Confessions of a Cereal Mother by Rachel McClellan

Confessions of a Cereal Mother

by Rachel McClellan

My Thoughts: Confessions of a Cereal Mother is a funny and often tear inducing novel. It touches on all aspects of motherhood. The good, the bad, and the sticky.

Rachel’s humor burns bright in the story. And she pulls in deeper emotions also. Reliving the birth of her first child brought back so many memories. Loved the “You’re having a baby, not getting an oil change,” moment. And the ending of the book had me in tears.

The story is a touching reality check about what it’s like to really be a mom. I enjoyed ever last minute of this book.  Rachel’s closing remake says it all:

And we would take the pain, a hundred times over if necessary.

Why?

Because we are the Mommies.

           

In this humorous memoir you’ll discover several mind-saving rules, which include:

- Don’t throw your pregnancy test away before the full three minutes is up.

- Unless there is a rush on the grocery store pending a zombie-virus outbreak, never take your kids shopping.

- If your toddler is going to chew on a Band-Aid, hope it’s one found inside the community swimming pools chlorinated pool and not one found in their locker room.

- Never throw up in a cookie sheet.

- Things can always get worse. You could discover your child playing with a used tampon applicator. It’s not a whistle, sweetie.

- And most importantly, the moment one of your children is seriously ill, forget about everything else. You have the greatest honor in the world – being a Mom.

What others are saying:

"A realistic and humorous take on motherhood. Are you in my house?" --Robin O'Bryant, author of Indie Best-seller, "Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other lies Moms Tell Themselves."

"Delightfully humorous with factual truths about motherhood and womanhood. You’ll immediately be hooked with her fun story-telling and hilarious hooks. A truly fantastic read that will not only lift your motherly spirit, but remind you what motherhood is truly all about… and it’s all worth it." --Karie Elordi, author of the popular blog "The Dating Divas"

Author Bio:

Once upon a time, in a wonderful and carefree world, Rachel McClellan fell asleep in a warm and spacious bed, her long hair in great locks around her, and not a single blemish upon her face. Outside her window, bluebirds sang and the cloudless blue sky was full of promise.

However, when she awoke she discovered gum in her now ratted hair, a tiny, chocolate fingerprint smeared across her forehead, and four very wiggly children crowding her bed. There were no bluebirds singing outside her window (or perhaps she couldn’t hear them anymore), only a tornado, pulsing with thunder and lightening. Her world was in chaos, a raging storm on all fronts.

But what a perfect storm it was…

Find Rachel

Facebook  |   Blog   |   Website   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads 

Purchase Confessions of a Cereal Mother

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble

Want to know about Rachel’s young adult books? Go HERE.

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Adoption Auction

My friends are adopting a beautiful baby from eastern Europe. He is a beautiful sweet baby!

 They are having Adoption Auction to help defray the Outrageous adoption fees. My three (signed) books are listed. If you are interested, please check it out. 100% of the money raised goes to the adoption fund!!
 Thanks!

Link to auction!

Cover reveal!!

I LOVE this cover!!

Some secrets tear us apart. Others bring us together.

Be smart. Keep your head down. And look out for number one.

These are the rules Jay has lived by for the past two years. The rules of surviving life on the streets. But when Em comes bursting into his life, in all of her disastrous glory, the rules go right out the window.

Survive. Flee what’s been left behind. And never look back.

Emerson’s plan was simple. Though, it was easier said than done. The city streets are dangerous and unforgiving to a new arrival. Especially, a seventeen-year-old girl who’s never known anything but life in the suburbs. Sometimes, however, what’s lurking behind those white picket fences can be more frightening than any dark alley.

Both of them made the same decision when life got overwhelming—to run from their demons. Brought together by fate or circumstance, Em and Jay find the kind of love neither of them ever expected. But, when those demons come back to haunt them and their love is on the line, which instincts will they choose to follow this time . . . Fight or Flight?

 COMING MARCH 2013!!!

Add it to your TBR shelf now on Goodreads here

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she's not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in upstate NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird, and the rabbit.

Her debut novel, Dissidence, was published in 2012 along with several novellas. including Temptation, the first in her Heart and Soul series.

You can find her on:

Facebook

Blog

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

Beautiful review for souls in Peril

I received a beautiful review for Souls in Peril I wanted to share part of it with you!

As I try to compose all my emotions to write this review I feel an overwhelming responsibility to do justice to this book through my review. I laughed, I cried, I felt such bewildering sadness and in the end I laughed again. Sherry Gammon takes us on an astonishing journey through the eyes of Max Sanchez. Handsome and athletic with a wonderful and supportive family, Max lives a charmed life. Even as a seventeen year old Max knows that his girlfriend Emma will be the woman he grows old with. Em's beauty and brains are only out shone by her inner compassion and kindness. Max already recognizes that he can learn from her sweetness and tolerance. 

We are introduced to Max and Emma at school as they interact with an abundance of friends during lunch. Emma, a cheerleader is planning a big surprise for the championship game. The same baseball game that Max, the schools honored pitcher, will eagerly help his team to win. This is also when we are introduced to Lumpy Larry and Icky Izzy. These two kids aren't part of the "in" crowd. They don't have an abundance of friends. The vicious bullying and abuse that these kids take from their school mates as well as the very people that are presumed to cherish and take care of them has driven them to....

.....The struggles and insight of the children in this book will haunt me. I can't remember the last time a book had such a profound affect on me. As a mother of four boys, my heart broke as I imagined the horror of the life that JD and Isabelle struggled through every day. And I cried big crocodile tears as Max and Emma .... And finally, in the end, I was grateful that after all the sadness and tears Sherry Gammon still had the ability to make me laugh out loud. What a phenomenal ending.

Thank you so much Carrie! What a beautiful review!!

To read Carrie's  phenomenal review Click here to read the review in it's entirety 

BUT BE WARNED!!! It contains spoilers.  

The Ugly Stepsisters Strikes Back!

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson 

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

My thoughts: 

First of all: The cover! It was the single reason I chose to read the book...well, that and the title. What a great title!

The story was not a disappointment  I completely enjoy the book. The characters draw you in, the the writing keeps you there. I enjoyed Matilda...I mean Mattie ;} I loved her imperfections. I LOVED her humor.

Ella made the 'prefect' perfect girl, petite, pretty, popular...you know the type.

And I've heard there is going to be a sequel! I can't wait. If it's half as good as this novel, it will be awesome!

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is a winner for me. I truly, truly loved this book! DON'T wait for a chance to win it...it's only $2.99, for crying out loud! Go buy it! Five thumbs up!

  
                                                      

Purchase

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Praise

“My top pick of 2012 YA… This book is just. plain. fun.”

~Jordan McCollum, author of Saints & Spies and I, Spy

“Sariah Wilson's new book, The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, is hilarious…What follows is a story of fun and romance with some good non-preachy life lessons thrown in.  The voice in the main character, Mattie, makes the whole thing.  I thought it was definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone with teenagers or who just want to read a good teen romance.”

~Julie Coulter Bellon, author of All Fall Down and All’s Fair

“Sariah [Wilson] has written one of the funniest stories I've read in such a long, long time. I literally couldn't put it down. Yes, my poor Kindle's battery died and I was attached to a short power cord, contorted in a very uncomfortable position while I read to the end…. Sariah Wilson captured the back-biting, insecure, hormone-driven, clique-riddled high school atmosphere so perfectly you'd think she never grew up. I dare you not to laugh as you read this witty and oh, so, romantic story.”

~Debra Erfert of Windows into Writing

“Sariah Wilson writes like the best of/most popular YA teen fiction/teen romance authors - Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, Susanne Collins, Cassandra Clare.  She sucks you in and never lets you go.  I finished the ~194 novel in one night because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing the ending!  I hope that Sariah comes out with more novels, I know I'll be re-reading this one all the time!  She's extremely talented and needs to be talked about.  I highly recommend The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back! to anyone (over the age of 12) who wants a YA novel that's a real modern-day fairy tale.”

~Hilary at Novel d’Tales

“This was such an entertaining story! I shouldn't have started reading it so late in the evening, because I didn't want to put it down to go to sleep…This is a book I can see myself reading several times. It's a fast, clean read with great characters, and I highly recommend it.”

~Andrea of Literary Time Out

The book is wonderful.  It’s quirky and fun.  The story makes you laugh and you fall in love with the characters right from the beginning…This is a well-written book.  It is one that will make you smile and sigh as you remember your first love.  And it has a moral…be yourself, believe in yourself and maybe, just maybe, your fairytale will come true.  Pick up this book.”

~Ana of The Book Hookup

Author Sariah Wilson

Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/5/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Blue Sky by Melissa Lemon

Blue Sky Synopsis:

Sunny is bereaving the sudden death of her parents. Lewis is a homeless runaway seeking shelter in Sunny's basement from an early winter storm. When they unexpectedly meet, Sunny wants nothing more than to kill him. After a bizarre hostage situation and a poker game, Sunny realizes that Lewis isn't out to hurt her. Their initial distaste turns to friendship and love, but Sunny isn't keen on starting a relationship with a man she knows so little about. Lewis is loyal, and his patience paramount. Sunny is hesitant but her love runs deep and true. They are separated unwillingly, and must struggle and face overwhelming odds to find each other again.

Bio:

Melissa has had many imaginary friends (and enemies) since she was a child. Her vivid imagination had her writing stories and jotting down book ideas for years until she finally sat down and finished a novel. She is married to an awesome man and the proud mother of three children. Music is also an important part of her life and she shares time with her music students teaching them piano, cello or guitar. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in the Salt Lake area.
Find more about Melissa here:

http://www.authormelissalemon.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17304893-blue-sky

http://www.facebook.com/authormelissalemon

https://twitter.com/Melissa_Lemon

Review: Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C Bennett

A Girl Trapped in a Mansion . . .

A Mysterious Old Woman . . .

The Boy Who Will Change Everything . . .

Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C Bennett

(Facebook Conversation)

Fab Fane Fannigan: Are you saying you live at GOTHEL MANSION??? The Gothel Mansion?

RG: My mother calls it Gothel Manor, so maybe that’s different?

Fab Fane Flannigan: No, Rapunzel, there’s only one that I know of. It has to be the same. Are you telling me the truth here?

RG: Yes, of course. Is it weird that I live here?

Fab Fane Flannigan: No, not weird, just . . . never mind. So you live in the tower?

RG: Uh, the tower? I don’t know. Is it a tower?

Fab Fane Flannigan: Yes, it is. I know where it is. I’ll be there Friday at 8.

Rapunzel sensed the difference in his tone. Something wasn’t right.

Fab Fane Flannigan: Rapunzel, promise me one thing.

RG: Okay.

Fab Fane Flannigan: Don’t Google your house.
　
Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction.

But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

My thoughts: 

I’ll confess right off, I’ m a Bennett groupie. The woman is a wordsmith of the utmost. I have little doubt she could make scrubbing toilets sound like great fun, (think Tom Sawyer).

Rapunzel is captivating from page one. This Rapunzel is held in a tower by her evil (aka diluted) “mother.” I LOVED the modern elements brought into this age old story. Rapunzel’s adventures on Facebook are enchanting. Her innocents is both charming and endearing.

She meets an enjoyable young man, a bit of an adventurist named Fane. He introduces Rapunzel to the real world without taking advantage of her. He’s also quite the charmer. I confess, I have a little bit of a book crush on the guy…if only I was younger…and a character in a book…sigh.

Gothel, Rapunzel’s “mother,” is truly hate worthy. I didn’t care for her one wit. Not because the character was poorly written, quite the contrary, she’s masterfully written, which testifies again to Ms. Bennett’s talent. She writes one creepo lady in this one!

Rapunzel Untangled is the fun, exciting, and sometimes frightening adventure of 17-year-old Rapunzel, the sleeping beauty who awakens and discovers the truth about her life.

I recommend this novel to old and young alike, though I would point out that you should never hook up with a stranger off the internet unless your name is Rapunzel and his is Fane ;} 

I give Rapunzel Untangled 5 thumbs up.
                     
                                                      

Side note!! Cindy's book was featured in USA today.Click here to read more!

Rapunzel Untangled from Sweetwater Books February 12, 2013. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at a bookstore near you!

Join the giveaway below for your chance to win one of many great prizes, including a Nook and an MP3 Player! (Domestic only. For international giveaway click here.) Nothing required to win other than signing in.

About the Author

  

Cindy C Bennett was born and raised in beautiful Salt Lake City, growing up in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains. She and her husband - who happens to be her high-school sweetheart - raised two sons and two daughters. She's now blessed with two daughters-in-law as well. She developed a love of writing in high school when a teacher introduced her to the joys of escaping reality for ten minutes each day in writing.

When she's not writing, reading, or answering emails (notice there's no mention of cleaning, cooking, or anything remotely domestic), she can often be found riding her Harley through the beautiful canyons near her home. (Yes, she rides a Harley.)

You can find Cindy at:  Blog    Facebook    Twitter    Goodreads

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Preston Norton's BLÜD AND MAGICK

Synopsis:It is the story about a girl named Darla who was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. As she comes to terms with her dark heritage, she not only has to prove to the world and to herself that she is not evil, but she has to avoid the threat of Remmus Alrad's followers, the Shadow Risers, who believe they can resurrect their master from her soul.

My thoughts: This book looks amazing to me! I've slowed down on accepting blot tour invites, wanting to represented only books I feel are interesting to my readers. This one caught my eye immediately! I can't wait to read it!

 Here is a guest post from the author, Preston Norton:

THE DARLA IN ALL OF US

 The dedication in the opening pages of BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “If you feel like the world is against you, then you’re probably doing something right. I dedicate this book to you.” Now those who have read and reviewed BLÜD AND MAGICK have compared similarities to Harry Potter. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of such similarities. In writing this novel, it was not my intention to recreate something similar to Harry Potter, but in actuality, to create an “anti-Harry-Potter.” Now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, let me explain. Harry Potter’s entire existence is based on the idea that he was born a hero. He was a hero before he was even capable of making a conscious decision.

Whereas Harry Potter is an instant celebrity, the protagonist of BLÜD AND MAGICK, Darla Summer, is an automatic outcast. She was born from the ashes of the dead Shadow Lord, Remmus Alrad. Most everyone in this world believes that she is some sort of reincarnation of the Shadow Lord and that she is most definitely the personification of evil. And honestly, under such circumstances, who wouldn’t? She is forced to live outside of the magical world in a fourteen-year probationary state, unaware of her dark origins, before she is deemed safe to attend the Alrad Academy of Blüd and Magick, founded by the Shadow Lord’s virtuous father, Amarant Alrad. However, Darla not only has to convince everyone else that she isn’t evil, but she also has to convince herself. And there are plenty of creepy things happening inside Darla’s head to give her doubts. And on top of that, Remmus Alrad’s followers, the Shadow Risers, are intent on somehow resurrecting their master from her soul. As the tagline to BLÜD AND MAGICK reads, “How do you fight your greatest enemy when he’s living inside you?”

Now these are obviously extreme circumstances, and the premise of my story is pure fantasy. Nevertheless, there are certain transcendent truths that I believe resonate with the human condition. I created the character of Darla Summer because I believe there’s a little bit of her in all of us. I believe we are all judged from preconceived notions that are out of are control. We are hated all too often simply for being who we are. I think this is especially true of children and teenagers who are simply trying to discover who they are and just want to fit in. I created Darla Summer for them. I believe she stands as a beacon of hope that says: Yes, there is good and beauty in all of us, and that goodness can overcome all else."

Purchase links:

Amazon: 

Barnes & Noble

Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack

 Love this cover!

Click here to Purchase Tide Ever Rising

Tide Ever Rising Blurb:

 Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.  

  Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.

MandiTucker Slack

 Author of Romantic Suspense

        

            The Alias

         Tide Ever Rising

Mandi's Blog

Purchase Link for"Tide Ever Rising"

Review: Rachel McClellan's Fractured Soul

Fractured Soul Blog Tour Information

About Fractured Soul

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

My Take:

Having not read the first book, Fractured Light, I didn't know what to expect. After reading this book, I bought the first because I enjoyed not only the story, but this writer’s way with words. The book is well-written and completely captivating. It reminded me a little of the Vampire Academy books, only I enjoyed these two novels much more.

In the beginning of Fractured Soul we learn that  Llona and May are now attending the Lucent Academy which is a school for girls with special "Talents." However things quickly go south as the battle to keep the students safe, specifically the Auras, begins. Llona's internal battle adds fuel to the fire as she rebels against the rules and sneaks out of the school at night. She meets up with some not so good guys, but is saved by a mysterious stranger!

This is an entertaining read and held my imagination from page one. I’d highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys supernatural stories. I’d also even recommend it to those who don’t, because this novel just may make a believer out of you.

    

I give the novel five thumbs up

What others are saying:

“I love these books! A kick-butt heroine and a hottie love interest, with a refreshingly original concept. Be prepared—once you start, these are hard to put down.”

—Paula Cotton, book reviewer at ReadingLark.blogspot.com

“Fractured Soul is a brilliant sequel, exceeding even the remarkable first book in the series. It will haunt your every waking moment between the times you’re reading it, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished. It’s an amazingly well written and engrossing story that I highly recommend—after you’ve read the first one, of course.”

—Cindy Bennett, bestselling author of Geek Girl and Rapunzel Untangled

Author Bio

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...

Find Rachel

Facebook  |   Blog   |   Website   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads  |  Book Trailer

Buy Fractured Light

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble

Buy Fractured Soul

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble 

About Fractured Light

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.

As an Aura, Llona can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust, except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.

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Follower Love Giveaway hop!

Hi! I'm giving away THREE ebooks today, all love stories, and I have a guest post by one of my favorite authors Camelia Miron Skiba!

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First up: I Was Here-Before You Came, by Camelia Miron Skiba. Not only am I offering this wonder Historical romance by Camelia, but she has kindly consented to host a blog post for the giveaway (Scroll down to read it)

Synopsis: Legend has it … centuries after Spartacus another hero is born—Ilias, the bastard son of King Decebalus. Thirsty for revenge and eager to unshackle the Roman oppression, Ilias' obsession to fulfill his oath has no bounds, even if that means kidnapping Nerva, the beloved daughter of Emperor Traianus. What he doesn't know is his own heart threatens to betray his conscience. What will prevail: his mind or his heart?
Learn more about Camelia's work here:

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Next is a Fairy tale adaptation Snow White Enchanted Fairytales, by Cindy C Bennett 

Synopsis: The death of Snow White's father has left her at the mercy of her stepmother Katarina. Katarina cares for one thing, and one thing only: herself.

Vain and arrogant, she sends Snow into the forest to be killed. Snow manages to escape and hide herself from the murderous Hugo. After wandering for days, lost and hungry, she stumbles upon Fableton, an enchanted village created by Katarina to entrap Prince Philip after he spurned her. 

Philip has been unable to leave Fableton for half a millenium. Snow White just might be the one spoken of by a fairy who promised the day would come when a girl, pure of heart, would be able to break the curse and free the inhabitants of Fableton. 

But is Philip willing to risk Snow's life to gain his freedom? Snow does the thing no one has ever been able to do before - leave the enchanted village. Her only hope of winning freedom for not only the residents of Fableton, but for herself as well, is to defeat the evil and powerful Katarina.
Find more about Cindy's works on her blog:

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And finally is my short story, Pete & Tink.

Synopsis:
Pete Pancerella loves two things in life: Video games and Spongy Cremes.
He’s happy, content, and he’s also a geek.
All that is about to change when his mother wishes upon a star and Tink answers the call. But will it take more than a five-and-a-half inch faery to whip this manga-loving goofball into shape?



Guest by Camelia Miron Skiba :

Don't swim in that water—it has algae!

Wanting to lazily spend my Sunday by the pool, reading and soaking in the sun, my husband burst my bubble, telling me the pool can't be used because of algae. To me the water looked clear as the summer sky, refreshing, inviting. A little bit of green around the edges, green I don't see unless I bend over the pool's lip.

Algae? Don't use the pool? Let me tell you about water with real algae. Water so murky that you couldn’t see your palm beneath its surface, let alone the rest of your body. Water used to water the corn and wheat fields, quench animals' thirst, and launder ragged rugs. And yet, I spent many, many summer swimming in such waters. Looking back I wonder what was I thinking? I wonder what angels and saints and other celestial creatures protected me from getting sick, ever. Dodged the bullet? More than once, more than one. But at the time, it was the highlight of our vacations spent with Mama's relatives in a small village called Rasvani, about an hour and a half southeast of Bucharest.

As soon as summer vacation began, our parents schlepped all three of us to Mama's Aunt Floarea. For ten weeks all we've done was to play in dirt, swim in murky water and shed a few layers of skin until the sun had nothing else to burn. We climbed trees and ate fruits plucked straight from the branches, used newspapers instead of toilet paper and ran barefoot, stopping only to pull another thorn from our heels.

We prayed before going to bed, but I have to make a confession—I prayed not for God’s forgiveness, but for the horde of mosquitoes to bite everyone else but me. We slept six in a bed, packed like sardines, giggling at Aunt Floarea's threat to kick us to the chicken house if we continue misbehaving. We waited in line for a mug of steaming, sweet milk as Aunt Floarea's skilled fingers wrapped around the cow's teats. We shared our milk with tick-filled kitties and stole blind puppies to be our pets.

We all drank from the same metal can hanging on the well's pole by a tattered rope. We frantically waited at the street corner for Uncle Dita to return from the lake with a bucket filled with fresh-caught fish—the more hunched he walked, the more fish he carried and dinners those nights seemed regal.

And yes, I'm still alive. And yes, I'm swimming in the algae water, but don't tell my husband. He'll have a fit.

Good luck!

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