Pulled by A.L. Jackson

Pulled by A. L. Jackson
Published By: Sapphire Star Publishing
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Format: Paperback - 350 pages / Kindle - 537 KB / Nook - 404 KB
ISBN: 1938404009
ASIN: B007RICGFK
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Fiction


About The Author:

A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she'd been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel, Pulled.

A. L. resides in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.



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A.L. Jackson's Pulled Virtual Book Tour Page On CBLS Promotions


BUY THE BOOK: Pulled
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Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and CBLS Promotions, a PDF edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in association with CBLS Promotions, author A.L. Jackson participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Interview on Jersey Girl Book Reviews. http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/author-interview-al-jackson-author-of.html


Book Description:

Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life. When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions. 

For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart. In an attempt to escape the pain of her life, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side.

Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can they deny the connection they felt so long ago.

But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart?

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.

Book Excerpt:

I glanced at the clock.

Shit - nearly six o'clock. I needed to hurry. I'd lost track of time and Nicholas would be home soon. I wiped the tears from my face before carefully gathering the pictures from the bedroom floor. My chest weighed heavy as I collected each one, cherishing the memories a moment longer as I tucked them away in the envelope. 

The memories were all I had and I clung to them as if they were my last breath, knowing that once they faded, there would truly be no reason to go on. I hid the envelope at the bottom of the large jewelry box in the back of the closet, mindful to spread the necklaces out over the hidden compartment. Nicholas had never found them, but I was certain he would destroy them if he ever did.

Drawing in a deep breath, I ran my hands through my hair and dragged myself from the past I had immersed myself in for the last two hours and forced myself downstairs.

My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each an accent of emptiness. I entered the kitchen, the only sanctuary I had. Every room of this house was gaudy and overdone, designed by the pompous for the pompous, except in this haven. It was no less extravagant, but held a warmth missing from all of the others.

As I worked, my thoughts inevitably wandered back to those beloved pictures hidden away in the back of my closet, but even they weren't enough to ward off the anxiety steadily building within me as the passing minutes warned of Nicholas's arrival. At six thirty-one, I heard the garage door open. Bile rose in my throat. 

"Melanie?" Nicholas called from the entryway.

"In the kitchen," I called weakly. Maybe he would go upstairs and spare me a few more minutes, but of course, I never had that kind of luck. I heard his footsteps approaching and prepared myself.

"Dinner ready?" He yanked at his tie as he came through the door.

"Um, not quite, just a couple more minutes," I said, not meeting his face.

I felt him pause, though I refused to look up. I'd learned a long time ago how to survive in hell. The less I interacted with him the better.

He snorted through his nose, muttering, "Worthless whore," under his breath.

I gritted my teeth, holding in the anger his accusation triggered.

He set his briefcase on the island next to me and tossed his tie over the top of it. "What time do I get home from work, Melanie?" Nicholas dipped his head, forcing me to look at him.

"Six-thirty."

"Is it too much to ask that dinner is ready when I get home?" he said, "or do you have something better to do with your useless life?"

I cringed but said nothing. He was the one who didn't want me to work. 

"I didn't think so." He leaned in closer, his words a low warning. "When I tell you dinner needs to be ready at six-thirty, it means dinner is to be ready at six-thirty. Do you understand?"

I saw the threat in his eyes. He had never hurt me physically, but he made sure I knew who was in charge. I'd given up any control nine years ago when I'd followed him here to Chicago, looking for an escape from the pain.

I knew then what this life would be like. I'd met him at the airport when I'd fled Colorado that final time, the trip that severed the last thread holding my heart together. Nicholas hadn't seen the broken girl who sat numb with nothing but pain swimming in her eyes. He saw the young, beautiful girl, the one who said nothing at all but seemed to be willing to do whatever he said. 

I wasn't stupid. I had known exactly what he wanted, but I could never go back to Colorado Springs to face what I could no longer have, and I refused to stay with my mother in Dallas.

