Books & Writing Amino!

Hey Loves! Have you guys heard of the Books &Writing Amino?! I just joined and it’s pretty awesome! It has different chatrooms for Books, Authors, Bookstagram, Writing and More! Like Wowza, you can personal message on there like text messages, video chat, a forum, buddy reads, Create posts, add Wikis, and so much more that I probably don’t know about but thought I should share! Also here’s where we can connect if you join or are already a member! Lots of Love! Xoxoxo

Check out my profile on Books & Writing: http://aminoapps.com/p/szb2wm

June 18, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 12 Comments

Thoughts & Quotes: The Time Machine

The Time Machine

Author: H.G. Wells

Year: 1895 845e774b

“It sounds plausible enough tonight, but wait until tomorrow. Wait for the common sense of the morning.”

June 16, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 10 Comments

ARC Book Review: Magical Bullet Journal & Planner by Tish Thawer & Illustrated by Crystal Smalls Ord

Book Reviews by Dani

JournalBanner

86521e6cd3ee08b61e2560ca520b382a

About the Book_1

Title: Magical Bullet Journal & Planner

Author: Tish Thawer

Illustrator: Crystal Smalls Ord

Publication: Available Now!

download (16)

Synopsis

Embrace the energy all around you as you utilize the pages within this non-fiction activity/reference guide to create a personal brand of magic all your own. With correspondence pages including The Wheel of the Year, The Zodiac, The Moon Phases, and more, you can let your imagination fly as you fill in the blank pages to plan out your magical year.

This Magical Bullet Journal and Planner was inspired by Author Tish Thawer’s Witches of BlackBrook series, and the original spell work written within.

Series

WOBB_Order

I just absolutely adore this planner! When I first saw it featured on my friend Carrie’s blog over @ Carrie’s Book Reviews, I just had to contact the author to find out more about her works. She was so kind and you could tell she really knew right off hand she knew all about the magical world.😍

When I received the planner, I was immediately captivated by the simple yet unique look and feel of it. I also enjoyed how much room there is inside of it to personalize it and make it your own. There is also tidbits of all kinds of information provided in the journal!

I have been practicing finding my higher self since I have realized with a smack in the face that I was an Intuitive Empath. I always would get literally sick at the sight and just to hear of someone else’s pain. I even confined myself to my home after coming off a long ride with addiction. Once I couldn’t hide behind drugs anymore, the emotions and energies I felt from everyone else was just too overwhelming! I am still trying to figure out all that I believe and what I am but it’s so awesome to have books like this to explore something so interesting that has been around for years and years. There’s more to me finding out I was gifted and couldn’t be explained by simple science but don’t really want to go there in fear of everyone thinking I am nutso! But anywho, this book had great pieces of info, a pretty cover and plenty of space to let your creativity flow! I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who loves to use planners or journals like I do or if they are intrigued by things mystical and metaphysical.😄 Many thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and I am so appreciative of this opportunity.

Award Winning Author, Tish Thawer, writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart.
Tish is known for her detailed world-building and magic-laced stories. Her work has been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. She has received a RONE Award nomination (Reward of Novel Excellence), as well as nominations for Best Cover, Reader’s Choice, and Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery).
Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and is a columnist for Gliterary Girl media and has bylines in RT Magazine and Literary Lunes Magazine. She resides in Arizona with her husband and three wonderful children and is represented by Gandolfo, Helin, and Fountain Literary Management.
You can find Tish on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTishThawer
A common FAQ: “How do you pronounce her last name?”
Answer: Think “Bower” or “Thow-er”. It’s Persian!

June 14, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 14 Comments

Random Rambles & Feedback Appreciated

Random Rambles

Hello there, Lovelies! Earlier I posted a post and decided it was too much gloom and doom ~~and it might mess up my swagger.~~ So I decided to take that shit down.

I mean life happens, we all live and have to push through some rough ~~ass~~ times. Well I tell life to ~~fuck off~~ put things to a hault for a while so I can get my ~~shit~~ priorities together. I mean I am a ~~fucking mama jamma~~ badass! I mean ~~shit~~ sometimes you have to look at the storm arising around you and dance to the beat of your own drum. Lately, I have dealt with health issues, financial issues, thiefs and a sick loved one and child but I can’t look at that side of things. ~~Fuck no!~~ I have been blessed with a month to eat and had my meds for a month, I have been shown kindness that I never thought possible and even came close to a suicide attempt and pushed myself through. All in all, there is a badass in me and a boss lady who needs to erupt! I am so glad that I am back in the blogosphere ~~kicking ass and taking names!~~ You giys are the bee’s knees and can’t wait to read all of your blogs. Woot!

