Guest Post from Author, Graham Parke

 

Unspent Time Launch Party

Get free books and win a Kindle Fire or a Kindle Touch

 

 


Warning: reading this novel may make you more attractive and elevate your random luck by about 9.332%*
(* These statements have not been evaluated by any person of consequence!)

From the award winning author of ‘No Hope for Gomez!’ comes a collection of impossible tales. Permeating the cracks between the past and the present is the realm of Unspent Time; time that was allotted but never spent. This is where we find the stories that could have been true.
Read how to enter below. Excerpt Sunday brunch; the table overflowing with food and drink, the fine china and silverware laid out, the clock ticking away painfully slow minutes before father finally speaks. “Well son,” he says, “isn’t it about time you got yourself a job?”John looks up from his plate. “Dad,” he says, “I havea job.”Father nods thoughtfully, chewing his medium rare steak. “I guess it’s about time you moved out then. Found a place of your own. Planted some roots.”John is baffled. “But dad, I moved out five years ago. In fact, this is the first time I’ve been back.” He looks over at mother, who shrugs and says, “You know dear, your brother has his own business. He set up an accountancy firm.”John rolls his eyes. “That’s me, mom. I set up an accountancy firm. John Williams and Associates.””That’s good to hear,” father says. “Always said you should run your own business. You have a keen business sense. You always had.”

“I just wish he’d find himself a girlfriend,” mother complains.

“What do you mean?” John smiles apologetically at Annabel. “I have a girlfriend, mother, she’s sitting next to you. She gave you flowers at the door, remember?” He points at the vase. “You put them in water.”

Mother waves it away with a warm smile. “Sorry dear, I meant a proper girlfriend.” She squeezes Annabel’s hand. “You know what I mean, don’t you dear?”

Annabel opens her mouth, but can’t think of anything to say.

“Didn’t you used to have dark hair,” father says suddenly, “and not quite so many arms?” He looks John over carefully. “Yes, yes,” he says, “you definitely look different. Did you get shorter?”

“That’s enough!” John gets up. He gestures at Annabel to do the same. “If you cannot behave like civilized human beings, then we’re going! I can’t believe you’d treat Annabel and myself this way. It’s appalling!”

Father throws down his napkin and stands as well. “Serves you right, young man,” he says. “Serves you right for not going home for five years and then ending up in the wrong house!”

… continued in Unspent Time

How to enter:
For the launch of the new novel I decided to discount it to $0.99 for today (PC and eBook), give away some exclusive content, and raffle off two Kindles. All entrants will get:

  • An exclusive spin-off novelette (not available for purchase anywhere!)
  • Making of Gomez: behind the scenes eBook
  • Signature for their paperback or kindle edition
  • Chance to win a Kindle Fire or a Kindle Touch


(Prizes can be traded for Amazon gift certificates if you already own them.)
Just email your receipt to nohopeforgomez@gmail.com to enter.
Each purchase counts, so stock up on birthday presents (for people you don’t like that much, for instance) The discount ends today, but be sure to send the receipts no later than June 1st.


(Or order the books from any bookstore.)
Coupon code for today: ZB77D

And then get by tweeting about your purchase:

Sound bites from Unspent Time:

“I’m looking into my past lives. I’m convinced some of them still owe me money.”

“I’m very polite by nature, even the voices in my head let each other finish their sentences.”

“I didn’t actually want to do it,” Kiala told the boy. “The universe just kind of conspired to force me to make a fool of myself. It does that quite a lot, actually.”

“Sadly, my socks are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.”

Here’s what reviewers had to say:

“A veritable page turner of nonstop laughs!” — Reader Views
“An unputdownable read. a Coens Brothers’ film in book form.” — BookReview.com
“Extremely witty and clever writing.” — California Chronicle
“A Party for your Brain!” — Warren Baxter

Bio:

Graham Parke is responsible for a number of technical publications and has recently patented a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced.

www.grahamparke.com
www.grahamparke.blogspot.com
GoodReads
Facebook
DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble and/or any other retail/wholesale
outlets either online and/or elsewhere.
I am providing this link solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
I do not receive any monetary compensation from any parties

W.W.W. Wednesday

      

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

(galley)

What did you recently finish reading?

         

What do you think you’ll read next?

     

Teaser Tuesday

     

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He had to bide his time, or his plan would fall apart.  It had taken him eight years to track down Marissa, and eight months to develop his plan-a plan to keep them from ever being separated again.

