Wednesday, May 18, 2011

4 Cafe' Imperfect by L.E. Harvey

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Imperfect by L.E. Harvey puts you right in the center of true love.

Carol and Alexandria met at a dance club after Carol took a night to the town with college roommate Marlene.

Hitting it off immediately,  we watch their relationship grow over the years.  As an interracial gay relationship,  these two face constant trials, but together they come out strong.

Even when Alex's family is unsure of what might become, Carol promises Alex's twin brother she will never hurt her.

When an illness strikes and Carol is not recovering near as quickly as she should,  Alex forces her to see a doctor.  Not wanting to upset her love,  she complies,  only to find out she has contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion she received when she was sick.

Now they must find out if Alex too has contracted this deadly virus.  Through the waiting and the fear,  the results come back.  Guilt ridden,  Byron,  Alex's twin brother blames Carol for Alex being sick and thinks she's broken her promise.

As they work through the news of being sick,  overcoming family disputes,  and now threats against their very being,  Carol and Alex must overcome the worst of all.  They must accept the possibility of death.

Harvey wrote a telling tale of an emotional ride.  Though nobody's life is perfect,  Carol can't help but to feel imperfect.  We watch as this love grows and flourishes even through tough times and you will surely feel the emotion portrayed.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

A Strange Freedom: Blood & Fireworks Release Contest

If you would like to donate any patriotic items or patriotic themed e-books or books,  Kiki Howell is putting together a contest for her newest release - A Strange Freedom: Blood & Fireworks.  You can find all the details below,  and if you know of someone that may be able to help out or has the perfect book please pass this along.  It's free promo for books.

From the Author:
Got a book/ebook or handmade item that has a patriotic/military theme that you would like some promo for? I'm putting together a contest for the week of Memorial Day for the ebook release of A Strange Freedom: Blood & Fireworks.

Email me at howell (dot) kiki (at) gmail (dot) com if interested! I am hoping to have two prize  bundles: one ebook bundle and one print book/handmade gifts bundle. All donations will need to be sent to me ahead of time so I can send them out together. 

Note: I would like to have some craft items and promote Etsy shops or other websites as well. Or, if you are an author who does not have a patriotic book released, but would still like to be involved, think of a patriotic craft or item that you could donate. Links will accompany the item description in the contest post.

Thanks,
Kiki Howell
~where love is a mystical thing~



A Strange Freedom, Blood and Fireworks, a novella

Blurb: Can a witch gain her freedom to live as she chooses between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July?  

A man was not exactly what Meranda was looking for when she went to her grandfather’s grave for a ritual of remembrance on Memorial Day.  However, what she thinks is a ghost in the heavy shadows of the night ends up a vampire. 

When Meranda’s grandfather lay dying on a bloody battlefield in WWII, Alexander promised the man he would take care of his family if he got out of the war alive.  Even though he returned to the states a night walker, he has done his best to honor that promise from a distance. 

When Meranda is hurt due to his negligence, Alexander valiantly fights his own desires for her blood to save her.  Only, once she is better, their lives clash.  But, using a little magic, she plans to win their war by the time the fireworks light up the sky on Independence Day.


Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal (Vampire & Witch), Erotic Romance
Adult Content Warnings: Explicit Graphic Language, Toys

Coming May 27th, 2011 in eBook from Excessica Publishing

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

5 Latte's for Broken Birds by Jeannette Katzir

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If you've ever been curious about the Holocaust and wanted to know more about what actually happened and the effects it left on survivors then this is the book for you.  Jeannette Katzir brings you smack dab in the middle of it with Broken Birds: The Story of my Momila.

I can't say enough about this book.  Katzir did such a fantastic job you feel the emotions from the beginning to the very end.

Channa and Nathan were caught in the middle of Hitler's Reign.  Fighting to survive,  they found each other.  Though they loved each other and made it through some horrific times,  surviving did not come without costs.

We are taken into the Holocaust,  from Channa being on the run from Nazi soldiers to Nathan enduring concentration camps.  This was so heart wrenching you had no choice but to want to save them yourself.

After Channa and Nathan marry,  they have five children.  Though the effects of the war are still imminent in their lives,  they try to provide a loving home for their children. 

We see these kids grow up,  we see emotional conflict,  and the worst is the sibling rivalry.  I felt bad for two of the children,  as they felt that they deserved everything without working for it. 

It was amazing to me how Channa loved her children yet tried to control every aspect of their lives even after they were grown.  Nathan always remained quiet,  and took things in stride.  Even after Channa departs from this world,  her way of life still seemed to hold strong.

I have never read a book such as Broken Birds.  I've always been curious as to what happened during this time and I will tell you that no history will ever have you feel the effects of war like this book.  Katzir did a fantastic job with detail,  drawing you in so deeply you had no choice but to feel.  I highly recommend Broken Birds to get a real taste for what actually happened,  the effects after and how that extends to the families.

If you want to learn more - visit Broken Birds online.


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As a child of Holocaust survivors, Jeannette Katzir’s life has

been a study of the lasting effects of war.  Inspired  by her

own family experiences, Katzir has dedicated years to in-depth

research of the impact of World War II on survivors and

their children.  She currently resides in the Los Angeles area , not far from her two children and grandson, with her husband.




    

BWB Reviews - All Rights Reserved

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you all have a terrific day!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

GFT Book Tour - Inspiration and Giveaway with Sue Perkins

Today I am joined by Sue Perkins, the author of Blitz.  Sue is on virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions and has been kind enough to offer us a wonderful guest post today.  Thank you so much for stopping in Sue and welcome to BK Walker Books Etc.


Sue Perkins grew up in Devon, England. After her marriage Sue and her husband spent some years travelling the world before starting a family.

In 1986 the family emigrated to New Zealand and became New Zealand citizens.


Sue and her husband live on a three acre property at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. She works as a graphic artist for a local trade paper. Her interests include writing, reading, genealogy, zumba and line dancing.




Inspiration for Writing - Sue Perkins

Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog. My 20th Century Historical novel Blitz is dear to my heart because it was inspired by my parents' love story. This made me look at the things that inspired me to write my other novels.

Inspiration for some authors comes from the smallest things while others think long and hard before a plot comes to mind. With me it’s the former. Anything sets off my imagination. An unusual boat’s name, a cliff silhouetted against the sunset, any unusual scene or even an overheard comment. I’m lucky, the scenes in my mind stick like glue until I write them down. Then they seem to sit quietly except for when I turn visit to find the best way to proceed. This usually happens when I’m trying to get to sleep.

Anything and everything can set me off. My novel Three Hearts began with my young daughter staring at a punk rocker on the London underground. She couldn’t take her eyes of the purple spiked hair the young lady was sporting.

My fantasy trilogy began with a song about Castles in the Air. I intended the first one to be a stand alone book, but somehow it developed into a trilogy. Some readers have requested either a prequel or sequel to the trilogy. Still thinking about this, although I do have ideas of how both stories would start.

Inspiration for me means the initial jog to the mind and the first scene comes full blown to me. If I am in the middle of another manuscript I will often write the first page, or first few pages, then make a few notes of the ideas I’ve had regarding the next few chapters. This file is then left to sit in the “To Be Written” folder until the idea has percolated enough for me to actually begin writing. Usually by the time I’ve finished one manuscript and sent it off, I’ve already got the next one spread out in my mind. Not plotted as such because I’m a pantser not a plotter, but definitely ready to go.

I’m not usually hit by writer’s block but at a writing seminar I learned some exercises to overcome this. Both have been extremely helpful for honing my inspirations. The first was writing with the left hand (I’m right handed so vice versa if you’re left handed). This really made me think of the words going onto the paper. The second method involved staring at a painting, print or photo for a good five minutes. The focus of your gaze is then removed and you begin to write. Don’t try to explain or describe what you’ve seen, just start writing. This one works every time.

I think the most important thing when it comes to inspiration is not to be intimidated by what enters your mind. Your thoughts may be strange or even weird, but maybe that’s your muse telling you to climb outside of the box and let yourself go. I never ignore ideas. I may not write the story then, but sometime in the future the little seed of inspiration will provoke a scene or even a full manuscript.

Thank you once again for inviting me to your blog.

Blitz - Desert Breeze Publishing




Velma’s large family refuse to accept she is now a young woman. She falls in love with Jack and her family discuss whether he is a suitable husband for their youngest sister. She is determined to show her siblings she is now an adult and can make her own decisions.

World War II is declared. The engaged couple are forced to cancel their white wedding only days before the service. This puts a strain on the relationship between Jack and Velma. She must choose whether to let Jack go to war as a single man, or to marry in a registry office without the support of family and friends. Can Velma survive the worry of Jack being at the front? Will it be easier to cope if they are married?






