Giveaway & Spotlight - Fighting for the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

I 'met' Jennifer Comeaux when I did the line edits on "Edge of the Past", book two in her Edge series. I enjoyed it and am delighted to be part of the release celebration for the new book,
"Fighting for the Edge".

DISCLOSURE: I am an employee of Astraea Press. I am not being compensated by Astraea Press or Jennifer Comeaux for putting up this post.  

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Blurb from the author ~

Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything… 

 Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice. 

Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming. 

With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.  

November Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

 
This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

Spotlight on Egypt Rising by Stan Schatt & A GC Giveaway

Tour Schedule

 

Blurb from the author ~

 Some ancient secrets should remain buried. An American teenager in Cairo finds herself in the middle of the Egyptian revolution fleeing militant Islamic extremists. She leads her worst enemy and the boy she thinks about much too often on the adventure of a lifetime. When she discovers an ancient artifact that was buried for thousands of years, she learns that very powerful people will stop at nothing, including murder, to learn the secrets of a long-dead civilization.   

 Amazon*

* affiliate link- the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through this link.

Excerpt & Giveaway: The Riddles of Hillgate by Zoey & Claire Kane

 

Tour Schedule

  The Riddles of Hillgate ~

 Zoey Kane is known around Riverside for making risky purchases. When her daughter Claire learns a most recent investment is eighty acres on the haunted side of town, she is simply flabbergasted. Amazement takes over the whole community, however, when an old mansion is discovered deep within trees. After the estate is turned into a popular hotel, no one could have expected just how risky this purchase would be. 

Riddles of Hillgate is currently FREE!

Download a copy

Amazon * Kobo * Barnes & Noble

The Z&C Mysteries are a fresh, unique series, where the mother and daughter can kick butt in heels if they have to. The situations can get very scary, but nothing is ever too gory. The reading is clean, while also vibrant. It's just plain fast-paced fun.

Autumn Kindle Fire Giveaway!

 
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)

 
  Fall Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Author Annette K. Larsen
4. Phantasmic Reads
5. Author Bella Street
6. Author Bonnie Blythe
7. Author Stacy Claflin
8. MyLadyWeb: Women's History, Women Authors
9. Book Mama Blog
10. Word to Dreams
11. Candace's Book Blog
12. Once Upon a YA Book
13. Author Miriam Louise
14. Author Mary Ting
15. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
16. Books4Tomorrow
17. Author Theresa McClinton
18. Brooke Blogs
19. Author Pauline Creeden
20. Author MK McClintock
21. Author Kathryn Chastain Treat
22. Books Unhinged Book Blog
23. Author Kelly Cozy
24. Meredith & Jennifer's Musings
25. These Are But Shadows
26. My Devotional Thoughts
27. Author Ally Shields
28. Dark Motive's Books and More
29. Nessarox
30. Fae Books
31. Author Jennie Sherwin
32. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
33. Auggie Talk
34. No BS Book Reviews
35. BookLover Sue
36. Gin's Book Notes
37. Bookhounds
38. Buku-Buku Didi
39. Author Shelli Profitt Howells
40. My Nook, Books and More
41. The Late Bloomer's Book Blog
42. Clarice's Book Nook
43. MichaelSciFan
44. Magical Manuscripts
45. Author Talia Jager
46. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
47. Jessabella Reads
48. Author Melissa Pearl
49. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
50. Bookitty Blog
51. Author Helen Smith
52. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
53. Christine's Blog
54. Write Away Bliss
55. Another World of Books
56. The Reporter and The Girl MINUS The Super Man!
57. Katie's Clean Book Collection
58. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
59. Author Shannon Guymon
60. Ripple Effect Romance Series

  Sign up to Sponsor the NOVEMBER Giveaway http://www.iamareader.com/2013/09/november-kindle-fire-giveaway-sign-ups.html    

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.  

Ends 10/31/13

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.

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Banned Book Week Giveaway Hop!

 

It's that time again. The American Library Association's annual focus on books that have been banned or challenged begins tomorrow and runs all week long. Throughout the US, people regularly challenge books in school, libraries, and bookstores, trying to deny other people the right to read and the right to choose what they read.

The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom receives reports from schools, libraries and other organizations and compiles them into lists. You can see the various lists of frequently challenged books here. 

Why are books challenged? Here are some statistics from the ALA's Frequently Challenged Books page:

Over this recent past decade, 5,099* challenges were reported to the Office for Intellectual Freedom.

