Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 166

Blog Tour: ROCKET RED & WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE by Cheryl DeVeiga & Dave Gibson

 

Join us for this tour from Sep 13 to Oct 11, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Prickly Problem: Dr. Pete the Porcupine by Cheryl DaVeiga 
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  44 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Waterhole Productions LLC
Release date:   January, 2021
Content Rating:  G. This children's book is for everyone.  

Book Description:

Quirky, magic-potion-making Dr. Pete the Porcupine finds himself in a sticky situation, perplexed by a terribly tricky case. Beloved by his desert neighbors for always fixing their prickliest problems, has Dr. Pete finally found a prickly problem he can’t solve? Follow Dr. Pete through this heartwarming tale as he and his desert friends learn the power of compassion, kindness, and friendship.

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 Also Available for Review:

Book Details:

Book Title:  Rocket Red: A Little Ant with a Big Dream by Cheryl DaVeiga and Dave Gibson
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Waterhole Productions LLC
Release date:   November, 2021
Content Rating:  G. This children's book is for everyone.  Book Description:

Rocket Red is a little guitar-playing, singing ant who dreams of becoming a big rock star. His mom, the queen ant, disapproves! She believes his job is to work and feed the ant colony. The only one who seems to believe in him is his pal, Beebop Bea.

One day, delayed by practicing with his Lucky Bug Band, Red finds himself all alone and in a dreadful jam. Can his music somehow save him?

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Review: This is the admirable tale of a little red ant with a big dream—the dream to be a rock star. But his mother, the queen ant, told him to stop dreaming and get back to Earth.

“Mom, can’t you see how my music feeds my heart and soul?”

“Your music won’t feed the colony,” she scoffed.  

The illustrations were so vibrant and colorful, and the words were filled with such witty puns. The scenes were such a joy. I especially liked the one with the big shoe heading the ant’s way. And it certainly was no surprise how the ant’s favorite band was The Beetles.

Could Red’s music be the thing that saves him from a crushing outcome?

A nice story about never giving up on your dream or what makes you happy. It’s a Rockin’ Good Tale!

 

Rating: 5 stars

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE by Cheryl DaVeiga and Dave Gibson
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Waterhole Productions LLC
Release date:   January, 2021
Content Rating:  G. This children's book is for everyone.  Book Description:

In the Frozen Frogg Ice Cream Shop, Bully Vanilli is the most popular ice cream and self-proclaimed king of the flavors. Lonely Mustachio Pistachio sits at the back of the freezer. No one ever picks him!

Every night, after the store door is locked, Bully Vanilli begins his bullying and Mustachio is his favorite target. One night Bully kicks Mustachio’s bucket. Poor Mustachio falls SPLAT on the floor and it's... War at the Ice Cream Store! And

as the The War at the Ice Cream Store song goes...

?? Biff bam booza, yowza wowza wooza, It's a milk-shakin' cone-breakin' yabba dabba dooza! ??

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Review: In the ice cream ring, our contestants are: Mustachio Pistachio vs. Bully Vanilli.

Vanilli thought he was the most popular ice cream of all. Everyone just loved the taste of him. Pistachio, however, was the loneliest flavor of all. In fact, Pistachio would often get bullied by Vanilli.

“You’re green and nutty. Who would want to order you anyway?”

Then we get a SPLAT and a MELT. Uh-oh, we got a war going on.

This was an adorable and funny story. The illustrations were plain, simple, and colorful. I especially liked the interactive text and the clever puns.

“The milkshake declared: this is the last straw!”

It goes to show that Vanilli without the toppings was just plain vanilla. Guess, in the end, he got licked.

A fun and clever read! It’s a good teaching tool about bully intolerance and working together.

