STRONG LIKE YOU by T.L. Simpson Tour

11 Mar, 2024 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the STRONG LIKE YOU by T.L. Simpson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: STRONG LIKE YOU

Author: T.L. Simpson

Pub. Date: March 12, 2024

Publisher: North Star Editions

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/STRONG-LIKE-YOU 

I haven’t cried one time since you disappeared. Not even at football practice when Paton Roper told the whole team you were probably dead. He said, “You know how sometimes a dog gets sick or bites somebody and you have to put it down?”

Somebody said, “Yep.”

“That’s probably what happened to Walker’s daddy.”

Walker Lauderdale hasn’t cried once since his daddy went missing. And even though everyone says he’s dead, Walker won’t give up hope. He knows his father is out there, somewhere, cutting a wild trail through the Ozarks like always. But when a relative threatens to kick Walker and his momma out of the family home, Walker realizes he has no choice but to look for his daddy—a search that leads him straight to a drug-addled and dangerous man named Lukas Fisher. While attempting to balance life as a normal fifteen-year-old boy and star player on the football team, Walker begins a desperate search across the hills of the Ozarks for the man who, for better or worse, taught him everything he knows about strength.

Reviews:

“Strong Like You is an engaging novel in which a high school football star is forced to confront his ideas of manhood and forge better ones.” —Foreword Reviews

“The book explores masculinity, with Walker having a heartening insight near the end, when he realizes that with the right help, people can learn better than they were taught.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A serious look at the legacy and impact of violence, especially around the toxic culture of football, along with a compassionate view of the struggle and frequent hopelessness of rural poverty, the novel makes for a compelling read with a mixed but ultimately hopeful conclusion. Recommended for libraries serving middle and high ­schoolers.” —School Library Journal

 

 

About T.L. Simpson:

T. L. Simpson is an award-winning journalist and editor of the Courier, a newspaper in his hometown of Russellville, Arkansas. Simpson spent nearly ten years covering high school and collegiate sports before taking over as editor. During that time, he was also the paper’s primary crime reporter. In a lot of ways, Strong Like You is the result of his experiences with covering both. 

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 



Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of STRONG LIKE YOU, US Only. 

Ends March 26th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/11/2024

YA Books Central

Interview/IG Post

3/11/2024

Fire and Ice Reads

Guest Post/IG Post

3/12/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

3/12/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Guest Post/IG Post

3/13/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Blog Post/IG Post

3/13/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

Excerpt/IG Post

3/14/2024

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

3/14/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

3/15/2024

Callisto’s calling

IG Review

3/15/2024

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

3/18/2024

Dana Loves Books

Review/IG Post

3/18/2024

The Momma Spot

Review

3/19/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

3/19/2024

Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

3/20/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt/IG Post

3/20/2024

@evergirl200

IG Review

3/21/2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

3/21/2024

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

3/22/2024

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/22/2024

The Book Critic

Review


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HALLS OF FIRE by Christian Cura Tour

19 Feb, 2024 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the HALLS OF FIRE by Christian Cura Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: HALLS OF FIRE

Author: Christian Cura

Pub. Date: February 2, 2024

Publisher: Christian Cura

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 365

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/HALLS-OF-FIRE 

“Action-packed and unpredictable; a wholly absorbing LGBTQ fantasy.The Prairies Book Review

Califare is a city in the sun filled with verdant gardens, glittering canals, and buildings adorned with murals. This is the home of the summer mages who command fire, light, sand, and heat. But unbeknownst to the inhabitants, a darkness has penetrated the city walls tainting all that it touches.

After a months-long voyage across the Nereidan Ocean, Tama and her companion, Liseli, arrive in the capital believing they have left Khione and its dangers behind. But not even a full day passes before they realize how wrong they are. When they go to the Amphitheater for the opening ceremonies of the Games, corrupted creatures strike. Immediately, Tama leaps into action, fighting alongside Cordacia’s finest warriors to defend the spectators. What follows is an investigation that takes her straight to the upper echelons of the summer mage academy and to the peak of Mt. Piro where she uncovers startling revelations.

Reviews:

“. . . Christian Cura’s Temple of Ice is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy story full of thrills, suspense, and unsuspecting moments . . .”-Rolanda Lyles, Readers’ Favorite 5 out of 5 stars
 
“. . . a thrilling book to read.”-ILoveUniqueBooks.com 4 out of 5 stars
 
“Temple of Ice is an action-filled sword and sorcery novel. With a well-crafted magic system, an interesting setting, and fascinating characters, fantasy fans will find plenty to love in Christian Cura’s suspenseful novel.”-Literary Titan 4 out of 5 stars


!

