Light in Mourning Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

LIM Release date ~ October 18th 2013

 *Synopsis

They say that madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...but what happens when the very person that brought your heart back to life has the ability to shatter it with one confession?

After an explosive affair left their hearts shattered and scarred, Georgia and Tristan are trying for a fresh start. She is determined to take it slow and not repeat the mistakes of the past, while Tristan is willing to throw caution to the wind as long as he has his dark-haired girl in his life...and in his bed.

But Georgia and Tristan can't shelter their love from the outside world, and the moments of exquisite passion they share aren't enough to sustain the relationship. When scars from the past resurface—will their hearts meld together as one? Or will outside forces tear them apart, leaving an empty shell where love and passion once thrived?

Blog Tour FB Page https://www.facebook.com/events/365775930219696/

Blog Tour Info Page http://wp.me/P3N9eN-f9

My Review:

I simply adore this series, although it is a slighter darker romance due to the first book.  Thought The Mourning After (book one) gives essentially a HEA, this book is NOT a rehash of book one.  I think a reader really needs the first book to fully understand the characters in this book for maximum enjoyment.  Their past, rife with 'cheating', in addition to their skeletons in the closet is a perfect foil to their all-encompassing love.

Officially, my rating is only 4½♥'s.  I feel absolutely confident of rounding up to 5 stars in this case, because my slight issue with the story lies with my own, somewhat similar experience.  I don't want to go into specifics of my past, but my own past colored the book a bit just due to reminders of personal not-so-happy moments.

I LOVED getting to see inside Tristan's mind (as well as still hearing from Georgia.)  Being able to know exactly what he was feeling and thinking provided such insight and really added a more rich layer.  I had no difficulties remember who's head I was inside at any given time.  I think the dual narrators was absolutely perfect for this book, and would have suffered with it's absence.

The characters you know and love from book one all make appearances in this, including one of my not-so-loved characters, Kyle.  *rolls eyes*  Douchebag once, douchebag always.  But sometimes you need to have the experiences with the douchebags of this world to really recognize the diamonds you run across, the loves that are worth fighting for.

These books have confirmed my 'fandom' of Adriane Leigh's writing, she's achieved 'auto-buy' status in my 'book'.

I received a free ARC eBook in exchange for my unbiased review

*Author Bio

woman.lover.mother.writer.
Born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
Graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer.
Married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, and plays mama to two sweet baby girls. Also a voracious reader and knitter.

*Author Links

Website: http://www.adrianeleigh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaceSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianeLeigh

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/LeighAdriane/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Adriane-Leigh/e/B00APTEYIU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

*Book Links for THE MOURNING AFTER

Amazon US : http://amzn.to/18NyFlP

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/17PY2EC

B & N : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mourning-after-adriane-leigh/1115861393?ean=9781490922423

Kobo : http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Mourning-After/book-_IS0zgHww0itHiKE_AtjSQ/page1.html?s=ny60Jx4K9060y668VQEQuQ&r=1

*Other Books by Adriane Leigh ~ Steel and Lace (Amazon Bestselling Erotica)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1aWXsKg

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/17Q1GhR

B & N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/steel-and-lace-adriane-leigh/1114928870?ean=2940016248240

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Steel-Lace-The-Complete-Series/book-TU_UMXobtECJcasrwIJMbA/page1.html?s=tBR60odp0EWUC8eNkMZLNA&r=2

INTERVIEW

What are you reading right now?  (Other than this question….) 

I'm in between books-- I'm either starting Wethering the Storm or Worthy of Redemption tonight. 

Do characters or stories (plots) drive your writing?

I start with the story and once I have a good sense of the characters they take over and drive the ship :)

What color is your toothbrush? 

white + green

What's your favorite quote (from any source)? 

 

"She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live" is tattooed on my arm, so I would say that one!

How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? 

Depends on how talented you are ;)

 

Are you a morning person? 

Not in any way whatsoever!

 

Which, if any, big screen production of a literary work are you looking forward to? 

 

Obviously, Fifty Shades! Even if it's terrible I'll see it again and again!

What is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? 

This feels like a science queston, and I don't do science. Or math. If it's outside of reading or writing it's not my forte.

 

What would we find in your refrigerator right now? 

Juice, feta, and half empty condiment bottles. I need to go shopping!

   
You can take a road trip with anyone (living or dead, fictional or real), who would you take and
where would you go?

 

I'd go to the North Carolina beach with Tristan! I want that golden hair and lopsided smile in person!

