sell today?”
George stopped walking. When he turned to look back at me, his eyes sparkled with an unexpected hint of wry humor. “About thirty.”
The calculations weren’t difficult. I wasn’t completely broke—yet—but thirty dollars wasn’t a drop in the bucket. On the other hand, my Monday evening classes were popular, and I had to get this guy away from the front door. Mentally crossing my fingers that the toilet wouldn’t break again, I said, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” I hurried back to the studio and grabbed thirty dollars from the cash box.
“If I buy all of your papers, will you be done for the day?”
“Yes ma’am, and that would be very kind of you.” He gave me a broad, yellow-toothed smile. “Bella and I appreciate it very much.” He took the money, left the papers, and wandered off, whistling. Bella happily trotted behind him.
“Well, that wasn’t so difficult,” I said, patting myself on the back. “I should follow the teachings more often!” I went back inside and finished my considerably shortened practice. I chose to ignore the quiet voice in my head telling me I’d just made a huge mistake.

Author Bio:

My writing is an expression of the things I love best: yoga, dogs, and murder mysteries.

I'm a certified yoga teacher and the founder of Whole Life Yoga, an award-winning yoga studio in Seattle, WA. I enjoy sharing my passion for yoga and animals in any form possible.

My husband and I live with our challenging yet amazing German shepherd Tasha and our bonito flake-loving cat Maggie. When I'm not writing, I spend my time teaching yoga, walking Tasha, and sipping Blackthorn cider at my favorite local ale house.

I am a member of Sisters in Crime, The Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and the Dog Writers Association of America.


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My review;

I loved, loved, loved this book. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters. I love all stories about dogs and this one made me get choked up. I cannot wait to read the next book by this  fantastic author. This book will appeal to anyone who loves a mystery, loves yoga and dogs!! I give this book a 5/5. I was given this book by Partners in Crime and all opinions are my own.

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Shimmer by Elena Dillon Release Day Blitz and Giveaway


Shimmer (Breathe #2) by Elena Dillon

RELEASE DAY BLITZ

YA Romantic Suspense


Book 2 in the Breathe Series:


Chandler Raines and her “dad” are on the run. Never staying in one place for very long. It’s just not safe. When they arrive in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chandler quickly realizes this is the place she wants to call home. Friends, a cute boy, and competitive cheerleading have her taking dangerous risks to have the life she always wanted. Risks she promised she wouldn’t take.
When her lies catch up to her, a decision has to be made. Stay or run? Will the evil that’s chased them for the last four years catch up to them? When Chandler’s past comes screeching into the present she’ll have to sacrifice everything to keep what she loves safe. But will it be enough?


Buy it on Amazon: http://bit.ly/ShimmerAmazon

~*~About the Author~*~


Elena lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles.  She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her three kids and three dogs, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage.

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