So I left all of it behind, moving with Nicholas to Chicago just days after I returned from Colorado.

I knew then Nicholas would never bring me happiness. That had never been the point. My heart belonged to another and would never be his. All I wanted was a way out, while Nicholas got the trophy wife he thought he deserved. The only thing I hadn't anticipated was how the numbness I felt for him would evolve over nine years into bitterness and loathing. 

My Book Review: 


Do you believe that two people can be soulmates? Do you believe that the soulmate's energy can pull them towards each other, even if they are apart? Pulled is the love story of two such soulmates, Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery.

Pulled is an amazingly profound love story that touches the hearts of those that believe in true love and the idea that soulmates really do exist. It is a story of a heart wrenching journey that spans over twelve years for Melanie and Daniel, whose young love drew them together from the first day they met, only to have it torn apart by tragedy and misunderstandings after two years of being together. Nine years later, fate or maybe it was destiny has once again brought them together, and their mutual soulmate's energetic pull has rekindled the longing that has simmered below the surface after all those years apart. But their coming together is not an easy one, for they must overcome some very hard and threatening obstacles to finally have redemption and a second chance at love.

The storyline is both powerful and compelling, it is told in the first person narrative with alternating chapters between Melanie and Daniel, mixed with flashbacks to the beginning of their relationship that interweaves with the present. The reader is brought along on Melanie and Daniel's journey, one that is so emotionally charged that you will find yourself holding your breath in between reaching for the tissues. The emotional roller coaster ride of a journey is heart wrenching yet has such promise of sweet redemption, that you can't help but feel its pull as you turn the pages. The characters have such strong and complex personalities, the author does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into Melanie and Daniel's lives, she makes you feel like you actually know them, their family and friends. The story is filled with drama and suspense, the many twists and turns will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. This is a story of love at first sight, promises made, heartbreak, love lost, misunderstandings, choices and mistakes made, second chances and sweet redemption. I found myself riding the full tide of emotions, this story left me completely spent but very satisfied.

Pulled is a novel that will pull at your heartstrings, have you contemplating whether soulmates can really have an energetic pull towards each other that spans time and place, and most of all it will leave you convinced that the power of true love can conquer anything.


RATING: 5 STARS *****

Author Guest Post: Yvonne Lehman, Author of Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic

In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Yvonne Lehman, author of Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic.

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic

... and you thought the Titanic sank?

Well, so did I. My novel about the Titanic, that is. But here's how it began to surface.

Way back in 2006, because of her first-hand knowledge of Novia Scotia and the important role there after the sinking of the Titanic, my novelist friend Peggy Darty suggested she and  write two novellas each for a collection and set in Nova Scotia. We brainstormed and shared possibilities. However, life and other writing projects took precedence and the collection never materialized. (Well, nothing about writing "materializes." Have to work at it!!!) We abandoned the idea.

A few years ago at the Blue Ridge conference an editor mentioned that I might consider writing a book about the Titanic for their company to be published in 2012 in time for the April 15 memorials of the 100th anniversary of the sinking. A novella collection wouldn't work and I wouldn't proceed without Peggy. Later, she decided not to proceed with her ideas. I presented the idea to the company, but not a proposal, and continued with other projects. 

Since several books and movies have been done about the Titanic's sinking, I thought my book should be about survivors after the sinking and worked on a proposal. That didn't go over at all. Editors wanted another sinking. Feeling like that's what I was doing, I continued on. Since it's hard (impossible?) to throw away characters who have come to life, I had to have the afterlife as well as the sinking, so I worked on a proposal that would cover fifty years - before, during, and after the sinking. 

Ah! A proposal. By this time, several editors already had accepted Titanic books from other authors, and another editor kept the proposal for awhile considering it. By the time the "return" (don't like the word "rejection") came, I thought my ship had sunk for good. There wouldn't be time for a company to publish my book before 2012. 