 

About Christian Cura:

Christian Cura is an independent writer who dreams of becoming a successful author. Ever since he read Lord of the Rings as a teenager, it has been his dream to write and publish a novel of his own. Christian’s favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling and Robert Jordan. When he is not writing, Christian can be found getting beaten up at his MMA gym. His other hobbies include, drawing, photography, graphic design and eating.

Website | FacebookInstagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, US Only.

Ends March 2nd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/12/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

2/13/2024

The Momma Spot

Excerpt

2/14/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

2/15/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

2/16/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

2/17/2024

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

Week Two:

2/18/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

2/19/2024

Fire and Ice

Excerpt/IG Post

2/20/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

2/21/2024

jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Post

2/22/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

2/23/2024

The Guild

Review

2/24/2024

@anitralovesbooksanddogs

IG Review

Week Three:

2/25/2024

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

2/26/2024

Callisto’s calling

IG Review


The following is an excerpt from

HALLS OF FIRE

Salvatore trembled.

In moments, a sea of glowing red eyes lit up the dark. All the animals that chose to hide rather than flee were now in Malsumi’s clutches.

“We need to go now,” Salvatore cried.

They turned and bolted for their mounts, but froze after only two steps.

Foggy tentacles had constricted around their kiraka who now writhed in vain.
The beasts squawked and flailed about, dirt swelling into the air. In seconds, the markings
of Malsumi covered their faces.

Salvatore’s mouth went dry and an icy dagger plunged into his gut.

The black mist withdrew, and the corrupted kiraka stalked toward them, ready
to pounce.

Heat touched his shoulder, and he glanced at Giulia who had summoned a fireball.

Six more corrupted creatures—three foxes, a beat, a deer, and a panther entered
the clearing behind them.

They closed in like a noose.

Salvatore spent so much time believing he might die in the Gauntlet. He never thought his demise would come sooner. If only he could see his mother and Liseli one more time.
At least he wasn’t alone. Salvatore and Giulia had done nearly everything together for over
a decade. Now, they would die together.

Then, the sun exploded into the clearing.

The light burned through Salvatore’s eyelids and enveloped him with warmth. When
he opened his eyes once more, a lion spirit towered above him. The top of his head just barely cleared its shoulder, and the lion’s mane rippled in the breeze. Soaring overhead was a dove whose cry pierced the night . . .

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NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD by Anne Rellihan Tour

06 Feb, 2024 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD by Anne Rellihan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD

Author: Anne Rellihan

Pub. Date: February 6, 2024

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 272

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/NOT-THE-WORST-FRIEND-IN-THE-WORLD

Can Lou Bennett keep a secret? She’ll do just about anything to prove herself to her new friend—and the best friend she betrayed—in this debut novel that is a modern-day Harriet the Spy with high emotional stakes.

It’s the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Missouri, and eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could rewind time.

Lou wants to go back to the ninth day of sixth grade—the day before she fought with her best friend Francie and said the terrible, horrible things she can’t unsay. Or better yet, she would go back to fifth grade when Francie was still the Old Francie.

Then the new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes Lou a mysterious note. It says she was kidnapped. (!) If Lou can help Cece, maybe she can prove she’s not the world’s worst friend.

But as observant Lou uncovers the complicated truth about Cece’s family, she starts to panic. Can she help Cece without hurting her? Or will Lou end up losing another friend instead?

Anchored by an outstanding voice and a page-turning mystery, this remarkable debut novel honors the powerful middle school friendships that can both break and heal a tender eleven-year-old heart. Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and My Jasper June.

 

 

About Anne Rellihan:

Anne Rellihan is a former elementary school teacher and an alumna of Teach for America with a master’s degree in education from Columbia University. She lives in Kansas with her husband and four children. When she’s not writing, Anne volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This is her debut novel. Find her online @AnneRellihan and annerellihan.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 




Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD, US Only.

Ends February 20th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:
Week One:

2/5/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt/IG Post

2/5/2024

Log Cabin Library

Excerpt

2/6/2024

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

2/6/2024

Fire And Ice Reads

Excerpt/IG Post

2/7/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

2/7/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Review/IG Post

2/8/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

2/8/2024

Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

2/9/2024

@paws.read.repeat

Review/IG Post

2/9/2024

@evergirl200

IG Review

2/10/2024

Callisto’s calling

IG Review

2/10/2024

Avainbookland

IG Review

Week Two:

2/11/2024

@dana.loves.books

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/11/2024

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

2/12/2024

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

2/12/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

2/13/2024

@dharashahauthor

IG Post

2/13/2024

Lifestyle of Me

Review

2/14/2024

PopTheButterfly Reads

Review/IG Post

2/14/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/15/2024

@anitralovesbooksanddogs

IG Review

2/15/2024

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

2/16/2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

2/16/2024

Two Points of Interest

Review/IG Post


Excerpt

Not the Worst Friend in the World

By Anne Rellihan

Excerpt for Rockstar Book Tours

Excerpt from Not the Worst Friend in the World / Text copyright © 2024 by Anne Rellihan. Reproduced with permission fromHoliday House Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. 

