Book Blast: The Special and the Ordinary by David Clapham

Inside the Book:

Title: The Special and the Ordinary
Author: David Clapham
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Coming of Age
Format: Ebook

John Haworth, despite innate shyness, has floated upward in a comfortable English home environment under the influence of much older sisters and their friends. After he begins a new school in the early fifties, the seven-year-old is looking lost when a classmate, Martin Holford, decides to take him under his wing. And so begins a long friendship.

Ordinary rules of life apparently do not apply to the confident Martin except, perhaps, when he allows his mischievous humor excessive free rein against the self-important. While on separate coming-of-age journeys, Martin and John get on fine, despite John's occasional resentment about Martin's ability to bounce back after perpetrating 'wrong notes' against the wealthy while John slaves away attempting to make new music sound modern. John, who has no desire to be to be an apathetic musician like his viola teacher, unfortunately lacks the talent, personality, and love of limelight to match his glamorous piano teacher or Katherine, the singer he accompanies on the piano. Now all he has to do is somehow find his place amid an uncertain career as a ghost composer where chances come as infrequent as success.

The Special and the Ordinary shares the unique story of two young people as they come of age and step into the future, each with a different idea on what it means to be true to themselves.

iUniverse awarded The Special and the Ordinary the 'Editor's Choice' designation. Here are excerpts from the enthusiastic editorial reviews:

"Definitely a worthwhile read, I recommend The Special and the Ordinary to lovers of literary fiction." - Pacific Book Review

"...heartwarming and uplifting." - Kirkus Reviews

"The writing is clear and refreshing, with clean sentences that move the story along at a brisk pace." - Clarion Review

Meet the Author:

David Clapham grew up in in Sheffield, England and studied botany at Oxford. After working at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station in Aberystwyth, Wales, he moved to Uppsala, Sweden, where he still lives today. David and his Swedish wife Lena have two children. He has also published Odd Socks with iUniverse in 2013. 

Giveaway

David is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins January 2 and ends on January 13.
• Winners will be contacted via email on January 14..
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

January 30

Write and Take Flight

Aurora Publicity

January 31

The Literary Nook

The Revolving Bookshelf

February 1

From Paperback to Leatherbound

Voodoo Princess

February 2

My Bookish Pleasures

Lover of Literature

February 3

Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

Inkslinger’s Opus

February 6

A Taste of My Mind

I’m Shelf-ish

February 7

Harmonious Publicity

The Review From Here

February 8

The Dark Phantom

All Inclusive Retort

February 9

A Title Wave

Literal Exposure

February 10

The Hype and the Hoopla

Blogher

Book Feature: Jobmobbers by Patricia Komar

Inside the Book:

Title: Jobmobbers
Author: Patricia Komar
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Thriller
Format: Ebook

Link Aerospace Corporation recruits Dawn MacGregor right after she graduates from MIT. Thrilled, she moves to Boulder, Colorado, ready to start a brand-new life and career.

Early on, however, strange things begin happening. Someone keys her car, and her belongings are moved around or go missing entirely. It seems some of her new coworkers have decided to sabotage her, and soon it goes well beyond minor damage and pranks. The mob targets her with actions that are increasingly dangerous, and Dawn begins to deteriorate psychologically and physically. As the world she once knew becomes a distant reality, the only constant in her life is a coyote that appears regularly just beyond the tree line across from her turn-of-the-century Victorian home, seemingly keeping watch over her. Dawn must try to put the jobmobbers in their place—before their bullying threatens her life.

In this suspenseful novel, a woman faces vicious workplace bullies in a struggle that may end with her death unless she can find a way to fight back.

Meet the Author:

Freelance writer and author of Jobmobbers: Under the Watchful Eye of the Coyote, and The Ghost in the Hollows, Book One of the Hollow Hills Explorers Series. Book Two, Missing in the Hollows, will be published February 2016. Trainer of an intelligent and strong willed Blue Healer/Border Collie cross, but I often find myself asking, "Who's the trainer here?" And of course I'm a buddy to my Toto like Cairn Terrier, TABU, star of an article I wrote for Modern Dog Magazine.com EARTHDOGGING, CAN YOU DIG IT? University degrees from Switzerland, New York, Chicago, and British Columbia in the arts, writing, and psychology. www.patriciakomar.com Dancer, swimmer, hiker, and kayaker in training.