So I am sorry about my recent abscense. WordPress called me a spammer due to having “blog tour” in my title. 😒 I mean take away my bloggy blog for 2 or 3 days because of a title of a page. Dumb.🤨

So after fighting with them ~~jackasses~~ , I will be more cautious of my titles so I won’t be labled as a spammer along with those people in my spam comments that have been promising me a cure for erectile dysfunction.😨 I mean that would truly be a downer!🤣😂

Not to diss anyone who needs a little a pick me up. This is a natural thing and sometimes the heads don’t work as one. It’s like the there is a disturbance in the force. I mean we all have force disturbances whether it be E.D. or constipation. Tomato, To-MAT-toe. I don’t know how we got to erectile dysfunction and constipation from WordPress but sometimes you have to go with the flow. ~~With constipation, any type of flow would be beneficial.~~

So this whole ramble was meant to say sorry for the Debbie Downer episode ~~(everytime I hear the word downer I think of E.D., 🤣)~~ and wanted to explain my abscense. I would also like to ask you folks, do you you like my new theme? Most importantly, it’s not about looks, is it easy to access? 😉I got my theme courtesy of the ~~not so happy~~ “Happiness Engineers” and their ~~assholeness~~ unkind comments. I also got some new graphics from an awesome online friend as an early ~~30th~~ 21st birthday gift that is doomed to happen next month. What do you think of the graphics? Try and erase the part of Dani aging out of your minds! I even have some white hairs to show me how young I am! Woohoo! Anywho, I completely jumped around all over the place which reminds me of Pete’s Significant Songs Post featuring House of Pain- Jump Around so I am going with it and will be dancing around to this song ~~shaking what my mama gave me~~ early this Thursday Morning. I hope you guys have an awesome day! You ~~fuckin’~~ rock!!!🤩😜🧚‍♂️

June 14, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 52 Comments

Reads & Reels Tour for Father Figure by James J. Cudney

About the Book_1

Father Figure

Publication Date: April 2, 2018

Genre:

Drama

Romance

Suspense

Between the fast-paced New York City, a rural Mississippi town, and a charming Pennsylvania college campus filled with secrets, two young girls learn the consequences of growing up too quickly. Struggling to survive in a claustrophobic, unforgiving world, they embark on a journey to overcome all the pain, disappointment, and horror of their experiences.

Amalia Graeme, abused by her mother for most of her life, longs to escape her desolate hometown, connect with others, and fall in love. Contemplating an impending loss of innocence and conflicting feelings between her boyfriend and the dangerous attraction she’s developed for an older man, Amalia suffers devastating, life-altering tragedies. No matter where she turns, someone or something always steals her hope of finding happiness, protection, and love.

Brianna Porter, a sassy yet angst-ridden teenager raised in New York City, yearns to determine her life’s true purpose, conquer her fear of abandonment, and interpret an intimidating desire for her best friend, Shanelle. All the confusion stems from desperately needing to find the father whom her mother refuses to reveal, but an unexpected discovery of a journal leads Brianna to a shocking revelation about her missing parent. Unfortunately, by casting the net to find him, she’s unleashed a tragic history that was meant to stay buried and might now completely change everyone’s futures.

Through alternating chapters set two decades apart, each girl’s plight unfolds revealing the parallels between their lives and the subsequent collision that is bound to happen. In an emotional story filled with mystery, romance, and suspense, fate intervenes forcing someone to make a dreadful decision that will leave permanent scars.

Add To Goodreads:

Excerpt (Brianna’s Complicated Feelings)

Brianna and Shanelle have been best friends for years, but something more is brewing and Brianna doesn’t know how to handle it. She’s debating whether to sleep with her boyfriend after prom, but finds herself drawn back to a gift.

– James J. Cudney

“What are we gonna do about Doug?” Shanelle grabbed Brianna’s wrist, led her to the bathroom, and situated her on the toilet seat. She opened one of the boxes from the heaviest bag and considered what to do with a few curlers. “He’s gonna push you to sleep with him. Maybe I should show up to protect you. I could taser him if he does anything wrong.” Shanelle rifled through her cosmetics bag pulling out three types of eyeliner. “Choose.”

“Does it matter?”

“If I taser him? Probably not, though that asshole may get turned on. Hell, I might enjoy watching him piss himself from the electric shock.” She freakishly shook her body and feigned surprise after pretending to become incontinent.

“Not Doug, the eyeliner.” Brianna held up the makeup clueless about which color to select. She’d worn very little of her own following in her mother’s footsteps. Less is more is a motto often chanted around their apartment.

“Oh, my lovely little Bree. We’ll make a woman out of you someday.” Shanelle chose the thickest one and applied a generous line around Brianna’s eyes. “I’m jealous of these high cheekbones. They so perfectly shape your face.”

“Umm, thanks.” Brianna, often incapable of accepting praise, glanced at the mirror, then updated Shanelle about the information she discovered on Lenny’s mail in the jazz club. “Maybe I’ve got a new lead, huh?”

“It’s possible. That would be a big help.” Shanelle shrugged her shoulders, then excitedly changed the subject. “Ooh, grab the bag on the floor.”

Brianna tried to reach for it but couldn’t without bending forward. Shanelle’s hand slipped and traced a line of dark black liquid across her cheeks. “Bree, you’re such an awkward mess.”

