Sherry Gammon's Blog, page 25

In the Lucen city dwell the descendants of Righteous and Fallen angels. Kept hidden from the rest of Earth and governed directly by Heaven, each descendant is given a chance to prove themself loyal to Heaven, and obtain salvation. For most, the task is encouraging and fair, but for David, it’s devastating. 
David Ghent has waited twenty-one years to fulfill a prophecy foretelling the destruction of Lucifer’s power on Earth and Heaven, saving himself and the entire world from Hell’s power. His training is complete, the city prepared. As the battle commences, the city’s most beloved daughter, Layla, suddenly appears at the Hellgate. David is then faced with an impossible choice: fulfill the prophecy, or save her life. The consequences David faces after choosing Layla force him to question his entire life, and his loyalty to Heaven. As the aftermath of failure unfolds, David discovers that the real battle against Lucifer has just begun.
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About the Author

           Maren grew up in Rochester, NY, which is why much of her work is set in the East. She moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University in 2004. Meanwhile, she received a license in cosmetology in 2006, and graduated with a B.S. in Home and Family Living-Clothing and Textiles in 2009. After graduation, Maren worked as a cosmetologist/barber, while her husband finished his own degree in Special Education. After he graduated, they settled in Spanish Fork, UT, where they plan on staying for a long time.
Now Maren is a stay-at-home mom, part-time piano teacher, cosmetologist, and writer. Amidst the buisiness of being a housewife, she loves reading, writing and playing music, vacationing, going on dates with her hubby and friends, throwing dinner parties, and sewing. She enjoys collecting books, and hopes someday to have a library big enough to fit all of them. Currently, her two pretty-enough-to-be-displayed-bookshelves are overflowing, and she's got books stashed all around her house. Open a random drawer, you'll probably find one.Maren's previous work includes a short comedy, "A Tale of Two Cemeteries," and a middle-grade reader, The Treehouse. The Faith and Fate of David Ghent is her first published novel. Find out more about Maren at www.marendille.com, or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.


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Confessions of a Cereal Motherby Rachel McClellan


My Thoughts: Confessions of a Cereal Mother is a funny and often tear inducing novel. It touches on all aspects of motherhood. The good, the bad, and the sticky.
Rachel’s humor burns bright in the story. And she pulls in deeper emotions also. Reliving the birth of her first child brought back so many memories. Loved the “You’re having a baby, not getting an oil change,” moment. And the ending of the book had me in tears.The story is a touching reality check about what it’s like to really be a mom. I enjoyed ever last minute of this book.  Rachel’s closing remake says it all:
And we would take the pain, a hundred times over if necessary.Why? Because we are the Mommies.
            In this humorous memoir you’ll discover several mind-saving rules, which include:

- Don’t throw your pregnancy test away before the full three minutes is up.

- Unless there is a rush on the grocery store pending a zombie-virus outbreak, never take your kids shopping.

- If your toddler is going to chew on a Band-Aid, hope it’s one found inside the community swimming pools chlorinated pool and not one found in their locker room.

- Never throw up in a cookie sheet.

- Things can always get worse. You could discover your child playing with a used tampon applicator. It’s not a whistle, sweetie.

- And most importantly, the moment one of your children is seriously ill, forget about everything else. You have the greatest honor in the world – being a Mom.
What others are saying:
"A realistic and humorous take on motherhood. Are you in my house?" --Robin O'Bryant, author of Indie Best-seller, "Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other lies Moms Tell Themselves."
"Delightfully humorous with factual truths about motherhood and womanhood. You’ll immediately be hooked with her fun story-telling and hilarious hooks. A truly fantastic read that will not only lift your motherly spirit, but remind you what motherhood is truly all about… and it’s all worth it." --Karie Elordi, author of the popular blog "The Dating Divas"
Author Bio:
Once upon a time, in a wonderful and carefree world, Rachel McClellan fell asleep in a warm and spacious bed, her long hair in great locks around her, and not a single blemish upon her face. Outside her window, bluebirds sang and the cloudless blue sky was full of promise.
However, when she awoke she discovered gum in her now ratted hair, a tiny, chocolate fingerprint smeared across her forehead, and four very wiggly children crowding her bed. There were no bluebirds singing outside her window (or perhaps she couldn’t hear them anymore), only a tornado, pulsing with thunder and lightening. Her world was in chaos, a raging storm on all fronts.
But what a perfect storm it was…

Find Rachel
Facebook  |   Blog   |   Website   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads 
Purchase Confessions of a Cereal Mother
Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble

Want to know about Rachel’s young adult books? Go HERE.
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My friends are adopting a beautiful baby from eastern Europe. He is a beautiful sweet baby!