 

Rating: 5 stars

 

 

 

Meet the Authors:

Cheryl DaVeiga is an award-winning children’s book author and singer/songwriter residing in New Jersey. After a career in business, Cheryl’s passion for music caught up with her, and she began writing and recording children’s songs as her alter ego, CADi Grace. She then moved on to adult songs, including an ASCAP award-winning veteran’s anthem, the featured song for the State of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration, the theme song to the philanthropic Where Angels Play Foundation, and a NJ Arts' pick for top NJ summer songs. She’s also written songs for artists on critically acclaimed albums. Cheryl’s collaboration with Nashville songwriter Dave Gibson gave birth to a new adventure--writing children’s books, each with an accompanying song. Their Mom’s Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly- award-winning, and Readers’ Favorite five-star rated debut children’s book, War at the Ice Cream Store , their Midwest Book Review highly recommended, and Readers’ Favorite five-star rated follow up, Rocket Red: A Little Ant with a Big Dream , and Cheryl's newest release, The Prickly Problem: Dr. Pete the Porcupine, are featured on their online home for Kids: BiffBamBooza.com. Cheryl has numerous new children’s books on the way.  Dave Gibson is a singer/songwriter and children’s book author who resides in Nashville, Tennessee. A fixture on the Nashville music scene, Dave penned six #1 hits for artists such as Alabama, Tanya Tucker, Confederate Railroad, and Montgomery Gentry, as well as numerous other well-known country hits. He also won the Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) Best New Group award for his own Gibson/Miller Band. One of Dave’s favorite projects is his collaboration with songwriter/author Cheryl DaVeiga to write children’s books and songs. Their Mom’s Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly award-winning, and Readers’ Favorite five-star rated debut children’s book, War at the Ice Cream Store, as well as their Midwest Book Review highly recommended, Readers’ Favorite five-star rated follow up, Rocket Red: A Little Ant with a Big Dream , are featured on their online home for Kids: BiffBamBooza.com.

connect with the authors:  website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads Tour Schedule: 
Sep 13 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 13 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 14 - The Adventures of a Traveler's Wife - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / guest post / giveaway
Sep 14 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 15 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / guest post / giveaway
Sep 15 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI  / giveaway
Sep 15 - Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 16 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 16 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 19 – sharingiscaringbookblog.wordpress.com - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE
Sep 19 - The Phantom Paragrapher - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 20 – Splashes of Joy - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 20 – sharingiscaringbookblog.wordpress.com - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM
Sep 21 - @sarahs.bookstack - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE
Sep 21 – Splashes of Joy - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 22 - The Adventures of a Traveler's Wife - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / author interview / giveaway
Sep 22 - @sarahs.bookstack - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI  
Sep 23 - Sandra's Book Club - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 23 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 26 - The Phantom Paragrapher - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 26 - Sandra's Book Club - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 26 – sharingiscaringbookblog.wordpress.com - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI  
Sep 27 – RebeccaReviewedIt - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / author interview / giveaway
Sep 28 – RebeccaReviewedIt - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Sep 28 - Regally Written - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE
Sep 29 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 29 - Paws.Read.Repeat - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / author interview / giveaway
Sep 29 – Reading is My Passion - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Sep 30 - Regally Written - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM
Sep 30 - Sandra's Book Club - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI  / giveaway
Oct 3 - Just Another Mother With Books - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE
Oct 3 - Mel_literate - book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE
Oct 3 – Reading is My Passion - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Oct 4 - Captive Dreams Window- book review of THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR PETE THE PORCUPINE / giveaway
Oct 4 - Just Another Mother With Books - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM
Oct 4 - Paws.Read.Repeat - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Oct 4 – Reading is My Passion - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI / giveaway
Oct 5 – RebeccaReviewedIt - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI / giveaway
Oct 5 - Just Another Mother With Books - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI
Oct 6 - Regally Written - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI
Oct 6 – Paws.Read.Repeat - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI / giveaway
Oct 7 – Captive Dreams Window- book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM / giveaway
Oct 7 - Mel_literate - book review of ROCKET RED: A LITTLE ANT WITH A BIG DREAM
Oct 7 - The Phantom Paragrapher - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI / giveaway
Oct 11 - Mel_literate - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI
Oct 11 – Captive Dreams Window- book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE: MUSTACHIO PISTACHIO VS BULLY VANILLI / giveaway  Enter the Giveaway:  

