Vortex ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Promo, Notable Quotable, & Giveaway!

VORTEX

by

KIMBERLY PACKARD

Genre: Women's Fiction / Psychological
Publisher: Abalos Publishing
Publication Date: January 31, 2019

Number of Pages: 308 pages

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Constant spinning, round and round and round, temperatures rise and fall from stifling heat to chilling cold, emotions run high in anticipation of what will happen next… there’s a fine line between surviving a tornado and falling in love.

A close encounter with a tornado, during the final months of her doctoral studies, jogs a lost memory to the surface. Desperate to relive the vision and find answers, storm chaser Elaina Adams continually puts her safety at risk by placing herself in the path of dangerous storms.

When betrayal strikes, Elaina is forced to pair up with Robert Tucker. “Tuck” owns a storm chasing tour group and only cares about two things: chasing tornadoes and making his next buck.

Seth Maddux was climbing his way to the top as the star meteorologist for the Forecast channel, but an embarrassing outburst on camera sent his career on a downward spiral. Hoping to reignite his career with a promising field assignment, he meets Elaina and a different kind of flame sparks.

Family secrets surface and passions explode in this twister of a tale.

Vortex is a story of family, love, identity and determination set against the thrilling backdrop of Tornado Alley. 

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PRAISE FOR VORTEX:

"Set in the heart of America’s Tornado Alley, Kimberly Packard’s latest psychological fiction swirls with discovery and betrayal. VORTEX may make you question who among those closest to you are really your friends." -- Addison Brae, author of Becker Circle
"Vortex is a fast-paced story with a strong woman at its center. Readers will be in for a wild ride full of secrets, the labyrinth of memory, and the spark of romance. Definitely one to add to your reading list." -- Christine Brodersen, author of Lip Gloss, Shame and Murdered Tomatoes

"Kimberly Packard is an accomplished author who writes strong women characters. She blew me away with her Phoenix series (three books you don’t want to miss) and now in Vortex, we meet Elaina Adams, who, like all of us, struggles with her past, her career, and her family secrets. Action, and emotion-packed, this page-turner is a different kind of love story." -- Vanessa Foster, author of More than Everything 

Kimberly Packard is an award-winning author of edgy women’s fiction. She began visiting her spot on the shelves at libraries and bookstores at a young age, gazing between the Os and the Qs.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found running, doing a poor imitation of yoga or curled up with a book. She resides in Texas with her husband Colby, a clever cat named Oliver and a yellow lab named Charlie.

Her debut novel, Phoenix, was awarded as Best General Fiction of 2013 by the Texas Association of Authors. She is also the author of a Christmas novella, The Crazy Yates, and the sequels to Phoenix, Pardon Falls and Prospera Pass. 

║ WEBSITE  ║  FACEBOOK  ║  PINTEREST

TWITTER  ║   GOODREADS  ║   INSTAGRAM  ║   BOOKBUB

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: Signed Copy  +  $5 Amazon gift card + Bookmark
SECOND PRIZE: Signed Copy + Bookmark

TWO WINNERS: eBook copies

FEBRUARY 19-28, 2019

(USA only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

2/19/19	Notable Quotable	Texas Book Lover
2/19/19	Notable Quotable	All the Ups and Downs
2/19/19	BONUS post	Hall Ways Blog
2/20/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
2/21/19	Review	That's What She's Reading
2/22/19	Excerpt	The Page Unbound
2/22/19	Author Interview	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
2/23/19	Review	Max Knight
2/24/19	Review	Book Fidelity
2/25/19	Top Ten List	Kelly Well Read
2/25/19	Deleted Scene	StoreyBook Reviews
2/26/19	Review	Momma on the Rocks
2/27/19	Playlist	The Clueless Gent
2/27/19	Scrapbook Page	Forgotten Winds
2/28/19	Review	Rebecca R. Cahill, Author
2/28/19	Review	Tangled in Text

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The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Promo, Notable Quotable, & Giveaway!

THE OUTLAW'S

MAIL ORDER BRIDE

Mail Order Bride, #1

by

LINDA BRODAY

Genre: Historical Western Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 29, 2019

Number of Pages: 384 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

When the West was wild, and man's law favored the few, extraordinary women could be found...in the heart of an outlaw.

