Month: January 2021

Book Blitz: Loving Modigliani

BonnieReadsAndWrites9 Comments

 


The Afterlife of Jeanne Hébuterne

Paranormal Ghost and Love Story

Historical Paranormal Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy Fiction, Literary Fiction

Published: December 2020

Publisher: Serving House Books



A ghost story, love story, and a search for a missing masterpiece.

PARIS 1920 Dying just 48 hours after her husband, Jeanne Hebuterne–wife and muse of the celebrated painter Amedeo Modigliani and an artist in her own right — haunts their shared studio, watching as her legacy is erased. Decades later, a young art history student travels across Europe to rescue Jeanne’s work from obscurity. A ghost story, a love story, and a search for a missing masterpiece.

Loving Modigliani is a genre-bending novel, blending elements of fantasy, historical fiction, gothic, mystery, and suspense.


Praise for Loving Modigliani:

“LOVING MODIGLIANI is a haunting, genre-bending novel that kept me turning pages late into the night” –Gigi Pandian, author of The Alchemist’s Illusion

“Part ghost story, part murder mystery, part treasure hunt, Linda Lappin’s Loving Modigliani is a haunting, genre-bending novel that kept me turning the pages long into the night.” – Best-selling mystery novelist Gigi Pandian



Other Books by Linda Lappin:


Signatures in Stone

2014 Overall Winner DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARD for excellence in Mystery Writing, also Winner in the Historical Mystery section of the Du Maurier Awards, from Romance Writers of America.

Seeking inspiration in the timeless Italian landscape, four unlikely misfits find their destinies entangled in the meanders of the mysterious sculpture garden of Bomarzo, peopled with freaks and monsters. Daphne, a writer with a hashish habit, Clive, American gigolo and aspiring artist, Nigel, an English aristocrat down at the heels, and Finestone, a fly by night art historian come together in a decrepit villa looked after by two Italian servants who are not what they seem. To find their heart’s desire, all the characters must descend into the depths of hell, but not everyone will make it out alive. In the hideous sculptures of Bomarzo, Daphne must face up the hidden sides of herself while solving the mystery of murder for which she is unjustly accused. She will discover that her own journey to hell has already been written sculpted by an unknown genius centuries ago in these signatures in stone.

Amazon



The Soul of Place

In this engaging creative writing workbook, Linda Lappin, novelist, poet, and travel writer, presents a series of insightful exercises to help writers of all genres — (literary travel writing, memoir, poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction) discover imagery and inspiration in the places they love.

Lappin departs from the classical concept of the Genius Loci, the indwelling spirit residing in every landscape, house, city, or forest, to argue that by entering into contact with the unique energy and identity of a place, writers can access an inexhaustible source of creative power. The Soul of Place provides instruction on how to evoke that power.

The writing exercises are drawn from many fields such as architecture, painting, cuisine, literature and literary criticism, geography and deep maps, Jungian psychology, fairy tales, mythology,metaphysics,theater and performance art, all of which offer surprising perspectives on our writing and may help us uncover raw materials for fiction, essays, and poetry hidden in our environment.

An essential resource book for the writer’s library, this book is ideal for creative writing courses, with stimulating exercises adaptable to all genres. For writers or travelers about to set out on a trip abroad, The Soul of Place is the perfect road trip companion, attuning our senses to a deeper awareness of place.

“Insightful exercises help creative writers of all levels attune themselves to the power of place.” Amy Alippo, National Geographic Traveler

Amazon


About The Author


Prize-winning novelist Linda Lappin is the author of four novels: The Etruscan (Wynkin de Worde, 2004), Katherine’s Wish (Wordcraft , 2008), Signatures in Stone: A Bomarzo Mystery (Pleasureboat Studio, 2013), and The Soul of Place (Travelers Tales, 2015). Signatures in Stone won the Daphne DuMaurier Award for best mystery of 2013. The Soul of Place won the gold medal in the Nautilus Awards in the Creativity category.


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Leviathan

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

Leviathan is a fascinating ride with a young pilot through the British skies during World War I. The thoughts of the pilot flash back and forth from his BE2 single engine biplane, to his mission, to events from his past. He’s chasing a Zeppelin, the Leviathan that has come to invade his country and attack its people.

The author’s description of flying the World War I era biplane was so meticulous and detailed that I felt like I was in the cockpit of the plane, learning to fly. At the same time it was filled with emotion. The pilot’s thoughts flashing back and forth from his plane and his surroundings to events from his life seemed so real to me. 

I was completely impressed by the author’s ability to transport us into this plane and into this pilot’s emotions and experiences. I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in World War I historical fiction or aviation, or anyone who just wants to read a great story. 

I downloaded a copy of this novella on Kindle Unlimited, where members can read it for free.

Visit Warbird Aviation to see pictures of a BE2

Visit Military-History.org to see pictures of a German Zeppelin

Malcolm Havard is an Indie author who has written a hidden gem in my opinion. I highly recommend you check out his work.

Link to Leviathan by Malcolm Havard on Amazon

Link to Malcolm Havard’s Website

Link to My Goodreads Review

Link to my Amazon Review (Helpful Votes Appreciated if you are so inclined)

Note: Indie authors work very hard to get exposure and to get reviews for their books. If you read this novella and love it, please post an Amazon review and tell others about it.

