Thanks to Maria Moloney of John Hunt Publishing, I am giving away one print copy of O Reads by John F. Lavelle, PhD.
Description of O Reads by John F. Lavelle, PhD
At fourteen, Cassie Wolphe s way of life in Appalachia is being changed by the influx of modernity/postmodernity. She is in love with Jake McCollum, believes she will marry him and constructs her life around this central act, but like her brother, Ben, Jake rejects a life he believes offers nothing but hard work and poverty.
Forced to make a decision between her love of Jake and her love of the mountains, Cassie finds she can’t leave, a choice which may define her life forever. At once lyrical, emotionally charged, moving and heartbreaking, Oreads is a literary treat that will keep you compelled right to the very last page and beyond.”
About John F. Lavelle
John F. Lavelle, PhD, has an MA in creative writing and another MA in English. He is an associate professor at Florida Institute of Technology
Giveaway of O Reads by John F. Lavelle
This giveaway is open to the U.S., UK, and Ireland and ends on February 12, 2016 12 AM Pacific. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Thanks to Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist, I am giving away one print copy or ebook of ‘The Wiregrass’ by Pam Webber
Description of ‘The Wiregrass’ by Pam Webber:
The Wiregrass is a coming of age novel about an innocent young woman who is forced to come to grips with the evil stalking the beautiful place and people she loves. Having spent every summer of her life in the small Wiregrass town of Coffee Springs, Alabama, Nettie is hoping for a respite from the unrelenting physical and emotional changes that have made her first year of high school pure misery. But fate has other plans.
A chance encounter with Mitchell, a seductively handsome, yet secretive young man, turns Nettie’s summer and her heart upside down. As their romance blooms, Nettie becomes suspicious that Mitchell is harboring a dark and dangerous secret, one that will ultimately rock the heart of the sleepy little town and have Nettie and those she loves running for their lives.
Set in 1969, the story uses the uniqueness of the Southern Wiregrass region to support engaging and captivating characters as they take the reader on a roller coaster ride of lingering emotions, from laugh out loud funny to soul crushing sadness.
Praise for ‘The Wiregrass’ by Pam Webber:
“There are deep southern traditions at work here, of memory, courage, sweetness, and sadness. This is a brave book at the same time it’s complex and gentle, and the way it honors a sense of time and place is truly remarkable.”-David L. Robbins, New York Times best-selling author of Scorched Earth and The Empty Quarter
“Webber has crafted a summer setting that is both magical and dangerous in this profound coming-of-age story. I laughed out loud. I held my breath. I anxiously pressed on for ‘just one more page’ (page after page, after page) and I cried. She has touched me on many levels in this, her first novel. Its ending has haunted me for days since finishing it. It is a book I’ll not soon forget. For this reviewer, The Wiregrass was reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer, and Of Mice and Men, yet all the while it was its very own unique story written with a large measure of tenderness and grace. What a privilege to have the opportunity to read this book that is surely destined to become a best-seller!”-Lee Ambrose, Story Circle Book Reviews
About Pam Webber:
Pam Webber is the author of a nursing textbook and numerous published articles. In 2001, she was featured in the journal Nursing and Health Care Perspectives. Pam resides in Virginia with her husband. The Wiregrass is her first novel.
Giveaway of ‘The Wiregrass’ by Pam Webber:
This giveaway is open internationally for ebook or to the U.S. only for a print copy and ends on August 21, 2015. Entries are eligible via Rafflecopter only.
Publisher: Harold J. Fischel (April 3, 2014) Category:New Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction Tour Date: May/June, 2015 Available in: Print & ebook, 309 Pages
Life has never been easy for Anthony, the secret love child of a well-known US general and his beautiful mistress. After his father perishes in a plane crash, his cancer-stricken mother, Yuni, is forced to move with him to a tiny New York City apartment. And to make matters worse, he’s flagged as an easy target for neighborhood bullies, who constantly terrorize him inside and outside of school.
But after a brutal attack prompts him to fight back in a fit of rage, things start to turn around for the young boy. He shows promise joining the swim and wrestling teams in school, and begins to grow into the tall and physically fit body he inherited from his father.
Just when Anthony’s situation seems to be getting better, however, tragedy strikes his life yet again. In order to put the pieces back together, he turns to some of the strong female figures in his life. But it’s the one girl whom he least expects who may have the power to heal him—shedding his image as the illegitimate son through the magic of love and helping him leave his tragic childhood behind.
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My Thoughts on Anthony by Harold J. Fischel:
Anthony has not had an easy childhood. His mother, Yuni was mistress to his father. His father died and Yuni supported Anthony and herself with her pay as a super model. However, he was still quite young when she looses her leg to cancer and can no longer support them. Forced to move from the only home he ever had with Yuni, they move to the projects.
Anthony becomes a ripe target for bullies and must learn to navigate his new life. He knows if he tells his teacher he will just get bullied even more.
This book follows Anthony into college and then adulthood. He has many ups and downs along the way but he is a survivor. I can’t tell you any more because I don’t want to risk giving spoilers.
‘Anthony’ is a wonderful coming of age story about overcoming adversity. It is well written and has a wonderful cast of characters. It made me realize how lucky I have been to have my parents around for so long. At 83, my Mom is still here. At 51 I have come to realize that no matter what age, my parents are still guiding me and always will, even when my mother passes and both are gone. Though I don’t always agree with all the lessons they have taught, I am better for having had them. Anthony had some guiding forces as well.
Highly recommended! 5/5
I received the ebook for my honest review.
About Harold J. Fischel:
Harold J. Fischel, a graduate of Washington & Lee University and the NYU School of Law, has lived and worked on four different continents. His family fled the Netherlands shortly after the Nazi invasion, moving to Curacao and Aruba before settling in the United States in 1952.
After law school, Fischel served the US Army in Germany, later retiring as a captain. Since then, he again lived in the Netherlands, before returning to the United States to work for the US subsidiary of a Chinese company.
Fischel is now retired and living in Michigan with his wife, Jan, and their beloved Labrador retriever. He has two daughters, five wonderful grandchildren, and two great sons-in-law. Since retiring, he has published two novels and is working on a third.
Thanks to Maria Moloney of John Hunt Publishing, I am giving away one print copy of O Reads by John F. Lavelle, PhD.