 They are having Adoption Auction to help defray the Outrageous adoption fees. My three (signed) books are listed. If you are interested, please check it out. 100% of the money raised goes to the adoption fund!!
 Thanks!


Link to auction!

I LOVE this cover!! Some secrets tear us apart. Others bring us together.Be smart. Keep your head down. And look out for number one.These are the rules Jay has lived by for the past two years. The rules of surviving life on the streets. But when Em comes bursting into his life, in all of her disastrous glory, the rules go right out the window.Survive. Flee what’s been left behind. And never look back.Emerson’s plan was simple. Though, it was easier said than done. The city streets are dangerous and unforgiving to a new arrival. Especially, a seventeen-year-old girl who’s never known anything but life in the suburbs. Sometimes, however, what’s lurking behind those white picket fences can be more frightening than any dark alley.Both of them made the same decision when life got overwhelming—to run from their demons. Brought together by fate or circumstance, Em and Jay find the kind of love neither of them ever expected. But, when those demons come back to haunt them and their love is on the line, which instincts will they choose to follow this time . . . Fight or Flight? COMING MARCH 2013!!!Add it to your TBR shelf now on Goodreads here Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she's not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in upstate NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird, and the rabbit.Her debut novel, Dissidence, was published in 2012 along with several novellas. including Temptation, the first in her Heart and Soul series.You can find her on:FacebookBlogGoodreadsTwitterAmazon

I received a beautiful review for Souls in Peril I wanted to share part of it with you!

As I try to compose all my emotions to write this review I feel an overwhelming responsibility to do justice to this book through my review. I laughed, I cried, I felt such bewildering sadness and in the end I laughed again. Sherry Gammon takes us on an astonishing journey through the eyes of Max Sanchez. Handsome and athletic with a wonderful and supportive family, Max lives a charmed life. Even as a seventeen year old Max knows that his girlfriend Emma will be the woman he grows old with. Em's beauty and brains are only out shone by her inner compassion and kindness. Max already recognizes that he can learn from her sweetness and tolerance. 
We are introduced to Max and Emma at school as they interact with an abundance of friends during lunch. Emma, a cheerleader is planning a big surprise for the championship game. The same baseball game that Max, the schools honored pitcher, will eagerly help his team to win. This is also when we are introduced to Lumpy Larry and Icky Izzy. These two kids aren't part of the "in" crowd. They don't have an abundance of friends. The vicious bullying and abuse that these kids take from their school mates as well as the very people that are presumed to cherish and take care of them has driven them to....

.....The struggles and insight of the children in this book will haunt me. I can't remember the last time a book had such a profound affect on me. As a mother of four boys, my heart broke as I imagined the horror of the life that JD and Isabelle struggled through every day. And I cried big crocodile tears as Max and Emma were forced to say their good-byes. And finally, in the end, I was grateful that after all the sadness and tears Sherry Gammon still had the ability to make me laugh out loud. What a phenomenal ending.

Thank you so much Carrie! What a beautiful review!!To read Carrie's  phenomenal review Click here to read the review in it's entirety  BUT BE WARNED!!! It contains spoilers.   

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson 

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

My thoughts: First of all: The cover! It was the single reason I chose to read the book...well, that and the title. What a great title! The story was not a disappointment  I completely enjoy the book. The characters draw you in, the the writing keeps you there. I enjoyed Matilda...I mean Mattie ;} I loved her imperfections. I LOVED her humor.Ella made the 'prefect' perfect girl, petite, pretty, popular...you know the type.And I've heard there is going to be a sequel! I can't wait. If it's half as good as this novel, it will be awesome!The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is a winner for me. I truly, truly loved this book! DON'T wait for a chance to win it...it's only $2.99, for crying out loud! Go buy it! Five thumbs up!  
                                                      

