Cover Reveal: Tempest by Karen Ann Hopkins

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Tempest

The Wings of War #3

Author: Karen Ann Hopkins

Release Date: January 2016

The Angels of destruction have arrived, and only Ember stands in the way of their mission to carry out God’s wrath and annihilate His enemies.

When the barrier between celestial creatures and humans beings is broken and Angels descend to Earth, Ember soon learns there’s a fine line between good and evil. As she faces a world full of monsters and magic, a terrifying darkness rises and threatens to destroy everything she’s fighting for.

In the riveting third installment of The Wings of War series, Ember and her friends embark on an epic journey, where unlikely allies are forged and age-old beliefs crumble to dust. And just when Ember accepts love in her life, it’s ripped away from her in the most terrifying way possible.

Ember must stop the apocalypse from happening, but at what cost? 

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Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats. Karen's main job is home schooling the kids, but she finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lived in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.

Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, she found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Karen is currently working on her Amish mystery series, Serenity's Plain Secrets, along with the YA paranormal/fantasy series, The Wings of War. Karen is also excited to announce the Temptation series has been optioned for TV by Pilgrim Studios and is available on Audible.

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Book Release: Interview with Author Molly McAdams + Podcast

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Trusting Liam
Taking Chances #2
Author: Molly McAdams
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: June 9 2015
Review Source: William Morrow Paperbacks

From the New York Times bestselling author of Taking Chances, From Ashes, and Stealing Harper, comes the new unforgettable adult romance Molly McAdams’ fans have been waiting for—the sizzling story of a young woman who must place her trust in the one man who can break through her defenses.

A night they will always remember…a connection neither can deny…a secret that could destroy it all…

When Kennedy Ryan moves to California, she never expects to come face-to-face with Liam Taylor—the intriguing man who has haunted her thoughts for a year. A man who led her to breaking every one of her rules for a single night of passion that ended up meaning more than it was ever supposed to. Accustomed to disastrous experiences with men, Kennedy shields herself before he can break down more of the carefully built control she’s clung to for the last four years. But every time she sees Liam, she feels her resolve weakening.

Liam Taylor has been asked to help socialize his boss’s nieces. But what he thinks sounds more like a babysitting job ends up leading him to the only girl who ever slipped away before morning—a girl he thought he’d never find again. And now that she’s within reach, Liam’s determined to never let her go.

But when a secret from her past tests their relationship, will they be able to cling to the trust Liam has worked so hard to build?

Be sure to check out this week's review by Bri!

Two ways to listen!

{Podcast} A Casual Conversation with Molly McAdams

Book Review: Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins + Giveaway

Embers
The Wings of War
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Released: October 21, 2014
Review Source: Self-Published

There are descendants of angels walking among us. Ember is one of them. And she may be the only hope mankind has as the rapture approaches and evils rises.

Embers is an epic paranormal adventure about a seventeen year old girl who discovers that she's immune to fire and any other injury when she’s in a horrific car crash that kills her parents. Following a violent episode with her aunt's boyfriend, Ember flees Ohio to live with an old relative in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Ember's exuberance at escaping a bad home life soon turns to trepidation when she finds out that she's a Watcher, a descendant of angels. While Ember learns about her heritage, and the powers that go along with it, she strikes up friendships with two teenagers who live in a frightening walled compound in the forest. Inexplicitly drawn to one of the young men in particular, an impossible romance develops. But it is cut short when Ember discovers that her new friends are fighting on the opposite side of a war, one that’s been raging between two factions of Watchers for thousands of years. When the compound’s inhabitants threaten the townspeople, Ember takes action, sealing her fate in the ancient battle of good versus evil, and the grayness in between. Ember is up to the challenge, until she realizes that she isn’t only fighting for the lives of the locals and the souls of her new friends. She also might be one of the few champions who will make a stand for all of mankind as the rapture approaches and the end of days begin. 

Embers is a dark and gritty YA novel that’s the first book in the series, The Wings of War.

Ember. She is not just an ordinary girl. She is neither plain, nor simple in any kind way. She has a uniqueness that goes beyond the average human understanding. Her name is very fitting of who she is. She is a Watcher. Watching and waiting until the time comes in the world where she will have to take action against evil. Where she will have to be their hero, in an effort to save what she has always known as her home, her world. I have read everything that Karen Ann Hopkins has published. For the most part when authors find something really good, they stick with theme and continue to make it better and better by adding more storylines. Introducing new characters etc. However, this author is crossing into another territory that I originally wondered about.