“Just finish, will you?” Brianna grabbed the bag and shook a small blue box with a white bow. “You bought me something from Tiffany’s?”

“Yeah, even though you don’t deserve it.” Shanelle capped the eyeliner and opened a tray of varying shades of blue eyeshadow. “You need a darker, smokier color to highlight your eyes.”

“You shouldn’t have bought me anything after the way I behaved last night.” Brianna pulled the bow off the box and removed the lid. A pair of diamond teardrop earrings caused her to swoon. “They’re beautiful. You really are amazing.”

86521e6cd3ee08b61e2560ca520b382a

My Thoughts_1

Wow, what a read!!! I knew Jay was a hell of a writer but this one really had me up all night and knew how to hit me with all the right feels to continue reading even though I cried like a baby during some scenes. I have to be honest that there is two things that triggered slightly but they were brief things but felt I needed to bring up there is a quick scene where an animal is hurt and their is some abuse that happened to one of the main characters but even though I had a little bit of anxiety for a moment, I still wanted more and I felt more attached to the characters. I became greatly invested in them and I think that the triggers even made me more attached to them because I felt their pain.

I have been through similar experiences with being abused as a child and have experienced other similar things that the characters also experienced. I became attached, the suspense thrilled me, the drama had my heart and mind going through a whirlwind but best of all it also made me smile at times too. I loved Shanelle and Brianna! They were great characters and Mr. Cudney was brilliant at portraying what young girls go through at a time when they are of legal age but still have so much to learn. Shanelle and Brianna’s friendship and the feelings they I had for each other just made me swoon at times. They were just the cutest and I couldn’t get enough of them together. This has to be one of the best books that I have ever read ever! So relatable, so intense, heartbreaking, but a book that is a must read that you definitely don’t want to miss out on! Another thing I want to comment on with concluding is that the way the dual time lines broke down and you have no idea how things all fall into place is brilliant! I can’t wait to see what James Cudney comes out with next!

Big thanks to Reads & Reels & James Cudney for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review and to be able to receive this opportunity.

Where to Buy It_1

Available on Amazon and from Creativia

James is my given name; most call me Jay. I grew up on Long Island and currently live in New York City, but I’ve traveled all across the US (and various parts of the world). After college, I spent 15 years working in technology and business operations in the sports, entertainment and media industries. Although I enjoyed my job, I left in 2016 to focus on my passion: telling stories and connecting people through words. My debut novel is ‘Watching Glass Shatter,’ a contemporary fiction family drama with elements of mystery, suspense, humor and romance. To see samples or receive news from my current and upcoming books, please subscribe with your email address at my website: https://jamesjcudney.com

What do I do outside of writing: I’m an avid genealogist (discovered 2K family members going back about 250 years) and cook (I find it so hard to follow a recipe). I love to read; between Goodreads and my blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, I have over 500 book reviews which will give you a full flavor for my voice and style. On my blog, I started the 365 Daily Challenge, where I post a word each day that has some meaning to me, then converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dog has a weekly segment called “Ryder’s Rants” where he complains about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real and show how I live every day.

A bit of humor: Everything doubles as something else when you live in NYC. For me, it’s the dining room, my favorite space in the apartment, where more than just my cooking is on display! As I look out the windows onto a 12th floor terrace, various parts of nature (trees, bushes, flowers, bugs & animals) inspire me to write. Ryder, my 10-year old shiba inu, usually lays on my feet, growling when I shift positions too many times or when I forget to share my food! Although he’s only 20 pounds, he’s quite strong and pushy. But how else can you pen the best story possible without these things by your side?

Blog | James J. Cudney | Amazon| Twitter

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads | LinkedIn

R&R Book Tours

Schedule

June 4th
Reads & Reels (Promo) http://www.readsandreels.com
Valerie’s Musings (Review & Interview) http://valeriesmusings76.wordpress.com
Julia’s Picks (Review) http://juliapicks1.wordpress.com
Splashes into Books (Review) http://splashesintobooks.wordpress.com
Bri’s Book Nook (Review) http://brisbooknook.wordpress.com

June 5th
The Scribbling Site (Review) https://thescribblingssite.wordpress.com
Brizzlelass Books (Promo) https://brizzlelassbooks.com/
The Voluptuous Book Diva (Excerpt) http://www.thevoluptuousbookdiva.com/
Jessica Rachow (Review) http://jessicarachow.wordpress.com
The Book Collective (Review) http://thebookcollective.net

June 6th
Kim Knight (Review & Interview) http://kimknightauthor.wordpress.com
Finding Life Through Pain (Review) http://lynnetteok.wordpress.com
Beware of the Reader (Review) http://bewareofthereader.com/
Nesie’s Place (Excerpt) https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com
Run Wright (Review) http://www.runwright.net