Review and Giveaway Winner: She Walked Before Us

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

My review of She Walked Before Us by Jill Eileen Smith is below.

But first, the winner of the free paperback copy of this book, by random number generator, is GAZ9821 (Gail Zimmerman of Cincinnati, Ohio.) Gail has been contacted and the book will be mailed out to her tomorrow. Congratulations, Gail!

REVIEW:

She Walked Before Us is a wonderful Christian book which combines fiction and nonfiction in a creative way. The author first writes a part-true, part fictionalized story about twelve Old Testament women, based on their characterizations in the Bible. She then analyzes their predicaments and lessons learned. There is a separate chapter for each woman and there are study questions at the end of each chapter. This book would be great for a Women’s Bible Study.

The twelve Old Testament women featured in this book are: Miriam, Rahab, Deborah, Ruth, Naomi, Hannah, Penninah, Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Maacah, and Bathsheba. Each chapter addresses particular conflicts or situations these women were facing. For Miriam, it was “When God Corrects Your Character.” For Rahab, it was “Daring to Trust What You Cannot See. For Ahinoam, it was “Dealing With Heartache.” Each situation is timeless, as we might be dealing with those same problems today in a different way.

My favorite chapters were: Miriam, Hannah, Abigail, and Rahab. Smith’s portrayal of these women make them come alive and reminds us that these were real women, not just stories in the Bible.

Whatever issue you are facing, whether it is a crisis of faith, abuse, loss, hate, regret, hurt, or more, you can find a woman in the Bible who has faced something similar. She Walked Before Us helps us learn from the experiences of the women who literally did walk through these situations before.

I received two free copies of this book from Revell Books via The Blythe Daniel Agency and BlogAbout Blogger Network. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, the Heart of the King, and Star of Persia, Esther’s Story, along with the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and She Walked Before Us. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan

Link to the Book on Amazon

Jill Eileen Smith’s Website

Link to my Goodreads Review

Endless Mercy

BonnieReadsAndWritesLeave a comment

This is the second book in the Treasures of Nome series by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse. Madysen Powell is still reeling from the shock of learning her father, thought long dead, is alive. Now she must lean on God and try to forgive her father for an unspeakable offense. At the same time, she is starting a dairy business at the Powell farm in Nome, Alaska, but secretly dreaming of a life in show business.

Daniel Beaufort is angry at God after his parents’ death. He finds himself working with the very beautiful and very Christian Madysen Powell at her dairy farm. Can he overcome his anger and find love instead?

This book has a strong Christian message about forgiveness, both the forgiveness of God and forgiving others. It also shows how God can rebuild your life after sin has destroyed it.

However, I find a few faults with it. This book is set in Nome, Alaska in 1904. I did not feel transported to the time period or the location. The book had much more of a contemporary vibe than a historical romance should have. Madysen is just a different spelling of Madison, which wasn’t really used for girls’ names until after the movie Splash in 1984. And they call her Maddy, which is a very contemporary nickname. Her sister Whitney is called Whit, also very contemporary. I just was not getting the feel of a historical novel. In addition, novels set in Alaska are usually flowing with descriptions of the environment, wildlife, climate, and terrain. I didn’t see much of that here either. In both history and setting, there was only a slight nod. This is a Christian romance that could have been set anywhere with a few tweaks. The information about cheese-making was interesting.

I would give this 2.5 stars, but it is rounded up to three for the solid Christian message of forgiveness.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House. My review is voluntary.

Link to Buy the Book on Amazon

Link to Tracie Peterson’s Website

Midnight Sun

BonnieReadsAndWrites7 Comments

I don’t normally do a review on a book I couldn’t finish. I tried to finish it, I really did. But this is a longer, more boring version of Twilight. I actually liked Twilight, but this story is excruciatingly dull. I was never Team Edward, and this just reminded me why. He is a controlling, compulsive, whining, annoying person. Let’s not forget he’s actually over 100 years old, even though he looks 17. So his obsession over the 18 year old Bella is kind of unbelievable and creepy. What I loved about Twilight was Bella’s interaction with her father, with Jacob, and with the other characters, especially Alice and Carlisle. Edward was never the reason. I don’t care about his perspective, and I learned that quickly as I tried to read this. Why Bella chose him over a badass wolf shifter is beyond me. ( I know Jacob imprinted later, but that’s kind of sad too.)

I made it 28% through the book, let it sit for two months, and realized I’m never going to finish it. This doesn’t change the fact that I liked Twilight. It does add a boring, unnecessary fifth book to the series. Would I have liked a fifth book? Yes. I would have liked to have seen the further adventures of Jacob or, even better, Leah. Her story was really unfinished and I would have loved to have seen more of it.

Stephenie Meyer’s Website

Link to Midnight Sun on Amazon

BOOK BLITZ: Debt Free ASAP

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

*Not a book review.

Blitz Banner

Congratulations to John Nicholas on the release of his book, Debt-Free ASAP! Fitting that this book should come to the rescue after all our holiday excess! There is also a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Perhaps a treat for getting your finances in order?