THE PRICKLY PROBLEM: DR. PETE THE PORCUPINE Book Tour Giveaway

 

Blog Tour: MAZ, ORIGIN by T.L. Ford

 

Maz, Origin

by T.L. Ford

 

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GENRE: Sci-fi/Science Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Entering the witness relocation program after lawfully escaping a massive walled-in prison, teenage Merrill tries to fit into our society. Her background and decisions may not let her.

 

Maz, Origin is a story of growth and love, guilt and innocence, and changing goals. What is morally right and what is legally right? What's legal for humans may not be for aliens...

 

 

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Excerpt One:

 

I heard shots being fired from below.  They were aiming at the helicopter or the guy that landed on the scaffolding above me.  The sign offered some level of protection, but they'd move into position directly below shortly.  "It's ok, miss, we'll have you out of here in a jiff.  Are you hurt?"  The man began to wiggle through the bars, which was no small feat because he was wearing some sort of heavy armor.

 

He reached down toward me, and I hesitated, terrified of grabbing that hand and leaving my life behind.  He clenched his teeth in frustration and urged me, "Come on, miss!  Just take my hand."

 

Gunfire from below decided for me.  I lifted my good arm, and he latched onto me.  As he jerked me upwards, pain shot through my shoulder and abdomen.  I gave up life and slipped into darkness.

 

 

 

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Have you ever had an imaginary friend?

Am I only allowed to have had one?  Oh, dear.

 

Do you have any phobias?

Spiders, but I drew some as practice for DrawaBox.com and some of them are pretty cute when you really look at them.  Butterflies are more gruesome up close.  I'm still not going to hold spiders in my hand any time soon, though.

 

Do you listen to music when you're writing?

Usually, I am either listening to nothing at all or the exact same track on repeat.  I attended an informal belly-dance class once (not as a student, but a friend of someone), and the drumming from that was spectacular for writing and programming.

 

Do you ever read your stories out loud?

I'm turning both Colony One and Maz, Origin into audiobooks, with me taking Alex in Colony One, and the narrator in Maz, Origin.  Colony One has a handful of speakers, while Maz, Origin is myself and my friend Ben Belau.  I've also done readings at a few open mic's and writing groups.  I enjoy reading aloud.

 

Tell us about your main character and who inspired him/her.

The main character of Maz, Origin changes names over the course of the book at points where she becomes someone else, marking that stage in her life.  She starts with some of the rough independence of Little Orphan Annie, if Annie were a bit older and from a much harsher environment.  In the end, I suspect she is like G'Kar at the end of the Babylon 5 series, wiser, but with some jaded humor.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

T. L. Ford is a programmer, writer, and artist. She spent most of her professional career supporting the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland.  Her science fiction novels imagine possibilities while focusing on society and personal relationships and decisions.  Her fantasy novels are heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons and are light "weekend reads".  She's also created two art books, a thriller novella, and an interactive math iBook.  She enjoys sailing, hiking, and spending time with her family.

 

 

https://cattail.nu/books/maz_origin/

https://www.Cattail.Nu

https://www.facebook.com/theresa.ford.52

https://www.instagram.com/theresa.ford/

https://www.amazon.com/T.-L.-Ford/e/B0034Q6Q2S

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Maz-Origin-T-L-Ford-ebook/dp/B0BBBXXC2J/ref=sr_1_1c

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GIVEAWAY

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: THE STORY THAT MADE US STRONGER by Iris March

 

The Story That Made Us Stronger

by Iris March

 

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GENRE:   Women's Fiction/ Cancer journey

 

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BLURB:

 

An abandoned building. A motivated runner. A Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor.