June 7th
Audio Killed the Bookmark (Review) http://audiokilledthebookmark.wordpress.com
Jennie Reads (Review) http://jenniereads.wordpress.com
Touch My Spine Book Reviews (Review) https://touchmyspinebookreviews.com
Bobo’s Book Bank (Excerpt) http://bobosbookbank.com
Crystal’s Book World (Review) http://crystalsbookworld.wordpress.com
Dash Fan Book Reviews (Review) https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/
By Hook or By Book (Review) http://cadburypom.WordPress.com

June 8th
Life at 17 (Review) https://lifeat17.wordpress.com
Port Jerricho (Review) http://www.aislynndmerricksson.com
Sinfully Wicked Reviews (Review) https://sinfullywickedbookreviews.com
Globe Flowers Blog (Review) https://globeflower.co.uk

June 7, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 43 Comments

#BlogTour The Phoenix Cycle by Bob Collopy

about-the-book

The Phoenix Cycle: The Best Shall Rise

Publication Date: June 23, 2017

Published By: The Department of Smoke

Genre: Dystopian/ YA/ Sci-Fi

Dystopian SciFi

New San Francisco is the last city standing on a world ravaged by storms of ash and debris. The city survived by putting the ideals of the American dream on steroids and inspiring its people to persevere, though they have become ruthless in the process. Its citizens are ruled by the General, who has made sure that his people understand that gentleness and pity have become weaknesses that nature no longer tolerates.

Now Steve and Leslie must choose whether they will apply for the General’s once in a lifetime opportunity to “Rise from the Ashes” and join the Inner Circle that rules the city. If they don’t, they will be damned to spend the rest of their lives in the ghettos of Edingburg, a place where virtual reality has become a government-subsidized addiction.

For Steve, the choice is easy. His loyalties lie with the IRA, a revolutionary army led by a voice only known as “Mom.” They are trying to overthrow the General and free the people of New San Francisco from the cruelties of the City Guard. Steve’s mission is to broadcast a recording of a speech that a famous philosopher died to tell. Many thousands have and will perish to get this message out, but is anyone willing to listen?

Every wrist in the stadium beeped. Every boy and girl glanced down at the face of their watch. “00:10” then “:09” then “:08.” Everyone turned their heads to the west. There it was. Right on time, as always. The nightly storm. A wall of blackness had lurched up into the sky, swallowing the setting sun. The hairs on Steve’s neck stood up, urging him to get the hell out
of there.

Instead he grabbed Leslie’s hand, who sat quietly quivering next to him, instinctively pressing her bow into her head for comfort. Steve knew her shaking wasn’t coming from Line’s yelling, the storm, or even the tank pointing at them. Her quivers never came from the barrel of a gun, no, the ragging agony she held within her was the very same thing that pushed him back into the sheets when the sun finally rose—are we going to lose each other?

Leslie’s mind pushed the feeling away for at least another moment. “It’ll be all right,” she whispered. Her brown eyes guided him to the dozens of mortar tubes pointing upward and outward on the vibrant green field and then to the perfect line of churning ash that approached the stands.

“Unity can only be achieved and be maintained when it is the STRONG who come together and fly under one flag! We, like no other in the world, have created a unity that has never broken, has never FLINCHED! When the rest of the world saw THAT—” Line’s long arm pointed at the coming avalanche of black— “They all fell to pieces!”

The earth began to quake as the wall rose over them. Someone screamed. The mortars on the field fired as one at the roiling sky. The blackness spilled over the stadium, then slid over the perimeter of the frizzing wall of static that had encapsulated the field. No Phoenix Cycler had seen—only heard rumors from past Cycle Pref parties—this blackness that was sliding over and them whispering their deaths.

– The Phoenix Cycle: The Best Shall Rise

I really enjoyed reading this novel. This novel makes you think about disasters that could be possible in this messed up world. This book was enjoyable to read between other novels and at a slow pace. Reading this book, I started thinking about different concepts and how things in the world really are. I enjoyed the author’s concepts and ideas and found some things definitely relateable. I have to admit that I enjoy thinking about the “What Ifs” and enjoy reading dystopian novels and about some conspiracy theories so when I listened to this book on my kindle, my son’s father just loved it.*tin foil hats in hand, ready to go* He was the one that gobbled it up and read it the most. He is a big fan of Sy-fy and Dystopian fiction. Some of the things mentioned in this book went over my head a little but this was just an ARC so I am sure there will be tweaks to be fixed but I found that this dystopian novel quite enjoyable and am excited to see what the author comes out with next. Big thanks for this opportunity to the author and Reads & Reels Blog Tours!

Bob is pretty dope. Firstly, his name is Bob, so…yea. Second, have you seen him rock that suit while in a maximum security prison? Epic.

Yea. That’s Bob. No psychological scarring with that author. Nope. Totally fine.

Gosh he looks good in suits.

Hey Have you read The Phoenix Cycle? He wrote that.

One suggestion before you read it and become one of those fans that leaves him roses by his doormat. Read her slowly. This book is not Twilight. She’s deeper than that. Take your time with her. Show the book you care. Cradle it and make it feel loved. If you do, she’ll be good to you. Go too fast and you’ll have no idea why she’s acting so crazy.

