12/14/18

The Holiday Home Hotel Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

Today, I have The Holiday Home Hotel by Lou Sylvre in my book spotlight!  Check out the book, learn about the author & enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

The Holiday Home Hotel
by Lou Sylvre
Genre: M/M Supernatural Romance

Daren Novak and Gunny Schuler have known each other since freshmen days at the University of Washington, where they'd started a romance Daren assumed would last. But at the start of winter break, Gunny bowed to the dictates of his lifelong religion and his overbearing father and left UW never to return.


After a failed marriage, Gunny built a quiet life embracing his gay identity, and left his North Dakota home, his marriage, and his father's business for a forestry and teaching career in Oregon. Meanwhile, Daren has built up his own life around managing a unique holiday venue, the Holiday Home Hotel, and performing for the guests in drag as "Dare."

A decade has passed since they last saw each other, but now winter’s harsh weather brings them face to face—helped along by a minor goddess and powerful forest spirit. Too much hurt might lie between them now to fix things, but interfering supernatural beings are determined to force them to try.




Lou Sylvre loves romance with all its ups and downs, and she likes to conjure it into books. The sweethearts on her pages are men who end up loving each other, and sometimes saving each other from unspeakable danger. It’s all pretty crazy and very sexy. As if you'd want to know more, she’ll happily tell you that she is a proudly bisexual woman, a mother, grandmother, lover of languages, and cat-herder. She works closely with lead cat and writing assistant, the (male) Queen of Budapest, Boudreau St. Clair. She is the author of the six well-loved books of the Vasquez and James Series and holiday favorites, Falling Snow on Snow and The Holiday Home Hotel. She teamed up with Kiwi author Anne Barwell to write Sunset at Pencarrow, an adventurous tale of New Zealand romance.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

His Girl Next Door Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

This morning, I have a contemporary romance novel in my book spotlight!  Check out His Girl Next Door, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

His Girl Next Door
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Contemporary Romance

No strings attached fun… What could possibly go wrong?


Nothing. It was fun.
Fun…
Hot, sexual, steamy fun with the uber gorgeous single dad next door?
Yes, please.
Look at him. Who would say no to him with his perfect body, perfect everything, and those piercing green eyes?
Not me.
Fun
What else could it be? I was only going to be in town for eight months and I was here for business.
Business, business, definitely not pleasure.
But all work and no play has never been a good thing in anyone’s book.

Fun would be easy. No strings attached.
It would be goodbye at the end. I would go back to L.A and he would stay here.
No problem, no drama, no stress.
It felt easy when Ryan came to me with the idea. It felt easy as I played the game and went through the motions.
It felt easy because I had a line I always drew under relationships. A line I never crossed.
But... then he unlocked something inside me. Something I hid away from the world.
No strings attached fun... what could possibly go wrong?
I thought nothing then everything became a complicated, sexy mess…


Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.

She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.

When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.

No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine's books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.



Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short

I do love memoirs. I truly enjoy reading the life stories and experiences of others. I was excited to review Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories by Jan Risher.  What did I think of this book?  Check out my thoughts, learn about the author & enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!


Book Title: Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short
Author: Jan Risher
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 312 pages

About the Book

Jan Risher took the long way to get from Mississippi to Louisiana with stops in between in Slovakia, Mexica, China, Burkina Faso and more than 40 other countries. Since moving to Louisiana, she has been a Sunday columnist for The Daily Advertiser and has written a column every single Sunday since 2002.

Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short is the collection of columns written over 15 years. Arranged in chronological order, the collection creates a narrative of one woman's aim to build her family, build up her community and weave the stories and lessons learned from the past into the present.

From her family's move to Louisiana, adoption of a daughter from China, covering Hurricane Katrina, travels near and far, author Jan Risher attempts, sometimes failing and sometimes succeeding, to do her small part to make the world a better place.

My Review

The author uses a conversational, friendly writing style that welcomes readers.   The author opens bits and pieces of her life and experiences for readers in a very down-to-earth manner.  She has a lot of stories to tell and tells each story in a way that draws the reader into a specific moment in time or a period of her life with lessons learned and thoughts worth considering.


Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short is a slightly different memoir.  Rather than being a diary-like memoir that flows through a person's life to tell a story--this book is actually a compilation of essays for a newspaper column that, while presented chronologically, has a more disconnected feel than a traditional memoir.   Throughout the novel, certain facts or memories were repeated as if they were being presented for the first time.  Since the essays from this novel were first presented in a newspaper column over many years--for new readers of the column or for old readers who may have missed a column or forgotten the details--I didn't feel that the writing style of the book flows as well for readers of one novel who are reading the essays in one chunk of time from start to finish.  I enjoyed the essays and the chronological progression of the author's story--but, didn't feel that the book was written to be read as I was reading it.

Would I recommend Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short.  I enjoyed the author's friendly writing style and would certainly recommend reading her columns and books.  I enjoyed the stories and I enjoyed getting to know the author and her family through the essays.  I could tell that the stories were written for a column--and not necessarily in the same manner that they may have been written to tell one long life story in a book--and that caused a little pause for me from time to time.  Having said that, if you read it as more of an essay collection--with realities of life and a focus on service to others and views of a variety of communities of the world--this is a very interesting collection of stories that memoir fans will enjoy.  

Buy the Book




Meet the Author


Jan Risher is an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter. She was managing editor of The Times of Acadiana. Before and after her time as a full-time journalist, she was an English teacher. She has taught English near and far, in its most basic and most lyrical forms. She continues her career as a freelance writer and now owns Shift Key, a content marketing and public relations firm. She, her husband and their two daughters have made their home on the banks of the Vermilion River.

Connect with Jan: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram


Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Dec 22, 2018


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5 Facts you should Know about Back Pain its Causes, and Treatment


Back pain is among the top three reasons for hospital visits. It’s estimated that up to 80% of the entire population will suffer from back pain in their lifetime. Such is the gleam statistics associated with back pain. If you are suffering from back pain, you are in the right place. This article goes deep to provide you with helpful information about back pain.


Facts about back pain you should know

1.     What causes back pain?
There are many causes of back pain however the most common ones are medical conditions, strain, and poor posture. Strains incudes strained or sprained muscle or ligament, muscle tension, and muscle spasm.  Rupture disks; irritate joints, injury from sports or accidents could also cause back pains. Even abrupt movement or simple activity like picking something could be the cause of your back pains. Medical conditions such as bone loss, kidney stones, and blood clots could also cause back pains while arthritis, obesity, and poor posture, and psychological stress are known to complicate back pain.

2.     Back pain affects all ages
The causes of backpain such as injury, strain, and medical condition can affect anyone regardless of their age.  However, older adults are more prone to back pain compared to young people. Common causes of back pain in older adults include spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis. The symptoms are characterized by severe pains, especially in the morning. The first attack of back pain occurs between 30 years to 50 years. As people grow older, they undergo lots of bone strength as a result of osteoporosis. That’s why older people are prone to fractures which can cause back pain.

3.     Back pain treatment
It is advisable to seek assistance immediately you get a back pain attack. Many people assume such pain and hope that it will disappear. However, the truth is that quick intervention can resolve your back pain quickly. Also, the pain might be an indicator of an underlying medical condition such as kidney stones or even blood clots. Early detection can help prevent a serious illness before it is too late. 

Many people decide to visit a general physician when they experience severe back pain. While the physician will assist with your back pain problem, visiting a pain management specialist could be better. Back pain management specialists are experts who have undergone specialized training about how to diagnose the pain and also how to treat the same.

Pain management experts
If you are suffering from back pain, visiting pain management and chiropractic experts at beachpaincenter.com could be the best decision to make. Since they specialize in pain management, they have the necessary experience to help provide the best treatment strategy.  Their years of training and experience enable them to use the best procedures when treating your back pain. The pain management specialists can come up with a customized procedure for your back pain challenges.

Strategies for back pain relief
Treatment for back pain depends on whether the pain is acute or chronic. The available options include medication and physical medication such as physical therapy, chiropractic, traction, and many other interventions.

How to Encourage your Child's Creativity

Promoting creativity early in your child’s life is imperative to help them develop problem solving skills, self-expression/confidence, and the ability to adapt. Success can easily be associated on career opportunity or a school you went to, but its real source is the capability to work through an obstacle that has no easy solution. Engaging creativity will get your kids comfortable with unconventional thoughts or ideas, and here are some ways to get their creative juices flowing.

 
Exploration of Music

Listening to happy music has been proven to increase the divergent thinking in children. The uplifting beat and lyrics can shift your brain waves to make you more comfortable. This puts your brain at the peak condition for creative thinking. The words or tone in the song may also uncover emotions or memories which feeds inspiration to your imagination.

