Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Mother's Day Magic ... With Love Boxed Set (Author Interview / Book Review)

In association with Bewitching Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Mother's Day Magic ... With Love Boxed Set!







Author Interview


Felt by the Heart by Angela Ford




Rachel Winters's fiftieth birthday approached as her world fell apart. The forever she thought she'd found with Ryan only disarrayed her life, along with her daughter's. His final words had been cruel and crushed her heart. But for Brooke, he'd been the second chance of having a dad. Will Rachel find the strength to rebuild her life and her relationship with her daughter? 


What Was The Inspiration For Your Mother’s Day Magic Story? 

My daughter is my inspiration. Her determination to overcome obstacles in her life makes her a strong young woman I admire. 


How much research was involved in writing your story? How did you go about it? 

Some research in regards to my hero being the CEO of a Pharmaceutical company and some research on Halifax, Nova Scotia. 


How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected? 

Not so much in this story but I usually write suspense so it happens quite often on a regular basis lol 


Do you miss spending time with your characters when you finish writing this story? 

Always. There are mixed emotions at the end of a story. One of satisfaction...yay! I finished. But then a little sadness sets in and I begin to miss my characters after spending time with them. 


What writer has been your biggest inspiration? 

I have 2 actually lol One is Danielle Steele. I grew up reading her books and have loved the way she pulled me into the story and I felt as though I was there...with her characters. Of course, a happy ending always makes me smile. I also grew up reading Agatha Christie. I love a good crime mystery! I guess that’s why I write both contemporary and suspense. 


What non-writer had the most influence on your life And why? 

That would be my Mom :) She is the strongest, most loving woman. Her love, guidance, teachings, and endless support have made me who I am today :) 


How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character? 

The characters have to suit the title...general plot...or even the occupation they have in the story. Sometimes I can spend a lot of time picking the right one but usually once its chosen, I don’t change it. 


Do you allow others to read your work in progress, or do you keep it a secret until you’ve finished your first draft? 

It’s usually a secret till the draft is finished and then I send it off to my proofer. She’s always the first to read :) 


What inspired you to write your first book? 

My first book Closure was inspired from my volunteer days in Public Education and Cyber Safety Seminars. The importance to stay safe online triggered the idea of my cyber-crime series. Jess leads an FBI team of profilers who hunt down internet predators. 


What might we be surprised to know about you? 

I belonged to the Scotia Highland Dancers when I was young. At the age of 11, I was recognized as the youngest member of 800 participants in Nova Scotia’s first Halifax International Tattoo (a continued annual festival). I was honored to dance before and then meet the Queen Mother that night. 


In Addition: 

My story entails the hardships and heartaches of a mother. Being a single mom and raising two kids on my own wasn’t easy. There were many struggles, both emotionally and physically. I too encountered a strained relationship with my daughter during her teen years. Thank goodness it was only a couple of years and we survived! We are very close now. 


Thank you Angela for stopping by Jersey Girl Book Reviews, and sharing with us a bit about yourself and your writing career.




About the Author



Angela Ford - Bestselling and Award Winning Author hit Amazon's Top 50 Authors with her #1 Bestseller in Christmas Holiday Romance. Her dedication to Cyber Safety gave her an Award of Distinction and sparked the idea for her first book Closure that hit Bestselling Action & Adventure - Women's fiction / Romantic Suspense. In between mysteries, Angela writes short contemporary romance...sometimes sweet...sometimes spicy...sometimes with a dash of suspense! She loves to connect with her readers. 

Author Website/Blog: Romantic Escapes
Amazon Author Page
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Book Review





Mother's Day ... With Love Boxed Set by Angela Ford, Cornelia Amiri, Tamara Ferguson, Daisy Banks, Anna Celeste Burke, Mary Crawford, Allyson R. Abbott, Tamara Philip, Neva Squires-Rodriguez, Adrienne Ruvalcaba, Q.D. Purdu, Cary Allen Stone, Tyler Hosea
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: Paperback - February 28, 2016 / eBook - March 1, 2016
Format: Paperback - 786 pages 
               Kindle - 5777 KB
               Nook - 3 MB
ISBN: 978-1530226887
ASIN: B01AVHGNJI
BNID: 2940152738933
Genre: Romance / Fiction


Buy The Boxed Set:


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the boxed set from the authors in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour hosted by Bewitching Book Tours.


Book Description:

Mother’s Day Magic 

The perfect Mother’s Day Gift, written with love, sent with love.

Every mother’s heart holds a bit of magic…her children’s love. Enchantment awaits in a dozen brand new, previously unpublished-stories, written by #1 bestselling and/or multi-award winning authors from across the globe. Whether it’s a captivating tale of romance or fiction fashioned from loving memories, these poignant stories are sure to touch your heart.