I fell in love with the Temptation Series, YA Amish Fiction. Then Lamb to the Slaughter, Adult Mystery. Now, we are treated with Embers: The Wings of War, which is mature YA and Paranormal, sprinkled with a love interest. Her approach to this new focus was outstanding. She included elements that were familiar to her, and in the end had a wonderful story to tell through her writing. The novel begins in a way that I was truly not expecting. I’m reading, making connections, as I read, and out of no where events pick up very quickly and you never stop until the last page. Ms. Hopkins does a wonderful job of carefully selecting wording that truly describes her characters and the setting.

The storyline is carefully crafted and blended together to form a story that is engaging and eventful. I have a few questions that I can’t wait to ask Karen Ann in our next interview. But I’ll wait for Embers to come out, so you can get your copy and join in the discussion. Embers is the other side of the story. The untold story of who is out there in the world. Who is watching. Who is waiting, to make their move.

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A Saturday Moment with Deitre

So this week’s Saturday Moment is a bitter sweet one.  It’s the last Saturday of the summer that my Joshua will be at this home, for a very long time.  We started the summer with orientation.  Of course I had to find a spot to take a quick minute to read .  I even saw a sculpture made out of books and newspapers that really caught my eye. 

For any college students out there, parents of college students, or you are just like me and have a kid leaving the nest, I found this site to be extremely helpful.  I’m not a shopper of anything (except for great books) and this site saved me a lot of time for the soon to be college student!

Next, I stumbled across a cute little Etsy shop that’s going to handle all of my care package needs for Josh (Have a mentioned that I’m not crafty either).  Had to treat myself to a sample box first, to make sure Josh will approve.  Let’s just say the brownies were the highlight of the box for me.  Moist yummy goodness all the way!  I highly recommend them. 

Lastly, the Fourth of July holiday was spent reading in the back yard all day and watching the kids create fireworks magic by night.  It was a good day.  A good day to read, relax and enjoy the family.  Enjoy your weekend as you dive into another world through the action of reading!    

Be sure to check out this sweet little giveaway opportunity that is ending soon, over at ALM!

{Blog Tour |Review| Giveaway} Duck & Goose Go to the Beach By Tad Hills

A Mid Week Moment with Deitre

So I’m really feeling the need to write tonight.  Summer is upon us.  Our kids are out of school.  Staying at home, having  fun.  Or out and about at a summer camp that we signed them up for.  Reading a book is on the to do list.  For many of us simply for pleasure or a required summer reading assignment, like Lord of the Flies.  (I’m currently listening to the audio).  All in all, summer is here.  We will embrace it.  We will enjoy it (even on our days off from work).  We will read until there are no more books left on the shelf to read.  Speaking of no more books left on a shelf.  Let’s try no more space left on my book shelf.  It’s time to do some summer organizing.  I’m staring at several awesome titles that I have double of, that I need to pass on to some eager reader. Big thanks to OUaT for their guidance and  thanks to all of you for the support that you have showed A Leisure Moment and our Podcast over the last 6 months of existence.  This giveaway is for you!

Have you checked out our Casual Conversation with Stacey O'Neale?

{PODCAST EPISODE 12 |Giveaway} A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR STACEY O’NEALE

Do you have a Facebook Account?  Like and share our Teen Reviewer's Smile on Facebook! She needs your like!

    

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Blog Tour | Giveaway | Podcast Mortal Enchantment By Stacey O'Neale

Mortal Enchantment
Author: Stacey O'Neale
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Released: May 20, 2014
Review Source: Blog Tour

“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.” Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past. Worst of all, she learns her father is missing. To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize. As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

Before you read MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, make sure you check out the FREE prequel novella, THE SHADOW PRINCE!

A Casual Conversation with Stacey O'Neale and Deitre

Want to use iTunes instead for Podcast Episode 12?  Click Here.

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ABOUT Stacey O'Neale

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

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Blog Tour: Lamb to the Slaughter By Karen Hopkins | Review | Giveaway | Interview

Lamb To The Slaughter
Book One of Serenity’s Plain Secrets.
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Suspense | Mystery | Adult Fiction
Released:  March 18, 2014
Review Source:  Blog Tour
Goodreads | Facebook| Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Some Amish communities aren't so cozy.
Lamb to the Slaughter is a story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely people in an Indiana Amish Community and the devastating results when a rebellious teenage girl is found shot to death in a corn field during the harvest.

Serenity Adams is the newly elected young sheriff in the country town of Blood Rock and besides dealing with the threatening behavior of her predecessor, she now has a dead Amish girl on her plate. At first glance, the case seems obvious. The poor girl was probably accidentally shot during hunting season, but when the elders of the Amish community and even the girl’s parents react with uncaring subdued behavior, Serenity becomes suspicious. As she delves deeper into the secretive community that she grew up beside, she discovers a gruesome crime from the past that may very well be related to the Amish girl’s shooting.

