Thursday, August 29, 2013

Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg


This is the sweet and funny tale of a young girl named Candy and a Cankersaurus Rex! Candy receives a dinosaur as a gift and is determined to train him to be a good pet. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

Publisher: Jason Sandberg
Print Length: 32 pages
Published: June 18, 2012
As a bedtime story Picture Book it’s aimed for children ages 3-6
As a read-alone Picture Book it’s appropriate for children ages 6-9

My thoughts about Candy and the Cankersaur ~~

I loved reading Syd Hoff's book Danny and the Dinosaur to my kids when they were little. Jason Sandberg's book is a nice tribute to that book and that author. The story is about a little girl who get a cankersaur from her father, who wants her to have the best toys, while he keeps himself busy with work. The neighbor boy gets jealous of her new dinosaur and tries to take it away from her.

Candy and the Cankersaur kept the interest of my grandchildren, as I read it to them. What kid doesn't just love dinosaurs? And we all enjoyed the illustrations; the drawings and colors are very eye-catching.

I look forward to seeing more of Jason's work.

About the author




I'm a Fine Artist who also wants to produce the "missing books" from my childhood, the books I wished I'd had. Candy and the Cankersaur is a picture book about a girl who receives a dinosaur as a gift and her determination to train him to be a good pet. It's a fun homage to Syd Hoff and will make all dinosaur-crazy boys and girls happy.
Connect with Jason

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter

Purchase Candy and the Cankersaur

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

WWW Wednesdays August 28, 2013


WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Clicking on the book covers will take you to Goodreads
for more information about the books listed below.

What are you currently reading?

 The Day After Yesterday by Kelly Cozy
Did you ever have a book that you did not want to put down but you do, so that you can savor it longer? Yep ~ that's this book for me! 

Walk Me Home by Catherine Ryan Hyde
I love Catherine's books and I am lovin' listening to this one! 

What did you recently finish reading?

Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
Book club meets tonight. I'm interested to see what everyone thinks of this one.

What do you think you will read next?

My reading schedule is kind of open right now, so I am not sure what I'll read next. 

Maybe this one ~

Emerge (Evolve Series #1) by S.E. Hall

Or maybe I'll just go stand in front of my bookshelves and see what title calls to me. There are plenty to choose from, that's for sure! 

What's on your WWW this week?


Leave me a comment and
I'll stop by to check out your reads.



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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Release Day, an Excerpt and a Giveaway! Girl on Tour by Caisey Quinn


Caisey Quinn is celebrating the release of Girl on Tour, book #2 in the Kylie Ryans novels! Make sure to check out the excerpt below and enter the giveaway Caisey is offering!


Title: Girl on Tour: Kylie Ryans #2
Author: Caisey Quinn
Release date: August 27, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult

An up and comer trying to make a name for herself...

KYLIE never expected to be stuck on a tour bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend’s ex.

A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career...

TRACE thought he was finally getting to do things his way. Until the label added co-headliner Gretchen Gibson, the only person in country music with more issues than him, to his No Apologies tour.

Surrounded by tabloid rumors and people they can't trust, Kylie and Trace need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything.

Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don’t always lead you to the same place…

Excerpt
The Tavern was a cute little place tucked into a quaint street lined by trees and streetlamps. An expensive-looking boutique and an ice cream shop bordered it. White twinkle lights lit the trees. It was like walking into a dream. But this was real. Trace Corbin was taking her on a date. She was grinning like a maniac as she stepped inside and told the maĆ®tre d’ she was waiting for someone. 
“Ah yes, Ms. Ryans? We’ve been expecting you.” 
She took the man’s arm because he offered it. He escorted her past the main dining area and towards the kitchen. Tucked into a corner she never would have noticed was a small table. Candlelight reflected on Trace’s clean-shaven face. He’d been stubbly yesterday. Her stomach tensed. He’d shaved for her. Tonight they weren’t Kylie Ryans, up and comer, or Trace Corbin, troubled superstar. They were just two people enjoying an evening together. Just as her escort released her, Trace stood. Hot damn, he cleaned up good. Her mouth went dry. She licked her lips as she approached the table. 
He wore dark jeans—nice ones like he wore for his shows, not the tattered ones he usually wore when they were just hanging out. His black dress shirt was rolled up at the sleeves. Her breath caught when their eyes met. He smiled his warm I adore you smile, and her legs began moving of their own accord. It felt like… like she was walking towards more than just her boyfriend. In that moment, Kylie felt like she was walking towards the one thing she needed more than air. Home.  
“Hey, pretty girl,” he said, giving her an appreciative once-over. “You trying to kill me with that dress?”
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About the Author


Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the author of several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. She is currently working on Girl in Love, the third and final book in the Kylie Ryans series. You can find her online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com.