10% of proceeds from this anthology will go to the USA National Multiple Sclerosis Society toward research.


Felt by the Heart by Angela Ford

#1 Bestselling, Amazon Top 50 and Award-Winning Author

Rachel fiftieth birthday approached, the forever she found with Ryan ended with heartache. And for her daughter, the second chance of having a dad. Will Rachel find the strength to rebuild her life and her daughter's?


I Love You More by Cornelia Amiri

Best-selling author The Celtic Romance Queen

Garland recalls memories of her life’s journey from an abusive childhood to a bad marriage to the ups and downs of a single mom. She’s rewarded with a magical mother’s day with her loving family. 


Two Hearts Unspoken by Tamara Ferguson

#1 Bestselling and Multi-Award Winning Author of TRR Readers' Choice Award

Retired air force captain and wounded warrior, Zach Logan, discovers that his scars are more than skin deep, when he falls in love with Beth Bowen; the lovely single mother of an autistic son. 


December Roses by Daisy Banks

Bestselling Author

A present day gift of flowers sets off delightful memories for Jean. The recollections of the day love first bloomed, and trust overcoming a frightening challenge, are carved deep into her heart.


Maddie’s Project by Anna Celeste Burke

Multi-Bestselling Author and Winner Of 2015’s Self-Pub Most Worth Reading

Laura’s mother, Maddie, led a full life, filled with family and a million projects. May changed everything. More than a decade later, Laura reflects on Maddie’s biggest project, and how it changed all their lives.


Vision of the Heart by Mary Crawford

#1 Bestselling Author African-American Romance

Facing vision loss is hard enough, but it’s causing Julia to question everything she knows about herself, a wife, a mother, and nurse. Can she handle a reunion when she’s a shadow of the person she once was?


An English Rose by Allyson R. Abbott

#1 Bestselling Author--4 Readers’ Favorite 5s reviews

A compelling and humorous insight of past years and present dilemma’s as Rose reflects on her usefulness in later life. She acknowledges and accepts her sell-by-date is approaching as life suddenly becomes interesting again. 


The Art of Forgiveness by Tamara Philip

2014 Debut Nominee—Angie Ovations Outstanding Interracial Romance

One woman's journey to seek the truth surrounding her adoption. Amidst the tragedy of the past, she finds connections to her complicated history and a gentle reminder about the power of forgiveness.


The Illusion of Happiness by Neva Squires Rodriquez

Divorced and having lived under the illusion of happiness, for 30+yrs, Graciela struggles to find strength. With her fiftieth birthday and Mother’s Day weekend approaching, a surprise visit helps put things into prospective.


The Day Before Eclosion by Adrienne Ruvalcaba

Sharon's daughter, Gracie, is moving out. What should be an exciting transition is complicated by Gracie's disability. Can Sharon learn to accept Gracie's need for autonomy before irreparable damage is done to their relationship? 


The Light We Found by Q.D. Purdu

1st Place Romance—2014 Texas Writers' League

Calla has survived divorce and developed a crush on Ben, the special guy in her dance class. Life is rocking until her ex confesses a long-hidden betrayal, and Ben reveals the most hurtful secret of all.


Forever Sunshine by Cary Allen Stone and Tyler Hosea

Multi-Bestselling Author and Top SELF-e eBooks Winner of 2015

A letter containing the last request of their mother was handed to the children at the funeral service. They were told to read the letter at her gravesite on the year anniversary of her passing.  



Book Excerpt:


Angela Ford ~  Felt by the Heart

“Rachel, my darling angel, how is your heart? Is what I mean.”

Her eyes drifted toward him, she smiled and hid her emotions as she usually did.

“It’s good too.”

Allan patted her on the back and walked toward the oven as the timer beeped.

“Someday, someday, my dear angel; you will have to talk to someone. If you continue to keep it all bottled up and ignore your emotions, your heart will never heal.”

Words of wisdom came from his heart. Rachel knew it. She appreciated her dear friend and knew he was right. Life had been so busy over the past six months; she hardly had the time to think about it. For the most part he was right; she ignored the matters of her heart. She left her marriage, her best friend, and her daughter suffered from yet one more broken family; among other stressors as a teenager, her son left for Toronto and she had started her own business. Her days had been filled with sorrow, happiness, success, and confusion all at once. She had not heard from Ryan. Some days she wondered if he had moved, was drinking himself into oblivion, or if he simply wanted to avoid her. Rachel never did reply to his last email. So many times she’d thought about it, but the hurt she felt in her heart kept her from doing so. She attempted but would hit the delete button. Each time she tried, tears formed and made her stop. At that point, so much time had passed; it only confirmed that it was over for them. Their forever had disappeared. His hurtful words of “wasted time” still lingered in her heart.

