Fall has arrived!

CMash September 22, 2013 2 Comments

Announcement, Events, Page Turner Book Tours

PTBT Presents Publication Day: OVER THE EDGE by Susan Lohrer

CMash July 25, 2013 1 Comment

RELEASED TODAY!

Over The Edge by Susan Lohrer
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Published by: 5 Prince Books
Publication Date: July 25, 2013
Digital: ISBN 13:978-1-939217-73-8 ISBN 10: 1-939217-73-3
Print: ISBN 13:978-1-939217-74-5 ISBN 10: 1-939217-74-1

Purchase Link: http://www.5princebooks.com/buy.html

SYNOPSIS:
“Sometimes love sends you sailing over the edge.”
Kat Cherish, high school principal and activist (a combination that hasn’t been great for her career) heads back to her hometown to mend her dignity only to discover her estranged kid sister is a mess… and their childhood home is for sale. Getting the house back just might be the only thing that can put Kat’s complicated family back together… if she can cope with her mixed feelings for her ex-boyfriend, who’s been hired to completely remodel her house for another potential buyer… and if she doesn’t lose her new job because of the outrageous antics she’s pulling to keep her sister out of trouble.

READ AN EXCERPT

Kat shifted her wrists in the steel handcuffs. Rough, ancient bark pressed against her cheek, and the damp air intensified the resinous tang of the virgin forest. She’d been here since dawn—long enough to be on a first-name basis with Harvey, the Douglas fir. Which, if she let herself consider for more than a minute at a time, was kind of a weird development for a grown woman who had a respectable career. She’d consider it in more depth later. Right now she had enough on her mind.

A gust of coastal wind snatched her hat, and chilly rain plastered her hair to her scalp and trickled down her neck, making her teeth chatter. Nearby, a group of men wielded wrenches on a logging machine that refused to start. One of her students, the school board superintendent’s son, retrieved the hat and plopped it back on Kat’s head.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “they’re not going to get that machine going anytime soon.”

Alarm nibbled the back of her mind like a classroom gerbil gnawing a toilet paper tube.
“There’d better not be a reason you know that.”

He laughed. “I’m just saying.” Then, calling to his friends, he trotted off.

Kat wondered whether she’d still have her job at the end of the day.

The superintendent had made it clear she’d lose it in a blink if the kids did anything more than show up, and Kat had made them promise not to chain themselves to any trees. So far, all they’d done was text the protest’s breaking news to their friends… unless they’d messed with the equipment before she got here this morning. The thought made her stomach feel like she’d eaten fir needles for lunch. She stared up into the dense boughs radiating from Harvey’s trunk high above her.

“You don’t think the kids wrecked that machine, do you, Harv? I mean, they know my career is at stake here.” Harvey only sighed in the wind, branches waving toward the broken-down machine. Yeah, it had Kat a little worried, too.

She flexed her shoulders, stiff from the hours she’d spent shackled to the tree. She wasn’t against logging; she lived in a wood-frame house and used reams of paper. What school principal didn’t? And the logging industry in Mills Creek fed a lot of families.
In the last few hours, she’d had a chance to reevaluate her reasons for chaining herself to this tree. This was about so much more than the environment. It was about standing up for someone who couldn’t stand up for herself. Or in Harvey’s case, himself. It was about choices that had been taken away from her. It was about the fact that sometimes, no matter how wrong you were, you couldn’t undo what you’d done.

Her goal wasn’t to stop the logging, this community’s lifeblood. It was to protect something beautiful and precious. If she could win this one small battle, do this one small good deed, save just this one tree, maybe it would somehow make amends in her heart for what she’d let happen to her family.

A Jeep rattled up the steep gravel road and pulled off on the landing, followed a few seconds later by a police car. Kat’s stomach clenched.

A man exited the passenger door of the Jeep. His footsteps scuffed on the dirt road. Craning her neck, she peered through slanting late-afternoon shadows, making out only his easy gait and the set of his broad shoulders. Had they brought in a negotiator? He leaned into the police car for a minute, then stood, head down, hands on his hips, like a man bearing a heavy burden.

She almost felt sorry for the guy. She might look like a waterlogged rat at the moment, but he had no idea what he was up against. A tiny smirk crept over her mouth.

Now that this block of forest had been opened up to clear-cut logging, Harvey would have to watch while his family was torn away, one by one. She knew how he felt because the same thing had happened to her, until she had just one family member left. And she and Lacey weren’t even on speaking terms at the moment.

She dug her fingers into Harvey’s sturdy bark. “What am I doing talking to trees instead of making things right between Lacey and me?”

Soft footfalls on the carpet of needles behind her.

She straightened as much as she could. The chain connecting the two sets of handcuffs slipped and pulled her down with it until she had to slump against the tree trunk.
“Kat, what are you doing?” He sounded as exhausted as she felt. Sounded… disturbingly familiar.

That voice. Evan. Here? Memories grabbed her heart and sliced through it like the blade of the nearby feller buncher waiting to chop the young trees from their roots—if the loggers could get it running again. She strained her eyes to the left, looking without turning her head.

Evan was watching her, jaw clenched, rainwater slicking his blond hair.

She blinked the water from her eyes.

He was still there.

Not a gorgeous hallucination. A gorgeous reality. Her pulse whumped in her ears.

What was she doing? That was easy—she was running away from her failure to keep her family together. But what was Evan doing?

