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Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS by Amy Klinger Tour.

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

About The Book:

Author: Amy Klinger

Pub. Date: March 22, 2022

Publisher: The Story Plant

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, TBD, Bookshop.org

In the 1990s American workplace, survival of the fittest is sometimes less about clawing your way to the top than developing good camouflage. And Audrey Rohmer is doing her very best to blend in as an undistinguished middle manager. Uninspired by her job and uneasy about her father’s new marriage, Audrey coasts through the work week leaning on her “partner in apathy” – an admin assistant named Pooter – to keep her relationship with the married head of her department from becoming water cooler gossip.

But when an old family friend-turned-Hollywood-superstar crashes on her doorstep in the midst of a publicity crisis, Audrey’s under-the-radar status quo gets upended, and the writing may literally be on the bathroom wall that secrets will find a way out.


Equally acerbic and heartfelt, In Light of Recent Events is both an endlessly engaging piece of storytelling and a fascinating commentary on workplaces, families, and fame. 

Reviews:

“I really enjoyed IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS. It’s a fast, fun, emotionally engaging novel about friendship, family, and the day-to-day horrors of middle management. Amy Klinger gives us a delightful cast of characters to relate to, laugh with, and, ultimately, root for.” — Matthew Norman, author of DOMESTIC VIOLETS

“With a wit as precise as an edge of a carefully cut diamond, In Light of Recent Events navigates universal workplace intrigues in this thoughtful story about love, friendship, and growing up.” — Jane Ward, author of In the Aftermath

Excerpt: 

My interest in other lives was not kinky, just curious. Seeking out those everyday moments of poignancy or grace, silliness and tenderness, explosive scenes like the shattered window or quiet moments like someone slowly turning the blinds closed for the night.

Though not a skill most human resource professionals would actively seek in an employee, I found that the ability to likewise sit quietly and observe in the workplace provided a subtle advantage that seemed evolutionary in nature. Because really, at its most basic, an office (such as the one in which I worked) was a living demonstration of the pack mentality, whereby every interaction was filtered through the lens of perceived status. And status—whether bestowed by one’s title, office size, or number of subordinates—mattered. When you took the time to look and listen before exposing yourself in a meeting or at the nearly empty coffee pot in the break room, you were better able to navigate the complex social maze of cubicles. This applied to the go-getters as much as the coasters. I fell into the latter category.

Pseudo-voyeur, coaster, technically single young woman with a slight case of ennui and an undersized sense of ambition, this was me circa 1996. And it only mildly troubled me. After all, the vast majority of the world’s population led quiet, not particularly remarkable lives. Odds were, I would never be a Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes winner, but it was just as unlikely that I would be struck by lightning.

What I hadn’t counted on was the kung-fu kick of coincidence. The chance encounter. That notorious butterfly effect that sets in motion a series of actions and reactions that make complacency a joke. Or at the very least, irrelevant.

Regardless, at that time, as long as I had a reliable paycheck that afforded me a comfortable home and the ability to take a nice vacation once a year, I found little to complain about, and even less to strive toward.

About Amy Klinger:

Amy Klinger is a fiction writer and essayist, a freelance copywriter and message strategist. She is also an amateur baker, a mediocre mountain biker, and whatever the opposite of “handyman” is. Amy has an MFA from University of Utah and lives with her family in Vermont where she is currently working on her next novel. Visit AmyKlinger.com for blog posts and other updates.

Website |  Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

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Week Three:

Week Four:

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:

Author: Anne Rellihan

Pub. Date: February 6, 2024

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 272

Find it: Goodreads, https://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.

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.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the ARMADAS IN THE MIST by Christian Klaver Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Author: Christian Klaver

Pub. Date: December 6, 2022

Publisher: CamCat Books

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 332

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

The Black Shuck’s forces gather just beyond the mist . . .

