The Men from Great Lakes Book Bash

This year I decided I was going to make an extra effort to meet the male authors at this event.  I have mostly read books written by females and after reading a series by Eric Asher, who is now one of my all time favorite authors, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss out on what the gentlemen had to offer, so this post is dedicated to the men of GLBB.

Author Donald Levin

He has written 4 books in his Martin Preuss Series, with Forgotten Child being his most recent release.  It's a suspense/mystery with Detective Martin Preuss on each case.  I haven't read them YET, butbI did purchase 2 of them to add to my ever growing TBR list.  I was told by a friend that they are amazing, so I look forward to reading them.  Donald is also working on a 5th book for this series.

To follow Donald Levin, please go to his website or Facebook page.

Author Jimmy Leonard

I approached this author knowing this was his first book and said, "Sell me your book."  LOL  He was on it.  He only said one or two sentences and I knew this was my type of book.  2 brothers, Heaven and Hell...yep that's all I'm going to tell you.  It sounds fantastic!  The Evangelist In Hell is the first book in what I am sure will be a great series.  To read the blurb head over to Goodreads and to follow this up and coming author head over to Facebook.

Mark Love

Mystery and Thriller writer, he is a native of Michigan near Detroit.  With crime being quite prevalent in larger cities, he found inspiration for many of his books.  His Jamie Richmond Mystery series has a fiesty leading lady, which is exactly why I had to have these books.  His latest release is Why 319? is the first book in his new series about a serial killer loose in Detroit.  Of course there is much more to the story, so check it out on Amazon and follow Mark on Goodreads.

Will Farell

This little man was meant to be in the Indie Community.  Not only did he sign my book, but he took photos for authors and helped out in so many ways.  The book Wisdom of Webeaux is based on many things Will has said and Meg Farell being so awesome put it into a book full of humor and hilarious illustrations by Susan Smith of Funky Book Designs.  This book reminds me of my sons when they were younger and honestly I couldn't help but chuckle all the way through.  

More Fun From Great Lakes Book Bash With A #Giveaway

As you can see, Great Lakes Book Bash was a blast.  It was a chance to see authors and friends that I have had the honor to get to know through our book community.  Sharing a love of books is only one side of the coin, laughing and enjoying each others "unique" personalities is also a part of the love I feel for this community.  There is no other group of people that I have ever found that embraces my inner nerd and shares some part of those characteristics.  It feels like a great big family. I miss them already! (Photographed above:  Front, Rachael Brownell, Back left to right: Me, Jo Michaels. Bette Barber, Misty Provencher, Cassie Shively, and Tia Silverthorne Bach)

Meet author SF Benson who was so full of energy and enthusiasm as she described each of her books and all the new ones she has planned.  Her excitement was contagious!  She writes young adult and new adult Dystopian/science fiction and paranormal stories.  I just purchased the Hearts Duology and from what she has told me there will be many more books added to this series.  If you would like to look at her work go to her Amazon author page or follow her on Facebook .

Author M.R. Polish greeted me with her beautiful smile that lit up the entire room.  I was so excited to see her again and to finally get my hands on her Saddles and Spells Series .  I found one of her quotes that I think are words to live by.  "Life is too short to stand by and watch everyone else live your dreams. The bigger the dream, the bigger the adventure!"  Her hard work and dedication is paying off and I am so glad I can support her dream of being an author and getting her stories out into the world.  If you would like to follow her journey go to her Facebook page or her Amazon author page.

I would like to introduce author Becca Vincenza.  I have known her since she released her very first book.  To see where she is today is a joy to behold.  Not only has she grown in leaps and bounds, but she continues to be one of the nicest people I know.  One of her most recent series released is a collaboration with author M.J. Haag called The Resurrection Chronicles.  I am looking forward to reading this series.  She had me at zombie-like plague!  You can find out more on her Amazon author page or on Facebook .

Author Misty Provencher is so freaking funny.  Whenever you take a photo, you may just have an extra person in the background smiling from ear to ear.  *See photo below.  LOL That's just one of the many reasons I love her. 

Misty writes in many genres, so there is something for everyone.  Her newest release is Weeds of Detroit written under the name Misty Paquette.  It's written about a teenage runaway and the harshness of life on your own in Detroit, which is based on true events.  To follow Misty please go to her Amazon author page or on Facebook .

Author Ellie Wade in the photo with my mother who absolutely loves her Choices Series is a truly lovely person on the inside and out.It's always a pleasure to see her at each book convention.

I am addicted to her Flawed Hearts Series.  Both series are Contemporary Romance and filled with emotion, struggles and finding true love.  Of course there is so much more to her books, but you have to read them to find out!  Please look her up on Amazon or Facebook.



That's it for this post EXCEPT...a GIVEAWAY!
To win an ebook of your choice from one of these authors above, share this post on any social media platform, then comment below.

Great Lakes Book Bash 2017

Last weekend I had the most amazing time at Great Lakes Book Bash in Kalamazoo, MI.  It was so nice to see many of my favorite authors and meet so many new authors.  I was lucky enough to bring home a pretty nice book haul.  (Photo from left to right: Cassie Shively, Author Misty Provencher, Me, Better Barber)

 This will be the first post in a series of posts, introducing you to each of the authors I met and hopefully introduce you to a few new ones.    I will leave a link for each of them, so you can check them out. 

Each author was very friendly and full of excitement to share their hard work.  I am so excited to begin reading their books.

 Giveaway:
Comment below for a chance to win a mystery bag with a paperback and goodies from this event.  Let me know what you would like to see more of on future blog posts.

Meet author Rachael Brownell.  She was our gracious hostess for GLBB and did such a phenomenal job.  Her work includes one of my favorite ugly cry Contemporary Romances, Jumping Puddles .  I cannot express how much I love this book and sincerely think it is one of the best books I have read to date.

She has many others, including Saving Bliss, which I waited over a year to read.  It was worth the wait!  To check out Rachael's work, head over to Amazon and Facebook .

Author Stacey Rourke was absolutely adorable wearing her hubby's Chewbacca slippers due to an incident with a bird bath.  Even in pain she was gracious and full of enthusiasm.  She has a new book Veiled,  which is being released on November 7th.  I cannot wait to sink my teeth into that baby. 

If you haven't read her Gryphon Series, you need to.  It is so good.  Luckily book 1 is FREE on Amazon. 

Also, Stacey hosts the event Once Upon A Book in Frankenmuth, MI in August.  It's a great family friendly event.  For more info, go HERE .

Meet authors Jo Michaels & Tia Silverthorne Bach.  Both are a part of the Ferocious 5.  A lovely group of authors that each year puts out some amazing collaborative work, including this years Frayed Fairy Tales.
It's a unique spin on many of the happily ever after stories we have grown up with.  Check out their work on Amazon .

Jo Michaels is one of the hardest working authors I know.  She has an imagination like no other and it really shows in her work. I love all her books, but I do have a favorite series of hers though that has stayed with me even a year later, The Mystic Series. I would advise having a box of tissues while reading. This series will grab your heart and squeeze while you beg for more.

 To check out Jo's work go to her Amazon author page or find her on Facebook .

Last but not least, Tia Silverthorne Bach.  A kind hearted and wonderful person.  Her Tala Prophecy series still gives me goosebumps.  I started the series and fell in love with the way her characters felt so real, with honest reactions and feelings.  What I loved most was the compassion I felt for the main character and this stemmed from Tia's expertise writing style.

To find out more about Tala's Prophecy and Tia's other work, go to her Amazon author page or her Facebook page.



Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY, and watch for more posts from GLBB.