Outlaw Clay Colby is tired of living one step in front of the law and wants to see his dream of having a wife, a family, to give his life meaning. So far, he’s been rejected twice, and he won’t try again if this one doesn’t work out. But hope fills him that Tally Shannon will see his heart and help him finish this town where once stood an outlaw hideout. On the day when she’s supposed to arrive, a bitter enemy sets fire to the buildings he’d fought to erect and he’s back with nothing to show for his efforts. There's no woman in the world who'd stand by him now.

But Talley Shannon is no ordinary woman.

After escaping the living hell of the Creedmore Insane Asylum into which she was thrust to die, Tally only wants someone to protect her and the little girl under her care. She doesn't mind that Clay's home is dang near burned to the ground—not when he makes her feel so safe. So cherished. But it's only a matter of time before the ghosts of her past come calling, intent on stealing her happiness, her very life...and her loving cowboy must defend his new bride—and the family they forged—to his very last breath.

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PRAISE FOR THE OUTLAW'S MAIL ORDER BRIDE:

"Broday’s earthy, no-nonsense characters fit the rugged setting perfectly, and it’s a pleasure to watch these two lonely, cynical souls forge a powerful, passionate partnership." – Book Page

“Clay and Tally’s story will captivate the historical western lover in us all. Linda Broday has earned her way into the coveted title of “Queen of Texas Historical Romance.” -- Tonya, Goodreads reviewer

“If love is your interest, do not miss this book. I could not put it down it was so compelling.” Cricket, Goodreads reviewer

“Trying to put this book down at times was like trying to get off of a high-speed roller coaster -- the kind with twists, turns, and even loops; it's just impossible.” Glenda, Goodreads reviewer

I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty historical western romance novels and short stories. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed, and at times if the breeze is just right, I can hear their voices whispering in the wind. Texas’ rich history is one reason I set all my stories here where cowboys are still caretakers of the land. I’m inspired every day by their immense dedication and love for the wide open spaces.

When I’m not writing, I collect old coins and I’ve also been accused (quite unfairly I might add) of making a nuisance of myself at museums, libraries, and historical places. I’m also a movie buff and love sitting in a dark theater, watching the magic unfold on the screen. As long as I’m confessing…chocolate is my best friend. It just soothes my soul.

║ WEBSITE  ║  FACEBOOK  ║  PINTEREST

TWITTER  ║   GOODREADS  ║   LINKEDIN  ║   BOOKBUB

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: Signed Copy of The Outlaw’s Mail Order Bride +  $25 Amazon gift card

TWO WINNERS: Signed Copies of the book.

FEBRUARY 5-15, 2019

(USA only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

2/5/19	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
2/5/19	Bonus Post	Hall Ways Blog
2/6/19	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
2/7/19	Excerpt	StoreyBook Reviews
2/8/19	Review	That's What She's Reading
2/9/19	Author Interview	Forgotten Winds
2/10/19	Guest Post	Reading by Moonlight
2/11/19	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
2/12/19	Top Ten	Book Fidelity
2/13/19	Review	The Book Review
2/14/19	Review	Momma on the Rocks

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Alt Truths ~ Audio Book Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway!

Author: Alec Birri

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Publisher: Essential Music Limited

Released: Jan. 2019

Genre: Science Fiction Thriller

What if you knew men, women and children were being slaughtered but had to cover it up?'

Fake news. Alternative facts. Truth, lies, damn lies and statistics. Just who are we to believe? In this near-future dystopian thriller, that will be United Nations Police "moderators".

Thirty year old UNPOL officer Richard Warren has been embedded with the BBC and not seeing eye-to-eye with journalist Sarah Dyer is just the start of his problems. News of an Ebola pandemic is being withheld, and when it’s discovered Sarah’s artistic savant brother is involved, Richard’s determination to get to the truth takes an unexpected turn. But what if the truth must never be known?

And Richard thought Sarah was a challenge. The very concept of right and wrong is about to be tested and in a way that’s going to make fake news look like quality journalism.

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: Alt Truths is the fourth book I have read by the talented Alec Birri, but it’s the first of his books that I have read in print. I enjoyed The Condition Trilogy with my ears and was barely recovered from fan-girling over the amazing narration by Jonathan Keeble when the audio book of Alt Truths published. JOY! Listening to Alt Truths is just as satisfying as reading it.