• 1,577 challenges due to "sexually explicit" material;
• 1,291 challenges due to "offensive language";
• 989 challenges due to materials deemed "unsuited to age group";
• 619 challenged due to "violence"' and
• 361 challenges due to "homosexuality."

Further, 274 materials were challenged due to "occult" or "Satanic" themes, an additional 291 were challenged due to their "religious viewpoint," and 119 because they were "anti-family."
Please note that the number of challenges and the number of reasons for those challenges do not match, because works are often challenged on more than one ground.

I am capable of deciding for myself what books to read or not read. I often pass on books whose theme or topic don't interest me, and occasionally, offend me in some way. 

As a teacher, part of my job is choosing books for my classrooms. I teach one, two, and three year olds so they are not reading in the strict sense but they are looking at the books, talking about them, and listening to the teachers read them. I need to consider their cognitive development, their social/emotional development, their interests, the current curriculum, my school's policy on books, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children's statement on books for young children. We have never, to my knowledge, had a parent challenge a book but we would stand behind any book in our school library. Sometimes children bring in books from home that don't meet our guidelines. In that case, we try to encourage that the book remain in their cubby but if they really want to to read it or want us to read it, we do. In the older groups, the teachers, at their discretion, can discuss with the child why we'd rather not have the book out in the room but it's handled on a case by case basis and no book is ever banned.

Obviously curating books gets trickier as children get older but I don't believe that any book should be banned from a classroom or school. The more exposure you have to people, places and events in the world, the more you learn. We learn, in part, through dissonance so bumping into ideas and concepts that make us uncomfortable is actually necessary in order to learn. Outside of a school setting I can't see any reason why someone else should have the right to determine what I read or don't read.

So, as my small contribution to the celebration of banned books, I've put up this post and I'm offering the children's book, "And Tango Makes Three". It was the fifth most challenged book in 2012, on the grounds of homosexuality and being unsuited for its intended age group. It's a book about compassion, love, and becoming a family; seems perfectly suitable to me.

The book will ship from The Book Depository so please make sure they ship to your country before entering. Please read my Giveaway Policy.

Also, this is a blog hop so be sure to visit the other blogs, read more about banned books, and see the variety of books being offered.

Blurb from goodreads ~

In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others. This illustrated children's book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

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Spotlight & $50 GC Giveaway: Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack

 

Blurb from the author ~

 It was supposed to be a girls’ weekend in scenic St. George, Utah that would include shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fundraiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fundraising event, a local doctor, disappeared two months ago was not supposed to be Sadie’s problem. In fact, she refuses to participate in the grassroots investigation her friend Caro, and Caro’s cousin, Tess, have put together prior to her arrival. But then she meets the ex-wife of the missing doctor. How could she not ask a few questions . . . that lead to a few more questions . . . that lead to a small town and yet even more questions. Before she knows it, Sadie is in the middle of yet another murder investigation and trying to piece together a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.

September Kindle Fire Giveaway

 

  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)

GC Giveaway & Spotlight: The Hero's Lot by Patrick W. Carr

 

The Hero's Lot Blurb ~

 Riveting Sequel from Christian Fantasy's Most Talented New Voice. When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne. In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Series: The Staff and The Sword #2

Genre: YA, Christian Fiction, Epic Fantasy

Format: ebook, paperback

Release Date: July 15, 2013

Buying Links:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Hero's Lot is the Sequel to A Cast of Stones -
 

A Cast of Stones ~  An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers Will Love. In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom. Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Series: The Staff and the Sword #1

Genre: YA, Christian, Epic Fantasy

Format: ebook, paperback

Release Date: February 1, 2013

Buying Links: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Author Patrick W. Carr Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

Find Patrick Online:

Website * Facebook

   

 Book Blast Giveaway 

 $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

 Ends 8/11/13 

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 author.  

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight & GC Giveaway on IXEOS: Rebellion by Jennings Wright

   

Blurb from author ~

With rebel leader Darian free at last, the humans and outsiders on Ixeos must find a way to join forces and defeat the Firsts. The problem? All slaves are tracked with GPS, the Firsts are the only ones with power, and roving gangs hate the rebels just as much as they hate the aliens. As Darian and the outsiders from Earth travel the globe through the mysterious tunnels in Paris, they learn that the Firsts are preparing to launch another wave of biological warfare. With a transporter that will allow the aliens to target any city, anywhere on the planet, the rebels know they must stop them at all costs. As things get more dangerous on Ixeos, the outsiders find that they're pushed to their limit. Will they fight for freedom, no matter the price?  

