A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE by Monique Bucheger--Book Buzzin'

A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE by Monique Bucheger. Take a look at these fun books. They all sound like fun reads!

THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 1)

Blurb:

Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie and Tillie, want to be sisters. Ginnie's widowed dad plus Tillie's divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie form a secret club and come up with the perfect mission to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’.

Before long, Tillie seems happier about gaining a dad than a sister. Ginnie suspects that Tillie has turned ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ into a scam called ‘Operation Steal My Dad.’  Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her real mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and Dad doesn’t talk about.

When Dad discovers she has the journals, he takes them away. Ginnie needs to figure out what the big mystery is before her relationship with her father and her best friend are ruined forever.





If you like farms, friends, horses, and secrets, you’ll love: Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure.  So saddle up and be ready to ride with Ginnie as she explores the true meaning of friendship.
Debbie Shakespeare Smith, middle-grade author of The House of Chicken




TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 2)

Blurb:

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong.

She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Charlie likes being knocked down by one. When Charlie seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Charlie’s house.

Sadly, Ginnie learns that Charlie has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll with one awful blow to the chest. Realizing he's a boy in big trouble, Ginnie switches gears and decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend.


I loved this book! I didn’t know a book without zombies could be good! 15 yr-old Amanda



SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN: A Ginnie West Adventure: (BOOK 3)

BLURB:

Twelve year-old Ginnie and her BFF, Tillie, schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom. It worked. But before they could become ‘for real’ sisters, Ginnie stumbled across her dead mom’s journals. Which was totally awesome sauce… until her dad took them away and won’t tell her why. Now all their plans are starting to unravel.

If that’s not bad enough, Ginnie’s favorite uncle drops the mother of all bombshells and leaves her in a maze of uncertainty. While her head is still spinning from that news,  a blast from her late mother’s past shows up and makes Tillie goes nutburgers. Ginnie realizes her best friend has her own agenda and Tillie’s plans to merge their families may not be so innocent.
SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN is a contemporary MG novel that follows Ginnie West as she tries to make sense of one too many curve balls tossed her way in the most pivotal summer of her life. 

Monique Bucheger was born in Landstuhl, Germany to active duty Air Force parents. After watching her creative writing teacher's astronaut son lift off in the Space Shuttle Endeavor, she recalled a promise to her teacher to write the books only she could write. In January of 2011, her first book made it through the first 3 tiers of Amazon's National BreakThrough Novel Award Contest to the top 5%. In November of 2012 Mrs. Bucheger was offered a 3 book contract for her Ginnie West series. Book one: THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A Ginnie West Adventure was published March 8, 2012. Her second book: TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A Ginnie West Adventure was published April 14, 2012. 

Mrs. Bucheger has championed the cause of children as a foster parent to over 120 children and her books embrace and empower people on all sides of the child abuse issue.

Here are other blogs that have reviews and such posted. Be sure to take a look!

12/13/2012    http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/2012/12/monique-bucheger-interview-with-author.html#more
12/19/2012    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club-by-monique.html
   
12/21/2012    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club-by-monique.html
12/28/2012    http://thethingsilovemost.blogspot.com/2012/12/ginnie-west-adventures-by-monique.htmlv
12/31/2012  http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-secret-sisters-club.html
1/2/2013   http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-tour-secret-sisters-club-and.html
 1/7/2013    http://www.bradenbell.com/bradens-blog.html
1/8/2013    cindymhogan.blogspot.com
1/9/2013    http://blog.juliereece.com/
1/11/2013    http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com
1/12/2013   www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com
1/14/2013    www.ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com
1/15/2013    www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com
1/16/2013    http://www.kimberleygriffithslittle.blogspot.com/
  1/18/2013    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
1/21/2013    http://www.karen-hoover.blogspot.com/
1/22/2013    http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/
1/23/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
1/23/2013   http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
1/24/2013   
1/25/2013   
1/28/2013   
1/29/2013    http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
1/30/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/
1/31/2013    www.jlloydmorgan.com
1/31/2013    http://cranberryfries.blogspot.com/
2/1/2013    http://kbrebes.blogspot.com/
   
     

Book Review Confession Time

So, I'm not on top of things, in case you haven't already figured that out. I still have a few books I haven't gotten the reviews done for from last year, but honestly, reading has slowed down. With the new baby coming soon, I've put my focus on finishing my novel, which I'm proud to say I've completed. Now, for the query letter and getting it submitted before the baby comes. :)

That being said, I will do my best to have the Tuesday Book Buzzin' up, as well as a Thursday Book Review, but I'm asking you to bare with me for the next several weeks. Gotta love life and the the curve balls it throws you!

Until next time . . . Happy Reading and Happy Writing!! :)

Baked Alaska by Josi S Kilpack--Book Buzzin'

BAKED ALASKA by Josi S Kilpack. I'm really excited about this one. It's due out in February. Be sure to stay tuned for the Book Blast and more coming up in the month of February and March.