Connor Jackson has been training for a half marathon for the past six weeks. Katie Brandt has been training to beat cancer for the past 50. When Connor discovers an intriguing secret in a tiny, abandoned building on his running route, Katie finds that the mystery is what she needs to help her get through her three-week stem cell replacement procedure. Together, Conner and Katie must find the strength to achieve their personal goals and, in the meantime, expose the many past lives that the tiny building led.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

The Runner

Connor Jackson

 

I’d run past it probably a thousand times.

 

An especially windy thunderstorm had covered my regular paved running trail with slippery leaves, twigs, and a few larger limbs on a late August afternoon. As I was running the trail, avoiding the more slippery sections, a door that I’d never noticed before was ever-so-slightly crooked, leaving it ajar. Mind you, I was running when I caught this dark shadow next to the door in the corner of my eye, and I almost tripped. Instead of hitting the ground, I sidestepped and took that moment to stop, pretend to tie my shoe and adjust my socks, and push my sweaty brown hair out of my eyes. I refused to be one of those guys with a man bun, but maybe I just needed to get a new haircut.

 

As I was messing with my shoes, I looked up at the building. It was small, probably only ten feet long by ten feet wide, a red-brick structure with a huge pole an inch away from it that was taller and thicker than any nearby telephone poles. At the tip of the pole was a piece of metal, strapped on and reaching even farther into the sky. There was a rusted chain-link fence around the building, with a few small trees and weeds within it. You could tell at one point that green plastic had been wrapped around the links, but it was long gone. The building was about fifty feet away from the trail, with plenty of trees between it and me, including a huge tulip poplar that I often noticed while running, and a bunch of maples. Breaking up the brick on the west side of the building, facing up the trail, was a wooden door with no window, adorned only by a worn doorknob. And now the hinges seemed to have broken a bit, the wood warped and pulling away from the frame about half an inch.

 

I was kneeling and staring for too long. A woman wearing blue sunglasses and walking a dog that looked like Lassie gave me a bit of a sideways look. I adjusted my shorts and stood up to continue running, with a lot more on my mind.

 

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 GUEST POST

What was your inspiration behind this story?

 

Thanks so much for hosting me on Sandra’s Book Club! It’s wonderful to be here with you!

 

My most recent novel, The Story That Made Us Stronger, was released in late September, just a few weeks ago. It’s the story of Connor, a nurse training for a half marathon that becomes obsessed with a tiny abandoned bulling on his running route. He shares his building discoveries with one of his patients in the stem cell replacement ward. That patient along with other people in his life help him research the building and encourage his training.

 

The Story That Made Us Stronger was the first book that I wrote but not the first one to be published. It’s the book that convinced me I could write a novel. This story was inspired by my sister’s  real life experience of having Hodgkin's lymphoma while pregnant with twins. Having cancer is hard on anyone but harder on a pregnant lady. Being diagnosed with cancer when pregnant is quite rare. I had a lot of anxiety for my sister and her family. I was working part time and visiting twice a week to support them but still needed something to help me work out all my emotions, something more than journaling. I remember well the moment when I was inspired to write the book. I was working from home and had just finished what I needed to do for my day job. I sat at my desk and was feeling really overwhelmed with my sister’s situation. I was thinking about her hospital stay and was suddenly was struck with inspiration. I stood up and looked out the window to see the little brick building on my own running route. I had a character to join my sister and tell her story along with motivation to keep them talking beyond cancer.

 

My sister’s character is that patient in the stem cell replacement ward. This story happens after my sweet nieces were born and her body was just about cancer free. The stem cell replacement was like a reset on her system. She stayed in the hospital for three weeks and her nurses were so wonderful. Connor isn’t really based on a specific nurse but more on all of them as a whole.

 

I hope that The Story That Made Us Stronger can encourage other people dealing with cancer or stem cell replacement therapy. Both are really hard to deal with, like training for a half marathon. I hope everyone enjoys the mystery of the little building and the teamwork that unites the characters.