It's Children's Book Week! Win A Book in the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop.

That gorgeous poster was designed by Brian Selznick, Caldecott winner, 2012 Children's Choice Book Awards Illustrator of the Year, and creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck. He created it for Children's Book Week, the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Each year events are held throughout the US in libraries, bookstores, and schools, or anywhere young children and books can come together. The idea is to celebrate books for young readers and the joy of reading.

If you're reading this blog, you already know about the joy of reading. Maybe you can help share it. See if there are events in your area: Official Events  Local Events  Talk to your local school, library or bookstore and see if they would be willing to set up an event and then offer to help. See that beautiful poster above? It's available for FREE. Go here to read how to get it. There's also a free bookmark that you can download here. Are there any children in your life? Give them a book, one you loved as a child or one you think they will love; maybe give them a gift card to a bookstore, take them to the library, help them get a library card if they don't have one, read a book with them. Share the love of reading and encourage literacy.

I'll be reviewing one children's book a day every day during Children's Book Week. Some I own, some belong to the school where I teach, and some I received for review. I'll start and end the week reviewing books by Stephanie Lisa Tara; she donated several books to my school a few months ago and I'll likely pass on these review copies to my school.

Share the book love!

I'm sharing the book love by taking part in the Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop hosted by KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

It is a hop so be sure to look at the linky at the end of the post and visit the other blogs to see what books they are giving away. Enter my giveaway using the rafflecopter widget below. Please read my Giveaway Policy. This giveaway is international; if Amazon ships to your country, you are eligible to enter.

The Prize:  

Any of the books shown below; click on the image to go to the book's goodreads page. You can choose print or kindle from Amazon. Please make sure that Amazon kindle, if you want that format, is available in your country.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Book Share #36

 

I'm participating in Feed My Reader Friday hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer,  The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. These  memes allow book bloggers the chance to share print and digital books they've received, and different posts and events at their blogs. 

It's Mother's Day here in the US so to all of you who are mothers, regardless of where you live, I hope your family takes care of you and you have a wonderful day. My mother died thirty years today so I'll be out at the cemetery today, maintaining it and taking flowers. No plants, I can't keep plants alive so I take cut flowers and then I don't feel guilty when they die. Later I'll call my stepmother and wish her a happy Mother's Day. What are your plans?

The Week In Review

Reviews: Playing Hooky by Rita Webb (New Adult, urban fantasy, romance) I really enjoyed it.

Targets of Revenge by Jeffrey S. Stephens (action adventure) This one however I really HATED.

Guest Post: Why Doesn't She Just Leave the Jerk? By Lori L. Clark

Excerpts: Dawn of a Dark Knight by Zoe Forward (PNR)

Interview: Author Zoe Forward (PNR)

Cover & Trailer Reveal: Losing Francesca by J.A. Huss (New Adult, Mystery, Romance)

Memes: Quote-Tastic #1  Cat Thursday - Worship Me!  Sunday Book Share #35

Giveaways:

2 Hardcover copies of A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Calkins and a $40 Amazon.com gift card for a total of 3 winners. 

 

A $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash from author J.A. Huss, ends May 12th

Beaded bookmarks, earrings and other prizes from author Rita J Webb, ends May 13th

(Prize 1) A Kindle Touch, a $15 Amazon.com gift card, (Prize 2) a Kindle copy of "Topped Chef" & "Bowled Over", a $15 Book Depository gift card, (Prize 3) a Kindle copy of "Murder on the First Day of Christmas" & "Game Drive", a $15 Amazon.com gift card, (Prize 4) your choice of a cozy mystery paperbacks (up to $25 in value), 4 winners in all, ends May 15th.

1 of 5 Kindle copies of Meg the Egg by Rita Borg & or a $25 Amazon Gift Card, ends May 17th.

Kindle Fire from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 31st, 2013

A Kindle Fire HD or $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 PayPal Cash, ends May 31st. 

 

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge: I had a slower week this week. I read several books but only two that counted for the challenge and one of them took me several days; Playing Hooky and Targets of Revenge.   

 

Odd and interesting phrases that led to the blog: "how to catch a cat" remains popular  as does "and seclusion" :D; various wordings of "Nora Roberts releases" are also popular and there was a search for a book that I've never heard, "Reboot" by Amy Tintera. I've no idea why that led to my blog.

