Bound by Blood and Brimstone, by D. L. Dunaway

Today, I'm excited to share a new book release by D. L. Dunaway, Bound by Blood and Brimstone!

Bound by Blood and Brimstone

by D. L. Dunaway

The beauty of our humanity is born in the struggle of the journey...

NEW COMING OF AGE BOOK REVEALS DEADLY FAMILY SECRETS

When push comes to shove, I suppose the truth has to be told for me. Maybe then the dreams will let up, and I can decide if enough shards of my life remain to piece Ember Mae Roberts back together. If not, the dark knowledge I hold inside could kill me. ~~ Ember Mae

Some books want you to believe in true love and happily ever after, while others take you to a very different place. One that is not full of sunshine and lovers riding off into the sunset, but takes you to a place that makes you question who you are and where you came from. Bound by Blood and Brimstone,by D. L. Dunaway, is undeniably one of those rare books that implores you to turn the page and see what secrets lurk around the corner.

“I’ve wanted to write a fictional account about my mountain culture since I was a little girl. Mountain culture is rich in music, history, violence, and scandal,” says Dunaway. “My great-grandmother was Cherokee, and apparently had a child out of wedlock. My grandmothers on both sides had vast knowledge of herbal remedies and natural healing, and there have always been rumors of relatives who had ‘the sight.’” 

Coming of age is never easy, but for Ember Mae Roberts and her twin sister, Lorrie Beth, it may boil down to a matter of life or death. Growing up in the mountains of West Virginia in the 1950s presents unique challenges for any child but, for talented young Ember Mae, it means bearing the burdens of an adult, as she quickly learns her expected role is that of her sister's keeper. When a schoolyard bully sets his brutal sights on a fragile Lorrie Beth, Ember Mae jumps to her defense. Terror abounds at every turn as the tormenting escalates. What begins as a normal rite of passage for most children ends in a final tragic confrontation that leaves Lorrie Beth shattered. 

Both sisters make a pact to keep a deadly secret in order to heal, but Lorrie Beth has always been weak. Ember Mae fears she'll crack under the strain and bring their world crashing down around them. What Ember Mae doesn't realize is that she and Lorrie Beth aren't the only ones keeping a secret. There are other secrets waiting to spill out, secrets so vile that when the full force of their evil is unleashed, it's anybody's guess who will survive.

Full of intrigue, mystery and suspense, Bound by Blood and Brimstone explores:

• The inevitable pain when transitioning from being a child to becoming an adult
• Bullying and the extended impact on their victims
• Unexpected and lasting affects of childhood abuse
• Hypocrisy in organized religion
• The duality of human nature 
• Family secrets and the lengths people will go to protect them

“Our culture places profound emphasis on the impact of childhood, its fears, its innocence, its joy. Many believe that our beginnings ultimately determine who we become,” shares Dunaway. “I believe that the perfect childhood is a myth, and the beauty of our humanity is born in the struggle of the journey.”

 Bound by Blood and Brimstone is available through:

 www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.dldunaway.com

D. L. Dunaway is a native of eastern Kentucky and is a single working mom with a Master’s degree in Middle School Counseling from Morehead State University. While working with middle school kids, she fell in love with troubled youth and now works for a local community action agency. Her family is her greatest blessing, her daughter is the love of her life, but writing is her passion.

Summer of Books

Hello, Lovelies!  I'm so excited about sharing some of my favorite books that I've been barreling through this Summer!  I don't know about you, but I definitely miss all the books we were assigned to read over Summer break in high school!  I lived for those days that I got to make a trip to Tattersall's, the small bookstore right down the road from my house.  I always got the required books and a few extras for fun.

When I was younger, I had to beg my mom for anything by R.L.Stine.  For me, it's always been the scarier, the better.  My mom hated it.  She always bargained with me to get a normal book and then my usual Fear Street selection.  This was awesome for me, because all knew was that I was getting 2 books instead.  The other thing that probably drove her nuts was that I always read like 3-4 books at the same time.  I couldn't help myself!  I needed more adventures, I guess!


The first books that I flew through this Summer, were 'The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer' and 'The Evolution of Mara Dyer.'  My friend, Megan, recommended them to me and I'm so glad she did!  They are great!  They were written by the lovely Michelle Hodkin, and are part of a trilogy.  The final book is due out next June!  I encourage you to check out her website!  There's a ton of information there and she's just an all around great person!  

The synopsis below is from Amazon and was all I needed to read!  It is just vague enough to reel the reader in!  I had to know more!


'Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
     It can.
     She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
     There is.
     She doesn't believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
     She’s wrong.
     After Mara survives the traumatizing accident at the old asylum, it makes sense that she has issues. She lost her best friend, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s sister, and as if that weren't enough to cope with, her family moves to a new state in order to give her a fresh start. But that fresh start is quickly filled with hallucinations—or are they premonitions?—and then corpses, and the boundary between reality and nightmare is wavering. At school, there’s Noah, a devastatingly handsome charmer who seems determined to help Mara piece together what’s real, what’s imagined—and what’s very, very dangerous.
     This fast-paced psychological—or is it paranormal?—thriller will leave you breathless for its sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer.'


I'm so glad that I started this series after the second book was already out!  I'm super impatient, and glad that I had 'The Evolution of Mara Dyer' ready to go!  

I would recommend this series to anyone that is a fan of a fun paranormal series.  I had no idea what the outcome would be as I read along.  I will say, that the best part for me, was that no one sparkled :)  Just kidding!  This was such a fun ride, and I don't want to give too much away!  I can just encourage you to please check these gems out!  


Sorry it's been so long between posts!  I've been enjoying this Summer with the babies, and I hope you all have been having fun too!

What are some good suggestions for my next read?  I would love to hear some!  Also, I'm on Goodreads!  Send over a friend request, and I'll follow along!

NA Crush Tournament

If you know me, you probably know about my love for True Blood and the awesome Viking Vampire, Eric Northman.  Alexander Skarsgard owns that role.  That being said, it's time for the NA Crush Tournament!  If you love Norse Mythology, then I would strongly suggest that you all check out a fab book by S T Bende called Elsker.  Loving ASkars is also a great reason to check it out!  She actually met the inspiration for her book, the one and only Alexander Skarsgard!!!  Please check out the post and pics from this awesome moment, here!

Here's a little about the wonderful author of the Elsker series:

Author Bio:

Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats.  Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired The Elsker Saga.  She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.

You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to stbende(at)gmail(dot)com.  

Author social media links

Blog: http://stbende.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/stbende

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stbende or @stbende

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/stbende/

Excerpt:  

ELSKER - Book 1, THE ELSKER SAGA

At eight o’clock, a firm knock interrupted my reading.  I picked my way through the flower shop that our living room had become and opened the door.

“Oh good, you kept my peace offerings.”  Ull treated me to a rakish grin.

“Just a few of them,” I muttered.  “Come on in.”

“Oh, no.  You must come with me.”

“Why?”  I challenged.  Ull sighed.

“Are you going to fight me at every turn?”

“Probably.” 

“Please come.”  He looked so adorable standing on my stoop, his scarf casually thrown across the grey sweater under his coat.  I gave in quicker than I meant to. 

“Fine.”  I grabbed my coat from the closet by the door and shoved my keys and wallet into the pocket.

“Where are we off to?”  I closed the door behind me and followed Ull into the brisk night, waiting for his promised explanation. 

But he didn’t say anything.  Instead, he put his hand on the small of my back and guided me away from campus.  I shivered and noticed that Ull wore his jacket open, at ease in the chill.  As we rounded the corner, Ull dropped his hand to clasp mine.  It was so warm, so strong, and for a moment I forgot to be mad at him.  We walked in silence as he led me down the main road.  After two right turns, I found myself standing in a quiet garden.   

Ull had brought me to a church.  



BUY LINKS: 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CGL33S2

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elsker-st-bende/1115161284?ean=2940016665375&itm=1&usri=2940016665375

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Elsker/book-h7Bk69_5n06_14jqUhk-Cg/page1.html?s=wI2eIf0n-ESWVQyp6mNv2A&r=1

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/308640


Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to vote!!!!

Here's the Elsker Book Trailer!

Five Favorites

This week is flying by!  I'm so glad a lot of this pollen is finally gone and I can locate my car again!  We enjoyed a nice dinner out on our deck last night with the kids.  I'm so excited that it's grilling season again!  I know this time with the babies will go by so fast, and I love all the time I am able to spend with their sweet faces.  

I'm linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday!  Go check out her fabulous new look on her blog and stop by and say hello!  She is headed to London to start a very cool opportunity and I'm so excited for her!!!






Here are five things that I'm loving this week!  

1. Everything Gatsby related!  This book has always been by favorite.  After having to sit through the rather dull Mia Farrow/ Robert Redford film in my 11th grade Literature class, I'm hoping that Baz Luhrmann will do us proud with Leo and Carey!  I mean, how beautiful have all the released posters been?


2.  After a wait that lasted entirely too long, Mad Men is back!  I must have a thing for period pieces.  Mr. Draper and Co. are sure to please with Season Six, and I can't wait to see how this whole relationship with Linda Cardellini and Don plays out.  I've loved her since 'Freaks and Geeks!'
 


3.  Julianne Hough for Sole Society is the best line of shoes for Spring!  There are so many cute designs, it's almost impossible to decide!



4.  This awesome new book by Kelly Oxford, 'Everything is Perfect When You're a Liar.'




5.  New Ladies' Necklaces from my shop, Sparkle Cat Jewelry!  I'm obsessed with statement necklaces, and was really excited about how these turned out!  I'm always taking custom orders, so let me know if I can make you something special!  Please go "Like" my Facebook page and take a look around at my necklaces for little girls, too!


I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Random Wednesday 2/27

I don't know about you, but I'm suffering from a serious case of needing to get out of the house/ winter doldrums.  I have little to no motivation and feel bored all the time.  Maybe it's just February.  We've had too much rain lately.  It's time for a fresh start and some spring cleaning.  Can you feel my excitement?

I linked up with one of my favorites today.  Shanna is totally cool, so please go check her blog out and follow along!

I have an affinity for books.  I'm always reading something, and 9 times out of 10, you can find one in my purse, one in a tote nearby, and if I ever leave the house, one in my car, just in case.  You never know when you might get to go on a long adventure in the car and actually have to talk to someone if you aren't prepared.  

I wanted to share a few of my favorite coffee-table style books with you.  They are great sources of inspiration for me, and I love the extra touch they add to my table!

Allegra Hicks: An Eye for Design

Kelly Killoren Bensimon: American Style from A to Z

     

Emily Schuman: Cupcakes and Cashmere

  

Kelly Wearstler: Hue

   

Kate Spade New York: Things We Love

Farid Abdelouahab: Muses: Women Who Inspire

Michi: Like I Give a Frock

Chloe Quigley & Daniel Pollock: What on Earth Are You Wearing: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fashion



I hope you find something that you love on this list!  Everyone knows that a delivery from Amazon is always a happy one, so get to ordering!