So, as a failure and a reject in May of 2011, I walked down the aisle to the front row of the conference room at Blue Ridge to be introduced with other faculty. I sat by someone whose head was turned in the other direction talking to someone. I was alone, sunken. The Abingdon editor, Ramona Richards, turned her head and looked at me. 

"Do you have a Titanic book?" I said.

"No," she said.

"You want one?" 

"Yes." 

"Okay."

Then she clarified the yes. "If you can write it by June 15."

"Sure," I said, which meant that's impossible but I'm already dead in the water with this book, so this is sink or swim and I'll write it or drown trying. 

Guess what I did that night? Ran home (Well, I drove. Live only a mile or so down the road from Ridgecrest). Printed a hard copy, emailed a copy, emailed my agent. 

By the next morning, Ramona had two emailed copies and a hard copy of the proposal. Don't think we were anxious or anything!

The next day, she said, "I like it."

What?

Hey it's too late. I can't write 90,000 words (minus about a 50-page proposal) in four weeks. Ah, no problem. She gave me 'til July 1. Fortunately, a long time ago God planned a Fourth of July celebration on a weekend so editors wouldn't be in their office on Friday and the fourth was on Monday, so I had a whole weekend to write thousands and thousands more words. I even got permission to get it there by the 6th of July. 

And I did. With about 30,000 more words than needed and a disclaimer that my ending still needed work (I didn't mention the whole thing needed work) but I could do that in the revision part.

Now, how does one write so many words in such a short period of time? The way I've done most things. I never had enough sense to know I couldn't. So I wrote. And wrote. And wrote. Fortunately, I'd already done a lot of research about the Titanic, had books marked up and watched the movies over and over. My characters began to do their thing. I didn't have time to think a lot.

I learned the secret to writing a lot of words in a short period of time. And that's to keep the fingers moving on the keyboard. No editing. When I was tempted to stop and think, I didn't stare at the screen. Instead, I jumped over the clutter in my office floor, waded through the dirty clothes in the hallway, struggled into my bedroom and fell on my knees at my unmade bed and prayed for my characters.

Now ... don't blame God for some of the things my characters do. He's divine, but they're still human. And so am I, so some things will strike some readers the wrong way. He doesn't write my books. I have to do that, which means they aren't perfect (shock, shock).

My characters became composites of many people and many experiences, some mentioned in the acknowledgement section of the book. Since one of my characters is a poet, I asked Dr. Donn Taylor to write a poem for me the way my character would and he graciously did that. I included a poem written by my son-in-law, the faith experience of my son David when he was six years old. I included the experience of a young boy who swam out of the baptistery after being baptized. 

My office is upstairs where I can gave out the window at the neighborhood and the mountains in the background. That's a great way to leisurely pass the time without writing, but know everything going on in the neighborhood. But, not having time to gaze, my eyes lit upon the dog next door, so I included my neighbor's experience of that hurting dog jumping into her car. 

Since much of the "after" section of the book takes place in Nova Scotia, I researched writers groups there and eventually found Janet Burrell who answered questions for me daily about places in Nova Scotia that would make my book realistic and authentic. 

Fortunately, I did get the opportunity to edit, change, re-write, fix the ending. Had two weeks to do that and whittle down 20,000 too many words. Another impossible task, but it's amazing what one can do when one doesn't have time to ... gaze out the window.

About The Author:

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic is Yvonne Lehman's 50th novel. she is a best-selling, award winning author who founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years and now directs the Blue Ridge "Autumn in the Mountains" Novelist Retreat held annually in October www.lifeway.com/novelretreat. She lives in Black Mountain, amid the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge. She mentors students for the Christian Writers Guild. She earned her Master's Degree in English at Western Carolina University and has taught English and Creative Writing on the college level. 

AUTHOR WEBSITE

AUTHOR BLOG SITE

FACEBOOK

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Yvonne Lehman's Hearts That Survive Tour Page On Pump Up Your Book!