***********************************************************

She had made her decision and was going to live with it. It was a great price for peace in her life, and for her kids.

She grabbed her coffee and headed to the sunroom. She looked up when she heard Brooke. Sleepily she said good morning and told her mom she was starving. For such a small framed girl, she could eat.

“Come join me for breakfast, Mom. I don’t want to eat alone.”

Rachel heard her slippers drag across the hardwood floors, still half-asleep. She chuckled inside. Her daughter was just so darn cute and confident at the same time. The invitation was time with her daughter and that was priceless. It would also distract her from the thoughts that raced through her mind.

“Right behind you, sweetie.”


Brooke’s idea of making breakfast was two bowls, the box of Fruit Loops and a gallon of milk. Rachel smiled. It wouldn’t matter what they had to eat. Their time together was the best gift. Brooke always loved her Fruit Loops. Rachel envisioned her daughter across the table as a five-year-old eating them. Treasured memories she held dear in her heart.



My Book Review:

Mother's Day Magic ... With Love is a wonderful collection of twelve stories that honors a very special person in everyone's life, Mom! The thirteen authors weave unique stories that range from lighthearted romances, to poignant memories, first love and second chances, friends to lovers, to dealing with real life issues ... but there is one heartwarming theme that runs through each story, a mother's unconditional love.

I couldn't help but get drawn into the twelve stories, they each had something special that tugged at my heartstrings and stirred my soul. So if you want to read a delightful collection of stories that will give you a warm fuzzy feeling and leave a smile on your face, then look no further, Mother's Day Magic ... With Love is a must read!


RATING: 5 STARS 




About The Authors





Angela Ford originates from Nova Scotia…Canada’s Ocean Playground!

Her love of the ocean and sunsets are always in her heart and give her inspiration. Her love for words keeps her turning the page. She is never without a book, whether she’s reading or writing. Now residing in Ontario, Angela works in Finance – numbers by day – words by night.

Angela Ford’s dedication and involvement with cyber safety seminars gave her an Award of Distinction and sparked the idea for her first book Closure – crime suspense that hit Best Selling Action/Adventure. Ms. Ford continued her FBI series with Forbidden and Obsessed with the final in the series coming in 2016. In between mysteries, Ms. Ford writes short contemporary romance…sometimes sweet...sometimes spicy and sometimes with a dash of suspense! Her #1 Bestseller Christmas Holiday Romance put her in Amazon’s Top 50 Authors.

Between two jobs and two kids, mom’s home is always filled with young adults and rather interesting stories. But it is the furry family members who rule the house – a Puggle, a new Chug puppy and two loveable cats. Every possible quiet moment she finds, she treasures and just writes about the moments to come. Angela is an avid reader of romance, a member of the RWA, KOD (Kiss of Death – Suspense Chapter) and Mississauga Writers Group. You can follow her at BTGN www.bookstogonow.com or visit her website/blog Romantic Escapes at http://www.angelafordauthor.com to connect with her on her social network sites. She loves to hear from her readers – they keep her smiling!

Author Website/Blog: Romantic Escapes
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Cornelia Amiri, who also writes as Maeve Alpin, is the author of 30 published books. 

Known as the Celtic Romance Queen, she writes Celtic Fantasy Romance, Celtic Historical Romance, Steampunk Romance and Sci-fi Romance. She lives in Houston Texas as does her son and granddaughter and her cat, Severus. Severus is a writer's cat, he loves books. He likes to knock them off the bookshelf, sit on them, and sniff the open pages. He also uses the computer, he sits on it, lays on top of it, and walks across the key board almost constantly. She is working on two soon to be released books a historical romance box set, Scandalously Yours and a modern day fantasy romance novella, Back to the One I Love.




A member of the Romance Writers of America, Tamara Ferguson is the top-ten best-selling, multi-award winning author of the Kissed By Fate Romance Series and the Tales of The Dragonfly Romance Suspense Series.

Her latest release is Two Hearts Surrendered. This military romance was her contribution to the bestselling Magical Weddings anthology, which included stories by fifteen USA Today, best-selling, and award-winning authors. Two Hearts Surrendered recently earned 3-5reviews from Readers’ Favorite, and has just become a #1 Wounded Warrior Romance Bestseller, Kindle Book and Series.

