Cover Reveal - Vegas to Varanasi by Shelly Hickman

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to reveal the cover for Vegas to Varanasi by Shelly Hickman. I think you will agree it is a stunning book cover!

A message from Shelly Hickman:

'As part of my cover reveal, I’m offering an advanced reader copy to anyone who would be willing to share a review on Amazon (and Goodreads, if it’s not too much trouble) during the first week of December. If you are interested, please contact me at sydneyhickman91@gmail.com, or message me on Facebook, indicating in which format you would like your ARC (Kindle, Nook, or pdf), and I will gladly send you a copy.'

Blurb:


Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard. Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her. In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”

Author Bio:

Living in Las Vegas since she was two, Shelly Hickman has witnessed many changes in the city over the years. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Art in 1990, and in her early twenties worked as an illustrator for a contractor for the Nevada Test Site. In the mid-90s, she returned to school to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches computer literacy and media technology at a middle school in Las Vegas. She loves to write about people, examining their flaws, their humor, spirituality, and personal growth. Shelly lives with her husband, two children, and their dog, Frankie.

www.shellyhickman.net

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelly-Hickman/219166834770664

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5814237.Shelly_Hickman

Twitter: @shellyhickman

Read More

The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

Brooklyn James is an author/singer/songwriter inspired by life in the Live Music Capital of Austin, Texas. This year marks the Three Year Anniversary of her first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me. In celebration, her camp has re-released the Anniversary Edition with a new cover (as chosen by a fan) and a new epilogue, setting up the anticipated sequel.   You can grab yourself a copy via Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.   The Boots My Mother Gave Me – Brooklyn James

   

What they say: ‘Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes? Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson. Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too. A mature, candid read for everyone. A must for women. The Boots My Mother Gave Me explores the dynamics of abuse and dysfunction, the courage to overcome, the strength in sisterhood, and the ongoing conflict and unconditional love between mothers and daughters. Climb into Charlene the Chevelle for a fast-paced story about a girl who is tough enough to survive and tender enough to learn to trust in love.’ 

MY REVIEW

This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster so be prepared. Have the tissues and waterproof mascara ready! To read about the life Harley and her family have at the hands of her father is a shocking yet not uncommon one amongst families living with domestic abuse. Throughout this book my heart broke alongside Harley's and burst with love for the wonderful man that is Jeremiah Johnson. A modern day knight in shining armour. If ever the world needed someone to show them that good men still exist, then Jeremiah is that someone. The love scenes, written very tastefully, will make you go weak at the knees.

Through every chapter in this book I cried for and with Harley and the book affected me in such a profound way. I saw snapshots of part of my own history in the book and understood her pain. The Boots my mother Gave me is the type of book that stays with you for a long time after you have read the final chapter. But, its not a book that is filled only with sadness. Harley's story offers hope and is uplifting. Exploring many difficult issues, such as domestic abuse and suicide, this book is written in a mature and sensitive way. It's a story of a woman's journey to escape her life and make a new one. Going through their own journey are her mother and sister. Celebrating the strength that women possess and the courage to change your life and eventually stop running, this book is a must read! I cannot recommend The Boots My Mother Gave Me highly enough.

.

   

The Boots My Mother Gave Me was chosen as a Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, and has ranked in Kindle's Top 100 Coming of Age and Women's Fiction. Accolades for the book include a host of radio and television appearances, book signings, live music events, televised public readings and a music video release of the title track 'Can't Get It Right' from the original music soundtrack to the novel, viewable on YouTube. "Brooklyn James' soundtrack to her novel The Boots My Mother Gave Me does more than give a clever feminist twist to the title. Her songs serve as chapters themselves, underlining James' deft ability as a storyteller and songwriter." - Margaret Moser, The Austin Chronicle. 

   

Like what you hear?

Brooklyn’s new album Jolie Blonde is out now and is set to accompany her upcoming novel of the same name, due for release mid-October. Click here to listen to a sample and pre-order.
 

Her music can be found on Amazon, iTunes, CDBaby, Pandora and Jango online Radio. She enjoys airplay from American Independent radio stations as well as in Australia, South of France, Netherlands and the UK. Her song 'Can't Get It Right' was chosen for MEOW's (Musicians for Equal Opportunity for Women) 2012 Discoveries Jukebox, naming Brooklyn among the top 15 female singer/songwriters on the rise. Jango Radio named track two, 'Moving On,' off the same album to their Top 10 Songs of Summer. All songs from the soundtracks are written/co-written and performed by the author, and are produced and recorded at Wonderland Studios, Austin, Texas. Listen free on Brooklyn's Website or Facebook.

***Giveaways***

Win 1 of 3 Anniversary eCopies!

Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway closes October 8 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win 1 of 2 The Boots My Mother Gave Me Soundtracks Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway close October 8 2013.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:

  Brooklyn holds an M.A. in Communication, and a B.S. in both Nursing and Animal Science. Her nursing career has seen specialties in the areas of Intensive Care and Labor & Delivery/Postpartum, which she's hoping will come in handy as she and her handsome hubby (the inspiration behind Jeremiah Johnson from The Boots My Mother Gave Me) are expecting their first child this Christmas. You can read about such experiences on Brooklyn's Blog, if you fancy. A self-professed Jack-of-all-trades, she has enjoyed careers in massage therapy, personal training, teaching, day labor at a cattle company (doing everything on horseback, the old-fashioned 'cowboy' way), radio DJ, TV news writer and reporter, waitress, bartender, even amateur actor. To date, her most fun experiences in front of the camera have been starring in a Weezer video, being a 'stand-in' for Mira Sorvino on the set of TNT's Trooper, and as background in When Angels Sing with Harry Connick Jr. Brooklyn says he couldn't have been more of a gentleman and oh so swoon-worthy! She takes great pleasure in performing as part of an acoustic duo in the local live music scene in Austin. Got a little video here from a set at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Her hobbies include, spending time with family and friends, dancing until her feet are sore, weight lifting, running, paddleboarding (anything outdoors really), reading, watching The Big Bang Theory and anything on The History Channel, partaking of a good cup of Joe and trying out new and local food fare. Brooklyn also serves as a guest speaker from time to time with a focus on awareness and prevention of domestic violence and suicide, a cause near and dear to her heart. Thank you so much for being so kind to take the time to check out my blog hop! Light & Love – Brooklyn James.   

Stay in touch:

Facebook Website Amazon Author Central

Barnes & Noble: Twitter YouTube Blog

     If you're still hankering after the first book, with original story and cover, it's still available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.   

Read More

Happy Birthday Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly

A wedding is imminent and to be held at Purley Hall. The bride is the very beautiful Austen-ite, Katherine. She has actually found a man who shares her love for Jane Austen. However, as the wedding day fast approaches, Katherine begins to have doubts about how marriage will change her and her career. Katherine feels that her well ordered life is going to become a thing of the past once she marries Warwick. Warwick himself has no doubts at all about his forthcoming marriage to Katherine. However, his friends worry about how they can get Warwick to stop working on his new book long enough to make it down the aisle!

 

 

This book is the fifth in the Austen Addicts series. It was however, the first book in the series that I have read and I loved it! In fact, after reading Happy Birthday Mr Darcy I will now read the entire series! Despite not having read any of the other books I had no problem reading this as a stand alone novella. However, after reading it I was desperate to find out all the history behind the wonderful characters that Victoria Connelly has created. I wanted to know their stories. They are warm, loving and interesting. Drawn together by their love for the great and wonderful Jane Austen, they have piqued my interest once again in her books and after reading this book I bought the Jane Austen collection! I'd highly recommend this great book which I devoured in a weekend!

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read More

Fractured - Guest Post by Majanka Verstraete

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to have Majanka Verstraete on the blog today. Lets see what she has to say..........

 

 

 Find something that scares you When I started writing Fractured, I knew I wanted to write the kind of book that would scare people. The kind of scary that creeps up on you when you least expect it. The problem is that scaring people isn’t all that easy. Then I came across an image of a mirror on the internet. The mirror was cracked, and a pale figure was locked behind the glass. The figure resembled a phantom, with a long, grey face and hollow eyes. The first thing I thought when seeing that image was: this is it. Mirrors have always scared me.

 

 

When I was a kid, I came up with this stupid idea (that still has me traumatized). I stood in front of a mirror and looked in the eyes of my reflection. I invite you to give it a shot. Calm your breathing and stare into your own gaze. I lasted about five minutes like that. But the key is that, the longer you do it, the creepier it gets. You can see black shadows from the corners of your eyes, for instance. And you start to feel like that person looking at you from the other side of the mirror isn’t even you… Clearly, I’m not the only person who thinks mirrors are frightening. In Victorian times, people covered up all mirrors in the house when a person died, because they feared the deceased’ soul may enter one of the mirrors and get stuck forever.

 

 

When playing the Candyman game or Bloody Mary, one has to stand in front of a mirror and say “Candyman” or “Bloody Mary” a number of times before the ghost appears. And we all know the already stereotypical scene in many horror movies. A character stands in front of a mirror and suddenly a ghost, or something else that makes us jump in our seat, appears in the mirror reflection, standing behind the character. Lots of cultures think mirrors are gateways or portals to another world, some kind of spirit realm. I wanted to combine this lore along with many urban legends I read about mirrors, into a story. That’s how Fractured was born. However, to be able to scare people, just finding an item that would scare me, wasn’t enough. I had to make the main character, Piper, go through things that would’ve scared me too. I had to crawl inside the darker corners of my mind and think about what would be truly terrifying. While writing, I often glanced behind my shoulder, half and half expecting to see something there, a vague shape or a dark shadow, or something worse. Shivers crawled down my spine and one day, I even had a nightmare based on what I was writing. But I saw all of that as good stuff. When you’re writing horror, and you can’t even scare yourself, then how can you ever expect to scare someone else?


