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From Wolf to Woof by Hudson Talbott Book Review Giveaway

6/28/2016

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About the Book

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​Title: From Wolf to Woof! | Author/Illustrtor: Hudson Talbott  | Genre: Children's Picture Book Number of Pages: 40 | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | Publication Date: April 12, 2016

Book Description: 
"It's hard to imagine the child—story-lover or fact-lover, dog-lover or not—who would not be drawn in by this book."—The New York Times Book Review

How did dog become man’s best friend? Dogs come in such a variety of shapes, sizes, and breeds, that it is hard to believe that they all have a common ancestor--the wolf! Hudson Talbott takes readers on a fascinating journey through history to see how wolves’ relationships with humans sparked their development into the dogs we know and love today. 
 
Striking paintings, from an adorable wolf pup to a wide range of modern-day dog breeds, illustrate this insightful story of teamwork and friendship. Through the eyes of a prehistoric boy and a lone wolf pup, we see how the bond between our ancestors and these wild animals may have developed. Starting as enemies competing for food, the wolf and the boy realize that they’ll eat better and be safer if they team up. Over time, others catch on, and as many of the wolves become more domesticated, the humans breed them for skills like hunting, herding, pulling, and rescuing. And today, there are more breeds of dog than of any other animal, all thanks to this relationship that started so long ago.

Amazon | Penguin Random House | Barnes & Noble

My Review

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From Wolf to Woof is a charming tale about the origin of one of our furriest friends.

Through richly detailed illustrations and simple text, Hudson Talbott entertains readers young and old with his tale about man's best friend.

I simply adore this book. One orphan wolf and orphan boy slowly form a connection and soon other lost boys join them. The circle begins to grow as boys and wolves form friendships and work together as a team to find food. It's a heartwarming tale that keeps readers engaged and is sure to be a fast favorite.

I highly recommend picking up a copy.



About the Author: Hudson Talbott

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Hudson Talbott has written and illustrated over twenty books for young readers. His books have been made into films, musicals, and have won several awards, including a Newbury Honor.
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Hudson grew up in Louisville, KY, the youngest of four children and the only one with an interest in the arts. Despite his parents' orientation toward sports, they supported his artistic pursuits, allowing him to study art in Italy. After living abroad for several years Hudson began his career in New York as a free-lance designer/illustrator commissioned by The Metropolitan Museum, The Metropolitan Opera, Bloomingdale's, and the Museum of Modern Art among others. With the Museum of Modern Art, Hudson created his first children's book called How to Show Grown-Ups the Museum. His next book,We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, was produced as a feature-length animated film by Steven Spielberg, who also bought the film and television rights to other books which followed. Hudson also collaborated with the composer Stephen Sondheim on a book adaptation of the composer's musical Into the Woods. Two other books, River of Dreams and O'Sullivan Stew have since been adapted and produced for the stage as children's musicals.

Hudson's lifelong impulse to travel has informed the subject matter of several of his books. Amazon Diary came after his trip to the Amazon rainforest where he journeyed with a jungle doctor who brought malaria medicine to remote indigenous tribes. Safari Journal was the product of his travels with a wildlife veterinarian in Kenya. Hudson is currently working with an orphanage in Laos, to develop programs for teaching English and art to the children living there.
 
Hudson  lives in New York and commutes between his loft in Manhattan and his farmhouse in the Hudson Valley, where he lives with his two cats Holly and Jasper. His newest book was created at their insistence. It's called It's All About Me-ow.

Hudson is available for school visits, conferences, and other speaking engagements. Please contact him at: info@hudsontalbott.com.

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Blog Tour Sign-Ups: Done Growed Up by Mary Morony

6/27/2016

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BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the literary fiction novel, Done Growed Up written by Mary Morony. The tour will run from August 1 - August 29, 2016
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Details About the Tour
The blog tour will run from August 1 - August 29, 2016 and will include a shared Rafflecopter for a $25 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash), open worldwide. In exchange for posting on the Done Growed Up Blog Tour, you will earn a spot (Twitter or Facebook) on a shared Rafflecopter giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.  Electronic copies of the book (pdf) will be provided to all blog tour hosts. A limited number of print copies will be available for US reviewers.
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*At the conclusion of the tour, all those who posted as part of the blog tour will be entered into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 3 $5 Amazon gift cards (or PayPal cash). Please consider this a "thank you" for participating in the tour.*

