Blog Tour: Prologue & Giveaway: His Wounded Light by Christine Brae

Title: His Wounded Light

Author: Christine Brae

Published: Dec 10th, 2013

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The perfect life.

The perfect marriage.

The jilted lover.

Their worlds collide.

Fate intervenes twelve years later and their paths intersect once again. All three will question whether the heart is truly capable of dividing and being divided; each will decide whether it matters who you loved first or who you love last.

Together they will learn that in the end, there can always only be one.

PROLOGUE

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Today, I see neither as I stare at the stranger in the mirror. There is nothing beautiful about me; I really don’t know what he sees. Even the dark circles around my eyes are cavernous and empty. They show no trace of someone who lives, only of someone who exists.

No matter how hard I try, there is nothing familiar about the person I used to be. I don’t know where to find myself because I don’t know where I’ve gone.

Who am I?

As I struggle to accept my fate, these are the things I know:

I am a mother and a sister.

I am no longer a wife.

I am someone else’s lover.

He took away my heart and the life we made together. I will never recover. This time, these wounds will never heal.

“Are you sure you have to leave tonight?”

The sound of his voice transports me back to the present, where I’m standing in his robe, in his bathroom, in his home. He encircles his arms across my chest and plants little kisses on my neck.

“Can’t you stay? I’ll take you home first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Sorry, I really have to go. I want to be home to see Eddie off to school.”

He tightens his hold and I relax my body against his. “You were absolutely amazing,” he whispers gruffly into my ear. “Stay with me a little longer. I’m not done taking care of you yet.”

One day at a time.

Tonight was all about forgetting but not yet forgiving. Filling but not replacing. And emerging from the abyss of loneliness knowing that I’ve pulled farther and farther away from the light.

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. This is her second and final book in the Light in the Wound series. Her third book is scheduled to come out in late 2014.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway: Sweet Forty-Two by Andrea Randall

Regan Kane arrived in San Diego with nothing but a violin, his car and what feels like a lifetime of grief. Although he’s surrounded by friends and music, one delivery from the post office reminds him that the past is always just around the corner. When he befriends a local bartender, Regan wonders if letting go is what he wants to do at all. 

Georgia Hall has spent most of her life in the shadows of her mother's mental illness. Pushing away those around her ensures they won't get hurt when she succumbs to the same fate.

All of that unravels when she meets Regan. As her life spins out of control and the line between reality and fairytale blurs, she has to make a choice to trust or fall.

Regan and Georgia are searching for healing among the wreckage. Will doing so together make moving on all the more sweet?

Or will the secrets and darkness of the past drive them apart?

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Review

I was eager for this story since I read the synopsis. I couldn’t wait to dig in to it and I was not disappointed! I felt like from the very beginning, I wanted these characters to find peace. Both had somewhat mysterious pasts, but both appeared to be tragic. I wondered if they’d be able to work past their hindrances and find peace or if it’d really prevent them from being happy.

This was a great story of working through what life hands you despite your obstacles. Regan and Georgia are so very different from each other, but so very alike as well. It was very interesting to see their connection right from the beginning… even if they did everything possible to deny it and avoid it!

This story was fresh and original, for sure. Andrea Randall left it open to so many more possibilities to get inside of other characters with how she told the story! No cliffhanger here, folks, but there is definitely possibility to explore more with this group of friends.

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About the Author

Andrea is a 2005 graduate of Cornell University and does not currently use her degree in Development Sociology. She does, however, use her people skills and love for writing every day. She and her partner, Charles Sheehan-Miles, live and write together in Massachusetts.

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Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Ripple by LD Cedergreen

Kendall Brooks has an impossible decision: Tell the truth or protect the lie?

She has buried herself in years of undergrad, medical school, and now her residency–hoping to leave behind what she is unable to face.

Her world is rocked to the core when she returns to her small hometown and runs smack dab into her first love, Adam McCoy.

Adam is the key. He stirs up old emotions that send Kendall spiraling back in time, remembering all the moments that led them to her ultimate deception.

Will revealing the truth of what transpired all those years ago provide her the self-forgiveness that she desperately craves or will her devastating secret destroy the only man she has ever truly loved, shattering her heart in its wake?

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Review

I had this one sitting on my Kindle waiting for me to read. I honestly was only waiting until it got closer until our tour date. Then a blogger friend posted that she needed to discuss it right away, so I was intrigued. I finished what I was reading that day and started it that night. I was NOT disappointed!