About the book

  

 

When Piper discovers an old antique mirror on the attic of her new home, she has no idea what terror she unlocked. Eerie shadows lurking in the night and estranged voices crying out for help are only the beginning. As Piper’s world comes crumbling down, she realizes everything that she believed was imaginary, might have been real all along. Something is very wrong with that mirror. And if she doesn’t find out what, the mirror might end up killing her. With some help of old and new friends, Piper tries to get to the bottom of the mystery. One thing is for certain: the mirror preys on the guilty. But what exactly is she guilty of?

NOTE: The Mirrorland Series is a trilogy of young adult paranormal books focusing on the mirrorland, a world where lost souls dwell and are being tormented by nightmarish creatures – purgatory.The ruler of this Mirrorland is none other than the Horseman of Death, a legendary creature and harbinger of the Apocalypse. After spending years taking care of the souls of the deceased – hunting them down to bring them before the judges, who decide whether they get thrown into hell or ascend to heaven – the Horseman comes up with a plan to escape this hellish dimension, and to come back to earth. But in order to do that, he needs someone to break one of the seals of the Apocalypse… Fractured is the first book in this series.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Majanka Verstraete is a twenty-two-year old Belgian law school student. Writing is her passion, and has been ever since she learned how to read.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Her debut picture book, Valentina and the Haunted Mansion, released on May 20th, 2013. She has four books coming up in September 2013. The first is another picture book in the Valentina’s Spooky Adventures series, titled Valentina and the Whackadoodle Witch. Then there’s the first two books of her debut chapter book series titled Weirdville, The Doll Maker and House of Horrors. Her debut young adult novel, Fractured, the first book in theMirrorland series, will release in September as well.

 

 

Website

Facebook

Twitter @iheartreads

Read More

Book Tour Excerpt - Kiss me in Paris by Kimberly Kinrade

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to be part of the Fiction Addiction Book Tour for Kiss me in Paris by Kimberly Kinrade

 

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 1187 KB

Print Length: 314 pages

Publisher: Daring Books (25 Jun 2013)

ASIN: B00DMTXQHA

Travel to the most romantic city in the world and fall in love with Winter and Cade!

When the city of love brings two lost souls together, only their darkest secrets can tear them apart.

 

No one knows my secret. Ever since high school, ever since I started living in fear, no one has known the true me. But then I met him, and I couldn't hide anymore.

 

He became my hero, saving me from the villain of my past. He became my friend, his smile a blanket of warmth. And he scared me. Because he, this beautiful man, he might become more. Then he'd see the real me, and I couldn't let that happen.

 

My name is Winter, and what I desire most I can't have.

 

Flashes of the night I was drugged rush back to me. His strong arms carrying me through the streets of Paris. The feel of his heart beating as my head rested against his chest. The soft press of his lips against my forehead when he thought I was asleep.

 

Oh shit. I'm falling for the cowboy. Cade.

 

But we can't be anything more. He has his own secrets. His own darkness he keeps hidden, like the letter he keeps with him everywhere he goes.

 

The letter he refuses to open.

 

*** 

New Adult Contemporary Romance - 87, 000 words - Standalone in the Kiss Me series.

 The giveaway on this tour is an Amazon GC $50/£30

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Travel the world with the Deveaux's as they find love, and trouble, in all the right places. 
 

 

  Kiss Me in Paris is a standalone novel in the Kiss Me Series. Travel the world with the Deveaux sisters as they find love, and trouble, in all the right places.
 

Reviews are in for Kiss Me in Paris

 

5 stars "I experienced every emotion as each character felt it. Every tear, every laugh, all of the fear, anxiety, and stress, I experienced every last bit of it. And even though this is a romance, there are tears. I cried more times reading Kiss Me in Paris than I did watching Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song. Kiss Me in Paris left me hollow when I finally finished it. I feel as if a piece of me was left in the words as I read. And for once, I have a book to call my favorite." ~Merumei on Amazon

5 stars "A timeless and beautiful love story that will sweep you off your feet, but it's also much more than that." ~Amy Conley, Amazon

5 stars "Beautifully drawn characters and stunning pallets that bring you in to Paris itself." ~Stormy, Amazon

 

Some favorite quotes from Kiss Me in Paris

 

•   "One star breaks off from the others, shooting across the sky, a bright light trailing behind it, and I finally understand why people wish on dying stars. Because something always has to die for life to give birth to a new dream. "

 

•   "Paris is pregnant with layers of history, colored with the ink of artists who dared to dream of a world only they could see."

