The Life and Trials of Tabitha O'Brien by Mila A. Ballentine - Cover Reveal

You've been patient with me and I appreciate it. Finalizing the third book in The Life and Trials of Astonia series has been a labor of love. The series has had the unique ability to beguile me in ways that made it difficult to part with characters that have become an extension of my persona. Still, as sure as there is a beginning, so shall there be an end. Fortunately, the final book leaves no stone unturned. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

The Life and Trials of Tabitha O'Brien is not a stand-alone book. The books should be read in the order they were written.

Book 1: The Legend of Turtle Pond: The Initiation of Tabitha O'Brien

Paperback: 

https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Turtle-Pond-Initiation-Tabitha/dp/0979417295/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+legend+of+turtle+pond&qid=1601424063&s=books&sr=1-1

eBook:

https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Turtle-Initiation-Tabitha-Astonia-ebook/dp/B00BB5YXW4/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601424063&sr=1-1

Book 2: Within Gallows Reach 

Paperback: 

https://www.amazon.com/Within-Gallows-Reach-Trials-Astonia/dp/099091951X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601423596&sr=1-1

eBook: 

https://www.amazon.com/Within-Gallows-Reach-Trials-Astonia-ebook/dp/B01JHJHAGQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=within+gallows+reach&qid=1601423596&s=books&sr=1-1

Book 3: The Life and Trials of Tabitha O'Brien

eBook: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MKSGCFT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Life+and+Trials+of+Tabitha+O%27Brien&qid=1604429908&sr=8-1

The time of consequence was upon her, and it didn’t matter whether she was willing to take responsibility for her actions or if she was ready to lay blame, the die was already cast. Tabitha O’Brien would face a jury of her peers, eager to decide her fate. Thus far, her reckoning and anguish was their amusement, but in the end, her misfortunes might very well be a means to their end.

Christmas Break Binge Watching Suggestions!

First and foremost, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

During the holiday season, you might have a lot of free time. If you enjoy watching television series, I have a few suggestions.

Television Series Suggestions:

1. Chance - Season 1 and 2 [Hulu]

2. Travelers Season 1 and 2 [Showcase & Netflix]

3. Erased - [Netflix (2017)] 

4. Dark - [Netflix]

5. Knightfall - [History Channel]

6. Outlander - Season 1, 2 and 3 [Starz]

7. Designated Survivor - Season 1 and 2 [ABC]

Holiday Movie Suggestions: 

1. A Christmas Prince - [Netflix]

2. The Sweetest Christmas [Hallmark Channel]

3. Romance at Reindeer Lodge [Hallmark Channel]

4. Snowed Inn Christmas [Lifetime]

5. Die Hard 1 and 2 [YES, it's a Christmas movie - IMO.]

Enjoy.

Where In The World Is Mila A. Ballentine?

Where Am I?

On Earth. 😚👓

So ...  if you were wondering, what has she been up to?

I have been busy working, furthering my education and professional skills by obtaining certifications to remain useful in a workforce that is ever changing and volunteering as a Reading Partners Tutor. I work with emergent readers at a public school. At the start of each session, I read a book to them.  It is my favorite part of the experience. 

I volunteer as a reading tutor because my life was forever changed when my mother signed the permission slip for me to take books home from the school library. From that point onward, books became an important part of my life. I'd bring stacks of books home and hide so I could read undisturbed.  By reading books, I was able to escape to places I never knew existed. I want to share my love for books and enthusiasm for learning with other children and thus far, my students are enjoying every minute of it. 

When I'm not working, volunteering or sleeping, I catch up on writing the final book in the Life and Trials of Astonia series and work on a short story that takes place in New York City. If all goes well, the short story will be published later this year. 

So, there's no need to worry. I'm alive, healthy, and doing things My Way. 

Get Your Spook On! Within Gallows Reach Giveaway

The Legend of Turtle Pond: The Initiation of Tabitha O’Brien (Book 1) is on SALE for a limited time!

#Kindle #Mystery #Paranormal #Historical #Supernatural #DorcasPress

✯ ☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆It is a story of family, their bond, and the hardship they experience when they set out to make a homestead in a foreign land where everything comes apart at the seams.✯☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆

Disclaimer: I can’t promise that you won’t relate to the O’Brien’s struggles or that you won’t get so invested that it will affect you deeply enough to bring tears to your eyes.  So, if you are into that type of literature, try it. The journey begins with the first page.

¸¸.•*¨*•★`Additional qualifier ★•*¨*•.¸¸

✯ ☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆U.S.A entries only, which includes Puerto Rico and the USVI. ✯☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆

Blogger reviews are welcome, however, they must obtain their own copy of the eBook.

Please note: 

Upon completion of the drawing, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

¸¸.•*¨*•★`eBook Purchase Link ★•*¨*•.¸¸

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Turtle-Initiation-Tabitha-Astonia-ebook/dp/B00BB5YXW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1477530821&sr=1-1&keywords=the+legend+of+turtle+pond

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legend-of-turtle-pond-mila-a-ballentine/1114313133?ean=2940016221182

Enter for your chance to WIN and autographed copy of 

Within Gallows Reach.

