Review | Grace and Dignity

Grace and Dignity: The Ark of the Sacred Scrolls (Volume 1) by Laura Grody

June 2, 2016 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

248 pages

Amazon + Good Reads

"Princess Grace and Prince Dignity, a royal couple with mystical powers, are set to be crowned king and queen of the magnificent Kingdom of Love. But on the eve of their coronation, disaster strikes, and Grace is told her prince has been murdered. Grief-stricken, the princess reportedly dies of a broken heart, and the shocked kingdom falls into the eager hands of Dignity’s unscrupulous cousin, Prince Denial. Months later, however, Grace is found alive with a gap in her memory, a loss of her powers, and a mysterious Pig Latin note suggesting Prince Dignity is very much alive. As she searches for her prince throughout the rundown kingdom, Grace stumbles upon an ancient secret known as the Cosmic Source—a powerful force which promises to revive her mystical powers and lead to an exciting new way of living. But with the crown title “throne” for a loop, the future of the Kingdom of Love hangs upon the prince’s Dignity. Find out if True Love conquers all in this mystical, linguistical tale! "

-Good Reads

Special thanks to the author, Laura Grody, for offering me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review!

Top 3 Wednesday | Southern Gothic

Hey, all.

Every Wednesday, I'm bringing you a new feature post on my blog - "Top 3 Wednesday." I'll compile a list of suggestions or books related to a theme, and I'd love to hear your responses too! If you have any thoughts as to lists that I can make, please let me know and as always, happy reading.

-Alyssa

Tennessee Williams described the Southern Gothic as a style that captured "an intuition, of an underlying dreadfulness in modern experience." [Good Reads]

Today I'm bringing you three Southern Gothic novels. Enjoy!

Spotlight | Eternal Mercury

Eternal Mercury by Elaine Pinter

Chelsee Taylor has been in love with her boyfriend, Max, since they started kindergarten together. She has no idea that high school graduation will be the last perfect day of her life. After a tragic car accident, she refuses to accept Max's death because she can still feel his presence. No one believes her and she is completely alone. But all of that changes the moment she meets Blake Andersen. It's not just that he believes her . . . or even just that he's so understanding . . . but why is Max's presence so strong when she's with Blake?

Eternal Mercury is two intertwined books in one. Book one follows Chelsee’s bittersweet journey and book two uncovers Blake’s story of redemption. In the end, it is Max who will inspire them both to trust fate, live life, and finish well.
Buy it on Amazon!

Praise for Eternal Mercury

“Overall, this novel made me really think about how life can change so completely in the blink of an eye. It was an amazing, life altering story.”

“I loved this book. It made me laugh and cry but most of all it made me feel like there is always hope in this world.”

“I could not put this down. What an amazing story of love, tragedy, strength, triumph, and family.”

Guest Post: Eternal Mercury, Organ Donation, and Cellular Memory

When I first realized that I wanted to write a book, I knew that I wanted it to be different. Shortly after I began brainstorming for that unique idea, a car-crash scene on a mountain highway started playing in my head. Not only was I looking for a unique story idea, but I was also looking for a positive message. I began to wonder if, instead of something scary like a ghost, could something good be left after someone died? The answer became clear to me: organ donation. What could be more beautiful than that? And what could be more romantic than true love that could survive the boundaries of death? To my surprise, the idea turned out to be more realistic than I expected. Through research I discovered the phenomenon of cellular memory. Cellular memory is when people who receive transplants take on traits of people whose organs they receive. It’s rare, but when it does happen, it can come in the form of food cravings, changes in musical taste or hobbies, and sometimes even glimpses at other things about the donor.

Although the level of cellular memory I portrayed in Eternal Mercury is fictional, the need for organs definitely isn’t. It’s hard to think about death, and the common misconceptions about organ donation don’t help. But by understanding the facts and then making your decision known, you just might be able to bring something good out of the bad. That part of Eternal Mercury isn’t based on fiction.

Here are the facts:

Over 100,000 people, including kids, are in need of transplants. Over 20 of them die waiting each day.

One person can save up to seven lives by donating their heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine. That same person can improve the lives of many others through the donation of tissues such corneas, skin, veins, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

You won’t receive less medical care if you decide to become a donor. Doctors and nurses make every possible effort to save their patients’ lives and will not even consider organ donation unless a person dies.

Income, social status, and race are not factors in deciding who receives organ transplants. You’ll be helping people who need it the most and your family will not be charged for the procedure.

Most major religions support organ donation. I’m not sure that there could be a more loving or selfless gift, but don’t be afraid to check with your spiritual advisor.

Almost anyone can be an organ donor. Age and/or medical history don’t necessarily disqualify you.

The most important thing you can do is let your family know whether or not you want to be an organ donor. No matter what you decide, telling your family will save them from the pain of trying to guess your wishes at a time when that’s the last thing they need. And if the choice is right for you, to let someone else continue on when you’ve reached the end down here, don’t think about what it means for you; instead think of the incredible gratitude you’d feel if someone did it for you or someone you love.


Add it to Good Reads!

Author Elaine Pinter

Elaine Pinter lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and son. When she’s not hanging out with them, she’s jotting down ideas for her next novel in the tattered notebook she carries everywhere.

Her writing journey began in June of 2012 when a reading spree set off an unexpected chain of events. After poring over the pages, her own ideas began to appear and she found herself glued to her laptop after her family went to bed every evening. The late nights continued until her first two YA romance novels, Eternal Mercury and Between the Starlight, were published.

She’s one of those hopeless romantics who believes love always wins and that the best stories are the ones that drag you through the tears and reward you with a smile when all the pieces fit together perfectly in the end.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 7/26/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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In My Mailbox | Grace and Dignity

Grace and Dignity: The Ark of the Sacred Scrolls (Volume 1) by Laura Grody

June 2, 2016 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

248 pages

Amazon + Good Reads

"According to Milo, rescuing Prince Dignity would be easy: 'On the count of three, we take a running Leap of Faith off Carpe' Diem Cliff, cross the River of Fear in the Raft of Courage, and boom, we're at the Castle of Doom.' Princess Grace and Prince Dignity, a royal couple with mystical powers, are set to be crowned king and queen of the magnificent Kingdom of Love. But on the eve of their coronation, disaster strikes, and Grace is told her prince has been murdered. Grief-stricken, the princess reportedly dies of a broken heart, and the shocked kingdom falls into the eager hands of Dignity's unscrupulous cousin, Prince Denial. Months later, however, Grace is found alive with a gap in her memory, a loss of her powers, and a mysterious Pig Latin note suggesting Prince Dignity is very much alive. As she searches for her prince throughout the rundown kingdom, Grace stumbles upon an ancient secret known as 'The Cosmic Source' - a powerful force which promises to revive her mystical powers and lead to an exciting new way of living. But with the crown title 'throne' for a loop, the future of the Kingdom of Love hangs upon the prince's Dignity. Find out if True Love conquers all in this mystical, linguistical tale of 'Grace and Dignity."

-Good Reads

A special thanks to the author, Laura Grody, for giving me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. Stay tuned for my review! 

Check out Laura on the internet at the following places:

Website: www.graceanddignitybook.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/graceanddignity

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lauragrody

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7140777.Laura_Grody

Author Central: www.amazon.com/author/lauragrody 

Amazon paperback: Grace and Dignity paperback

Amazon Kindle eBook: Grace and Dignity eBook

Blogger Spotlight | Velvet and Vibranium

1. Introduce yourself (where are you from, what kind of books do you enjoy reading, etc.)

I'm from South Africa, and I'm currently studying a BA and majoring in French and English Literature (every book lover's dream!). I have pretty varied reading interests and read from most genres, but my favourite is probably YA fantasy and supernatural.

2. What are you currently reading? 

 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

3. Which book is at the top of your wishlist? 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children!

4. What tip would you give an aspiring book blogger?

Just do it! The book community is so amazingly welcoming. It's a lot of work, but if you really love it it's so rewarding! And getting to connect with other readers is so much fun.

5. When you're not reading, what do you enjoy doing?

Writing (obviously), taking photos, and watching films.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kelly_hoggons

Bookstagram: http://www.instagram.com/velvetandvibranium

Booktube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV0OGVBJ32Zz2d_VuYsYpQQ

#AYearAThon | What I'm Reading

Happy #AYearAThon, readers! Check out my last post to get the information about this month's #AYearAThon theme... because today, I'm showing you which book I'm reading to help work down my TBR pile.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
First published in 1962
This edition is by Penguin, October 2006
160 pages
Amazon + Good Reads

"Merricat Blackwood lives on the family estate with her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian. Not long ago there were seven Blackwoods—until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one terrible night. Acquitted of the murders, Constance has returned home, where Merricat protects her from the curiosity and hostility of the villagers. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears. Only Merricat can see the danger, and she must act swiftly to keep Constance from his grasp.

Cover art by Thomas Ott."

-Good Reads

#AYearAThon JULY | TBR Catch Up!

Hello, again! 

Can you believe that we're already in July? I blinked and the year is more than half way over. But another month beginning means yet another #AYearAThon theme is coming up. And this month - we're doing a TBR catch up.

So, what does that mean? Basically, between the days of 7/4-7/10 we're desperately trying to cross titles off of our TBR list because we all know that we have way too much to read. 

We're also excited to announce our first ever "Buddy Read" thread. Because a TBR catch up means that everyone is reading independently and there is not a central group read, we're asking our participants to try and find others within the group to read together. You can check out the Buddy Read thread here, and I encourage you to find a buddy and make a new friend.

So far, the titles that are being buddy read are as follows:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner - Buddy Read link here
The Diviners by Libba Bray - Buddy Read link here
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - Buddy Read link here

I'd love to know if you're participating in July's #AYearAThon. Let me know which titles you're hoping to read and if you've found someone to read with. I'll be back on Monday to share which titles I'm hoping to tackle during the week.

Happy reading!
-Alyssa