 

Coming Up This Week 

It's Children's Book Week starting Monday the 13th and running through the 20th. I'll be reviewing a children's book every day and I'm also participating in a blog hop. Check back tomorrow to enter the giveaway.

BOOKS

Bought - Print

It's a Kelley Armstrong book AND it has Norse mythology, how could I resist? I pre-ordered it months ago and have been waiting impatiently for it. I'll probably put a review up as part of Children's Book Week.

Review - Kindle

*pats the pretty* I loved the first two books so I have high hopes for this one. Sue G, an editor at Random, was awesome. I tweeted how I excited I was that the book was now available for review and couldn't wait to read it, and she immediately approved my request to review it. :)  <3

This is for a blog tour next month.

Review - Print

Kindle Freebies

I hope you all have a great week. Don't forget to leave a link so I can come visit.

Sunday Book Share #35

I'm participating in Feed My Reader Friday hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer,  The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. These  memes allow book bloggers the chance to share print and digital books they've received, and different posts and events at their blogs. 

The first week of May; I can not believe it. The year is galloping away from me. We're already working on end of the year conferences at school. Since one of our functions is as a daycare center, we're open year round but we offer a year end conference for all children every spring and summer. Before I know it, we'll be getting our year end reviews, whimper. 

The Week In Review

Reviews: The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan (General Fiction) I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

Summer In Napa by Marina Adair (contemporary romance)

Interviews: Mystery Author Victoria Hamilton

Horror & YA Author Michelle Muto

Excerpts: Bloodfire by Helen Harper (Urban fantasy)

Memes: Cat Thursday - Soup is Served  Sunday Book Share #34

News & info: Chat with Lori Foster  Chat with Debbie Macomber  Clean Sweep ARC Challenge  April's Reading Challenges Wrap Up  

Blog Tours:  Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton

The Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper

The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto

Meg the Egg by Rita Borg (am I the only one who thinks of ST:TNG when they see 'Borg'? :D)

Giveaways:

2 Hardcover copies of A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Calkins and a $40 Amazon.com gift card for a total of 3 winners.

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash, Ends May 5th

A 7 inch Kindle Fire OR $100 Amazon Gift Card OR $100 Paypal Cash, ends May 5th

An ebook copy of The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto, ends May 10th.

Over $1000 in Amazon Gift Cards from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 10th.

(Prize 1) A Kindle Touch, a $15 Amazon.com gift card, (Prize 2) a Kindle copy of "Topped Chef" & "Bowled Over", a $15 Book Depository gift card, (Prize 3) a Kindle copy of "Murder on the First Day of Christmas" & "Game Drive", a $15 Amazon.com gift card, (Prize 4) your choice of a cozy mystery paperbacks (up to $25 in value), 4 winners in all, ends May 15th.

5 Kindle copies of Meg the Egg by Rita Borg & a $25 Amazon Gift Card, for a total of 6 winners, ends May 17th.

Kindle Fire from author Stephanie Lisa Tara, ends May 31st, 2013

 

Odd and interesting phrases that led to the blog: "how to catch a cat" remains popular; "asthma real lung" made me smile; "mad scientist" mwahahahaha

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge: 2 down so far :) Summer in Napa and Stuck in the Doldrums: A Lesson in Sharing. Now I'm reading Playing Hooky, review up tomorrow.

Awesome Link: I stumbled across a site where you can sign up, after paying a fee, to have your
OWN STAR TREK EMAIL ADDRESS!!!! *dies of the want* <3 I am such a ST geek, it's absurd. I want this, despite the fee and the hassle of changing email addresses. It might be worth it just so I can say I have a Star Trek email.  Oooo, I could use it as a junk mail addy so my regular inbox is not so full. Hmm..

Coming Up This Week

Blog Tours: Review & Tour wide giveaway of Playing Hooky by Rita Webb

Cover & Trailer Reveal of Losing Francesca by JA Huss

Guest Post by Lori L. Clark, author of Different Roads

Interview with Zoe Forward, author of Dawn of a Dark Knight

Spotlight on Gypsy Witch by Suz de Mello

Reviews: Playing Hooky by Rita Webb

Targets of Revenge by Jeffrey S. Stephens

The Farm by Emily McKay (or it might be next week, depending on how the week goes)

BOOKS

Bought - Kindle

I had an awesome Smashwords coupon so I paid 99 cents instead of $6.99. :)

Review - Print

I have an ARC so the cover is slightly different. This is for a blog tour this summer.

Kindle Freebies

How was your week? Leave a link and I'll visit.