Dog Eared Publicity Presents: A Water Lily Blooms by Sylvia S. Mader; #BlogTour,

Title: A Water Lily Blooms

Author: Sylvia S. Mader

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com

Genre: Coming of Age

Format: Ecopy /Paperback
Rating:  3.5 Stars

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from Dog Eared Publicity and the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

An attractive young woman lies critically injured and comatose in a hospital bed far from home. Images come and go as she struggles to regain consciousness. Is that a tall, dark man beckoning her from a distance? Will she reach him? Or will her life be cut short, denying her a second chance for happiness? How did she get from being a happy, promising young pre-med student to here? And like this?

This coming of age tale follows the struggles of a driven but naive high school graduate. Andrea Bradford leaves her peaceful Martha’s Vineyard home for college, wanting to be a physician — a true professional, just like so many boys in her class. But once at college, she begins suffering the anxieties of homesickness, a blistering schedule, constant disagreements with her mother, and the uncertainty of a possible stage career. Meanwhile, several romances awaken her pent-up sexuality and introduce her to inter-racial realities and even the lure of New York high society.

Episodes of confusion, disappointment, elation, tragedy, and reconciliation all shape Andie, as she grows to become a mature, competent woman by the end of this truly “American” story.

  PURCHASE HERE

My Thoughts:

Story is told in parts and some chapters are titled so that may help you to decide the best place to stop. Since I’m reading this during the gear up toward summer, I found it easy to get distracted and wanting to be outside. And that could be a bad thing. The good thing could mean a road trip. Then I’d have to take the book to see if I could picture places that Andie may have been to. 

Andrea “Andie” Bradford gives me mixed messages. She says one thing but then seems to do another in order to please others and pushing the idea of pleasing herself to the back. You can see that she tries to think for herself but mom seems to filter into her thoughts.

Because of all the world building, some scenes seem to go on a little too long. Then there are others that you have to fill in the blanks. Maybe it’s just me but I thought the story was in an older decade because I had a hard time picturing what happened between Andie and a young man during the time period the author uses - could just be fictional license. It’s possibly something that could turn some readers off.

Even though Martha’s Vineyard may be somewhat isolated, being an island after all, I can’t picture a racial divide taking place – I know someone from there and will have to ask. Living on the opposite end of the state, we seemed to be more progressive than that. I try to see if I can connect the book with reality but had a hard time with this one issue. Andie’s parents make me feel like the story was several decades before. This is part of why I had issues with the timeline.

Dan Jamison was a pleasant young man and I could see him growing up in the eighties. I liked how they first met and then started to develop a relationship. But then the author starts him thinking about their division and it started to be a turnoff. It also made it hard to not think about the possibility of it showing up somewhere else in the book. 

The book may be a coming of age story but it’s also one on family life. It shows how differently families are and how they think. It makes me think of my own mother. It’s a book that shows me how different from Andie I was at her age – I was much more independent and fought my mother when she would try and push her thoughts on me. That could be another reason that I couldn’t connect with our main character – even as I was getting toward the end I kept thinking, “Nothing’s changed”. There are questions for book clubs at the end that might have been of help as I was reading - it’s something for you to think about.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sylvia Mader is the author of “Inquiry Into Life, 16th edition;” “Biology, 13th edition” and “Human Biology, 16th edition,” making her one of America’s most successful college textbook authors of the last twenty-five years. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, who taught community college students and wrote most of her textbooks while raising two beautiful children. She lived on Martha’s Vineyard for nearly twenty years, and is now a grandmother, living in Hollywood, Florida. This is her debut novel. She is currently working on a second one.

Tour Schedule:

Monday, May 6

Book featured at Literal Exposure

Tuesday, May 7

Book featured at A Title Wave

Wednesday, May 8

Book featured at The Dark Phantom

Thursday, May 9

Book featured at The Zen Reader

Friday, May 10

Book featured at Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

Monday, May 13

Book featured at The Bookworm Lodge

Tuesday, May 14

Guest blogging at I'm Shelf-ish

Wednesday, May 15

Interviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, May 16

Book featured at My Bookish Pleasures

Friday, May 17

Guest blogging at The Writer's Life

Monday, May 20

Book reviewed at Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm

Tuesday, May 21

Interviewed at Straight From the Author's Mouth

Wednesday, May 22

Book featured at Lisa Queen of Random

Thursday, May 23

Interviewed at The Literary Nook

Friday, May 24

Guest blogging at Harmonious Publicity

Monday, May 27

Interviewed at Inkslinger's Opus

Tuesday, May 28

Guest blogging at As the Page Turns

Wednesday, May 29

Book featured at Voodoo Princess

Thursday, May 30

Guest blogging at Write and Take Flight

Friday, May 31

Book featured at From Paperback to Leatherbound


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Dog Eared Publicity Presents: Love Is A Wildfire by Kate Kisset; #CoverReveal, #ComingSoon, #PreOrder, #Giveaway

Playboy-vintner Michael Santino’s world is about to go up in flames. The largest wildfire in California history is racing straight for his precious vineyards.