1

Cece Clark- Duncan passed me a note on the thirty- fourth day of sixth grade.

If she had passed it twenty-five days earlier, I might have ignored it. Or worse, showed it to Francie.

At first, I didn’t believe the note was meant for me. Yet there was my name, plain as day, carefully written across the front in bubbly print— Louise. She’d even put a heart above the i.

My name is Louise Bennett, but the fact that she’d written “Louise” revealed her newness. Only teachers and my grandmother call me Louise. Everyone else calls me Lou. Francie shortened it the day I met her in kindergarten. She said Louise sounded like a grandma name, so she made it better. I liked Lou more, too. Louise held on to her mom’s leg at the playground because she was scared of the slides and the big kids. Lou was brave and smart and funny. She

had to be. Francie Fitzpatrick was her best friend.

Emphasis on was. Past tense. Because then sixth grade happened. And Tommy Maguire happened. And the dumb fight happened. And just like that, I became invisible.

So there I was, trying to pretend I didn’t care about any of it, when I got a note from the only sixth grader who was a bigger outsider than me.

It happened during our first geography quiz of the year. The end of September and it was still blazing hot in Mayfield, Missouri. I sat at my desk sweating through my white uniform shirt. Sweat pooled under my arms and my legs stuck together underneath my plaid skirt. My dark

hair hung in clumps on my neck and frizzed around my freckled face. But being invisible made it easier to forget the frizz and focus on my plan.

My plan had one step.

Step 1: Get Francie to talk to me.

It was written on a clean page of my leather- bound notebook. I had underlined Step 1 about a million times, drew doodles all around it, but was no closer to accomplishing it. A plan isn’t much of a plan with only one step. I was stuck remembering those text messages and hearing myself say the terrible, horrible things I couldn’t unsay over and over again. It had been more than three weeks, and that day kept replaying in my mind like a movie. I about threw up

every time I watched it.

I didn’t blame anyone for hating me. If I’m being honest, I hated me, too.

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FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES by Danika Dinsmore Tour

31 Jan, 2024 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES by Danika Dinsmore Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Books:

Title: FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES Vol 1

Author: Danika Dinsmore

Pub. Date: August 16, 2014

Publisher: Hydra House

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 610

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/FAERIE-TALES-FROM-THE-WHITE-FOREST1

Brigitta of the White Forest / The Ruins of Noe / Ondelle of Grioth

A collection of the first three books in the Faerie Tales from the White Forest series.

For those who enjoy fantasy adventure, Faerie Tales from the White Forest offers a new twist on the traditional faerie tales so loved by young readers.

From devastating curses to death-defying quests, Water Faerie Brigitta and her growing collective of misfit friends face greater and greater challenges when destiny calls upon them to “make the balance right again” after the Great World Cry has left their world in elemental chaos.

 

Title: FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES Vol 2

Author: Danika Dinsmore

Pub. Date: September 5, 2023

Publisher: Hydra House

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 673

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/FAERIE-TALES-FROM-THE-WHITE-FOREST2

Continuing the saga of Brigitta of the White Forest, this Omnibus contains books 4-6 of the series.

 

 




 

 

About Danika Dinsmore:

Danika Dinsmore is an award-winning author, performance artist, and educator. Over the past 30 years she has developed content for the page, stage, screen, and web. Danika writes literary and speculative fiction with an emphasis on juvenile & young adult literature as well as working as a story editor for other writers. She often takes her interactive Imaginary Worlds Tour events on the road, performing and teaching world-building & creative writing at schools, conferences, and festivals across North America. She has delivered her quirky and innovative curriculum to thousands of young writers.

Subscribe to Danika’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Brigitta of the White Forest Facebook Page | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of the omnibus FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES, US Only.

1 winner will receive an eBook of the omnibus FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST SERIES, International.