About the Books

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Title: Done Growed Up | Author: Mary Morony | Genre: Literary Fiction | Number of Pages: 266 Publication Date: June 8, 2016
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Book Description: When we last left the Mackey Family in the late 1950s, their lives were in turmoil. Divorce, alcoholism, racism, death, puberty - what WEREN'T they dealing with? Ethel, a black maid in a racist world - the true heart and soul of the Mackey Family, is the children’s only constant as she fights her own numerous demons. Twelve-year-old Sallee struggles to understand the world with little enlightenment from the adults around her. Her older sister Stuart, a college student New York City, finally escaped the South and drama of her family only to succumb to the terrible temptations of urban life; Gordon, a 14 year old boy feeling anger and hatred as he begins to slowly realize the harsh reality of the people and world around him; while Ginny, newly divorced mother off our, finds that she's not the spoiled princess she once was. She is overwhelmed with responsibility, feelings of abandonment, and alcoholism. Joe, Ginny’s ex, and the children’s father, revels in new-found wealth and popularity with women, yet yearns for family and simpler times. 

Author Mary Morony was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, mainly by her family’s beloved black maid. Her childhood was a time of segregated schools and many places that prohibited black people. Morony’s inspiration for the Apron Strings Trilogy was her strong relationship with her maid and caretaker, who taught her more about life and love than anyone has since. Morony also uses personal life tragedies and triumphs to produce novels with real experiences and true emotion.

What readers are saying...

"Terrific read! If you haven't read it's prequel "Apron Strings," you will still enjoy...I was intrigued by the depth of soul in Morony's characters - she writes in a way where you can see what they're seeing and feel what they're feeling." - Amazon Reviewer

"I thought Mary Morony did a wonderful job of capturing what it's like to be a child going through the turbulent stages of adolescence. Her characters were very real and relatable, which made the book that much better! I highly recommend giving this a read!" - Melinda (Amazon)

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Even though this book is a sequel, it can certainly stand alone. It was a good easy read and I laughed, I cried and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next." - Amazon Reviewer

"Mary Morony really makes her characters come alive!" - Max (Amazon)

About the Author

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Mary Morony’s rich characters are drawn from her childhood memories and lifelong experiences. Growing up in a household where both of her parents (and their maid!) had issues with alcohol, her parents split up in a time when divorce was a humiliating family secret.  Morony had a lot of material to work with, even as a child.
 
By the time Morony was 35, she had been married four times.  Divorced, widowed and the mother of four children, she has experienced more in her life than most people would in five lives.  It has been said that “A life of tragedy and pain has bred a writer full of wit and compassion” in Mary Morony.  As her characters grow and learn, she teaches lessons learned from her own experiences.


Mary Morony is an author who can write about tragedy from the inside and guides her readers through it to compassion, humor and recovery. She brings Southern charm, irreverence and wit to bear against subjects as vast as racism and as personal as alcoholism, always with a heart and soul that makes her work undeniably appealing.

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To Catch A Fallen Spy by Barbara Devlin Blog Tour

6/27/2016

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To Catch A Fallen Spy

By

Barbara Devlin

Blog Tour – June 27 to July 2

to catch a spy about the book

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Lady Elaine Prescott, the most timid member of the Brethren, has spent much of her time in the shadows, forever blending into the background. From her unconventional perspective, she studies people and their behavior, gleaning information most overlook, and she is content in her quiet little world. When her unusual habit puts her in the right place at the wrong moment, she witnesses a violent crime, and her life is threatened. To her dismay, Elaine finds herself in an unwelcomed spotlight and in need of a knight. Sir Ross Logan is a master spy and the mysterious head of the covert Counterintelligence Corps. In dark spaces he lurks, scrutinizing those he is charged to defend, and it is an easy and uncomplicated existence for a man of many secrets. In the midst of a murder investigation, he is tasked with guarding a noblewoman, the gentle lady he has furtively admired for years. Young and unspoiled, she is everything he is not, and he vows to protect her. While he doubts not his ability to save her from a lethal villain, can Ross defend Elaine against himself? Lady Elaine Prescott steps from beyond the shadows to claim her gallant knight, Sir Ross Logan, the mysterious head of the Counterintelligence Corps.  

