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Fathers by Ken Koprowski Blog Tour Giveaway

8/31/2016

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About the Book

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TITLE: Fathers (Collected Poems 1973-2015)
RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2016
AUTHOR: Ken Koprowski
PAGE COUNT: 66
ISBN: 978-0692734827
IMPRINT: Veritas
GENRE: Poetry/Family
SYNOPSIS: Fathers is an inspiring and highly emotive collection of poems spanning 40 years. Fatherhood is the inspiration for much of this book – its mysteries, triumphs, magic, humor, pain, and loss.  In it the poet – an acute observer and lyrical writer – explores fatherhood from the perspective of a grandson, son, father, husband, and grandfather. His poems illustrate that being a dad is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of living, and at times, one of the most frustrating. The pages of this remarkable volume will engage all that is human in the reader.

 

About the Author

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Ken Koprowski is a poet, writer, communications consultant, and educator. His collection of poetry, Fathers – Collected Poems 1973-2015, is being published by Ravenswood Publishing in the spring of 2016. In addition to being a prolific writer, he is an award-winning creative director and producer, and photographer. He earned his M.A. in Creative Writing with a specialization in poetry and completed his doctoral coursework at Syracuse University before pursuing a career in public relations. He is working on a second book of poetry and a collection of short stories entitled Draft Dodgers. 
 
He currently teaches advanced public relations writing and a range of public relations subjects in the Master’s programs at New York University, Iona College and Manhattanville College. In addition, he teaches crisis communication and reputation management – courses he designed -- in the MBA program and business communications at UConn Stamford.
 
Ken has extensive advertising, marketing and communication management experience. He served as corporate spokesperson in diverse, complex and difficult situations. Ken has written speeches for many well-known corporate leaders, annual and CSR reports, OPEDs, communications plans, ads, video and audio scripts, websites, blogs, and more. He recently edited, and wrote the introduction and chapter on using digital and social media in crisis communications for a popular crisis communications handbook.
 
Ken grew up in the Midwest – in Chicago and central and northern Wisconsin. For the past 40 years, he’s lived and worked in New York, southwestern Connecticut and southern Vermont. He and his wife of 35 years have three sons and a daughter, and they in turn have nine children of their own.

Website | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon | CreateSpace
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Fathers eBook Giveaway
Open Worldwide - 5 Winners

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Precious Bones by Mika Ashley-Hollinger Book Blitz

8/30/2016

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Young Adult

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Meet ten-year-old Bones, whose playground is the Florida swamps, brimming with mystical witches, black bears, alligators and bobcats. Bones’ father, Nolay, a Miccosukee Indian, is smart and mischievous. Her Mama, practical as corn bread, can see straight into Bones’ soul.

It’s summer, and Bones is busy hunting and fishing with her best friend, Little Man. But then two Yankee real estate agents trespass on her family’s land, and Nolay scares them off with his gun. When a storm blows in and Bones and Little Man uncover something horrible at the edge of the Loo-chee swamp, the evidence of foul play points to Nolay. The only person that can help Nolay is Sheriff LeRoy, who’s as slow as pond water. Bones is determined to take matters into her own hands. If it takes a miracle, then a miracle is what she will deliver.


Praise for Precious Bones:

“…a tale that will already hold high interest for nature-loving readers longing for their own wild playgrounds.”—The Center for Children’s Books  

“The names of the characters alone make this a novel worth reading. How can you resist Bones, Little Man, Nolay, Soap Sally and Mr. Speed?!? Each character is as distinctive as the name they carry and the adventures they have.”—Random Acts of Reading  

“Precious Bones is a novel filled with adventure and mystery, as well as fascinating glimpses of its distinctive setting.”—Kevin Delecki, BookPage  

“I won’t be the last person to compare Mika Ashley-Hollinger’s amazing debut novel, Precious Bones to Harper Lee’s iconic To Kill A Mockingbird.”—Mindy McGinnis, author of Not a Drop to Drink  

“An intriguing debut, written lovingly to a way of life now lost.”—Booklist  

“It’s a rich stew, including hearty dollops of mystery and suspense.”—The Horn Book  

“Her voice is strong and lyrical, mixing regional syntax and dialect with lovely descriptions of the beauty she sees as she hunts, fishes, observes and explores in this mystical place.”—Kirkus Reviews  

“Like an age-appropriate To Kill a Mockingbird, it’s Bones’s interactions with well-developed, often-eccentric characters that shape this story.”—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal  
“Mika Ashley-Hollinger’s debut book is full of suspense and surprise…I love Bones’ easy-going nature and adventurous spirit. She’s ready to rush off into battle to defend herself and those she loves, no matter the dangers. And I want her pet raccoon, too! “—Jack and Jill Magazine


About the Author

Mika Ashley-Hollinger was born and raised in the small community of Florida.  PRECIOUS BONES is written in tribute of a time and a way of life that no longer exist.