Right away we’re introduced to how different Kendall and Adam’s lives are. She is in the process of becoming a doctor and he’s back to living in their hometown with his own business. Though it is tragedy that brings them together, what continues to draw them together is really so much deeper.

I felt like L.D. Cedergreen really hit the nail on the head on with how their romance initially played out. It was sweet, filled with lacking confidence, and tender. There was so much innocence in their romance initially, but it grew so much. And then it all changes. And lies are told. And decisions are made. And life moves on.

It moved on until she had to see him again. When he thinks it is the first time since they initially parted ways, Adam is just as struck with Kendall as he was back then. Kendall knows differently and ultimately fesses up to what actually happened. It was very interesting to see how they reacted to these situations independently and together. L.D. Cedergreen did a great job with addressing the emotions that come with the news that is shared.

I loved this story and will most likely read it again in the future! I enjoyed so many aspects of it. The only part I didn’t *love* was how Adam going in to the missions field was addressed. I grew up in the church, went to a Christian university, and know many people who have gone in to missions or become pastors. I didn’t feel like that aspect of the story was realistic. THAT BEING SAID – the rest of the story was SO good that it was just a minor blip on the radar! I’d recommend this story to many!

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Teaser

I stood at the cold dark water’s edge, my reflection staring back at me from the glasslike surface. The reflection of a girl that I no longer knew. I breathed in the overwhelming scent of pine and recognized the tranquility that surrounded me. The soft hum of the city in the distance, the echo of an eagle’s cry overhead, the steady drum of my heart—the only sounds that could be heard in the quiet serenity that was present all around me.

Inside an entirely different scene existed. Whirling thoughts, like hurricane-force winds, blew through my mind while a dark, thunderous storm was raging inside my soul, cutting the power to the central organ of my existence—my heart. I was destined to weather this storm on my own. After all, like Mother Nature, I was the controlling force behind these conditions.

I threw a stone into the mirrored surface of the water before me and watched the small circular wave expand from the point where it broke through the stillness.

It was hard not to think of the stone as the choice I had made, the choice that inevitably created waves in the smooth waters of my life. The first lie, like the first ripple in the water, seemed so small but quickly became more significant. Each wave growing in size and depth, impossible to stop. The effect from that one choice spread through my life like the ripple moving across the surface of the water.

I longed for the stillness.

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About the Author

L.D. Cedergreen has always enjoyed writing.  It started as short stories, and later developed into poetry–some of which has been published–and now her first full-length novel.  She’s a vivid day dreamer, a passionate reader, and a fan of all music.

She is a small town girl at heart.  Originally from Washington State, she now resides in Southern California with her husband and two little ones. As much as she would like to call herself a beach girl, she is–without a doubt– grounded by her small town roots.

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COVER REVEAL: Finding My Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

Release date: 12/30/13

Pre-order begins: 12/16/13 – Amazon only

Finding My Forever

By Heidi McLaughlin

Everywhere I look, my friends are settling down - marriage, children, white picket fences; but not me. Marriage isn’t in the cards for me. I’m a ladies man.

A rock star.

I was born and raised in the industry.

I love everything about my life, especially the attention from the women that my status brings me.

Women find me. I don’t chase. I know what they want and they know I’ll deliver.

But after one look, one touch, one night...

Now I’m the one doing the chasing.

I need to find a way to show her that I’m serious, that I can change.

I need to find a way to show her that I can love her fully, and only her.

I need to find a way to show her that she’s my forever.

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The People Who Made it Happen

 Heidi McLaughlin

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Kobo, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling series, The Beaumont Series.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

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Okay Creations – Cover Design

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Brandyn Farrell – Cover Model

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Scott Hoover - Photographer

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Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway: Rage by Michelle Pace & Tammy Coons

Phillip Kersey finds himself and his hotheaded girlfriend, Stephanie, at a crossroads. He's the singer of the chart-topping rock band, Fury, and they're forever in the studio laying down tracks for their third album.

Steph's photography career has exploded. She's always on location and out of his grasp. Tired of Skype dates and stolen weekends, Phillip makes plans to whisk her off to Ireland so he can pop the question.

When Steph returns to the U.K. for the birth of their friends' baby, Phillip finally gets his chance. He's down on one knee when tragedy strikes. Aching hearts cause tempers to flair chaotically out of control. Phillip feels pushed aside and vanishes. Assumptions and accusations follow, and the public fallout between them becomes the stuff of legend.