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The Descendants London September, 1815 Secrets lurked in the shadows, beckoning as a welcomed friend for the undaunted. Unfettered by social conventions, the spotlight of which forced many a lord or a lady to conform to the expectations of others, the blackness functioned as a form of liberty, wherein revelers conducted their covert games without threat of discovery or retribution. It was in those dark spaces Lady Elaine Horatia Prescott found comfort and strength. As the youngest member of a large, extended family comprised of spirited ladies with bold personalities and equally intrepid men, the famed Nautionnier Knights of the Brethren of the Coast, daring sea captains descended of the Templars, the warriors of the Crusades, she often hugged the background, taking pride in her ability to hide in plain sight. Searching for some sense of herself, something not influenced by the rich history of her ancestors or her colorful relations, she fought to construct her own identity on her terms. What she had not expected was to find love. With great care, she moved swift and sure as she approached her target, skulking amid the outskirts of the crowd that filled the Hawthorne’s ballroom, during the height of the Little Season. As she neared, he shifted, and she paused just shy of touching him and held her breath. In one fail swoop, he pivoted, slipped an arm about her waist, pulled her into a corner, and bent to whisper in her ear. “Lady Elaine, you are the only person capable of sneaking up on me, and I am not sure I appreciate your skill.” Sir Ross Logan, the enigmatic head of the Counterintelligence Corps, brushed the crest of her flesh with his lips, she suspected not by accident, and her knees buckled. “Why do you not dance? Why do you not take your place among the ton, with the other debutantes? Do you not wish to snare a husband, marry, and have children?” “On the contrary, I want all those things with someone of my choosing.” She cupped his cheek, and he retreated, much to her chagrin. “But I am here because you are here.” “Elaine, you must stop this nonsense.” Now he withdrew and attempted to push her aside, but she resisted, even as her heart plummeted. And despite his complaints, he would not hazard courting attention, so she held her ground. “I am not the man for you.” “How do you know that?” It was not the first time he rejected her, and she surmised it would not be the last. “Why will you not give us a chance at happiness?” “Because I have nothing to give you but misery and regret.” As usual, Ross offered the same excuse. “I disagree.” As usual, she would not be deterred. “And I will not yield my cause, no matter your protestations.” “Neither will I.” To convey his position, he folded his arms, but he could never fool her. “Go back to your world of perfume and petticoats, as I have work to do, and I require no partner.” “As you wish.” Of course, she knew well the routine and her part to play in their typical drama. So she marched into the fray, unabashed and poised in her determination. A potential solution tripped before her, and she extended assistance, as would any woman of character. “Sir Kleinfeld, are you all right?” “Oh, my lady.” With a toothy grin, he brushed off his lapels and bowed. “Did I step on you?” “No.” Elaine giggled, because he was well known for such behavior. “How are you enjoying the party?” “Not very much, I am sorry to admit.” Frowning, he glanced over his shoulder. “The elder Miss Hogart refuses to grant me the honor of the Allemande.” “Perhaps she will change her mind, when she spies you in a graceful performance of the waltz, with me.” In a valiant appeal to his pride, she curtseyed. “What say you, Sir Kleinfeld?” “Lady Elaine, you are the soul of charity.” When she rested her palm in the crook of his elbow, he covered her hand with his. “You know, if my affections were not firmly planted in Miss Hogart’s garden, I should court you.” “You flatter me, sir.” To her credit, she mustered the courage to brave the rotation with one of the clumsiest, but good-natured, members of her set. And so she ventured into the breach, imperiling her feet in her quest to win Sir Ross. After the third trouncing of her toes, she swallowed a grunt of pain and prayed her savior would not linger, else she might suffer broken bones. Just how long would her beau wait? As if on cue, her rescuer presented himself as she predicted. “May I intrude?” Ross tapped Archibald on the shoulder. “As I believe Miss Hogart seeks an audience.” “Capital.” Without so much as a backward glance, Sir Kleinfeld gave her into Ross’s care, and that suited Elaine just fine. “I know what you are doing.” Ross took her in his arms, twined her fingers with his, and they whirled in the soft light of the cut-glass chandeliers. “I beg your pardon?” She lifted her chin and avoided his stare. “Do not dissemble with me, Lady Elaine.” The tone of his voice declared she had scored a direct hit, and she reveled in her small victory. Near the side wall, he pulled her closer. “How dare you deliberately put yourself in jeopardy to bait me, as that buffoon could have seriously injured you.” “But you are not the man for me, so you would never answer a supposed summons.” Let him counter that. “Or did you lie?” “You lured me into the open, without thought of my mission or the risk to my safety, just to meet your selfish aims.” Now that hurt. “I ought to spank you.” “Name the date and time, and I shall accommodate you.” Swallowing her trepidation, she looked him in the eye, and he cast the hint of a grin. “I challenge you, sir.” She licked her lips. “Resist me.”

new brethren icon barbara devlin

to catch a fallen spy about the author

Bestselling, Amazon All-Star author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller, but it was a weeklong vacation to Bethany Beach, DE that forever changed her life. The little house her parents rented had a collection of books by Kathleen Woodiwiss, which exposed Barbara to the world of romance, and Shanna remains a personal favorite. Barbara writes heartfelt historical romances that feature flawed heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. And she prefers feisty but smart heroines who sometimes save the hero, before they find their happily ever after.   Barbara earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.

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The Witching Time by Rachel Faugno Blog Tour, Book Review & Giveaway

6/24/2016

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About the Book

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Title: The Witching Time
Release Date: April 20, 2016
Author: Rachel Faugno
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Horror/Suspense/Romance
Number of Pages: 273
ISBN: 978-0692671351
Imprint: Craigh na Dun
Synopsis: Caroline Burdick is still mourning the death of her toddler son when she inherits an isolated old house from her great aunt Hetty, a woman she barely knew. But the unexpected windfall comes with a catch: she must live in the house for six months to claim her inheritance.
 
Set on a lonely hilltop in Brookfield, Massachusetts, the house terrifies Caroline, as does her aunt’s menacing companion Sarah Stratton, who has stayed on as housekeeper. Even more disturbing are the repeated appearances of Bathsheba Spooner, a distant relative who was hanged for murder in 1778, and the discovery that Hetty was high priestess of an ancient coven of witches.
 
The only light amidst the darkness is a beautiful young man named Eddy Ross, with whom Caroline falls helplessly in love. But that fleeting joy cannot save her from the deadly maelstrom of witchcraft and family secrets that shatter her world.


My Review

The Witching Time takes readers on a mystical journey into a world family traditions, dark secrets, and witchcraft.

After the death of her Aunt Hetty, Caroline travels to Brookfield, MA for the reading of the will. She barely knows her aunt and is surprised to find out that she is the only heir and will inherit everything. Of course there are a few conditions which must be met. Caroline is already in a very fragile state after the loss of her young son and Aunt Hetty's house terrifies her, especially once she sees Bathsheba Spooner who died in 1778. To make matters worse Sarah Stratton, Aunt Hetty's housekeeper is none too happy to have Caroline around, but keeps insisting Caroline must fulfill her place as high priestess. While in Brookfield Caroline meets and falls head over heals in love with Eddy Ross, which according to Sarah Stratton is all part of the plan, but Sarah appears to have plans of her own. Can Caroline overcome her fears and embrace her heritage before she meets her demise?

The Witching Time is an intense fantasy that draws readers in with its rich detail and bizarre characters, both living and deceased. The eerie plot moves along at a quick pace and I found myself captivated. I enjoyed Caroline's transformation from a weak timid woman barely able to survive each day to a powerful witch capable of destroying any foe. My heart also ached for Caroline when she suffered the loss of her soul mate at the hands of Sarah Stratton. I found The Witching Time to be well penned and believable. Simply an all around great read.

I highly recommend picking up a copy.

About the Author

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Rachel Faugno, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, makes her home in central Massachusetts. She teaches English at a community college and has worked as a newspaper correspondent, freelance writer, and magazine editor. 

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Eye of the North Wind by B.Y. Yan Blog Tour & Giveaway

6/24/2016

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About the Book

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Title: Eye of the North Wind
Release Date: May 15, 2016
Author: B.Y. Yan
Genre: Epic Fantasy/Adventure
Number of Pages: 425 
ISBN: 978-0995051614 
Imprint: Chimera 
Synopsis: Deep in the dunes a crippled son has come on the advice of his renowned father to earn into the illustrious Hundreds of the Wasteland King, before being robbed by an unhappy misunderstanding.  But where a door closes a literal window of opportunity opens, and he soon finds himself accompanying his master in search of a missing army.  

The young monarch, however, knows nothing of his presence or contributions. And for the sake of his pride he must never learn he has a secret protector—even when contending with the indomitable courage of harlots, laying claim to the wealth of Creatures of Calamity, or facing down the wrath of Dead Gods. 

That is, unless the Greatest Standard Bearer to ever stand at the king's side chooses to come clean to uphold his promise at the cost of everything he has achieved in a world of scrap, fire, and iron.


About the Author

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B.Y. Yan is a Chinese-Canadian author who has spent most of his time with education learning everything that is necessary to become a writer. He currently lives in Toronto, Ontario but spends most of his time travelling between two opposite points on the globe on business to Beijing with his wife Jeane, sometimes accompanied by a giant orange tabby cat. In his spare time he has maintained the same great love since childhood for stories told through every medium imaginable.

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Compulsion by Jennifer Chase Book Review

6/24/2016

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About the Book

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Title: Compulsion (Emily Stone Book 1)
Author: Jennifer Chase
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Number of Pages: 314
Synopsis: When Serial Killers Terrorize a California Beach Community, One Woman Stands in Their Way 

Emily Stone doesn’t have a badge. But that hasn’t stopped her from tracking down some of the West’s most dangerous child-killers. Armed with a digital SLR camera, laptop computer and her trusty Beretta, Stone uses her innate gift for detective work to identify the perps — and then anonymously e-mail the evidence to the cops. 

Now, the hunt for two brazen serial killers on the loose right in her own coastal California town threatens to expose Stone’s identity — unraveling her carefully constructed cover and jeopardizing her life’s work. But when she gets too close to the action, this razor-sharp hunter becomes the hunted. Cooperating with the handsome local police detective could be the only hope for stopping the rampage directed at unsuspecting young women — and saving herself. Can they piece together the clues in time? 

Compulsion mixes CSI-style investigation with a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and a dose of romance for a keeps-you-guessing, fast-paced and savvy thriller, right up until the shocking finale.

My Review

Compulsion is a bone-chilling thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Emily Stone uncovers a vicious murderer living in her own backyard.

Catching violent criminals is Emily's specialty. She is a gifted investigator and notices things that other's don't. Her skills have allowed the police to capture many perpetrators capable of evil acts, but this time the killer has his sights set on Emily and it will take more than investigative skills for Emily to survive. Can Emily stop the grisly killers before she becomes their next victim?

Compulsion is original and full of suspense. I like the idea of a tough, no nonsense, crime fighting female heroine and Jennifer Chase does a nice job of creating her lead character, Emily Stone. The crime investigations and gruesomely detailed murders made me feel as though I could be watching an episode of Criminal Minds or the like. Jennifer Chase's knowledge of law enforcement procedures and crime scene investigations make Compulsion a believable and genuine read. 

I recommend picking up a copy.

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About the Author

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The love that author Jennifer Chase has for books and writing began with the weekly trips that her mom would take with her to the local library. Jennifer would load up her arms with books and spend the week pouring over them until the next visit brought the opportunity to discover even more authors and stories. Before long, she was taking pen to paper and a lifelong connection with creating characters and plotlines was made.

Jennifer has found her niche in the writing world by integrating another passion, criminology, into her work. She holds a bachelors degree in police forensics and a masters in criminology, academic pursuits that developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. She also holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling and is a proud member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists.

This research background has assisted Jennifer in writing multiple crime thrillers, including Compulsion, Dead Game, Silent Partner, Dark Mind and Dead Burn, earning multiple readers' choice awards and other accolades along the way, including a recent gold medal awarded for Dead Burn by a panel of professionals in the publishing industry as part of the International Book Awards. She also has published a non-fiction book, How to Write a Screenplay, which offers a step-by-step guide to this special craft. In addition to her own writing work, Jennifer assists other authors with their own publishing efforts and does some consulting work in the criminology field.

Jennifer Chase was born and raised in California and still lives there with her husband, dogs and cats. In addition to writing and studying, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors, both at the beach and hiking, and engaging in some amateur photography.

www.authorjenniferchase.com/

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An Altered Course by R.A. Carter-Squire Re-Release Blitz

6/23/2016

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Book Blurb - When a friend is in trouble, no barrier is too great; not even decades.

Driven to unravel his best friend’s disappearance, Michael Eldridge is on the verge of a discovery that will enable him to finally solve the mystery; time travel. He has worked out the equation, and is testing his theory, ready to leap into the past to find the missing link.

While in the process of ensuring a safe and successful trip, Michael’s life explodes around him. A competing company will stop at nothing to get their hands on his technology, and his father’s health is deteriorating rapidly. When the woman of his dreams suddenly announces she’s interested in a relationship, he realizes this could be the worst timing ever; things are coming to a head faster than he can cope with them.

Will he find the truth, get the girl, and save his father, or will he be swept away on An Altered Course….


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Amazon UA: https://goo.gl/BprPYx

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Author Bio - Mr. Carter-Squire likes to write what he enjoys reading...thriller/mystery/horror. He's had the pleasure of reading most authors in these genres, from Doyle to Grisham, from Poe to King and everyone in between. The story is what compels him to read and continue reading. That's his plan when he writes and continues to develop his abilities to give you the reader, the best possible story to entertain you. Mr. Carter-Squire has achieved a top ten placement in the Horror Fans Fiction Appreciation competition. Competed in the World's Best Fiction competition and received a top 200 placing. Rick's work is supported by his amazing wife and family, because they are his first audience.

Author Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/RaCarterSquire/
Amazon Author page - http://www.amazon.com/R.A.-Carter-Squire/e/B009SACQTQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon Book page - https://www.amazon.com/Altered-Course-R-Carter-Squire-ebook/dp/B01EZHAA62?ie=UTF8&ref_=asap_bc

Does this picture prove that time travel exists? You be the judge!


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Summerlost by Ally Condie Book Review

6/22/2016

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About the Book

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Title: Summerlost
Author: Ally Condie
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Number of Pages: 272
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Synopsis: A tender and compelling contemporary novel for young readers about facing loss and finding friendship, from Ally Condie, international bestselling author of the Matched series. 
 
“Kids are awesome. And they are diverse. There are children with different abilities and backgrounds and experiences, and every one of them deserves to find themselves in children's literature and to know that they matter.” –Ally Condie, on Summerlost

Sometimes it takes a new friend to bring you home. It's the first real summer since the accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar. 
 
Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching new novel from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series that highlights the strength of family and personal resilience in the face of tragedy.

My Review

Summerlost is a wonderfully written and touching middle grade novel that explores one family's tragic loss and the healing that allows them to live again.

Cedar, her mom, and younger brother Miles are spending the summer in Iron Creek, but this summer is different from the last because last summer she "had a dad and a brother and then they were gone." Cedar's mom hopes that spending time in Iron Creek will help them pick up the pieces and help mend their broken hearts. Cedar's not so sure, but when a mysterious boy rides by each day Cedar decides to follow him and see what he's up to. What she finds is a new friend. Leo is obsessed with the arts and a Hollywood actress who once performed at the local Summerlost Festival. Cedar and Leo become instant friends and she finds herself looking forward to each new day. Cedar soon realizes Iron Creek, The Summerlost Festival, and Leo are just what she and her family needed after all.

Summerlost is simply an amazing story with beautiful characters that had me laughing despite the sorrow. On the opening page Cedar says "Last summer we had a dad and a brother and then they were gone" and for me this is one of the most moving sentences I have ever read. It stuck with me through the entire book and I felt as though I was experiencing the agony of loss right along with Cedar and her family. 

The author has a gift for creating a believable and compelling story with unimaginable heartache and simple joys that will leave readers breathless. I cannot give Summerlost enough praise and am looking forward to reading more of Ally Condie's work.

I highly recommend picking up a copy.

About the Author: Ally Condie

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Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband and three sons outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.

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Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu Book Review Giveaway

6/22/2016

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About the Book

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Title: Somewhere Among
Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Genre: Middle Grade Multicultural Novel
Number of Pages: 448
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publication Date: April 26, 2016 
Synopsis: 
A beautiful and haunting debut novel in verse about an American-Japanese girl struggling with the loneliness of being caught between two worlds when the tragedy of 9/11 strikes an ocean away.

Eleven-year-old Ema has always been of two worlds—her father’s Japanese heritage and her mother’s life in America. She’s spent summers in California for as long as she can remember, but this year she and her mother are staying with her grandparents in Japan as they await the arrival of Ema’s baby sibling. Her mother’s pregnancy has been tricky, putting everyone on edge, but Ema’s heart is singing—finally, there will be someone else who will understand what it’s like to belong and not belong at the same time.

But Ema’s good spirits are muffled by her grandmother who is cold, tightfisted, and quick to reprimand her for the slightest infraction. Then, when their stay is extended and Ema must go to a new school, her worries of not belonging grow. And when the tragedy of 9/11 strikes, Ema, her parents, and the world watch as the twin towers fall…

As Ema watches her mother grieve for her country across the ocean—threatening the safety of her pregnancy—and her beloved grandfather falls ill, she feels more helpless and hopeless than ever. And yet, surrounded by tragedy, Ema sees for the first time the tender side of her grandmother, and the reason for the penny-pinching and sternness make sense—her grandmother has been preparing so they could all survive the worst.

Dipping and soaring, Somewhere Among is the story of one girl’s search for identity, inner peace, and how she discovers that hope can indeed rise from the ashes of disaster.


My Review

Somewhere Among is a beautifully penned middle grade novel written in free-verse that explores the life of 11-year-old Ema in Japan before, during, and after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Ema is "between two worlds, Japan and America, binational, bicultural, bilingual, biracial." While vacationing in Japan with her parents, Ema learns that they will not be returning to American and now she must adjust to her new life in Japan. As a Japanese-American living abroad Ema realizes just how much she really is a part of two worlds and sometimes she's not certain which one she fits into, if any at all. Then 9/11 happens. Ema and her family watch the events unfold and are saddened and horrified as they watch the towers fall. The tragic events bring pain and sorrow from the past to the forefront and many in Japan begin to feel vulnerable and fearful for the safety of their country.

I don't recall ever reading a free-verse novel before and was not sure what to expect, but Somewhere Among is a heartfelt journey that easily captivates readers through simple, yet profound text as the life of a young girl is revealed. The story is told through the eyes of Ema, which I believe makes the book that much more compelling. Somewhere Among will make you smile, tug at your heartstrings, and bring you a sense of peace. It's a story of discovering yourself and making special connections with others and the world.

I highly recommend picking up a copy. 

About the Author

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Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu is a foreign wife of a Japanese national and a mother of two bi-national, bi-cultural, bilingual young adults and has lived in a multi-generational home (with grandparents living downstairs) for more than two decades. Her debut middle grade novel, SOMEWHERE AMONG, is set in Japan 2001 when her children were in Japanese public elementary and nursery school. The novel weaves historical events and tragedies that Japan and the United States have shared. References and resources can be found on her author's website. Her blog, Here and There Japan written especially for children, highlights photos and cultural details.

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New Sign-Ups: Loving Everything UK Photo Contest Blast for Author Christy Deveaux

6/22/2016

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BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Photo Contest Blast for the author of Wicka: The Chronicles of Elizabeth Blake, Christy Deveaux.  The blast will run July 20 - August 3, 2016.
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To celebrate her recent trip to the UK, to get ideas for her next book, Christy Deveaux is holding an England inspired contest! Simply share a picture of yourself with a British theme i.e. In England, in an English pub, eating English fare such as a fish and chips, reading a British novel, etc. - be creative!

One Winner will receive a British Themed Gift Basket worth $50.
The winner will be selected at random through Random.Org.

Details About the Photo Contest Blast
​​I will provide you with all the HTML for the Book Blast post that will be very similar to this post, but will include a photo contest submission form. (Open WW). You will be able to edit the post to suit your personal style. You may post any time between 12:00 am (EST), July 20 - August 3, 2016.
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In exchange for posting in the Photo Contest Blast, you will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash prize). One winner will be selected at random through Random.Org.

About the Author: Christy Deveaux

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Christy Deveaux is the author of The Chronicles of Elizabeth Blake series. Her highly anticipated first book in the series, Wicka, was just released this spring (2014). Inspired by traveling across Europe solo at a very young age, and many travel adventures since, the character and story line behind Elizabeth Blake was born. Christy majored in political science and earned a cross-disciplinary degree from the University of Western Ontario. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband, three children and a fish named Cow. 

About the Book: Wicka: The Chronicles of Elizabeth Blake

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Elizabeth Blake, a seventeen year old girl from Ann Arbor Michigan, thinks she's enrolling in an international school in the south of France to finish her final year of high school. Instead, she falls in love; finds out that she is a witch from an ancient family –– who weren’t thought to exist anymore; and discovers that her life is in danger, as the Elders believe that she is the heir to a legend they fear above all else. 

Wicka has been compared to other fantasy paranormal tales such as Twilight, written by Stephanie Meyer and Harry Potter, written by J.K. Rowling. Young adults and grown ups alike are sure to love this adventure filled magical romance. Get your copy today at bit.ly/Wicka. 

​*Note: purchase of the book is not a requirement to enter this free contest

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Sign-Up for the Loving Everything UK Photo Contest

​* By submitting this form you are agreeing to post the HTML (to be provided to you)
​between July 20 and August 3, 2016. * 
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