ASAP COVERS - FRONT BACK - RED

Debt-Free ASAP!

Publication Date: January 8, 2021 (Today)

Genre: Non-Fiction/ Finances

“If you’re stressed out, maxed out or even wiped out by too much debt, then you’ve come to the right place.

We will help you gain peace of mind, get rid of your debt and chart a brighter future for you and your finances.

The key to your recovery is our simple 3-step ‘ASAP Protocol’ and I guarantee it will change your life as we walk you through it together.”

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

Your Debt Load, Net Worth, P&L & FICO

Rodney and Crystal knew they had a lot of debt but weren’t sure exactly how much.

So they took turns guessing, as I listened to them talk on their speaker phone.

 “I’ve got to have at least forty-five or fifty,” said Crystal, as she tried to calculate her card balances in her head.  “But I don’t know how much you’ve got,” she said to her husband.

“Well I definitely don’t have as much as you!” He replied with a chortle, “But I’m guessing thirty-something, maybe forty K.”

Unfortunately, neither one of them was even close.

These two clients would set one of the highest debt-load totals for non-business-related credit card debt for a couple that I’ve come across, with 27 accounts totaling more than $168,000, including multiple accounts with the same banks.  And that didn’t include their home mortgage or car loans or any kind of student loans or medical debts.

“Wow.” They said at least three times each as we reviewed their long list of accounts one by one then totaled them all up.  It turned out Crystal was carrying more than ninety thousand and Rodney had over $70K worth of debt.

 They didn’t know their total debt load and they didn’t realize their monthly minimums totaled more than $4,000 a month.

“Don’t worry,” I consoled them.  “You’re not alone.  Some people know their numbers to the penny, but most folks underestimate how much debt they have.  They never add everything up, or they lose track or they just stop looking.”

Fortunately, these two had solid incomes.  But even so they were burning up most of it on minimum monthly payments and were using credit cards and falling further behind every month to keep up with their other living expenses.  They were the financial equivalent of a “heart attack waiting to happen.”

Available on Amazon!

About the Author

JP WHITE BRICK PHOTO

John Nicholas is the Founder of Debt-Free ASAP, a wealth coaching company offering affordable services and debt-relief support. John is a former pro football player, pastor and co-founder/partner of award winning sports media and real estate companies. He’s a Certified Debt Specialist and is a graduate of Brown University and Fuller Seminary who lives with his wife and dogs in McKinney, TX.

Learn more at www.Debt-FreeASAP.com.

For a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, click the link below!

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A Game of Minds

BonnieReadsAndWritesLeave a comment

Dr. Claire Roget, forensic psychiatrist, is asked to interview a serial killer, Jonah Kobi, in an attempt to solve a cold case and find a missing girl. Marvel Trustom has been missing for six years. Can Claire win a battle of wits with a psychopath in order to fulfill the wish of Marvel’s dying father?

This is an interesting book that contains two mysteries, one which will be revealed within the book. The mysteries are complex and held my attention. Claire’s interactions with Marvel’s family are just as compelling as her interactions with the psychopath Kobi. However, the time spent on Claire’s personal life was uninteresting. Her relationship actually ticked me off at times. Her significant other treats her badly and I cannot figure out why she stays with him. Claire is a brilliant psychiatrist. Why would she put up with this? 

There was not a lot of action in this book. It was mostly a battle of wits on two fronts. It was not your typical gruesome serial killer story.

This is part of a series but can easily be read as a standalone. I received a free copy of this book from Severn House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

Link to A Game of Minds on Amazon

Priscilla Masters’ Amazon Page

Link to My Amazon Review (Helpful Votes Appreciated)

Reminder–Christian Book Giveaway

BonnieReadsAndWritesLeave a comment

This is just a reminder that I will be giving away this book on January 10th. You can enter until midnight on January 9th. When I post the review on the 10th, I will also announce the name of the winner. Enter by commenting on the original post here

Lottie’s Locket

BonnieReadsAndWritesLeave a comment

It’s Lottie’s 11th birthday, but her parents have to go out of town to help her much older sister, who is having a crisis. Lottie is not thrilled about going to stay in her Aunt’s cold house on her birthday while her parents are gone, but is slightly cheered by the birthday present her mother has left behind. Inside the package is a locket, which takes Lottie on an amazing adventure to another world, Orovand. But Orovand, like Earth, has problems too, and soon Lottie’s locket is missing, a man is dead, and her chance to return home is in jeopardy.

This was a good middle grade fantasy with a murder mystery thrown in. I think the mystery was engaging and there were some twists and turns. The world-building was not interesting enough in my opinion. It appeared to be a very colorful world set up like an ancient kingdom, where the King rules all. Although I feel it was an interesting story, I was not drawn in enough to want to return to Orovand for any further adventures. There are some intriguing aspects of Orovand, but I won’t reveal them as to avoid spoilers. 

I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited at the request of the author. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own. Fans of middle grade fantasy and mystery novels may enjoy this one.

Link to Lottie’s Locket on Amazon

Link to Maria Johnson’s Amazon Page

Link to My Goodreads Review