 

Blog Tour Giveaway Code

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour Giveaway Link

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NDg4N2RkYTFmMmVlMjExMGJkOWM2NGU3YjBhN2Y5Ojk=/

Sophie's Birthday Week ... It's a Sunshine Day!

18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.   

It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old.  

She almost forgot about that part.

But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems.  Now she has to stay alive.

Sophie’s life has changed. She’s moved to New York, she’s playing music for new people, and she’s making new friends. Then there’s Myles, and the fact that he is now her boyfriend—and everyone knows it. There are a lot of new things to take in, but Sophie has no problem adjusting.

She’s not exactly normal, living in a half-human, half-vampire world, but she’s finally, truly happy. But some parts of Sophie and Myles’ old life still hide in the dark, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Sophie’s having nightmares again, but they aren’t about her; Myles is hiding something that she’s not sure she wants to know.

And one lie will change everything.

No matter how hard she tries to cover up the marks her monsters have left behind, they never truly go away, and Myles’ monsters are no different.

Once again, Sophie’s caught between life and death, but this time, only she can save herself.


  
Nikki Rae is a student and writer who lives in New Jersey. When she is not writing, thinking, or reading, she is most likely hanging out with her gecko, Neil Gaiman, drawing in a quiet corner, or drinking tea by the gallon. Sunshine is her first book.

Check Out Diva Terri's Review of Sunshine at Passionate Book Divas!

 
 

Light in Mourning Release Day Blitz + Giveaway!

LIM Release date ~ October 18^th 2013

*Synopsis

They say that madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...but what happens when the very person that brought your heart back to life has the ability to shatter it with one confession?

After an explosive affair left their hearts shattered and scarred, Georgia and Tristan are trying for a fresh start. She is determined to take it slow and not repeat the mistakes of the past, while Tristan is willing to throw caution to the wind as long as he has his dark-haired girl in his life...and in his bed.

But Georgia and Tristan can't shelter their love from the outside world, and the moments of exquisite passion they share aren't enough to sustain the relationship. When scars from the past resurface—will their hearts meld together as one? Or will outside forces tear them apart, leaving an empty shell where love and passion once thrived?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18136078-light-in-mourning

 

Blog Tour FB Page https://www.facebook.com/events/365775930219696/

Blog Tour Info Page http://wp.me/P3N9eN-f9

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

*Author Bio

woman.lover.mother.writer.
Born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
Graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer.
Married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, and plays mama to two sweet baby girls. Also a voracious reader and knitter. 

*Author Links

Website: http://www.adrianeleigh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaceSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianeLeigh

 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/LeighAdriane/

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Adriane-Leigh/e/B00APTEYIU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6857137.Adriane_Leigh

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Other Books by Adriane Leigh ~ Steel and Lace (Amazon Bestselling Erotica)

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

Barnes and Noble

 

Kobo Books

 

Tragically Flawed Blog Tour ~ More than just 10 Reasons....

Riviera Benson’s past has been nothing but horrific. It’s filled with secrets that she intends to keep tightly locked away...terrifying secrets that keep her awake at night...that prevent her from getting close to anyone...anyone that is, until her work as a muralist drives her into the arms of the hot and sexy Shan. 

Benjamin Shandon, owner of Shandon Homes, works like a thousand demons are chasing him...because perhaps they are. His business has boomed, ever since the forest fire swept through the canyon and destroyed hundreds of million dollar homes. He demands excellence in everything...from his employees to his women. He slows down for nothing, keeping a schedule that no sane person would want. But Riviera interrupts everything, twisting his guts inside out, and wedging her way into his heart, destroying a promise he made to himself. 

Will they let their pasts control their future, or will they decide to let go and allow their hearts to discover each other’s? 

 This book contains mature content and is not intended for younger readers.

As this is an adult book, please understand this is an 'adult' review.

OK, guys.  I need to warn you straight off, I really enjoyed the book.  However, I also really thought the main hero is an asshat... you know, those swoony douchebag heroes?  (And I mean this in the BEST possible kind of way.)  Isn't it NICE sometimes to have the characters not be perfect - have them make bad choices, gets angry for the wrong reasons, misinterpret another person's emotional state, just be more, well - REAL.  On one hand, books - especially romance, it just comes with the territory.  Either you'll have these perfect guys with rock-hard abs, they can dance perfectly, and can use their mouths for more than just talking; or it'll go the other way and it's all doom and gloom, alpha caveman, or hero so tortured they can only find solace in sex.  Yeah, yeah, I'm oversimplifying and stereotyping  but my point (I swear there is one, bear with me)... Shan has the abs, he avoids monogamy or even dating someone more than once (it seems), he's a perfectionist on the job, did I mention- he's fuckin' loaded, and he even has a a specific haunting tragic event in his past.  But- the best part- and don't even try to question the oddity of this being the best part, Shan is a fucking douche.  By his own admission:

"But then I saw you and I was so attracted to you that I think I developed a severe case of assitis just to make myself think I wasn't affected by you."