Tales of the Dragonfly Book I: In Tandem was a romance finalist at the 2013 Indie Excellence Awards, while Tales of the Dragonfly Book II: In Flight was a 2014 WINNER at the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards. Her latest release, That Unforgettable Kiss was recently a top ten Amazon bestseller in Kindle Saga Fiction, earned 3-5editorial reviews from Readers' Favorite, and has just become the 2015 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards in New Adult Romance.

That Unforgettable Kiss is currently featured in the #5 bestselling A Touch of Passion, 12 full-length novels by USA Today, New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning authors. This anthology is also a #1 New Adult Romance Bestseller, as well as a New Adult Bestseller.
Since she remains a full-time caregiver for an autistic son, you can usually find Tammy working at home, where she spends a lot of time not completing her numerous home improvement projects, because she's writing or helping indie authors promote their books on twitter.


Daisy Banks writes romances ranging from sweetly tender through to sexily spicy tales in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. From Victorian devotion to a werewolf passion, a rogue and a courtesan, a clumsy fairy and a saucy ghost, you can discover a different world with Daisy in each of her stories.

Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing. There are also some rare occasions she makes a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan. 




For Anna Celeste Burke life is an extravaganza! Figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge. On my way to Oahu, to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I had married in Tijuana, I was nabbed as a runaway. Eventually, the police let me go, but the rock band broke up. Our next stop: Disney World, where we ‘worked for the Mouse’ as chefs, courtesy of Walt Disney World University Chef’s School training. More education landed us in academia at The Ohio State University. For decades, I researched, wrote, and taught a number of gloriously nerdy topics. Retired now, I’m still married to the same, sweet, guy and live with him near Palm Springs, California. I write mysteries set in sunny California! The Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series, set here in the Coachella Valley, the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series set in California’s Central Coast, and The Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery series set in the OC. Coming soon, The Misadventures of Betsy Stark that also take place, here, in the Coachella Valley.




Mary Crawford has been lucky enough to live her own version of a romance novel. She married the guy who kissed her at summer camp. He told her on the night they met that he was going to marry her and be the father of their children. Eventually she stopped giggling when he said it, and they just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They have two children. The oldest is in medical school, where he recently found and married the love of his life, and the youngest is still in elementary school.

Ms. Crawford writes full time now. She has published six books and has several more underway. She volunteers her time to a variety of causes and has worked as a Civil Rights Attorney and diversity advocate. Ms. Crawford spent several years working for various social service agencies before becoming an attorney. In her spare time, she loved to cook, decorate cakes and of course, obsessively, compulsively read.

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Allyson R. Abbott

I love to travel, but I also need to work. Being an author allows me to combine both of activities and has the added bonus of life being an adventure. I never know where I will be sitting writing from one year to the next. As I write this, I am in Africa, in spring I travel to Europe for a few months and later in the year to the USA and Canada. It is a great life, if you don’t mind a little insecurity.

I try to bring a little of my adventurous personality into my stories. Being a 'mature aging gracefully' woman, I feel akin to the problems of aging and relationships. I spent many years on my own before finding my truly remarkable and very patient partner who I happily gave up my whole world for. My stories are about mature relationships with mature people. People who have character and humour, who have a history; people just like us.





After spending most of her life in New York City, Tamara Philip decided to let love lead her on an international adventure, where she's met many amazing people and ate entirely too much. Tamara and her English-born Husband, Chris, now split their time between the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago.

Writing has been her secret passion since childhood. Quirky female leads are her trademark.

On any given day you can find Tamara telling people what to do, dodging adulthood, and working hard on her next novel.

Other works by Tamara Philip are The Trouble with Playing Cupid, The Trouble with Romance and two holiday short stories, Romancing the Grinch and This Season...Have Love/Have Faith with fellow author, Neva Squires Rodriguez.


Author Website / Blog
Amazon Author Page



Neva Squires-Rodriguez was born and raised in a neighborhood located on the North Side of Chicago. Mother, Wife, Expert at multitasking, when she’s not writing newspaper columns or finishing up her latest novel, she is dispatching calls for her city’s 911 center. Perhaps this is what helps Neva create electrifying stories with a twist.

Neva Squires-Rodriguez earned her Bachelor’s Degree from American Military University (APUS/AMU) and her Master’s Degree from National University, a feat which she worked very hard to obtain and says she will work even harder to pay off.

She claims to be a typical American, full of dreams that will hopefully get her to a more comfortable lifestyle one day. She says, "God has a plan and I will follow wherever it is that He takes me."


Adrienne D'nelle Ruvalcaba was born and raised in Southeast Texas. After high school, she joined the U.S. Army and served four years at Fort Campbell, KY. After her army days, and one failed attempt at marriage, she and her two children relocated so that she could enroll in the Engineering program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. While there, she completed her Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural analysis. Also while at SIU, she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This diagnosis significantly changed her life.