Contact Links

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Purchase Links

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Blog Tour Sign-Ups: Stone Faces: An Alice and Friends Book by Anne Rothman-Hicks & Kenneth Hicks

8/30/2016

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BeachBoundbooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the middle grade fantasy Stone Faces: An Alice and Friends Book by Anne Rothman-Hicks and Kenneth Hicks. The tour will run September 19 - October 3, 2016
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Details About the Tour
The blog tour will run from September 19 - October 3, 2016 and will include a shared Rafflecopter for a $25 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash), open worldwide. In exchange for posting on the Stone Faces 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 or mobi) will be provided to all blog tour hosts. The author has a few print copies available for this tour. ​

About the Book

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Title: Stone Faces: An Alice and Friends Book| Author: Anne Rothman-Hicks and Kenneth Hicks Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing | Publication Date: July 12, 2016 | Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Number of Pages: 66
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Book Description: Stone Faces is the story of a ten-year-old girl named Alice who notices one day that her parents’ faces have turned to stone. Soon afterward, they tell her they are going to get divorced and, in reaction, she allows her own face to turn to stone because she doesn’t want anyone to know how much this hurts her. It is easier to deal with her friends when her stone face is in place, but she also begins to find herself alone more and more.

While on her summer vacation at her aunt’s house on Cape Cod, she sees a stone on the beach in the shape of a laughing man’s face (called Mr. Happy Man). She soon discovers that this stone can talk and that it has friends among the other beach stones, who play games in the sand when people aren’t around.

Together with Mr. Happy Man and his friends, Alice develops an ingenious scheme to help her parents resolve their differences. Their plans are thrown awry when a woman finds Mr. Happy Man in the sand and walks off with him. Alice decides to rescue the stone and sneaks into the woman’s house where she learns that the woman is actually a witch.
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Read an Excerpt

Hi. My name is Alice, and this is the story of the worst summer of my entire life.

The trouble actually started way before the summer. In fact, it was early spring when my parents and I took that long walk in Central Park. We all should have been in a really great mood because (finally!) the sun was out and it was nice and warm. But I remember glancing over at my mom and dad again and again as we walked, thinking that both of their faces had changed. It’s tough to describe. Their features had gotten sort of hard. They looked a lot like the carved stone faces on some of the buildings in our neighborhood.

Anyway, I pretended that nothing was wrong and forgot about it until it was time to start planning our summer vacation.

Here’s the thing—I love going to the seashore more than almost anything in the whole world. Every summer for as long as I can remember, my mom and my dad packed up our car with all our beach stuff (and snacks for the long ride). Then, we drove the five and a half hours from New York City to visit my aunt in a place called Provincetown on the very tip of Cape Cod.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love New York City. My mom and I can take the bus to my dance classes, and a subway to where I belong to a kids’ theater group on Saturdays. We can walk to my school, to the field house where my soccer team plays, and to the gym where my dad and I shoot hoops. So, yeah, I love New York City.

There’s just one problem. Until I’m older, I pretty much have to stay glued to an adult’s side whenever I leave our apartment. When I’m twelve, my mom says I can take the bus by myself to certain places. When I’m thirteen, I’ll be able to go on the subway. Depending. Depending on what, you might ask. Just depending my mom says back. Gag! I hate the word depending.

Anyway, here’s the point—in Provincetown I’m free. I can take walks by myself all over town. The only catch is that I have to stay within a block of Commercial Street, which is like the Broadway of Provincetown. It is usually so crowded that people can’t even fit on the sidewalks and so they walk in the street. It’s like a big pedestrian mall.

And best of all, I can go out to the bay beach by myself and swim, so long as there’s a lifeguard on duty. I love to be tossed by the waves and paddle through the swells in the deep water. I love to make sand castles and look for shells and stones and beach glass and driftwood. The beach is pretty much my idea of paradise.