 

Find out more about me and my other books at IrisMarchBooks.com

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Iris March grew up the oldest of three sisters whose names all began with the same letter. Her sisters are still her best friends. March works in the sustainability field and also writes cozy mysteries in the Succulent Sleuth Series. She lives in Ohio with her husband, young son,

and three cats.

 

Author website https://irismarchbooks.com/

 

Instahttps://www.instagram.com/searchingformysteries/

 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076150266393

 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22404252.Iris_March

 

Amazon (will be in KU): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9PQWVN5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Physical book will also be on Barnes and Noble

 

 

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GIVEAWAY :

 

Iris March will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: FIXED MOON by Katie Groom

 

Fixed Moon

by Katie Groom

 

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GENRE:   Paranormal Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

After breaking her engagement and traveling 800 miles to start her life over, literature student Zoie is ready to live her life within the books she reads and the worlds she creates on the page. She will live her life solo — only her stuffed animal Judy by her side.

Werewolf and literature professor Hugh has long been wary of letting people into his life, even for someone who’s almost 200. His life in Birmingham, Alabama, and his only two friends in the world are enough to keep him content. Not happy, but as near as he figures is possible.

Neither is ready for the literal sparks that fly when they meet. But Hugh knows those sparks mean his heart belongs to Zoie, whether she wants it or not. Desperate to prove he’s worthy of her, Hugh takes Zoie to places mortals are forbidden, drawing dangerous attention to them both.

Now, together with their closest friends, Hugh and Zoie fight against ancient foes and even more ancient laws for their lives and their love.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

Stevie placed her hands in front of her as if she was holding a big beach ball and closed her eyes. The boat shook ever so slightly and then the water started to rise above the sides of the boat.

 

Terrified that they were going to take on water, Zoie latched onto Hugh’s arm. She watched as either the water continued to rise above the boat or, maybe, the boat was sinking below the water.

 

As the water arched over their heads and created a ceiling, a fish fell at their feet. “Do I release it back or will that be an issue?” Zoie picked it up and waited for the signal — a nod from Stevie. Then she tossed it back towards the wall of water before it wiggled out of her hands. 

 

The boat travelled further down into the depths of the ocean, slowly at first — as Stevie gauged Zoie’s  potential reaction to increased pressure around the boat. The water grew a darker and darker blue until the only light was what was held in their own bubble. 

 

Zoie was standing at the edge of the boat, holding the railing, when she saw a small light. She leaned forward to get a better look. Squinting her eyes, she tried to make out what was holding the light. She leaned further forward only to be inches from the wall of water — and inches from many rows of giant, pointy teeth. 

 

Jumping back, she gasped and placed her hand over her mouth.

 

 

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 GUEST POST

What was the inspiration behind this story?

Inspiration is always a tricky thing for me. I feel like there’s a connotation that inspiration is one thing. But there were a lot of things that inspired Fixed Moon for me, and I think with most things, that’s how it is. A lot of people will have one big moment that pushes them to do something but there were a lot of little things that lead up to that moment.

 

For me, the big moment was really feeling unsafe in the relationship that I was in. I felt like I had no way out, and I had been feeling like this for a while. Also, I was in a job that was really taking the very soul of me — working me 80 hours a week and never allowing that be enough. A job that wanted to turn us into machines. So I created Hugh to protect me, as strange as that seems. I wanted a world to go to when I needed to escape, so I created the little secret world for the supernatural characters.

 

Hugh is based, actually, on the song Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon. This character is, in a nutshell, a dedication to the people that I can always go to when things get awful. Who are those people? My family. When I was a little girl — back in the times before all cars had air conditioners and automatic windows; back before they even came with a cassette player as standard — my family would take a yearly trip to Myrtle Beach, in our 1991 Chevy Lumina van shaped like a handheld Dustbuster vacuum cleaner. And every year, without fail, we would hear Werewolves of London, and, windows down, we would howl (“Ah-oooooo Werewolves of London”) without shame. Those memories are the sole reason that I began writing Hugh as a werewolf.