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller’s latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughter’s upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman’s dead body is discovered during the first night at sea, Sadie’s apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets—and it would seem her son is keeping one from her.

Faithful, Fit & Fabulous by Connie Sokol--Buzzin'

I reviewed this book a little while ago. Check it out, here, then take a look at this great deal.

Faithful, Fit & Fabulous


Filled with humor and “I can relate” life experiences, Faithful, Fit, and Fabulous is the ideal 8-week life boost that will refresh any woman's life. Create a personal and effective life plan, and learn how to readily apply it in your busy daily life. Establish holy habits, feel fit and fabulous, and get organized. Just one goal a week for eight weeks—it's simple and fun.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Message from Connie

Hi Ladies,


This is the moment. This is the year. You can be your best self, your most beautiful self, your most faithful, fit, and fabulous self. Ever. Twelve months are before you-what will you do with them?

Years ago, after bearing several children and feeling overwhelmed, I created and lived my “Year of the Change.” During twelve months of taking life by the horns, I lost weight, got organized, and discovered more joy. Since then I’ve tweaked and taught the principles I have learned and now share them with you.

So make this your year of fabulous change by joining us on the “8-week Challenge” starting on January 8th! The 8-week Challenge is an online success program of “8 goals in 8 weeks in 8 areas of your life,” including fit and fabulous, get organized, balance womanhood and motherhood, and more. Using the Faithful, Fit and Fabulous book, each week you set and achieve a goal, with help from my podcasts, video segments, blog posts, and motivational emails!

Simple, fun, and productive. This program works (see testimonials below). And this year, we’re giving our new 2013 Fit & Fabulous podcast series FREE to those who sign up with a friend! Both of you receive weekly podcasts and posts on weight loss/energy gain tips and strategies. Jill Holmes, our online marketing director, has lost and kept off 50 POUNDS! She'll share her personal tips and secrets to make weight loss work for you, even eating chocolate daily.

Here's what women have said about the 8-week Challenge:

“I have learned so many things about who I am and what I want to do in my life. I have also gained a new sense of happiness. My husband and girls have noticed just in the last week the change in my attitude and they have told me that it is nice to hear me laugh again.” C.Adams

“Thank you so much for giving me the needed push to do something I've wanted to do for months & never completed. That has never happened for me with goal setting. THANK YOU!” B.Bird

“If I wouldn't have been doing the challenge I never would have thought to [accomplish this goal]. I am so glad I did this 8 week challenge! I want to continue these small goals for the rest of my life.” C. Rose


So join us now and jumpstart your ideal life. Get that closet organized, start that exercise program going, find that joy in daily living!

Join now and, because you’re reading this blog post, receive your 8-week Challenge for only $29, thru Jan. 8th only!

http://8basics.com/store/books/start-the-8-week-challenge-refer-a-friend-discount.

Sign up a friend and BOTH receive the 8 podcast series of “Fit & Fabulous”.

Email us for more information at connie@8basics.com.

Learn more here: http://8basics.com/b2b-life-coaching-support

So what are you waiting for? Join us for a fun and fabulous life-changing experience!

Author Connie Sokol

Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly contributor on KSL TV “Studio 5,” and regular blogger for KSL "Motherhood Matters." She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated romance Caribbean Crossroads, the 8-week Challenge program of Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats.

Website * Facebook

2012 Year in Review

By Bonnie Harris

This post almost didn't happen. I attempted to do this a few days ago and found that my blog "didn't exist." News to me. After doing some research, I found that my blog had been hijacked. It took a lot longer than I would have liked to recover everything, and it got me thinking about time. It's such a precious commodity, and I know I'm not the only one who wishes for more. So, why would someone spend time hijacking other people's blogs or hacking into accounts or any of that other stuff? I'm not sure I see the benifit in any of that. Then again, I'm not the one spending the time on it.

Time led to thinking about the past year. Have I/Did I use my time in the wisest way possible? 

Answer: I definitely didn't spend my time taking over other people's accounts, but I think I did all right. Overall, I think I did well. I think everyone does well, but we can always do better. 

• How did you do with your time this year?
• Did you accomplish what you wanted to?
• Did those priorities change?
• Do you feel good about what was done this year?

These are all questions I'm sure most people think about around this time (or variations of the same questions). So, to give you a jump start—in other words, confession time.

I got close to accomplishing my goals this year. Did they change? Yes. Was I able to keep up with the changes? No. Do I wish I got more done? Yes, but I learned a lot.