BUY THE BOOK: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic

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ABINGDON PRESS

CHRISTIAN BOOK

Book Description: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic

In April 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope, against all that Craven Dowd desires for her and himself. Her friendship with Caroline Chadwick deepens as they plan Lydia's wedding on board the "grandest ship ever built." The both women suffer tragic losses when the "unsinkable" Titanic collides with an iceberg and there are only 20 lifeboats for 2207 passengers. They struggle to keep their families and dreams together. 

Decades later, Caroline's granddaughter, working at the museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, plans for the 50th memorial for the sinking and contacts survivors and descendants of survivors. Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed novelist who lost his life when the Titanic sank. He becomes caught up in finding his identity in the past and must come to terms with his present and the meaning of true success.

Characters struggle to answer whether love is more powerful than the pain of loss and learn what it means for a heart to survive.

Hearts That Survive Book Contest Giveaway

April 12-26, 2012

To enter the contest to win one paperback copy of Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic by Yvonne Lehman, click on the link below! 

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/100th-anniversary-of-sinking-of-titanic.html

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic by Yvonne Lehman

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic by Yvonne Lehman
Published By: Abingdon Press
Release Date: February 29, 2012
Format: Paperback - 432 pages / Kindle - 620 KB / Nook - 1 MB
ISBN: 1426744889
ASIN: B007A229RS
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction


About The Author:

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic is Yvonne Lehman's 50th novel. She is a best-selling, award winning author who founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years and now directs the Blue Ridge "Autumn in the Mountains" Novelist Retreat held annually in October www.lifeway.com/novelretreat. She lives in Black Mountain, amid the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge. She mentors students for the Christian Writers Guild. She earned her Master's Degree in English at Western Carolina University and has taught English and Creative Writing on the college level.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
AUTHOR BLOG SITE
FACEBOOK
GOODREADS
Yvonne Lehman's Hearts That Survive Virtual Tour Page On Pump Up Your Book!


BUY THE BOOK: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ABINGDON PRESS
CHRISTIANBOOK.COM


Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, a Paperback edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Monday, April 23, 2012, in association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, author Yvonne Lehman participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/author-guest-post-yvonne-lehman-author.html

Hearts That Survive Book Contest Giveaway

April 12-26, 2012

To enter the contest to win one paperback copy of Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic by Yvonne Lehman, click the link below.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/100th-anniversary-of-sinking-of-titanic.html

Book Description:

In April 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope, against all that Craven Dowd desires for her and himself. Her friendship with Caroline Chadwick deepens as they plan Lydia's wedding on board the "grandest ship ever built." Then both women suffer tragic losses when the "unsinkable" Titanic collides with an iceberg and there are only 20 lifeboats for 2207 passengers. They struggle to keep their families and dreams together.

Decades later, Caroline's granddaughter, working at the museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, plans for the 50th memorial for the sinking and contacts survivors and descendants of survivors. Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed novelist who lost his life when the Titanic sank. He becomes caught up in finding his identity in the past and must come to terms with his present and the meaning of true success.

Characters struggle to answer whether love is more powerful than the pain of loss and learn what it means for a heart to survive.

My Book Review:

What was supposed to be the maiden voyage to America for "the greatest ship ever built," The RMS Titanic, turned into a horrific tragedy that forever changed the course of the lives of so many people. The "ship of dreams" was thought to be unsinkable, but on that cold and icy night of April 14, 1912, the gaiety and liveliness of the passengers turned to horror, when the ship collided with an iceberg and began to take on water, slowly sinking into the North Atlantic. From 2207 passengers only 675 survived the tragedy ... Hearts That Survive is the fictional story of some of those survivors, the story of how through their painful loss they learned to survive.

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic is a profoundly inspirational novel of the amazing spirit of people who learn to survive from a tragedy. The storyline is powerfully compelling, the author takes the reader through three segments: Before the sinking which details the final two days of the Titanic's journey, the gripping detail is breathtakingly beautiful yet haunting, you can't help but have the tissues nearby; During the sinking of the Titanic, where the reader is transported to the icy waters of the North Atlantic, and the slow descent of the grand ship into the ocean and the horror that befell its passengers; and After the rescue, where the reader follows the stories of some of the survivors. The attention to detail throughout the story was phenomenal, the reader is easily transported back to that tragic era in history. The storyline also had a wonderful yet tragic love story that leaves the reader emotionally spent, and also a heartwarming story of friendship that comes out of the tragedy that lasts throughout the years. There are so many characters in this story, I had to keep a list so I could keep them all straight. The characters are realistic, their complex personalities and intertwining lives are fascinating, and the reader is drawn into the inspirational story of their lives. The author does a wonderful job of telling a story that spans the generations, she engages the reader to become invested in all of the character's lives.

The inspiring message of the amazing spirit and heart of people who survive devastation and tragedy is one that will stay with the reader long past the end of the story. Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic   is a powerful novel that has been released in time for the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I would encourage that everyone should read this novel: for a piece of history; for a great story of love, friendship, heartbreak and redemption; and finally for the inspirational message that hearts do survive.



RATING: 5 STARS *****

Virtual Book Tour Events: Week of 4/22-28/12

Virtual Book Tour Events: Week of 4/22-28/12

In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:

Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic by Yvonne Lehman

Monday, April 23, 2012 ~ Author Guest Post and Book Review

Book Description: Hearts That Survive: A Novel of The Titanic

In April 1912, Lydia Beaumont is on her way to a new life with a boundless hope, against all that Craven Dowd desires for her and himself. Her friendship with Caroline Chadwick deepens as they plan Lydia's wedding on board the "grandest ship ever built." Then both women suffer tragic losses when the "unsinkable" Titanic collides with an iceberg and there are only 20 lifeboats for 2207 passengers. They struggle to keep their families and dreams together.

Decades later, Caroline's granddaughter, working at the museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, plans for the 50th memorial for the sinking and contacts survivors and descendants of survivors. Alan Morris feels like a failure until he discovers he is the descendant of an acclaimed novelist who lost his life when the Titanic sank. He becomes caught up in finding his identity in the past and must come to terms with his present and the meaning of true success.

Characters struggle to answer whether love is more powerful than the pain of loss and learn what it means for a heart to survive.

In association with CBLS Promotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:

Pulled by A.L. Jackson

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 ~ Author Interview and Book Review

Book Description: Pulled

Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love they believed bonded them together for life. After the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationships ends in unanswered questions.

For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds their heart. 

Now, when their lives again intersect, will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past?

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have. 

In association with author Julia Madeleine, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:

The Truth About Scarlet Rose by Julia Madeleine

Friday, April 27, 2012 ~ Author Guest Post and Book Review

Book Description: The Truth About Scarlet Rose

Scarlet Rose, the once remarkably beautiful, queen of the burlesque scene in 1960s Toronto, has aged into a decrepit bitter alcoholic, living on welfare and her daughter's handouts - a daughter she forced into the adult entertainment industry at the age of sixteen to support the family. Now in 1983, Scarlet's wealthy ex-husband has been found tortured and murdered in a hotel room, and her twenty-two-year-old daughter Fiona, must help the police find the killer. 

While Fiona navigates her way through the dark recesses of her family's history, uncovering shocking secrets that threaten to destroy her, Scarlet Rose employs the skills she learns in Sun Tzu's The Art Of War. fixating on making a new life for herself using other people's money. But when she befriends a lonely American woman sitting on an inheritance, greed that knows no bounds, cold-blooded murder and identity theft, might just prove to be Scarlet's undoing.

Author Guest Post: Barbara Lampert, Author of Charlie: A Love Story

In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book reviews welcomes Barbara Lampert, author of Charlie: A Love Story!

The Inspiration for Charlie: A Love Story

Charlie's the kind of dog I dreamed about when I was a kid. the dog who would always be happy to see me, my best friend in the world, the dog I could tell all my secrets to, my very loyal confidante, who would love me more than anyone, no matter what.

Charlie came into my life when he was thirteen weeks old and I was a grown up. But he was that dog of my dreams. From the moment I got him, I adored him. For his whole life, Charlie and I were attached at the hip. 

Here's how Charlie's story came about:

For several years, I'd been keeping a gardening journal while landscaping our property in Malibu on almost an acre of land, and occasionally I would write about Charlie in my journal. But when he turned eleven years old an started having some health problems, within a short period of time my journal entries became more and more about him and less and less about gardening.

I was amazed at how Charlie dealt with his health problems. He seemed to have a very deep understanding of what was going on, and just about nothing got him down. He was both determined and joyful. Indomitable, and so wise. He was inspiring.

Even though I wanted to write about him mostly in the present, I couldn't help thinking about him as a puppy.  So I found myself writing about him when he was younger, too. I just wanted to be with him, think about him, and write about him. I knew that our time was limited.

Then in 2003, my husband David and I decided to take Charlie and Barney (our other Golden Retriever at the time) to San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito for five days, to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. One evening while we were sitting on the deck of our cottage, I read David some of my journal entries having to do with Charlie. David said it sounded as if I had the makings of a book. The more I thought about that, the more I agreed. So I pulled out all the entries that had to do with Charlie to look at them more closely.

At first I was hesitant to turn my journal into a book, because the writing was so personal and intimate, and because, being such a private person as well as a psychotherapist, I didn't know if I'd be comfortable doing that. But my overriding thought then was that it would be Charlie's story, that not only did I want to pay tribute to this magnificent dog, but also I felt that the way he handled life could be an inspiration to others, just as it was to me. 

I knew that Charlie was not only a once-in-a-lifetime dog but also a once-in-a-lifetime being. And that ours was a once-in-a-lifetime relationship. I needed to write about him, and his story needed to be told. 

About The Author:

Barbara Lampert is a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in relationships. She's been in private practice in Brentwood, California for over twenty years. She considers her work a calling and loves what she does. She has a doctorate in medical sociology and two master's degrees - one in psychology and one in sociology. Barbara has adored dogs her whole life. They're her passion! She notes that for a lot of people, their dogs are their best friends. She loves helping people know that's ok - that a soul-satisfying relationship may be found with any being and needs to be treasured. Besides her love of dogs, Barbara is an avid gardener and finds herself gardening in much of her spare time. She sees her garden as a work of art. She loves being in nature - the miracle of growth, the ever-changing landscape, its beauty. Today Barbara lives happily in Malibu, California with her husband David (married twenty-eight years!) and their six-year-old Golden Retriever, Harry. Barbara hopes that Charlie: A Love Story will be a tribute not only to a magnificent dog but to all dogs everywhere.

AUTHOR WEBSITE

GOODREADS

Barbara Lampert's Charlie: A Love Story Virtual Book Tour Page On Pump Up Your Book!

BUY THE BOOK: Charlie: A Love Story

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

Book Description: Charlie: A Love Story

Charlie: A Love Story tells of the beautiful love between Charlie, a Golden Retriever, and the author, Barbara Lampert. It takes place in Malibu, California. When Charlie turned eleven years old and started having some health problems, a journal Barbara was keeping about her garden quickly became mostly about Charlie. Charlie: A Love Story is an intimate look at an incredible connection between a canine and a human. And as a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships, Barbara brings that sensibility and understanding to Charlie's story as well. Charlie was Barbara's loyal confidante and best friend. He was indomitable, had a zest for life and an uncanny emotional intelligence. Charlie: A Love Story is about devotion, joy, loss, and renewal, about never giving up or giving in. But mostly it's about an extraordinary dog and an extraordinary relationship.