Congratulations 

✯ ☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆ Frances Hampton ✯☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆

You won an autographed copy of Within Gallows Reach.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unleashing Within Gallows Reach by Mila A. Ballentine

The purple pen is at it again. Alas, the cover and the book details are revealed! 

Within Gallows Reach

Book 2 in "The Life and Trials of Astonia" series.

Please Note: Astonia is a fictional place.

Genre: ‪#‎Paranormal ‪#‎Mystery

Blurb

Despite their misfortunes, the O’Briens waded on, trying as best they could to mend the damage accrued, as well as attempting to mend their frayed lives, even as a new rival pursues them for an unusual debt. One that requires payback.

Coming to a bookstore near you on... August 2, 2016.

#Amazon 

Kindle: 

https://www.amazon.com/Within-Gallows-Reach-Trials-Astonia-ebook/dp/B01JHJHAGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470190673&sr=8-1&keywords=within+gallows+reach#navbar

Paperback:
https://www.amazon.com/Within-Gallows-Reach-Trials-Astonia/dp/099091951X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1475936347&sr=8-2&keywords=within+gallows+reach

Important Notice:

All of the images on this post are copyright protected. Under no circumstances should they be posted elsewhere, unless given permission by the copyright holder.

Revealing, OUR WAVERING HEARTS by Diane Rose Duffy

Alas,  Our Wavering  Hearts is Revealed!

If you’ve read any of Diane Rose Duffy’s previous works, some of the characters from TAKE A PIECE OF MY HEART (her debut novel) and LOVE HEALS THE HEART (her 2nd romance) have roles in the soon to be released book, OUR WAVERING HEARTS a part of a new series - THE WAVERING HEART SERIES. 

OUR WAVERING HEARTS can be read as a standalone.

About The Author

Diane Rose Duffy is a California native who has a passion for books, a whopping coffee addiction and a perpetual craving for chocolate. After recently retiring from a lengthy accounting career in Silicon Valley, Diane presently enjoys the peaceful serenity of daily life in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. Diane Rose Duffy has completed two humorous romance novels and a funny children's chapter book with the support of her husband whom she proclaims to be her 'happily ever after'.

You can find her on Facebook.

A Review of The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King - My Favorite Selections

Since childhood, Stephen King has propelled my imagination to foreign places, delivering horrors that keep on giving. If you are like me, you have a lifelong relationship with Mr. King...well, at least with his stories. Granted, few can say they actually know him, but I am okay with being one of his constant readers as long as he keeps writing. 

I find it comforting that even with all his accolades, King states that he is an amateur. In his opinion, writing is something all writers can consistently improve on. A story is never truly finished as long as the author is alive and eager to perfect his/her art. I'll try to keep that in mind whenever I'm working on a story that has me on the ropes in a choke-hold.

So he's at it again...

The title alone and accompanying artwork is enough to invite me in and once I'm there, his stories carve into my subconscious, navigating  busy junctures, leading me into a boondocks of endless possibilities. This time he's taking me/us on a bazaar of bad dreams. I have no expectations and yet, I playfully whisper, surprise me. 

Mile 81

For the record, I'm not a fan of driving on the highway, the concrete dividers inspire nightmares in and of itself.  At times, it can be a scary place; even when you're at the wheel. All it takes is one wrong move by you or a distracted driver and anything, everything can go wrong. If the odds are in your favor,  you walk away with minor abrasions or you're carved into by carnivorous metal that somehow graduated with a PhD in Creative Butchery in a matter of a millisecond.

In Mile 81 we're introduced to various characters that vie for our attention. I have a healthy imagination, but the story didn't seize my fear. Christine had teeth; the antagonist in Mile 81... Well, I'll let you decide for yourself. The characters, specifically the teenagers were interesting, but with short stories, it's hard to get to know the characters, much less care about what happens to them.  I started to care when Rachel and Blakey came into the story line.

To his credit, King delivers jokes you can enjoy for years to come. Often, it comes to mind when you’re trying to get a joke or jab in. That's why I read his stories; he keeps me entertained even when I don't particularly like a story.

Premium Harmony

Life can become redundant for couples and even more so when they’ve been together for 37 years. Still, I enjoyed the depth of the couple’s interaction in this story. Ray and Mary spend most of their time disagreeing than loving  and appreciating each other until the couple goes for a ride and stop to pick up a treat for their niece in a dilapidated part of town.

Life is strange like that; one minute you’re going toe to toe and the next, you're staring at the mirror wondering if it was all a dream. I like this story the most. It just goes to show you that sometimes getting a good scare is not necessarily the best form of entertainment; being able to sit back, and appreciate the deeper meaning of a story can be equally gratifying.

So, what's the verdict?

This collection did  not inspire bad dreams, but if you are a fan of King's body of work give it a try. 

Either way, I enjoyed the book and I think you will too. 

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"There are times when life is shorter than a waltz, so dance—damn it, dance!" - Mila A. Ballentine