• I learned that it's OK to change directions.
• I learned it's OK to decide that a particular goal just isn't going to happen and to let it go.
• I learned how to prioritize better. Sort of. :)
• I learned that life is short, and sometimes you have to put the keyboard away and say, "Oh well. It's not what's important today."
• I learned that just because I started doing it well at the beginning of the year doesn't mean that I will be able to finish it as strong as I'd like

Who knows if any of this makes sense to anyone. Hopefully, you get the idea. But as I look forward to the next year and it's challenges, I'm able to do so with new understanding and strategies and purpose. I wish I could say I knew what was going to happen and that I would accomplish everything, but I can't. That's something I've had a very difficult time admitting. Now that I have, though, it sure makes things easier to take in bite size pieces.

So as you take a look at the year, remember that it's OK if things didn't get finished. Look at what was accomplished. Remember you are strong and can overcome anything placed in your way. Remember that you are not alone.

Happy New Year! Happy Year-in-review! Happy Writing!

Human Insticts by Ioana Visan--Book Review & Interview

HUMAN INSTINCTS by Ioana Visan. I found this novella interesting. The concept intrigued me, but I think I would have liked having a little bit more detail about things right off the bat. I learned and understood better as the story progressed. The characters were interesting as were the circumstances behind everything. I would recommend this book to almost anyone, especially those who like post apocalyptic works.

:) :) :)

Dr. Deanna Nichols is a geneticist searching for a cure to save the world. After the war nearly destroyed it by releasing an aggressive virus, it was the vaccine that killed the humanity’s chances for progress and survival. Deanna feels guilty because she has participated in creating the vaccine, and General Mackenzie never lets her forget that.

Their luck changes when they are contacted by the convicts held in a secret military prison hidden in the arctic desert. The C deviance criminals are willing to negotiate and provide unaffected DNA samples in exchange for supplies and a visit paid by the doctor herself. Suddenly there’s hope, so Deanna embarks on a dangerous journey to a grittier reality than she had expected.

Could a woman alone save the world? 

(Cover and back cover blurb taken from Smashwords.)

What made you decide to become a writer?

Over the years, simple daydreaming turned into writing, and then I discovered that people actually liked my stories. I still write first and foremost for my own enjoyment, but the satisfaction is bigger now that other people read it too.

Who inspires you?

I don’t know if it’s a ‘who’. If we’re talking about writing, to me inspiration comes either from images that spark an idea of a plot in my mind, or from ideas that I twist around until I get new, unusual ones. If we’re talking about life in general, I look up to people able to find solutions to difficult problems. Because there’s always a solution, you just have to look for it in the right place or be brave enough to try it.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?

I’d like my readers to have a pleasant experience. If the story makes them think too, then it’s even better.

Where did this idea come from?

The story was initially meant for an apocalyptic anthology, but I didn't want it to be something depressing. Therefore, I focused on an isolated case and not on the post-apocalyptic world itself. I also knew I wasn't interested in the technological part but more in the psychological concepts and issues, and I wanted a strong female protagonist. It worked so well that the story ended up longer than planned and, when the project fell apart, I decided to publish it as a novella.

Who was your favorite character to develop?

Each one of the characters was interesting in their own way because they are all very different and served a special purpose in the story. This being said, I must confess that as a writer I am more fascinated by the interaction between characters than by the characters alone.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Read a lot, write a lot, edit a lot. Then start all over again and, as long as you enjoy the process, never give up.

What can we expect next from you?

“Blue Moon Café: Where Shifters Meet for Drinks” (a werecreatures story collection) is supposed to be out in December 2012, and “The Impaler’s Revenge” (a vampire novella) is scheduled for the spring of 2013. After that, I’ll be working on a fantasy trilogy and a sci fi saga.

Where can we purchase your book?

Human Instincts is available as an e-book through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Sony and Smashwords.

THANKS IOANA!

Tis the Season

By Bonnie Harris

I had several things run through my head and I was figuring out what to post today. In light of the tradegy that happened yesterday, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those victims, as well as those who have been effected by the shooting.

Tis the season for decorations, stress, shopping, lights, wrapping, cooking, cards, more stress, deals, family, and more. The Christmas season is being commericalized earlier and earlier each year. I was shocked, but shouldn't have been, when stores began putting out Christmas stuff before Halloween. But that's only part of it. I feel like, in a way, we get so caught up in the hustle and the bustle that we forget the true meaning of Christmas.

It's not meant to be so crazy. President Thomas S Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, recently talked about Christmas being love. Remembering those around us. Slowing down and taking the time to remember the Savior. It's a wonderful talk you can view here.

Personally, as a family we've decided to focus more on teh Savior. My son has loved all the Christmas lights that appear this time of year. It wasn't until I really began looking and listening to what he sees that I realized all that he's talking about are the snowmen, Christmas trees, and Santa Clause's. There are hardly any nativities around. So, I tried to only put our nativities out in the house, and any chance I get, I talk to him about baby Jesus.

I just think during this time of craziness, that we can take a step back and remember others. Remember the Savior and his sacrifice. Remember to love each other.

Merry Christmas.