Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Best of Books Bloghop. Non-Fiction Books I have read in 2013

A review of this year's reading.
This year was extremely busy, reading wise. According to my Goodreads list I have read 284 books in total. No wonder I am tired **smile**, but not tired enough to stop, nope not me.
This post is just about the non-fiction and inspiring stories I have read, which was not a lot mind you, but still they are books to remember.

The first book I really can recommend - well I can recommend all of the books I have read **smile** - was this wonderful bundle from the authors of Masterkoda. A group of people that does what they say, support. Support is one of the most fundamental things an author can have, in a very competitive world of books. No man is an island is a cliche but in the world of books this is very true about authors. Without it we will fail connecting with readers, in marketing and networking and just the general idea of support. Especially Indie authors find this true on a regular basis.  So, if you are an Indie author in desperate need to connect with other authors connect with them, become part of the group and you will experience the same as me.

Click on the link to like my review and go ahead and buy your copy. It is only 99 cents. 
A bargain for what you receive in inspiring words. 

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The next book I have read but will only future on Jan 6, 2014 on my blog is 
From the Abyss. Currently number two in the Fatherhood genre on Amazon.
Be sure to come back on that date, when I will have an Interview with the author John Emil Augustine.
(He is also part of Masterkoda) **wink-wink**

My review can be read on Amazon, and go ahead buy his book, which is only 99 cents and read about his story, you will not be disappointed.

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Choosing the road less Traveled is a story that will touch every person.
I was wondering what will be revealed in this autobiography of this person, the reason I love to read autobiographies is that you get an insight in to their life normally not seen by other people. As I open the first page I was immediately drawn into the life of Myckell Williams. 




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I received my very own print books from the author, which was no small thing, since I live in South Africa and the author in America. I was really blessed to getting to know this lady which brought us this Christian series. It has to be read in consecutive order. Although fiction I thought it good to place it here as well, since you need to know the Bible to understand and fully grasp the principles she is talking about.

Bella Maura



Justice Quinn



Mason Micheal


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The next book I can recommend is "In the name of the Son and daughter", not very well known I know but worthy to be mentioned and read. The purpose of this book is to provide better understanding and awareness of abuse and the effects on children. The information includes useful data pertaining to healing from abuse. To learn more click on the link.



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I will let the author speak on this book. But I was deeply touched, that's for sure. I can recommend this book to all readers, especially if you love children.

I Didn't Know - Identifying, Confronting & Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse - the title is indicative of the subject matter. In this book the author brings to the forefront the many faces of child sexual abuse; those of the victims and the abusers. Yvette Allen-Tatum boldly confronts her past of child sexual abuse to demonstrate that TRUE deliverance is possible. Yvette believes that we ALL (victims, abusers, enablers, nay-sayers, etc.) can OVERCOME the horrible effects of child sexual abuse.

This book proves that true healing is possible and necessary for us to become more than CONQUERORS through Christ Jesus. 



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After learning that her autistic daughter Megan had been abused at the hands of her own brother, Kate Rose spent years trying to cope with her family's tragedy. She nearly gave up hope when the justice system refused to protect her daughter and was exhausted at the long, drawn-out trial that seemed to go nowhere. 
This was a touching story of one mother's fight against a system that refused to believe her, saving her daughter from her own family.



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Powerful Prayer to protect and bless your family



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This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I thought it a good idea to add it here as well. It encourages, inspire and helps you to form a clear picture of your own personal struggles.

The Invitation



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And, I can not end this post without mentioning this book.
My grandson and daughter reviewed this book for me and it received lots of attention on this blog.



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For more books on other blog hoppers follow the link

                                      Best of Books

Monday, December 30, 2013

Remembering some of the memorable romance reads in 2013

Today on this post, I  am remembering some of the books I have read over the last year. I have always loved books. From an early age I could get lost in a book, keeping myself busy and forgetting the world out there. 
Becoming a blogger and reviewer was a natural extend to my reading and I have 
learned that my opinion matters. 
Not only that, this road has open doors for me in my own writing endeavors. The connections I am building through this is priceless, and I know I have said it before but I really love this journey. Appreciating the hard work creating a book, the time away from your family, long hours alone, just you and your computer, the hard work in editing and the tireless work to market it. It is fulfilling every creative part of me.
Thank you for every reader that supports us in buying and reviewing our books. We appreciate it more than you will know.
So, with all that said let me show you some of the books I have read that stayed with me for a long time.






































