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Games of Make-Believe by Julie Ann WambachGames of Make-Believe by Julie Ann Wambach


Thanks to Rebecca Brown of  Cadence Group, I am giving away one print copy of Games of Make-Believe by Julie Ann Wambach.

Description of Games of Make-Believe by Julie Ann Wambach


Julie Ann Wambach, an Arizona resident for fifty years, sets her new book, Games of Make-Believe, in the early Phoenix, Arizona, area where the population by 1990 had grown by seven and half times of that in 1960. During these years, the explosive building boom and rapid cultural changes brought by an influx of diverse people from many other parts of the country imposed a heavy price tag on residents. For Dr. Wambach, a retired college professor whose early writings were primarily in the academic arena, this is her first work of fiction.

Amidst the 1960-1990 Phoenix transformation, the Prince family struggles to create what we now call a “blended family” before they ever heard the term. When a prosperous gentleman convinces her to marry him, Bella’s arduous existence suddenly holds the promise of enchantment. Thus begins twenty-eight stories, some in the style of a romantic fairytale, others of a comedy or a tragedy. Together, the stories explore the role of make-believe in a dysfunctional stepfamily trying to make sense of their lives in the changing community around them.

At the center of the family discord is the daughter who Bella’s husband brings into the marriage. Renata immediately rejects her new stepmother and two stepsisters. No one knows how to unify this group. As an adult survivor of child abuse, Bella struggles to create a convincing self-identity within her new husband’s affluent world. Her take-charge approach to running the family convinces others, but not herself. In an effort to make sense of it all, Bella latches onto a series of religions and pop psychologies, while her husband wholly devotes himself to the intense competition surrounding his flourishing home development business. 

About Julie Ann WambachGames of Make-Believe by Julie Ann Wambach


A retired college professor whose publications were primarily academic, Dr. Julie Ann Wambach offers her first work of fiction, Games of Make-Believe. She was born in Wisconsin to a large family and has always been interested in the dynamics of both her own family and those of her friends and acquaintances.

Having lived in Arizona for 50 years, Wambach knew Phoenix when it was a sleepy community and she watched the changes in size and population makeup as it grew into a huge metropolitan area. How these changes affected families led Wambach to create a work of fiction wherein a family with roots from outside Arizona struggled to make sense of who they were and how they might fit into the this complicated new world.

While their two grown children have settled elsewhere, Dr. Wambach and her husband still live in the Phoenix area.

Giveaway of Games of Make-Believe by Julie Ann Wambach


This giveaway is open to the Contiguous U.S. and ends on January 27, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Dispocalypse by Michael RothmanDispocalypse by Michael Rothman


Publisher: M & S Publishing, L.L.C. (June 1, 2016)
Category: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Epic Fantasy, Young Adult
Tour Date: Oct and Nov, 2016
ISBN: 978-0989089494
ASIN: B01GIIEDXW
Available in: Print & ebook,  406 Pages
Dispocalypse

In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a Governor who is both feared and worshipped, Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who is just trying to get through her last year of studies. But when her father dies, she experiences strange dreams that change everything about how she looks at the world and at herself.

Haunted by the tragedy, Willow begins pushing herself beyond anything she could have imagined she was capable of. It’s only when she catches the attention of some of the Governor’s minions that her world is turned upside-down.

“Michael Rothman is a writer with interests in many areas: from fantasy adventures to nail-biting science fiction thrillers.  As a result, his stories are like a roller coaster that carry you away into imaginative worlds where surprises abound, and the only thing that you can expect, is the unexpected.  So sit back and enjoy the ride!”-David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Author

Praise for Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman


“The duality of worlds was very interesting and it hooked me completely especially with the way Willow was made out in those scenes. The presence of a world we are familiar with and then another which had totally different geography and races drew me in slowly but steadily.
The world building was unique and it was a blend of dystopia and fantasy. I believe that was my favourite part of the book. It’s not usual that fantasy elements are introduced into a dystopian/apocalyptic tale. And it has more of a feel of the events happening after apocalypse so it was appropriately named too.

Overall,  the read was a great enjoyable one with ample fighting and adventures. I can recommend this to fantasy and dystopian lovers equally.”- Floryie, Travelogue Of a Book Addict

“I like how this book kept me guessing. It certainly didn’t expect the book to go to the places that it did. You think that one thing will happen, but the story surprises you and goes a totally different direction. The lack of predictability was quite refreshing.
The pacing in this was great! I was surprised how fast I was able to read this once I got started. Nothing seemed to drag. The flow was just perfect.  I highly recommend this book! It is one of the most unique stories that I have had the pleasure of reading. The meshing of genres really makes this one stand out.”- Vanessa [Queen Alchemy ], The Alchemy of Ink

I loved reading it, and can truly say it’s unique! I love how it’s written, and the wording/tone really drew me in. The prologue is somewhat confusing, and it took me a chapter or so to really understand what was happening, but it was a quick read, and easy to follow after that. I also enjoyed the illustrations, an added bonus in any story!