 

Nightbrook/Tenatoria/whatever-your-part-of-the-magical-world-calls-it is inspired by my favorite place in the entire world: The Scottish Highlands. The cobblestone streets. The puddles of rain. Fog. Moss growing on the buildings. Constantly at least slightly damp. This safe haven for the supernatural is a place stuck in time, and when I want to escape, I really do want it to be free from time and the people that could never understand what I’m going through in the moment.

 

So, when I started writing about Hugh and his life, it really was to escape to a place that I felt safe and surrounded by those that actually do care about me. So, while I dedicated Fixed Moon to anyone that needed to escape — and it is dedicated to all of you, it’s also low-key dedicated to my wonderful family: Mom, Dad, Crabby, & Steviebopper (and our cocker spaniel that’s waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge: Buffy), because they inspired me to sing like no one’s listening so that I could write without fear.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Katie Groom grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from PITT and her master’s in Employment and Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, she decided to move to Alabama in order to avoid as much snow as possible (and to advance her career in Human Resources).

When she isn’t working, Katie enjoys reading, writing, jokingly critiquing movies and TV, and campaigning that the plural of moose should be meese. She also loves to take in live music (especially Hanson) and traveling, with the goal of reaching each of the continents. Katie’s favorite pastime, however, is spending time with her beloved Shih tzu, Delta.

https://cinnabarmoth.com/katie-groom/

https://twitter.com/vintage_katie_

Book links:  https://cinnabarmoth.com/fixed-moon-katie-groom/

 

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Fixed-Moon-Katie-Groom-ebook/dp/B0B5656L24/

 

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GIVEAWAY :

 

Katie Groom will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: HOPE, STRENGTH, AND COURAGE by Kathryn Lee

 

Hope, Strength and Courage: With Stories in Medicine Training and the Atypical Sibling Rivalry

by Kathryn Lee

 

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GENRE: Autobiography - Medical and Family

 

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BLURB:

 

This book has been a self-reflective journey of a medical doctor as an ordinary person going through ordinary life's ups and downs. In epistolary form, its articles were written during the special time of her first year of training to become a general practitioner/family physician, including making the tough decision to give up hospital specialist training, "withdrawing" from fast-paced hospital work, transitioning to working from a metropolitan hospital to a rural community clinic, witnessing and getting used to a younger sibling's growing up, and being independent from a close and loving family. Some also feature a promotion of the author's new academic career at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic and how it was perceived. The book shows a journey of love, strength, perseverance, purpose and encouragement. Lots of anecdotes, lots of stories, lots of quotes. With love and respect.

 

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EXCERPT

 

 

Somehow, your reactions over this year appear quite similar to the stages of grief, namely: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This year has been tough for you. You went away from your family to take a job in the country, and leaving your family behind caused you grief. For the first few months you were in denial; you constantly told yourself that you wanted to give this a try but were also afraid of committing to it. Then the car accident happened in May, which returned you to the comfort and home of your parents. This was good for your healing, but it cause you to go through an emotional yo-yo about your choices; yes, you were angry and tried bargaining. There were certainly prolonged moments of depression and your mind wandered off to unhelpful stuff. Now, since you’ve had two weeks off with family, I sense you are showing signs of acceptance—you know you cannot change things. I can see a bit of maturity coming out. You are realizing that many things in life are not ideal, not perfect, and that going through them requires a tough face and heart. Sometimes you just have to ‘suck it up’. Life has not been bad for us, really. The other day you were reflecting on how God has been guiding your steps; that is utterly amazing.

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Kay Li is a medical doctor. A Christian. A daughter. A sister. A student in life university. An ordinary person in an extraordinary world.

