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Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi WaxmanGarden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Thanks to Berkley publishing, I am giving away one print copy of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman.

Description of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not… 

Praise for Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


“Waxman’s skill at characterization…lifts this novel far above being just another ‘widow finds love’ story. Clearly an observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters ring true right down to Lilian’s two daughters, who often steal the show. This debut begs for an encore from Waxman.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 “Waxman takes readers from tears to laughter in this depiction of one woman’s attempt to hold it all together for everyone else only to learn it’s OK to put herself first.”—Booklist

“Brilliant. Simply brilliant. The Garden of Small Beginnings is funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same page…I loved this book!”—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels

About Abbi WaxmanGarden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Abbi Waxman is a chocolate-loving, dog-loving woman who lives in Los Angeles and lies down as much as possible. She worked in advertising for many years, which is how she learned to write fiction. She has three daughters, three dogs, three cats, and one very patient husband.

Giveaway of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on May 20, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Minger`s Tale by R.B.N. BookmarkMinger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

Publisher: Create Space (Mar 18, 2016)
Category: Satirical Biography, Humor, Memoir
Tour Date: Mar & Apr, 2017
ISBN: 978-1517428396
ASIN: B01DJAXURM
Available in: Print & ebook,  278 Pages

A Minger's Tale

British slang definition: “ A minger is a male or female who fell out of the ugly tree at birth and hit every branch on the way down.”

A Minger`s Tale is not so much of a biography, but more of a “Boyography”.

It is a humorous account of growing up in the back streets of Manchester, England during the 1960`s and 70`s.

“Do pastures greener exist for the colour blind –and how would they ever know?

This is the conundrum Bookmark is faced with and the results are akin to a dog looking for a lamp post in a blackout.

Bookmark does indeed find some of lifes lamp posts, but more often than not he just winds up getting his feet wet.

My Thoughts Minger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

Wow, I thought I had a rough time as a kid.  What I endured was not much compared to what R.B.N. Bookmark (Ribban) endured.  First, it’s important to know the definition of a “Minger”.  “A minger is a male or female who fell out of the ugly tree at birth and hit every branch on the way down.”  When I read that, I envisioned the old ‘Road Runner’ cartoons.  That poor Coyote always got hurt in the end.  He hit every rock, fell off cliffs, exploded, etc.  It was funny!  The different was that Coyote got what he deserved for going after Roadrunner.  Ribban did not usually go looking for trouble but it found him.  He was born into it.

With humor, Ribban tells his story of growing up in one of the poorest parts of England, Manchester. Life was hard and the people in it did not make it any easier.  The entire neighborhood seemed like one big dysfunction from the way Ribban describes it.  I laughed so much at his expense and antics, he wants the reader to.  He lightens the load while still telling his truth.  Sure, there were times he got to laugh as a kid but not as much as I laughed reading his story.  I felt sad for what he had to go through.

It takes a lot of talent to make comedy out of tragedy but that is just what Ribban has achieved.  I admire his courage and his ability to make a better life as an adult.  ‘A Minger’s Tale’ is well written, full of humor, and tragic.  It reminds me somewhat of ‘Running With Scissors’ by Augusten Burroughs. I highly recommend ‘A Minger’s Tale’!

5/5

I received the ebook version for my honest review.

About R.B.N. BookmarkMinger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

“Hindsight & perforated toilet paper
are what sets us apart from the apes”: rbn bookmark

Originally from Manchester in the UK, R.B.N. Bookmark left the damp north of England behind him and exiled himself to the frozen north of Scandinavia where he has remained these last 25 years.

He began writing 3 years ago, urged on by family and friends
A Minger`s Tale-Beginnings eventually saw the light of day in March 2016.

The books quirky humour portrays the flipside of life in northern England during the 1970`s through to the mid 1980`s.

Website: http://www.rbnbookmark.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBN-Bookmark-988776994541136/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rbnbookmark

Buy Minger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

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Giveaway Minger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

There is still time to enter the giveaway to win a copy of ‘A Minger’s Tale’ for your very own!  This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook. Print is open to Canada, UK, and the U.S. only however, ebook is open worldwide.  This giveaway ends on April 28, 2017 at midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
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Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 2 Kick Off & Giveaway

Carole Rae’s Random Ramblings Mar 3  Review

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Amanda Amazon Reviewer Mar 7 Review

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Cindy’s Notebook Mar 10 Excerpt

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Urban Book Reviews Mar 15 Review

Cate Amazon Reviewer by Apr 5 Review

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Apr 10 Review

Mary Lou Amazon Reviewer by Apr 28 Review

Minger`s Tale by R.B.N. Bookmark

Recovered (Shapeshifters' Library #3) by Amber PoloRecovered (Shapeshifters’ Library #3) by Amber Polo


Publisher: Wordshaping Press (November, 2016)
Category: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Dogs, Werewolves,  Humor, Pet Rescue
Tour date: Feb 1-Mar 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1539059813
Available in Print & ebook, 224 pages

 Recovered (The Shapeshifters' Library #3)

From the Award Winning Author:

Bliss D. Light believes she’s an ordinary children’s librarian…until she grows a tail.