Excerpt

The waitress approached, order book and pen in her hand as she waited for them to decide.
"Would you like egg and chips?" Jack asked. "That should keep us going until we go to the cinema."
"Sounds lovely." Velma made a mental note to eat slowly and make sure the egg yolk didn't drip down her chin.
The service proved quick and efficient, within five minutes two plates piled high with chips and two eggs apiece were placed in front of them. Velma's eyes widened in horror. She'd been brought up to 'waste not, want not. She'd never be able to get through all this. Valiantly, she picked up her knife and fork and prepared to attack the food.
"You can leave whatever you don't have room for."Velma glanced at Jack. He smiled. He must have been watching the emotions flit across her face. He'd guessed the thoughts passing through her mind.
"It's just so -- so much." Velma smiled at him. "Do you want any of these chips?"
"I don't think so," he replied. "I've got my own pile to deal with." Silence reigned for several minutes while they ate their meal. Jack had also ordered a pot of tea and this arrived as they decided they were full. Velma had eaten both eggs and about half the chips. Jack had managed two thirds of his plateful. The waitress shook her head as she removed their plates. As the woman walked away Velma saw Jack grinning from ear to ear. She put her hand over her mouth to smother a laugh.
"I think we're in disgrace but you have to admit we did our best." "Shall I pour?" Velma didn't wait for a reply. She picked up the milk and poured it into their cups then checked the tea had drawn properly. As she sipped her eyes watched Jack over the rim of her cup. At first his eyes were full of amusement then slowly they became sombre. He placed his cup on the saucer and she did the same. His hand reached across and enfolded hers, large fingers folding over her knuckles. She'd always had small hands. The pure white against his tanned skin made them look even tinier and more delicate.
"You do know how I feel about you don't you, Velma?"
"I -- I'm not sure. I hope you feel the same way as I feel about you." She managed to say.
"I think I've fallen in love with you. No darn it, I know I've fallen in love with you. Please don't be frightened," he quickly added as she tried to withdraw her hand. "I'm not going to rush you, Velma. We'll take it at your pace. I want to see you as much as possible before I have to go back to Aldershot."
A tremor of fright rocketed through at his words. Too much, too soon. They'd only met properly yesterday. The words imprinted on her mind and she wondered what frightened her. If she looked deep inside herself she had the same spark of love for him.
"I'm just a bit scared we might be going too fast, Jack. I think I've fallen in love with you too. How do I know it's the real thing? I've got nothing to compare it to. I've never been in love before."
"Good." He smiled at her shocked expression. "That means your feelings for me are one of a kind. I hate to think you've had these feelings for any other man."
"Have you ever -- I mean..."
"Loved another woman? No, I haven't. I knew as soon as I met you yesterday you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I think it's called love at first sight. I've never believed in it before. I do now." Jack's thumb caressed the palm of her hand and a shiver of excitement rippled out from his touch.
"Maybe we should leave it at that. It's time we were going. The film starts soon."
Jack paid the bill and held the door open for her as they left. Arms linked they walked slowly down the road to the cinema.
He's not only really handsome, he's also a perfect gentleman. Velma grinned as Jack paid for their tickets then led her over to the confectionery counter. For a moment her disappointment rose when Jack didn't head for the back row of the cinema. She'd assumed they would miss most of the film as they kissed and cuddled in the darkness. This had happened on previous visits with the youths she'd known since childhood. Instead, Jack led the way half-way down the aisle where he stood to one side to let her enter the row before him. Once they were seated he handed her the bag of chocolates he'd purchased in the foyer and she smiled her thanks.

     











Giveaway:

Would you like to win a copy of this book?  Sue was kind enough to also offer you a chance to win an E-copy and all you have to do is leave a comment and you will gain an entry.  Want even more chances to win?  Hop around to all of her blog stops and Sue will be picking one lucky commenter from all her stops.

4/29/2011 Release Party at Goddess Fish Party Pavilion
5/2/2011 Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
5/3/2011 Grace Elliot--gripping historical romance
5/4/2011 BK Walker Books Etc.
5/5/2011 Believing is Seeing
5/6/2011 A Chick Who Reads

Thanks for stopping in and good luck.  Wishing you much success in the future Sue :).

Until next time,







Goddess Fish Partner