A Gateway to hope by @ec_jackson

              

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Click HERE to add A Gateway to Hope on Goodreads

Twenty-one-year-old Neka is a bit of an introvert, she also happens to be stunningly beautiful.

When she discovers her friend James is about to be dumped, she sees the perfect opportunity to escape from her quiet life. Can she summon the courage to leave it all behind?


James Copley comes from a ruthless family. It’s rubbed off. Years ago, he disengaged from his brother’s smear campaign, but now his father has offered him an ultimatum, “Get married or lose your seat at the table.” Plotting to stamp his design on the family business, he proposes to a woman, even though he doesn’t love her. But his carefully laid plans start to unravel when she leaves him on the day she’s due to meet his family. Could years of planning his comeback vanish with her departure?

A possible solution comes in an unexpected form: Neka. She’s not only a friend, but the daughter of his benefactor. And she’s right there, offering to support him. But will her support stretch to marriage? He attempts to win her over to his plan but collides with her powerful father who wants to leverage the situation for his own gain.


In their fight for survival and love, they are forced to face some uncomfortable truths.

Can they overcome thwarted dreams and missed chances to find true love, or does forcing destiny’s hand only lead to misery?

Free read: Graphic Novel 700 Bullets by @Frozen_Echo

If you love graphic novels then you'll love 700 Bullets,  A story  in which a clone soldier from the distant future finds himself in a fantasy world 

Click HERE to read it for free! 

On Creating 700 Bullets:

Typically the process of creating a new page is spread over three days. I dedicate the first day to writing up the page based off of the notes I created on the overarching plotline. This is not where the writing portion ends, however. Throughout the creation process I will hop back into Word Online and edit and re-edit the dialog until - well - right up to the deadline.
The second day I dedicate mostly to laying out the composition of the page, so this include the number of panels, the order of the panels, and the shape and size of panels as well as the composition of the characters within each individual panel. This is all done in rough sketches. I then go back and do a more refined pass on the linework to make it clean and presentable.
Now, on to the third day and colours. Well, sometimes I will spend additional time on linework the third day as well if I have bitten off a particularly difficult scene to illustrate. Colouring each of the panels and adding in the word balloons are the last bits I will do. And there you have it - Page complete

Follow the author on twitter | Read it for free HERE 

Blogging Tip: Increasing blog views with Twitter parties

Hover to pin on pinterest

Do you want to get  more blog views? You've come to the right place then!

Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to share some tips and tricks that have more than doubled my blog views over the past couple of months. I am a firm believer in helping other bloggers. I can't stand it when people act like these tips are some big secret! Sharing is caring!

Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by @lynnweingarten

                         

       

Published: July 2015

Publisher : Electric Monkey

Format: Kindle eBook

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads 

A review copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review


June is numb. She doesn't know what to think or how to feel. Her best friend is dead and her world has been turned upside down. It's the not knowing that's the worst. Why did Delia do it? What reason in the world would she have to kill herself?

Fighting Plagiarism with @Unplag

Whether your writing for a blog, website, novel or even just for pleasure we all want to make sure that our work is protected. 

Probably the worst thing that can happen to a writer is to find out that their work has been plagiarized. All that hard work, planning and formatting to learn that someone else has claimed it as there own

What could be worse? Not knowing that's whats worse! People can so easily copy and paste your work without your knowledge. 

Spotlight on: The Fragile Fall At Tallow Bridge by Mark G Heath @tallowbridge

         

Buy on Amazon

The Exalted and the Tainted clash in this tale of witchery, mystery, butchery and treachery. Aftlain is a village regarded as being at the edge of the world. It is a sanctuary for the persecuted people of Albion, who are blessed with certain talents. The intolerant High Church regards the village as a breeding ground for witchcraft, a haven for unholy behaviour and where the dark gods find favour. The Order of Allsaints, the zealous military wing of the High Church dispatches Steadholder Samael Thaindire. He is a witch hunter and is charged to journey to Aftlain and investigate the village and the whispering of witchery. If the High Church's concerns are proven, Thaindire is to deliver his judgement without mercy or restraint. However, sending Thaindire, one of the Exalted and a white blood, to Aftlain, may just be what its inhabitants want and need

Movie Review: Jurassic World

So I finally got to see Jurassic World last night. I've been looking forward to this since the first teaser trailers came out. I have to say I had a love hate relationship with the info that was coming out right up to its release.  Trained raptors? I scoffed at the idea at first but then started to accept it because yes highly intelligent creatures are also highly trainable.
Rather than just type a boring plot summary that no one wants to read I've decided to list exactly what I loved and hated about Jurassic World

Review: The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriarty

           

Published: August 2013

Publisher: Penguin books

Page count: 416

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

I friggin love Liane Moriarty. I really need to read her other books. She reminds me of Jodi Picoult before she became obsessed with wolves and elephants.


The story revolves around Cecelia, Rachel and Tess.


Cecelia has it all. Or at least she thought she had until she stumbles upon a letter written by her husband that is only to be opened after his death. Incredibly Cecelia resists the urge to open the letter at first. I think i'd have ripped it open straight away! Her husband tries to explain it away, saying he wrote it on a whim one night. The truth however will have far more severe consequences.

Why Scott Bryan @scottygb live tweeting #grey is the funniest thing you'll read this week

Unless you've been living under a rather large rock you'll probably be aware of the fact that E L James is releasing a new book titled Grey. It's the 50 shades series told from Christian's point of view

While on twitter tonight I stumbled across an extremely amusing post ( thanks to Liz)

Scott Bryan the entertainment editor at buzzfeed UK has been sent a copy of grey and he's reading it so you dont have to

The Polish Patriot by Uri Jerzy Nachimson

Amazon US | Goodreads

The Polish Patriot is a new book about courage, hope, adaptation and surviving against all odds. The book illustrates in a very tangible way the occurrence of the second world war, and allows you to understand that giving up was not an option, there was always light at the end of the tunnel, even when it seems impossible.

Guest Post and Giveaway: #TheOtherChild by @lucyatkins

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Guest Post:

Inspiration for The Other Child 

In 2010 my husband was offered a job in the States, so we relocated, with our three children, then aged 12,10 and 7, and the family dog, to a rental house in an affluent Boston suburb. Unlike our cramped Victorian terraced house here in the UK, this was a big mock Tudor American style home, set on a corner plot of a leafy suburban street, with a generous lawn that stretched round to a backyard, complete with basketball hoop. It was spacious and airy. The perfect place for a growing family.

Sweet Tea and Southern Grace by Glenda C. Manus

       

Amazon US  | Barnes and Noble

Park Place, South Carolina is an idyllic, sleepy little town inhabited by folks dripping with Southern charm and hospitality. Rocking on front porches, drinking sweet iced tea out of heirloom glasses while indulging in a little innocent gossip is a way of life in this Southern town. Reverend Rock Clark is the middle-aged preacher of the Presbyterian Church in town and has made peace with the fact that he is “unlucky in love” and will always be a bachelor. He’s become quite comfortably settled in his life, but suddenly a serious car accident involving a mysterious young woman and her daughter throws him into the role of detective. Trying to track down the father of the five year old child while her mother is in a coma, he enlists the help of his neighbor, Liz, an attractive widow. While searching for the child’s relatives, Rock’s comfortable lifestyle becomes quite uncomfortable when he stumbles into a tangled web of deceit and a case of misguided intentions. 
When things finally settle down, Liz retreats to her mountain cabin when she realizes that her feelings for Rock have grown past the friendship stage. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and her absence has left him confused and baffled at how much he misses her. Will he once again let love slip through his fingers?

5 ways to find Free eBooks with @JustKindleBooks

Pin this post! (Hover to see the pin button)

Today we have a great feature from Just kindle books. They want to help you find all the kindle books you could ever need for free! 

Review: The Other Child by @lucyatkins @QuercusBooks

       

Published: June 2015

Publisher: Quercus

Page count: 400

Format: Kindle  

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Thanks to Quercus for providing a review copy in return for an honest review

This was my first Lucy Atkins book and I'm hooked already! From page one I was drawn in and I didn't want to put it down.

A heavily pregnant Tess has just relocated to the US with her husband Greg. Him being a top class surgeon means there are more opportunities for him there.

