Category: iRead Book Tours

April 10, 2017

Truths Not Spoken

Truths Not Spoken is the debut novel by promising new author Pamela T. Starr. It is a must-read for every woman who balances her dreams of love with a man with the needs of her child. Truths Not Spoken shows readers that yes, dreams can come true.

About Truths Not Spoken

Single mother Laura Walters had her life under control. She had a jewelry business, a generous best friend and a careful watch on her nine-year-old daughter, Emily. Then, Emily is seen on national television with Vic, the man who could tear their world apart. With one thirty second news clip, Laurel’s life turns into a tailspin. The paparazzi chase her. Two men from her past want her: Vic is a former lover. Kyle a former friend. They both know her secret, and either one could ruin the careful life Laurel built for herself and Emily.

Faced with no other option, Laurel turns to Kyle to protect her and her life with Emily. But just as Laurel and Kyle are beginning to trust each other, they learn of shocking betrayals they each have been hiding. Some secrets are made to be broken. Some secrets never should be. But how does Laurel learn which ones are which? Truths Not Spoken is the debut novel by promising new author Pamela T. Starr. It is a must-read for every woman who balances her dreams of love with a man with the needs of her child. Truths Not Spoken shows readers that yes, dreams can come true.

My Thoughts

A fantastic novel of strength, love, hope, hidden strength but also lies and betrayal. We have Laurel who gave birth to her daughter and her birth was masked in secrecy. Emily doesn’t know who her Father is, Laurel has never asked for help and never will. She doesn’t need nor want it. All she wants is to provide for her daughter and watch her grow – something we can all relate to.

Suddenly, both of the men who were there before her pregnancy are back in her life. She is faced with anger, mistrust and fear of losing her daughter. She is thrust into the limelight but not by her own choice and she fears for her own security not to mention her daughters. Kyle was always the one she went to, to protect her from Vic (her ex) and she begins to trust him again. I loved watching their friendship grow again but it all comes tumbling down when the layers of lies begin to be unravelled and it was definitely not something I was expecting when I was reading the book! Both Laurel and Kyle have hidden so much from each other out of fear and it makes you worry that it is too late for the two of them and their friendship.

A beautiful novel of hope, building trust and relationships after betrayal and love lost and found. I could not put this beautiful novel down. I had to know what happened to Laurel, Kyle, Vic and Emily. You feel anger (mostly at Vic but sometimes at Kyle), you feel hurt for Laurel but also hope that she has the strength and courage to move forward in her life. A definite must read and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Pamela!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Pamela T. Starr has been recognized as an outstanding new author with a promising future. Truths Not Spoken is the first in her Shifting Sands series, all set in her home state of Florida.

An accomplished trainer and public speaker, Pamela has motivated more than 60,000 people at live presentations and workshops. She has also logged more than 30 hours of live national television appearances.

Pamela is inspired by the two men in her life. The one she mothers is still young enough to be excited by life and the many opportunities he discovers. The one who is her life-long partner is old enough to know that life is an adventure and he embraces it every day.

Connect with Pamela on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

Win a grand prize A Year of Novels” A collection of twelve novels by best selling writers, plus a signed copy of Truths Not Spoken by Pamela T. Starr (1 winner, USA only)
Win a Kindle copy of Truths Not Spoken (5 winners, USA only)

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 4, 2017

Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love

Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is an emotional toolbox that can help kids and parents communicate about what it means for Mama to have cancer.

About Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love

Once upon a time . . . It’s how all heroes begin their story, and you’re a hero, too! Your mama has cancer, and it’s a scary journey, but you can help your mama just by being you—special, wonderful, YOU. Your mama loves you just the way you are. You are your mama’s knight.

Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is an emotional toolbox that can help kids and parents communicate about what it means for Mama to have cancer. The book is filled with tools and activities designed to make coping with illness easier on both parent and child, and can be personalized for each child.

My Thoughts

Mama’s Knight is a truly beautiful story for Mom and child that brought tears to my eyes. The book showcases Mom’s battle with cancer in an easy way for children to understand but still hits on the most important parts: that Mom may be tired, Mom may not be able to play and sometimes Mom may not like the same types of foods. The book starts out with a background about the child (that you would personalize for your own child) and then dives into the symptoms Mom may be having and how cancer affects her body and her treatment plan.