Somehow... that damn ass won me over.  And the opening scene, hell yes, the opening scene.  Now that opening scene makes you try to fall for him immediately, but I really think that subsequent asshat behavior just made him so real.  He's NOT perfect, and that makes him all the more irresistible.

And Riviera- great name, and even greater explanation behind the name- she wasn't JUST some sappy female stuck in an abusive relationship.  She had her tender moments, her vulnerable moments, her strong moments, her bad decision moments.  She wasn't static and stuck in a rut, she was constantly changing and growing and blossoming with Shan.

Here I am going on and on about the characters, but I really think that's such a strength in this book.  It does show (some) abusive relationship, and it does NOT sugar-coat it.  There is darkness in this book, but it is well balanced by the light and warm-fuzzies (or even hotter) moments.

Something else that is common (for me) in A.M. Hargrove's books: there are almost always side characters I 'fall for' (or at the very least am VERY interested in) as much as the main characters.  Shan may have started some juices flowing... but I would NOT be opposed to a little more Wolf.  *Raises eyebrows*  Oh, yeah.

Alright- nutshell time.  There is sex.  Many different kinds (nothing that makes you think 'I-can't-believe-they-went-there') and there is, like I said, darkness.  Violence.  Abuse.  Blood.  If you can put on your big girl panties and still like a swoony romance, and a reason to fall for a douchecanoe (Shan is quite a lovable douchcanoe, it's a term of endearment for him) than I'd recommend "taking the plunge" (and in this case pun IS intended.)

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/14wIgQ0
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/19qMpVb
Smashworks: http://bit.ly/18MPgf1

A.M. Hargrove's Bio:
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job.  Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Author Links:
A.M. Hargrove's Blog
@Amhargrove1 on Twitter
AMHargroveAuthor on Facebook
A.M. Hargrove on Goodreads
TRAGICALLY FLAWED Goodreads
Pinterest A.M. Hargrove1

BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!

Top Ten Lines that Brought a Smile to My Face 

and a Laugh in My Heart, 

(but not in the way you'd expect):

10. "Shit, she had a rack on her and an ass to match that would melt the fuck out of the polar ice cap.  Talk about global warming."

9.  "Who the fuck did that kind of stuff?  Pervs you read about, that's who."

8.  "Yeah, right.  That would make a great impression... just like his volcanic dick had."

7.  "Are you always an asshole?"  "No, I'm usually a lot worse."

6.  "'Dick,' she blurted out.  'Dick, dick, dick!  There!  Do you feel better?"

5.  "I'd walked into that room, my ass would've been naked faster than the speed of freakin' sound."

4.  "He was beginning to wedge himself into all kinds of places, and she needed to figure out how to handle it."

3.  "Gee, I'm sorry you were molested when you were twelve" was so inadequate."

2.  "The man's junk will be twitching.  Mark my words."

1.  "You actually saw him Yankeeing the doodle?"

(Starts humming Yankee Doodle Dandy...)

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Death and Mr. Right Blog Tour ~ Dance with Death

It is March 32nd, the day that doesn't exist, and Death, the agent of nightmares, has been demoted and exiled to live among mortals for the rest of his unnaturally long life. Everyone knows They don't look lightly on important items getting lost or an agent falling in love.

Can the diva-like Death navigate the modern world, recover what was stolen from him (the names of the damned ooops!) and get his job back? Or will he fall in love with Lola, the pretty thief who got him into all this trouble in the first place?

~

I am still in the midst of reading this book, but there were several reviews GUSHING about this book.  I don't want to make snap judgments based upon only a 45% reading... so the review will have to wait.  
But, if you are a member of Goodreads, you can enter a giveaway that is open until October 31st - HERE

Description of Book in Giveaway:

"Death and Mr. Right is a campy, colorful comedy in the style of Douglas Adams or the movie Hot Fuzz. The adventure story follows bumbling but loveable diva "Death", the former agent of nightmares, as he navigates Boston, reapers, bad coffee shops, German arthouse freaks and a beautiful thief named Lola Lane, all the while attempting to get his job (and title) back. Death and Mr. Right is a modern take on mythology, with plenty of laughter and action to keep you reading!"