Captain Justice Kasric knows how complicated family can be. The escalating Human-Faerie war has scattered and wounded her siblings and transformed her parents beyond recognition. After narrowly escaping yet another dangerous clash, fifteen-year-old Justice has had enough. She’s determined to defeat the Black Shuck, the mysterious leader controlling the Faerie invasion of London, but if Justice hopes to stand a chance at victory, she’ll have to do the impossible: reunite her family and lead them against the looming Faerie Armada.

With her mother and brother at the helm of the enemy fleet, and the prophesized Seven Virtues slipping out of reach, Justice more than has her work cut out for her. Even if she can save England, the cost may be higher than she’s willing to pay.

Grab the first 2 books in the Empire of the House of Thorns series now!

About Christian Klaver:

Christian Klaver has been writing for over twenty years, with a number of magazine publications, including Escape Pod, Dark Wisdom Anthology, and Anti-Matter. He’s the author of The Supernatural Case Files of Sherlock Holmes series, but has written over a dozen novels, both fantasy and sci-fi, often with a Noir bent. He’s worked as book-seller, bartender and a martial-arts instructor before settling into a career in internet security. He lives just outside the sprawling decay of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife, Kimberly, his daughter, Kathryn, and a group of animals he refers to as The Menagerie. He’s also a part of the Untitled Writer’s Group based in Ann Arbor for the past decade or so with a bunch of equally starry-eyed dreamers and social misanthropes.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of ARMADAS IN THE MIST, US Only.

Ends December 20^th, midnight EST.

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

About The Book:

Author: Brianna Peppins

Pub. Date: November 15, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Set at a luxe, aspirational boarding school inspired by the author’s beloved alma mater Spelman College, this debut is a captivating celebration of the friends we choose, the family we protect, and the love we owe ourselves.

It’s fourteen-year-old Avielle “Avi” LeBeau’s turn to do what everyone in her family has done: leave home to attend Briarcliff Prep―a Historically Black Boarding School (HBBS). And as scared as she is to say goodbye to her parents and move to Georgia, she knows her fearless big sister Belle will be there to show her the ropes.

Before long, Avi settles into life at Briarcliff. New friends (and foes), challenging classes (at times too challenging), and maybe a cute tutor-turned-something-more (if her brothers don’t get in the way). Meanwhile, Belle does what she always does: she runs the campus’s social scene, especially now that she’s dating Logan, the pride and joy of Briarcliff’s sibling school Preston Academy.

But something about Logan doesn’t sit well with Avi, no matter how many times Belle reassures her Logan is a good guy. And when Avi stumbles across the truth, her relationship with Belle is put to the test. If Avi reveals what she knows, their sisterhood might never recover. But if she doesn’t, she might lose Belle forever.

Debut author Brianna Peppins deftly balances a celebration of sisterhood, self-discovery, and Black joy with an empathetic exploration of teen dating violence in this novel that is, at its heart, a love letter to Black girls.

About Brianna Peppins:

Brianna Peppins is the author of young adult contemporary novels, including Briarcliff Prep and As Long as We’re Together. She was raised in PG County, Maryland and graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Psychology. When not writing, Brianna takes special interest in spending time with her loved ones, social justice issues and is a self-proclaimed movie aficionado.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of BRIARCLIFF PREP, US Only.

Ends December 6^th, midnight EST.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FRACTURED PATH by J.C. Cervantes Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Author: J.C. Cervantes

Pub. Date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N,  TBD, Bookshop.org

Can dreams come true when you’re living with a family curse?

1965—San Francisco, California

The 1960s are bursting with music and movement and love in San Francisco, perfect for a budding artist like Blake. Unfortunately, the art world is not welcoming to people of her gender or her multi-racial heritage, making it tough to land an internship that could put her on the map. That, plus the fact that Blake’s family has been notoriously riddled with bad luck, makes her feel like she can’t catch a break. Things only get worse when Blake starts to have ominous, confusing visions that grow stronger and more frequent, prompting Blake’s aunt and uncle to tell her about a long-lost family heirloom that could be the key to everything

Fueled by the ambiguous clues in her visions, Blake sets out on a journey through the city to retrieve her ancestors’ legendary mirror. But Blake is not the only one looking for it. Soon she must attempt to unleash her own dormant powers . . . or else risk all she holds dear.

Fractured Path is the third book in the YA fairy-tale quartet, following one family—and the curse that plagues it—over several generations.

Haven’t read the first 2 book in THE MIRROR QUARTET? Get them now!

About J. C. Cervantes:

J. C. Cervantes (www.jccervantes.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner, which Booklist called “a rip-roaring adventure” in a starred review. Her first novel, Tortilla Sun, was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and was named to Bank Street’s 2011 Best Book List. Jen grew up in San Diego and was fascinated by stories about Maya gods and magic. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter: @jencerv, and Instagram: #authorjcervantes.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of FRACTURED PATH, US Only.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS by Jenny Elder Moke Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Author: Jenny Elder Moke

Pub. Date: June 7, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Samantha Knox is back for another adventure in this 1920s female-driven mystery-adventure series!

Sam Knox’s second adventure takes her to the island of Crete, just off the coast of Greece, where she discovers the ancient Snake Goddess’s golden girdle in the depths of a cave shrine that has been buried for decades. After having been belittled by her archaeology professor throughout her first college semester, Sam knows this triumph will prove her worth in the field, but before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don’t feel quite geological.

Soon Sam, Bennett and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt―one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous auction party and a near fiery death―to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise an ancient goddess from her slumber. The final battle features gryphons, a labyrinth, the minotaur of legend and lots of snakes. Lots.

Reviews:

“Another action-packed, romance and mythology filled mystery…Themes of wealth, power, and chauvinism are skillfully woven throughout the story while readers are provided with a cast of characters they will easily find themselves rooting for!”―School Library Connection

“Billed as the heir apparent to Indiana Jones, Samantha is a witty and wise adventurer, and it feels as though Moke is building towards an eventual greater purpose for her heroine.”―Booklist

“Jenny Elder Moke has done it again! Witty banter, ancient mysteries, thrilling action, and a mix of clever and dubious characters will keep you up all night in book two of the Samantha Knox series. A fantastic adventure!”―Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, author of Lies Like Wildfire

“Sam’s response to misogyny and classism propels the book’s action but also, in the deft hands of the author, provides readers with insights into the complexities of identity, self-awareness, and right action. While never becoming preachy, the book also thoughtfully explores issues related to the ethics of the acquisition and ownership of antiquities…Another satisfying supernatural adventure featuring an intrepid solver of puzzles.”―Kirkus Reviews

“Ahead of her time and a force to be reckoned with, Samantha Knox is the female Indiana Jones we’ve long been waiting for! You haven’t lived until you’ve read a Samantha Knox novel.”―Jen Calonita, New York Times best-selling author of the A Twisted Tale series

About  Jenny Elder Moke:

Jenny Elder Moke writes young adult fiction in an attempt to recapture the shining infinity of youth. Her debut novel, Hood, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Mayor’s Book Club selection, and received critical acclaim.

When she is not writing, she’s gathering story ideas from her daily adventures with her two irredeemable rapscallions and honing her ninja skills as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jenny lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two children.

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

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of RISE OF THE SNAKE GODDESS, US Only.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE PEN THIEF AND THE CHAMBER OF POWER by Tasha Madison Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Author: Tasha Madison

Pub. Date: June 7, 2022

Publisher: Author Academy Elite

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 232

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Chosen to Protect. Destined to Defend.

Arnie Schmidt has survived high school bullying and crushing heartbreak. Now, he must confront his deepest fear … the truth about his mysterious powers that may change his life and future forever.

Meanwhile, brutal forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on destroying him. To defeat them, Arnie must find the strength to trust himself and those closest to him while undertaking a desperate quest to distinguish fact from fiction.

Deep in the archives of the Fellowship of Guardians-where long-awaited answers slumber-Arnie gains the insight he needs to navigate the unknown. But, the improbable thrusts him into a labyrinth of secrets, unexpected adventures, and a fight to escape an imminent danger. As his world shatters, he must delve into the depths of his power and encourage the abilities of others if he is going to conquer old wounds long enough to survive.

Can Arnie embrace his destiny before ancient shadows ruin the promise of a hidden prophecy?

Haven’t started the PEN THIEF Series yet? Grab Book 1, The Pen Thief and the Orbit of Uncertainty now!

About Tasha Madison:

TASHA MADISON is an award-winning author, speaker, and coach who helps those overwhelmed by life’s challenges, disappointments, and traumas to harness their strengths so they can gain clarity on how to conquer their fears, achieve their goals, and live their best life. In the past twenty years, she has helped countless people to become the hero of their own lives with customized programming tailored to maximize transformational results.

Some Professional Accomplishments:​

• CEO of Hero Academy, LLC
• Creator of the Hero Blueprint©
• Earned a Juris Doctor in Business Law, an MBA, and a BA in Communication
• Earned a Certificate in International Commercial Arbitration
• Ronald E. McNair Scholar
• Published Global Award-winning Author
• Editing Ninja
• International Speaker on Leadership, Mindset, Personal Growth, and Authorship
• Selected by Yahoo! Finance as one of the Top 5 Female Mindset Coaches Transforming Lives in 2021

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

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE PEN THIEF AND THE CHAMBER OF POWER & a swag box, US Only.

1 winner will receive an eBook of THE PEN THIEF AND THE CHAMBER OF POWER & a digital swag box, International.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE THROWBACK LIST by Lily Anderson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Author: Lily Anderson

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

Publisher:  Hyperion Avenue

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Welcome to Sandy Point, Oregon: a sleepy beach town that’s home to a giant anchor statue, a sometimes-karaoke-bar, and Frosty’s questionably legendary Sunday Sundae Surprise. A town Jo, Autumn, and Bianca thought they’d left far behind when they graduated high school, finally moving on to greener pastures than the midway point for tourists heading to the Goonies house. But life seldom goes according to plan.

Bianca Boria-Birdy, former prom queen and valedictorian, has always been an overachiever. As she juggles managing the family tattoo parlor, caring for her grandmother, and adjusting to a new marriage, Bianca’s schedule becomes stricter than ever, with no room for disruption. What she really needs is a vacation, but not even Bianca Boria-Birdy can achieve the impossible.

Autumn Kelly used to be an actress. Now she teaches drama at Sandy Point High. She may have had to kiss her movie-star dreams goodbye, but molding the next generation of performers has given her life meaning in a whole new way. Until the sudden reappearance of her ex-best friend throws everything off-balance.

Jo Freeman has it all together. With a cool job in Silicon Valley, connections at the trendiest fitness studios, and a down payment on her dream condo, she’s well on her way to reaching every one of her goals before thirty. Or she was, before she got fired and landed right back home with her parents and teenage sister.

When Jo finds an old bucket list in her childhood bedroom, it sets the three women on a path that brings them closer to one another with each task. And it just might lead to a life none of them could have planned.

Praise for The Throwback List
“Witty and fiercely relatable. Lily Anderson writes about what it’s like to realize you’re totally failing at this adulting thing and how it makes you turn to that one, special, friend who always knew you best. A fun, funny, and surprisingly emotional look at  how friendship evolves but always endures.”—Sarah Watson, author of Most Likely and creator of The Bold Type

About Lily Anderson:

Lily Anderson is the author of The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You; Not Now, Not Ever; and Undead Girl Gang. A former school librarian, she is deeply devoted to Shakespeare, fairy tales, and podcasts. Somewhere in Northern California, she is having strong opinions on musical theater. Find her online at www.mslilyanderson.com.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE THROWBACK LIST, US Only.