What I love the most is that the book gives activities to play when Mom is having a bad day, coupons for special days with just Mom and links to activities, like making a cape for your special super hero. The book has the ability to be personalized (which all kids love!) and even better there are parts where Mom can make notes and even insert photos of Mom and child. I loved the section about talking about feelings, as children can find it hard to express their feelings and this is a great starting point for them. She gives children the starting line (for example: “Today I am as angry as a goose”) and this allows Mom and child to explore these feelings and help address them and work through them.

Mama’s Knight is a beautifully crafted tool for Moms and their children as they battle through cancer. It is a special, personalized journey for parents and children to explore their feelings, their symptoms and keeping communication open and fun. Mama’s Knight is a truly special book that is the perfect guide for parents as they begin their journey battling cancer or even those who are in the midst of their battle.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Today, she has completed Bloodmark, Bloodrealms, and Bloodmoon of the Bloodmark Saga trilogy and started her journey into children’s books with Mama’s Knight in honor of her own mother who lost her battle with cancer. She’s a national award-winning graphic designer and birth doula in her day jobs. Aurora lives with her family in Minnesota.

Connect with Aurora on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway

Win a signed copy of Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love (USA only – 5 winners total)

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April 3, 2017

Red-Tailed Hawk Book Review

Red-Tailed Hawk is a coming of age story, the tale of a young woman’s quest to discover the source of her own longing and to understand the mystical legacy of her family.

About Red-Tailed Hawk

When Mariah Easter encounters a large hawk in her urban midtown neighborhood, her father Charlie is concerned. He can see a wild and mystical path opening before his daughter, a path he himself would never be able to resist. The hawk soon reappears: engraved with its twin on a golden thimble that has been an Easter family heirloom for generations. After the thimble is stolen at a funeral reception, Mariah and her mother Samantha set off on a road trip to find it, a journey that will bring healing to the grieving family and change Mariah’s life forever.

Red-tailed Hawk is a coming of age story, the tale of a young woman’s quest to discover the source of her own longing and to understand the mystical legacy of her family.

My Thoughts

A beautiful coming of age story – Mariah finds herself facing tragedy and out of this comes an exciting journey to understand herself, her family and her Father.

The journey Mariah and her family find themselves on, all starts with the theft of a family heirloom – a thimble. The thimble contains the image of a red-tailed hawk and the connection Mariah has with the red-tailed hawk is very important and magical at times. She is connected on this journey to the hawks and they help guide her several times throughout the novel. She meets several guides along her journey and she learns how to prepare for her journey and how to trade to find goods that will help her along her way.

What I really enjoyed was that we had this central journey with Mariah but on the way her Mother and brother explore and grow with her in their own lives. Her brother finds hope and friendship (and possibly love?) with a new woman who also has a diagnosis of autism. She teaches him so much about living in the moment. Her Mother explores her relationship, her past and her future with her Daughter.

Red-Tailed Hawk is a special and magical journey that is a pleasure to be a part of. You laugh, you want to cry and you want to reach out and help each one of them but know that this is their journey. On our journey to understand our purpose we must accomplish this alone, you feel pride in Mariah for finding out her purpose and going forward on her own to understand her journey.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Nancy Schoellkopf is the author of Yellow-billed Magpie, the first in her Easter Family series. Nancy has been telling stories and writing poems for many lifetimes. It goes without saying that she’d need a second income, so this time around she has happily taught amazing children in special education classes in two urban school districts in Sacramento, California. A full time writer now, she enjoys lavishing attention on her cats, her garden, and her intriguing circle of family and friends.

Connect with Nancy on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 3, 2017

Energy Trading and Risk Management Spotlight

In Energy Trading and Risk Management, we look at a comprehensive overview of trading and risk management in the energy markets.

About Energy Trading and Risk Management

Energy Trading and Risk Management provides a comprehensive overview of global energy markets from one of the foremost authorities on energy derivatives and quantitative finance. With an approachable writing style, Iris Mack breaks down the three primary applications for energy derivatives markets – Risk Management, Speculation, and Investment Portfolio Diversification – in a way that hedge fund traders, consultants, and energy market participants can apply in their day to day trading activities

Moving from the fundamentals of energy markets through simple and complex derivatives trading, hedging strategies, and industry-specific case studies, Dr. Mack walks readers through energy trading and risk management concepts at an instructive pace, supporting her explanations with real-world examples, illustrations, charts, and precise definitions of important and often-misunderstood terms.
From stochastic pricing models for exotic derivatives, to modern portfolio theory (MPT), energy portfolio management (EPM), to case studies dealing specifically with risk management challenges unique to wind and hydro-electric power, the bookguides readers through the complex world of energy trading and risk management to help investors, executives, and energy professionals ensure profitability and optimal risk mitigation in every market climate.

Energy Trading and Risk Management is a great resource to help grapple with the very interesting but oftentimes complex issues that arise in energy trading and risk management.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author

Iris Marie Mack, PhD, EMBA, earned a doctorate in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. She was also awarded a Sloan Fellowship Executive MBA from the London Business School. Dr. Mack worked at various energy and financial institutions, acted as a faculty member at MIT, and worked at NASA and AT&T Bell Labs – where she obtained a patent for research on optical fibers.

Dr. Mack currently lectures on Energy Trading and Risk Management for the Fitch Learning Certificate in Quantitative Finance Program on Wall Street and at Tulane University. Because of Dr. Mack’s extensive knowledge of the derivatives, energy trading, and investment banking world, she has been invited to write opinion columns for the UK edition of the International Business Times.

Dr. Mack has also been named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 Working Women, and she is no novice writer. This publishing will be her third financially-focused and published book – including her energy trading book published with Wiley Finance and a financial literacy book for teens and adults. With this breadth of experience and sheer intellectual prowess, Dr. Mack is more than able to help readers reach the financial stability they deserve.

In addition, Dr. Mack founded The Global Energy Post and MathQED – a homework help site for K-12 and college students. Previously known as Phat Math, this service has even been named one of the Top 50 Social Sites for Educators and Academics, 25 Savvy Social Media Sites for Grad Students and 25 Useful Networking Sites for Grad Students. Such accolades illustrate Dr. Mack’s ability to clearly inform the masses.

You can connect with Dr. Mack on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 27, 2017

Season of Hope Spotlight Tour

In Season of Hope, our three main characters become entangled in a mass of concealed ambition and desire, each will make decisions that will send ripples of turbulence across their futures.

About Season of Hope

When Amanda Jarvis prays that a special friend will move into the vacant house near her isolated mountain home, she isn’t upset when God sends a boy instead of a girl. But Amanda’s not the only one receiving unexpected answers to her prayers. After fleeing with his mother from an abusive father, Tyler Armstrong finds much-needed love and acceptance with Amanda’s family over the next ten years.

As high school graduation nears, Tyler is shocked when one carefree afternoon with Amanda churns up an inner turmoil he would have never imagined; he’s crushing on his best friend. And for the first time in his life he’s hiding a secret from Amanda. Convinced the timing is all wrong, Tyler pushes his feelings aside as he and Amanda prepare for the future. He will soon begin training to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy Seal, while Amanda makes plans to spend the summer in Manhattan with her aunt and then return home to the community college.

When Amanda’s summer job catapults her into a modeling career, she readily accepts the much-needed distraction. Tyler’s impending deployment is turning her world upside down. Along with the fact that she’s falling for her best friend. And, for the first time in her relationship with Tyler, she’s hiding a secret, too.

Phoebe Garrison, Amanda’s controlling aunt, is thrilled when she is given the power to act on behalf of her underage niece. Bored with her Fortune 500 advertising agency, becoming Amanda’s manager is just what she’s been looking for to rekindle her aspirations. But as Tyler becomes aware of Phoebe’s obsession to push Amanda into supermodel status, tensions rise. As the three of them become entangled in a mass of concealed ambition and desire, each will make decisions that will send ripples of turbulence across their futures.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

About the Author

I began writing as a hobby while raising my two children. In 2015, I dusted off my stories and my dreams to see if I could turn my hobby into a career. My first story, Season of Hope, was inspired by summer vacations which always included a trip to Franklin, North Carolina, to visit family and explore The Smoky Mountains. When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with family and most anything that involves being outdoors, especially camping and hiking. I currently live along the Emerald Coast of Florida and never complain about the hot, humid summers, because that’s exactly how I like them!

Connect with the author on their website, Facebook and Twitter.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.