469

Philosophies Dead | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Goodreads

The author is giving away 10 print copies (That’s right 10) and 5 Digital copies of his book so make sure you enter as the odds are definitely in your favor! (Runs from May 21st to May 30th)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

May 21^st

Reads & Reels (Kick-Off Promo)

Just for My Books (Excerpt)

The Lit Cottage (Review)

Adventures Thu Wonderland (Review)

The Midwest Ladies Who Lit (Excerpt)

May 22^nd

IAMAGEEKINGGINGER (Review)

Tranquil Dreams (Review)

On the Shelf Reviews (Excerpt)

May 23^rd

Didi Oviatt (Excerpt)

The Genre Minx (Excerpt)

The Cozy Pages (Excerpt)

Valerie’s Musings (Excerpt)

The YA Book Divas (Interview)

May 24^th

J Bronder Reviews (Review)

Banshee Irish Horror Blog (Interview)

Bri’s Book Nook (Review)

The Cozy Pages (Excerpt)

Wicked Good Reads (Review)

May 25^th

Afire Pages (Excerpt)

Port Jerricho (Excerpt)

Touch My Spine Book Reviews (Review)

R&R Book Tours

Love you guys and thank the Heavens that I have internet again!!! Woot! Luckily there is a discount program for low income families with our local internet service is only 10$ a month with the first month free! YAY! So I am LIVE you guys and will be catching up on reviews ~~and annoying the shit out of you!!!~~! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for those have been following up with the happenings of my family we are slowly but surely doing better. We are facing some big battles but we have hope, food and a roof over our heads, many thanks to you! Love ya guys!!!

May 25, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 25 Comments

Author Interview Featuring Didi Oviatt

I am so glad that today I get to feature one of my all time favorite authors and friend, Didi Oviatt! Not only is she super talented, she is also kind, inspiring and has a free-spirit that you can’t help but to love!💖 From my beginning days as being a book blogger, Didi was one of the few people who made me instantly feel at home and after reading two of her books and reading her blog and magazine, I was in awe because of the way she had with words. I hope that when I finish my novel that I am able to become atleast half of the author Didi is!😀 So enough of my babbles. ~~about my innoncent girl crush on Didi~~ Let’s get to the Q&As with her and yours truly!💖🎊🎉

Didi with her latest novel, Search for Maylee

Will you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

My two terrorising, bugar-faced children hold the key to my heart. Writing suspense novels leaves me to feel empowered, grounded, and utterly beside myself all at once.

And…………….

My idea of a perfect evening is to be is standing around a booming campfire, with a cold beer in hand, and in a place where the stars are so bright and beautiful it feels like I can reach up and grab them! I’m a small town girl surrounded by mountain ranges that are to die for. So yes, I totally get to experience this phenomenon often!

Can you tell us about one or more of your novels?

I think I’ll to go with Aggravated Momentum to ramble about today. Mostly because you’re yet to read it, Dani *wink. wink.* This was my first ever Physcological Thriller. It was the first book I wrote that made me realize I have the kind of potential to actually pursue writing as a lifelong career. The premise is centered around a family with dark secrets, and a killer with a knack for psychological torture. The main victim doesn’t die right off, in this creepy little slasher… No, no, that would be too easy. Instead, the people she cares about are picked off around her, one by one, while her tormentor watches her dismay from a distance. I could go on, but I’d rather you find out for yourselves! 😉

Are there characters in your stories based off yourself or anyone else?

For the most part, no. However, I do have a short story collection that is based on myself, and some elaborated silly memories of my younger years. There are six stories total, and the series is titled Time Wasters.

What has been the hardest part of becoming/being a published author?

Time management!! Hands down, juggling life as a (excellent) mommy and (incomparable) wife (lol), working part time outside the home and writing full time inside the home. It’s hard not to get a little ran down in finding the time. I’ve definitely learned a thing or two over the last couple of years about prioritizing over stressing. Sometimes you have to take a breath and slow yourself down! Becoming a successful writer is huge, but that can never be accomplished without at least trying to keep your sanity intact.

When did you first start writing stories or any other kind of writings?

I’ve always dabbled some in poetry, and excelled in creative writing projects up through high school, but it wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties and going through a bit of medical struggles, that I found my love to create literature. I had to stop drinking, and spent a lot of time on bed-rest… so, naturally I was bored! I decided that I needed a hobby that was constructive, and might help me to feel capable and competent again despite my body’s pitfalls. I turned to writing as an outlet, something to help pull me me away from self-pity and boost my overall health in general. Ultimately, writing turned into a passion much bigger than I’d ever dreamed it could! In a way, you could say writing changed my life.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

Making Mind Over Matter a Reality

Did you take writing classes or are you self taught?

I’m completely self taught. Although, I like to think of the novels read as the best teaching tool available to writers. In my opinion, creativity can rarely be taught, and everyday choices in life itself can offer the biggest lessons. You just need to pay attention, open your mind, and allow yourself to learn.