Kindle 1%  (galley)

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “AN UNEXPECTED GUEST” by Anne Korkeakivi ENDED

APRIL 30th to MAY 14th, 2012

 

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
by ANNE KORKEAKIVI

SYNOPSIS:
Clare Moorhouse, the American wife of a high-ranking diplomat in Paris, is arranging an official dinner crucial to her husband’s career. As she shops for fresh stalks of asparagus and works out the menu and seating arrangements, her day is complicated by the unexpected arrival of her son and a random encounter with a Turkish man, whom she discovers is a suspected terrorist. More unnerving is a recurring face in the crowd, one that belonged to another, darker era of her life. One she never expected to see again. But it can’t be him–he’s been dead for 20 years….
Like Virginia Woolf did in Mrs. Dalloway, Anne Korkeakivi brilliantly weaves the complexities of an age into an act as deceptively simple as hosting a dinner party.
THANKS TO ANNA ,  AND THE WONDERFUL
PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
I HAVE THREE ( 3 ) COPIES OF THIS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
*USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW
IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY
*
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL
ADDRESS IN THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: WHO DO YOU THINK
THE FACE IN THE CROWD BELONGS TO?*
*U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*

**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS MAY14th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RAFFLECOPTER AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN

DISCLAIMER / RULES

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM


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Monday Memes

April is being hosted by Cindy’s Love of Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour. According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

                         Author-galley                      WOW Tours

               

               Sparkpoint Studio LLC      Gina @ Hott Books (signed!)

               

                                    

Sunday Salon-The Big News of the Week

Facebook link

Wow…did this week fly by, well at it felt like it to me.   Good morning Sunday Saloners.  Hope you had a productive week reading and blogging.  As far as my week goes, let’s get started.

Reading:  I only read one book this week, not because of the content, but because I spent too much time at the computer and taking care of other matters.  I also got quite a few books this week, but I will share those tomorrow with Mailbox Monday.

Blogging:  OK..there is an elephant in the room and I am sure this will be the topic of discussion today.  I only found out about it  through 2 of my blogging buddies or I wouldn’t have even known what was going on since I have never visited, at least I don’t think I have, the blogs affected.   And the topic is plagiarism.  I am not going to relate the situation as I don’t know all the details but will say that someone was caught copying another’s blog.  And Gina from Hott Books, also wrote about reviewers getting paid to write 5 star reviews.

I’m not going to address all the drama associated with the specifics but would like to state my overall general feelings on both issues.  And that is true sadness and much disappointment.

First… on the paid for trumped up reviews that are posted on certain sites.  Shame on you for deceiving the public that read your reviews in making their decisions to purchase a book.  Before I became a part of this community, I did take into account  reviews written by others when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to purchase a book or not.  Now that I am part of this community of book bloggers, I 100% rely on other bloggers’  reviews.   But after 2+ years, I am almost positive I know who the credible, honest, professional bloggers are and they are the ones that have made my TBR list grow to the point that I have renamed it to “hopefully in my lifetime TBR list”.   Do I think the bad apples will hurt book bloggers in general.  Unfortunately, yes, for a while until they get caught.  The honest book bloggers that review with integrity may not be believed by the general public.  But eventually  people will see the same name, always giving every book a 5 rating because we all know that not every book is for every person and we have all had those 1 and 2 rated books.  And for those paying for 5 star reviews, it will catch up with you.  The truth will come out regarding the work.  A friend of mine told me a long time, everyone digs their own grave, especially when they are doing wrong, and she is so right.  I have seen it happen too many times to the guilty parties.  There is Karma!!

And now the big topic of the week, plagiarism.  Again, sadness, disappointment and some naivety.  When I first started, my mentor Vicki from I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach, told me that the “nicest bloggers were book bloggers” and I have found that to be 100% true.  I have considered this community one big international book club and still do.  Plagiarism, I don’t get it?  Why?  Most of us are copyrighted and personally, at least for me, I feel that is in place from the general public.  But if another book blogger asks if they can borrow, likes something on my blog or if they can link back to me, my answer is always a yes.  Matter of fact, I take it as a compliment.  I just recently saw something on someone’s blog that I liked and emailed her to ask permission if she would mind if I could use a similar format.  That’s just everyday courtesy, at least that’s what I think.  Aren’t we book bloggers that have a great passion for books and want to share our thoughts on different books?  This is a hobby with incredible people interacting because we love to read.  But plagiarism, again I ask why?  Maybe I’m missing something or like I said, just plain naive.

What are your thoughts about these 2 topics?  

Hope you have a great week!!  I know I will, but more on that in a couple of days.

And the winners are………

……..of The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

46 Susan Varney Follow @CherylMash on Twitter

2 Sheila McKinney DeChantal Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

30 Maureen Carol Leave a Blog Post Comment

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.  Watch for new giveaways !!

Announcement

    

Happy Saturday everyone !!  

Have you entered the giveaways?  Hope so and good luck if you did.    However, if you can’t wait to read one of the books that I am hosting as a giveaway, Oxford Messed Up by Andrea Kayne Kaufman, I wanted to share with you a notice I received from Rebecca at The Cadence Group.

“In celebration of love, life and hope, Andrea will be offering the Ebook edition for $ .99 on Amazon from May Day thru Cinco de Mayo – May 1-5.”

Have a great weekend!!!!

DISCLAIMER
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble and/or any other retail/wholesale
outlets either online and/or elsewhere.
I am providing this link solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.
I do not receive any monetary compensation from any parties