 

•   "It's like I'm giving birth from my mouth." <You'll understand this when you get to chapter 5. Then you'll pee your pants laughing.>

 

•   "It's the nature of being human that, in our own blindness, we lash out and blind others."

 

•   "I think of Winter, of her smile, her eyes, her arms wrapped around me, and I know where home is. It's wherever she is, and right now she is too far away. My heart has escaped my body and is walking Paris without me."

 

•   "She opened herself to him, and, in that moment, she opened herself to the world. Let it hurt her. Let it burn her veins, boil her blood and scorch her heart. For where there could be pain, there could be pleasure and love. She would be cold no longer. She would melt the hearts of others, and in turn, they would melt hers. She would feel the full spectrum of emotions and cry. She would be human. And she would be happy."

 

Pick up your copy of Kiss Me in Paris on Amazon, B&N, and wherever ebooks are sold (Except iBooks, sadly, because they are taking FOREVER to publish books. So if you have an iPad, iPhone or iAnything, get an Amazon app for free and you're set). Look for the paperback and hardback coming soon.

 

OR 77p FOR THOSE IN THE UK!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1adeUti

B&N: http://amzn.to/1adeUti

Add it on Goodreads at: http://bit.ly/XPBKCZ

 

About Kimberly Kinrade

 

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes romance (contemporary and paranormal), fantasy and paranormal stories for all ages and still believes in magic worlds. 

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

 

 

 

Website

Twitter @KimberlyKinrade

Facebook

Goodreads

 

 From Chapter 4: Cade

Kiss Me in Paris by Kimberly Kinrade & Dmytry Karpov

 

Paris—the city of artists and dreamers. Being here is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. So why do I still feel so out of place?

 

I don't belong in Texas, running my dad’s business. And if I don't belong in the city, pursuing my career, then where do I belong? Where will I ever find the peace that’s been missing from my life for so long?

 

My dad’s voice echoes in my mind. "What’s bothering you, kid?" He always asked me that when I was young, andI never had an answer for him.

 

I still don’t.

 

The suitcase sits nearly empty on my bed, save for one last item. I pull out the envelope, weathered by years and tears but forever unopened. The familiar scrawl across the front, just the one word, Goodbye. I run my thumb along the seal, wondering, not for the first time, what words he could have written that would make a difference, that would make the ache of his loss easier to bear.

 

But I don't open it. I’ll never open it. Instead I slip it into my pillow as memories of the past flood me.

 

The mocking.

 

The pain.

 

The end.

 

“What's bothering you, kid?” Dad's voice whispers through me again. At least this time I have an answer, a way to act on the anger crashing through me.

 

I can’t go back and right the wrong done so long ago, but I can right a recent wrong, and dag nab it, will it feel good.

 

Pulling on my boots, hat on head, I lock up my room and seek the object of my righteous rage.

 

I pause, staring at the door to Winter’s room as if I could see through it. She and her roommate went out; I heard them leave. Her pale face and eyes the color of a frozen lake, haunt me. Eyes filled with tears when that asshole stepped on her small hand, so delicate. I held it as it turned blue, swelling in pain.

 

Pulling myself from her door, I hunt the hallway looking for Rodney. I don’t know what their history is, and I don’t care. No one deserves to be treated that way. I’ve seen guys like him before, known them all my life, and I’ve never backed down from putting jerks like him in their place.

 

I’m not about to start today.

 

It’s not because of the girl, I’m sure of that. She’s beautiful, sure. And funny, in an offhanded way. But that’s irrelevant. I’m doing this because it's the right thing to do.

 

I spot him just outside of our dorms, leaning against a tree. Or rather, pinning a girl against a tree as he does what I can only assume is his version of flirting.

 

The girl in question doesn't appear to enjoy his attentions, if the bored droop to her face is any indication.

 

Rodney's not a small guy, probably played football back home, but I've got several inches and a lot more hard muscle on my side.

 

I pull him from the girl, who looks wide-eyed at me before scampering off, and grab the front of his shirt, glaring down at him. “I don't know why you like tormenting girls. I don’t even want to know. But you’ll leave Winter alone. Got it?”

 

My face is inches from his, close enough that I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

 

He laughs, spraying me with his saliva. “You think she doesn’t like having me around? Guess you don’t know what a slut she is.”

 

Growling, I slam him against the tree.

 

He groans, but offers another cocky grin. “If you want my advice, stay away. She’ll spread her legs easily enough, but you’ll regret ever sticking—“

 

I’m done listening.

 

I knee him in the groin. His mouth opens, a high-pitched yelp escaping as he collapses on the ground. “This is mepolitely telling you to back the hell off Winter and leave her alone."

Read More