Serenity enlists the help of the handsome bad-boy building contractor, Daniel Bachman, who left the Amish when he was nineteen and has his own dark reasons to help the spunky sheriff solve the crime that the family and friends who shunned him are trying desperately to cover up. Serenity’s persistence leads her to a stunning discovery that not only threatens to destroy her blossoming romance with Daniel, but may even take her life in the end.

Then came Karen Ann Hopkins, with her beautiful and engaging Temptation series, that kept me reading all night.  Her sincere personality and love for her fans and book followers is shown through her Facebook and Twitter posts.  She allows her readers to enter her life; horseback riding, raising animals, and the world of Amish living.   Readers wait patiently for the next book to be published, we are showered with pictures that remind us of why she loves the Amish so much.  It’s the simple life that keeps me fascinated even more in this ever growing genre of Amish fiction.  I think I have made it perfectly clear over the years that mysteries are not my favorite genre to read, however on occasion I will throw one into the TBR pile and see where it takes me.  So when Karen told me that an adult mystery was coming out, I cringed and then thought everything that Karen has written has been amazing this will be no different, and was I right!

Simply put Karen Ann Hopkins, takes her readers to a new level of Amish fiction and suspense.   The main character Serenity is the nucleus of the story.  Through my lens everything is centered around her.  A new sheriff , determined to follow processes and procedures.  However, faced with the death of a young Amish girl, wrapping up a case of accidental death, proves to be not so easy.  Sure there is help along the way.  Even a little bit of romance sprinkled throughout.  But what really makes this mystery stand out, is even when you think you know the answer, Karen has crafted a twist thrown at you that makes that theory disappear and a new one come to light.  Her shift from Young Adult Literature to Adult is amazing.  My 5 tree reviews are never given without a lot of thought.  No questions asked, 5 it is.   The writing style is on point with what the components of a good mystery should be.   Readers are engaged from the very first chapter until the very end.  That by far is an example of awesome writing.  I’ll pick up her next mystery any day!  

   

{PODCAST) EPISODE 02: A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR KAREN ANN HOPKINS

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

Full Tour Schedule

Monday May 26 - I Read Indie - Review

Tuesday May 27 - Glorious Books - Guest Post

Wednesday May 28 - Little Miss Drama Queen - Review

Thursday May 29 - Once Upon Twilight - Review

Friday May 30 - It's a Book Thing - Review

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A Saturday Moment with Deitre

Sometimes our week can be filled with happy moments and sometimes our week can be filled with great challenges.  How we cope with those challenges are all up to us as an individual. We choose to surround ourselves with family, friends, and engage in much prayer to get us through those rough moments.  A couple of us on the team has been hit with those life changing challenges this week, and acknowledging that was on my mind this morning, as we take the path of recovery.

What's a good distracter from the outside world?  A novel.  Holding a book in your hand, feeling the pages.  Or an e-reader that clicks along when you finish each page.  In many cases before you know it you are finished, and ready to move on to the next good book.  I never leave home without one.

Next, I want to bring your attention to a post this week.  I made a minor mistake on a giveaway for Some Like It Wild, by M. Leighton. When you read the post, the giveaway wasn't open to enter.  Check it out again, it's been fixed.  So sorry about that.

Lastly, A Leisure Moment is still going strong after going public in January.  Thank you for your support by either following us or sending a friend over that specifically enjoys children's book and middle level too.  The A Leisure Moment Podcast is live.  I'm going to give you guys a huge heads up.  Tomorrow's podcast will be a casual conversation with Robin Constantine, author of The Promise of Amazing.    Find us here, subscribe and please leave us a rating on Itunes.  Until next week...

Happy Reading,
Deitre

Cover Reveal | Giveaway| Lamb To The Slaughter By: Karen Ann Hopkins

 

 Lamb to the Slaughter is a story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely people in an Indiana Amish Community and the devastating results when a rebellious teenage girl is found shot to death in a corn field during the harvest.  Serenity Adams is the newly elected young sheriff in the country town of Blood Rock and besides dealing with the threatening behavior of her predecessor, she now has a dead Amish girl on her plate.  At first glance, the case seems obvious.  The poor girl was probably accidently shot during hunting season, but when the elders of the Amish community and even the girl’s parents react with uncaring subdued behavior, Serenity becomes suspicious.  As she delves deeper into the secretive community that she grew up beside, she discovers a gruesome crime from the past that may very well be related to the Amish girl’s shooting.   Serenity enlists the help of the handsome bad-boy building contractor, Daniel Bachman, who left the Amish when he was nineteen and has his own dark reasons to help the spunky sheriff solve the crime that the family and friends who shunned him are trying desperately to cover up.  Serenity’s persistence leads her to a stunning discovery that not only threatens to destroy her blossoming romance with Daniel, but may even take her life in the end.

 A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of the Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah in her Temptation Series. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

  Goodreads|Facebook|Temptation Facebook|Twitter

 

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