Monday, July 27, 2015

Sizzling Summer $250 Cash Giveaway!

sizzling summer giveaway

Sizzling Summer $250 Cash Giveaway
July 27th to August 16th

Hi all,

It's Giveaway Time again! How much fun is that?

An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!!

We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash!

Sponsor List – Thanks to these great authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible!


I Am A Reader
Ann Swann - Suspense and more
Deanna Lynn Sletten, Author
Suzi Love
Krysten Lindsay Hager author
The Page Unbound
The Discerning Reader
Unshelfish
Raven Haired Girl
Author Inger Iversen
J.C. Whyte, author
Glistering Bs Blog
inspiredboosguide
Lori's Reading Corner
The BookBarn
Simple Wyrdings
Stacy Claflin, Author
Caroline Clemmons
Diana's Book Reviews
Kelly's Lucky You
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages
D.E. Haggerty author
Rockin' Book Reviews
B. Kristin McMichael
Chapter by Chapter
Jenny S. Burke
Julia E. Antoine
Jennifer Faye, Romance Author
Heather Gray, Author
MagicalCoolCatMysteries

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code)

Ends 8/16/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. 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 and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Enter now! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Book Review: Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde


Hi all,

I have never read one of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books before this, and after having read Worthy, I can’t believe what I’ve been missing out on. Worthy is such an intriguing, heartfelt story that I am pleased to have had the chance to read it. Here is more about the novel and my review.

(I received a copy of Worthy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

 
Worthy
Catherine Ryan Hyde


Book Description:

They might’ve been a family.

Virginia finally had the chance to explore a relationship with Aaron when he asked her on a date. She had been waiting, hoping that the widower and his young son, Buddy, would welcome her into their lives. But a terrible tragedy strikes on the night of their first kiss, crushing their hopes for a future together.

Nineteen years later, Virginia is engaged, though she has not forgotten Aaron or Buddy. When her dog goes missing and it comes to light that her fiancĂ© set him loose, a distraught Virginia breaks off the engagement and is alone once again. A shy young man has found the missing pet, and although he’s bonded with the animal, he answers his conscience and returns the dog. Before long, Virginia and the young man discover a connection from their pasts that will help them let go of painful memories and change their lives forever.

Buy on Amazon:




 
My 5 Star Review:

Virginia is on the verge of a new beginning when tragedy strikes and all she’s hoped for is taken from her in one fell swoop. She moves on with her life, but cannot forget the man or the son that could have been hers. Nineteen years later, her dog is missing and she is frantic. She’s engaged, but is learning that her fiancĂ© is not the man she’d hoped he be. When she learns that a shy, young man, who has just lost his grandfather, has her dog, she goes to reclaim him. But the boy has become attached to the dog already, and it becomes complicated. In fact, her whole life soon becomes complicated as she learns of her connection to this boy from long ago.

Worthy is a powerful, emotional, and heartfelt story. Through strong dialogue, we learn so much about each character—their hopes, dreams, flaws, and strengths. I loved the friendship between the outspoken Fern and strong-minded Virginia. The scenes between Jody, the young man, and Virginia are powerful and sometimes intense. You know these characters inside out and feel their struggles and disappointments, as well as their accomplishments. And of course, who wouldn’t love the loyal, sweet-dispositioned dog, Worthy? A wonderful story that will make you think about the characters long after you’ve read the last page.

 
About the Author:

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of 30 published and forthcoming books, including WORTHY, THE LANGUAGE OF HOOFBEATS, TAKE ME WITH YOU, WHERE WE BELONG, WHEN I FOUND YOU, WALK ME HOME, SECOND HAND HEART, DON'T LET ME GO, and WHEN YOU WERE OLDER. New Kindle editions of her backlist titles FUNERALS FOR HORSES, EARTHQUAKE WEATHER AND OTHER STORIES, ELECTRIC GOD, and WALTER'S PURPLE HEART are now available. Also available is THE LONG, STEEP PATH: EVERYDAY INSPIRATION FROM THE AUTHOR OF PAY IT FORWARD, her first book-length creative nonfiction.

An avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she has just released her first book of photos, 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE: PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.

She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE.

Her best-known novel, PAY IT FORWARD, was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries. The paperback was released in October 2000 by Pocket Books and quickly became a national bestseller. Simon & Schuster released PAY IT FORWARD: YOUNG READERS' EDITION in August of '14. It is suitable for kids as young as eight. A special Fifteenth Anniversary Edition of the original PAY IT FORWARD was released in December of '14

LOVE IN THE PRESENT TENSE enjoyed bestseller status in the UK, where it broke the top ten, spent five weeks on the bestseller lists, was reviewed on a major TV book club, and shortlisted for a Best Read of the Year award at the British Book Awards. Both BECOMING CHLOE and JUMPSTART THE WORLD were included on the ALA's Rainbow List, and JUMPSTART THE WORLD was a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards. WHERE WE BELONG won two Rainbow Awards in 2013.

