Wednesday Spotlight | LITERARY BOOK GIFTS

Hi, friends! Today’s post is something rarely special.

I came across this amazing literary gift shop that highlights some exemplary items that not only fits snugly into everyday life but stoutly promotes books and reading, as well. LITERARY BOOK GIFTS sells high-quality products I’m sure every bookworm would like to have. I should know, right?

And hey, there’s a huge discount for you. 😉 *wink 

About the Gift Shop:

I started the small web-based gift shop Literary Book Gifts as a way to turn some of my favorite classic novels into vintage designed tote bags and tees. The store is quite new, less than a year old. I do all the design work in-house to make sure each and every piece captures the story, characters, or feeling of the novel.

I was inspired to start this business because I believe that amazing novels, like the ones in the collection, deserve to have a place in today's society. This way we can discuss them and ultimately pass our favorite books onto new readers.

Each tote bag comes in three different sizes. These are not your standard cotton canvas totes, they are made of high-quality polyester with black cotton handles. The entire outer fabric of each tote bag is in a different color. So the Black Beauty Tote Bag has a khaki color as the background, while the Moby Dick Tote Bag is in a dark navy. This way you can choose not only the design but the background color, this really helps to customize the design and color that is best for your personal style.

All the designs that come on totes also come on tees for men and women. Take your pick of designs. There is a wide range from Frankenstein to Pride and Prejudice. There is a wide variety of sizes and colors for each and every design. - Melissa, LBG

THEPAGEWALKER20 is an exclusive promo code that can be used at checkout. It is good for 20% off anything, and it does not expire! 

Thanks, Melissa.

*Content sent by the owner for this blog's publication. This is a free ad.

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Wednesday Spotlight | TIAGO by Cátia Skye

About the Book:

Two shattered hearts. One unstoppable love. 

New York, USA

Kezra, sixteen, dumped by her boyfriend of six months after he took her virginity, shocked by revelations about her father, falls into an abyss of panic and anxiety. On doctor’s orders, she is sent on a vacation to get away from pressures. 

Lisbon, Portugal

Tiago, seventeen, has lost more than most lose in a lifetime, believes implicitly in the inevitable Portuguese Tragedy, has left the thug-life, has left school, is just trying to survive each new day. 

Neither of them is looking for love…

Categories:

• Teen & Young Adult > Romance > Contemporary
• Romance > Series
• Teen & Young Adult > Literature & Fiction > Coming of Age
• Teen & Young Adult > Literature & Fiction > Geography & Cultures > Europe

About the Author:

Cátia Skye is a New-York-born, Portuguese-American gal who now resides in the romantic heart of Lisbon, Portugal. She is the single mother of one rambunctious little boy, and pens romance novels between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. each night when her boy finally falls asleep.

Visit Cátia's website. 

Enter $25 Amazon Giveaway



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My Year 2014 in Blogging

2nd Bloggy Birthday

Was it not just yesterday that The Page Walker celebrated its 1st birthday? I believe this calls for some looking back...

In 2014, we interviewed six (6) authors via Author's Friday. We had first dibs on six (6) cover reveals through the First Glimpse. And, Wednesday Spotlight highlighted twelve (12) books from independent authors. While Say It With A Book featured six (6) awesome guest book reviewers with a book of their choice.

I didn't manage to write some book thoughts from last year's reading list. I will do my best to jot them down even though January is going to be very busy for me since I am moderating this month's TFG book.

Last year, I tried to cross-link my blog posts to Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.  It was sort of experimental trying out Twitter. I realized that I can't advise people to use or not to use twitter if I haven't tried it myself. I rarely go there and even rarely post or leave a comment. I believe it works for most people, but I guess I am not up to that sort of social networking, in spite of all the interesting people there. So after a year, I will close my Twitter account. Thank you to those who indulged and added me on their list of friends there.

I'm thinking of changing the blog layout, and I don't have any changes in mind other than that. 

