Friday, July 10, 2015

Greek Gods Bearing Gifts by Cheryl Harper (Spotlight, excerpt, review and GIVEAWAY) GFT





by Cheryl Harper

** ONLY $.99 on Amazon right now**
(and while you're there, I'd love it if you vote a 'like' on my review if you feel so inclined)

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BLURB:

Liberty Smith is certain putting two thieves in charge of a pawn shop is a terrible idea, even in Olympic View, tourist attraction and home to some people with unusual skills. Fresh out of prison, Liberty’s ready to go straight, all the way to Omaha if necessary, and take her baby brother Frank with her. Organizing the junk passing for inventory at Titan Pawn and the employees who aren’t all what they seem was never part of the plan.

Justin Barrett is a fine cop, just like his father before him. His only weak spot? The girl he put in prison who now has blood on her hands. Literally. To save pain-in-the-neck Frank and free Liberty to leave Olympic View, Justin joins a very strange mission. To 1983. With an odd watch and Liberty in the shortest red dress it’s been his pleasure to see.

Greek Gods Bearing Gifts is reunion-story, sexy paranormal romance (75,000 words) featuring the charming god of thieves, two people who never stopped loving, and the underworld’s all-you-can-eat rib buffet.


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EXCERPT


She paused in front of the vault door and paced back and forth in small loops. Her first glimpse inside convinced her that this was the one place in the shop that had ever been properly arranged and catalogued, something that appealed to her neatnik heart.

If she ever met the person responsible for this beacon of order, she’d shake his or her hand forcefully.

“What could it hurt to take a looksee?” The wispy memory of Hannah’s warning had been enough to stop her when she was worn out. That caution was way too weak to conquer boredom. Liberty pressed her thumb against the rose in the top right corner of the door.

There was no need to flip on lights. The room was brightly lit, clean, and seemed to be happy to see her.

“You’re losing it, Liberty.” And talking to yourself. Out loud. Again.

Before she took the monumental step, she glanced over her shoulder. Nope, still a mess. So she stepped right into the room. After the disconcerting dizziness settled, she studied the door. Instead of the chaotic jumble of abandoned electronics, all she could see was solid bronze. Her heart pounding as heat swept through her cheeks at the realization she might be locked in and completely vanish without even the rubble of televisions for a clue, she shoved on the door and stepped into the backroom of the pawnshop. Easy.

She braced her hands on her bare thighs and took slow, deep breaths until she could concentrate again. The faint headache and touch of nausea could be side effects of the panic attack or her talent, but she’d come this far. Running scared, this close to the valuables, would be an un-Smith thing to do.

Satisfied that nothing would keep her from leaving when she wanted and she could find her way home again, Liberty turned to the edge of the platform overlooking rows of shelving. She carefully held the handrail and stepped down to get closer.

If the pawnshop was arranged in rings of age, from newest to oldest, this place was not. Wrapping her arms tightly across her chest so that she wouldn’t inadvertently touch a thing, Liberty explored the first aisle. The inventory of a magical pawnshop should be all…old stuff. Antiquities that museums would pay gazillions for.

Her thief’s heart pinched at the concept of all that lovely money going unused.

Of course, there were antiquities. She stopped in front of part of a column. It was incomplete but the carvings had her convinced it came from prime Athens real estate. Old-school columns. The placard was printed in Greek, something she’d never learned to read or speak.

But right next to the column that did…something was an Oscar statue, engraved with the name Dwayne Johnson.

Liberty found it not surprising at all that The Rock might be part Greek god.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Whether she’s writing, reading, or checking the items off of her daily to-do list, small-town girl Cheryl Harper loves her romance mixed with a little laughter. When she’s not working, you will find her ignoring housework, cursing yard work, and spending way too much time with a television remote in her hand.


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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here



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My review:

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Greek Gods Bearing Gifts by Cheryl Harper is the story of the Smith siblings, Liberty and Frank, who have a family tradition of theft and other
shady behaviors.  Justin Barrett has a checkered history with Liberty, not least because his career choice in law enforcement is diametrically opposed to the philosophy of the Smith family and their heritage as scions of Hermes, god of thieves and trickery.  Nevertheless, Justin has definite goals with respect to Liberty in mind, and if he has to suspend disbelief, travel through time, and help out a very odd pawn shop by bending the rules slightly to accomplish his goals, he’s willing.  Or is he?

This fun fantasy novel blends Greek mythology and elements of contemporary society in an imaginative tale that is filled with unexpected twists that do a great job of incorporating myth and reality.  The unconventional romance fits perfectly into the quirky sequence of events with the wonderfully odd characters who keep appearing.  I love the character Tim and the idea that not only are the gods of legend alive and well (and meddling as usual), but that there is an enforcement branch, called the Fourteen. 