Spotlight on: Cooler in the Shade by @tasha_428

                 

Buy on Amazon 

Cooler in the Shade is a book about a little girl's journey to accepting herself and her differences. In this book a child will find a reason to cry, smile, laugh, grow and learn

About the Author:

Cooler in the Shade by Detasha Williams is a book for kids to teach them about the topic of complexion differences. Cooler in the Shade carries a profound message shaped into a beautiful story for children.

Inspired to write Cooler in the Shade after her daughter encountered many challenges in her childhood and she was subjected to hurtful comments from her peers, Detasha Williams' hope is this book will change the thinking of future generations, so no other child has to experience such hurt.

Follow the Author:

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |Instagram 

Want your book spotlighted? Click here.

A tribute to Christopher Lee

I was so saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of Christopher Lee. He was one of my all time favorite actors and arguably one of the greatest villains to ever grace the big screen. 

To honor this great man I decided to put together a post featuring some of my favorite characters that he has played throughout the years. Some of my favorites are where he plays a smaller role. Which goes to show that you don't need a huge amount of screen time to make a significant impact.

Spotlight on: The Divine Farmer's Renga by Alexander Lucksmith

     

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The Divine Farmer’s Renga was written for all the tea sellers, divine farmers, pastoral gleaners, and banana plant poets. and Written straight from the heart while surrounded by years of research, journals, letters, and notes scratched on coffee-stained napkins, this materia medica reads like a poetry book (or as some would say, this poetry book reads like a materia medica).
Included are nearly 350 individual Chinese herbology entries, ranging from “Gathering Happiness Flower” to giant black centipede. Each listing provides alternate names from other alternative medicine modalities, Five-Elements energetic qualities, and a quick reference of traditional Chinese Medicine uses. Tying the herbs together are more than 1,000 haiku-style verses arranged in “San-ku”. Some poems refer to the herbs themselves, while others range from nostalgic tastes of cheap popsicles, pastoral tributes to Basho, and starry-eyed wishes for the future. Alexander Lucksmith’s first book is perfect for poets and practitioner alike.

Review: A Mothers Story by @MrsAmandaProwse

                

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads 

Thanks to Midas PR for the review copy 


A mothers story was so harrowing but enthralling at the same time.

The story flits back and forth between past and present. However the present sees Jessica incarcerated in institution for people with mental illness who have committed a crime.

We see a woman who has been broken by her past and slowly we are taken back through the events in her life that led her to where she is.

Spotlight on: Terah Book 1 : The Covergence (Children of Tareh) by Ryan D Priest

                 

Buy on Amazon 

Events are cumulating to the climax on another planet.

Derek is an orphan struggling to keep his sister fed and healthy, yet an event will shortly occur that will shake his worldview and place him firmly on the side of good.

Gresha wants to do right, but her quest for freedom has placed her into circumstances that are leading her down a path she never wished to go. It will take a strong will and forgiveness to draw her out.

Soffia is reaching the point in her life that she must either make her parent’s faith her own, or let it fall away and jump to what she believes will support her, but an interaction will bring her to her own convictions.

Cedrim believes firmly and tries to encourage others around him to believe as well. Hopefully when the promise of the great Emperor comes before his very eyes he will recognize it and follow it with all his might.

Review : Techbitch (The knock off) by @Lucy_Sykes and @jopiazza

       

Published: May 2015 

Publisher: Penguin UK

Format: Kindle 

Amazon UK |  Amazon US  | Goodreads 

Please note this is the same novel as "The knock off" . It was renamed before publishing.



I never get why I love these books. My idea of fashion is whatever I pull out of the wardrobe first but I still cant get enough of stories like these.

Imogen is Editor in chief of Glossy, a high end fashion magazine located in the heart of NYC.

Spotlight on: The Story of Jax and Dylan by @JamieDeanwrites

       

Amazon | B &N | All Romance |  Google Play

Dylan and Jax were typical best friends, until Dylan fell for Jax and kissed him the night before senior prom. Dylan had to move away before they could talk about it, so he has spent ten years thinking Jax hated him for that kiss.

Reconnecting on Facebook allows them to meet again, and they quickly become as close as ever, spending most of their free time together. Dylan falls for Jax a second time, even though Jax has a girlfriend and appears to be straight.

Important secrets about Jax may lie hidden in the books he's written, but Jax has asked Dylan not to read them, and Dylan refuses to break his promise. When the truth finally surfaces, their lives will never be the same.