 

 

CONNECT WITH KATHRYN LEE

 

WEBSITE:

https://authorkathrynlee.com/

 

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22644710.Kathryn_Lee

 

PURCHASE LINKS:  

 

Amazon.com.au

https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228833280

 

Amazon.com

https://amazon.com/dp/0228833280

 

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-strength-and-courage-kathryn-lee/1139427777

 

Book Depository https://www.bookdepository.com/Hope-Strength-and-Courage-Kathryn-Lee/9780228833284

 

Kindle

 https://amazon.com/dp/B094DS6C8K

 

Indigo https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/hope-strength-and-courage-with/9780228833307-item.html

 

Kobo

 https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/hope-strength-and-courage

 

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1083228

 

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/hope-strength-courage-stories-in-medicine-training/id1566675671

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY

 

Kathryn Lee will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: RAISE THE BAR by Jay Ibrahim

 

Raise the Bar

by Jay Ibrahim

 

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GENRE:   Self-Help

 

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BLURB:

 

Raise the Bar is about leaving the world of normalcy and mediocrity and raising yourself above your standard. It is about living a life of excellence and mastery in all aspects of your life, including health, wealth, relationships and spirituality. Most of us are good, but when we are told how to live great, we say, "I'm good enough." This mindset is damaging and limiting, hence we succumb to our thoughts, not our potential. This book will take you on a thirty-day journey to take your life to extraordinary levels and become whole. Raise the bar in everything that you do and become a legacy-maker.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

As we start this new journey and embark on something bigger, we must do

one thing.

 

We must determine where you want to be? Where do you want to be in 30 days?

 

What type of person do you NEED to become?

 

Thirty days might not sound like a long time but let me tell you, it only takes one day to change the rest of your life, so do not be fooled by the duration of the days. What really matters is what today looks like. Shape your day, and the world will mould itself to fit within your mind.

 

We will touch on thousands of books in psychology, social psychology, forensics, behavioural psychology, relationships, mindset, spirituality, health, divine living, growth, leadership, and trauma. The list goes on during this journey that we are taking. I have over a decade of experience working in this field, impacting, empowering, leading, and influencing people around me.

 

The goal is that you will see the best version of yourself with every step in the journey. Every day that you take toward your goal is a day closer to a lifestyle of freedom, living, and a positive mindset. Over the years, my work has been to capture misplaced innocence, which allowed many to break away from their shackles and eliminate the impression that we have limits.

 

But I am here to tell you and show you that in our 30-day journey together, you are only limited by the mindset you have allowed others to create for you.

 

Therefore, you will soon realise that no matter where you are placed on Earth, your process of living can begin when you decide that today is the day.

 

Whenever you are held back or think of stopping because you are not good enough or whatever other reason people place on you, tell yourself one thing:

 

Not Today. Just NOT today.

 

So, let us begin your 30-day challenge of transformation by defining what you need to be.

 

Think long and hard about who you want to become within the next 30 days. Not just anyone. Really think hard and ask yourself: If I cannot be this person, then is my life worth living? I know it sounds morbid, but we need to dive deep into what truly motivates you so you can commit for 30 days and know that if you hesitate and miss a day, you must start all over again. However, when you think deep down why you are committing yourself to these 30 days, it needs to be something so divine that it pushes and motivates you because your life depends on it.

 

I promise you this process works, and everything that we will be doing over the upcoming weeks will lead toward a lifestyle you never saw possible.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jay Ibrahim is an entrepreneur who revolutionized the relationship world. His background in psychology, behavioural psych, Applied Behavior Analysis, psychotherapy and rehab counselling over the last eleven years puts him ahead of the race when it comes to relationships, conflict and resorting to your love life once again. His decades of experience and profound knowledge of modern ages and classic strategies of resorting to relationships and communication give all his clients the comfort to know they are in good hands, and that there is no problem he can't handle. Jay has an online platform called Metanoia Academy. Ultimate Freedom Journey is one of his successful programs, helping thousands of people raise the bar in health, wealth, relationships, and spirituality and live a life of freedom mentality. He is a world-renowned love doctor mentoring clients on how to be the ultimate man.

 

 

CONNECT WITH JAY IBRAHIM

 

Website: https://jayibrahim.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lovefreedomjourney

https://www.facebook.com/Jaquan7

Instagram: @metanoia_academy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5aNJMgI5WtnIIGoPZCsgw

Podbean:

https://jayconsulting.podbean.com

https://relationshipuniversity.podbean.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60147998-raise-the-bar

 

GET YOUR COPY OF RAISE THE BAR                 

 

 

Amazon.com https://amazon.com/dp/0228857724

 

Amazon Australia https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228857724

 

Kindle https://amazon.com/dp/B09PZKJRQG

 

Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/raise-the-bar-jay-ibrahim/book/9780228857723.html

 

Indigo https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/raise-the-bar-to-live/9780228857747-item.html

 

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raise-the-bar-jay-ibrahim/1140870431

 

Book Depository https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raise-the-bar-jay-ibrahim/1140870431

 

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1125523

 

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/raise-the-bar-to-live-a-life-of-excellence/id1606815737

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY :

 

Jay Ibrahim will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: BLACKMAILING MY DAD’S BEST FRIEND by S.E. Law

Renee is a high school girl bored with school and boys, and only wants to pursue art as a career. She only ever wanted one guy, who was 45-years old—same age as her father. In fact, he was her dad’s best friend. Yikes!

As a godfather, he’s always been there for her. She shouldn’t want him like this, but the taboo of it makes her want him even more.

One day, Renee stumbles upon her godfather’s journal with erotic entries about her. Oh my! Undoubtedly, she takes the book. To alleviate her sexual appetite, she tries to have sex with her loser boyfriend, which ends up being so awkward and unsatisfying. He couldn’t even get it in right. Too funny! She needed a REAL MAN to please her, not some inexperienced high school boy.

Renee may be willing to give back the journal if he would give her something in return. How will her father react if she ever revealed the dirty thoughts his best friend had been having for his daughter? Blackmail, baby!

Their first time was with her dad sleeping 2 feet away in the same room. Wow! Were the 2 playing with fire, especially with all the handsy gestures and flirty looks?

I liked how Kane helps Renee with her college dilemma. It’s true: most college graduates don’t get a job in the field they studied. College isn’t for everyone. Kane inspired her to pursue her heart, which was sweet and hot.

The sex arrangement was great, but questions soon arise. Was Kane really into her or just giving in to her blackmail? What will happen if her dad finds out? Can they go back to the way they were?

So much love and drama boils down to an explosive ending. A great read!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Review: SAINT by Ann Omasta and Callie Love

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

For Sky, being a 30-year-old virgin was not something she expected, which was why she aimed to have a hot, dirty fling in Vegas. Will a sexy stripper from a bachelorette party be the answer? But will it end up being something more? Will one night be enough?

A hot and sweet love story!

 

Rating: 4 stars

Review: ORDERING A CHRISTMAS SNACK by Scarlett Woods

Hollywood’s hottest star needs the best cake for her big Christmas party. For $30K, Desiree couldn’t afford to say “no.” The problem was finding a certain ingredient for it, which sends her searching for “Christmas Snack” online. What she finds is an entirely different site dedicated to Christmas Snack. And what she puts under “preference” was hilarious! Wait ‘til she checks out the stud’s massive Christmas package. Oh my!

Could this actually be the best mistake ever?

A sweet, sizzling romantic quickie!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Review: ORDERING A NEW YEAR’S FLING by Scarlett Woods

Tasha has just been dumped by Dr. Hottie right before the holiday. What she needed was a date for New Year’s Eve. She decides to order a mystery fling on the dating network. The 2 have a spectacular night, which secures her date for New Year’s. But will a jealous ex ruin the whole thing?

A nice, romantic read!

 

Rating: 5 stars