Charlie: A Love Story by Barbara Lampert

Charlie: A Love Story by Barbara Lampert
Published By: Langdon Street Press (a division of Hillcrest Publishing Group, Inc.)
Release Date: January 16, 2012
Format: Paperback - 206 pages / Kindle - 2667 KB / Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 1936782251
ASIN: B007BDLRJM
Genre: Memoirs / Dogs


About The Author:

Barbara Lampert is a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in relationships. She's been in private practice in Brentwood, California for over twenty years. She considers her work a calling and loves what she does. She has a doctorate in medical sociology and two master's degrees - one in psychology and one in sociology. Barbara has adored dogs her whole life. They're her passion! She notes that for a lot of people, their dogs are their best friends. She loves helping people know that's ok - that a soul-satisfying relationship may be found with any being and needs to be treasured. Besides her love of dogs, Barbara is an avid gardener and finds herself gardening in much of her spare time. She sees her garden as a work of art. She loves being in nature - the miracle of growth, the ever-changing landscape, its beauty. Today Barbara lives happily in Malibu, California with her husband David (married twenty-eight years!) and their six-year-old Golden Retriever, Harry. Barbara hopes that Charlie: A Love Story will be a tribute not only to a magnificent dog but to all dogs everywhere.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Barbara Lampert's Charlie: A Love Story Virtual Book Tour Page On Pump Up Your Book!


BUY THE BOOK: Charlie: A Love Story
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE


Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publisher and Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, a Paperback edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, April 20, 2012, in association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, author Barbara Lampert participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/author-guest-post-barbara-lampert.html


Book Description:

Charlie: A Love Story tells of the beautiful love between Charlie, a Golden Retriever, and the author, Barbara Lampert. It takes place in Malibu, California. When Charlie turned eleven years old and started having some health problems, a journal Barbara was keeping about her garden quickly became mostly about  Charlie. Charlie: A Love Story is an intimate look at an incredible connection between a canine and a human. And as a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships, Barbara brings that sensibility and understanding to Charlie's story as well. Charlie was Barbara's loyal confidante and best friend. He was indomitable, had a zest for life and an uncanny emotional intelligence. Charlie: A Love Story is about devotion, joy, loss, and renewal, about never giving up or giving in. But mostly it's about an extraordinary dog and an extraordinary relationship.


My Book Review:


Charlie: A Love Story is a beautifully written memoir about a loving relationship between Charlie, a Golden Retriever and his owner, author Barbara Lampert. The memoir is written in a journal style, Barbara had been keeping a journal about her garden, when at the age of eleven, Charlie started having some health issues, and gradually the journal entries became mostly about him. The journal entries span from June 13, 2001 through November 14, 2003, which document the final years of Charlie's life. In the journal entries, Barbara describes the ups and downs with Charlie's health issues, and the loving relationship they shared along with her husband David, and their other dogs and cat. She also provides the reader with wonderful descriptions of her garden, it would make any gardener green with envy. Throughout the book, Barbara provides flashbacks of when Charlie was a pup, and also shares warmhearted stories about her other dogs. Interspersed are wonderful pictures of Charlie and the other dogs, in addition to Barbara's wonderful garden. Barbara provides a final journal entry in her epilogue dated December 30, 2008, in which she eloquently describes how she still thinks fondly of her Charlie, and how his memories and spirit still live with her five years after his death.

Barbara described Charlie as "the emotional core of their family." He was wise beyond his years, a cuddly teddy bear with a big heart. As the years went by, their bond grew stronger, they became more and more attached to each other. There is no better love than the unconditional love that a pet can provide to their owner, and to have it returned. Charlie was a blessing sent to Barbara and her family, "A blessing is something that makes us a more complete human being." As a dog lover and proud owner of a fourteen year old female Bichon Frise, Bubby; a fourteen year old female Toy Poodle, Ginger; and a three year old boy Bichon Frise (and the love of my life) Junior, this wonderful memoir hit all the emotional chords: I laughed, smiled and cried, but most of all I completely related to how Barbara feels about her "kids," because I feel the exact same way towards my own "kids." Thank you Barbara for sharing Charlie with us, yes, he was a blessing.