Empath Blog Tour ~ Even Empathy Can Be a Curse

Empath (Flawed Book One)

Supernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.

Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.

When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her, unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal.

Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.

~

My Thoughts

I have to admit, the blurb and cover hooked me with the premise, and made me eager to read it.  When I cracked the cover, I was surprised.  It somehow was NOT was I anticipated.  Not in a bad way, that sounds more negative than I intend... it's well written just... let me try and explain all this in a moment.  Overall rating I decided upon was 4♥'s, and it was not an easy rating to pin down.

I can't say enough how eye-catching the premise was.  The only empath character I can think of off the top of my head (that I was familiar with) is Deanna Troy from Star Trek the Next Generation.  Empath is not a sci-fi story by any means, but Jade is nowhere near able to 'function' at the level Deanna was.  The simple act of trying to attend a class was nearly debilitating at the beginning of the book; Jade was an absolute mess.  But then, she was able to function shortly later, and I didn't 'get' how that happened.  I guess, I wanted more... just more everything except being overwhelmed from Jade.  I wanted more sass, more empowerment, more assertive 'ownership' of your life and gift/curse; more of a feeling she was steering the ship in her life rather than being drug by the current.

*Sigh* The serial killer, Ethan.  I think this actually is a personal preference thing.  I've read books with killers before; after all, I do have a horror background initially.  But I've never been overly fond of being inside the serial killer's head.  At all.  I have never read a Dexter book, or even anything about Hannibal Lector and such.  I can only think of one book where I saw into a killer's sadistic head that I loved.  I didn't quite realize there are sections actually told from Ethan's perspective, and I was just horrified by him and his cruelty.  This was all made worse because of his own abilities used (along with a disability) to lure in more victims.  *Shudder*  It's just not my bag, baby.  And *big* issues for me.  Spiders.  Freaking spiders.  Well written enough to leave me cringing and flipping out, damn spiders.

The menagerie of characters and abilities and uniqueness was good.  There were some I liked more than others, and I wish the readers learned much more from certain ones.  They did all work in concert to resolve the plot, but I just felt it was... I don't know, like too many people won some sort of genetic lottery of something.  It seemed like the kismet of lives crossing all with their own little 'special' was just outside of the line of really likely, or possible .

There are 'mystical', like kind of greater power (God) touches in the book, but it doesn't brow beat.  However, just as with Jade seeming more a spectator rather than master of her fate, I didn't feel like the characters were driving the plot.  But I cannot deny that this is well written.  It made me squirm, but wasn't gory by any means. *damn spiders*   I was really leaning at 3½♥'s by the end, but in my wisdom decided upon only full hearts on my blog.  Silly me.  So I was debating back and forth on to slide up or down.  Ultimately, for those that do enjoy a more thriller aspect, getting into the twisted head of killers as well as others, and don't mind a paranormal 'slant' to the story, I think this would be right up their alley.  

I received an eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Empath Purchase Links

During the Empath Blog Tour (September 16th - October 20th), the first book in the Flawed series will be on sale for a discounted price of $0.99. Grab it for cheap while you can!

Amazon US | Amazon UK  | Amazon CA  | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

  ~

Author Bio

Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, New Adult Romantic Paranormal Thriller Empath (The Flawed Series #1), and  Sub-Normal, a series of Science Fiction short stories.

An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.

The Moon Dwellers ~ FREE! Start Your Revolution!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SET YOUR ALARMS FOR THE REVOLUTION!

It's time to start a revolution!  And maybe read about one, too!   The Moon Dwellers, the first book in the Dwellers Saga by David Estes will be FREE on Amazon Oct 7-9!!  On those dates, you may download the ebook on Amazon for FREE!  This is a super-dee-duper deal, so you'll want to take advantage of it!

The Dwellers Saga was mentioned in a recent Buzzfeed article as one of "15 Books Series to Read If You Enjoyed The Hunger Games," along with many other well respected series:  The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth; Delirium by Lauren Oliver, The Gone Series by Michael Grant, along with others.

 You can read about the books that make up the list HERE.

Dark Obsession Chronicles gives the series as a whole a rating of:

Download from Amazon HERE

In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. 

After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.

In their world, someone must die.

