Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 268

Blog Tour: WOBBLY WILLY BAKES A CAKE by Richard Quisenberry

Wobbly Willie Bakes a Cake by Richard Quisenberry Genre: Children's Book 

Wobbly Willie's Little Reminder:
What makes me special, you may not see:my brain; my heart; the good in me.
All covered by a layer of skin, embracing diversity is where change begins.



Join
Wobbly as he embarks on a journey that not only teaches us how to
embrace our uniqueness but he reminds us of how to be kind to
ourselves. When we address these reminders head-on, the power of a
being kind brings us together. Wobbly Willie’s differences help
identify and bring awareness to what it truly means to be kind to
one another. This book will help redirect the behavior and mindset of
children who are having difficulty understanding the value of
Kindness, which results in a community that now is aware of the
valuable life skills necessary in order to make a positive impact for
generations to come.


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My review: Willie wants to have a big surprise birthday party for his friend, Sue. So he comes up with a list of things to do. Firs thing’s first: he needed to bake a cake.
This was a big how-to on baking a cake. Story had some fun rhymes and colorful drawings. 
My rating: 4 stars




Richard Quisenberry's legacy is to make communities stronger. To do that, he informs them, equips them, and empowers them — in part as a transformation life coach, serial-entrepreneur, author, father, husband, best friend, child of God, lifetime learner but also as a modern brand acting as a force for the greater good. And in doing so, he is fostering deep and vital connections between the members of our communities and the world around them. 
Focus and design your visions, dreams, and legacy to outlive you. 
Richard Quisenbury (Coach Quis) has achieved and is still in pursuit of every dream he has set his mind to, including graduating from college, becoming a principal, driving across the country, learning many hobbies, traveling out of the country, falling deeply in love, creating a beautiful family, and identifying his life purpose, to name but a few. 
With over 40 years of experience in the educational industry, Coach Quis is just as passionate today, as he was on his first day, about developing tomorrow’s personal and professional leaders. As said by Coach Quis, “If you want a different result, you must be willing to first take a different action. With the near epidemic proportions of unhappy employees, the need for personal and professional integration has never been more imminent.” 
Note that he didn’t say work/life balance; he believes such a thing is both impossible and undesirable for we spend a disproportionate amount of our time working. Instead, the goal is to integrate all aspects of life so we thrive at our careers & our personal lives equally as well, where we aren’t leaving a part of us behind as we spend our days at work wishing we were somewhere else… anywhere else; or trying to be home with our children while distracted by the things not getting done at work. Instead of balance, it’s the power of presence we seek. 
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Blog Tour: I KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO DIE by Michael J Bowler