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Praise

“My top pick of 2012 YA… This book is just. plain. fun.”
~Jordan McCollum, author of Saints & Spies and I, Spy
“Sariah Wilson's new book, The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, is hilarious…What follows is a story of fun and romance with some good non-preachy life lessons thrown in.  The voice in the main character, Mattie, makes the whole thing.  I thought it was definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone with teenagers or who just want to read a good teen romance.”~Julie Coulter Bellon, author of All Fall Down and All’s Fair
“Sariah [Wilson] has written one of the funniest stories I've read in such a long, long time. I literally couldn't put it down. Yes, my poor Kindle's battery died and I was attached to a short power cord, contorted in a very uncomfortable position while I read to the end…. Sariah Wilson captured the back-biting, insecure, hormone-driven, clique-riddled high school atmosphere so perfectly you'd think she never grew up. I dare you not to laugh as you read this witty and oh, so, romantic story.”~Debra Erfert of Windows into Writing
“Sariah Wilson writes like the best of/most popular YA teen fiction/teen romance authors - Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, Susanne Collins, Cassandra Clare.  She sucks you in and never lets you go.  I finished the ~194 novel in one night because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing the ending!  I hope that Sariah comes out with more novels, I know I'll be re-reading this one all the time!  She's extremely talented and needs to be talked about.  I highly recommend The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back! to anyone (over the age of 12) who wants a YA novel that's a real modern-day fairy tale.”
~Hilary at Novel d’Tales
“This was such an entertaining story! I shouldn't have started reading it so late in the evening, because I didn't want to put it down to go to sleep…This is a book I can see myself reading several times. It's a fast, clean read with great characters, and I highly recommend it.”~Andrea of Literary Time Out
The book is wonderful.  It’s quirky and fun.  The story makes you laugh and you fall in love with the characters right from the beginning…This is a well-written book.  It is one that will make you smile and sigh as you remember your first love.  And it has a moral…be yourself, believe in yourself and maybe, just maybe, your fairytale will come true.  Pick up this book.”~Ana of The Book Hookup


Author Sariah Wilson

Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).

Website * Twitter * Facebook

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Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/5/13

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.


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Blue Sky Synopsis:Sunny is bereaving the sudden death of her parents. Lewis is a homeless runaway seeking shelter in Sunny's basement from an early winter storm. When they unexpectedly meet, Sunny wants nothing more than to kill him. After a bizarre hostage situation and a poker game, Sunny realizes that Lewis isn't out to hurt her. Their initial distaste turns to friendship and love, but Sunny isn't keen on starting a relationship with a man she knows so little about. Lewis is loyal, and his patience paramount. Sunny is hesitant but her love runs deep and true. They are separated unwillingly, and must struggle and face overwhelming odds to find each other again.
Bio:Melissa has had many imaginary friends (and enemies) since she was a child. Her vivid imagination had her writing stories and jotting down book ideas for years until she finally sat down and finished a novel. She is married to an awesome man and the proud mother of three children. Music is also an important part of her life and she shares time with her music students teaching them piano, cello or guitar. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in the Salt Lake area.
Find more about Melissa here:

http://www.authormelissalemon.com/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17304893-blue-skyhttp://www.facebook.com/authormelissalemonhttps://twitter.com/Melissa_Lemon

A Girl Trapped in a Mansion . . .
A Mysterious Old Woman . . .
The Boy Who Will Change Everything . . .


Rapunzel Untangled  by Cindy C Bennett


(Facebook Conversation)
Fab Fane Fannigan: Are you saying you live at GOTHEL MANSION??? The Gothel Mansion?

RG: My mother calls it Gothel Manor, so maybe that’s different?

Fab Fane Flannigan: No, Rapunzel, there’s only one that I know of. It has to be the same. Are you telling me the truth here?

RG: Yes, of course. Is it weird that I live here?

Fab Fane Flannigan: No, not weird, just . . . never mind. So you live in the tower?

RG: Uh, the tower? I don’t know. Is it a tower?

Fab Fane Flannigan: Yes, it is. I know where it is. I’ll be there Friday at 8.

Rapunzel sensed the difference in his tone. Something wasn’t right.

Fab Fane Flannigan: Rapunzel, promise me one thing.

RG: Okay.

Fab Fane Flannigan: Don’t Google your house.
　
Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction.

But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.



My thoughts:  

I’ll confess right off, I’ m a Bennett groupie. The woman is a wordsmith of the utmost. I have little doubt she could make scrubbing toilets sound like great fun, (think Tom Sawyer).Rapunzel is captivating from page one. This Rapunzel is held in a tower by her evil (aka diluted) “mother.” I LOVED the modern elements brought into this age old story. Rapunzel’s adventures on Facebook are enchanting. Her innocents is both charming and endearing. She meets an enjoyable young man, a bit of an adventurist named Fane. He introduces Rapunzel to the real world without taking advantage of her. He’s also quite the charmer. I confess, I have a little bit of a book crush on the guy…if only I was younger…and a character in a book…sigh.