Ends February 20th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/22/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Interview/IG Post

1/23/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Guest Post/IG Post

1/24/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

1/25/2024

YA Books Central

Interview/IG Post

1/26/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

Week Two:

1/29/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Blog Spotlight/IG Post

1/30/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post

1/31/2024

Little Red Reads

Guest Post/IG Post

2/1/2024

@anitralovesbooksanddogs

IG Review

2/2/2024

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

Week Three:

2/5/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

2/6/2024

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

2/7/2024

Callisto’s calling

IG Review

2/8/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/9/2024

jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/10/2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

Week Four:

2/11/2024

Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

2/12/2024

Confessions of the Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post

2/13/2024

@evergirl200

IG Review

2/14/2024

Books and Zebras

IG Review

2/15/2024

@bookish_aly_cat

IG Review

2/16/2024

The Momma Spot

Review


Author Guest Post

Middle Grade – What?

Ages ago when the first book in my series was released, I told a friend I had a “middle grade” novel coming out. He told me I shouldn’t sell myself short. 

Although the term middle grade has become more common since then, I think there’s still some confusion about what it means. I still see The Hunger Games on middle grade books lists. Just because 10-year-olds can and have read something doesn’t make it a middle grade novel. 

First off, middle grade literature is not a genre; it’s a market that contains numerous genres. From historical fiction and science fiction to fantasy and even horror (think spooky rather than splattery, like Coraline or The Jumbies). I think of middle grade (also referred to in libraries and bookstores as “juvenile” literature) as a guide for shelving books or as a marketing term. There is an understanding and expectation that book aimed at a specific age group will have particular vocabulary, themes, subject matter, and language.  

Middle grade literature has loosely been defined as geared toward the 8-12 year old reader. That means encompassing 3rd through 7th grade, which is a large reading discrepancy. Many authors, including myself, will refer to their books as either “lower middle grade” or “upper middle grade.” 

What makes Middle Grade Lit Middle Grade Lit*

A publisher at the Los Angeles SCBWI conference once said that Middle Grade lit is about the protagonist “fitting into” the world at large as opposed to YA literature is where the protagonist becomes an individual from the world. I see this as the difference between a character finding her place in the world and a character making a name for herself in the world. 

There are numerous things that define this market other than just reading level. In children’s lit the protagonist is generally a few years older than the intended audience. As a 10-year-old, what 12-year-olds are doing is extremely interesting. As is what a 16-year-old is up to when you’re 14. 

Language steers away from vulgarity. Publishers don’t like a lot of swear words in MG lit. Case in point, it was suggested that I take the word “Chrysalis!” out as a faerie swear word because it sounded too much like “Christ!” A few damns and hells seem to be okay in upper grade.

Middle grade lit doesn’t contain sexual situations. If there is romance, it’s about friendship and loyalty and trust. Budding romance works for upper middle grade fiction, and a great example of this is Scott Westerfeld’s fabulous Leviathan series. If you want to know how to handle MG romance, read that series. There’s a whole lot of lead up to the girl’s “first kiss.” 

Please don’t confuse any of this with censorship. It’s simply addressing the interests of that age level and helping bookstores and libraries shelve books in a way that parents will understand what they’re getting. If your 10-year-old is ready for Lolita, by all means, you know where to find it. By having a MG market, we’re not telling parents what they can and can’t buy for their kids, rather informing them as to what kind of material they are likely to find in that section. Both Crank and Hunger Games are in the YA shelves if you think your child is ready for either.

In terms of violence, I’ve been surprised at what’s become acceptable on middle grade shelves. More often than not, though, even in upper middle grade, it’s closer to action than violence. 

Upper and Lower Middle Grade

Because middle grade spans a time when maturity levels vary so drastically, this market is often subdivided into lower middle and upper middle grade. In lower middle grade there is less grey area between right and wrong, time and distance can be truncated to move a story, and characters can be less complex, even cartoonish. I think of The Night Fairy, Wonder, Ivy and Bean, and The One and Only Ivan

Lower middle grade is not a derogatory term. Kate DiCamillo writes some of the most beautiful lower middle grade stories (Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, anyone?)

Somewhere in between you might have Percy Jackson or The Mysterious Benedict Society, which may have more complex characters, but still contain that “cartoonish” feel to them compared to books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. or Jacqueline Woodson’s middle grade books (Brown Girl Dreamng, Harbor Me, etc)

So, what about Harry Potter . . . some of those rules I just mentioned don’t apply, do they? In book one, Harry is 11 years old and the book carried a lot of humor and whimsy. Little Harry is more interested in magical candy than snogging a girl. This makes complete sense, because what matters to a 6th grader is much different than what matters to a 12th grader. For those kids who read along as the series was published, Harry grew as his fans grew and they all lost their innocence together. 