I Know When You're Going To Dieby Michael J Bowler
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GENRE: Mystery/Thriller
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BLURB:
His best, and only, friend—J.C. Rivera—thinks this new power is cool until Leo accidentally looks into J.C.’s eyes and “sees” his murder, a murder that will occur in less than two weeks. Stunned and shaken, the two boys sift through clues in Leo’s “vision” in a desperate effort to find the killer and stop him before he can strike.
Aided by feisty new-girl-at-school, Laura, the boys uncover evidence suggesting the identity of the murderer. However, their plan to trap the would-be killer goes horribly awry and reveals a truth that could kill them all.
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Excerpt One:
After lunch, we head to a nearby McDonald’s and buy bags of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries to give out on the streets. I make momentary eye contact with each person I hand a bag to because I want them to   know they’re human like me. But I can’t hold it for more than a second until, beneath the dim shade of the freeway overpass on Main Street, this one man grasps my arm as he takes his bag. He’s a regular named Hank, an older guy with a limp who always wears a dirty Dodgers cap and mismatched clothes   I’m sure he found in a dumpster.
“Thank you, Leo.” Hank’s voice is strained, but sincere.
I force myself to look into his grateful eyes and our gazes lock. I can’t    seem to look away. It’s like I’m being drawn into Hank’s  very soul. Then I see it! Gasping, I lurch back and yank my arm away from him.
He recoils, looking stung by my action, and I want to apologize, but no words come. I’m paralyzed by what I just saw and can only offer him a silent nod.
Gripping the bag with gnarled fingers, Hank lurches down Main Street until he reaches the corner and turns out of sight.
J.C. steps around in front of me. “Hey, Leo, you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.”
“I know… when he’s… going to… die.” I barely get the words out.
J.C. stares at me. “Huh?”
~~~
My review: 17-year old Leo has been volunteering at a homeless shelter for the last three years. One night, he comes across a homeless man who’s been watching him, saying that he’s “the one.” Leo took his hand and stared into the vagrant’s eyes and…suddenly everything changed. The man gave him a gift…or a curse. He couldn’t be sure, but he couldn’t die until he passed it along.


Now, every time Leo looks into someone’s eyes, he knows when that person is going to die. Ooh, chilling! Imagine knowing the exact date that someone will die. What would you do? Would it be wise or foolish to warn that person? But wouldn’t that interfere with death’s plan?


Obviously, Leo doesn’t know what to do with this new power. But what’s worse was that he looked into his best friend’s eyes and saw his death. What to do now?


Story was easy to get into. The reader can engage so well with the character as he traverses through high school with the weight and uncertainly of this new burden. There were some lagging areas here and there, but, ultimately, this was a worthy read.


My rating: 4 stars

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He majored in English/Theatre at Santa Clara University, earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and a master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Michael taught high school in Hawthorne, California, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities. When Michael is not writing, you can find him volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and raising his newly adopted son. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles.
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z48BHH4
Social Media:Website: www.michaeljbowler.comFB: michaeljbowlerauthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelJBowlertum... http://michaeljbowler.tumblr.com/Pint... http://www.pinterest.com/michaelbowle... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NX... michaeljbowler
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Michael J. Bowler will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Review: MINE TO FIVE by Tara September

 Graphic Image designed by Sandra Lopez

'Tis the season for an office romance!

Working beyond nine to five and barely getting by, Melanie Thomas is eager to celebrate the impending holiday season and to toast the start of her dream marketing job over drinks with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he has different plans—like seeing other women.

Indulging in a pity party with tequila, Melanie confides in a sexy stranger at the bar. It’s almost Christmas, one night of letting go won’t hurt anything, right? Turns out it just might—when the stranger is her new boss. Determined to succeed at her job, Melanie won’t be scared away. This is her chance, even if her hot boss has her feeling all merry and bright and wishing for a less than professional relationship.

Matthew Ryans is burned out and on thin ice at the company he helped build unless he gets his head back in the game. Yet, his head, both upper and lower, are quickly becoming obsessed with his new assistant. Still, he can’t seem to fully begrudge Melanie’s distracting presence and the Christmas joy she brings with it. Especially considering that her enthusiasm has him reenergized. For once, he is longing for Mondays, but with his heart and job on the line he can’t risk blurring the lines no matter how strong the lure of holiday mistletoe is.

Will their holiday passion be able to fuel mutual career success, or will it only get in their way in the New Year?

Available on Amazon




My review: Melanie Thomas knew there was trouble when a woman answered her boyfriend’s phone at night. Uh-oh! Of course, you know how that ended.
Perhaps she was too wrapped in climbing the corporate ladder that she failed to be an attentive girlfriend. That same night, Melanie meets a dashing stranger and wakes up with him the next morning. Uh-oh!  But she couldn’t think about her mistake or her bad break-up; she had a career in the marketing firm to think about.
The first day of her new job, she finds that her new boss is actually her one-night stand. Yikes!
After a few freak-out moments, they eventually both settled to forgetting about the whole thing and be professional since they had to work together now. But how could they forget?
Story was pretty good. There were some lagging areas, especially concerning the office politics and the work. It had some witty commentary, and I enjoyed their debate on who was tougher—Batman or Superman.
Nice office romance!
My rating: 3 stars

Review: DATING DO-OVER by Sally Rose

After taking a magazine quiz, Emily realized she was “riding in the backseat of her life.” She was supposed to be a painter in Paris, not running a pottery shop in Gold Creek, where she fell for a two-timing, cheating bastard.


Realizing her move to Paris was really happening put Ben in an awkward spot. Did he miss his chance with her? Since their disaster first date in the mountains, he’d been festering in the friend zone, waiting for a do-over.


Ben is Mr. Fix it. He’s funny and charming, any girl would be lucky to have a friend like him.


Misunderstanding and interruptions get in the way for their second chance.


Overall, this was witty and enjoyable, but it was kind of long, and I wish it would’ve been quicker.


My rating: 3 stars

Review: THE THREE KISS CLAUSE by Christopher Harlan

Tori Klein was a popular radio sensation and was now about to get her first book deal based on the theory that men were slaves to their d#@ks. So true!


Men were pigs! “That didn’t mean the other wasn’t in there, somewhere deep inside, waiting for the prince to step out from behind all the frogs.” (18)


Let’s make this clear: Tori didn’t hate men. She just had strong opinions and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.


Unfortunately, her book deal wasn’t completely sold. She had to convince Cormac (one of the publishing partners) that she was saying was not a total diss on men. One thing that bothered him though: How can she claim to be such an expert on men when she’s never been in a real relationship?


The deal: To live together and pretend to be a couple for one month. He just had one condition—the 3-kill clause. During their time together, Cormac would get 3 kisses from Tori. Can he really change her opinion about men—that not all of them were horny pigs? Or was she a d#@k hater?


Witty and light! Had some typos in it, but the overall story read well. I enjoyed the funny podcast sessions as the 2 engage in lively debates on men and women. I especially liked the quip about “pussies are powerful [and] balls are weak.” (216) After all, babies can come out of them while one knick to the balls make the men howl bloody murder. So true!


Cormac was actually a really nice guy—honest, hardworking, respectful, and monogamous. He wanted the real deal, too. The two played a good BF/GF—it was nice. I liked how they were talking about their books and how you should not judge a book by its cover.


A great read!


My rating: 5 stars

Review: MISS CHRISTMAS by Stephanie Queen

Scarlet Jones is a wanna-be actress wanting to make it in the Big Apple. Maybe winning the Miss Christmas pageant will put her over the top.


I thought this would be a fun read, but, instead, it was slow and uninteresting. I think the author missed some great opportunities to bring out the humor in certain scenes. It was just really daunting to get through.


My rating: 2 stars

Review: COLE by Christine Donovan

One night, Cole Jackson arrives at the hottest, drunk and high, and finds his wife dead, stabbed to death.


15 years later: Cole has just been released from prison, incarcerated for 2nddegree murder. He reunited with his band and was hoping for a comeback. What would they see? A killer? There was nothing like going to jail for something you didn’t do. He was just glad to be playing again.


Shannon is a successful author. Cole often read her books in jail and was a fan. Meanwhile, Shannon had always harbored teen fantasies of her favorite singer, Cole. She never even dreamed that she would meet him in person. And, boy, did he look even better now. She never believed the hype, that he killed his wife.


As the two get closer—emotionally and physically—they make a mission: she would prove his innocence and he would find his cheating wife’s real killer.