Connect with Caisey


Purchase Girl on Tour

Amazon | B&N  

 Event Giveaways!

What's up for grabs! 

(4) Signed Paperbacks of Girl on Tour - US/Canada
Kylie Ryans VIP Swap Prize Pack - US/Canada
$10 iTunes Gift Card - International 
(2) eBook copies of Girl on Tour - International





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Saturday, August 24, 2013

Book Spotlight and a Giveaway! Echoes by Maeve Binchy


Echoes


"It was sometimes called the echo cave, and if you shouted your question loud enough in the right direction, you got an answer instead of an echo..."

Clare and David--divided as children by a rigid social code that branded her as shanty Irish and him as gentry...brought together as adults by a desire that knew no class, no barriers, only the urgent hunger of two people destined to love--and ready to defy a world determined to keep them apart.

Even at fifteen, David Power knew the echo would answer eleven-year-old Clare O'Brien's dearest wish, to win a school prize. But it was years before Dr. Power's cherished only son saw in the huckster's daughter the answer to his own heart's desire.

Here in Castlebay, perched precariously on the seaside cliffs, the lines between them were clearly drawn. Clare's only hope is to leave the town where time stopped, propelled by scholarships to Dublin, fueled by her own drive and brilliance, far from the insular, gossipy world of Castlebay and those in its thrall... Angela O'Hara, beautiful, isolated, a teacher trapped in the convent school, who risks everything to help Clare escape... Gerry Doyle, the town charmer who finds in Clare the woman he vows to have at any price... Caroline Nolan, the beautiful, rich outsider who comes to plunder...

For Clare, that was before the wild freedom of Dublin, and love. And David. Before fate drove them back to Castlebay, and the past... ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

About the author


Maeve Binchy was born on 28 May 1940 in Dalkey, County Dublin, Ireland, the eldest child of four. Her parents were very positive and provided her with a happy childhood. Despite the fact she describes herself as an overweight child it was her parents attitude that gave her the confidence to accept herself for who she is today.

She studied at University College Dublin and was a teacher for a while. She also loved travelling and this was how she found her niche as a writer. She liked going to all different kinds of places such as a Kibbutz in Israel and worked in a camp in the United States. It was whilst she was away that she sent letters home to her parents. They were so impressed with these chatty letters from all over the world that they decided to send them to a newspaper. They were published. She left teaching and became a journalist. She still writes columns today.

Maeve married Gordon Snell who is also a published writer. When they were struggling financially it was then that Light a Penny Candle was published. She became an overnight success. Her books deal with relationship problems. Many of them are set in the past in Ireland such as "Echoes" and often deal with people who are young, fall in love, have families then have relationship or family problems that readers can identify with. The main characters are people you can empathise with. Some of her later novels have been brought forward to the present day to become more modern. Her cousin Dan Binchy is also a published writer.

She passed away on 30 July 2012, at the age of 72.

Giveaway!

I realize this is an older book but Maeve's books are classics. 
I enjoyed this story and I know you will too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

WWW Wednesdays August 21, 2013


WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Clicking on the book covers will take you to Goodreads
for more information about the books listed below.

Okay, let me preface my WWW Wednesday by saying that it has been a few weeks since I have posted a WWW. Summer, vacations, and family got in the way and I just got so busy. That's also why there haven't been very many posts here this month. 

When you look at my list, just remember this is several week's worth of reading. Plus ~ I was on vacation last week, which included a lot of time in the car to get some reading in, while hubby drove - I love that! And a lot of time to read while he fished, not a sport I enjoy, but I am totally content to sit in a chair and read while he does. So I got a lot of reading done last week. 

What are you currently reading?

 Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
His books are so funny - what a strange sense of humor he has. This is one I am reading for book club. I can just imagine it is going to be a laugh-fest, rehashing all the funny parts.

What did you recently finish reading?

Most of these I read on vacation last week. 
They are all great! I had a fabulous reading vacation! 
My thoughts will be posted soon, once I 'catch up'.

Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner
What a fun, cute story. 

Running Against Traffic by Gaelen VanDenbergh
 A wonderful story that sucked me in from the very beginning. 

Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman
An interesting 12 minutes audio story by Gaiman. 

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Wow!

Maggie's Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten
Love, love, love Deanna's books!

Love in Darkness by E.M. Tippetts
My thoughts are here

Castles on the Sand by E.M. Tippetts
My thoughts are here.

The Flower of Isbelline (Queen of the Realm of Faerie #2) by Heidi Garrett
My thoughts about this series are here

What do you think you will read next?

 The Day After Yesterday by Kelly Cozy
I am super excited to get started on this one! 

What's on your WWW this week?

Leave me a comment and
I'll stop by to check out your reads.


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or by email (option on the sidebar)

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

On Tour and a Giveaway! Love in Darkness (Shattered Castles #2) by E. M. Tippetts


Title: Love in Darkness (Shattered Castles, #2)
Author: E.M. Tippetts
Release date: May 21, 2013
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours


Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away. After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave.

Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate. He is what he is. Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.

My thoughts about Love in Darkness ~~

Today is my stop on the Love in Darkness tour, sponsored by AToMR Tours. You can visit the other stops on the tour here.

Yesterday I posted my thoughts about book #1 in this series, Castles on the Sand. You can read them here.

Love is Darkness is book #2 is the Shattered Castles series but can be read as a standalone novel. I thoroughly enjoyed book #1, Castles on the Sand, and was glad that I had read it first. Emily does a great job writing Love to be enjoyed by itself but I know that I got so much more out of it by having read Castles first.

I loved Madison in the first book and the troubled relationship that continues in book #2 between Madison and Alex kept me very interested in reading more. Alex has a lot of issues to work through and feels he should go it alone. But should anyone be alone?

Once again, Emily has written a very enjoyable, touching story that I was able to get lost in and savor.  

Castles on the Sand (Shattered Castles #1)


If there’s one thing Madison Lukas understands, it’s pain. The pain she feels when her mother ignores her completely. The pain her best friend endures as her parents starve her as punishment. The pain of a dangerous boy whose mother has to be carried away by law enforcement on a regular basis.

She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.

But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too.

About the author



Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.

Her most recent pro publications have been her science fiction and fantasy short stories in magazines like Black Gate, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and the anthology, Shanghai Steam.

Connect with Emily

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Find the books

Love in Darkness 

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Castles on the Sand

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here or the tour button below.




Giveaway!

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Castles on the Sand (Shattered Castles #1) by E.M. Tippets


If there’s one thing Madison Lukas understands, it’s pain. The pain she feels when her mother ignores her completely. The pain her best friend endures as her parents starve her as punishment. The pain of a dangerous boy whose mother has to be carried away by law enforcement on a regular basis.

She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.

But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

My thoughts about Castles on the Sand ~~

I thoroughly enjoyed Castles on the Sand. Emily writes such beautiful, believable stories that just flow off the pages and into my mind. Madison is a wonderful, caring person in this story and I immediately liked her. She is a good friend to all those she is around, even though sometimes she gets hurt by them. She sees past her hurt and remains loyal to her friends.

I was totally immersed in the story and nearly read it in one sitting. I love it when a story grabs me like that and the pages just fly.

Castles on the Sand is a great book for teens. It has all the issues that teens everywhere have to deal with; friendships (good and bad), suicide, reputations, parties, dating, sex, right and wrong.

This story does delve in to the Mormon religion and missionaries, which is something I am not at all familiar with. It was very interesting to learn about another way of life and religion.

Be sure to check tomorrow for my stop on the Love in Darkness blog tour. Love in Darkness is book #2 in the Shattered Castles series.

About the author


Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.

Her most recent pro publications have been her science fiction and fantasy short stories in magazines like Black Gate, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and the anthology, Shanghai Steam.

Connect with Emily

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!