I asked an editor about this phenomenon. If one is writing a middle grade series, “is it all right” or “what happens if” the characters grow older and suddenly they’ve stopped playing hide-and-seek and are now into young adult shenanigans. All she said was, “Yeah, that happens.” She didn’t say it was wrong to do, but she did imply that it was a bit of an issue for publishers. 

Stellar Middle Grade Reads

There are so many amazing middle grade reads. I don’t want anyone to dismiss a book by saying “oh, that’s for children.” I think there’s a middle grade book out there for everyone. My father, an engineer, never read fiction, but loved the Oz books and the Harry Potter series. 

If you want a great list of popular middle grade stories, CHECK THIS ONE out. A few of my personal favorites that I haven’t included above are The Phantom Tollbooth, Liar and Spy, The True Meaning of Smekday, Harriet the Spy, and the true story The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

(I also love, love, love the His Dark Materials trilogy, which is often shelved with middle grade books due to the age of the protagonist, but I am of the camp this is not a middle grade book. It’s super layered and sophisticated.) 

*There are always exceptions to every rule in literature, so apply the word “generally” throughout. 

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REFLECTIONS ON THE BOULEVARD by L.J. Ambrosio Tour

31 Jul, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the REFLECTIONS ON THE BOULEVARD by L.J. Ambrosio Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: REFLECTIONS ON THE BOULEVARD (Reflections of Michael Trilogy #2)

Author: L.J. Ambrosio

Pub. Date: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Film Valor

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 195

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/REFLECTIONS-ON-THE-BOULEVARD

Michael’s story continues from “A Reservoir Man” (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protege and journeys in a haphazard adventure with him throughout America and Europe in Michael’s final journey in life, each twist and turn of the road bringing unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one of joy, friendship and discovery.

Grab book 1, A RESERVOIR MAN now!

 

 

 

About L.J. Ambrosio:

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a 20 Amazon Gift Card, International.

1 winner will receive a finished copy of REFLECTIONS ON THE BOULEVARD, US Only.

Ends August 8th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/24/2023

Rockstar Book Tours

Excerpt/IG Post

7/24/2023

Jaime’s Book World

Excerpt/IG Post

7/25/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

7/25/2023

The Book Junkie Reads . . .

Excerpt/IG Post

7/26/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

7/26/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt/IG Post

7/27/2023

Cara North

Excerpt

7/27/2023

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

7/28/2023

@secretrhs05

IG Review

7/28/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

 

Week Two:

7/31/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

7/31/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

8/1/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

8/1/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

8/2/2023

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review

8/2/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

8/3/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

8/3/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

8/4/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

8/4/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post


Excerpt
“How long will the trip last? I thought I would be in Transcendental amazement by
now.”
Michael was a little shocked. “Ron, we have only been driving for 2 hours.”
Michael explained to him that they would drive US 80 until they reached the borders of
Nebraska and Wyoming, so he had to settle in. The corn fields were right down the
road. Passing the corn fields, Ron observed how peaceful everything was. Michael
suggested they pull over and park the car for a while.
While just sitting in the car, Ron saw two figures in the field, a man, and a woman. They
suddenly disappeared among the corn and, from above, you could see the corn stalks
shake violently. Ron chuckled.
“Oh God, looks like those people are doing it! It almost looks like he is doing it to the
corn stalk!”
Michael tried to change the subject, “Look at those birds” he said, quickly. Ron was still
caught up in his imagination. A few moments passed as Michael tried to rest his eyes
and prepare for the next stretch of road. Suddenly he heard Ron crinkling a wrapper to a
candy bar, which jarred him back to the moment. Michael sat listening to Ron crunch;
he nearly threw it out the window.
“Can you not chew so loud, Ron?”
“Sorry. I love these things.”
A moment passed; the corn stalks were calm now.

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HEART EYES by Dennis Hopeless & Víctor Ibáñez Tour

29 Jul, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the HEART EYES (The Complete Series) by Dennis Hopeless & Víctor Ibáñez Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: HEART EYES (The Complete Series)

Authors: Dennis Hopeless & Víctor Ibáñez (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: July 18, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 144

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/HEART-EYES-The-Complete-Series

A post-apocalyptic monster story teeming with horror, Lovecraftian-inspired monstrosities, romance, and one devil-may-care teenager named Lupe who is much more than she seems. 

SMILES HIDE WHAT LURKS BENEATH.