BTW, I am giving away a Kindle copy of Station Eleven: A novel by Emily St. John Mandel. I've viewed a summary of my blog visitors, so raffle will be available for the top 5 followers: Ukraine, US, Canada, Philippines, and Germany. Winners will receive the gift via email.

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Congratulations, Meliza!

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First Glimpse | Shifter's Heart by Desiree Williams

Author Desiree Williams is back with her new book, Shifter's Heart, the sequel to Heart Song, coming January 15, 2015. And as promised, The Page Walker gets to have first peek on the book cover. 

About the book: 

As the flames of Varkadon spread, war rips through the Shifter Territory…

With the Aldonnian kingdom celebrating the news of her brother’s soul-bonding, Laelynn seizes every opportunity to drive herself to the brink of exhaustion. If her body is worn, then her brain would be too tired to dream. Laelynn knew the men who’d captured her were gone from this world, but that didn’t stop the haunting images from plaguing her mind. Not even the pesky thorn-in-her-side Shifter Prince could keep the dreams at bay. Though Dustan’s commentary through their mental bond had kept a lingering smile on her lips, despite the battles that rage within her.

Yet when Dustan distances himself Laelynn questions the connection between them. Those fears rise when her own talents begin to morph and grow into the unexpected. Torn between love and faith, Laelynn strives to find the purpose behind the evolving gifts. What she discovers is far more than she ever imagined.

As tragedy befalls the Shifter Territory and brother battles against brother, Laelynn knows what must be done. Face her demons and triumph, or she’ll never claim the song of her heart. 

Excerpt: 

Dustan stretched as he stood, knocking off the dirt and dried foliage that clung to his pants. The wind picked up speed around him and Dustan stiffened as the hairs on his neck rose. His eyes swept the Clan’s burial site, evaluating the shadows of the nearby woods and memorial monuments. Creaks of branches and the rustling of leaves met Dustan’s ears as the wind whistled through the trees. He breathed deeply, sniffing the air to catch any passing scents. Nothing. Balling his fist, Dustan stepped into a battle stance. Preparing. 

What he hadn’t expected was a bright, blinding light to burst a few feet in front of him. Shielding his eyes with his forearm, Dustan attempted to see beyond the light for a form or bodily outline. His heart skipped a beat when a voice spoke from within it. 

“Dustan, High Prince of the Shifters, mate and heart song to Laelynn, Princess of Aldonnia. The Lord of Heaven has heard your declaration. Do you also vow to love her above all others?” 

The voice, powerful and slightly musical, filled Dustan’s ears and mind. He stood gaping at what was before him. He’d heard stories about Messengers from the Lord of Heaven, but he never believed any of them. The stories were always so farfetched. Too fantastical to be true. 

“Warrior,” the voice sang again, “the princess of Aldonnia will face many things as darkness tries to overcome her. Do you vow to not only protect her, but to love her above all others? To be her light?” The musical voice boomed, and Dustan shook himself from his state of shock. He was Laelynn’s heart song? How? They hadn’t shared a kiss. That he would’ve remembered. Regardless, soul bonded or not, Dustan’s answer would be the same. 

“Yes. I vow myself to Laelynn. I pledge to ensure that she is protected and loved above all others.” As the last words fell from Dustan’s lips the light sped forward, stabbing its way into his chest. Dustan clawed and yelled in vain. Intense pressure built as the Messenger invaded every cell of his being. 

Dustan dropped to the ground. A cry tore from his mouth as searing pain radiated from his back; as though duel blades were cutting a jagged pattern down his spine. Light shone from his eyes and limbs, illuminating the burial site. His chest heaved with labored breaths and a mangled cry passed his lips as he watched his hands form into the impossible. Dustan’s feet and legs following behind them, his entire body morphed into a vision that would haunt him. 

The Messenger slowly detached itself from Dustan, leaving his body to crumble to the ground. Dustan staggered to his feet, tossing his head to clear his mind. As the fog lifted he was again faced with the horrors of his new body. His mind raced to find the logic behind what his eyes were seeing, screaming that it wasn’t possible. That it wasn’t fair. The dreams of life he held just moments ago, gone in an instant. 

A roar of agony ripped through the air. It was no longer a roar of a man, but of a monster. 

Read more about Desiree Williams here.

   

Giveaway

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Raffle winners will be announced on December 19,

 at 9 am EST, 

via Desiree's blog, Facebook and Twitter account.

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Join My Birthday Giveaway!

Hi! I'm too lazy to post anything substantial these past few days, and this is my first step in getting out of that rut. A very quick post really, but very important. I am very thankful to God for adding another wonderful and blessed year to my life. And I want to pay it forward, to those who bother themselves in taking a peek at my blog, through this giveaway. 

Limited for Philippine residents only

Thank you!

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Author's Friday | Kenneth G. Bennett

Our featured author for today is a wilderness enthusiast who loves backpacking, skiing, and kayaking. He enjoys mysteries, science fiction, action-adventure stories, and, most especially, novels that explore the relationship between humans and the wild. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son,  and two hyperactive Australian Shepherds. 

Kenneth G. Bennett is the author of the young adult novels, THE GAIA WARS and BATTLE FOR CASCADIA, and the new sci-fi thriller, EXODUS 2022. 

Interview:

The Page Walker: Foremost, Ken, I'd like to know which writer/s inspire you?

Kenneth G. Bennett : I read a lot of different genres but some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Ursula K. LeGuin, Lee Child, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, George Luis Borges, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Barbara Kingsolver, Amy Tan and Neil Gaiman

TPW: Wow, I spotted 4 favorite authors we have in common.  Do you have a favorite spot when writing?

KGB:  There’s a sunny breakfast nook in my house, where I love to write. It’s close to the coffee.

TPW: Coffee, of course. So, when did you decided to become a writer?

KGB: By age five or six I was writing stories for my friends.

TPW: Your publicist, Vanya Drumschiiska, was kind enough to send me a copy of the cover of your new book. How did you come up with the title?

KGB: EXODUS 2022 is about an imminent, cataclysmic “departure” from Planet Earth that humans are completely unaware of, so “EXODUS” fit with the story. Furthermore, while it’s not a religious book it does contain spiritual elements and references to the church.

TPW: Who designed it?

KGB: A brilliant, gifted designer named Kathleen Grebe came up with the cover after I told her the concept of the book. You can see more of Kathleen’s work at http://www.kathleengrebe.com/

TPW: Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

KGB: Ella Tollefson, because of the massive transformation that occurs with her character.

TPW: I am always forward when asking this question. Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

KGB: Thriller, adventure, fantasy and sci-fi readers might enjoy this book because the story is fresh and intriguing and the pace is relentless.

TPW: What draws you to this genre?

KGB: I am drawn to a lot of different genres and this book reflects that. It’s a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, wilderness adventure and mystery.

TPW:  Are there any plans for your next project?

KGB: I'm working on a new book called THE HEALER about a man who discovers later in life that he has a unique, one-in-a-billion gift for healing.

TPW: Thank you for stopping by, Ken. Godspeed on Exodus 2022.

KGB: Yes, thank you for the great questions and for this opportunity!

Find Kenneth G. Bennett here.

   

Latest book:

Release date: May 20^th, 2014

Publisher: Booktrope Publishing

About the book:

Joe Stanton is in agony. Out of his mind over the death of his young daughter. Or so it seems.

Unable to contain his grief, Joe loses control in public, screaming his daughter’s name and causing a huge scene at a hotel on San Juan Island in Washington State. Thing is, Joe Stanton doesn't have a daughter. Never did. And when the authorities arrive they blame the 28-year-old’s outburst on drugs.

What they don't yet know is that others up and down the Pacific coast—from the Bering Sea to the Puget Sound—are suffering identical, always fatal mental breakdowns.

With the help of his girlfriend—the woman he loves and dreams of marrying—Joe struggles to unravel the meaning of the hallucination destroying his mind. As the couple begins to perceive its significance—and Joe’s role in a looming global calamity—they must also outwit a billionaire weapons contractor bent on exploiting Joe’s newfound understanding of the cosmos, and outlast the time bomb ticking in Joe’s brain. 

Get your copy of EXODUS 2022 from Amazon.com.

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

1 Kindle Fire

15 signed paperbacks

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Wednesday Spotlight | Nature's Destiny by Justine Winter

Publication:  14 March 2014

About the book:

My life was changing,  morphing into something greater than  I  could have anticipated. I  was becoming something  I  didn't recognize as myself anymore.  A  Werewolf.

I  was different.

Bitten.

‘Hybrid’  was what they called me,  and the weight that rested against that one word was crippling.  They depended on me to bring them safety.  What made me so special?

Oh,  that’s right.  My destiny.

I  was sucked into a  world  I’d had no idea existed.  Twenty-one years as a  human and this was what  I  found out.

My traveling plans,  my writing degree,  all of it was gone within one night.  One evil night that robbed my humanity.

I  wasn't completely sour.  Life had been unfair a  while ago,  only now  I’d had something worth fighting for besides myself.  Something to live for.

I  was afraid of the others.  I  couldn't let them down.  I  wouldn't let them down.

I’d gone to bed a  human and woken up a  Werewolf.

A  special  Werewolf.

A  Hybrid.

More about  Nature's Destiny by Justine Winter

About the author:

I've always lived a life based on my imagination, from hopeless dreams of romance to concocting alternate realities involving supernaturals. I'm completely fascinated with anything hero-related and often speculate which superpower I'd possess. I haven't settled on one yet.

I was born in England and currently reside in Wales, UK. I love to write, and most days you'll find me happily tapping away at the computer whilst in my pajama-clad bubble. I also spend my time reading, and if that isn't enough I’m often in the kitchen baking up a treat.

As part of this blog tour, Justine Winter invites you to join this raffle giveaway, wherein you can take away these lovely prizes:

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First Glimpse | The Man Test by Amanda Aksel

Cover Reveal and Giveaway | The Man Test by Amanda Aksel

Publication date: March 25, 2014

Genre: Women's Fiction

Cover Artist: Jessica Rose Goldner-Bowman

Amanda Aksel is an author with an affinity for love. Becoming a couple’s therapist was her “backup” career, and after completing her BA in Psychology she was on her way to solving love's most complicated quandaries one couple at a time. The Man Test is Amanda’s debut novel, and now she plans to solve love's most complicated quandaries one novel at a time.

About the book:

Marin Johns is San Francisco’s Pollyanna couples therapist. She’s months away from wedded bliss when she discovers her fiancé is having an affair. After nursing her broken heart with Kleenex and break-up songs, she adopts a new brand of thinking when she uncovers a tell-all book that proves all men are liars and cheaters who will do and say anything so they're not found out. No exceptions.

In an attempt to convince her friends of her newfound truth, she begins a fictitious relationship with James, a do-gooder from Montana. Marin seeks any means necessary to catch him cheating from hiring a PI to enlisting the help of a fidelity tester. Will her new "boyfriend" beat the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?

Find Amanda Aksel here.

Get your copy of The Man Test on March 25^th! Don’t forget to enter to win any e-book up to $3.99.

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FIRST BLOGGY BIRTHDAY and A GIVEAWAY

I really can't imagine that it has been a year since I last posted my first blog entry.  Now, I have friends who actually follow everything I post here and takes my book recommendations seriously.  Awesome! 

For my 2nd year, I am thinking of spicing things up, I have new ideas that I hope my followers will enjoy.  And, I believe a new look will do no harm either.  I'll do these things in stages though, so I hope you'll be patient with me.

But before the changes completely caught us, I have something for you, my dear followers. I'll be giving away One (1) copy of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.  It seemed fitting since I want this blog to last forever.   Here's to another year of book blogging, Cheers!

January 3-10, 2013

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Blog Tour: Guardians of Tradition + Giveaway

Hosted by Dia @Book Junkie Blog Tours

Hey, guys!  It's the last day of the blog tour, but we are closing it with a giveaway.

Guardians of Tradition: The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (2012)

About the Book:

   

Author:  Mae Astrid Tobias

Illustrator:  Rommel E. Joson

Photographer:  Renato S. Rastrollo

Publisher:  Adarna

Pages:  32

Who are the indigenous and folk artists of the Philippines? Guardians of Tradition is full of facts about 11 of Philippine master weavers, folk musicians, performing artists, mat weavers and metalsmiths whose talents and skills have earned them the title Manlilikha ng Bayan. Designed to help children recognize native Filipino ingenuity and creativity, the book includes fun activities to promote an appreciation for culture and arts. Guardians of Tradition has a fun and colorful design that appeals to young readers.

Excerpt from the Book:

Uwang Ahadas always wears a pair of dark glasses. He lost his eyesight when he was only five. But he does not let his disability keep him from becoming a master of Yakan music.

Together with his siblings, he learned to play different instruments like the gabbang and the agung. The instrument called the kwintangan kayu is supposed to be played by women only, but Ahadas broke this tradition and learned how to play this.

Ahadas wants children to learn to play instruments while they are young because their hands and wrists are still flexible. He teaches them by showing them his techniques.

Even when working in the fields, the Yakans play their musical instruments. One of these instruments is gabbang. Small children play it to shoo away animals from planted crops. It looks like a xylophone, but it is made of five bamboo slats.

Another instrument is the kwintangan kayu which is made of five wooden logs hung horizontally under a tree near a rice field. It is played to make rice plants grow faster.

Uwang Ahadas, Maestro of Yakan Music (pp. 16-17)

About the Author:

MAE ASTRID TOBIAS (1979-2009) was a Palanca-award winning author of children’s books. In addition to Guardians of Tradition, her books include Blue Bananas (Crucible), Bayong ng Kuting (Lampara Books), My Forest Friends (Haribon), Bakawan (Adarna Books) and two books retelling the Ifugao traditional chant, hudhud. These are Halikpon: A Retelling of an Ancient Ifugao Chant and Pumbakhayon: An Origin Myth of the Ifugao Hudhud. Both are finalists for children’s literature and best design in the 2006 National Book Awards of the Manila Critics Circle.

She also spent several years in the field of children’s television. She served as the Manila Bureau Manager of Kabataan News Network, a project of UNICEF and Probe Media Foundation that trains young people nationwide on how to produce their own broadcast quality documentaries. She also wrote episodes for children shows like Sirit!, and ABS-CBN and Eskuwela ng Bayan, as well as worked for Philippine Junior Inquirer and Shell Foundation. She was a member of Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting  (KUTING), an organization of Filipino writers for children.

About the Illustrator:

ROMMEL JOSON is a painter and an illustrator. He graduated magna cum laude and College Valedictorian from the University of Philippines College of Fine Arts. He was also a Merit Scholar and a recipient of the Dean’s Awards for Visual Awards from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He worked in the advertising industry for several years before devoting his time fully to painting and illustration. He has received awards and citations for painting, illustration, comics, and design from various organizations such as the Philippine Board of Books for Young People (Honorable Mention), the Shell National Art Competition (3rd Place Oil/Acrylic Category), the Neil Gaiman/Fully Booked Graphic Fiction Competition (3rd Place in the Graphic Fiction category), the Adobo Design Awards (Silver) and the Philippine Araw Awards (Silver in Art Direction) and the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition (Semifinalist in Oil). He is currently an active member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK).

About the Photographer:

RENATO S. RASTROLLO, is a photographer, graphic artist, book and exhibit designer. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising from the Philippine Women’s University. With over 25 years of experience in the field of documentary photography, his works have appeared in national and international publications. Presently, he is a culture and arts officer at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Links: 

Goodreads // Publisher // Adarna Order Form // NCCA

Guardians of Tradition Giveaway

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