Now her life is filled with more magic than any fairy tale she reads the children at the Shipsfeather Library. Bliss’s newly discovered dog-shifting ability allows her to change into a sleek white Greyhound but leaves her yearning to dig up her heritage and track down the dog-shifters’ lost library. Her best friend Harry, disgraced werewolf/dog-shifter mix, smitten with Bliss and eager to redeem himself, insists he accompany her.

Tailed by the devilish werewolf duo of Harry’s supercilious ex-wife Sybilla and bad boy Blaze, their cross-country quest takes them up ancient mounds and into extreme danger.

Chased by federally-funded dogcatchers, sold to a racetrack, and forced to fight wolf-dogs is no walk in the park. Aided by dog rescue advocates and a bookstore cat, Bliss and Harry never lose sight of their goal—or each other.

Series Description Shapeshifters’ Library  by Amber Polo


Dog-shifting librarians nose to nose with book-burning werewolves!

Light fantasy series for the dog lover who lusts for books and adores libraries. Comic villains, smart sweet heroines, and brave intelligent heroes share a world where dogs talk and librarians battle werewolves to protect knowledge.

My Thoughts Recovered (Shapeshifters’ Library #3) by Amber Polo


I don’t read novels with shapeshifters very often but ‘Recovered’ makes me think perhaps I should!  I tend to stick with more serious books however; my mood tends to get dark at times.  I think reading more fun novels like this would brighten my mood.  ‘Recovered’ made me laugh and smile a lot!

Librarian, Bliss D. Light comes to realize she sometimes becomes a dog.  Yes, the kind with four legs and a tale, a greyhound, in fact. J Thus begins her adventure with her friend Harry, a werewolf/dog-shifter mix on their search for the dog-shifters’ lost library.  Along the way they encounter all kinds of hurdles including Harry’s ex-wife, dog catchers, being forced into dog fighting, and being sold to a race track, among other things. 

It sounds crazy, I know but it is crazy good!  I got so caught up in the story that I could not put ‘Recovered’ down and had to stay up into the wee hours for the morning to finish it.  This book was so well written in the expert hands of Amber Polo.  It’s full of fun quirky characters that are well developed and that I will not soon forget. 

‘Recovered’ is the third novel in her ‘Shapeshifters Library’ series but the series can easily be read out of order as they are loosely linked.  I now have the first two books on my list to read. Highly recommended!

5/5

I received the ebook version for my honest review.

About Amber PoloRecovered (Shapeshifters' Library #3) by Amber Polo


Amber Polo’s lifelong love of libraries and dogs led to a fascination with lost ancient libraries and curiosity about why werewolves outnumbered dog-shifters in literature and inspired her urban fantasy series The Shapeshifters Library.

The mystical side of Sedona became the comic paranormal setting for Hearts in the Vortex. One day a plane flew past her office window and she turned her pen to her own airpark backyard and Heads in the Clouds was the result.

Author of award-winning fantasies and Arizona romances, Amber relaxes stressed writers and readers. Relaxing the Writer offers a catalog of suggestions and simple exercises while her calming CDs help (almost) anyone relax and find restful sleep.

After living in seven states, she’s settled in a small Arizona town.

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Buy Recovered (Shapeshifters’ Library #3) by Amber Polo


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Recovered (Shapeshifters’ Library #3) by Amber PoloRecovered by Amber Polo Grand Prize Giveaway


This grand prize includes the following:

    • Canvas bag for books or whatever you carry
    • A collectible Taco Bell Chihuahua
    • Relaxing the Writer book & the CD containing the track that put 7,500 people to sleep on Insight Timer app)
    • More Books – Released (the original edition), Hearts in the Vortex (paranormal romance), and Christmas on Wherever Island (to put you in the Christmas spirit anytime)

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Book Giveaway Recovered by Amber Polo


This giveaway is for the choice of one print or ebook of ‘Recovered’ by Amber Polo.  Print is open to the U.S. only, ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on March 31, 2016 at midnight, pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
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Follow Recovered by Amber Polo Tour


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