Told in short, highly interesting chapters, Alt Truths keeps the reader engaged and the story moving along at a fast clip.  The character building happens quickly, too, so readers not only meet the main cast of characters, they also see them fleshed-out early on. This is not to say that Birri gives away the goods. Many of the characters are not exactly the what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of people, so there are plenty of times that readers will be taken aback.

“Stop apologizing. Americans are so annoying like that.”

It is those “WHOA” moments that really force the page-turning pace to increase and induce some philosophical deep thinking for readers. Birri’s novel explores the what-ifs of savants, science, germ warfare, political agendas, and even mind control all in a very near future scenario (just barely futuristic given it’s only the 46^th United States president in office, at times making it difficult to discern that the book is dystopian). Honestly, I had some trouble reconciling that some of the elements were feasible.  Perhaps feasible is the wrong word – possible? Yes. Probable that soon? Doubtful to me. Sadly, fake news and bad cell signals are still a thing in the future, but there wasn’t a mention of selfies, so small victories there.

Birri’s writing is very good, and he does an excellent job with his descriptions of setting, allowing readers to visualize everything from the defunct amusement park and its West World-ish (original) occupants to the re-purposed military compounds and their hidden agendas. For those who are squeamish, look-out. Birri also masterfully and vividly describes the devastating and deadly effects of a virus that is ravaging the world. ICK! (But, ooooooh, so cool/gross/fascinating!)

Alt Truths is divided into two parts, and it’s almost like they are two separate books. Where part one gives us realistic characters and a realistic world, part two dives deeply into the sci-fi realm and went a bit too out-there for me with the droids and the robots and the transcendental trips. Strangely enough, within the advanced technology, global crises, and conspiracies happening, Alt Truths manages to infuse the strength of family bonds, romance, humor, and even witchcraft into this crumbling world. And it works! Admittedly, these elements work better in part one than part two, but the second half of the book does circle back around and grounds itself by the end for a satisfying and thought-provoking story. 

ABOUT THE NARRATION: Jonathan Keeble could read a recipe card and I’d be hooked. In Alt Truths, his performance of all the characters – male and female, young and old – is stellar. There is never confusion over who is speaking because Keeble manages to differentiate them so that each has a unique sound and cadence.  However, for me, there’s nothing more delightful than an international accent, and sadly, there’s a lot less of that in Alt Truths since so many important characters are American. I am less enamored of Keeble’s American accent, particularly Richard’s, which is supposed to be southern. (As a Texan, every time I heard “ma’am” mispronounced, it took me right out of the story.) I eventually acclimated to the peculiarities of the American accents, and Keeble knocks it out of the park with the others, so my fan-girl status is still firmly in place.

Thank you to the author and Audiobookworm for providing me an eBook and audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. 

I received this audio book as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Alec Birri. The gifting of this audio book did not affect my opinion of it.

Alec Birri served thirty years with the UK Armed Forces. He commanded an operational unit that experimented in new military capabilities classified at the highest level (Top Secret Strap 3) and it is this that forms the basis of his novels. Although semi-autobiographical, for national security and personal liberty reasons, the events and individuals portrayed have to be fiction but are still nonetheless in keeping with his experiences.

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If you regularly enjoy listening to audio books then this Shakespearean actor will need no introduction. Winner of a 2016 SOVAS award, Jonathan’s voice is rightly recognized as being one of the best, and his narration of Alt Truths is no exception.

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Runs Jan. 31st-Feb. 7th⎮Open internationally

Alt Truths Giveaway: $100 Amazon Gift Card

Jan. 31st:
Jazzy Book Reviews
The Book Junkie Reads . . .
Somekindaodd

Feb. 1st:
Hall Ways Blog
AudioSpy

Feb. 2nd:
Dab of Darkness Book Reviews

Feb. 3rd:

Buried Under Books
T's Stuff

Feb. 4th:
eBook Addicts
What Emma Read Next

Feb. 5th:
Turning Another Page

Feb. 6th:
The Book Addict’s Reviews
Carolyn M. Walker, Author of Thrilling Fiction

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