More than 50 of her short stories have been published in The Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train and many other journals, and in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts and the bestselling anthology Dog is my Co-Pilot. Her stories have been honored in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and nominated for Best American Short Stories, the O'Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize. Three have been cited in Best American Short Stories.

She is founder and former president (2000-2009) of the Pay It Forward Foundation, and still serves on its board of directors. As a professional public speaker she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with Americorps members at the White House and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.

For more information, please visit the author at www.catherineryanhyde.com

Cheers,
Deanna

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Book Review: The Maid's Quarters by Holly Bush

Hi all,

I was first drawn to reading Holly Bush novels with her book Train Station Bride. Since then, I’ve been hooked. She recently sent me a copy of her latest novella, The Maid’s Quarters, and I was thrilled to read it. This story is the third (or should I say 2.5) in the Crawford Family Series which includes Train Station Bride, and Contract to Wedboth novels that I enjoyed very much. Below is the book description and my review.

 

The Maid’s Quarters
(Crawford Family 2.5)

Holly Bush

 
Book Description:

 1893 . . . Alice Porterman is released from her duties as a maid and travels home to help her mother care for her sickly brother. But her mother and brother are not in their family home when Alice arrives and she learns the landlord, Albert Donahue, has evicted them into the harsh Boston winter. Alice goes in search of him and is surprised at what she finds.

Albert Donahue, an up-and-coming member of Boston’s elite, made his fortune through hard work and shrewd business deals. But his dreams of a family to share it with have not come true, perhaps until an impertinent young woman enters his home and won’t leave until she speaks to him.

The Maid’s Quarters novella is part of the Crawford Family Series, featuring Jolene Shelby’s maid, Alice.

 
Buy The Maid’s Quarters:

 
Amazon

 
B&N

 
Kobo

 
iTunes

 

My 5 Star Review:

 
Alice Porterman, Jolene Crawford Shelby’s former personal maid, goes home to Boston to help her mother care for her younger brother. When she finds out that her family has been thrown out of their rented home, Alice confronts the man who owns the property. What she doesn’t expect is for the very rich Albert Donahue to become fascinated with her. Can she really believe that such a man would be interested in her—a maid?

 
Once again, Holly Bush has created fascinating characters who draw you into the story immediately and make you want to keep reading. Without elaborate description, I could visualize the characters, the time period, and even their clothing. Alice is a strong female character, and you like her immediately. Albert is understanding and wise, a perfect match for Alice. And all the minor characters manage to be distinctive in their own right. It is not easy to write a story in a short format and still keep the integrity of the story, but Holly was able to do this with ease. Alice’s story is so complete, I felt as if I’d read a full-fledged novel. An excellent novella! I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance.

 

Connect with Holly Bush:

 
Website

 
Facebook

 
Twitter

 
More reviews of Holly Bush's books:
 
 
 
 
 

 
Cheers!

Deanna

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Maggie's Turn is Here!

MAGGIE'S TURN is finally here! 

The new revised and re-edited edition of my women's fiction novel is now available in several formats. Many, many readers had enjoyed the original Maggie's Turn since 2012, and new readers are sure to enjoy this version as well. It is the same great story - just polished up a bit.

If you've already read Maggie's Turn, I thank you. If you haven't, I hope you'll give this novel a try.


Maggie's Turn

Deanna Lynn Sletten


Book Description:
Maggie has always put her family’s needs in front of her own, until one day—without forethought—she drives away, leaving behind her indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers.

As she begins a quest of self-exploration, she meets new people, enjoys new adventures, and rediscovers long-neglected passions. For the first time in years, Maggie contemplates what she wants from life and soon realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their broken relationship, or is their marriage over?

Left to his own devices, Andrew is forced to take over the household responsibilities and bridge the growing divide between himself and his children. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away—and how he can’t bear to live without her. But is it too late? Will Andrew lose Maggie forever?

Revised edition: This edition of Maggie's Turn includes editorial revisions.


Contemporary Women's Fiction
Family Drama

Published by: Lake Union Publishing

Buy Maggie's Turn on Amazon:

Kindle $3.99

Paperback $14.95

Audiobook $14.99

Audible.com $12.24

Cheers!

Deanna

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Maggie's Turn Release Party Giveaway!




Update: Contest is over - Thank you all for entering. I will post the winners shortly.

Hi all,

We are only one week away from the July 14th re-release of MAGGIE'S TURN and you can bet I'm getting very excited! To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway. What better way to celebrate?

From now until July 14th, you can enter to win the following prizes:

 

 
1 of 5 signed paperback copies of MAGGIE'S TURN
 
 
 
 
1 of 2 copies of the MAGGIE'S TURN AudioBook
 
 
 
 
1 of 2 $20 Amazon Gift Cards
 
 


Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win. Sorry - U.S. Residents only. (I adore my readers all over the world but it's too costly to send books out of country.)

Don't want to wait to see if you win? You can pre-order the new MAGGIE'S TURN on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and AudioBook formats. Audible format is also available.

Click here to Pre-order.

Good luck!
 
 
 


 
 
 
Good Luck!
 
Deanna