Get to Know Author J.J. DiBenedetto @JJDiBenedetto

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J.J. DiBenedetto??

Immerse yourself NOW!

About the Author:  J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve university, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.

He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.

Connect with JJ:

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~
The "Dreams" series is James' first published work.

Dream Student

Dreams #1

Goodreads blurb:  What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams? If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets…without them ever knowing?

Sara Barnes is about to find out. She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.

But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed. 

Find it at:  Amazon, AmazonUK, B&N

Dream Doctor

Dreams #2

Goodreads blurb:  “I didn’t expect to be woken up by someone I don’t know dreaming about killing somebody. I thought I was done with that once and for all…”

But Sara’s not done with it. As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical school weren’t difficult enough, she’s started seeing the dreams of everyone around her, again. Before everything is said and done, those dreams might destroy Sara’s hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end her life…

 Find it at:  Amazon, AmazonUK, B&N

Dream Child

Dreams #3

Goodreads blurb:  "I would give anything to take this away from her. I would gladly go back to having the nightmares myself – the very worst ones, the ones that had me waking up screaming in a pool of my own vomit – rather than see Lizzie go through this..."

As a resident at Children's Hospital, Sara can handle ninety hour workweeks, fighting to save her young patients from deadly childhood diseases. But she's about to be faced with a challenge that all her training and experience haven't prepared her for: her four-year-old daughter has inherited her ability to see other people's dreams...

  

 Find it at:  Amazon, AmazonUK, B&N

Dream Family

Dreams #4

Goodreads blurb:  "Why is this so hard for me? Why am I having so much trouble? Why do I feel so helpless, so hopeless? What the hell is wrong with me?"

After tangling with murders and mobsters, not to mention medical school and three years of residency, Sara thought she could handle anything. And then the police show up without warning at her new office and arrest her for a crime she can't possibly have committed. Sara's confidence, and her grip on reality, is shattered during one terrifying night in jail.

Now, the very dreams that have endangered her life and driven her to the edge of madness may be the only thing that can help Sara find herself again...

Find it at:  Amazon, AmazonUK, B&N

Have you read this series?  What did you think?  Do you want to read it?  Do you think my students would like this series?  Share your thoughts :)

Giveaways run by me:

Signed copy of Saving Grace/swag

Ebook of The Magic Warble

Giveaways run by someone else:

$25 Giftcard/ebook Shrouded in Darkness

The Underlighters book/ebook/necklace

Clean Teen Books & More

Review - James Saves the Moon by Wendy Nystrom @wbnystrom

James Saves the Moon

James and Syvok Adventure #1

by Wendy Nystrom

Goodreads blurb:  "Here within lies a tale of a young boy named James, which takes place in a far away island nation of Iceland."

Travel along with James up the mountain, soaring through the air with his friends he meets along the way to reach the moon.

About the Author:  Wendy is enjoying her new adventures of writing world and you are welcome to visit her blog, facebook or twitter Wendys Book Case
I am a writer, a wife, and a mother of three wonderful children. Wendy grew up in St. Paul, MN, and has lived at different points in her life in Minnesota, Texas, Idaho, Colorado, West Virginia, and Iceland. She currently resides in Michigan (USA). Wendy is an avid reader of many different genres; she love adventures; and devotes some of her time to being active in schools, the local library, and other community projects. She earned a BA in Geography concentration Urban Planning. Wendy began writing children stories in 2005 while living in the wonderful country of Iceland.

Connect with Wendy:

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - My son loved it!!

**Gifted to me by author for an honest review

This story is a children’s book and about 34 pages long with lots of fun pictures. 

I read this story with my son.  My son says, “Awesome, fun, creative, dragon adventure!!”  When I asked if how many stars he would give it out of 5, he said it gets a 6 out of 5.

This is great story for learning.  It gives real information about Iceland, and I know this because my son made me to look up to see if Akureyri was real.  It also covers Icelandic folklore and more.  When the story started I thought James was a turd, but he grew with character lessons.  Syvok and Matthias are fun characters as well.  This is a great story to read to with your kids.  Next up book 2 because my son won’t have it any other way!!

Interested in reading??

~ Amazon ~ AmazonUK ~ B&N ~

Giveaways run by me:

Signed copy of Saving Grace/swag

Ebook of The Magic Warble

Giveaways run by someone else:

$25 Giftcard/ebook Shrouded in Darkness

The Underlighters book/ebook/necklace

Clean Teen Books & More

Cover Reveal - Bet on Ecstasy (Pact of Seduction #3) by Stacey Kennedy @Stacey_Kennedy

BET ON ECSTASY

Pact of Seduction #3

by Stacey Kennedy

Genre:  Erotic Romance – Ménage à Trois

Publisher:  Loose Id

Length:  Novella

Release date:  September 24, 2013

BET ON ECSTASY Book Blurb: 

Business partners, Smith and Brock share their fortune, success, and they share their women. A healthy competitive streak built MDR Software into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, and their on-going bets continuously raise the stakes. The current proposition: an arranged ménage encounter through the sex club, Castle Dolce Vita. The prize: a sexy kitten, Kyra.