When fate brings both Fury and Stephanie to a remote Brazilian paradise, the former lovers have no choice but to face each other head on. Will their wildfire chemistry burn down the wall between them, or will the tumultuous pair simply go up in flames?

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Review

WOW! I knew I’d enjoy this one because of how much I loved Fury. Their style of writing is very captivating and keeps attention quite well!

I loved both Stephanie and Phillip in Fury and loved them even more in Rage! With such strong personalities, you either love these characters or hate them right away. Neither one of them is willing to compromise and I really enjoyed that. It was refreshing to read about strong characters.

I found through the entire story, I was wanting more, more, more. Stephanie remains true to herself throughout it all. Her temper flares, her emotions really come out, and she is truly someone who I’d consider passionate. The same can be said about Phillip. I loved the way he interacted with Steph and softened when it came to her.

Another aspect of this story that I really enjoyed is that we get to see the others and what they are up to. The story is not exclusive to Steph & Phillip, despite them being the main focus.

I can’t wait to see what these fabulous ladies have up their sleeve next!

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About the Author

About Michelle: Michelle Pace is a registered nurse who resides in Texas with her husband, Les. She is the mother of two lovely daughters, Holly and Bridgette, and one uber-charismatic son, Kai. A former singer and actress, Michelle has always enjoyed entertaining people and is excited to continue to do so as a writer.

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About Tammy: Tammy Coons lives in Illinois with her husband Casey and three children Skyler, Sawyer and Savana. Writing has always been a passion for Tammy and she hopes to be able to continue on for as long as her brain and fingers will allow.

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REVIEW: The Road to You by Marilyn Brant

Release: October 3, 2013

Upper Young Adult/New Adult Coming-of-Age Romantic Mystery

“Until I found Gideon’s journal in the tool shed—locked in the cedar box where I’d once hidden my old diary—I’d believed my brother to be dead. But the contents of his journal changed all that.”
The Road to Discovery…
Two years ago, Aurora Gray’s world turned upside down when her big brother Gideon and his best friend Jeremy disappeared. Now, during the summer of her 18th birthday, she unexpectedly finds her brother’s journal and sees that it’s been written in again. Recently. By him.
The Road to Danger…
There are secret messages coded within the journal’s pages. Aurora, who’s unusually perceptive, intelligent and a natural puzzle solver, is hell bent on following where they lead, no matter what the cost. She confides in the only person she feels can help her interpret the clues: Donovan McKracken, Jeremy’s older brother and a guy she’s always been drawn to—even against her better judgment.
The Road to You…
Reluctantly, Donovan agrees to go with her and, together, they set out on a road trip of discovery and danger, hoping tofind their lost brothers and the answers to questions they’ve never dared to ask aloud.
“In that expectant space between silence and melody, our trip began…”

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Review

This was definitely not my typical read, for sure! I knew I’d enjoy it due to it being NA/Coming-of-Age, so I decided to take the plunge on this Romantic Mystery. On top of that, it also takes place back in the 1970’s, so a different era than what I typically read as well.

I can tell you that I was not disappointed! Sure, there were some differences due to the time period, but the writing was so phenomenal that it didn’t really make a difference! Right away I was drawn in to the story and focused my attention solely on this novel.

Ms Brant did a remarkable job really developing her characters and helping the reader with being able to understand them. Not only that, Donovan is to die for. I wasn’t sure what to expect with him, but I really adored him! The story is not all ‘puppy dogs and rainbows’ and Ms Brant surely branched out from what most of us are used to and did a remarkable job!

I cannot wait to get my hands on some more of her stories. Fabulous job, Marilyn Brant.

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About the Author

Marilyn Brant is a national bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary fiction. For Kensington Books, she wrote ACCORDING TO JANE, a new adult contemporary that won RWA’s Golden Heart Award, as well as the Aspen Gold and Booksellers’ Best; FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE, a Doubleday Book Club and Book-of-the-Month Club pick in women’s fiction; and A SUMMER IN EUROPE, a romantic women’s fiction story featured by the Literary Guild and BOMC2, as well as by the Rhapsody Book Club, where it was Top 20 Bestseller in “Fiction & Literature.”

She’s also a #1 Kindle Bestseller and has written a series of fun and flirty contemporary romantic comedies, including ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE and PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT MATCH, both of which were Amazon and B&N Top 100 bestselling novels. She was recently named the 2013 Illinois Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English and lives in the northern Chicago suburbs with her family. She’s a big fan of travel, music and chocolate of all varieties, but she’s not so fond of celery or snakes. Or doing laundry.

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