Shudder Tour

The Highlight Tour with Prism Book Tours
& Samantha's Summer Tour

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Shudder
348 pages
Published June 15, 2013

-- Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy --

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

Also available in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold!

Review

I absolutely LOVE LOVED this book. It was one of those books that I picked up and didn't want to set back down even after it was finished. I read both Shudder and Stiched, needless to say I can not wait to to read the third book! Samantha makes the character relate-able and loveable (at least the main characters). I loved the twist in the very first book of how you think one thing and everything is turned upside down. This was my type of series because I like the "end of the worlds",  "apocalyptic" and "sci-FYI-ish" type stories. I would recommend this series to anyone who LOVES that type of novel as much as I do.

As an avid lifelong reader of fiction of all sorts, there’s nothing I find more engrossing than an epic sci-fi/fantasy/romance series. I’ve whiled away countless weekends of my life immersed in richly-woven worlds that someone else was kind enough to put on paper... about the author

Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio. Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant. The Stitch Trilogy is her debut series.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Stitch

314 pages

Published August 1st, 2012

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence... Goodreads

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

5 Winners. August 24 - September 16, 2013. See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

* Signed print copy of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (USA only)
* Signed (via Authorgraph) e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (Int'l)
* Signed Stitch & Shudder bookmarks + e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder (Int'l)
* $10 Amazon Gift Card (Int'l)
* $5 Amazon Gift Card (Int'l)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

The Highlight Tour

Sharing Top Highlights from the Summer-Long Tour!

August dates:

24 - The Reading Diaries - Review
- The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
- Rose & Beps Blog

25 - Chapter Break - Review
- Wonderings of One Person - Review
- Mortal Moments

26 - A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner - Review
- Kindred Dreamhart

27 - YA Book Addict - Review
- The Bookish Daydreamer
- Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

28 - Library of a Book Witch
- Mommasez... - Review

29 - Mel's Shelves - Review
- Fundinmental

30 - Green Mountain Couple
- Literary Meanderings

31 - Donnie Darko Girl - Review
- My Devotional Thoughts

Sept. 1 - The Book Rogue

GRAND FINALE

Vile Villains

Guest Post on Word Spelunking

It’s amazing what we can talk ourselves into doing even when we know with every fiber of our hearts that it’s wrong.

And this is exactly what I tried to illustrate with the bad guys (the Engineers) in the Stitch Trilogy.  Yes, they’ve done some terrible, terrible things.  But are the Engineers themselves objectively *evil*?

Guest Post at Crys Book Reviews

A Profile of Evil: the Engineers:  The Developer, The General, The Doctor, The Draftsman   

“The memory alteration research mentioned some, well, unfortunate side effects…”

Review at Fundinmental

The saying: “History repeats itself” is so pertinent to the events happening to Alessa.

It makes me think of the Holocaust and and the evil that spawned from the minds of some evil men who thought they had all the answers. It, also, makes me think of American politics at this time, how a few can disregard the many, for their own gains.

It is amazing to me that the egos of some people allow them to think they have all answers and, therefore, have the right to play God.

Local Flavor Swap Show Off

 

I participated in The Local Flavor Swap sponsored by Chaotic Goddess Swaps this month. I was partnered with Mary Britni over at Life with Mary Britni.

Unfortunately to life's circumstances Mary Britni and I didn't get to correspond as much as we both would have liked, but she still totally got me!

How cute it this Purple Tissue Paper wrapped box of Goodness?

She sent me lots of Maps and Pamphlets with little notes on them about why they were important to her!

The Bracelet- (Which I love) is made by Dale Vaughn from Big  Stone Gap, VA

"Quotes" Card- your hear ar least one (ok, maybe three) per day around here! (VA) Her favorite is "Heaven's to Betsy!" (This is hanging on the refrigerator.

Recipes/ Recipe Books- The cards are from the Farmer's Market she helps coordinate and the book is of god 'ole southern recipes. (can;t wait to try these)

Bath Fizzle-   made by Amanda Davis, a vendor at the farmers market 

(have to wait until I get a bath tub :( or go on vacation)

Earrings- Made by Candace a vendor at the farmers market (these are adorable)

Apple Butter- made by here NANA! (This is AMAZING! I'll take the recipe if nana ever wants to share lol)

Thank you Mary Britni for being a wonderful partner and I hope you enjoyed you gifts as much as I did. 

 

Emergence Tour Grand Finale!

Emergence 
Eden's Root Trilogy #3
by Rachel E Fisher
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 30, 2013

"I promise you, Sean. We're going to stop them."

The pieces on the board are in motion and with both sides gathering strength, each move will be critical. When the Truthers make a play for checkmate, the Seeders are forced to respond. Fi and her companions will face greater challenges and higher stakes than ever before, because this time if they fail, it's for keeps.

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble

Seeds of War

The mission of Eden must be fulfilled and Eden’s best Seekers are needed. Forming a new group they dub the Seeders, Fi, Asher, and Sean are joined by a new addition as they set out to bring hope and support to the Topsiders in the form of radios and heirloom seeds. Their experiences Topside prepare them for the threat from marauding gangs they call Lobos, but it is a different, less obvious sort of threat that takes them by surprise. As radio broadcasts begin to reconnect Eden and the Topsiders, the Seeders stumble upon mysterious broadcasts from unknown stations. When two of their own new radio stations go silent within days of each other, Fi and her companions realize that something is terribly wrong. Eden finds itself pitted against a growing and unknown force as their very mission lights the flames of war.

Eden's Root 

It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

Rachel E Fisher

I am a wife and entrepreneur living and working in Florida. I am also a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where I majored in Biology. It was always my assumption that I would end up making research my life. Though it did not work out that way in the end, my passion for Biology remains intact.

I have always loved biology-based science-fiction and the young adult genre. It is in this vein that I offer my work.

Blog *  @edensroot * Facebook * Tumblr * Pinterest * Goodreads * Sign up for FanMail!

In Rachel Fisher's dystopian world, natural grown food has turned to poison or died before it can produce fruit. This idea was partly inspired by her own life and the necessity of creating vegan and gluten-free meals.

Find your apron and roll up your sleeves... it's time to celebrate Emergence with...

The Emergence Recipe Tour

12 – Launch

13  - Howling Books and Design - Review

I’ve never thought I would be looking forward to the ending to a series as much as this one. This dystopian novel drew me in from the start with it’s believable story of how a world changed by just having a few changes done to food we grow.

-          tHe crooKed WorD - Review & Recipe

No one is safe in this book. Everyone suffers something, and since I love these characters as my own friends, it's hard.

Navy Bean "Alfredo Sauce"

14 – Livinga Goddess Life - Recipe

Here's a fantastically healthy and tasty recipe using Farro...

 

-          Mel’s Shelves - Recipe for Quinoa & Black Beans 

I enjoy eating healthy and have immersed myself into it slowly.

15 – Buried Under Books - Review

 Ah, it’s so  nice to re-connect in real life with the people we learn to love and appreciate and the same is true with the book series we read. Fi and Asher, Sara and Sean, and many of their friends have stuck in my mind and it was a real pleasure to see them again...  

For my earlier reviews of the first two books, Eden’s Root and Seeds of War, go here.

Recipe for Cinnamon & Chesnuts

16 – Indiscriminate Writes

For those of you who are not familiar with Rachel E. Fisher's 'Eden's Root' trilogy, well, what have you been doing? ;)

Review:

Fisher doesn’t hold back. She never has. That’s what makes the ‘Eden’s Root’ series great. But I will admit... I did have a rewarding smile on my lips as I read the final pages. 

17 – Mythical Books 

18 – Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner  - Recipes

Summer Chili * Sesame Nut Cookies
  

-          Mortal Moments

19 – MySeryniti  Emergence Review & Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate No Bake Cookies!

What a fabulous end to an Apocalyptic trilogy. This story is just so intense, it drags the emotion from you whether you like it or not!

-          Rose & Beps Blog 

20 – Fundinmental – Eden's Root Review

The storyline seems so real to me... I always wonder what is happening to us right now. How many times have we been told something is good, only to be told ten years later it causes cancer, or something else.

21 – Moosubi Reviews! 

22 – Christy’s Cozy Corner - Recipe

 
Fancy Ants on a Log

24 – Markedby Books – Review of Eden's Root

I also really enjoyed how Rachel Fisher looked at the way people can change when they really aren't given another choice if they want to survive, no matter who they started out as.

25 – LeeannaMe –  Review of Eden's Root

The thought that messing too much with our food, trying to feed more people with less, and that we’re using too much technology without thinking about it is kind of scary. The author develops this idea pretty well, giving easily understandable scientific explanations

-          Marked by Books – Review of Seeds of War

Man, this book was deep. It explored a lot of very prominent philosophical issues, like the nature of humanity, in a way that made it applicable not only to the events in Seeds of War, but also to our own world.

-          Diary of a Book Addict - Review of Emergence

First off I have to give a huge I mean HUGE Thank You to Rachel Fisher for giving us a great series. I have been reading this series since day one and this is a bitter sweet goodbye...

26 – LeeannaMe - Review of Seeds of War

In SEEDS OF WAR, we learn a bit more about how the Famine was engineered. Yeah, I said engineered. I won’t spoil the details for you, but I could see something like it happening in real life someday, which is also scary.

- Fundinmental Review of Seeds of War

 I read this slower than usual, devouring every word. It reads more like a history book than fiction, and my mind keeps reaching, trying to figure out what I would do in a situation like that or like that. These books will stick with me for a very long time.

-          Marked by Books - thoughts on cooking

My personal favorite recipe is actually not one of her copycat recipes, but something she came up with on her own. It's a deep-dish cookie pie. So what's the catch? IT'S MADE OUT OF CHICKPEAS!

27 – LeeannaMe Review of Emergence

The other thing I really liked about EMERGENCE was Fi’s character development. Fi has come a very long way from the girl she was in EDEN’S ROOT. Though she’s been kick ass throughout the trilogy, I did have trouble believing adults would listen to a fourteen-year-old. InEMERGENCE, Fi questions that herself, something I appreciated it. But even better was watching her crack, the strain of losing Eden and her family too much to bear after all the other hardships she’s suffered. Fi emerged from the “nothingness” (her term for depression) an even stronger character, and I liked seeing her vulnerable, because that made her even more kick ass and realistic to me.

Chocolate Protein Mousse

28 – TheBookish Daydreamer - Review of Eden's Root

The whole time while reading this novel, I worried. This extreme realism was terrifying and made me question everything.

29 – GreenMountain Couple

I also believe that this book hits home with me and our lifestyle because my husband and I are preppers. We prepare for the worst case senario, we have stored canned goods and even a bucket of food. We are working on saving heirloom seeds to plant again in garden next year.

I found this recipe on Pinterest. 

Ingredients
2 Large Bananas 
1 Cup of Quick Oats
Then add in things like Chocolate Chips, Shredded Coconut, Nuts, Dried Fruit... Anything you Heart Desires really. 

Bake @ 350 for 15 min! And your DONE!

30 – Grand Finale

Tour-Wide Giveaway:
August 12 - September 6

2 Winners each (international):
  - eBook of Eden's Root
  - eBook of Seeds of War
  - eBook of Emergence

2 Winners (international):
  - eBook of the trilogy - Eden's Root, Seeds of War & Emergence

1 Winner (US, Canada, UK)
  - signed print copy of Emergence


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of the Terralux Lightstar 80 Flashlight

I have been using this flashlight for over a year and it meet all my expectations of what a basic light should do.

Manufacturers Description

Forget everything you know about penlights.  The LightStar 80 is a game-changer.  No more bluish, dim light packaged in a flimsy chassis that will break after a rough outing or simple drop.  The LightStar80 is everything a penlight that is built for professional use should be.  Rugged, momentary forward-click switch that can take abuse.  A super strong clip you can use to clip the LightStar80 to your cap.  A rubber BiteGrip that allows your hands to be free to accomplish the task at hand.  And the most unique feature of all:  A high CRI (Color Rendering Index) LED that makes your work area appear in full color, unlike your typical penlight.  The LightStar80 is like no other penlight.  Try it, you’ll like it.

• 80 lumen output
• High CRI (Color Rendering Index) LED brings colors to life like no other LED you’ve ever seen
• 5 hour runtime
• Rubber BiteGrip for hands-free use
• Comes with 2AAA alkaline batteries and high tension, reversible pocket clip
• Momentary on, click for constant on/off
• Operates on 2 AAA alkaline batteries (included)
• Water resistant
• Aircraft grade aluminum
• Length: 5.5in./13.97cm.
• Diameter: .625in./1.59cm.
• Weight: 2.24oz./63.50g. with batteries
• Limited lifetime warranty
• SKU: TLF-802AAA-BL
• MSRP: $29.99

Like I said above I have been using this light for over a year for at work. I have more powerful lights I use on my personal time. I work in construction, and I feel like having a light on me at all time at work and home is a must.

Brightness~ I have nothing to really gauge the brightness against, but I feel that it is a true 80 lumens or very close to that. The light is very adequate for use indoors, and is good for short distances outside. The Cri LED they use seems to do what they advertise. When looking at wiring, the colors always seem to appear to be true and are not bleached out like you might get with a intense white LED.

Battery Life~ The Terralux Lightstar 80 takes 2 AAA batteries, and lasts me several weeks if not more using it consistently for work on a almost daily basis. I believe there 5 hour runtime is true, I can not confirm that since I have not sat there and watched my flashlight run constantly for that amount of time. 

Ruggedness~ I did not know what to expect when I got this light. This light was a replacement for a Streamlight Flashlight that cost twice the price, and I ended up breaking dropping it less than 5 feet. My particular Terralux Lightstar 80 has taken drops upwards of 14 feet onto concrete and remained on and still continues to work to this day. 

Features~ The feature I like and find most handy is the Rubber Bite Grip, and you know what I am talking about if you ever have bitten down on a Aluminum Flashlight without it. I don't particularly use the momentary on function, but as a prepper I can see its uses. Having a momentary on is great for signaling, especially if you know morris code.

Cons~ This light seems to not always be the most reliable when it is at the end of its battery life. You can be using it one day, and have it not work the next. Check it the next day and the light is working again. This could be a switch issue, but I really do find this happens when the batteries have been installed for a long time. The design of where the pocket clip goes leaves the top of the flashlight sticking out of my pocket quite far. During my regular day I do lots of moving in all sorts of ways. I have accidentally on many occasions turned on and drained the batteries without even knowing I turned it on. 

What my Terralux Lightstar 80 looks like after a year~

Yeah I bite down on that, from time to time...

I conclusion I find this light to be very adequate for me, and I can live with the cons which can probably be avoided with a battery change. 

Suggested MSRP is $29.99, but can be gotten for half that price online at most retailers.

Emergence Your + Recipe + Giveaway

Launching the Recipe Book Tour for...

On Tour with Prism Book Tours....

Emergence 

Eden's Root Trilogy #3

by Rachel E Fisher

Published April 30, 2013

"I promise you, Sean. We're going to stop them."

The pieces on the board are in motion and with both sides gathering strength, each move will be critical. When the Truthers make a play for checkmate, the Seeders are forced to respond. Fi and her companions will face greater challenges and higher stakes than ever before, because this time if they fail, it's for keeps.