Sanity-eating monsters ended humanity. The unlucky few who survived now hide in the cracks of a broken world. And yet somehow, beneath the graveyard that used to be San Antonio, Rico met Lupe, the girl of his dreams – and an enigma. How did she get here? And why is she smiling? No one survives out in the street. No one smiles where the monsters lurk. But Lupe does.

Join teenagers Rico and Lupe as they journey through a the desolate landscape of monstrous devastation – and their own obstacle-ridden relationship.

Heart Eyes explores themes of loneliness, mental illness, being your own worst enemy, and human connection reflecting the pandemic and post-pandemic world in which we live.

For fans of Lovecraftian monsters and horror, weird romance, post-apocalyptic fiction,Caitlin R. Kiernan (Houses Under the Sea ,The Tinfoil Dossier series, Vile Affections, Tales of Pain and Wonder, Daughter of Hounds, Alabaster, Comes a Pale Rider), the Ellen Datlow-edited Lovecraft’s Monsters, James Tynion IV’s Something is Killing the Children, Robert Kirkman’s Oblivion Song, Scott Snyder’s Undiscovered Country, Bad Girls, Rick Remender’s Low, Justin Jordan’s The Spread, and Human Remains.

Collects the complete five-issue series.


 

About Dennis Hopeles:

Dennis Hopeless is a Harvey Award-winning writer from Kansas City, MO best known for Marvel titles such as X-Men, Avengers, Spider-woman, and Captain America. Hopeless has also written for DC Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, and is the writer and co-creator of HEART EYES for Vault Comics. 

 

Keep in touch here:

Twitter | Instagram

 

 



About Víctor Ibáñez:

Victor Ibanez is a critically-acclaimed illustrator based in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Keep in touch here:

Twitter | Instagram



Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive finished copies of HEART EYES (The Complete Series), US Only.

Ends August 5th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/1/2023

The Book View

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/2/2023

Tara’s Book Addiction

IG Post

7/3/2023

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

7/4/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

7/5/2023

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review/IG Post

7/6/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

7/7/2023

Cara North

Excerpt/IG Post

7/8/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Three:

7/9/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

7/10/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/11/2023

Jaime_of_gryffindor

IG Review

7/12/2023

@bookish_aly_cat

IG Review

7/13/2023

@enthuse_reader

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/14/2023

Bookish In Bed

Review

7/15/2023

The Book Countess

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

7/16/2023

Books With a Chance

Review/IG Post

7/17/2023

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

7/18/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

7/19/2023

Fieldstone_lfl

IG Review

7/20/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

7/21/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

7/22/2023

@evergirl200

IG Review

Week Five:

7/23/2023

Lifestyle of Me

Review

7/24/2023

celiamcmahonreads

IG Review

7/25/2023

Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

7/26/2023

FUONLYKNEW

Review

7/27/2023

@jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/28/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

7/29/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

Week Six:

7/30/2023

Books with Brandie Shanae

YouTube Review/IG Post

7/31/2023

two points of interest

Review


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THE TIES THAT BIND by Susan L. Markloff Tour

07 Jul, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE TIES THAT BIND by Susan L. Markloff Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! 


About The Book:

Title: THE TIES THAT BIND (The Human-Born Era #2)

Author: Susan L. Markloff

Pub. Date: February 7, 2023

Publisher: Niveus Press

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 629

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, B&N, BAM, Powell’s, Bookshop, Blackwells

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership! 

Three months ago, seven pillars of light lit up the continents. Seven teenagers rose to fight. The world survived.

Now Jen Monroe is tasked with finding the six other Human-Borns. Still reeling from her traumatic encounter with the monstrous Cregorous, she faces cultural barriers, personality clashes, and a worldwide trek to find those destined to help her. But threats sleep in the shadows, and the humans were not blind to what they witnessed seven teenagers accomplish.

Meanwhile, the very enemy the Human-Borns are fated to encounter lies in wait.

He is patient. He is cunning. He is ruthless.

Soon, these seven teenagers find themselves in a battle they never expected. But in their drive to save those they care about, what might be lost in the process?

Reviews:

“A riveting YA ride, The Ties That Bind by Susan L. Markloff is the globe-spanning second chapter of her Human-Born Era series. With fast-moving action scenes and a colorful array of heroic young characters on bumpy journeys of self-discovery, this is an endlessly creative and inspiring read.” Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

“With intriguing world-building and many complex characters, The Ties That Bind is a compelling YA fantasy, with friendships at its heart.” ManyBooks

“The story is almost instantly engrossing and Jen is, without question, a character who feels authentic and like someone living and breathing. Markloff’s strength in world-building, character development, and storytelling all shine, and the scenes come to life in a combination of creative prose and the absolutely gorgeous artwork that begins each chapter. Ultimately, The Ties That Bind is a must-read for lovers of unique fantasy fiction with a young adult slant.” – Readers’ Favorite,
★★★★★

 

Grab book 1, THE RISE OF THE RAIDIN now!