​

But the fire isn’t what’s making him hot and bothered— it’s Shae.

The beautiful firefighter he’s never forgotten is on the scene, re-igniting sparks and making it impossible for him to think straight. Now he can’t remember why he broke up with her.

​

Firefighter extraordinaire Shae Hayes is determined to evacuate Santino Winery.

​

Strong and proud, and from a long line of heroes, she’s not taking no for answer—even if it is from Napa Valley’s own Mr. Charming. The devastatingly handsome sweet- talker is the only man who turns her insides to jelly.

​

When the wind changes and Engine 6 is stationed at Santino Winery, Shae and Michael begin to melt in close quarters, and their chemistry ignites.

​

Is it the firestorm outside or the flames smoldering in their hearts that has them clinging to each other?

They’ll soon have to decide if 

LOVE IS A WILDFIRE. 

Coming August 7th!

PRE-ORDER HERE:

AMAZON US

AMAZON CA

AMAZON UK

AMAZON AU

Excerpt:

“Michael,” she began to explain.
He took her hand in his and slowly kissed the top of it. “No. Don't say anything.” Their gazes locked for a beat, then he wrapped his hand around her waist and flipped her back to where she had been, with her head on the pillow facing the ceiling. 

Her heart pouted in disappointment. She knew her lady parts were— Her brain, though, slapped her some high-fives, reminding her she was stationed here to work during the worst fire in the history of California. There wasn’t room for distractions. 

 Shae kept her eyes on Michael as he got up and rummaged through a pack on his desk. With his back to her, he removed some clothes and tossed them on the desk. 

Then he took hold of the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up over his waist, shoulders, and off. 

She sat up. What did he just do? Her eyes popped out of her head. 

Broad shoulders, perfectly tanned and smooth, led down to ripples and planes from his shoulder blades, narrowing to a tight waist and down... Michael's jeans were so low, she could see exactly where his butt started. 

Two muscled arms reached in front, and he bent over far enough for his pants to drop another inch and her heart to stop. Then she heard a zipper. 

“What are you doing?” she asked, jolting out of her trance. 

Michael turned, looking like someone who stripped for a living. She used her eyes instead of her fingers to roam his chest, his abs, down over his tight stomach to the hair peeking up from the front his jeans... 

“Up here,” he pointed to his eyes, nailing her with his devilish grin. Did he have to look so comfortable with every inch of his body, and act like he knew what to do with it? 

Then he unfortunately ruined her view by hiking his jeans up a few inches. “I was just going to change into something to sleep in.” he sounded perfectly innocent. “I wasn’t expecting you to watch.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks burned. “Sorry,” she said, mortified, swiveling away to face the wall.  “I didn't know what you were doing,” she mumbled, probably sounding even more like a perv. Blood pulsed to her cheeks until it was a safe bet her face was the color of a tomato.

Shae flicked her glance from the San Francisco Giants plaque on the wall and back to Michael, who was now wearing basketball shorts and a white tee. 

When she met his eyes, he busted out laughing. 

“Shut up,” she fake frowned, trying to keep a straight face. “You should've asked me to turn around.”  

“It didn't look like you wanted to...”

Former San Francisco radio disc jockey Kate Kisset is passionate about telling great stories.

After playing thousands of Pop, Country, Rock and Oldies tunes, for her primarily female fan base, she changed her tune and became an author. 

Just a Kiss is the first book in her Wine Country Romance romance series, 

She lives in Northern California and Santa Barbara with her family and rescue pup “editor” Luciana Parmigiana, where she hikes, reads, listens to music, and drinks wine. 

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | BookBub | Newsletter

Want to read the first three books in the series? You can purchase them at the links below:

LOVE AT LAST (Love in the Vineyards Book #1)

LOVE'S HOME RUN (Love in the Vineyards Book #2)

AND I LOVE YOU (Love in the Vineyards Book #3)

Entry-Form

Thursday, June 28

Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm

Comfy Chair Books

Socrates Book Reviews

Aurora's Book Butterflies

Write and Take Flight

Southern Vixens Book Club


Friday, June 29

My Life One Story at a Time

My Devotional Thoughts

What is That Book About

Book Bloggin Princess

The Literary Nook


Saturday, June 30

What's Your Story Reviews

My Book Addiction and More

The Dark Phantom

My Bookish Pleasures

Review From Here


Sunday, July 1

The Writer's Life

Straight From the Authors Mouth

I'm Shelf-ish

Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

Literal Exposure


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Dog Eared Publicity Presents: Tyson's Treasure by Dale Mayer; #VirtualTour, #ComingSoon

Title: Tyson's Treasure: A SEALs of Honor Novel

Author: Dale Mayer

Publisher: Valley Publishing Limited

Publication Date: November 7, 2017

Genres: Military, Suspense, Romance

Welcome to Tyson’s Treasure, book 11 in Heroes for Hire, reconnecting readers with the unforgettable men from SEALs of Honor in a new series of action-packed, page turning romantic suspense that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Dale Mayer.

Tyson lost his wife and child several years ago, and he knows it’s time to move on… So when his wife’s best friend barrels into his new life and he finds out she’s in trouble – as in serious stalker trouble – he steps up because he owes it to his late wife. Only he quickly finds out he wants to be at Kai’s side – any way he can.

Kai has wanted Tyson for so damn long, but from the first moment her best friend saw him first, the two were like a lock and key. When Kai sets her eyes on him for the first time in years while doing a demonstration for a new training program her company developed, she realizes her feelings haven’t changed.

But her life has changed, and she has a huge issue she doesn’t want anyone to know about. After all, she’s got a badass skill set… She can handle a stalker on her own… right?

Or maybe not. As the two delve deeper into the Kai’s troubles, they find out things are much more complicated than they seem – and much more deadly.

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series). 

 She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres! 

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format. 

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/402384989872660/  

Monday, October 30

Book featured at I'm Shelf-ish


Tuesday, October 31

Book reviewed at The Book Junkie Reads

Book featured at A Book Lover


Wednesday, November 1

Book featured at The Writer's Life


Thursday, November 2

Book featured at Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm

Book reviewed at Warrior Woman Winmill


Friday, November 3

Book reviewed at Panty Dropping Book Blog

Book featured at Lover of Literature


Monday, November 6

Book featured at Lisa's Book Blog


Tuesday, November 7

Book featured at The Dark Phantom


Wednesday, November 8

Book featured at Written Love Reviews

Book featured at Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic


Thursday, November 9

Book featured at As the Pages Turn


Friday, November 10

Book featured at The Literary Nook

Book featured at A Title Wave

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Dog Eared Publicity Presents: Saul's Sweetheart by Dale Mayer; #BookTour, #NowAvailable, #OutNow

Saul's Sweetheart 
A SEALs of Honor Novel

Author: Dale Mayer

Publisher: Valley Publishing Limited

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Genres: Military, Suspense, Romance

Welcome to Saul’s Sweetheart, book 8 in Heroes for Hire, reconnecting readers with the unforgettable men from SEALs of Honor in a new series of action packed, page turning romantic suspense that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Dale Mayer.

Helping a friend in need is never a wrong move. And Saul knows the value of his friends. When he’s called to find Benji’s missing brother, Daniel – he’s on it.

Only Daniel might be involved in something a lot darker than avoiding his brother’s phone calls. At least according to Rebel who’s been haunting Daniel’s apartment, looking for her missing girlfriend.

When the bodies start showing up, Rebel is terrified her friend will be next…

And that’s not something she’s going to sit by and allow. No matter if Saul thinks she should. He needs to get out of her way or she’ll run right over him. The trouble is, it doesn’t take long for her to realize he’d like that – and so would she.

Now if only they could save their friends…before the entire mess blows up and takes them all out.

SIGN UP HERE

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series). 

 She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres! 

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format. 

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/402384989872660/  

Monday, August 7

Book featured at Wonderful World of Books

Book featured at Comfy Chair Books


Tuesday, August 8

Book featured at CGB Blog Tours

Book featured at A Book Lover


Wednesday, August 9

Book featured at I'm Shelf-ish


Thursday, August 10

Book featured at Diana's Book Reviews


Friday, August 11

Book featured at A Title Wave


Monday, August 14

Book reviewed at Patrizia's Book Blog

Book featured at Elsie's Audiobook Digest


Tuesday, August 15

Book featured at Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm


Wednesday, August 16

Book reviewed at Bab's Book Bistro

Book featured at Voodoo Princess


Thursday, August 17

Book featured at The Bookworm Lodge


Friday, August 18

Book featured at Eskiemama Reads and Dragonlady Reads

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