The Author:

David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife and soul mate, Adele, who he’s now been happily married to for more than two years.
A reader all his life, David began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and has completed 14 novels, 12 of which have been published. In June of 2012, David became a fulltime writer and is now travelling the world with Adele while he writes books, and she writes and takes photographs.
David gleans inspiration from all sorts of crazy places, like watching random people do entertaining things, dreams (which he jots copious notes about immediately after waking up), and even from thin air sometimes!
David’s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, an obsessive Goodreads group member, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table. He loves responding to e-mails, Facebook messages, Tweets, blog comments, and Goodreads comments from his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends.
​
Learn more about the author at: ​http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com​

My Goodreads Fan Group

My Facebook Page

My Goodreads author page

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/davidestesbooks

The Rockin' Chair Review + Excerpt ~ Inspirational and Uplifting

Brief Synopsis:
Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.

My thoughts:

You know that feeling, hanging out with your grandfather, smells wrap around you that are quintessentially him... it's comforting.  Like drinking homemade hot chocolate while wrapped in a quilt made by your grandmother.  So warm, comforting, familiar, and loving.  At least those were my experiences, and this book made my heart ache to smell that mix of Cigar smoke and Shalimar perfume that always permeated their house.  I missed them so much reading this book, missed that chance to hear their words of wisdom, all the stories I never heard, knowing I'll never play Gin-Rummy again with my chain-smokin' Babcia (that's Polish for grandmother and there would be hell to pay if I called her grandma.  She's rolling in her grave right now, no doubt, just having even referred to her in explanation.)  Sorry for the odd stroll down memory lane, but to me, that's the heart of this book.

I was approached for a review on this, and though I've seen glowing and brilliant reviews, I was hesitant.  There always seemed like some shinier book, a child getting sick (or practically thrown out of Kindergarten- trust me, don't ask), or doctor appointments, football season starting... long story short (too late) I was dragging my feet.  A few well placed prods, and reminder that I agreed to this... I opened the book.  The moment we first get inside the head of Alice, of maybe even some of her last 'lucid' moments, I was hooked.  Through one family, we see the best and worst of human nature.  One journey, even the journey of a 'simple' rockin' chair, proved so touching to me.

No sugar coating here, there are certainly Christian overtones, and this is far from steamy; usually books that take it too far become too preachy, grate against the inner rebel that says, "I must decide for myself what I believe."  These words, just like Babcia and Dziadziu, are not judgmental or unwanted; it was beautiful and uplifting to see their family rise up from the ashes of their mistakes and despair.  I was highlighting like mad, and able for a brief moment to see the rainbows in life, and smile.

I highly and wholeheartedly recommend this book.  It touched my heart, and I am so glad I read this, and absolute triumph of the human spirit.

Author Bio:
Steven Manchester is the published author of the #1 best seller, Twelve Months, as well as A Christmas Wish (the holiday prequel to Goodnight, Brian) and Goodnight, Brian. He is also the Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of his short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
steven.h.manchester@sunlife.com
http://www.StevenManchester.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorStevenManchester

Paperback and Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Rockin-Chair-Steven-Manchester/dp/161188067X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366203850&sr=1-1&keywords=the
+rockin%27+chair+manchester

Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rockin-chair-steven-manchester/1115092542?ean=9781611880670

The Rockin’ Chair excerpt

Alice could feel the sun on her eyelids before she dared opening them. Beginning with a squint, she was blinded by the light that engulfed the room. Taking a second to adjust, she shook off the two quilts that restrained her, and then grabbed for her flowered housecoat at the foot of the massive bed. Throwing it on, she steadied her tiny feet into a pair of worn moccasins, all-the-while wondering, Why didn’t Ma let me sleep in? It don’t make no sense. It’s Saturday…with no responsibilities to school or church. She felt tired, more exhausted than usual, but waking to a fire burning into her pupils was certainly not the way to start such a pretty day. Making the mental note, I’ll have to talk to Ma about the rude awakening, she stumbled and had to brace herself at the doorway. Her mind had sent some message that her body could not interpret. Brushing it off as fatigue, she started again toward the kitchen, thinking, Maybe Ma will let me help with breakfast?

Grabbing the dented copper kettle off the stove, she turned to the sink and let the water flow like one of the fresh mountain springs that ran out in the backyard. She lit all four burners, placed the kettle back on the stove and began humming a childish tune. The last embers in the wood stove made her nostrils flare at the distinct scent of burnt oak. Smells like the remnants of a late night’s chill, she thought, one of my chores to remove. But she couldn’t recall bringing in the wood, or lighting a fire. Shrugging it off, she snugged down on the robe’s cotton belt, folded her arms across her chest and continued to hum.