About Susan Lohrer:
Susan Lohrer grew up all over western Canada and lives in BC with her husband, their two children who are still at home, three dogs, and far too many aquariums. She believes life is always better with a healthy dose of humor.
How to contact Susan Lohrer:
Facebook | Twitter | Website

Events, Read-A-Thon

High Summer Read-A-Thon

CMash July 22, 2013 Leave a Comment

DAILY POSTINGS BELOW

This is a sticky post for my Read-A-Thon Progress

Hosted by Michelle @ Seasons of Reading

07/22 Monday
Book:
Pages read:

07/23 Tuesday
Book:
Pages read:

07/24 Wednesday
Book:
Pages read: 0

07/25 Thursday
Book:
Pages read:

07/26 Friday
Book:
Pages read:

07/27 Saturday
Book:
Pages read:

07/28 Sunday
Book:
Pages read:

07/28 Monday
Wrap up
Book(s):
Total pages read:

Events, Read-A-Thon

High Summer Read-A-Thon

CMash July 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

Hosted by Michelle @ Seasons of Reading

I’m signed up!! Want to join me? Details below.

I have been in a MAJOR reading slump since the beginning of the year. I mean MAJOR. I have read only 9 books this year!!! That is awful!! I only remember once, in all the many years of reading, that this has happened where it lasted this long.

I signed on for the Spring Read-A-Thon, thinking it would help, and nothing. I think, during that one, I read for a total of 2-3 hours in a week. So going to give it another try!!

Here are the details for this coming week’s read-a-thon:

It’s time to sign up for the High Summer Read-a-Thon! I hope you will join me this month for the week of July 22. We will start on Monday, 7/22 at 12:00am CST and finish on Sunday, 7/28 at 11:59pm CST (adjust times according to your time zone). Read what you like during the week. I’ve decided it’s not about quantity, but quality (although those who rock the quantity…I salute you!). So, if you have kids and want to read children’s books, go for it! As always, this is a week long read-a-thon, but you can join in and read whenever it’s convenient for you. It’s all about being laid back and getting some reading done.

I will not be hosting any mini-challenges, as we learned from my last few read-a-thons, focusing on the reading rocks. However, if anyone else would like to host a mini-challenge (or giveaway), you are more than welcome…just let me know. If you know someone who would like to donate a prize, or authors, if you would like to promote your book through the read-a-thon, please contact me via the tab at the top of the blog. We will also have a few scheduled Twitter chats again. I will announce the times in the starting line post. Our Twitter hashtag is #HSreadathon

You do not have to have a blog. You can sign up using your Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook accounts.

If you are planning on joining me (I hope so), please sign up in the linky below. You don’t have to do a post now, but if you would like to help me spread the word, that would be great. Don’t forget that this is just the sign-up linky. There will be a starting line sign-in and wrap-up linkies during the read-a-thon and doing both is required to be eligible for the giveaway (s). I will also be adding a mid-week check-in post, but you are not required to link up for the giveaway (s). Just if you want us to check out your progress. You can sign in at the starting line any time during the week up until Friday night at midnight CST.

Announcement, Events

Announcement: 2013 ITW Winners

CMash July 19, 2013 Leave a Comment

INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS ANNOUNCE

THE WINNERS OF THE 2013 THRILLER AWARDS

CONGRATULATIONS!!

ANNE RICE WINS 2013 THRILLERMASTER AWARD

The ballots are in and votes have been counted. The International Thriller Writers (ITW) is proud to announce the most thrilling authors of 2013. The winners of this year’s ITW Thriller Awards are:

2013 THRILLERMASTER AWARD: Anne Rice, one of America’s most beloved and celebrated authors, has 31 written novels, including The Vampire Chronicles, Songs of the Seraphim and the new Wolf Gift Chronicles. She has sold nearly 100 million books.

Presented by R.L. Stine, 2011 ThrillerMaster

2012 SILVER BULLET AWARD: Steve Berry, The New York Timesand internationally bestselling author of The King’s Deception, The Jefferson Key, The Columbus Affair and nine more novels, Berry was honored for his philanthropic work on behalf of fellow writers and historic preservation.

Presented by Brad Meltzer, 2009 Silver Bullet Award

BEST HARD COVER NOVEL

Brian Freeman – SPILLED BLOOD (Silver Oak)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Sean Doolittle – LAKE COUNTRY (Bantam)

BEST FIRST NOVEL

Matthew Quirk – THE 500 (Reagan Arthur Books)

BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL

CJ Lyons – BLIND FAITH (Minotaur Books)

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Dan Krokos – FALSE MEMORY (Hyperion Books CH)

BEST SHORT STORY

John Rector – LOST THINGS (Thomas & Mercer)

There’s only one event where you can find New York Times best-selling authors lurking around every single corner, literary agents actually appearing in broad daylight and fans openly plotting and conspiring with the most feared and revered names of the thriller genre. Please join us next year from July 9-12, 2014 for ThrillerFest IX, the International Thriller Writers’ ninth annual celebration of all things Thriller is the largest event of its kind in the world. The highlight of the festival will be the gala ITW Thriller Awards Banquet during which a fresh batch of authors will be announced as the chosen heroes of suspense.www.thrillerfest.com

Events, Giveaway

Summer Kindle Fire Giveaway

CMash July 16, 2013 Leave a Comment

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7″.

Kindle Fire HD 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7″ HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire.

Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway by signing up HERE.

Ends 8/15/13

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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com; and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Announcement, Events

The Story Plant Presents: AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

CMash July 10, 2013 1 Comment

I had to share this since Michael Baron is one of my favorite authors, having read every book and anxiously awaiting the sequel to LEAVES. If you haven’t read his books, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!! Check out my reviews for his books (click on titles below):

From THE STORY PLANT: A new month means a new Author of the Month! This month, we are featuring Michael Baron, author of multiple nationally bestselling books. For the duration of the month, The Journey Home will be on sale for $0.99 and everything else will be on sale for $2.99! We are also featuring excerpts and guest posts on our blog every day from Michael. To learn more about this program and his books, please visit our website.