 

About Susan L. Markloff:

2022 Readers’ Favorite Award Winner.

Susan Markloff spent a majority of her childhood pretending to live in other worlds. Coupled with her admiration for fantastical stories, she crafted one of her own. Studying writing at Houghton College, she learned how to hone her skills as an author, writing first drafts of five books during her college career. The Rise of the Raidin is her debut novel and the first in the Human-Born Era series. Susan resides in her hometown of Sellersville, PA with her faithful dog, Pinkerton.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive signed finished copies of THE HUMAN-BORN ERA series, US Only.

Ends July 18th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/3/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

7/3/2023

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

7/4/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

7/4/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

7/5/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

7/5/2023

Cara North

Excerpt/IG Post

7/6/2023

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

7/6/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Post/LFL Drop Pic

7/7/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

7/7/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

7/10/2023

@hodophile_z

Review/IG Post

7/10/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

7/11/2023

@jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/11/2023

AJ Johnson

IG Review

7/12/2023

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

7/12/2023

Jaime_of_gryffindor

IG Review

7/13/2023

Character Madness and Musings

Excerpt

7/13/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

7/14/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

7/14/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

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PRESTON NOIR by Sean O’Leary Tour

04 Jul, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the PRESTON NOIR by Sean O’Leary Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: PRESTON NOIR

Author: Sean O’Leary

Pub. Date: June 10, 2023

Publisher: Sean O’Leary

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 204

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/PRESTON-NOIR

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Preston Noir follows Private Investigator Rufus Warhol as he tries to find a missing teenage girl while attempting to balance the consequences of having an unpaid debt to a local crime boss, a drug-dealing brother, and a drug-addicted sister.

This is a page-turning, fast-moving crime novel in the style of Peter Corris or Peter Temple’s Jack Irish thrillers.

The deadline for the unpaid debt sets the cracking pace as Rufus tries to navigate through all his problems and get some clean air. His sister is causing him problems and his ex-girlfriend is sick of lending him money. His brother is done with him and all Rufus really wants to do is get wasted and go see Died Pretty at the Croxton Park Hotel.

But he and his brother put their differences aside when their sister is used as a pawn to get the debt paid. They race furiously against time to find her and put an end to all their problems once and for all.

 

 

About Sean O’Leary:

Sean O’Leary has published five short story collections, My Town, Walking, Wonderland, Tokyo Jazz and Other Stories and This is Not a Love Song. His novella Drifting was the winner of the ‘Great Novella Search 2016’ and was published in September 2017. He has published over forty short stories in literary and crime fiction journals. His crime novella The Heat, set in Darwin and Bangkok was published in August 2019. His interviews with crime writers appear online in Crime Time magazine. His crime novel Going All the Way is out now and his crime series featuring Indigenous investigator, Carter Thompson includes, City of Sin and City of Fear. The third book, City of Vice drops in late 2023.

He has worked in a variety of jobs including motel receptionist, rubbish removalist/tree lopper, farm hand and night manager in various hotels in Sydney’s notorious, Kings Cross. He has lived all over the bloody place but now resides in Melbourne, thinks that test cricket is the greatest game of all and supports Melbourne Football Club (a life sentence). He writes like a demon, loves travelling, is mad about photography, does some AI art and tries to walk everywhere.

Website | Twitter | FacebookInstagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of PRESTON NOIR, International.

Ends July 11th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/26/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt

6/26/2023

The Momma Spot

Excerpt

6/27/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

6/28/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

6/28/2023

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

6/29/2023

Cara North

Excerpt/IG Post

6/30/2023

Books and Zebras

IG Review

6/30/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/3/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

7/4/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

7/5/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

7/6/2023

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

7/5/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/6/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/7/2023

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review/TikTok Post


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GIGA (The Complete Series) by Alex Paknadel & John Lê Tour

02 Jul, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the GIGA (The Complete Series) by Alex Paknadel & John Lê Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: GIGA (The Complete Series)

Authors: Alex Paknadel & John Lê (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: June 27, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 144

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/GIGA-The-Complete-Series

Ever since their world-shattering war ended, the slumbering mecha called ‘Giga’ have been both gods and habitats for the surviving humans. Then disgraced engineer Evan Calhoun discovers a murdered Giga, and the very fabric of society starts unraveling around him.

A GIANT MECH MURDER MYSTERY.