So, maybe you can understand why I was really upset in early June when my mom and dad sat me down in our living room late one afternoon for a talk. It was getting dark outside. Thunderstorms were predicted, and the sky was almost black. I sat on the sofa by myself. They were each in their own chair across from me, and they were each trying to smile. But it was no use with those stone faces of theirs. I was so nervous I almost couldn’t hear what my mother was saying.
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About the Authors

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When Anne Rothman was a student at Bryn Mawr College and Kenneth Hicks was a student at Haverford College, they began writing together in an independent-study course with one of Ken’s professors. A brief interlude ensued while Anne wrote wonderful poetry and Ken wrote a book about hitchhiking (The Complete Hitchhiker Tobey Publishing, Dell Distribution), but they soon got back together as writers when Ken was in law school at Columbia University and Anne was paying the rent by working in publishing. They have continued to write together for about forty years and in that time have published four adult novels, eleven non-fiction books for children, two fiction books for middle readers, and two photography books. They also produced three children whom they love even more than writing.
Between projects, they started a web site www.randh71productions.com. In case you were wondering about the address, “R” is for Rothman, “H” is for Hicks, and “71” is the year of their marriage. No secret codes or numerology anywhere.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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Sign-Up For The Stone Faces Blog Tour

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Loyal by Yasmin Shiraz Blog Tour & Character Interview

8/26/2016

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Virtual Book Tour,  Loyal, a Young Adult Novel Releasing August 30, 2016

About The Author

Yasmin Shiraz is an author, filmmaker, speaker and activist. She uses her passion for life to fuel her books, documentaries, speaking engagements and social activities. She’s spoken at over 100 colleges, universities, middle schools and high schools as well as non-profit organizations. 
She’s an award winning Writer/ Director and enjoys producing work on youth and community issues. By day, she’s the President of Still Eye Rise Media and runs the Yasmin Shiraz website.

About The Book

When a teen girl discovers her brother has been shot, she learns about firsthand about loyalty. Should her brother be more loyal to her or the gang members he's so eager to impress?

Purchase Link
Amazon

Connect Socially
Website
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Tour hosted by WNL Book Tours 

Follow The Tour

Character Interview with Yasmin Shiraz

Q. Please tell the readers who are the main characters?
Tashera Odom and Khalil Odom-whom are sister and brother- are the main characters.
 
Q.  What or is there conflict in the story?
The conflict in the story is about loyalty. When Khalil is shot and left for dead, he clings to loyalty to his gang, while his sister feels he should depart from his gang affiliations. 
 
Q. Which characters in “are you most like?
I'm most similar to Tashera. I'm very inquisitive like she is. If I don't understand something, I ask questions.
 
Q. Take us inside “your book” What are two major events taking place?
When Khalil is shot and it is revealed that his gang members rather take him home than to the hospital. That event was very telling about how much the gang members cared about his life.
 
When Khalil is on the operating table thinking about which 'truth' he's going to tell his family he realizes that his sister is the only person who always knows when he's lying. Most people worry about what they are going to tell their parents, he was concerned about his sister. That spoke to the level of intimacy in their relationship.  
 
Q. Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
My relationship with my brother was the foundation for this novel. As teenagers we were very close and I wanted to capture the essence of a close brother/sister relationship.
 
Q. Describe each character in three words?
Tashera - Inquisitive, Determined, Fearless
Khalil - Insecure, Confused, Afraid
 
Q.  One of your lead characters has “fears” that keeps him from seeing the truth about his gang. Do you think sometimes we let our fears get in the way of what God has planned for our futures?
Yes. Fear has a way of preventing us from leading authentic and empowered lives. Wherein Tashera wanted to see the truth in all things, Khalil was afraid of not fitting in and being seen as 'less than' in the eyes of his peers.

Q. How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all?
My relationship with my own brother is thoroughly interwoven throughout this novel.  There were decisions my brother made in his life that I never quite understood, but I always asked questions. There were times as a teen that I didn't agree with my brother, but I always loved him regardless.

Q. Is there an overall theme to this novel?
The overall theme to Loyal is that you must love your family members through their pains and through bad decisions. You also must love them even when you don't understand the decisions they m
ake. 
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Blog Tour Wrap-Up: Children of Icarus by Caighlan Smith

8/26/2016

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As the Children of Icarus Blog Tour comes to a close I want to take a moment and recap the tour and highlight what reviewers have said about Caighlan Smith's young adult fantasy novel. 

If you missed any of the tour stops visit the Children of Icarus Tour Page
 for a complete list of participating blogs. 
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About the Book

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Title: Children of Icarus | Author: Caighlan Smith | Publisher: Switch Press | Publication Date: August 1, 2016 | Genre: Young Adult Fantasy | Number of Pages: 312
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Book Description:

It's Clara who's desperate to enter the labyrinth and its Clara who's bright, strong, and fearless enough to take on any challenge. It's no surprise when she's chosen. But so is the girl who has always lived in her shadow. Together they enter. Within minutes, they are torn apart forever. Now the girl who has never left the city walls must fight to survive in a living nightmare, where one false turn with who to trust means a certain dead end.

Tour Recap...

Promotional posts were shared by:

Basically Speaking 
Bound 2 Escape 
Word Magic 
Stitch Says


Two bloggers shared an excerpt:
Cat’s Corner
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Bookworm for Kids 

Guest posts were shared on:
Christy’s Cozy Corner 
Lizards Laughter & Love 

What reviewers had to say...


"Awesome book. The author weaves a nightmarish world. A world that keeps you turning the page. Great, believable characters." - Kay LaLone 

​"The pace moved fast and slow teetering then hit you with the unpredictability." - 2ReadBook

"It is a fast moving sci-fi tale. The character description is very visual. Creatively formed, the book cover is very "fitting" as is the title. The ending "stirs" an interest in "what happens next" yet, concludes well." - Rockin Book Reviews
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About the Author

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Caighlan Smith was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador on June 1st, 1994. She grew up in the scenic coastal community of St. Philip’s, overlooking the dramatic north-west Atlantic. As a kid, she loved to play in the woods around her house, loved to tell stories and believed in magic.

Caighlan, who is studying English, Classics and Creative Writing at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, is a supporter of universal girl-child education and has been involved with the Teachers Action for Girls campaign in Uganda.


Her great loves are reading, gaming and, of course, writing. The “C” in her name is hard, the “gh” is silent.

Facebook | Twitter | Website 
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The Adventures of Reece & Rusty: The Fish Wish by George Paul Book Review

8/25/2016

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About the Book

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Title: The Adventures of Reece & Rusty: The Fish Wish
Author: George Paul
Genre: Early Chapter Book
Number of Pages: 50
Publisher: Whiskers & Tails Publishing
Publication Date: July 25, 2016
Synopsis: 
The Adventures of Reece & Rusty - The Fish Wish is a charming story about friendship, responsibility, and inspiration, with a magical touch that will leave all readers highly entertained. The Fish Wish, the first adventure in the series, introduces the reader to the Spellmans, a lovable, seemingly ordinary family who are anxiously anticipating a momentous event in their child's life. Reece Spellman, who just turned seven, finally convinces his parents to get him a pet, but he is not very happy with their choice. Reece's mother tells him, "If you can take care of this fish and show the proper responsibility, you will get a larger pet in the near future." Little did she know how prophetic those words would soon become.

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Reece Spellman's new best friend, a pet fish, begins to stare at the outside world from his fish tank with a look of despair. The external forces of a glass wall and water that separate their two very different worlds begin to impede the progression of their relationship, but that is about to be changed forever by a seemingly innocent childhood WISH. Was it MAGIC? Or, was it just pure COINCIDENCE?

The Adventures of Reece & Rusty, Volume 1- The Fish Wish. It is approximately 2,300 words on 32 pages with 16 vibrant and cartoony illustrations. The storyline is quite unique, embedded with humor and wonderment along with character concepts that are appealing to readers of all ages. Additionally, there is a puzzle-solving learning component specifically designed to make the reading and educational experience more rewarding and fun.

From George Paul the Author: "The main reason I wrote this story was to express to children that they should never give up on their wishes and dreams, and to relish the journey of achieving them. Furthermore, as a parent myself, I know that there is nothing more gratifying than to see your child show responsibility, kindness, and demonstrate moral values. The Adventures of Reece & Rusty embraces this theme along with common life experiences and events intertwined with magical and humoristic overtones with a puzzle-solving learning component."


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My Review

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The Adventures of Reece & Rusty: The Fish Wish is an entertaining, magical tale of friendship and fun.

Reece is getting a new pet and he's anxious to see what his dad has picked out. However, when his dad returns home with a fish Reece is very disappointed. Reece's dad explains that owning a pet is a very big responsibility and Reece must prove he's capable of being a good pet owner. Reece can't wait to show his parents he's up for the challenge. It's not long before Reece and Rusty are the best of friends so when Rusty seems down Reece is eager to cheer him up. Mom buys a treasure chest for Rusty's tank, but Reece never expected what happened next.

I found The Adventures of Reece & Rusty: The Fish Wish to be a wonderful story that teaches children about the importance of being responsible, helping others, and being a good friend. The book is well organized and presented in an appealing manner and the illustrations are vividly detailed adding to the enjoyment. 

I recommend picking up a copy.


About the Author

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George Paul is a 1987 graduate from Rutgers University in New Jersey and is employed by a former Fortune 100 company. During his tenure, he has won eight national awards of recognition as a sales/marketing manager. He has a passion for creating and developing new concepts, and much of that comes in the form of writing. The same passion he has developed over the years is now being translated into writing books for children. His desire is to write books that stimulate the minds of children through imagination and education. George Paul’s writings are intertwined with messages of proper moral values, important life lessons, and humoristic overtones that are highly entertaining to his reading audience. 

For as long as George can remember, he has always loved working with and mentoring children at day camps, recreational sport leagues, and travel sports. When George became a parent, he was sure to be involved with his own kids’ activities. He was the head coach for his son’s recreational and travel baseball teams for 12 years. Additionally, George always volunteered to be a chaperone on his kids’ field trips and would always welcome an invite to visit the school to read books to the class, supervise parties, etc.

George and his family love animals and have had many pets over the years including dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, turtles, and even a degu—and they all have added something very special to their lives. The whole family advocates for pet rescue and adoption and helps support several animal organizations across the country.

Website | Facebook | Twitter
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The Du Lac Chronicles by Mary Anne Yarde Blog Tour

8/24/2016

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The Du Lac Chronicles : Book 1
By
Mary Anne Yarde
“An evocative, timeless saga of love and betrayal”
Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy
Amazon #1 Best Seller in Young Adult, Medieval Fiction
AD 495, Wessex, Briton.
If all you had left was your heart, would you give it to your enemy?
A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.
The powerful Saxon King, Cerdic of Wessex, has spent the last twenty years hunting down Arthur’s noble knights. He is determined to secure his kingdom against any reprisals for killing their legendary leader. The knights who have survived the genocide are destined to spend the rest of their lives in hiding, never revealing who they really are.
The only knight who refused to be intimidated by this Saxon invader was Lancelot du Lac. Lancelot and Cerdic formed a fragile truce, but Lancelot has been dead these past eight years and it has fallen to his sons to protect Briton from the ambitions of the Saxon King.
Alden du Lac, the once king of Cerniw and son of Lancelot, has nothing. Betrayed by Cerdic, Alden’s kingdom lies in rubble, his fort razed to the ground and his brother Merton missing, presumably dead. Cerdic has had Alden tied to a post and ordered his skin to be lashed from his back. In the morning, if Alden is still alive, he is to be executed.
Annis, daughter of King Cerdic of Wessex, has been secretly in love with Alden for what seems like forever. She will not stand by and see him die. She defies father, king, and country to save the man she loves from her father’s dungeons. Alden and Annis flee Wessex together.
To the horror of Alden’s few remaining allies, he has given his heart to the daughter of his enemy. Alden’s allies see Annis, at best, as a bargaining chip to avoid war with her powerful father. At worst, they see a Saxon witch with her claws in a broken, wounded king.
Alden has one hope: When you war with one du Lac, you war with them all. His brother Budic, King of Brittany, could offer the deposed young king sanctuary—but whether he will offer the same courtesy to Annis is far less certain.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1519224435
http://www.amazon.com/Du-Lac-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01CDK2MK0
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1519224435
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Du-Lac-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01CDK2MK0
 Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury—the fabled Isle of Avalon—was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.
At nineteen, Yarde married her childhood sweetheart and began a bachelor of arts in history at Cardiff University, only to have her studies interrupted by the arrival of her first child. She would later return to higher education, studying equine science at Warwickshire College. Horses and history remain two of her major passions.
Yarde keeps busy raising four children and helping run a successful family business. She has many skills but has never mastered cooking—so if you ever drop by, she (and her family) would appreciate some tasty treats or a meal out!
author@maryanneyarde.com
https://www.maryanneyarde.com/
Twitter @maryanneyarde
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maryanneyarde/
Blogspot http://maryanneyarde.blogspot.co.uk/
Amazon Author’s page http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Anne-Yarde/e/B01C1WFATA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29243164-the-du-lac-chronicles
Inside the Writer’s Mind ~ Mary Anne Yarde. The Du Lac Chronicles
Q1 - SDB: Writing can be a daunting prospect, what made you decide to share your story with the world?
MAY: I grew up just outside of Glastonbury ~ The Ancient Isle of Avalon ~ England. The stories of King Arthur and his Knights were very much a part of my childhood ~ he was everywhere. I knew the stories of Arthur from a very young age and as a teen, I became fascinated with his life.
For me, Arthur embodies an almost utopia age. Everything he stands for, everything he did, had such an impact, that we are still talking about him today. He was a hero, and we all need heroes.
The problem with researching Arthur is that there is a very blurry line between what is real and what is fictitious. But the one thing, which I found the most frustrating, wasn't the lack of evidence, but the actual story itself, particularly with regards to the ending. King Arthur is betrayed by Lancelot, and then he is betrayed by Mordred. Arthur is fatally wounded at the Battle of Camlann. He is taken to Avalon, and we never hear of Arthur again. As for his knights…if they were lucky enough to survive the battle, they simply disappeared or became hermits.
Seriously?
That was the best the great poets could come up with? I'm sorry, but that ending sucks! The Knights stopped being knights? I don't buy it and I never will.
I came up with an idea for a book that told the story of what happened after King Arthur’s death. My favourite knight has always been Lancelot, and I wanted to create a world for his children ~ a world for the next generation of Du Lacs and Pendragons. I didn't realise then, that it would take me another 12 years to actually have a manuscript that I thought was worth sharing with the world. Publishing wasn't so much of a daunting experience as a necessary one. I had sat on this story for too long.
Q2 - SDB: Who has influenced you as an author?
MAY: I am an avid reader. I love the books by Nicholas Evans and Nicholas Sparks. They both write such beautifully emotive prose that I cannot help but admire them.
Q3 - SDB: What is your writing method? Do you outline first or do you purge your brain on paper until your story is told?
MAY: I made a plan once. It took me ages, several months in fact. Once I was happy with the plan I sat down at my computer, looked at my notes and thought ~ oh screw this! I threw the notes away and just started writing. I do have a rough plan in my head and I will jot down the odd sentence that I think would work well later on in the book, but apart from that. I just sit down at the computer and bleed!
Q4 - SDB: How long does it take you to write your story, from getting it down on paper to publishing?
MAY: The Du Lac Chronicles, from start to finish, took me 12 years. The second book in the trilogy, which is due out later this year, took me about six months. Hey, I think I'm getting quicker at this writing game!
Q5 - SDB: Can you tell me a little bit about your book(s) without giving away too much? Why should I read it?
MAY: I would be honoured to tell you about my books…
 A generation after the fall of Arthur Pendragon, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.
Eighteen-year-old, Alden du Lac, Lancelot’s son, ruled the tiny Kingdom of Cerniw. Now he half-hangs from a wooden pole, his back lashed into a mass of bloody welts exposed to the cold of a cruel winter night.
When Alden notices a shadowy figure approaching, he assumes death has come to end his pain. Instead, the daughter of his enemy, Cerdic of Wessex, frees and hides him, her motives unclear.
Annis has loved Alden since his ill-fated marriage to her Saxon cousin ~ a marriage that ended in blood and guilt ~ and she would do anything to protect him. Annis’s rescue of Alden traps them between a brutal Saxon king and Alden’s remaining allies. Meanwhile, unknown forces are carefully manipulating the ruins of Arthur’s legacy.
If you love romance, adventure, intrigue and King Arthur’s knights, then check out The Du Lac Chronicles to find out what happened after King Arthur died. I promise you there are not any hermits. Well there is one, but he doesn't come into the story until much later on in the trilogy!
Q6 - SDB: How much of yourself is in your character(s)?
MAY: It would be wrong to say that there is nothing of me in the characters. I do draw on my life experience…
...there was that terribly traumatic incident where I was chased by a Saxon Army, so I know exactly what that feels like! Rescuing gorgeous men from dungeons is an everyday occurrence for me as well...and…I do have big knees!
Joking aside, I think out of all the characters in The Du Lac Chronicles, I am most like Merton du Lac. He is incredibly loyal, good looking - well, obviously!  He is also very sarcastic ~ Umm...I'm not known for my sarcasm. Maybe he isn't like me after all?!
Q7 - SDB: What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
MAY: You have absolutely nothing to lose by writing your story, so stop making excuses as to why you can’t and just go for it.
Q8 - SDB: Is there anything else that you'd like to share?
MAY: Yes. I think it is about time that we all learnt how to make pottage. Making pottage is an art and one that we have all but forgotten. It was the staple diet for the poor in the Dark Ages. All you need is whatever you can get your hands on  ~ any vegetables you happen to have growing in your garden. If you don’t have any vegetables, you can steal some from your Overlord, but make sure you don't get caught, because you might lose your hand, or worse, your head.
Throw all of your ingredients into a big pot…a cauldron will do, like the one witches use. Hang the cauldron over an open fire and slowly heat up the pottage, don’t let it boil. Remember if the stew boils the stew spoils ~ oh hang, on, I think my home economics teacher was talking about milk when she said that. Have I told you I hate cooking?
The joy of pottage is that it can last you for days, and you can keep adding things to it, so that bit of venison you poached the other day, can be added in quickly before anyone notices the deer is missing!
What could be better? It is the Dark Ages equivalent of fast-food. Wholesome and Nutritious. Now please eat, because the King's Soldiers are coming and this may well be your last ever meal in this world.
Thanks for having me on your blog!! Right…now what was I doing? Oh, curses…the pottage is boiling, the pottage is boiling!!
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Selfies in the Wild by C.L. Murphy Blog Tour & $200 Giveaway

8/23/2016

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About the Book

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Title: The Adventures of Lovable Lobo – Selfies in the Wild
Written and illustrated by: C.L. Murphy
Date published:  August 1, 2016
Published by: Peanut Butter Prose
Recommended ages: 3 to 7
Number of pages: 28
Summary: Lobo and his sidekick raven find a trail camera in their neck of the woods, and it attracts the attention of forest friends. Images captured have never been sillier or more candid. Just as their wild dispositions are exposed, the photo shoot comes to an unexpected end and they’re all left wondering why. The reason may be obvious.

Watch the Book Video

Take a peek inside...

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My Review

Selfies in the Wild is an absolutely delightful children's picture book. Filled with humor and fun this book is certain to become a fast favorite among young readers and parents will enjoy it too!

When some wild animals discover a camera in their forest home hilarious antics ensue. The animals take wildly entertaining selfies from all angles and highlight what taking selfies is all about...making memories and having a great time with friends.

The simple text makes the story perfect for preschool aged readers and the short dictionary at the end helps children grasp the meaning of a few new vocabulary words introduced in the book. The illustrations are bright, entertaining, and well detailed. I like how the author uses actual outdoor settings as the background.

Selfies in the Wild is a wonderfully entertaining read. I highly recommend picking up a copy.

About the Author: C.L. Murphy

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Cathy (C.L.) has been creating with and for kids for many years, and because of it she’s ever armed with crayons and not afraid to use or share them. She’s faster than a speeding turtle, more powerful than a newborn bunny, and nearly able to leap tall tales in a single bound. She’s in a position to use her unassuming powers in a never-ending battle for good and silliness while traveling to the deepest (sometimes dark) part of her imagination. She’s been a member of SCBWI since 2012. She lives in a wonder-filled forest, amongst the wildlife with her husband and other untamed animals. They have two wildly perfect sons and a scrumptious new granddaughter.
Website   Blog   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Google+   Goodreads   Instagram

The Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $200 Amazon gift card or $200 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice
Giveaway ends: August 31, 11:59 p.m., 2016
Open to: Worldwide
How to enter: Please enter the Rafflecopter HERE.
Terms and conditions: There is NO purchase necessary to enter or win. One winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget within 48 hours and notified by email once the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is sponsored by the author/illustrator C.L. Murphy, and an anonymous supporter.
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Rice & Rocks by Sandra L. Richards Blog Tour Kick-Off & $25 Giveaway

8/23/2016

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BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the charming children's book written by Sandra L. Richards and illustrated by Megan Kayleigh Sullivan, Rice & Rocks. The tour will run from August 23 - September 13, 2016.




About the Book



Title: Rice & Rocksl | Author: Sandra L. Richards | Illustrator: Megan Kayleigh Sullivan Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing | Publication Date: August 23, 2016 Genre: Children's Picture Book | Number of Pages: 32

 

Book Description:  Tradition takes flight in Rice & Rocks, a picture book celebrating culture and diversity. Giovanni's friends are coming over for Sunday dinner, and his grandmother is serving rice and beans. Giovanni is embarrassed he does not like 'rice and rocks' and worries his friends will think the traditional Jamaican dish is weird. But his favorite Auntie comes to the rescue. She and Giovanni's pet parrot, Jasper, take him on a magical journey across the globe, visiting places where people eat rice and rocks. This exciting story celebrates the varied traditions of every culture while also highlighting the delicious similarities that bring us all together.

Take a look inside the book...





About the Author: Sandra L. Richards


Sandra L. Richards is the debut picture book author of Rice & Rocks. With Rice & Rocks, Sandra brings a unique contribution to the world of children’s books. An American-born daughter of Jamaican immigrant parents, she hopes the book will serve as an educational resource for families seeking to teach their children the value of their heritage and the importance of cultural diversity.

Learn more about Sandra at www.sandralrichards.com.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | LinkedIn 
Amazon | Books a Million | Seattle Book Company


About the Illustrator: Megan Kayleigh Sullivan


Megan Kayleigh Sullivan graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2012 with a degree in Illustration. She is currently working as a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist, and aspires towards a career in the film and animation industry as a concept artist, character designer, or visual development artist (or d., all of the above). She enjoys traveling, writing, telling stories, and hula-hooping.

Visit her at www.357meg.com.

LinkedIn | Instagram

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: September 13, 11:59 pm, 2016
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Sandra L. Richards and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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August 23
Blog Tour Kick-Off
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August 23
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Nish Homeschool (Review)
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Desperate Homeschooler (Review)
 
August 24
Reading Authors (Review)
 
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Book Zone (Review)
 
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Books Direct (Review)
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Where Connor and JT Go (Review)
 
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Word Magic (Promo)
 
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Lizards, Laughter & Love (Promo)
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Eloquent Articulation (Review)
 
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Untamed Doodler (Promo)
 
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Bookworm for Kids (Promo)
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Here Wee Read (Review)

September 9
Rockin’ Book Reviews (Promo)
 
September 13
The Blended Blog (Review)
Teatime and Books (Promo)
Kay LaLone (Review)
Oh My Bookness (Review)
K&A Children’s Book Reviews (Review)
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True Tails II from the Dog Park by Max and Luther Book Review & Paperback Giveaway 

8/20/2016

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About the Book

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Title: True Tails II from the Dog Park
Author: Max and Luther
Illustrator: Julie Ann Stricklin
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Children's Books
Synopsis: 
"True Tails II from the Dog Park" is a fun and charming collection of short stories, quirky dog facts and top ten lists told from the perspective of two dogs who are best friends, Max and Luther. Entertaining and educational for both adults and children alike, dog lovers will be delighted with Max and Luther's unique perspective on all things dog! These are tales only a dog could tell.

My Review

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True Tails II from the Dog Park is an engaging book that will entertain readers with the silly adventures of Max, Luther and their friends all while teaching them fun and interesting facts about our K-9 friends.

I found the book to be well written and presented in an appealing manner incorporating illustrations with tidbits of information which makes learning fun.

I have to say one of my favorite "tails" was Mud Buffet. My dog, Lily, a very fluffy Pomeranian and Luther would be the best of friends since one of Lily's favorite pastimes is rolling around in the mud after the sprinklers run. Imagine the sight of the once white fluff-ball covered in sticky brown mud! 

True Tails II from the Dog Park
kept me entertained until the end and I know it will be a favorite among children and adults.

I highly recommend picking up a copy. 


About the Author

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It had to be fate. Not only did they share the same name and were the same age, Kari Sherman and Carey Laubenberg were both at a crossroads in their chosen professions. Kari Sherman, a CPA, had spent the last twenty plus years toiling away in the corporate world while Carey Laubenberg, a personal trainer, had successfully opened and managed a gym with her husband, Steve. Their chance meeting at the local dog park and their immediate friendship (brought about by their dogs’ instant chemistry) was the catalyst for their new journey into writing and publishing. A partnership was born through a shared outlook on life and a similar sense of humor. 

While both authors are life- long dog lovers, Kari Sherman had recently welcomed her first dog, Max into her adult life after growing up with a progression of animals (both dogs and cats). In contrast, Carey had owned numerous dogs all throughout her life. Within a year of meeting, these two individuals wrote their first book, discovered the joys and pitfalls of self-publishing, created a website and embraced all that social media had to offer. This was quite a feat for two people with no background in writing and a latent dread of the intimacy that current technology has brought to the world. Once started down their new career path, the two budding authors have enthusiastically embraced all the knowledge and opportunity this had afforded them. Kari and Carey’s mantra has been “Go Big or Go Home” while navigating the marketing options on the release of their first book “True tails from the Dog Park”. If truth be told, they have placed a long shot bet and hope that their horse will come in!

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True Tails II from the Dog Park Paperback Giveaway
- US Only -

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