What is the most difficult part of writing?

Edit. Edit. Edit.

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I love the feedback and the growth in it. I guess you could say the whole process of self-improvement is absolutely addicting!

What are your hobbies?

OMG where to start! I probably have too many hobbies, that’s why I’m always strapped for time, and utterly behind on my promised reads and writing projects! I’m very outdoorsy. If it involves fresh open air, the sun and the wilderness, then consider me in! I’m like the most opposite of a ‘city girl’ one can possibly get. Some might even go as far as to call me a redneck… and so be it! That said, I spend a lot of time getting dirty. I hike, ride ATV’s, hunt (my favorite is archery), lots and lots of fishing, swimming/boating. I also love Native American artifacts, so I spend a lot of time looking for arrowheads etc, mostly in desert ranges. I also LOVE to take the time teaching my kids dance, sports, and music!

Are there any authors that have inspired your love for writing?

Every single book I’ve ever read has inspired me in one way or another. I pick up on the qualities I love, and I take note of what I don’t. BUT, if I have to pick just one author then I’m going with Colleen Hoover. Not only because her writing is absolutely amazing, but because she’s a beautiful person in general. She’s a giver, an absolute inspiration in every way. She donates and raises money for charities often, and is a pillar of the community. I actually got to interview her for The Conscious Talk Magazine and it was absolutely a dream come true!

If you could give young writers (who’s dream is to be published) a piece of advice that has anything to do with the writing process, what would that be?

Take your time, and take breaks before you do any rounds of edits and revisions. Once you’ve stepped away from a project for a while, you’ll come back with a clean slate and a fresh perspective. Overall this will help your piece to be better rounded and prettier polished.

Here’s a bio on Didi with links and about her books! I got this bio from her author/book blog. You can connect with Didi on her blog @ https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/about/

Growing up in a small town had more than several advantages and disadvantages. Saying that my childhood was sheltered is nothing short of an understatement. Unlocked doors, cleared streets, and the quiet of a trustworthy neighborhood were all welcomed features of my hometown. As a small child I baked cookies with the old lady down the road. I sat next to my kindergarten crush in sun day school, and literally rode my bike in the middle of the road without a care in the world. We didn’t have what kids have today. We actually had to use our imaginations to have a good time. There were no smart phones, tablets, or 64s to keep us occupied. We were perfectly content to play with our stick guns and a water hose for hours on end… And I loved it! Along with my scrapes and bruises I also maintained a simple, happy for the little things attitude, and of course a great tan.

Now that I have made my childhood out to be nothing but cherries and smiles, I have to point out the disadvantages that came with the small town upbringing– before the world of electronics took over the young mind. One word distinctively comes to mind… Boredom! As I grew into adolescence I no longer cared much for silly toys, dancing, baking, or crafts. I rebelled like many young adults do. With a sever chip on my shoulder and a lack of coordination in the sports department, I spent the majority of my time partying. Nothing too outrageous, mostly close friends, fires, and beer.

As much as I would love to say that living in a small town gave me an overactive imagination and love for books, that is unfortunately not the case. I cared more about having a good time than I did about school. I was voted wild child twice in high school. I cheated my way to passing grades.

It wasn’t until I was settled and married with a child on the way that I found my love for the literary world. Rearing out of my mid twenties left me a bit more mature, having to find more important things to do with my time than re-occurring nights at the bar. This is when it started – I read one book after another for a few short years, then decided to give writing a bash. I’m completely amazed at the love I developed! Once I started putting the world of imagination that has long been trapped in my overactive mind into a keyboard, the transformation of self began. A new aspiration in life has formed. I want nothing more than to be known as the unexpected novelist who took the literary world by storm!

My novels include three stand alone thrillers, Search For Maylee, Aggravated Momentum, and The Stix. I’ve released the start to a YA dystopian trilogy New Age Lamians (books 2 and 3 are intended to be released in 2018). I also have a few short story anthologies, Time Wasters, and The Suspenseful Collectionpartnered with Kim Knight.

Follow me on Amazon: Didi’s Amazon Authors Page

Follow me on Facebook: Didi’s Facebook Author Page

Follow me on Twitter: Didi’s Twitter

Follow me on Goodreads: Didi’s Goodreads

Follow me on Instagram: Didi’s Instagramthree

One of Didi’s quotes which she likes to share on her Bookstagram!

Thanks so much everyone for stopping by and reading my interview with the lovely Didi Oviatt!😀📚 Until next time, lovelies!Xoxoxo!

May 8, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 71 Comments

Coming Clean About My Absence…My Family Has Been Struggling And Is In Need.. Hardest Post To Post

I know many have wondered where in the hell I have been… Well yes I have battled grief and yes I have had issues going online but I haven’t shared it all.
I have went through way more than grief, I have been fighting for my ability to take care of my children and to get the medical treatment for my family. Long story short, we have lost most of our income and medical benefits.

We went weeks without electricity, had to cut back ~~like barely nothing~~ on food for kids to have it and we have went without medical supplies and medications.