Since the onset of SLE, she has learned a lot about those close to her and even more about herself. After a few years of struggling to accept lupus as part of her life, she has come to a more peaceful place, and no longer lets her disease define who she is.

Adrienne has had a love of writing since grade school, and she often takes solace in the many worlds she creates in her imagination. She writes women's fiction and romance, and her books are meant purely for emotional fulfillment, enjoyment, and sweet escapism. Real life is difficult enough, and she believes that we all need a little break from it sometimes.


Author Website
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Q. D. Purdu’s debut romance, DESDEMONA FINDS THE BIG O IN LOVE won first place in the Texas Writers’ League Romance category, 2014. The book will be released in 2016.

Q. D. loves her rescued puppy, red wine, running through sprinklers, dark chocolate with sugared ginger, and anything wrapped in a corn tortilla.  Her prized possessions include a hot pink Christmas tree and a garden full of okra and basil.

She hasn’t decided what she’ll be when she grows up, but whatever it is will be filled with romantic impossibilities.

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Cary Allen Stone’s aviation career began in 1972 and ended in 2014. In his forty-plus years as a pilot, he flew hundreds of thousands of miles through all types of weather, domestic and international flights, all without an aviation accident. His aviation travels gave him a unique perspective of life, and led to his writing. In 1992, he flew film director Sir Ridley Scott for ten days during a location scout. Mr. Scott mentored him about his writing. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree, and was a member of two honor societies. He played a “bad guy” main character in an AAA Club advertisement, and was an extra in several films both in LA and Phoenix. He has written several action-adventure screenplays. He has done voice-over, radio commercials, and standup comedy, which included comedy magic. He represented the USA alongside nine other countries in the Night of Magic in Bogota, Colombia performing before dignitaries, ambassadors and their families. Cary is a member of the Phoenix Writer’s Club and the International Thriller Writers.

His series The Jake Roberts Novels has been well received by Amazon Hall of Fame Top 10 Reviewers in crime fiction and psychological thrillers from whom he receives 5–Star reviews. Action adventure author Clive Cussler and South Florida author Tim Dorsey endorsed Stealing Atlanta, his cybercrime thriller. His first published work, Through a Mother’s Eyes a true crime story, was a case study of “filicide” the parental murder of children. His subject was a friend of his who murdered her six-year-old son. The research took four years to complete, which included time spent in the correctional facility where Julie was incarcerated. Through a Mother’s Eyes has a worldwide reach. Cary’s hopes are that the story will help to prevent future tragedies from happening and to date he has received several correspondences of success.


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Tyler Hosea is an editor and reviewer, and with Forever Sunshine a breakout author. She has contributed to all four of Cary Allen Stone’s Jake Roberts Novels. She has the difficult job of being his significant other for the past eleven years, which is no small task. Tyler’s profession has always been in aviation having spent twenty years in customer service and management. Her current position in aviation is classified. One of these days you will find Tyler behind the controls of an airplane as she continues her private pilot license.

Tyler is an avid reader, a part of her nurtured by her mother since she was a young girl. She graduated with honors from Oglethorpe University. She is an official Georgia Peach having been born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She has traveled extensively around the world. Tyler has appeared on several of Cary Allen Stone’s book covers. Both she and Cary will be writing their next complete book anthology continuing on from their Forever Sunshine.

Amazon Author Page
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Virtual Book Tour Event





Tour Schedule:

March 2

Writer Wonderland
http://www.writerwonderland.weebly.com 

Ramblings of a Book Nerd
http://booknerdramblings.com/

3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too! (review) http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com 

Queen of All She Reads
http://queenofallshereads.blogspot.com 

Illuminite Caliginosus
http://darkwriter67.wordpress.com 

Jersey Girl Book Reviews (review)
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/ 

T's Stuff
http://teresanoel.blogspot.com/ 

Mommabears Book Blog
http://www.mommabearsbookblog.blogspot.com

Mythical Books
http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/


March 3

Deal Sharing Aunt
www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

Zenny's Awesome Book Reviews
https://zennysawesomebookreviews.wordpress.com/ 

Around the World in Books
http://www.aroundtheworldinbooks.ca/ 

Vampyre Ladies Fave Books and Reviews
https://vampyreladylaura.wordpress.com/ 

Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannerhoads.com

Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com 

The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com 

Lisa’s World of Books
www.lisasworldofbooks.net 

A Night's Dream of Books
http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/

Kimber Leigh Writes
http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com 

Romantic Fanatic
http://romanticfanaticblog.com/






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