While the two wealthy, powerful men are enough to pique Kyra’s interests to fulfill the Pact of Seduction and live out her ultimate fantasy, a bet forged between the men comes with an intriguing promise. Her pleasure is now part of their wager.

Soon, Kyra fights against her desire for the men as she struggles through the complications of a ménage relationship. Of course, the men take their bets seriously and are determined to show Kyra that in this game of seduction no one loses.

Find BET ON ECSTASY on Goodreads

ABOUT STACEY KENNEDY

Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She loves in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy's books. If she's not plugging away at a new story, you'll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural, True Blood and Lost Girl. 

Connect with Stacey

Facebook | Twitter  |  Website

Book Spotlight - The Sojourn by Rupansh Gupta @RupanshGupta

The Sojourn

by Rupansh Gupta

Goodreads blurb:  Why are we born? What is the universe? What is time? What is the reason behind everything? How should we live? What is the truth? What matters the most? Did God really intend to keep all this a secret? Or all the truths were always before us and we never came out of ourselves just to look around?

These and many more questions have intrigued us all our lives. The education of a child in ancient times had knowledge pertaining to these questions as an integral part. But as we moved towards modern times, we lost many things which matter the most. We have lost the way of our lives with no one to show us the light. All our education and knowledge revolve around making a living. But though it may be potent to tell us how to make a living, it fails to impart us the knowledge of how to live. Moreover, we seldom find any time to read any books concerning matters outside our vocational realm.

‘The Sojourn’ is an attempt to fill the gap. In the most succinct yet captivating way, the book opens doors to many truths. It is a journey of not only our lives but the entire universe. By reading the book and totally immersing in it, the reader will find himself in a new dimension. His way of seeing everything will change. The truth, if manipulated, becomes a lie. The more efforts are made to hide it, the more it loses its identity. Therefore, what was always lying before us will be known to us forever. The truth is simple and elegant. That’s why it is the truth. By knowing its true nature and essence, we will see everything in its true grandeur.

On including ‘The Sojourn’ in the curriculums, the students will come to know how to conduct their lives in the most effective way. They will find a guiding light in any situation of their lives. On repeated readings, the book will become a part of their subconscious mind and consequently, their second nature. This will give them a meaning and purpose for their lives. Those who have passed their study phase can read the book and implement the principles in their lives. The book will change their perception and will help them find their purpose. They will find the ways to resolve anything, since they will know the reason and true nature of all the existence.

Thus, ‘The Sojourn’ is a book that will transform. When read with an open mind, and several times, new thoughts and truths will emerge each time, to ponder over. No matter whatsoever the situation a person may be in; on reading the book with a quiet mind and reflecting upon it, he will find solutions and ways out. With the limited time in our lives, these thirty five pages of poems will become a facilitator in real sense of the word. Therefore, the book is meant for everyone and will make the foundations of all civilizations very strong.

Trailers:

 ~ Introduction ~ Secrets of the Universe ~

Interested in reading??

~ Amazon ~ AmazonUK ~

About the Author:  Rupansh is a Chartered Accountant, Master of Business Administration, Chartered Financial Analyst by qualification. He also achieved an award for securing highest marks in Chartered Accountancy exams in India. He has been thinking about the truths and secrets of the universe since his childhood. This, coupled with his passion for writing, led to the book, 'The Sojourn'. Keeping the language of the book simple for readers, he put depth in content unlike normal poetry. The book has won various awards and is being liked by many around the world. He took his writing further by writing the novel, 'Pulchritude - An Eternal Love Story'. The author feels that good writing alone helps the world to become better and enlightened.

Connect to Rupansh:

~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~

Review - Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie @cleemckenzie

Alligators Overhead

by C. Lee McKenzie

Goodreads blurb:  Alligators, witches and a spooky mansion aren't your average neighbors unless you live at the edge of the Ornofree swamp in the backwater town of Hadleyville. The town's bad boy, Pete Riley, may only be twelve, but he's up to his eyeballs in big trouble, and this time he isn't the cause. This time the trouble arrives when a legendary hundred-year-old mansion materializes next door and the Ornofree alligators declare war to save their swamp from bulldozers. Things only get worse when Pete's guardian aunt and several of her close friends vanish while trying to restore order using outdated witchcraft. Now Pete must find the witches and stop the war. He might stand a chance if his one friend, Weasel, sticks with him, but even then, they may not have what it takes.

About the Author:  In her other life--the one before she began writing for teens and younger readers--C. Lee was a teacher and administrator at California State University, San Jose. Her field of Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication has carried her to a lot of places in the world to explore different cultures and languages. She can say, “Where’s the toilet?” and “I’m lost!” in at least five languages and two dialects.