I have been battling seizures without my medicine and haven’t been able to caretaker my son’s father who has a brain injury and can’t remember 20 mins ago or long term. My child’s mother has been battling renal failure with no way to go to the doctor and my other son’s father has no insulin. I know that’s a lo but we are four disabled people who work together to give our kids as much as love as possible.

I hate and I am scared about writing this post because it’s so hard for me to swallow my pride but we have tried every agency and every resource possible. Thanks to the one friend I asked advice from Kim @ By Hook or By Hook I was able to get an emergency food resource for the week but since we are facing eviction and are we need some medications to live we are asking for the bare minimum to help us out, enough for rent and meds. I know that many might be having their own struggles and please don’t feel bad if you can’t help and I don’t want anyone to go without because of me. Your kindness, prayers and/or vibes mean the world to me and are just as important!💜 You can find the link to the fundraiser @ https://www.gofundme.com/trying-to-pay-rent-amp-medical-needs

It’s a safe and secure place for any transactions and none of your information will be shared.

Thank you for taking out the time for reading my post and if anything I may have said wrong I apologize my brain has been a little scrambled from lack of meds and sleep from stress. I can’t thank you enough for your support of Touch My Spine Book Reviews

You can find it on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BookishDani/status/988371906440187904

https://www.gofundme.com/trying-to-pay-rent-amp-medical-needs

April 23, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 120 Comments

Reads & Reels Tours: Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings. Featuring Chauncey Rogers, Author Of Happily

I would like to thank Reads and Reels Blog Tours and Chauncey Rogers for providing me with this opportunity!😍

I’m was beyond excited that I was able to be part of this blog tour! I was happy dancing majorly(insert cabbage patch) when I received the invite about this tour and it popped up in my inbox from the lovely Shannanigans @ Reads and Reels Blog Tours!!💃 Woot, Woot!!!😍

I have to admit I fangirl a bit ~~too much~~ over this novel and I am shamelessly guilty that I have already read this book twice. I loved it like that crazy fun kind of love the first time around and loved it just as much the next time around, if not more!
I have been battling that nasty thing called grief and this was the perfect story to read to help push me back into my ~~obsession~~ love of my books and blogging!😍 I highly recommend this book to anyone for any mood and/or occasion It’s simply one you won’t want to put down! You can find my review of Happily by Chauncey Rogers here. Okay, Okay enough with me my mouth , let’s get back to the tour!

Today’s blog tour is a bit different today. Chauncey has been celebrating his release of his newest novel by sharing something similar to the story but also unique as well with every tour stop. I will be sharing the synopsis of Happily and then you will get to hear from Chauncey himself!😁 Hope you enjoy and thank you for stopping by.😉💖💯

Publication Information:

Title: Happily

Author: Chauncey Rogers

Pages: 299

Publication Date: April 3, 2018

Genre: YA (MG-friendly) Fantasy/Fairy-Tale Retelling

If the shoe fits, wear it.
If it doesn’t, make it.

Laure is a teenage street urchin just trying to get away. Where the rest of the world sees an enchanting love story, Laure sees royal incompetence and an opportunity to exploit it. She’ll have wealth and a way out of a life she detests, if she can only manage to hoodwink the royal family and survive to tell the tale.

Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings.

Thank you Dani! It’s great to be on your blog today!

We’re talking about the different variations of retellings today, and what it is about them that charms us so much. I’m going to make up some of my own definitions, because I’m of the type of person that does that.

So let’s start with the made up definitions for retellings, backdoortellings, and sidetellings.

A retelling follows the same character as the original tale, but twists major elements of the story.
A backdoortelling follows a lesser character through the same events, offering a new perspecitve.
A sidetelling follows an equivalent character, offering a new perspective andpossible twists.

The film A.I. is a retelling of Pinocchio.
The novel Ender’s Shadow is a backdoortelling of Ender’s Game.
The picture book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! is a sidetelling of The Three Little Pigs and the Big, Bad Wolf.

Think I’m making these definitions up just to look smart and unnecessarily subcategorize Happily?
You’re probably right.

But anyways, what is it about these new approaches to traditional stories that we love so much? Why do readers and viewers love to see a story they already know, told in new ways?

I’m sure there are many different reasons. One I’d like to talk about is predictability. We like these retellings because of their predictability.

It might sound slightly counter intuitive. Normally, when you hear “predictable” ascribed to a story, it’s a bad mark against it. And yet, there is a certain degree of predictability that we want to see in stories.

We can usually guess the ending—we still don’t want people to tell it to us and spoil it, but we have a hunch that the good guys are going to win, the lost dog will be found, the lovers will be ruineted, the athlete will overcome, etc. Does this always happen? Of course not. Is that okay? Of course it is. But generally, we can guess the outcome.

For example, in Star Wars: A New Hope, we know right from the beginning that there’s an evil empire, a group of rebels opposing them, a battlestation that can destroy planets, and plans that will reveal its weakness.