The complicated relationship between the main characters is a wonderful combination of spice and frustration with a delightful connection between them, even as the characters are given depth by their past experiences, painful as they have been.  The author paints great word portraits that say so much in a pithy statement, e.g. “That made it a bigger mystery why he’d always made her clothes fall off.  Like some kind of weird allergy, everything she wore was suddenly too tight, too restrictive, wrong when he was around.” and “First, he’d made her love him. Then he’d put her in jail.”  Who could fail to be curious about how the relationship was going to develop after reading these sentences?  This is a refreshing and entertaining romp and I am terribly curious about what else will be uncovered in the wacky place called Titan Pawn, not to mention wondering about the rest of the mysterious team who works there.  I look forward to reading more tales in this deliciously entertaining series.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review purposes.

47 comments:

  1. How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

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    1. This is a GREAT QUESTION! I have such trouble with names! For this book, I loved the name Liberty Smith. I'm pretty sure I didn't realize how perfect it was for the character I was dreaming up until I wrote this book and the next one about Frank(lin Jefferson) Smith, her brother. So sometimes it's the sound. Other times, I want a meaning and I search the baby names websites. For her hero, I wanted a strong, warrior kind of name that would fit a policeman. Liberty and Justin. Freedom and Justice. I like it. And then sometimes, I pick quirky names like Cindy for the shop's tiny enforcer. She's dangerous! Then, as I wrote, I realized who she really is and the name was perfect I had to lay in the floor and stare up at the ceiling, delighted and afraid at how my mind works things out without me.

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    2. Your questions are always so thought-provoking, Mai. I am going to have to start keeping a list of them, because I am always stumped on questions to ask an author that are not the same old boring ones. Thanks for taking the time to visit, I always look forward to seeing what the author answers and I love seeing how Cheryl's mind works, lol.

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  2. I like the above question. I also like finding my name in books I will usually read it if it has my name---Rae

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    1. Hi, Rae! Thanks for commenting. It is a great question! And you have a good name, perfect for a lot of characters. :)

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    2. I will have to remember to point out the books where I see your name, Rae! Thanks for coming by.

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  3. Thank you for taking the time to read and review! I'm glad you enjoyed Greek Gods Bearing Gifts (which is on sale right now for 99 cents!). I'm working on Frank's story right now. Mai asked a great question. When you're reading, how important is the name? Can you love a heroine named Gertrude? In my mind, Gertrude is automatically a quirky grandmother with butterscotch candies in her hand bag. What if she's a young, on-the-rise fashion model? Coming up with why she'd be named Gertrude could be fun!

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    1. What a great price! Thank you on behalf of all of us readers. I admit, I would have a little trouble with Gertrude as a young hip model...although if she goes by Trudy, I think that would probably go over better. Gertie would be harder, because of hurdy-gurdy...but, yes, you don't want the name to throw the reader out of the story, lol.

      I look forward to seeing what madcap adventures and exciting twists you come up with next!

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  4. I enjoyed the excerpt, thank you.

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    1. Hi, Rita! You're welcome! Thanks for commenting.

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    2. Glad you liked it, Rita. Thanks for popping by!

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  5. I love seeing Greek Mythology is books, even if it's just a little but I think having some Greek Gods in there can really make things fun. I really enjoyed the excerpt and review.

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    1. I was always fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology in school, Mary, and I guess it has carried over. Glad you enjoyed reading the post today and thank you for taking the time to visit and comment. Hope you arm is improving!

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  6. Congrats to Cheryl on the new release! Thanks for sharing the excerpt!

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    1. Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it!

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    2. You're welcome, erin, I enjoy sharing info for other folks to read. Thanks for dropping by!

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  7. Thanks for the giveaway! I like the excerpt. :)

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  8. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Patrick!

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it, Patrick, you are quite welcome. Thank you for visiting!

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  9. Thank you for sharing the excerpt!

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    1. I love excerpts, Patricia, so I am always happy to share them. Thanks for popping by!

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  10. The entire post was exceptional but I especially enjoyed learning more about the author. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Hi, Betty! I'm glad you stopped by.

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    2. You are so wonderfully complimentary, Betty. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment!

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    3. Thank you both! This sounds like a great book and this is definitely a great site!

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    1. I appreciate the comment, Mary. Thanks for popping in!

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  12. All was interesting, excerpt etc. Thanks for sharing and chance to win.

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Glenda!

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    2. Glad you think so, Glenda. Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for the visit!

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  13. Thank you for the compliment, bn, I appreciate your visiting!

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    1. It is a cute title, Betty. Thanks for popping in!

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  15. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  16. Really enjoyed reading the entire post, thank you!

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    1. Glad you liked it, Nikolina. Thanks for reading.

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  17. congrats and thanks for the chance!

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