Her idea of a perfect day is one or all of the following: starting a new novel, finishing writing a blockbuster novel, hiking on a misty morning trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, saying Namaste after a great yoga practice, sipping a cappuccino topped at a bustling café, reading in front of a fire with snow outside, swimming in an ocean someplace.

Connect to C. Lee:

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~

My Thoughts - 3 out of 5 unicorns - I liked it!!

**Received the ebook free through Story Cartel for an honest review.

Both the cover and title will attract boys who like alligators which is all the rage on many TV show themes. 

I liked that story, but there were parts I thought were slow and remember my rating is my enjoyment level and I'm not the intended reading audience for this book.  I think a middle school boy interested in alligators would love this story, and I will probably re-read this story with my son if we have time.  The story’s main character is Pete who is a troubled orphan being cared for by his aunt.  There are lots of secrets that he is unaware of, but start unraveling when a mysterious mansion appears in the empty lot next to his house.  The story contains alligators of course, a swamp, mystery, magic, best friends, trouble making, floating donuts, and so much more.

I recommend this to alligator loving boys in middle school.

Interested in reading??

~ Amazon ~ AmazonUK ~ B&N ~

Giveaways run by me:

Signed copy of Saving Grace/swag

Ebook of The Magic Warble

Giveaways run by someone else:

$25 Giftcard/ebook Shrouded in Darkness

The Underlighters book/ebook/necklace

Clean Teen Books & More

Special Announcement from Mari Mancusi & Sourcebooks @marimancusi @SourcebooksFire

Sharing this out for Mari Mancusi :)  Enjoy her announcement :)

From Sourcebooks....

It’s Game of Thrones meets The Terminator in award-winning author Mari Mancusi’s newest, powerful new series, SCORCHED which will be in stores on September 3^rd!

We’ve put together a fun campaign to thank readers for pre-ordering: send us your proof of pre-order and we’ll send you this fabulous dragon charm!

 A Gift for You, for Pre-Ordering SCORCHED by Mari Mancusi

We have a special offer for U.S. and Canada YA fans for the release of SCORCHED by Mari Mancusi in stores in a little over three weeks! If you pre-order the book, we will send you an exclusive dragon charm—perfect to wear as jewelry or to decorate an accessory. You have until September 2 or until quantities run out.

Here’s how to get your charm:
1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local independent bookseller/Indiebound, Books-A-Million, Hastings, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com. Put “Scorched Pre-Order” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the dragon charm! If you’ve already pre-ordered this book—not a problem! Send us your receipt!

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. 

4. Enjoy Scorched when it comes out in September!

Optional: take a pic of you and your dragon charm and share it with Mari Mancusi or Sourcebooks Fire on Twitter! You can find Mari @marimancusi and Sourcebooks Fire @sourcebooksfire.

Review - The Girl from Reading Center by Aaron Powell

The Girl from Reading Center

by Aaron B. Powell

Goodreads blurb:  You Slowly Fade...
***WARNING: this story contains sexual content and other material that some readers may find offensive***

About the Author:  Aaron Powell served as a Marine during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2003 with a bachelor of arts in criminal justice, minoring in psychology. He also completed a second bachelor of arts in business administration at Ashford University, where he graduated with distinction in 2011. He is the author of the Doomsday Diaries series, C-Town, Sugar Baby, Hurry Up and Wait, Benjamin, and Scream, “Aye, Sir!” He enjoys reading—particularly military history and nonfiction—writing, and is an active marksman. Aaron and his wife, Michelle, and son, Luke, live near Austin, Texas.  

Connect with Aaron:

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ YouTube ~ Goodreads ~

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - I loved it!!

**Book gifted to me by author for honest review

First Aaron rocks being a veteran like me :) though I’m an Air Force vet not a Marine, but that’s his loss :) lol still love him for it :) Sorry Aaron, couldn’t resist :)

The cover is beautiful where you can see loss or heartache through the look on her face (literally wearing her emotions on her sleeve so to speak.

Okay this is a 20 page short story, and I could definitely relate to the having someone you completely love and screwing it up, but not wanting be without them even though there was no hope for fixing it…just wanting to hold on to it and the good memories.  There in this story, Patrick at least had some closure.  This is the first of many books I will read my Aaron, and he writing is awesome & felt real like you were right there with Patrick, RJ, Melanie, and Meghan.  Only thing, I didn’t get was how the title relates, but could be just me :)  For me, this was emotionally because of my memories of screwing up my own perfect love….sigh!

Awesome story, worth the read :)  I recommend to those who wanting a quick read that about lost love and trying to move on.

Interested in reading??

~ Amazon ~ AmazonUK ~ B&N ~

Giveaways run by me:

Signed copy of Saving Grace/swag

Ebook of The Magic Warble

Giveaways run by someone else:

$25 Giftcard/ebook Shrouded in Darkness

The Underlighters book/ebook/necklace

Clean Teen Books & More