Daven Says

"Mommy, mommy!  Do I look like Jesus now?"

Because if church daycare has taught him anything, it's that man + headband = Jesus. 

And what is it exactly that he has around his head?  Oh, you know, just a piece of weed eater string!

Book Review: Who We Were

 "...sometimes memories of the past are hardest to part with" 
- from book description on Goodreads

I was so excited to be one of the privileged people who got to read Christy Sloat's new book before its official release date.  This is her first book-writing experience in the genre of contemporary romance for YA, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Who We Were officially releases on September 15

Sadie is attending summer school - by choice.  While most teens are there to make up for slacking off the previous school year and failing, Sadie wants to get ahead so that she can begin taking college credit during her senior year.  The class that she needs is at a different school than she attends, and the peers that she meets there will shape her summer into something much different than she could have ever thought.

This book has so much hurt hidden between the pages.  I wanted to reach through the pages of the book (OK, you caught me - I was reading on my iPad mini) and shake some sense into one of the characters.  I don't want to write any spoilers, so I won't go into detail.  But just know that this book is more than just a typical romance.  

Friendship.  Football players.  Parties.  Twins.  

On a bit of a side note, I just want to applaud Christy Sloat for not taking the "true love waits" approach to teen romance.  It irks me to no end when reading a YA novel and the main characters rush to get married so that they can stay pure, or only kiss once - I know that people will disagree with me on this, but I think that view point is simply unrealistic.  Once upon a time I was as big of a prude as the come, but lets be realistic; teens show affection. 

Alright, stepping down from my podium now.

The last page of this book gave me all the feels.  In a good way, though.  Who We Were is so different from her other books, which really goes to show how Christy Sloat can capture audiences across multiple genres.  I'm so thrilled to be a part of helping celebrate her release and can't wait to see what she writes next!

Pre-order your copy on Amazon

Murder Mystery Tour with Laura Nance

Author Lara Nance presents

Name Your Poison: A Murder Mystery Tour

 

Lara Nance has created a BRAND NEW story and YOU get to be a part of it !

Have you ever been to a Murder Mystery Dinner? Have you ever wanted to be able to read and then share with the author what clues you're picking up on as the story goes a long?

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!

How it works:

Head over to Lara's WEBSITE each day where you can read the daily portion of the story. Then head over to her FACEBOOK page to get the clues. You can then enter the rafflecopter each day with the answers to the clue from FACEBOOK to WIN. The final story ( on September 8th) will lead you to the clue for the murder weapon, answer correctly and you'll be entered to win the GRAND PRIZE. DAILY PRIZE three mystery book autographed GRANDPRIZE 1st: $50 gift certificate to Amazon or B&N plus my three mystery books. 2nd: $25 gift cert. to Amazon or B&N 3rd: $10 gift cert. to Amazon or B&N

PLUS everyone who enters will receive a FREE digital copy of

Name Your Poison

ABOUT Lara Nance:

Lara Nance grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a variety of genres, but the basis of all of her stories is a great tale of entertaining fiction that will take you on an adventure of imagination. Smart stories that make you wonder, and live the romances you dream about. She writes for her readers, hoping to give them an enjoyable escape among the pages of her books.

So, if you're ready to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you've come to the right place. Choose your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and steampunk tales to paranormal stories and sizzling romance, she's willing to explore a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, along with a touch of romance here and there.

Having been on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories. Lara loves to weave interesting true historical tidbits into her fiction which invite the reader to explore further after the novel is finished.

Currently docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkies, Belle and Bruno.

WEBSITE/ FACEBOOK/ TWITTER

LARA'S WORK:

Paranormal

THE BESTSELLING NOVEL MEMORIES OF MURDER(GEM SEIRES BOOK 1)

When Maeve McKenna renounces her witch powers and accepts a low-key nurse practitioner position at a Virginia retirement community, the last thing she expects is a suicide her first day on the job. As the town's sexy sheriff, Paul Sutton, starts looking into the tragic death of his father's friend, Maeve can't help but get involved--with both the case and him. Their informal investigation unveils an old journal that connects the ruins of a nearby asylum and long-forgotten cemetery with the shiny new retirement community's memory unit--and Maeve's Alzheimer's patients. Maeve senses a sinister presence in the old asylum, calling to the patients, but in order to stop it from killing again, she must first conquer some demons of her own and reclaim the magic she's denied herself.

AMAZON

Steampunk

Revenge of the Mad Scientist

A steampunk adventure with a touch of romance. When Lady Arabella Trunkett’s father, the Lord High Minister of Urbannia, is kidnapped, suspicion points to the mysterious country of Gandiss and the world is thrown into political upheaval. But Arabella is convinced the more sinister nation of Carabarras is to blame, urged on by a mad scientist seeking revenge. She sets out on a dangerous airship adventure across numerous exotic locales to rescue her father before war breaks out. Not only is she faced with danger from mysterious assassins, slaver traders and air-pirates, the fickle hand of fate adds an additional complication to her trials. Unfortunately, the captain of the only airship available for charter is a man who left her at the altar. For eight years she's wanted nothing more than to see him dead. But now he's her only hope.

AMAZON

Paranormal Romance

Draculaville

Not your typical romance, and not your average theme park... When advertising executive Talia Quinton takes on the unwelcome job of promoting the country of Romania, she has no idea it will involve rescuing a real vampire and being thrust into a conflict among warring vampire factions in New York. She and her rescued vampire, Drake, must fight for their lives to protect their growing love for each other and escape capture in time to present Talia's campaign to the Romanians. For she's groomed Drake to become Dracula, the spokesperson for a multi-billion dollar project to build an adult fantasy them park/resort in Transylvania called...DraculaVille.

AMAZON

Dealers of Light

A malevolent group of Light-Dealers have surfaced in Cara Collin's hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Led by an ancient Aztec demon, the "Takers" are torturing and murdering their way to world domination. As the horror spreads, Cara-who has the ability to send "Light" into others to augment healing-receives a special power from a patient making her a crucial weapon in stopping the Takers. But, she must figure out how to use the gift before the Takers make her their next target. When mysterious Rolf Van Harding shows up in town with information that may help her, she's torn between joining his quest and running for her life. When she discovers he's a powerful, ancient Light-Dealer she fears their growing passion will be a weakness-a weakness that could allow the Takers to murder the last remaining Light-Dealer capable of stopping them.

AMAZON

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE SERIES OR ANY OF LARA'S WORK ON

AMAZON

ENTER BELOW TO WIN

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