And if I may, I know I am bias but every opportunity must be used, right **wink wink**


This is just a handful of the books I have read, some I received from the authors, some I have received as a promotional gift and some are freebies on Amazon. It does not matter how you obtained the book, just as long as you buy, download, read and leave a review. We love to hear back from you, the reader. Thanks for taking the time to stop here at Aspired Writer and all the positive comments. Without it, it will not be worth the effort or time.
A Prosperous 2014 for you and yours, may you too realize your dreams in this coming year and eat the fruit of your handiwork.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Cover Reveal for the Ultimate Betrayal by Lacey Leigh plus Giveaway

About the Author:
Lacey Leigh is a stay at home mother of three. Her children are very active in school activities and keep her really busy but she still finds time to put her stories out there for everyone to enjoy.
Lacey's husband is medically retired from US ARMY. Though she hates that he had to leave the job he loved so much she is glad to have him home with her children and herself.
Lacey's books are written for ADULT audiences ONLY. All audiences are encouraged to read the warning in the front of the book BEFORE purchasing/reading any of Lacey's work. Lacey does NOT wish to offend ANYONE by her writing. She only wants to write for those who enjoy the work she does.




About the Book:
                Rainey lived with her father (Martin Tucker) and sister (Mariah Tucker) in a small po-dunk town in Alabama known as Covington. Her mother was killed in a horrific car accident when she was seven years old.
                Rainey was in love with a wonderful man that treats her with respect and kindness. Everyone including her father was against their relationship at first because of the age difference between them. They were happy together until she moved away to college. The case concerning her mother’s murder was reopened, and she was betrayed by the people she should have been able to trust above anyone else.
            Does Rainey and Jake’s relationship survive all the pain and hurt that they are destined to endure? Will her mother’s murder be solved? Will their love overcome…

The Ultimate Betrayal?

Friday, December 27, 2013

Launch of Eternal Night by Jade Kerrion

Eternal Night ebook 



  "What makes Kerrion’s writing so compelling is the beautifully flawed characters that find themselves in unexpected relationships...these kind of character level conflicts make Kerrion’s writing so deliciously addictive."—Noor A Jahangir, Author of The Changeling King

“Everything you want in a great story. Love, intrigue, action, betrayal, and understanding.”—Ch’kara Silverwolf, Author of Daughter of Light and Dark 

Alone for a millennium, since a human murdered her beloved consort, Ashra, the immortal icrathari queen, rules over Aeternae Noctis, the domed city of eternal night. Her loneliness appears to be at an end when her consort’s soul is reborn in a human, Jaden Hunter, but their reunion will not be easy. Icrathari are born, not made. If Ashra infuses Jaden with her immortal blood, he will be a vampire, a lesser creature of the night, a blood-drinker rather than a soul-drinker. Furthermore, Jaden is sworn to protect his half-sister, five-year-old Khiarra. She is the child of prophecy, destined to end the eternal night and the dominion of the Night Terrors—the icrathari and the vampires. As Ashra struggles to sustain her crumbling kingdom in the face of enemies without and treachery within, Jaden fights to defend his sister and unravel a greater mystery: what is the city of eternal night, and how did it come to be?

