Hacienda Moon by KaSonndra Leigh

Gothic Romance

Date Published: July 28

Synopsis: 

A Pathseekers Novel

Love, obsession, and betrayal, the most powerful

human emotions, are spun together in this gothic

novel. Tandie Harrison is a police medium who has just

suffered a divorce after losing both her psychic visions

and her daughter in a car accident. When she leaves

New York City to start a new life near her hometown,

she moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby

Rose, and falls for its enigmatic caretaker, Eric

Fontalvo. Their burgeoning affair ignites a century

old curse, ensnaring them in a web of danger, deceit,

and intrigue. Soon Tandie learns that in placid Bolivia,

the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously

connected.

Hacienda Moon is a seductive tale of one woman’s

journey to confront the demons of her past and find the

courage to face her future. It is a mesmerizing novel

that explores the deepest depths of human nature, and

the characters will hold and haunt you long after you

have read the final chapter.

Author Bio: 

KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now lives
in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to
write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two
sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE,
Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's
block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated
to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies,
Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

Hacienda Moon by KaSonndra Leigh

Excerpt #1

Crowds, noise, loudspeakers, coffee smells: words that described Raleigh-Durham’s airport. There wasn’t much difference between New York’s JFK and North Carolina’s RDU. The noise and crowds were all the same in these places. An airport was still just another way of transporting someone from one life-changing situation to the next. And Tandie’s journey was about to begin again in a small town located about twenty minutes away from where she grew up.

Waiting at the conveyor carousel, she picked up her two bags and headed toward the rental-car section. With her head pounding from jet lag, Tandie took the keys from the woman behind the counter and mentally reviewed her driving route. Turning, she collided with a set of broad shoulders. Her handbag fell to the floor, scattering the contents.

Ready to offer a chunk of her tired mind, she opened her mouth to complain, but stopped right away. Her victim was a man. This wasn’t just any man, though. He stood just under six-feet-tall, and had gorgeous dark hair flopping over a ridiculously handsome face. Dressed in a dark-blue shirt and gray cargo pants, the man knelt down right away to help pick up Tandie’s things.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said, collecting Tandie’s items, which included tampons and sanitary napkins of all things to drop.

Their eyes met and locked on one another. His hazel-green ones took in her features with one glance. Her stomach flipped as if she were a young girl flirting with a cute guy. And something hitched in her chest, teasing her with a vague memory.

His muscular frame made him seem as if he could crush Tandie’s dainty little bag with one good squeeze. His strong facial features, full lips, and dark olive skin made him look Hispanic.

Damn he’s sexy!

Tandie concentrated on returning her things to the bag. If she were quick, then maybe he wouldn’t see her embarrassing stuff. Too late. He’d already picked up her little green Always bag and placed it back in the satchel without even flinching.

Cringe and die, won’t you?

“I’m such an ox,” he said in a deep voice.

“You’re not the clumsy one. I should really watch where I’m going,” Tandie said, still too embarrassed to look at his face. She was aware of him staring at her, even though she couldn’t figure out why he was doing it. Tandie’s face flushed. Even her golden-brown skin must’ve turned crimson.

Standing up quickly, she stepped on the edge of her pants and stumbled backward. Her unintentional hero caught her with ease, steadying her body. What else would she add to her klutz list? She’d probably do something stupid like slip up and grab his crotch by accident next.

“Thanks. Again, I’m really sorry,” Tandie said and moved around him.

“Wait. Can I carry your bags for you? It’s the least I can do,” he said in a voice to match his looks.

“No. I’ll be fine, thanks,” Tandie said, walking toward the rental-car garage. Behind her, she felt him watching as she scurried away. 

Author's site: www.kasondraleigh.com
Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaSonndraLeighBooks
Author's Blog: http://kasonndraleigh.blogspot.com/
Author's Twitter: @kasonndraleigh

My Thoughts 

When I first started reading Hacienda Moon, I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish it. As a mom of a child Breena's age, I threw myself into the prologue imagining the emotions of Tandie. Once I held my emotions under control, I was able to continue reading this story and I am so glad I did. The story behind Chelby House and Eric's family; Eric and Tandie's love story and all that was unveiled throughout the book was both intriguing and enthralling. The book was a definite page turner and I am awaiting the second in the series.

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. These are my opinions of a book in which I given a chance to review through Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.

When Silver Moon Rises - Kasondra Leigh - Cover Reveal

About the Author: KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

Author's site: www.kasondraleigh.com
Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaSonndraLeighBooks
Author's Blog: http://kasonndraleigh.blogspot.com/
Author's Twitter: @kasonndraleigh

Synopsis:

Facing an unstable future, Chela Prizeon leaves Castle Hayne and crosses over to enemy territory in pursuit of Faris--the boy of royal blood who is cursed by a bitter rival. But soon Chela learns that he has been taken deep into the treacherous frozen prisons--a majestic, but deadly place where people enter and are never seen again. To find the boy she loves and his lost sister, Chela must join forces with one of her greatest enemies. And even though she pulls strength from the good in her powers, she finds herself drawn to the dark side's temptation as well.

Narrated from both Chela's and Faris's point of view, this enchanting sequel to When Copper Suns Fall will take them on a voyage into unknown lands, where the dark, twisted, and revengeful wait to make this their most dangerous journey ever.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising**Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan

About the Book
Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan
Format: Electronic for Reading Addiction Blog Tour


Synopsis: From www.bn.com
Incoming freshman, Lindsey Ames, wants to take Italian,and she wants to join the National Honor Society. She wants a new image, and she wants better clothes. She wants Avery to stop tormenting her, and she wants Marco to ask her out.  She wants Jocelyn to go away, but she wants Grouper to be happy. She wants to save Teeny's reputation, but she doesn't want to lose everything.
Will Lindsey find the courage to stand up to her enemies before it's too late?              


Excerpt

I had a hard time falling asleep that night. I kept imagining different scenarios with Marco. I played out the upcoming movie night and then our “first date.” Naturally, in my imagination, I looked flawless and my conversation was smart and witty.

   I also imagined our first kiss. This was difficult to do since I had never kissed a boy before. I had pictured our first kiss like one from a PG-13 romantic comedy. I certainly didn’t want to picture it like a kiss from an R-rated slasher flick or like one from the disgusting public make out sessions that Cal and Avery regularly performed.

   After about an hour of daydreaming, I finally fell asleep and started my real dreaming. I dreamt that I was in the school gym running laps with Jocelyn. Jocelyn was running fast, her feet barely touching the ground. I had a difficult time keeping up with her. Even though we were running, we didn’t seem to be going anywhere. Marco was standing at the end of the gym under one of the basketball hoops. I was trying to run forward, to get closer to Marco, but I couldn’t.

   Teeny and Grouper were sitting in the front row of the otherwise empty bleachers. Teeny was wearing a cheerleading uniform, and she was cheering for Jocelyn and me. Grouper was wearing his neon swimsuit, but he wasn’t cheering. Instead, Grouper was laughing at us because we weren’t going anywhere. The two of them annoyed me; I wanted them to help me, but they remained spectators. I tried to call to them, but I didn’t have a voice.

   Then, I noticed Cal and Avery sitting on the top row of the bleachers, making out. I could have sworn that the bleachers were empty a second ago. I was glad that Avery wasn’t paying attention to me. I knew that if she saw me, she would start to make fun of me. Jocelyn and I continued to run, but we were no longer in the gym. We were outside of the school running on the street. The bleachers were still there, and Teeny, Grouper, Cal, and Avery were still doing their thing. Marco was at the end of the block waving to me, but he seemed farther away than he was before.

    I was having a difficult time running when I realized that the pavement was dissolving beneath my feet. After the pavement was completely gone, I continued to run in mud. Jocelyn was starting to pull ahead of me; she seemed to be having an easy time. The harder I tried to keep up with her, the slower my feet moved. The mud became slippery and thick, and I started to sink. Jocelyn didn’t notice that I was sinking and kept running. Marco seemed to be at least two blocks away from me now.

   I looked to Teeny hoping she would see that I was in real trouble, but she continued to cheer. Cal and Avery were still making out, but they were changing; they were morphing into one being. Before my eyes, they transformed into a single hideous monster—a manticore with green eyes, the tail of a scorpion, and huge blood-red wings.

   Jocelyn and Marco were too far. I could no longer see them. I continued to sink. I was in so deep that I could no longer move my feet. I was worried for Teeny and Grouper because they weren’t aware of the creature sitting behind them. I tried to caution my friends about the creature, but I still had no voice. Without warning, the monster swooped down from the top of the bleachers towards Teeny and Grouper. I wanted to help my friends, but I was up to my thighs in mud. I couldn’t run to them, and I couldn’t scream. I watched in horror as it descended and attacked Teeny.

   I could hear her screams, but I could do nothing. I was helpless. As the monster feasted on Teeny’s flesh, I sank deeper and deeper into the mud until it covered my entire body. I could no longer see or hear anything. I was entombed in the earth, but I was still alive.

   I snapped awake. My pajamas were drenched. I looked at the clock, and it was only two. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go back to sleep after that nightmare. So, in an effort to clear my head, I took out my copy of Pride and Prejudice and started to read. I was desperate to fall back to sleep. Shopping with Teeny was close to running a marathon, and I needed to be well rested for our trip to the mall in the morning. After reading a couple of chapters, I finally dozed off. This time there were no nightmares.

My Thoughts:

First I want to say that I absolutely loved this story. I think everyone should read this book whether you have young kids, old kids or no kids. I also believe everyone knows a Lindsey or an Avery or was one or the other themselves. Bullying is so big in children nowadays, having books like this available to children is a great deal. It's like an outsider looking in and understanding the different aspects of bullying and how and why some people become bullies.

This story touched me because it somewhat reminded me of myself when I began high school in some ways. Except I didn't have a Teeny or Grouper to be my "cheerleaders". I thought it was really good Lindsey had her two best friends to lift her up and give her some of the confidence she needed. We also get a glimpse of where Avery learns her behavior; and it is quite unfortunate.

Bullying is so big in children nowadays, having books like this available to children is a great deal. It's like an outsider looking in and understanding the different aspects of bullying and how and why some people become bullies.

I think the characters in this book were very "real" and relate-able to our everyday world. There were parts of the story where I wanted to jump in and put Avery in her place. There were parts I wanted to cry and there were parts where I did cry.

I won't give too much away because I want and think EVERYONE should read this book. Everyone should own it and embrace it. The author did a really good job of putting an important issue today on paper.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. These are my opinions of a book in which I agreed to post for the Reading Addiction Blog Tour.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Redemption Day by Steve O'Brien

About the Book
Redemption Day is a highly paced thriller set in Washington DC. The story is founded upon historical events and documented teachings of the Posse Comitatus. The Posse was an anti-government militia group in the 1980 s that tried to convince farmers that banks could not lawfully foreclose on their properties. Their beliefs led to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on a date of significance to the group April 19.


My Thoughts
I've never read anything by Steve O'Brien but when I was asked to review this book, I was absolutely excited to read it. Redemption Day is an absolutely intriguing and engrossing page-turner. Steve O'Brien is a very good writer who is able to bring you all the details to knit a perfectly believable story together. 


The author did a very good job at pacing the story for the readers. Although some of the events discussed in the book are/were actual events, before reading this book I had never heard of the group Posse Comitatus. Throughout reading the book and after, I had to do my research because of how believable some of the events in the story are. 


Redemption Day was an easy read for me. The story was very engaging and a great thriller. I could visualize everything that was going on in the story from the main character going to the coffee shop to trying to disguise and hide himself on the streets of Washington D.C.


Steve O'Brien has done a great job writing this story and I look forward to reading more from him.


Redemption Day can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

I GIVE THIS BOOK  

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. These are my opinions of a book in which I was asked to review by The Cadence Group.

Code Blood by Kurt Kamm

Book Synopsis
CODE BLOOD takes the reader into the world of emergency medicine, the science of stem cell research, and the unsettling world of blood fetishism and body parts. The book is an edgy L.A. Noir thriller.

Colt Lewis, a young Los Angeles County fire paramedic responds to a car accident. The victim dies in his arms. Her foot has been severed but is nowhere to be found. Who is the woman and what happened to her missing foot?

Colt risks his career to find the victim’s identity and her foot. A weeklong search leads him to a dark side of Los Angeles—into an underworld of body part dealers, underground Goth clubs and a stalker. He uncovers a tangled maze of drugs, needles, and rituals, which can only lead to death—but who is the victim?

Code Blood won a Public Safety Writer’s Association Award in 2011              


About the Author
Kurt Kamm lives in Malibu CA with his wife. He was previously a financial executive and semi-professional bicycle racer. He graduated from Brown University and Columbia Law School. He is a regular visitor to the fire stations and camps around Los Angeles and has attended several training academies.

Access to CalFire and Los Angeles County Fire Department has helped Mr. Kamm develop the factual backgrounds detailed in his firefighter mysteries. His third novel Code Blood, (October 2011), features a rookie paramedic who is drawn into the underworld of Los Angeles after he loses his first accident victim.
Previous novels are One Foot in the Black-A Wildland Firefighter's Story (2008), and Red Flag Warning - A Serial Arson Mystery (2010), winner of three first-place mystery fiction awards.

He is currently attending HazMat response classes and is working on his fourth mystery, Hazardous Material.

Visit Kurt Kamm's author/first responder website and blog at http://www.kurtkamm.com


About the Book
Code Blood was a vivid and enthralling page-turner intertwining many interesting characters. 
Fire-Fighter/Paramedic, Colt, often get emotionally attached to the victims he tries to save. This time he is especially attached and invested because the victim was a young girl with her foot missing. Colt decides he needs and wants to find out the reason why her foot was amputated and who could have or would have taken the girl's foot.


With all the additional characters, the story takes us on some wild turns which left it almost impossible for me to put the book down. I often wondered if Colt would be able to solve the mystery without becoming a victim himself. Code Blood is a fast-paced, suspenseful story that everyone should add to their to be read list this year.


Code Blood can be purchased in paperback and on the B&N Nook at here


DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. This book was offered to me for review by Cadence Group

Blog Guest Post by Kurt Kamm

I have the pleasure of introducing you to a wonderful author. Kurt Kamm is the author of a new mystery/thriller Code Blood. Code Blood takes the reader into the world of emergency medicine, the science of stem cell research and the unsettling world of blood fetishism and body parts.


Below is Kurt's guest post.

Several people have asked me where my ideas come from for my firefighter mystery novels. A vivid imagination helps, but I always like to start with a grain of truth. I spend much of my time with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and have gone into the field with their arson investigators, spent time training with their hazardous materials response teams, and gone through their wildland fire training academy. Each of my mysteries involves a firefighter with a specific skill (One Foot in the Black ˆ wildland firefighting / Red Flag Warning ˆ arson investigation / Code Blood ˆ fire paramedic).
When I set out to write Code Blood, my newest novel, I began riding with the paramedics from Station 88 in Malibu. I always ask to hear unusual stories about firefighter's experiences, and one paramedic told me about a freak accident on Pacific Coast Highway in front of a well-known seafood restaurant. A speeding pickup truck hit a metal light pole. The impact knocked down the pole and, as it fell, the jagged metal edge severed the foot of a woman standing nearby. When the paramedics arrived, they couldn't find her foot for several minutes. Ultimately, it was discovered wedged underneath the engine of the pickup!
This immediately caught my imagination. I asked myself, what kind of story would this be if someone walked out of the restaurant carrying a take-home bag with his dinner, picked up the foot, put it in the bag, and went home? This became the opening chapter of Code Blood. Once I had that idea, a thousand questions came to mind, and it was actually not difficult to write the novel. Who is the woman who loses her foot, and what happens to her? What kind of nut would pick up the foot? What would he do with it when he takes it home? What do the paramedics do? The questions go on and on, and for each answer there are two more problems. I must tell you writing these stories is a lot of fun˜I get to meet some very strange characters in my books.
-----
I was previously a financial executive and semi-professional master's bicycle racer. When I retired and moved to Malibu, my home almost burned in one of Malibu's famous wildfires. That's when I decided to write firefighter novels. I maintain an author/firefighter website with some spectacular pictures sent to me by first responders.http://www.kurtkamm.com

Dewey's Readathon Update

I fell asleep before the 24th hour last night. I think I had 3 hours left and couldn't hold out any longer. I had fun reading and got quite a bit done. I read 3.5 books, a total of 963 pages in a total of 14.5 hours, which is more than I did last year. Although I had quite a few distractions, I'm glad I was able to get all that reading done.