Does it take a genius to predict that the rebels will (spoiler alert, I guess) blow up the Death Star? Hardly.

But how will they do it? That’s what we don’tknow, and that’s what’s exciting to find out. It’s exciting to see our predictions be correct, and it’s exciting to see the twists that will make it happen (or will delay it happening).

And that is a rather roundabout way of explaining one reason why we enjoy retellings as much as we do. It’s because the audience has an even higher ability to predict what might happen, because we already know one version of the story. The fun, then, is in seeing how the storyteller is going to introduce the elements we’ve predicted. If they’re not creative or surprising enough, it feels bland. If they’re too creative or surprising, it comes off as untrue to the original story. But if it hits the sweet spot, where it provides the perfect twist on the reader’s expectations—a masterpiece!

There are other reasons, I’m sure, why we love retellings—nostalgia or familiarity being one, I’m sure, but I wanted to discuss one that people might not have considered, as well as a concept that applies to storytelling in general. It isn’t the often predictable outcomes that surprise and delight audiences. It’s how they got there.

Have your own theory of why people love retellings? Have a favorite retelling yourself? Or maybe want to say how upset you are with me for spoiling the ending of Star Wars: A New Hope? Let us know in the comments!

Bio:

Chauncey Rogers was born in Arizona, and since then has hopped back and forth between the mid-western and western United States. He married in 2012 while attending school in Utah. His favorite movie since he was three is Jurassic Park, and he wishes very badly that Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster were real, though he doesn’t believe in them as much as he used to.

In March 2017, he published his first novel,Home To Roost. In October 2017, he published Cleaving Souls.

He currently lives in Kansas City with his wife and two children.

You can find Chauncey Rogers on his WordPress blog and author website @ chaunceyrogers.com

Day 9 of 13 of Happily’s Release Blog Tour. See the full schedule here.

Happily on GoodReads
Purchase Happily on Amazon!

April 11, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 25 Comments

Free Kindle Books Feature: Snapped(An Agent Jade Monroe FBI Thriller #1) by C.M. Sutter

about-the-book

51zSmWmXDzL

Title: Snapped: (A Jade Monroe FBI Thriller #1)

Author: C.M. Sutter

Genre:

Thriller

Suspense

Goodreads:

*Please note that prices changed often so always check your cart when you check out to make sure it’s the correct price. The following images take you to the Amazon page where you can download the book for free. I am an Amazon affiliate so have to let you know that if you decide to make any purchases while on my links I get a small fraction and you help a sista out!😋*

Blurb

Murder happens in Houston, but when the most recent murders take on disturbing similarities, local law enforcement officers fear a serial killer is roaming their streets.

Former sheriff’s department sergeant Jade Monroe has just graduated from the FBI’s serial crimes unit in homicide and is called to Houston with her partner, J.T. Harper, to take on her first assignment—apprehending the person responsible for these gruesome crimes.

With victims piling up and the clock ticking, Jade and J.T. need to intensify their search because there’s no sign the killer is slowing down.

After a late-night epiphany while she’s alone, Jade suddenly comes face to face with the killer, and now Jade is missing. The clock continues to tick—but this time it’s for her.

Note: All Jade Monroe books are standalone stories but since characters carry over, they are best read in chronological order.

Series One – Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Series
#1 Maniacal
#2 Captive
#3 Fallacy
#4 Premonition
#5 Exposed

Note: The Jade Monroe FBI Thriller books follow on the heels of the conclusion of Exposed, Book 5 in the Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Series.

Series Two – Agent Jade Monroe FBI Thriller Series
#1 Snapped
#2 Justified

Thanks for checking out my post, lovelies! I have missed everyone and sorry I haven’t been so active lately. I am trying to get back into the groove of things but grief and chronic pain are some nasty things. I love all of your faces! You guys ROCK!😍💜💙💚💖

April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ 19 Comments

Touch My Spine Book Reviews

☆~Down to Earth and Honest Book Reviews from a Free-Spirited and Custom Bilbliophile~☆

Tag Archives: book reviewer

Thoughts & Quotes: The Time Machine

The Time Machine

ARC Book Review: Magical Bullet Journal & Planner by Tish Thawer & Illustrated by Crystal Smalls Ord

Random Rambles & Feedback Appreciated

Reads & Reels Tour for Father Figure by James J. Cudney

#BlogTour The Phoenix Cycle by Bob Collopy

Author Interview Featuring Didi Oviatt

Coming Clean About My Absence…My Family Has Been Struggling And Is In Need.. Hardest Post To Post

Reads & Reels Tours: Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings. Featuring Chauncey Rogers, Author Of Happily

Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings.

Free Kindle Books Feature: Snapped(An Agent Jade Monroe FBI Thriller #1) by C.M. Sutter

☆~Down to Earth and Honest Book Reviews from a Free-Spirited and Custom Bilbliophile~☆

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

The Time Machine

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings.

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this:

🌟💎Share My Stuff, My Loves!!!!🌠✨🌟 XOXOXO<3😍💎

Like this: