BLOG TOUR OF FROM THE OUTBACK BY ANN B. HARRISON (CONTEST-WIN AN AMAZON GC-WORLDWIDE)

Tempers and sparks fly off the page in Ann B. Harrison's latest Outback novel. From the Outback is set against a vivid backdrop of rolling hills in Australian wine country. Readers that have a sense of adventure and a passion for life and romance in a rural, county setting will love this book.

About FROM THE OUTBACK:

Although desperate to get out of her dead end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted...especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door.

Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?







Available now on Amazon! And to check out other books available by Ann visit: http://www.annbharrisonromance.com/books.html

Want to learn more about FROM THE OUTBACK? Check out this exclusive interview with Ann!

About Ann B. Harrison:

Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reading has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing...and publication.

She lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog Hugo and fighting with her computer.

Connect with Ann on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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REVIEW OF I AM ABRAHAM: A NOVEL OF LINCOLN AND THE CIVIL WAR BY JEROME CHARYN

I want to welcome Jerome Charyn to Books R Us. Jerome is the author of I Am Abraham: A Novel of Lincoln and the Civil War and is touring the blogosphere sponsored by Tribute Books. Thanks for stopping by.

About the Book:

Narrated in Lincoln’s own voice, the tragicomic I Am Abraham promises to be the masterwork of Jerome Charyn’s remarkable career.

Since publishing his first novel in 1964, Jerome Charyn has established himself as one of the most inventive and prolific literary chroniclers of the American landscape. Here in I Am Abraham, Charyn returns with an unforgettable portrait of Lincoln and the Civil War. Narrated boldly in the first person, I Am Abraham effortlessly mixes humor with Shakespearean-like tragedy, in the process creating an achingly human portrait of our sixteenth President.

Tracing the historic arc of Lincoln's life from his picaresque days as a gangly young lawyer in Sangamon County, Illinois, through his improbable marriage to Kentucky belle Mary Todd, to his 1865 visit to war-shattered Richmond only days before his assassination, I Am Abraham hews closely to the familiar Lincoln saga. Charyn seamlessly braids historical figures such as Mrs. Keckley—the former slave, who became the First Lady's dressmaker and confidante—and the swaggering and almost treasonous General McClellan with a parade of fictional extras: wise-cracking knaves, conniving hangers-on, speculators, scheming Senators, and even patriotic whores.

We encounter the renegade Rebel soldiers who flanked the District in tattered uniforms and cardboard shoes, living in a no-man's-land between North and South; as well as the Northern deserters, young men all, with sunken, hollowed faces, sitting in the punishing sun, waiting for their rendezvous with the firing squad; and the black recruits, whom Lincoln’s own generals wanted to discard, but who play a pivotal role in winning the Civil War. At the center of this grand pageant is always Lincoln himself, clad in a green shawl, pacing the White House halls in the darkest hours of America’s bloodiest war.

Using biblically cadenced prose, cornpone nineteenth-century humor, and Lincoln’s own letters and speeches, Charyn concocts a profoundly moral but troubled commander in chief, whose relationship with his Ophelia-like wife and sons—Robert, Willie, and Tad—is explored with penetrating psychological insight and the utmost compassion. Seized by melancholy and imbued with an unfaltering sense of human worth, Charyn’s President Lincoln comes to vibrant, three-dimensional life in a haunting portrait we have rarely seen in historical fiction.

About the Author:

Jerome Charyn, a master of lyrical farce and literary ventriloquism, published his first novel in 1964. The author of Johnny One-Eye, The Secret Life of Emily Dickenson, and dozens of other acclaimed novels and nonfiction works, he lives in New York and Paris.



My Thoughts-

Mr. Charyn's rendition of Lincoln's life was unique and fantastic. After reading the book, I had a better understanding of  Lincoln's life, political career and the Civil War. The author had a way with words and I felt that I was right there watching the action. I was very impressed when the author admitted that "I never liked Lincoln." He wrote a book that was well researched and touched on Lincoln's bouts with depression. I finished the book rather quickly and I recommend the book to everyone who loves historical fiction. This would be a great title for a book club because there are so many topics that could be discussed.


Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.
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CHECK OUT THE NEW RELEASES FROM BRAZEN ROMANCE AND ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE PAPERWHITE AND OTHER GOODIES!

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they've got the hero destined to melt your... heart. Visit the Entangled website, the Brazen Blog, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.

Introducing Brazen's Feb 3rd releases:

She thought she'd sworn off military men for good...



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He wants her. 

All of her.



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This soldier's the perfect hoax if she doesn't fall for him first.



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Special $0.99 Introductory Price!


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Join the The Boys of Brazen Military Bashoz on 2/10 from 7-10pm EST. Four fabulous Brazen authors (and their men!) will read steamy scenes from each other's Military Hero books. As an additional treat, several other Brazen authors will be stopping by to help celebrate the hunky heroes of the military.   Throughout the event authors will be asking readers questions and giving away prizes. Hope to see you there! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF PUREX CRYSTALS FRESH MOUNTAIN BREEZE (USA ONLY)

I would like to introduce you to a new product called Purex Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze. This is not your same old liquid softener but is more Eco friendly. Thanks to Purex I had the opportunity to try the product. 

