Book Mama Blog

About the Author:

I’m from Minneapolis. I had a really dramatic childhood involving foster care, prison visits and multiple moms that gave me lots of opportunity to interface with some of the darker aspects of human nature. People ask me how I survived and I think it comes down to 1) Finding pretty much everything funny. And 2) Being willing to get a paper route. In winter. In Minnesota.

Naturally, my dramatic childhood led to a rather eventful adulthood, involving multiple cities, husbands, spiritual paths, and careers. If you want all the gory details, read my memoir, I Love You and I’m Leaving You Anyway. But here are the broad strokes: I wrote television news for 15 years, I got married a bunch, I had a beautiful, amazing kid, and I transitioned into writing film, television, and books.

My big television credit is MAD MEN, but I’ve also written on other great shows like UNITED STATES OF TARA and NECESSARY ROUGHNESS. I love writing television so much that even if I won the Powerball lottery tomorrow — which isn’t going to happen because I don’t even buy tickets — I would still want to do it. The only thing that could possibly make me stop is being one of the matchmakers on NBC’s READY FOR LOVE, the most riveting, photogenic, and informative dating reality show ever invented. Watch once — I dare you not to love it!

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Gallery Books is giving one lucky winner a print copy of

Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

Monday, March 7, 2016

Live For This - Pub Week Review & Giveaway

Review by Marlene Engel

Life hasn’t been kind to Samirah. After losing her mother to cancer and her father walking out on her again, she hides behind the façade of a party girl to get her through each day. She knows that her relationship with a married man isn’t the wisest choice, but she holds on to his promise of leaving his wife to justify her actions. But the man she loved and the man he showed himself to be are two completely different people. And when he does the unthinkable, Samirah’s life will forever be tarnished.

Michael had it all. A great job, an amazing family and a girlfriend who he was sure would accept the ring that was currently tucked safely in his pocket. But life can change in the blink of an eye … As Michael crossed the street, he was struck by a car that left him paralyzed and his relationship severed. He couldn’t blame his girlfriend for leaving. Not many people could stick it out when they go from having a perfectly healthy and fully functioning partner, to someone who had to rely on others for everyday tasks.

Samirah had to get away, but where does someone go when they have no one? Catching a bus upstate, she didn’t have a real plan, but anywhere was better than where she was. When fate crosses her path with Michael’s, she’s in desperate need of some help and a friend. And Michael feels like he has purpose when he is able to offer her assistance, instead of being on the receiving end for far too long since his accident.

Can a person who is broken in spirit and another who’s physically broken help heal each other?

This was, by far, one of the best books I’ve ever read! The emotion that the author brings just seeps off of the pages. The story is both heart-breaking and uplifting and stays with you long after you turned the last page. Sure to be a bestseller, Live For This is phenomenal and a book that I would absolutely recommend!

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About the Author:

Telling stories of resilient women, Kathryn Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather. She is the author of Good Intentions (2013), Hold Her Down (2014), I'm Still Here (2014), Jump, Jive, and Wail (2015), Killing Me Softly (2015), and Completions and Connections: A Romantic Holiday Novella (2015).

Connect with the author at:

Website* Facebook * Twitter

Kathryn is giving one lucky winner a $10 Amazon gift card

And we're throwing in an e-copy of her new book

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Pub Week Blast & Giveaway

Blurb:

At thirty-three, Suzanne Hamilton has no regrets. A successful event planner with a swanky condo in a hot Atlanta neighborhood, she’s got a close group of friends and a list of men a mile long who would happily bend over backwards to win her heart. Plus, she’s just landed the event that will take her career to the next level.

Then a freak accident changes everything. Humiliated, with her career in tatters, Suzanne’s lost her business not to mention her self-respect. She’s managed, however, to retain the surprising support of her newest celebrity client: the sexy country music star, Dylan Burke. Against her better judgment, but without any better offers, Suzanne agrees to plan a wedding for one of the Burke sisters. But when she comes to realize her freak accident was anything but, her catalog of past relationships turns into a list of suspects and Suzanne must question everything―her career, her friendships, and most acutely, her own dating rules.

As it turns out she might have quite a bit to regret after all.

Taking place a few years after the events of The Marriage Pact, M. J. Pullen returns to the same captivating group of lovelorn friends, this time following Suzanne as she discovers that her trusty rules no longer apply. Raising the stakes, Pullen delivers an absorbing, romantic novel that shows how someone with a “perfect life” can lose it all―and then find everything.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon

About the Author:

When she’s not chasing two little boys or trying to wipe something sticky off the floor, M.J. (Manda) Pullen is the bestselling author of women’s fiction and romantic comedies: Every Other Saturday (available now as a digital first), The Marriage Pact (11/3/2015 – St. Martin’s Press), Regrets Only (coming soon) and Baggage Check (also coming soon).

M.J. grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Writing has always been a big part of her life, both professionally and personally. She studied English Literature and Business at the University of Georgia in Athens, and later Professional Counseling at Georgia State University in Atlanta. She practiced psychotherapy for five years before taking a sabbatical to spend more time writing and raising her brood. Since high school, she has also been an executive assistant, cashier, telemarketer, professional fundraiser, marketing guru, magazine writer, grant-writer, waitress, box-packer, HR person, and casual drifter.

M.J. loves creating true-to-life characters who are flawed, relatable, and most importantly redeemable. She tries to explore all aspects of relationships, from romantic entanglements to battles between mortal enemies, and everything in between. She reads and writes across many genres, and learns something from everything she does. No matter what she’s writing, M.J. believes that love is the greatest adventure there is, and that hopeless romantics are never really hopeless.

After years traveling and living in places like Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, M.J. has now returned to her home city of Atlanta, where she lives with her husband and two young sons. She loves to hear from readers and other writers – so drop her a line!

Connect with the author at:

Thomas Dunne Books is giving one lucky winner a print copy of

Regrets Only by MJ Pullen

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Race of Love - Pub Week Blast!

Blurb:

Harboring secrets has jeopardized Bree Winthrop's spot on the US Ski Team. She's lost her focus and drive to win. Her only hope to remain on the team is Riley "Ry" Guyette—the one man she doesn't trust. Bree must let go of the past if she wants to keep her dreams alive.

Ry knows what it's like to crash and burn after a ski accident sidelined him from competition two years ago. But his coach wants Ry to help a teammate regain her focus and competitive edge. Too bad he hasn't spoken to Bree in six years—six very long years.

Bree and Ry face a mountain of struggles. Will they be able to learn that forgiveness isn't the steepest slope they must conquer?

Purchase the book at:

Amazon

About the Author:

With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa McClone worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Her first full-time writing endeavor was her first sale when she was pregnant with her first child! Since then, she has published over thirty romance novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She’s also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her driving her minivan to/from her children’s swim practices and other activities. She also sends care packages to deployed service members and fosters cats through a local no-kill animal shelter. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. They do!

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Nowhere Girl - Pub Day Review & Giveaway

Review by Darcie Czajkowski

When her twin sister, Savannah, was murdered, Cady Martino was never the same. The girls had shared the same DNA, and so, with her sister gone, Cady felt like she had died, as well.

Eighteen years later, Savannah’s killer is still on the loose. Cady is now thirty-three, married, and an ultra-successful author. Outwardly, she appears to have moved on from her sister’s death, but inwardly she still toils with the profound loss and writing mystery novels is her way of surviving the pain.

Savannah occasionally comes to Cady in dreams, but until recently, the dreams were pleasant, reminiscent of Savannah’s whimsical nature and lively spirit. Now the dreams are vignettes Savannah walking toward a prison, prompting Cady to visit the nearest penitentiary under the guise of research for her latest mystery novel.

There, she runs into Brady Irons, her ultimate high school crush, where he now works as a corrections officer. The two become friends, and Brady uses his connections to secure Cady an interview with a serial killer, hoping to glean insight in the way sociopaths think and investigate whether or not he could be connected to her sister’s death.

At the same time, Patrick Tunney, the officer who arrived first on Savannah’s murder scene years ago and made Cady feel safe and cared for, gets in touch with Cady and explains that the old police chief, the one who was in charge when Savannah was murdered, is being forced to resign on account of corrupt practices. Detective Tunney has decided to re-open Savannah’s murder case, and he’s armed with information that should have been revealed long ago, information that could lead to finally identifying Savannah’s killer.

Will Cady be able to maintain her composure as the deadline for completing her latest novel barrels toward her and as she struggles to keep from accusing everyone around her of being her sister’s murderer? Will her already floundering and lackluster marriage survive the strain of re-opening her sister’s murder case? And most of all, will Savannah’s murderer be found and brought to justice?

With twists and turns around every bend, drama, romance, and true friendships, Susan Strecker’s Nowhere Girl pulled me in right from the start. I adored Cady’s flaws, both in her inability to move on from her sister’s death and in her physical appearance. That being said, never did I pity Cady or become exasperated with her. She did not come across as self-loathing or like she had low self-esteem. Rather, she had understandable insecurities and imperfections, which stemmed from experiencing the crippling loss of a person who was quite literally a part of her. The identity of the killer kept me guessing throughout, and the ending was not at all what I expected. I don’t often pick up mysteries, but Susan Strecker might be just the author to turn me onto them. I highly recommend this story that will leave you absolutely breathless.

Purchase the book at:

About the Author:

Susan Strecker holds a B.A. from Drew University and a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. She practiced in the field of adolescent drug and alcohol addiction. For ten years she ran a multi-venue motorsports park in Florida, taking over the business after her father's death. In 2008 she sold it to be home with her family and began writing. Strecker resides in Essex, Connecticut, with her husband and two children.

Connect with the author at:

Thomas Dunne Books is giving one lucky winner a print copy of

Nowhere Girl by Susan Strecker

Thursday, February 25, 2016

The Friends We Keep - Pub Week Review & Giveaway

Review by Marlene Engel

We were first introduced to Nicole Lord in the first book of the series, The Girls of Mischief Bay. In The Friends We Keep, we continue her story and get to know some new friends. This book takes us on each of their journeys of ups, downs and everything in between. But it’s the friendship and bond that they share that is truly the star in this book.

After her recent divorce, Nicole expected her life to get upended. But she’s found that things aren’t much different than they were before. With her ex being unreliable at best, she’s still the main provider for their son. And his obsession with Brad the Dragon is still going strong. She’s not thrilled to meet the creator of B the D, but is pleasantly surprised when she does …

Mother of twin girls and a moody step daughter, Gabby, lives for the days when she can have even a moment for herself. But their lives get thrown for a loop when they receive some news about her step daughter, making the home life rocky at best. Can Gabby preserve their marriage without compromising her needs?

Hayley is desperate to have a child. Getting pregnant isn’t the problem, keeping the pregnancy is. After several miscarriages, her body can’t take much more. Now it’s affecting her marriage. Not only is the financial cost a burden, but Hayley’s obsession to birth a child has caused her husband to leave. How far is she willing to go to have her own child, and at what expense to her marriage?

I thought this was a beautiful story of friendship and life, and who we lean on during our times of joy and sorrow. The author does a seamless job with each character and their stories making them feel so real and relatable. If you’re looking for an amazing story, well written characters and an overall great read, this is the perfect book. Susan Mallery captures real life issues and tells them in a way that makes you feel like you’re living the story along with the cast.

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About the Author:

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan's books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they're an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with the author at:

Mira Books is giving one lucky winner a print copy of

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Rain Sparrow - Pub Week Review

Review by Marlene Engel

Author Hayden Winters is staying in Honey Ridge, Tennessee doing research for his next book. The bed and breakfast where he’s staying, is known to help those having problems and for having a magical quality to it.

While there, he meets Carrie the local librarian who is afraid of just about everything … including the thunderstorm that’s currently happening around them. Their paths bring them to finding a young boy, wet, frightened and afraid to go home. They come to find that he’s from an abusive home and lives with an alcoholic father.

Shortly after checking into the B&B Hayden begins to have dreams about a couple who lived around the time of the Civil War; Thad a Union soldier and Josie a Confederate. It’s when the dreams start to mirror his life that he begins to think that the dreams are trying to tell him something.

This is an emotionally charged story that deals with real-life issues and abuse. I enjoyed how the author brought two different eras and seamlessly entwined them into the story. Although this is the second book in the Honey Ridge series, and I didn’t read the first book, I didn’t have any problems following along with the story. I now want to get the first book and see how that one ties into this story. Overall an intriguing book that I would definitely recommend.

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About the Author:

Winner of the RITA Award for excellence in inspirational fiction, Linda Goodnight has also won the Booksellers’ Best, ACFW Book of the Year, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine.

Linda has appeared on the Christian bestseller list and her romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Active in orphan ministry, this former nurse and teacher enjoys writing fiction that carries a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world.

She and husband Gene live in Oklahoma with their daughters, Masha & Victoria.

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