Playing an instrument can help with creativity as well. Improvising notes lets your mind create a beat and unique sound. An easy instrument to pick up and create a song with are the drums. Getting your child a drum set from Drum Center of Portsmouth would be a fun and beneficial gift for an occasion that you can leave them alone with to be creative.

Separate Space

Establish an area that is designated for being curious. The kids need a place that they feel safe to explore all the places imagination can take you.

Whether it be a room, a fort, or just a small area in their room, it is necessary to have a spot where they are free to imagine without any rules. Also, they need a little bit of inspiration to get their ideas flowing. Fill the space with toys or objects that relate to your children’s interests.

Ask Questions

Just to exercise their brain, you can ask your kids any questions you can think of. More specifically, ask them questions instead of rewarding them for achieving something.

It may sound like bad advice, but in reality, they will get distracted thinking about a reward if they expect one. When they are fully focused on the natural reward of accomplishment rather than a concrete reward, kids are more likely to succeed in their creativity.

Expand on Their Decisions

When decisions are made in a child’s mind, they don’t comprehend all the steps that are taken to finalize it. Encourage them to think critically about the consequences of each option and explain why they chose what they did.

You want them to work it out on their own so they get used to it before they have to start making crucial decisions. Having them express their actions will reaffirm in their minds that they did the right or wrong thing, furthering their knowledge for the next situation.

Be Supportive

An important thing to remember as a parent is to be accepting of strange ideas. Reacting negatively to what they have come up with using their imagination will discourage them from thinking outside the box. Make sure they understand that their unique ideas are normal and are positively improving their minds.

Being supportive does not mean you have to stand over your kids while they are playing. The added pressure will hinder their ability to properly make decisions on their own. You don’t want your kids relying on you to decide when times get tough.

Give Them Time

To get the best results of their visions they need uninterrupted time. You can’t force nor rush the mind in this process or the product will not be as good as it can be. It is high recommended to give your child some space during this process.

Although many children are born with creative minds, it is something that must be learned. There is no one in the world a child will look up to more than their parent. As a parent and role model, it is up to you to make sure your child gets the encouragement needed to think creatively. 

12/13/18

Shifting Destiny Anthology Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

Today, I have a paranormal, urban fantasy, paranormal romance anthology in our book spotlight!  Check out the Shifting Destiny anthology, learn about the author & enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Shifting Destiny Anthology
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

with stories by:
Lashanta Charles
Zoe Parker
E.E. Andrews
Beth Hendrix
Reiki Eli
Miki Ward
Garrett Ward
K.B. Wheelock
Aspen Winters
Helene Gadot
C.B. Morrigan
Tabitha Barret
Ivy Fox
Jaliza Burwell
Grace McGinty
India Kells
Zara Stark
Lacey Carter Andersen
Vanessa Ross
Helen Scott
Saskia LeBlanc
Cece Rose
E.M. Moore
Blake Blessing
Kay Elle Parker
C.R. Jane.
E.M. Daniels
Suzan Lee
Elissa Ryan
Lidiya Foxglove
C.J. Strange

Are you ready for a collection of stories with a bite? Well, shift into a more comfortable position and dive right into these author's tales. 

There's a beast in all of us waiting to come out and play. So, abandon all your reservations and lose yourself in this collection of shifters and discover...
The BEAST in you.

This is a collection of multiple short stories, in a myriad of genres. The stories in this book are as fluid as the shifters they're about. Some of them will pull on your heartstrings, others will warm you on a cold day. Come on these journeys with us to fantastical places, accompanied by memorable characters that leave you no choice but to hold on for dear life on the magical ride that is, Shifting Destiny.


Available for pre-order for only 99 Cents. Grab your copy while this amazing price lasts. After release it will go up to 2.99!!


Take advantage of this limited time pre-order sale and get the Shifting Destiny Anthology for only $.99! Lashanta's story, Kaleidoscope, is a RH multiple shifter romance.


LaShanta Charles is from South Carolina, but currently lives in Tacoma, WA. She's married, has three tiny humans who constantly mooch off of her, and is active duty in the US Army. She's a homebody who adores SLEEPING, reading (romance, especially RH, paranormal, and sci-fi), eating, white chocolate mochas, SLEEPING, Reese's PB Cups (but only the ones stuffed with Reese's Pieces), and writing. Oh, and she hates spiders; why do they need EIGHT legs?

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!