Sunday, August 18, 2013

Winners of the RAGBRAI Support Giveaway!


I have not forgotten about the wonderful support that my RAGBRAI team got from all of you wonderful people. My summer suddenly got super busy and The Book Bag has been kind of quiet. I apologize for that and I apologize for making you all wait for the names of the winners.

But seriously, winning a free book is a good thing anytime, isn't it?

We ended up with 333 entries on the Rafflecopter form with 62 encouraging comments left for the team. I did read them to the team everyday and they were really blown away by the response. Some of you stopped by everyday and left some fabulous words of encouragement.

Thank you all so much for your support!


And now, without further ado, here are the 7 winners, one for each day of the ride!

Each winner gets to select 1 book of their choice, up to $10 from either Amazon or The Book Depository. Winners have 48 hours to respond to an email that was sent or another name will be drawn.

Congratulations to all and
Thank You for your support!!

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Saturday, August 17, 2013

Book Spotlight and a Giveaway! Hollywood Hills by Joseph Wambaugh


Hollywood Hills
(Hollywood Station Series #4)


The legendary Hollywood Hills are home to wealth, fame, and power--passing through the neighborhood, it's hard not to get a little greedy.

LAPD veteran "Hollywood Nate" Weiss could take or leave the opulence, but he wouldn't say no to onscreen fame. He may get his shot when he catches the appreciative eye of B-list director Rudy Ressler, and his troublemaking fiancƩe, Leona Brueger, the older-but-still-foxy widow of a processed-meat tycoon. Nate tries to elude her crafty seductions, but consents to keep an eye on their estate in the Hollywood Hills while they're away.

Also minding the mansion is Raleigh Dibble, a hapless ex-con trying to put the past behind him. Raleigh is all too happy to be set up for the job--as butler-cum-watchdog--by Nigel Wickland, Leona's impeccably dressed art dealer. What Raleigh doesn't realize is that under the natty clothes and posh accent, Nigel has a nefarious plan: two paintings hanging on the mansion's walls will guarantee them more money than they've ever seen.

Everyone's dreams are just within reach--the only problem is, this is Hollywood. A circle of teenage burglars that the media has dubbed The Bling Ring has taken to pillaging the homes of Hollywood celebutants like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, and when a pair of drug-addled young copycats stumbles upon Nigel's heist, that's just the beginning of the disaster to come. Soon Hollywood Nate, surfer cops Flotsam and Jetsam, and the rest of the team at Hollywood Station have a deadly situation on their hands.

Hollywood Hills is a raucous and dangerous roller coaster ride that showcases Joseph Wambaugh in vintage form.

About the author


Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD detective sergeant (1960-1974), is the bestselling author of twenty-one prior works of fiction and nonfiction, including The Choirboys and The Onion Field. Wambaugh joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1960. He served 14 years, rising to detective sergeant. He also attended California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees.

In 2004, he was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. He lives in southern California.

Connect with Joseph

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Giveaway!

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Saturday, August 10, 2013

Book Spotlight and a Giveaway! Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul


Dragons of the Valley
(Valley of the Dragons #2)


War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

About the author


I am an author of Christian Fantasy. My first 7 books were Christian Romance, but I came over to the Dark Side when I heard there were cookies.

Connect with Donita

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Giveaway!

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Cover Reveal: Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner


Title: Lying to Meet You
Author: Anna Garner
Expected release date: September 5, 2013
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit
Age Group: Adult – but it might appeal to YA/NA readers
Cover designed by: Sue Traynor

Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?

Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.

However…

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?

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About the Author Anna Garner


Born and raised in the Midwest, Anna Garner's adventurous spirit kicked in after graduating from high school, and she's since lived in Boston, NYC and London. For several years, Anna worked in fashion--first as a journalist and then as a shopkeeper, and for a while she dabbled in design.

Although chick lit was her first love, Anna started writing quirky romances, and her first one, Fashioning a Romance, was published in May 2012 under the name of Libby Mercer. This was followed by two more quirky romances: Unmasking Maya and The Karmic Connection. Since Lying to Meet You is written in old school chick lit style and isn't a clear cut love story, Anna decided to publish it under her real name. She currently lives in San Francisco and spends most of her time cranking out more stories.

Connect with Anna





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