Gothel, Rapunzel’s “mother,” is truly hate worthy. I didn’t care for her one wit. Not because the character was poorly written, quite the contrary, she’s masterfully written, which testifies again to Ms. Bennett’s talent. She writes one creepo lady in this one!


Rapunzel Untangled is the fun, exciting, and sometimes frightening adventure of 17-year-old Rapunzel, the sleeping beauty who awakens and discovers the truth about her life.
I recommend this novel to old and young alike, though I would point out that you should never hook up with a stranger off the internet unless your name is Rapunzel and his is Fane ;} 
I give Rapunzel Untangled 5 thumbs up.
                     
                                                      



Rapunzel Untangled from Sweetwater Books February 12, 2013. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at a bookstore near you!
Join the giveaway below for your chance to win one of many great prizes, including a Nook and an MP3 Player! (Domestic only. For international giveaway click here.) Nothing required to win other than signing in.

About the Author    Cindy C Bennett was born and raised in beautiful Salt Lake City, growing up in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains. She and her husband - who happens to be her high-school sweetheart - raised two sons and two daughters. She's now blessed with two daughters-in-law as well. She developed a love of writing in high school when a teacher introduced her to the joys of escaping reality for ten minutes each day in writing.When she's not writing, reading, or answering emails (notice there's no mention of cleaning, cooking, or anything remotely domestic), she can often be found riding her Harley through the beautiful canyons near her home. (Yes, she rides a Harley.)

You can find Cindy at:  Blog    Facebook    Twitter    Goodreads
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Synopsis:It is the story about a girl named Darla who was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. As she comes to terms with her dark heritage, she not only has to prove to the world and to herself that she is not evil, but she has to avoid the threat of Remmus Alrad's followers, the Shadow Risers, who believe they can resurrect their master from her soul.

My thoughts: This book looks amazing to me! I've slowed down on accepting blot tour invites, wanting to represented only books I feel are interesting to my readers. This one caught my eye immediately! I can't wait to read it!

 Here is a guest post from the author, Preston Norton:


THE DARLA IN ALL OF US The dedication in the opening pages of BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “If you feel like the world is against you, then you’re probably doing something right. I dedicate this book to you.” Now those who have read and reviewed BLÜD AND MAGICK have compared similarities to Harry Potter. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of such similarities. In writing this novel, it was not my intention to recreate something similar to Harry Potter, but in actuality, to create an “anti-Harry-Potter.” Now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, let me explain. Harry Potter’s entire existence is based on the idea that he was born a hero. He was a hero before he was even capable of making a conscious decision.

Whereas Harry Potter is an instant celebrity, the protagonist of BLÜD AND MAGICK, Darla Summer, is an automatic outcast. She was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. Most everyone in this world believes that she is some sort of reincarnation of the Shadow Lord and that she is most definitely the personification of evil. And honestly, under such circumstances, who wouldn’t? She is forced to live outside of the magical world in a fourteen-year probationary state, unaware of her dark origins, before she is deemed safe to attend the Alrad Academy of Blüd and Magick, founded by the Shadow Lord’s virtuous father, Amarant Alrad. However, Darla not only has to convince everyone else that she isn’t evil, but she also has to convince herself. And there are plenty of creepy things happening inside Darla’s head to give her doubts. And on top of that, Remmus Alrad’s followers, the Shadow Risers, are intent on somehow resurrecting their master from her soul. As the tagline to BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “How do you fight your greatest enemy when he’s living inside you?”

Now these are obviously extreme circumstances, and the premise of my story is pure fantasy. Nevertheless, there are certain transcendent truths that I believe resonate with the human condition. I created the character of Darla Summer because I believe there’s a little bit of her in all of us. I believe we are all judged from preconceived notions that are out of are control. We are hated all too often simply for being who we are. I think this is especially true of children and teenagers who are simply trying to discover who they are and just want to fit in. I created Darla Summer for them. I believe she stands as a beacon of hope that says: Yes, there is good and beauty in all of us, and that goodness can overcome all else."

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 Love this cover!



Click here to Purchase Tide Ever Rising


Tide Ever Rising Blurb:
 Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.  
  Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.


MandiTucker Slack
 Author of Romantic Suspense                    The Alias         Tide Ever Rising
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