 

Infuse your laundry with long-lasting freshness:

• Clothes smell fresh for weeks, not days

• Does not reduce the absorbency of towels

• Natural formula is safe for your family and the environment because it contains 87% natural ingredients. 
•  

My Thoughts:

The crystals were easy to use and measure. I have used it a couple of times and I found my towels softer and were able to absorb water better. The scent was not overbearing and lasted for weeks. The crystals are definitely more convenient,less bulky and safer for my family. So would you like to give them a try? Enter my contest.

Make sure to Enter the Over the Mountains & Through the Woods Sweepstakes HERE! Close your eyes and take a trip to the fresh, open mountains where flowers bloom, birds sing, and gentle breezes are sure to put a smile on your face. Experience one of our most popular fragrances in the new Crystals format and enter to win the grand prize today!

A

One grand prize winner will receive $500 and 100 additional winners will receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of NEW Purex Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze. Purex Crystals go in at the start of the wash and infuses your clothes with freshness that lasts for not just days but weeks! Sweepstakes ends 2/03.

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Disclaimer: I was given a free sample of the product for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.



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CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE BY MARY JO RAPINI

Change Your Thoughts,

Change Your Life

by Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC

A brand new year presents many opportunities to help our children with the challenges that come their way. One of the things we may not think about is the importance of continually growing and making changes in our lives as individuals. Our children learn by watching us. In fact, most children talk about their own New Year's resolutions by watching and listening to their parents as they discuss their personal resolutions. Mentoring for our children that change is difficult, but not insurmountable, is best done with actions, not words. Reminding your children that self-talk such as, "can't" or "it's too difficult," can be overcome by saying new and stronger self-talk such as, "I can do this" and "I will make these changes."

If you are trying to make changes, no matter what area they are in, the first work you have to do is clear your mind of the "I cant's."  To help you get rid of the old thoughts that keep you stuck in the rut of can't, try these tips.

No matter what your goal or change is, if you pay attention closely, you will notice there are other areas that you sabotage as well. For example, if you eat to find comfort, you may also notice you have a lot of drama in your life that needs emotional comforting. Before you can stop the drama in your life, you will need to understand prior to eating what you are feeling. Ask yourself what the feeling of pain is that you are trying to fill. You may find past feelings of loneliness, abandonment or neglect.  Slow down. Moving too fast with our thoughts and expectations causes us to fall off track. This happens in dating, in teaching our children, and in expecting our partner to change after years of marriage. Going slowly gives us the advantage of understanding why we sabotage our plans so we can fix them as they occur. If you are planning on losing weight, removing toxic friends from your life or improving your marriage, allow at least six months to see improvements. Slowing down also helps us use more of our brain capacity. Forgive yourself and others for your past excuses, mistakes and selfishness. Your brain is so much more useful when you live in the now. Most of the negative patterns people continually fall into are due to their inability to live in the now and make the necessary changes at this time and this moment.

Old patterns are difficult to break, and no matter what negative pattern you are trying to extinguish, you will fall off track once in a while. This is to be expected, and rather than going back and shaming yourself, try to catch yourself and ask yourself what good this food, relationship, or whatever old pattern you are trying to break free from will do for you. Rather than indulging in the old pattern, try breathing through the moment or distract yourself with exercise, calling a friend, or getting away from the situation you are in. Being proactive at times of weakness helps you accomplish your goal leading to increased confidence that you are breaking free of your old rut. When you change your thoughts, you change your life, your children's lives, and the lives of every person who you connect with.

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman, of Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. Read more about the book at www.StartTalkingBook.com and more about Rapini at www.maryjorapini.com.

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ENTER TO WIN A $100 WALMART GC IN TIP HERO'S NEW YEAR'S KICKOFF GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the "New Year's Kickoff Giveaway Event" sponsored by Tip Hero and featuring some wonderful bloggers. With the New Year in full force, we thought the perfect way to celebrate would be with a great big giveaway event!

There are some great things to buy in January, and one lucky winner will get something that could come in handy while shopping. One winner will receive a $100 Walmart gift card to help start off the new year right.

This giveaway begins on January 15th and will run until January 29th at 11:59pm US Eastern time. It will be open to residents of the US only, 18+. Use the PromoSimple form below to enter, and make sure that you take advantage of the many entries you can gain. Also, check back daily for more chances to win. Best of luck!

Disclosure: Books R Us is not responsible for prize distribution. If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to kira@tiphero.com. All entries are optional, but if the winner task is a task that you did not complete, a second winner will be chosen. Winners will be notified via email. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours of the time when the email is sent, another winner will be chosen.