Charlie: A Love Story is a testament to the beautiful relationship that people can have with their pets, whether it is a dog, cat, rabbit, etc. The unconditional love that a pet gives to their owner is so clearly shown in the depths of their eyes, the swish of their tails, the sloppy kisses and lively barks/meows ... could another love be so pure? This wonderful story is a must for all pet owners, it's a beautiful reminder that we should cherish the loving relationships that we have with our pets.


RATING: 5 STARS *****

Author Guest Post: Kaira Rouda, Author of All The Difference

In association with Chick Lit Plus, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Kaira Rouda, author of All The Difference!

Hi Kathleen! Thank you so much for having me on your site!

Here are some random thoughts in celebration of the release of my second novel All The Difference, centered around the question:

What's it like to have a second novel out?

It's awesome! Here's why. When you're a debut novelist, people - friends, folks you meet at the grocery store, your dentist, everyone really - are really happy for you. You're published. You've joined the club. You have no idea what will happen next.

The celebration on the surface is awesome. The reality - as I'm sure you've heard from any number of debut authors - can be anything but. It's funny. I never imagined my first novel, Here, Home, Hope, becoming a New York Times bestseller. I hoped readers of chick lit and women's fiction would enjoy it. And they have, and continue to. That's the cool thing about eBooks. The shelf life is infinite and the potential, therefore, is as well. The industry is changing so fast - but that's for another post. So for me, my first novel's success exceeded my expectations and continues to do so.

So what happens when novel #2 comes out? In traditional publishing circles, book #2 was always the make or break it book. It was the one that decided whether you would remain on contract with the publisher or be a flash in the pan. It was transformational. Pivotal.

Is All The Difference? Does it live up to all of that? I hope not, while I hope so. I plan a long career of this, of novel writing. I hope you'll come along for the journey. I'm very proud of All The Difference. Of the fact it is so different from Here, Home, Hope - but the same in many ways, too.

I'd love it if you'd take a chance again - or for the first time - on the characters of Grandville. This time, you're in for sexy, suburban fun and suspense.

Thank you!



About The Author:


Kaira Rouda is an award-winning entrepreneur and author. She lives in Southern California with her husband and four kids and is at work on her next novel. She's a social media addict and would love to connect with you!

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Kaira Rouda's All The Difference Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus


Book Trailer For All The Difference

BUY THE BOOK: All The Difference
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE

Book Description: All The Difference

From the bestselling author of Here, Home, Hope, comes a novel of suspense and choices, with a nod to the best of Susan Isaac's tales of suburban murder. Once again, everything isn't what it seems in the suburb of Grandville. All The Difference is the story of three Grandville women whose lives become entangled by the choices they make and how, ultimately, one of them turns to murder to achieve her goals. Roommates Laura and Angie couldn't be more different. Laura is a local celebrity, the television anchor who is motivated to move out of small-time media markets and on to the big time, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, Angie, a luckless waitress, spends her time waiting for Mr. Right to save her from temporary jobs and a life spent making bad choices. On the other side of town, Ellen abandons her life as a successful fundraiser for that of an isolated housewife in the country estate she shares with her husband, whose affairs become increasingly hard to ignore. When the city's gossip columnist, Maddie, and restaurant reviewer, Dixon, become involved in the story, the unlikely duo stir up more than they intended. With her signature mix of compassion and wit, Kaira Rouda once again takes readers on an entertaining journey into the heart of women's lives in suburbia, this time with a dose of suspense. 

All The Difference Virtual Book Tour Contest

To enter the contest, click on the link below and leave a comment on Kaira Rouda's All The Difference Tour Page on Chick Lit Plus, to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of All The Difference before April 23rd and send your receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com, you will get five (5) bonus entries!

Kaira Rouda's All The Difference Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus