Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels 
 Publisher: Sunbury Press, 
February 2019 
Category: Memoir, History, Military, WWII, and Biography 
Tour Dates June and July, 2020 
ISBN: 978-1620061145 
Available in Print and ebook, 
284 pages 
 Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

Description Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

Daily Life of a Utilities Engineer at AFHQ in Europe During WWII; or, What to Say in Letters Home When You're Not Allowed to Write about the War Most people don’t realize that during the war in Europe in the 1940s, it took an average of six support soldiers to make the work of four combat soldiers possible. Most of what’s available in the literature tends toward combat narratives, and yet the support soldiers had complex and unique experiences as well. This book is based on personal correspondence, and it is primarily a memoir that creates a picture of the day-to-day realities of an individual soldier told in his own words [as much as he could tell under the wartime rules of censorship, that is] as well as giving insight into what it was actually like to be an American soldier during WWII. It explores the experiences of a non-combat Army utilities engineer working in a combat zone during the war in Europe and takes the protagonist from basic training through various overseas assignments—in this case to England, North Africa, and Italy as a support soldier under Eisenhower and his successors at Allied Force Headquarters. It also includes some reflections about his life after returning to Oregon when the war was over. The soldier involved is Captain Harold Alec Daniels [OSU, Class of 1939, ROTC] and most of the letters were written to his wife, Mary Daniels [attended U of O in the late 1930s]. They are the author's parents, and she inherited the letter collection, photos, and all other primary source materials after her mother’s death in 2006.

Praise Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

“The book moves swiftly along, while at the same time capturing the frustration of their prolonged separation. The historical timeline provides just the right bit of historical context to these war years behind at the tail of the army. This is not the typical WWII combat book.”- The Montague Reporter “The lack of military detail — the focus on everyday life and on the relationship between Alec and Mary — ends up being one of the book’s greatest assets. Many works of history detail the story of great battles. Fewer dwell on individual wartime experiences. The book is also strengthened by the affection expressed in Alec’s relatively inarticulate yet moving letters to his wife on the home front.”- Tinky Weisblat, Greenfield Recorder, author of “The Pudding Hollow Cookbook,” “Pulling Taffy,” and “Love, Laughter, and Rhubarb” “Carefully researched history and a beautiful remembrance of one soldier’s letters home. A poignant and personal look into the lives of two very private people and an extraordinary first hand example of why it’s called the Greatest Generation. In detail and in truly first class research one is left with the sense that they know these two people very well. Not only is this a well written historical account of World War II, it is a touching and gentle love story from a remarkable author with a most deft touch and turn. Got five stars from me. So worth it.”-W. Richards, Amazon “This book made me feel almost like I was right there with Alec and Mary as they experienced that time of their lives. My parents, being the same age, also had a similar experience and I thought of them as I read every word. The author cleverly brought to life their story and for that I shall be forever grateful.”- Sunbury Press Reader Review


Excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter 8:
Daily Life in Algiers During the Tunisian Campaign (March—May 1943)
He also told Mary about his French teacher, who had become a good friend:
My French teacher’s fiancé was reported missing a month ago and she thought he was dead, but when I went down for my lesson Friday night she had just received a cable from Switzerland that he had been taken prisoner and released to the custody of a relative he had in France. She was so excited that she vibrated just like you did that day when I came to see you in Eugene and you, crazy kid, went walking along the tracks when you had such a bad cold you should have been in bed. I wonder if all women vibrate when they think about men they love. Perhaps you could enlighten me on that subject. Of course, I know you said get a homely teacher, but I didn’t know any homely ones. This one works as an interpreter in a lot of the dealings that I have with the French is how it all came about, and I can assure you that all I do is study French [March 1943].

Alec in his jeep in Algiers. 

It seemed Alec took a fair bit of ribbing from his American Army buddies about his glamorous-looking teacher. Occasional references in various letters made it clear that the other GIs thought he was nuts to acknowledge her beauty to his wife. In fact, Alec even sent Mary a picture of the teacher with some of his other buddies, which he hoped would prove both to her and to any others that he truly had eyes for no one but his beloved. He also regularly reported on what his teacher said in response to Mary’s comments about her, which is definitely not something a man would do who was hiding anything. Curiously, both women seem to be a bit nervous about his openness, even though he probably thought he was being reassuring when he updated Mary on how his lessons were going:
Your new French book looks to me to be just the thing that I need as what I have to learn most is conversation. I told my French teacher what you said about me getting a lovely teacher, and she was a little concerned about whether you would approve of her. It’s just like a woman, that is being vain, or is that what they say about men? I really don’t know. Anyway I have now gotten to the point where I can ask directions in French and get an understandable answer. The process is simple. I say “Ou (est) la ---?” and watch the policeman’s finger, drive a ways and repeat, and eventually I arrive at my destination. Very simple the French language, isn’t it? [March 20, 1943]

He also added a little romance to his French lesson references to show her exactly where his heart lay: “Let’s hope I don’t have time to learn perfect French but get to take lessons in perfect love from you. You see, wif, in that subject you are an adept teacher, for your pupil just comes back for more and more learning. The preliminary course you gave me was very good, the graduation was excellent, but it’s the postgraduate course that means so much. Wif, what I want is a DLL degree (doctor of legal love) from you” [March 1943]. He eventually even enlisted Mary’s help in finding a wedding gift for his teacher and her fiancé once he was able to return to Algiers:
I was going to ask you to send me something that would be good for a wedding present, as my French teacher’s fiancé is coming back, and they will probably be married soon. It seems that he escaped from France to Spain and will be back as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made for his release from Spain. Perhaps you wonder just how much French that I know. Well, it isn’t very much but it is quite a help at times. One of the men heard me talking in French over the telephone and said he would give a hundred dollars just to be able to do that, but what he didn’t know was that I was just talking in phrases and that the Frenchman was doing all the talking. Maybe when I go to some other place I will have to learn their language. The trouble is that I don’t study enough. It wouldn’t take long to learn a language for talking if one would just spend a little time at it and not lie down and go to sleep every evening [June 11, 1943].

Alec and some of his French friends, including his French
teacher and probably his friend, Joe, the engineer.

This mention of constantly falling asleep when he should have been studying his French lessons was a regular theme for most of the spring of 1943. It’s in reference to what he characterized as his laziness that he also started to hint at one of the medical problems that had been bothering him, a mystery ailment afflicting his eyes that made it hard to read when he was tired. His doctors didn’t seem to be able to identify or help with the problem. He reminded her it had been going on for several years, even before his time in the Army, and he hoped someone would figure out what was wrong soon, so it was probably not a typical vision challenge, such as near or far-sightedness. Eyestrain such as he described could be caused by stress or fatigue, so it’s possible that his discontent at the shipyards, followed by the stresses of entering into active duty in the Army, and then being sent overseas, plus the fatigue of having seven-day-a-week duty were mostly to blame for his eye problems, but it’s also possible that the eye problem was an early manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, an immune-system disorder that would plague him in his later years.[i] He also told her that because of his eye problem, he didn’t read much anymore for pleasure, excepting her letters, of course. By now, the mail service was more or less regular, and he thought he might be mostly caught up with her letters, though probably with a few still missing.



[i] Arthritis Foundation online, s.v. “Rheumatoid Arthritis,” accessed 9 March 2017, http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms.php

Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca DanielsAbout Rebecca Daniels

Rebecca Daniels has been a university professor for many years who has also simultaneously had a vital creative career in the theatre. Throughout her career, her work has always been a mix of performance, teaching, and her own writing. Her groundbreaking book on women directors and the effects of gender on their work is currently still in print [Women Stage Directors Speak: Exploring the Effects of Gender on Their Work, McFarland, 1996], and she has been published in several theatre-related professional journals over the years as well. After her retirement in the summer of 2015, she was finally able to focus all her energies on this book. Website: https://rebecca-daniels.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.daniels.9

Buy Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

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Giveaway Keeping the Lights On for Ike by Rebecca Daniels

This giveaway is for 1 print copy open to Canada and the U.S. only. There are also 2 pdf copies open worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends August 1, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My Review

Keeping the Lights on for Ike: Daily Life of a Utilities Engineer at AFHQ in Europe During WWII; or, What to Say in Letters Home When You're Not Allowed to Write about the War is a great read. I liked getting a personal account of what living during the World War II was like. It was interesting to find out what couples endured during war. I loved reading the love story between Mary and Alec. It was sweet and beautiful to read some of their letters. Seeing their pictures was another plus.

I give Keeping the Lights on for Ike a very well deserved five plus stars. I recommend it for readers who want to get a glimpse of life during the World War II.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Monday, June 29, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Forest of Souls by Lori M Lee



I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FOREST OF SOULS by Lori M. Lee Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About the Book:
Title: FOREST OF SOULS (Shamanborn #1)
Authors: Lori M. Lee
Pub. Date: June 23, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 400

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.

And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.

My Review: 

Forest of Souls begins the Shamanborn series by Lori M Lee. This one is not part of my go to genre, but it is another good reason why I should go outside my comfort zone more often. I thought it was pretty good. I was a little confused at times as to what was going on. But once I caught on, I was able to keep reading. It was a unique and different read for me. 

I am giving Forest of Souls three and half stars. I would be interested to finding out what happens next in the Shamanborn series. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy young adult fantasy. 


I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


About Lori:


Lori M. Lee is the author of FOREST OF SOULS, first in the Shamanborn duology, as well as GATES OF THREAD AND STONE and THE INFINITE. She’s also a contributor to the anthologies A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS and COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES. She considers herself a unicorn aficionado, enjoys marathoning TV shows, and loves to write about magic, manipulation, and family.

Sign Up for Lori’s Newsletter!





Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of FOREST OF SOULS, US Only.




Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/22/2020
Excerpt
6/22/2020
Excerpt
6/23/2020
Excerpt
6/23/2020
Review
6/24/2020
Excerpt
6/24/2020
Review
6/25/2020
Review
6/25/2020
Review
6/26/2020
Review
6/26/2020
Review

Week Two:
6/29/2020
Review
6/29/2020
Review
6/30/2020
Review
6/30/2020
Review
7/1/2020
Review
7/1/2020
Review
7/2/2020
Review
7/2/2020
Review
7/3/2020
Review
7/3/2020
Review

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Sugar Baron's Ring by Lorri Dudley


About the Book


Book:  The Sugar Baron’s Ring
Author: Lorri Dudley
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2020

A ring is her only tie to a distant homeland, until a marooned Englishman anchors her heart.
Hannah Rose Barrington is the island misfit. Orphaned at a young age, Hannah struggles to provide for her future, while her guardian, a weak-hearted island drunk, bleeds Hannah of her father’s inheritance. Caught between the classes of elite planters and white beggars, Hannah yearns to find a place to belong.

University life has never been Bradlee Granville’s forte. His only hope to graduate is to impress his professors by documenting his travels. After claiming unforeseeable circumstances, he delays his final exams and sets out early on his Grand Tour. However, when his ship wrecks off the coast of the Leeward Islands, Bradlee is left without means to return to England, a mounting deadline, and ruined journals.

When Hannah rescues passengers from a ship breaking apart in the bay, she’s unexpectedly drawn to the witty charm of one of the men. Helping him settle into island life will be a pleasure. However, as creditors, like sharks, begin to circle and her guardian’s desperation becomes life threatening, Hannah finds herself in need of rescue. Will Bradlee look past her pitiful situation to see who she truly is—the sugar baron’s daughter?

Click here to get your copy!



About the Author

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

The Sugar Baron’s Ring is the third book in the Leeward Island series. My heroine is caught between social classes as the daughter of a sugar baron and an impoverished white beggar since her guardian sold her inheritance to pay his debts. To generate the feeling of being a misfit, I delved back to those awkward years of middle and high school, where we often struggle to discover where we belong. Before my senior year, my family and I moved to New England for a job change. I’d had a great group of friends at my old school, but at my new school, I was a stranger—an outsider—trying to find acceptance, much like Hannah.
Bradlee, the hero, on the other hand, was fashioned in a completely different manner. At my house, the slang terms “bruh” and “noob” are tossed around by my three boys, along with constant fraternal teasing. A lot of their sarcastic wit and camaraderie are portrayed through Bradlee and his grand tour companion, Colin. Their light-hearted banter depicts the tight bonds of a deep relationship where faults may be mocked, but offenses are overlooked, and if ever in trouble, they have each other’s backs. Hannah is drawn to Bradlee, craving a similar connection but loses her heart to him in the process.
The first opening scene came about because my family loves Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. After binge-watching practically every episode, I knew my hero and heroine would meet under the duress of a shiny, steel-gray fin plowing through the water. (Queue the Jaws theme song.) However, our resourceful heroine contains the strength to rescue the hero as opposed to the other way around.
All these things, being a misfit, teasing, and shark attacks, playout in a grander scheme to show how God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He’s laying out the pieces of our happily-ever-after while developing our character and purpose. The Sugar Baron’s Ring demonstrates how God’s light shines bright even in the darkness.
To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or click here to watch The Sugar Baron’s Ring book trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWRQr3drZY8&feature=youtu.be

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, June 23
A Baker’s Perspective, June 23
For Him and My Family, June 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 24
Texas Book-aholic, June 25
Genesis 5020, June 25
Daysong Reflections, June 25
Inklings and notions, June 26
Rebecca Tews, June 26
Betti Mace, June 27
Remembrancy, June 27
Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 28
deb’s Book Review, June 28
For the Love of Literature, June 29
Britt Reads Fiction, June 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29
Kat’s Corner Books, June 30
She Lives To Read, June 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 1
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 2
Emily Yager, July 2
Pause for Tales, July 2
KarenSueHadley, July 3
Books, Life, and Christ, July 3
Blossoms and Blessings, July 4
Read Review Rejoice, July 4
Artistic Nobody, July 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Batya’s Bits, July 5
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, July 6
Hallie Reads, July 6
Life of Literature, July 6

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fcd4/the-sugar-baron-s-ring-celebration-tour-giveaway



My Review

After reading the first two books from Lorri Dudley’s The Leeward Islands series, I was excited to get my hands on the third installment, The Sugar Baron's Ring. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand along, but I do highly recommend reading the whole series.

I believe The Sugar Baron’s Ring may be my favorite of the series I have read so far. This is such a beautiful story of love, faith and hope. I loved the historical details and the settings. I found Hannah to be a true to life character that many could relate to and adored the scenes when she was with Bradlee.

I am giving The Sugar Baron’s Ring five plus stars. I was so happy to find out there will be a fourth book from The Leeward Islands series and am so excited to read that one when it releases next year.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Friday, June 26, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Victoria Grace: The Jerkface by SE Clancy



About the Book


Book: Victoria Grace: The Jerkface
Author: S.E. Clancy
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Release Date: June 15, 2020   Ever since Tori Weston and MamaBear were abandoned by her dad, finances have been tighter than a new pair of skinny jeans. As if keeping her grades up for scholarships and working every spare moment weren’t enough, Tori gets suckered into visiting a retirement home and paired with ancient resident Marigold Williams. After learning she’s the only one to visit Marigold in decades, Tori becomes a regular at Willow Springs. Besides, someone has to help with her history homework. Corbin Dallas barges into Tori’s life with a prosthetic leg and a dimple, working his way into her hectic schedule. Though she tries to deny it, there’s something beyond his Texan drawl that gets Tori hoping she’s more than his sidekick. Together, they race to find Marigold’s missing family before she fades away. Tori ditches her soul-sucking job, along with her dreams of having a paint-peeled clunker to call her own, in order to help her friend one last time.    

Click here to get your copy!
     

About the Author

S.E. Clancy (aka Sarah) is a bit of a sci-fi nerd, geek, and self-proclaimed dork. There isn’t much she won’t try at least once…unless it involves mayonnaise, because that stuff is just gross. You can learn more about her at seclancy.com.      

More from S.E.

Victoria Grace the Jerkface started as a short story after I’d listened to my favorite song by Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song. I’d overheard a teenager say, “I don’t even know what a chestnut is.” I typed that into a note on my phone because it struck a chord. Within days, a photographer named Tom Hussey issued a series called “Reflections” that featured elderly people gazing into mirrors and seeing their younger selves. That same night, one of my children asked for a project to earn school credits. Like flint to tinder, the idea of this teenager who didn’t know what a chestnut was having to visit an older person left in a care home began to grow.
To add in a bit of my mom and myself to the story, I had my main character Tori (Victoria Grace) love her mom’s meatloaf. It’s a recipe that my mom used from her grandma, an amazing woman we called Grandma Ted.
Ted’s Meatloaf
  • 1 pound thawed ground beef or turkey
  • 1 packet of dry onion soup mix
  • 1 – 2 heels of bread torn into dime-sized pieces (1 for turkey, 2 for beef)
  • 1 egg
Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in a single bowl. Works best if you use your hands, but mix really well if you use a spoon to incorporate all of the ingredients.
Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. Do not use parchment paper—no one wants a soggy bottom. Plop the entire mixture into the pan and place into the middle of the oven. Cook for an hour.
This recipe doubles easily, just change the cooking time to 1 ½ – 1 ¾ hours and check the internal temp with a thermostat.

Blog Stops

Robin’s Nest, June 20
Nancy E Wood , June 21
Batya’s Bits, June 25
CarpeDiem, June 26
Pause for Tales, June 27
Artistic Nobody, June 28 (Guest Review from Kelsey Barela)

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, S.E. is giving away the grand prize package of signed book, origami bookmark, marigold seeds, & $10 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fc81/victoria-grace-the-jerkface-celebration-tour-giveaway



My Review

What a pleasure to be introduced to SE Clancy’s writing by reading her Victoria Grace, The Jerkface. This book was a delight to read. It was so much fun with a lot of laugh out loud humor. There were a few scenes that made me tear up a little bit, too. I adored Tori’s character right from the start. I think many readers would be able to relate to her. I loved watching her grow throughout the story. She was a true to life character and I was happy getting to know her and seeing the relationships she shared.

I am giving Victoria Grace, The Jerkface a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for those who love a heartwarming and entertaining young adult story. I can not wait to read more by SE Clancy in the future.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.