Giveaway

Patricia is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins January 2 and ends on January 13.
• Winners will be contacted via email on January 14..
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: The Forger by Michele Hauf

Inside the Book:

Title: The Forger

Author: Michele Hauf

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Format: Ecopy 

When Interpol’s covert behind-the-scenes Elite Crimes Unit looks for new talent, they recruit someone who knows all the tricks—and sometimes a troublemaker is exactly who’s needed for the job…

Olivia Lawson’s bosses at Scotland Yard don’t take her work very seriously. Art and antiquities? Bor-ing! But her latest investigation, at London’s world-renowned Tate, is turning out to be far more explosive than anyone expected. In fact, the vandalized, booby-trapped painting hanging on the gallery wall would have blown her off her feet if it wasn’t for the tall, dark-haired stranger who tackled her at the last second—a stranger as finely sculpted as any masterpiece in the museum.

Ethan Maxwell is working this case for the Elite Crimes Unit because it was a choice between that and lockup.  A (barely) reformed art forger, he’s got the expertise to lead Olivia through a dangerous manhunt. But the crime may have a more personal connection to him—and the all-too-real feelings he’s developing toward Olivia could pull her into the line of fire too . . .

PURCHASE HERE: AMAZON|APPLE|GOOGLE PLAY|KOBO|B&N

MEET THE AUTHOR

Michele Hauf has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was Dark Rapture (Zebra). France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage “write what you know,” all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.

CONNECT WITH MICHELE: WEBSITE|FACEBOOK

Tour Schedule

Inkslinger's Opus

I'm Shelf-ish

A Book Lover
A Title Wave

Voodoo Princess

Write and Take Flight

Harmonious Publicity

Bent Over Bookwords

Review From Here

All Inclusive Retort

The Dark Phantom

The Revolving Bookshelf

Book Blast: Jobmobbers by Patricia Komar

Inside the Book:

Title: Jobmobbers
Author: Patricia Komar
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Thriller
Format: Ebook

Link Aerospace Corporation recruits Dawn MacGregor right after she graduates from MIT. Thrilled, she moves to Boulder, Colorado, ready to start a brand-new life and career.

Early on, however, strange things begin happening. Someone keys her car, and her belongings are moved around or go missing entirely. It seems some of her new coworkers have decided to sabotage her, and soon it goes well beyond minor damage and pranks. The mob targets her with actions that are increasingly dangerous, and Dawn begins to deteriorate psychologically and physically. As the world she once knew becomes a distant reality, the only constant in her life is a coyote that appears regularly just beyond the tree line across from her turn-of-the-century Victorian home, seemingly keeping watch over her. Dawn must try to put the jobmobbers in their place—before their bullying threatens her life.

In this suspenseful novel, a woman faces vicious workplace bullies in a struggle that may end with her death unless she can find a way to fight back.

Meet the Author:

Freelance writer and author of Jobmobbers: Under the Watchful Eye of the Coyote, and The Ghost in the Hollows, Book One of the Hollow Hills Explorers Series. Book Two, Missing in the Hollows, will be published February 2016. Trainer of an intelligent and strong willed Blue Healer/Border Collie cross, but I often find myself asking, "Who's the trainer here?" And of course I'm a buddy to my Toto like Cairn Terrier, TABU, star of an article I wrote for Modern Dog Magazine.com EARTHDOGGING, CAN YOU DIG IT? University degrees from Switzerland, New York, Chicago, and British Columbia in the arts, writing, and psychology. www.patriciakomar.com Dancer, swimmer, hiker, and kayaker in training.

Giveaway

Patricia is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins January 2 and ends on January 13.
• Winners will be contacted via email on January 14..
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Scot on the Run by Janice Maynard

Inside the Book:

Title: Scot on the Run

Author: Janice Mayard

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ecopy 

USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard's sweet and sexy series continues, filled with love and adventure amid the ruggedly romantic setting of Scotland...

Bella is housesitting in Portree, Scotland, for her brother, Finley, while he’s on his honeymoon.  She expects a quiet time, enjoying the harbour town’s breathtaking views and quaint shops. So imagine her surprise when one of Great Britain’s most eligible bachelors comes pounding at her door in an attempt to evade both the paparazzi and a flurry of female fans. Unaware of his celebrity status, Bella reluctantly gives him sanctuary. Yet the surprises keep coming, and soon she’s persuaded to accompany him to Edinburgh . . . as his faux fiancée. But while helping him fend off his ardent admirers, Bella just may gain one very authentic admirer of her own . . .

PURCHASE HERE: AMAZON|APPLE|GOOGLE PLAY|KOBO|B&N

MEET THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard knew she loved books and writing by the time she was eight years old. But it took multiple rejections and many years of trying before she sold her first three novels. After teaching kindergarten and second grade for a number of years, Janice took a leap of faith and quit her day job. Since then she has written and sold over thirty-five books and novellas.

During a recent trip to Scotland, Janice enjoyed getting to know the “motherland”. Her grandfather’s parents emigrated from the home of bagpipes, heather, and kilts. Janice lives in east Tennessee with her husband, Charles. They love hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.

Hearing from readers is one of the best perks of the job!

CONNECT WITH JANICE: WEBSITE|TWITTER|FACEBOOK|INSTAGRAM

Cover Reveal: Knight Quests by C.C. Wylie

Inside the Book:

Title: Knight Quests

Author: C.C. Wiley

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Ecopy 

For a Knight of the Swan in 15^th century England, falling for the enemy is an act of treason . . .

Orphaned as a young girl, Brigitte de Marnier has learned to live by her instincts. Which doesn’t explain why she accepts protection from a soldier in the service of the enemy crown. But something about Drem Ap Dafydd has her leaning into his strength, and surrendering to his intoxicating kiss, even knowing he is duty bound to destroy her . . .

As a newly appointed Knight of the Swan, Drem is eager to prove his allegiance to the English crown in the battle against France. But in his sheltering arms, beautiful Frenchwoman Brigitte arouses in him another instinct—to love, honor, and protect. Then Drem discovers his beloved has a price on her head and he must choose between his vow—and his heart’s desire . . .

PURCHASE HERE: AMAZON|APPLE|GOOGLE PLAY|KOBO|B&N

MEET THE AUTHOR

C.C. Wiley is a longstanding member of the Romance Writers of America, and a published author with Samhain Publishing. She lives in Salt Lake City with her high school sweetheart of over 35 years and their four wacky dogs. When given a choice, she prefers a yummy, well-written, historical or contemporary romance that is chock-full of hope, love and a Happy Ever After. She believes there are wonderful courageous characters waiting for someone to tell their story. It's her hope that each adventurous romance she writes will touch the reader and carry them away to another place and time, where hopes and dreams abound.

CONNECT WITH C.C. WILEY: WEBSITE|TWITTER|FACEBOOK

Book Feature: Dirty Deeds by AJ Nuest

Inside the Book:

Title: Dirty Deeds

Author: AJ Nuest

Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Pages: 285

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Format: Ecopy 

An Eye for an Eye
As owner of Dirty Deeds, a tech-savvy company specializing in the age-old art of revenge, Eden Smith knows first-hand that secrecy is critical. But when a dead body washes up on the shores of Lake Michigan clutching her business card, Eden’s well-constructed world begins to fall apart. Apparently, she’s not the only one with a passion for payback, and staying alive to outsmart a killer has become her most important job of all.

A Game for a Game
Hardened homicide detective Kelly Riordan is convinced Eden Smith is hiding more than she’s willing to admit. Years on the force have taught him that nothing is what it seems, and that couldn’t be truer than when it comes to investigating the alluring owner of a revenge-for-hire business. But revealing her past could put everything Eden has worked for in jeopardy. And trusting a man like Riordan goes against the very instincts that have kept her alive this long.

PURCHASE HERE: AMAZON|B&N

MEET THE AUTHOR

Multi-published award-winning author and editor, AJ Nuest, resides in Northwest Indiana with her loving husband, two beautiful children and a bevy of spoiled pets. Her four-part serial fantasy romance, The Golden Key Chronicles, was recently named the RONE Time Travel Romance of 2015 by Ind’Tale Magazine, and her contemporary romantic comedy, She’s Got Dibs won First Place in the Heartland Romance Author’s Show Me the Spark! Contest, 2013. She and the cat are currently vying for dictatorship. The cat is winning.

CONNECT WITH AJ: WEBSITE|FACEBOOK|TWITTER