Nobody knows why the skyscraper-sized mechs known as ‘Giga’ fought their bitter, centuries’ long war. All they know is that when the fighting finally stopped, the dormant Giga became humanity’s new habitat and new gods in one. When disgraced engineer Evan Calhoun finds an apparently murdered Giga, his society and the fascistic tech-centered religious order that controls it are rapidly thrown into chaos..
From writer Alex Paknadel (Friendo, Turncoat, Incursion) and rising star John Le comes another Vault & White Noise partnership about what happens after the mechs stop fighting.

Collects the complete five-issue series.

For fans of Neon Genesis EvangelionUltra Mega, and the Department of Truth

“A well-thought-out sci-fi series….” — AV Club

“A world where people take shelter in the rotting husks of giant mechs – smart, fun, beautiful stuff.” — Scott Snyder (Batman, American Vampire, Justice League, Wytches)

“I read GIGA the other day and fell desperately in love with the world they build, and was desperate to spend more time in it and explore. You do NOT want to miss it.” — James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children, House of Slaughter, Department of Truth)

 

About Alex Paknadel:

Alex Paknadel is a writer and academic from London, England. His first comics work, the dark sci-fi thriller ARCADIA from Boom! Studios, met with critical acclaim and led to additional projects with a range of publishers including VAULT COMICS (GIGA), Marvel Entertainment, Valiant Entertainment, Lion Forge, and Titan Comics. He is also a founding member of White Noise Studio alongside fellow writers Dan Watters, Ram V, and Ryan O’Sullivan.

Keep in touch here: 

Twitter | Instagram

 

About John Lê:

Artist, Illustrator, Storyteller 

Keep in touch here:

Twitter 





Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive finished copies of GIGA (The Complete Series), US Only.

Ends July 18th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/19/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

6/20/2023

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review/IG Post

6/21/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

6/22/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

6/23/2023

@evergirl200

IG Review

6/24/2023

Cara North

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

6/25/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

6/26/2023

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

6/27/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

6/28/2023

@jlreadstoperpetuity

Review/IG Post

6/29/2023

Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

6/30/2023

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

7/1/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

Week Three:

7/2/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

7/3/2023

Jaime_of_gryffindor

IG Review

7/4/2023

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review/TikTok Post

7/5/2023

@pagesforpaige

IG Review

7/6/2023

Ariandher.books

IG Review

7/7/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

Review/IG Post

7/8/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

Week Four:

7/9/2023

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

7/10/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

7/11/2023

Lifestyle of Me

Review

7/12/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post/LFL Drop Pic

7/13/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

7/14/2023

Two Points of Interest

Review


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BLINDSPOTS by Rhonda Parrish Tour

27 Jun, 2023 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BLINDSPOTS by Rhonda Parrish Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: BLINDSPOTS

Author: Rhonda Parrish

Pub. Date: June 5, 2023

Publisher: Poise and Pen Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 195

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/BLINDSPOTS 

The war is done. 

Ricky wants some time to lick his wounds and learn what the new normal is going to look like for him but then his brother goes missing. Now Ricky needs to team up with his wartime friends (and at least one dog he’d hoped never to see again) to find him, figure out what’s going on and save the world.

Again. 

And the clock is ticking…

 

 

About Rhonda Parrish:

Like a magpie, Rhonda Parrish is constantly distracted by shiny things. She’s the editor of many anthologies and author of plenty of books, stories and poems. She lives with her husband and cats in Edmonton, Alberta, and she can often be found there playing Dungeons and Dragons, bingeing crime dramas or cheering on the Oilers.

Her website, updated regularly, is at http://www.rhondaparrish.com and her Patreon, updated even more regularly, is at https://www.patreon.com/RhondaParrish

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/5/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

6/6/2023

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

6/7/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

6/8/2023

The Reading Life

Guest Post/IG Post

6/9/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post

Week Two:

6/12/2023

The Momma Spot

Guest Post

6/13/2023

Cara North

Guest Post/IG Post

6/14/2023

Sadie’s Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

6/15/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

6/16/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

Week Three:

6/19/2023

Rajiv’s Reviews

Review/IG Post

6/20/2023

@allyluvsbooksalatte

IG Review/TikTok Post

6/21/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/TikTok Post

6/22/2023

Jenguerdy

IG Review

6/23/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Four:

6/26/2023

The Chirpy Bookaholic

Review/IG Post

6/27/2023

Fire and Ice

Review/IG Post

6/28/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

6/29/2023

@jypsylynn

IG Review

6/30/2023

Carly Sunshine Books

IG Review


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