I thought this was overall enjoyable, but there was some lag here and there. The suspense was not as heightened as it should’ve been, even though there were some enticing parts like the random attack on Shannon. The physical chemistry between the characters is good, but it does take a while to get there with endless foreplay and flirtation.


My rating: 3 stars

Review: YOU WISH by Mark Scott Piper

Graphic Image designed by Sandra Lopez

Imagine you are granted three wishes--and your second wish is captured by a television news crew and broadcast across the globe. Now the whole world knows you can wish for absolutely anything, and it will come true. Now imagine you're fourteen years old.

Jake Parker is about to finish the freshman year of what's shaping up to be a mediocre high school career. He's a late bloomer. His family is living hand-to-mouth. And worst of all, he's a nobody--until he discovers an ancient ship's lantern. With everyone on the planet watching to see what Jake's final wish will be, he becomes an instant media darling, and his social status at school skyrockets. That's the good news.

The bad news is pressure is bearing down on Jake from family, public opinion, the media, government agents, and crooked politicians as he struggles to come up with a final wish that will truly help mankind. But if he's going to pull that off, he has to outsmart them all.

Adults and teens alike will love Mark Scott Piper's debut novel, You Wish. Brimming with magical realism, social satire, and wry humor, Jake's story is about much more than the plight of one teenager. It's about the power that anyone, young or old, has to truly benefit humanity--even if the odds are stacked against you.


Available on Amazon 

 

My review: Jake Parker was your typical 15-year old geeky scrub. All he wanted was to not look like a dweeb. But “it’s lame to want stuff that’ll never happen.” (3)
Story has several points of view (Jake, his mom, some land developer, etc.) It had a slow start with talk of the Old Addison place that was bound for renovation. Jake has a wild imagination, making himself to be a pirate (weirdo!), and the boys talk a lot of sports, which wasn’t too interesting to me only because I’m not keen on sports.
One day, Jake finds an old lantern in the Old Addison place and he gets to make 3 wishes. Now we’re getting somewhere. What if you could wish for anything? What if the whole world knew about it?
Suddenly, Jake and his buddy could wish for anything. How cool is that? The possibilities were endless. He could wish to be popular, be richer, or do something really important like end world hunger or cure cancer. But, somehow, the media gets wind of this and suddenly all eyes are on him. The whole world was in a craze, wondering what Jake’s wish would be.
I’ve always liked wish fulfillment stories from Jeannie and Aladdin and even that exotic chick from Weird Science. And this book certainly had an interesting premise. However, it had a slow pace, and I wish it would’ve been simpler. Why the need to have so many points of view? I thought that made it a little too complex. But I liked the idea and it was a decent read overall.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: A DIARY OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL KID by Penn Brooks

Story is just that—the diary of a private school kid. It narrates the shortcomings of a 5th grade private school kid with funny, cartoony illustrations. It was kinda like reading episodes of Doug.


I agree that the worst part about private school is: the uniform. Having to squeeze into an old uniform because your mom didn’t do laundry. That was funny. Then you have to wear the smelly uniform? Too funny!


Witty, kinda funny, and, of course, dorky! A nice and easy read.


My rating: 4 stars

Review: UNVERIFIED by Andrew Stanek

Dylan lived a life of failure and had a mad crush on this girl. Maybe he could throw a party just to get her to notice him.


Everyone hated Dylan, who loves hate. What a strange weirdo. He’s a sociopath that stopped using social media but was still on it.


“Social media is like a broken mirror. It doesn’t show me as I am, and it’s brought me 7 years of bad luck.” (LOC 98)


Why would any girl like Dylan? He was “a dishonest, smug, unpleasant, unemployed coward.” Dylan is so cynical and self-deprecating, flaunting it with refreshing wit and laughable irony. (For ex: “I’m seeking my fortune, I just wish it would stop hiding.”)


Really, the whole group of friends is whacked. It’s easy to get into these characters’ affairs. They’re so used to chatting online that they never really learned to talk to people. They were “more at ease over the internet and more awkward in real life.” (LOC 260)


Misunderstandings and chaos at their social gathering. People are jealous and crushing on each other. They were such deviants with wanting to break each other up through trickery, lies, and deceit. How were they even friends?


Interesting read overall. It was fun to see the mess they get into. Dylan was infuriating as hell, but funny, too! Sadie was just a psycho! Heather is a jealous freak. Tom was a pompous, walking news reel.


My rating: 4 stars