She wandered toward the kitchen window and, though she could not have fought it off, nor even detected it, her mind was suddenly exposed to a different reality. Like a child discovering a new world through ancient eyes, she peered out the window and her jaw went slack.

A stranger was busy at work and the sight of him made Alice’s mouth go dry. Her heart began to race and her breathing became shallow. Yet, though the man’s presence absolutely terrified her, his every movement was hypnotizing. Trembling, she stood paralyzed and watched.

He was a large fellow, maybe six feet or better, with shoulders as broad as his smile. In his fists, he held cracked corn, scattering it in a pattern so that every chicken had its fair chance. He was an old-timer, his face wrinkled and weathered like his callused hands. In the middle of that chiseled face sat the biggest nose. Curiously—as if she’d thought it a million times before—she decided that it showed great character. For a cruel second, he turned toward the window, making her squirm with anxiety. She relaxed, though, when she was sure that his liquid blue eyes had not found her. He returned to working slow, his every move filled with purpose and kindness.

But that moment of peace only lasted one single sigh of relief. As if caught in an inescapable nightmare, she watched the man’s three-legged dog limp straight to the window, glance up and tilt his head—cynically. Though she could not manage the words from her constricted throat, her eyes begged for the animal’s silence. Please don’t, she pleaded in her mind. Please…please…please… But it was not to be. The crippled mutt barked out his wailing alarm, calling his master’s attention to her. In an instant, she felt her knees buckle, as the room spun slowly—in a cruel sort of way. She tried desperately to hold on, but the last thing she saw was a red cap and green overcoat rushing for the house.

“Oh God...no!” she screamed, but the stranger kept coming. He’s comin’ to get me, she feared, and though her mind pleaded for her legs to flee, they would not budge. She collapsed to the cold linoleum floor and awaited the worse.

With no more than a stern look, Three Speed lay down on the porch, the storm door slamming in his silver-haired face. John raced through the parlor and could hear the teakettle screaming for help. Breaking the kitchen threshold, his worried eyes caught Alice lying near the bottom cupboard. Her frail body was rolled up in the fetal position and her thumb was stuck in her mouth. As if he were approaching a wounded bird, he slowly kneeled down beside her and held out his hand. She swayed back and forth, humming louder with each movement. For what seemed a lifetime, she avoided his stare. And then finally, courageously, she glanced into his eyes. For a moment, she looked as if she was going to accept his hand but, in the last glimmer of such a hope, she pulled back, retreating deeper into her tortured mind.

“It’s me, darlin’,” John whispered. “It’s John…your husband.”

“You do look some familiar,” she mumbled. But still, her eyes betrayed her lack of trust.

Again, he whispered, “Come on, Alice. I’m not gonna hurt ya. You’re just sick, ol’ girl.” He opened his hand even wider and watched as her horrified eyes gradually registered his words as truth.

Like an abandoned child who had lost all hope only to find that her parents had not meant to leave her behind, Alice raised her arms and began to weep mournfully. “I’m sorry…” she whimpered.

In one easy motion, John scooped his tiny wife into his arms and kissed her frightened face. Turning off all four burners—the majority that did nothing but lick at air—he carried Alice like an infant to their bedroom. All the way, he could taste the salt of her tears on his tongue. It was a bitter taste and he hated it, yet he knew all-too-well that it was only a small taste of what was still to come.

On the way up the stairs, Alice sobbed, “I’m so stupid now…so dumb.”

“You shoosh now,” John whispered. “That just ain’t true.”

He placed her back into their four-poster bed and, conforming to their daily ritual, gave her the two white pills and a small glass of water to wash them down. He talked slow and gentle to her, trying to remove her fears and keep her mind in the present. “Time to rest, Alice,” he whispered. “You just need to get some rest, is all.”

For a moment, she smiled—as if she believed him. But in the next moment, her eyes filled with panic and she pushed herself toward the headboard, scrambling desperately to create a safe distance between them. “Don’t you touch me, mister!” she screamed. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on me!”

She’s getting’ worse, he thought, and began humming a lullaby.

“Mama! Mama…help me!” she screamed out, but as she called out in a panic for her mother the pills began to take effect. He stroked her hair until her mind eventually removed itself from the harsh reality of now and found a more pleasant place to dwell. When John was sure that Alice would need nothing more, he kissed her and returned the cap back onto his throbbing head.