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble

Seeds of War #2

The mission of Eden must be fulfilled and Eden’s best Seekers are needed. Forming a new group they dub the Seeders, Fi, Asher, and Sean are joined by a new addition as they set out to bring hope and support to the Topsiders in the form of radios and heirloom seeds. Their experiences Topside prepare them for the threat from marauding gangs they call Lobos, but it is a different, less obvious sort of threat that takes them by surprise. As radio broadcasts begin to reconnect Eden and the Topsiders, the Seeders stumble upon mysterious broadcasts from unknown stations. When two of their own new radio stations go silent within days of each other, Fi and her companions realize that something is terribly wrong. Eden finds itself pitted against a growing and unknown force as their very mission lights the flames of war.</ span>

Eden's Root #1

</ span> It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

</ a>Rachel E Fisher

I am a wife and entrepreneur living and working in Florida. I am also a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where I majored in Biology. It was always my assumption that I would end up making research my life. Though it did not work out that way in the end, my passion for Biology remains intact.
I have always loved biology-based science-fiction and the young adult genre. It is in this vein that I offer my work.

www.rachelefisher.com *  @edensroot * Facebook * Goodreads

In Rachel Fisher's dystopian world, natural grown food has turned to poison or died before it can produce fruit. This idea was partly inspired by her own life and the necessity of creating vegan and gluten-free meals.

Find your apron and roll up your sleeves... it's time to celebrate the Eden's Root Trilogy </ i>with...

Review

I LOVED this book. I had a hard time putting this book down. The author did an AMAZING job in bring the story and characters to life. You feel like you really get to know Fi, Ash, Sean and Sara. I also believe that this book hits home with me and our lifestyle because my husband and I are preppers. We prepare for the worst case senario, we have stored canned goods and even a bucket of food. We are working on saving heirloom seeds to plant again in garden next year. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes reading books that are apocalypse or end of world stories.


Recipes 

I don't have any pictures but here is one our families fall back on Healthy Desserts. I found this recipe on Pinterest. 

Ingredients
2 Large Bananas 
1 Cup of Quick Oats
Then add in things like Chocolate Chips, Shredded Coconut, Nuts, Dried Fruit... Anything you Heart Desires really. 

Bake @ 350 for 15 min! Andyour DONE!

The Emergence Recipe Book Tour</ div>

12 – Launch

13  - Howling Books and Design - Review

-          tHe crooKed WorD  - Review

14 – Livinga Goddess Life</ a> - Review

-          Mel’s Shelves  - Recipe</ b>

15 – Buried Under Books</ a> - Review

16 – Indiscriminate Writes - Review

17 – Mythical Books </ a> - Recipe

18 – Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner  - Recipe

-          Mortal Moments - Quotes</ o:p>

19 – MySeryniti - Review

-          Rose & Beps Blog - Heart

20 – Fundinmental – Eden's Root

21 – Moosubi Reviews!</ a> - Review

22 – Christy’s Cozy Corner - Quotes

23 – AnastaciaKnits - Review

24 – Markedby Books</ a> – Eden's Root

25 – LeeannaMe – Eden's Root

-          Marked by Books – Seeds of War</ o:p>

-          Diary of a Book Addict  - Review

26 – LeeannaMe - Seeds of War

-          Marked by Books - Review</ b>

27 – LeeannaMe - Review

28 – TheBookish Daydreamer Eden's Root

29 – GreenMountain Couple - Review

30 – Grand Finale

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

August 12 - September 6

2 Winners each (international):
  - eBook of Eden's Root
  - eBook of Seeds of War
  - eBook of Emergence
2 Winners (international):
  - eBook of the trilogy - Eden's Root, Seeds of War & Emergence

1 Winner (US, Canada, UK):
  - signed print copy of Emergence

a Rafflecopter giveaway