E-books available at 
 Paperbacks available at 

READ AN EXCERPT
With Tera beside her, Ashra strode forward. A wall of vampires parted to reveal the other two icrathari, Siri and Elsker. A dark-haired human slumped at Elsker’s feet, his wrists cuffed behind his back. Ashra stifled a chuckle. Surely Tera was overreacting; the human was by far the weakest creature in the chamber. Tera knelt down, wrapped her fingers into the human’s hair, and pulled his head back. The human’s face was handsome enough—the slash of his cheekbones accentuated his perfectly proportioned, sculptured features—but taken as a whole, he was not compelling enough to justify the fuss. Ashra shrugged. “You’re wasting my time, Tera.” Apparently undeterred, the icrathari warlord shook the human hard. His eyes flashed open. They were brilliant green, the exact color of the emerald ring Ashra wore on the index finger of her right hand. His gaze was unfocused, and the reflexive narrowing of his eyes matched the clenching of his jaw, hinting of wrenching pain. Tera looked up and met Ashra’s gaze. “Taste his soul.” Ashra recoiled, her upper lip curling in disgust. She had no desire to taste a human’s soul. Over the centuries, humans had grown weak, their small lives consumed by superstition and fear. It was better to live on the edge of perpetual starvation than fill her hunger with the pitiful excuse humans called a soul. “Go deep,” Tera said. But why? Ashra’s brow furrowed. She glanced at Siri and Elsker, but the two icrathari shrugged, apparently no more clued in than she was. She looked back at Tera. The icrathari warlord known as Ashra’s Blade was the epitome of calm understatement. If she was so insistent, she must have had a reason. Ashra knelt beside the human. Without flinching, she placed her hand against his muscled abdomen. It was bloody, his flesh ripped by a vampire’s talons. The man tensed at her touch, and his eyes flared wide with agony when her soul-sucking powers leeched into him. His breath came hard and fast, his chest heaving with the effort as he twisted in Tera’s unyielding grip, trying to break free. Ashra’s eyes narrowed. The human was weakened—tapped into his life source, she waded through his dazed thoughts and shivered from the echo of each spasm of pain that wracked his body—but still, he fought Tera on the physical plane and Ashra on the psychic dimension, denying her access to his memories and to his soul. She frowned and slammed her will against his, tearing an anguished scream from his throat, but still, his will did not crumble. Askance, Ashra looked at Tera. “Did you taste him?” Tera nodded. “It wasn’t hard the first time; he didn’t know what to expect, but apparently, he does now and is doing a fine job of fighting back.” Was that grudging respect she heard in Tera’s voice? “Does his soul really matter?” The icrathari nodded again. Ashra’s shoulders shifted with the motion of a silent sigh. His resistance left her with little choice. She leaned forward and glided her lips over his in a whisper of a kiss. Human myths spoke of succubi and incubi—demons that, with a touch, could stir lust in their unwilling victims. All myths were based in reality. The maddening beauty and soul-sucking powers of the icrathari had spawned the legends of succubi and incubi. With a touch, the icrathari could lure their victims into a state of sexual ecstasy, bending the will and baring the soul. The human tensed against Ashra, resisting the intimate contact. She almost recoiled. Had the centuries dulled her innate powers? Surely she had not forgotten how to lure a man. She closed her eyes and remembered love. As always, Rohkeus’s fine-featured face—those beautiful gold-flecked green eyes, so unusual for an icrathari, and teasing smile—came to the fore. With a dreamy half-smile, she deepened the kiss, driving the memory of love before her like a sharpened stake. At last, the man relaxed, succumbing to the kiss. She leaned into him, heedless of his crimson blood staining her white gown. He was warm, feverish even. Just skimming over six feet, he had more than twelve inches on her, but his physical strength, compared to hers, was puny. She was well aged; over four millennia old, she was the oldest of the icrathari and the strongest. She could have broken his neck with as little effort as a human child snapping a twig. Her hand trailed across his muscled torso. He made it easy for her to be gentle. His body trembled as if he longed for her. His mouth was hungry for her kiss. He arched up against her, as if craving more. His need was like a living creature, wild and aching for her touch. Eyes closed, Ashra shivered. Only one other person had desired her as much. And he was dead. She forced her way through the memories of pale bodies tangled upon cool silk sheets. When her soul-sucking power leeched out, it found no opposition. Images of the human’s life rewound in a blaze of vivid sights, sounds, and sensations. Ashra looked up at Tera, her smile little more than a barely perceptible curve of her lips. “He fancies himself the protector of the child of prophecy. Was she among those taken tonight?” Tera nodded. Ashra chuckled, the sound without humor. “It’s a pity her genetic heritage wasn’t sufficiently superior to prevent her from being culled.” “There’s more. Go deep.” She pushed past the blackness at the start of his memories, expecting deeper darkness. Instead, the colors shifted into shades of ochre and gray. Memories, older than his body, resided in his soul; memories of an Earth long since lost to them—a planet surrounded and nourished by water; images of tall buildings glistening beneath a benevolent sun, and of thriving cities filled with the bustle of humans; memories of quiet and intimate conversations beneath a silver moon, the same silver moon that now graced Malum Turris with its light, though a thousand years older and viewed only from beneath the protection of the dome. She saw herself as he must have seen her, a much-younger icrathari, still hopeful for the future, never realizing that the Earth they had all known and loved was irretrievably lost. Had she ever looked that vulnerable? Had her smile ever been so beautiful, so filled with love as she looked upon— “Rohkeus?” Oh, blessed Creator, was that stricken whisper her voice?
~*~
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Book Review: Juror Number Ten by Caroline Taylor

Genre: Thriller/romantic suspense Bio:  Caroline Taylor is a novelist and short-story writer who grew up in the mountain west and traveled...