Winner of Opal Fire by Barbra Annino

With the help of random.org, the winner is comment #1 :

Toni

Congrats!! I will contact you via email.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Barbra for offering a copy of her book.

In My Mailbox

This week was such a great one!

Got a Red Riding Hood prize pack from @WBPicturesCan (sorry for the bad pic).
-2 T-Shirts
- 1 Bag
- 5 mirrors (ones missing in the pic, my mom asked  took one) lol
- 1 Note pad

Bought the  Maximum Ride box set by James Patterson

For review, an ARC of The Map of Time by Félix J, Palma. I
started this book this weekend and it's AMAZING so far!

Won An Easter Tale by Cynthia Meyers-Hanson. She also did the illustrations. This book is so cute! I read it twice now.

Won Falling Under by Gwen Hates from That's QUEEN Bitch To You


Bought a the library book sale :

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (I've never seen the movie).

And last but not least, Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell. I bought the French version so the cover is different.


What did you get this week?

Giveaway : Win an ARC of Opal Fire by Barbra Annino

Stacy Justice did not expect to be set on fire that night, but being raised by witches prepares one for life's little surprises. In fact, she isn't the least bit shocked when her cousin is accused of arson, or when her divorced grandparents sign up for a marriage retreat, or even when her own boyfriend hauls her off to jail. But when a decades-old secret is discovered within the walls of her cousin's bar, even Stacy is rattled. Now, someone wants her dead and she finds herself dodging angry motorists, exploding chickens and a very creepy man who lurks around every corner. As she begins to dig into the past, Stacy learns that even those closest to her have something to hide--and she's about to discover a destiny she never imagined.

I recently had the opportunity to read and review Opal Fire by Barbra Annino (you can read my 4 star review here). I also interviewed Barbra here.


Now Barbra Annino's offering ONE of you readers a chance to win either an ARC of Opal Fire OR the ebook version.


Giveaway details :


* Open to everyone!
* Leave a comment on this post telling me you're interested in entering the giveaway.  Don't forget to include a way for me to contact you if you win (email, twitter name...)
* For a bonus entry you can spread the word about this giveaway.
* Ends March 29th. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted.


Good luck to all!

 

 

Interview with Barbra Annino

Hey fellow readers! Got a special treat for you all today : author Barbra Annino stops by to answer some of my questions! I've recently read and reviewed her book, Opal Fire. You can read my review here if you haven't already.

So without further ado, please welcome Barbra Annino.

First off, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your books?

I'm from Chicago, but I now live in a small tourist town, which is great for people watching. The Stacy Justice Mysteries are fast-paced and fun, full of humour, quirky characters and lots of mystery. There's a heavy familial element, which adds a layer of drama throughout the stories that anyone who has a crazy relative can relate to.

Can you describe your writing process?

I get my best writing done in the afternoons, but I try to write most of the day when I'm working on a novel. I use a program that helps me keep the scenes and characters in easy reach if I need to look something up. I almost always read a chapter in a non-fiction book (one I'm using for research on the project) before I begin. And for some reason, my characters always bother me when I'm in the shower, which is annoying because there's no notepad nearby.

Do you have a favourite place to write?




My favourite place to write is a beach in Key West but I haven't been there in years, so I'd have to say my desk.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?




I love reading, walking with my pups, watching movies and arm wrestling with my husband over who does the dishes. I usually win.




Did you learn anything from writing your books?




Wow, great question. I learned more about arson than I ever wanted to know, how pipe bombs are made, what happens to a body that gets buried in concrete and some of the most undetectable poisons on the planet. If this writing thing doesn't work out, I think I'd make a great criminal.


If you could co-write a book with any author(s) (living or dead) who would it be and why?




Joe Konrath, because that guy is crazy and I think it would be a hoot.


 
If your books were made into movies who would you see playing your main characters and why?




I could see the woman who played Charlie Sheen's mom on Two and a Half Men playing Stacy's grandmother, Birdie, because she has that aura of authority and her schedule just opened up.


Favourite book(s) and author(s)?




Water For Elephants, Christopher Moore, Mark Twain, Flowers in the Attic, Christine, Whiskey Sour, Please Ignore Vera Dietz, Ernest Hemingway, and waaaay too many more to fit on this page.


Favourite movie?




Midnight Run

 
What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Before I sold Opal Fire, I was working on a project about Greek Gods and Goddesses in Las Vegas so I plan to get back to that in the fall. This summer I'll be working on a women's fiction story dealing with issues like mental illness and care-taking, but there will be humour in that as well. Sort of Jodi Piccoult meets Janet Evanovich.

Any tips for aspiring writers out there?

Never Give Up.

Where can readers find you for more information?

Stacy Justice Gemstone Mysteries

Barbra Annino - AUTHOR OF THE STACY JUSTICE GEMSTONE mystery SERIES!

********************

Thanks for stopping by Barbra!!

Don't forget to leave some comments for Barbra! :)

Happy Belated Blogoversary to me!

I can't believe I totally forgot my one year blogoversary. I remembered yesterday but I was already 3 days late... Oh well...next year!

Thanks to all my followers and everyone reading this blog! You guys are the best! *Hugs*

REVIEW : Opal Fire by Barbra Annino

Title : Opal Fire
Author : Barbra Annino
Blurb :

Reporter Stacy Justice did not expect to be set on fire that night, but being raised by witches prepares one for life's little surprises. In fact, she isn't the least bit shocked when her cousin is accused of arson, or when her divorced grandparents sign up for a marriage retreat, or even when her own boyfriend hauls her off to jail. But when a decades-old secret is discovered within the walls of her cousin's bar, even Stacy is rattled. Now, someone wants her dead and she finds herself dodging angry motorists, exploding chickens and a very creepy man who lurks around every corner. As she begins to dig into the past, Stacy learns that even those closest to her have something to hide- and she's about to discover a destiny she never imagined.

Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts

Stacy Justice is a reporter in a small town and...a witch, much to her dismay. When the Black Opal, a bar run by her cousin, catches fire, Stacy along with her cousin are determined to get to the end of it.  The insurance company is blaming her cousin but why would she try to kill her by setting a fire or by sending her an explosive chicken and who placed an old corpse inside the bar? Oh, and who's the guy with the mustache following her around? In order to solve this mystery, Stacy might have to accept who she really is.


Opal Fire is filled with colorful characters. At first I wasn't so sure. There were a bit too many characters and I kept getting them mixed up but after a few chapters I was hooked and had trouble putting it down. Thor, Stacy's Great Dane is just so lovable. After reading this book, I think want one. :)


Opal Fire is a GREAT start to a series by debut author, Barbra Annino. This book had me laughing one minute and guessing the next one.  I though I had figured out who the arsonist was but I was so wrong. The end was truly surprising and unexpected. Now I can't wait to read book #2 in this series!

4 stars!!