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SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY OF THE CITY OF THE DIVINE SUN BY HOLLY MCCAGHREN

 

I want to welcome Holly McCaghren to Books R Us. Holly is the author of the City of the Divine Son and is touring the blogosphere with A Book Obsession Blog Tours. Thanks for stopping by.



About The Book:

A famous archaeologist, last rumored to be in search of a hidden Maya city in Guatemala, has gone missing. Her daughter. Serena, worried and overcome by strange visions, abandons everything to search for her mother and the answers to the apparitions that have begun to haunt her.
Her mother wasn't the only one searching for Mah K'ina. The Baron seeks to plunder the city for its untold riches and is willing to eliminate anyone that gets in his way. Out of her element and desperate to save her family, Serena must now rely on her past to show her the way. 


About the Author:

I was born and raised in the Houston, Texas area, and have lived in Texas my whole life! (Gotta love humidity!) I currently live in central Texas with my husband and two sons.

Nothing makes me happier than settling down with a good book, but they aren't always easy to find! Some of my favorites (in no particular order) include: Jane Eyre, The Blue Sword, Dracula, Ender's Game, Heir to the Empire, and the Harry Potter series. I love a good scifi/fantasy book, but it certainly isn't limited to that genre.

You can read all about my current/published novels on my webpage,www.hollymccaghren.com, as well as on Goodreads. Happy reading!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MindTrace
Blog: http://hollymccaghren.com/
Website:  http://hollymccaghren.com/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590128.Holly_McCaghren

 

Read an Excerpt:

"Now's our chance. We have to go before someone figure's out we're missing!"
A rush of adrenaline flooded her system as Serena followed the rest of the group to the side of the helicopter, ducking and sticking to the shadows as much as possible. The landing pad was strangely quiet in the absence of the recent commotion; every sound they made seemed to echo cruelly across the opening.
They reached the side of the helicopter without incident, and Ryder creaked open the driver's door and motioned for everyone else to pile in. Serena ducked in the passenger seat while Hunac and Madeline slid into the back seat. Tossing their bags in the small open cargo space in the back, everyone looked at Ryder expectantly.
Serena noticed he seemed nervous for the first time since she'd met him. Sweat rolled down his face as he tried to make sense of all the dials and switches on the dashboard. It seemed as though there were at least a hundred different things to look at.
I hope he knows what he's doing… None of this makes any sense to me.
"Put on your headsets, folks. It's about to get really loud in here."
Serena put on her headset and looked behind her. If Hunac was nervous, it was not evident on his face. Her mother, however, seemed to fear for her life. Serena reached back and laid a hand on her knee, awkwardly, and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Here goes nothing…" Ryder muttered to himself.
He moved so quickly, Serena couldn't keep up. She knew that time was of the essence. Once the rotors began to spin, everyone would know exactly where they were.
The engine cranked up, and she heard a mechanical whine as the rotors started to turn. To her left, she could see the two men fly out of the building, dazed.
The tall man frantically pulled out his radio, speaking rapidly to someone on the other side. Serena had no idea what he was saying, but a moment later, the man seemed to realize exactly what was happening.
He turned to yell at the man next to him, and they both ran back into the building.
Please hurry! We have to get out of here!!
Then the ground shifted nauseatingly before her, and she realized they were slowly rising into the air. The helicopter rolled forward, tipping dangerously down. The blades spun mercilessly close to the building where the men had gone. They flew out now, running madly away from the landing pad.
"Ryder!! Pull up!"
"I'm trying, darling. It seems I'm a little more rusty than I thought."
The aircraft pulled back then, leveling out before rising again. Serena saw a jeep coming into the clearing now, men jumping out and pulling out their weapons.
They were high enough to be above the trees, but nowhere near out of the range of the assault rifles. If they did fire, however, the chopper would most likely crash into the trees. The Barón came out of the jeep last, looking up and making this realization himself. He raised his arm, signaling his men to lower their guns.
They were too high for her to be sure, but it seemed almost like the Barón had seen her and smiled. It wasn't a good smile, either.


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Tour Schedule:

1/13 - Cheryl's Book Nook - Spotlight

1/13 - Margay Leah Justice - Guest Post

1/14 - Books R Us - Spotlight

1/15 - Pretty Girls Read Books - Guest Post 

1/16 - Fic-Talk - Excerpt

1/17 - Read-Love-Blog - Excerpt

1/19 - BookwormBridgette's World - Spotlight 

1/20 - [Insert Clever Quip Here] - Spotlight

1/20 - In The Pages of a Good Book - Guest Post

1/23 - A Book Obsession - Spotlight

1/25 - Racing To Read - Excerpt & Review

1/28 - Miriam Smith - Spotlight

1/29 - What I'm Reading - Excerpt

1/31 - The Reading Obsession - Guest Post & Review

2/2 - Amethyst Daydreams - Guest Post

2/4 - Let's Talk About Books - Spotlight & Review

CONTEST:

 

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