“I loved the characters, and felt the plot was unique, and well thought out. I enjoyed the quick pace, and read a large portion of the book in one sitting!
For this time this is a stand along, still I still have some questions, but I would love another book to answer them! XD (OK so I really just want to visit Willow’s world again!)”-Stephanie, Adventures Thru Wonderland

“Dispocalypse is a Shannara-esque post-apocalyptic return of magic tale, rich with prophecy, redolent with the stink of evil, and vibrant with the undaunted clamors of a young woman who will not allow her will to be constrained. It walks a delightful line between science fiction and fantasy and delivers a tale sure to please readers looking for unusual adventure fiction.”- Big Dave, Amazon Reviewer

About Michael RothmanDispocalypse by Michael Rothman


Michael Rothman  is an Army brat, a polyglot, and the first person in his family born in the United States. Given his first-born American status, hegrew up with English as his third language. As a child, he always had an active imagination and would continuously drive his family crazy with a myriad of “what if” questions.

After a while, they shoved him at the local public library and that’s when he was finally introduced to the world of books, and more specifically, science fiction and fantasy novels. His earliest influences were J.R.R. Tolkien’s classics as well as those of Isaac Asimov. Titles such as these tickled his imagination both as a child and into adulthood.

Website: http://www.michaelarothman.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MARothman2/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelARothman

Buy Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman


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Giveaway of Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman


This giveaway is for one print or ebook copy and ends on November 30, 2016 at midnight pacific time.  Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Follow Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman Tour


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 1 Excerpt & Giveaway

Book Talk with Alana Nov 4 Review, Interview, & Giveaway

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Rockin’ Book Reviews Nov 9 Review, Interview, & Giveaway

Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 16 Review

JBronder Book Reviews Nov 17 Review & Excerpt

The Avid Reader Nov 18 Review & Giveaway

Megan’s Bookshelf Nov 21 Review

Lisa’s Writopia Nov 23 Review & Interview

Infinite House of Books Nov 29 Interview

Anastacia Amazon Reviewer Nov 30

Christina Amazon Reviewer Nov 30

Larissa Amazon Reviewer Nov 30

Carol Amazon Reviewer Nov 30

Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott StambachInvisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach


Thanks to Jordan Hanley of St. Martin’s Press, I am giving away one print copy of Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach

Description of Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach


The Fault In Our Stars meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Seventeen-year-old Ivan Isaenko is a life-long resident of the Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill Children in Belarus. For the most part, every day is exactly the same for Ivan, which is why he turns everything into a game, manipulating people and events around him for his own amusement.

Until Polina arrives.

She steals his books. She challenges his routine. The nurses like her.

She is exquisite. Soon, he cannot help being drawn to her and the two forge a romance that is tenuous and beautiful and everything they never dared dream of. Before, he survived by being utterly detached from things and people. Now, Ivan wants something more: Ivan wants Polina to live.

Praise Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach


“Compelling, intelligent and moving. The love story is executed with unflinching honesty and dark humor. A masterful novel. ” ―Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project

The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko is comic and staggeringly tragic, often both in a single sentence… Ivan Isaenko is one of the most surprising narrators I have encountered―witty, adolescent, well-read, at times quite vulgar, and confined to a life that seems nearly unlivable, until he discovers that even at Mazyr Hospital, love is possible. A grittier, Eastern European, more grown-up The Fault in Our Stars.” ―Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child

“An extraordinarily brave and original debut. Ivan is an unforgettable narrator, and his story ripples with intelligence, humor, heartbreak, and humanity.” –Carolina De Robertis, author of The Gods of Tango

About Scott StambachInvisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach


Scott Stambach lives in San Diego where he teaches physics and astronomy at Grossmont and Mesa colleges. He also collaborates with Science for Monks, a group of educators and monastics working to establish science programs in Tibetan Monasteries throughout India. He has written about his experiences working with monks of Sera Jey monastery and has published short fiction in several literary journals including Ecclectica, Stirring, and Convergence.

Giveaway of Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach


This giveaway open to the U.S. only and ends on August 26, 2016 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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