Tag: #BookTour

Friday Free-For-All!

Published on by Jan Sikes33 Comments

I’m sure you can probably guess what I’m going to be talking about today. Yep. You’ve got it!

The Saddled Hearts blog tour started yesterday! This will be a lengthy tour, and I’m taking a deep breath as we launch into it. If you missed the kickoff, ride on over to Staci’s and take a look.

No, this post isn’t going to be all about the tour, I promise.

I had the honor and privilege of appearing on the Coffee, Tea, Friendlee and Me radio show on Wednesday this week, (book release day) and it was, as always, a fun opportunity. Friendlee Buffington is a wiry little man with more energy than a two-year-old. Could be the coffee he drinks. Or it could just be his makeup. Here’s a photo taken during the show.

Photo by Ginny Foley

I’m trying to figure out how to download the video from Facebook and edit it to just my part of the show. Another thing that makes this radio show unique is that it is streamed live from the lobby of the historic Texan Theater in downtown Greenville, Texas. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of the history, but it was constructed in the late 1800s and is a world-class theater where a variety of live shows take place.

Back to Friendlee (I have no idea what his real name is). The little man has one saying that he ends every show with, AND every time he bids you farewell. “Keepitn your boot,” he says. Yes, it’s always run together. I don’t know how old Friendlee is, but he’s no spring chicken. He also has a regular internet radio show. I share all of this to say I love meeting unique and passionate people. Their energy is contagious. It gives me a boost like a vitamin B12 shot!

On a totally different front, my granddaughter had her first orchestra concert. She chose the violin and has really taken to the instrument. She is eleven and in sixth grade.

This is her with the big goofy smile.

I always get a little emotional when I attend these kinds of events. Just seeing the beautiful faces of the children touches me. I always wonder what life has in store for them. They are certainly destined for some struggles as our world comes more unraveled daily.

I don’t want to get too heavy, but I’ve been catching an occasional “Ancient Aliens” show recently, and I am convinced more than ever we aren’t the first world to exist on this planet and we won’t be the last. I often think of the scripture about “this world and worlds to come.” We are here temporarily. It’s our duty to put our very best foot forward while we linger in this dimension, but always know it’s not permanent. That perspective helps keep me from getting too undone over struggles.

Anyhoo, moving on. Have a great weekend everyone. The blog tour will pick up again next week, but I will still have my regular Monday posts, and a book review post will be thrown into the mix. I’ve read some fabulous books this month!

And just for giggles, I’ll end by saying, “Keepitn your boot!”

Jazz House – #NewRelease #giveaway @donnavstone @WildRosePress

Published on by Jan Sikes22 Comments

I am happy to share a new book release from a fellow Wild Rose Press author, D.V. Stone! Take a look!

Jazz House

Impact Series Book 2

by D.V. Stone

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Jordan Vasilakis is on the run, living under an assumed name. After a disastrous marriage to a notorious Greek business tycoon, she flees to the States and starts rebuilding her life. But her ruthless husband is determined to destroy her…once he finds her.

Michael Machau is drawn to the new singer at Jazz House restaurant, but the guarded woman is harboring dangerous secrets. The dedicated police officer may have to risk more than just his heart to forge a connection with the woman he knows as Madeline Cielo, especially when he discovers she’s living a lie.

Worlds collide. Lies entangle. Survival, much less love, is in question. They must quickly distinguish friends from enemies or risk losing everything—including a future together.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Rock House Grill

Impact Series Book 1

Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He’s rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel.

Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the life of the man she helped save.

Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?

**Only .99 cents!**

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

D. V. Stone is an award-winning, multi-genre, traditionally and independently published author. She writes books people want to read. Whether romance or fantasy, her stories are about the importance of friends and family. About overcoming obstacles while doing it with humor.

Around the Fire is a popular weekly blog where she introduces both established and new authors giving an insider’s look into their lives and books as well as tidbits about her own life.

After retiring, she is now a full-time author and incorporates her life experiences into her books.

A former Emergency Medical Technician, she volunteered in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At the same time, she worked as a professional EMT in a women’s state prison. She was the proprietor of a coffee shop, and a small restaurant/ice cream stand in the years that followed. The years following were as a manager in an animal emergency hospital, while her last position was in a human medical office.

When not behind the wheel of 2Hoots—a 41 foot long 13.2 feet high 5th Wheel camper, she rambles around town in Northern New Jersey in a white Camaro. She also loves travel and history.

D.V. is wife to an amazing husband, mother to one son, and not your average grandma to three beautiful grands. A woman of faith, she believes and trusts in God.

“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”

Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds her to let readers know, “Woof, woof.” Which is loosely translated as support your local animal rescue.

You can find out more about D. V. by following her on Social Media.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Jordan scrambled to the other side of the limo.

“You sing good tonight.” He scrolled through his phone.

“Yes, Kyrios.”

Outside the window, massive cruise ships docked in the port. Happy older people made their way up the gangplanks toting bags filled with souvenirs, while the younger ones debarked dressed for the nightlife. Sparkly sequins flashed like diamonds as one young woman twirled on the pier.

God, how had she come to this life? She willed her hovering tears not to fall. Kyrios wouldn’t approve.

When she was offered a place in the touring group ten years ago, she thought it was the beginning of great things. Standing in the cabaret with the lights shining down was her dream come true. When she was the woman in the sparkly dress.

Until he showed up.

Each night, Kyrios Vasilakis, Greek business tycoon, sat at the front table watching her. Yes, he was older but so very handsome. Dark hair with silver at the temples, he cut a dashing figure in his black suits.

Jordan began to sing to him. It was the beginning of the end. After a whirlwind romance, she found herself a prisoner in marriage to a brute.

MY REVIEW:

Jordan was born to sing jazz. That’s all she’s ever dreamed of. So, when wealthy greek tycoon, Kyrios promises to make all her dreams come true, she’s thrilled.
Only things aren’t as they seem. Once married to Kyrios, he becomes controlling and abusive. Now, Jordan is trapped. There is no way out of this prison, and she’s tired of trying to cover up the bruises.
That is the scene that sets this story.
Her opportunity to escape comes with an attack at one of the nightclubs he owns. Suffering from a bullet wound, she flees and is presumed dead until all the bodies from the fire are identified. All except hers. Now he knows she is still alive and will not rest until he finds her.
Under an assumed name and fake passport, Jordan makes her way to the United States and finds a jazz club in Pennsylvania where she can finally lay down some roots and continue to do what she loves, and that is to sing.
This is such a good story. Even though it is predictable, there are still a few surprises along the way. Michael Machau is a cop and a good one. He cares about right and wrong and is good at his job. When smitten by Jordan, aka Madeline, he can’t help but be curious about her. But it’s more than curiosity that fans the flame. A relationship is a long shot for both Jordan and Michael, but the heart wants what the heart wants. While this is the second book in a series, I was never at a loss about any of the characters or past events, so it works well as a standalone. I loved all the characters in the story. It is a gentle romance with a heavy emphasis on family and faith. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story with a solid plot and true love.