Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 71
March 30, 2024
Review: THE CONFESSION by R.L. Stine
One guy that 3 high school girlscouldn’t stand and wanted to kill. All the names can be a little confusing atfirst and it does take some time for the story to settle. But, after a while,you kind of get into it.
Two weeks later, the guy they allhate was found dead at the skating rink. Dead by skate. Ouch! They all hadreason to kill him. But none of them were murderer…right? Then one of themconfesses to the murder and asks the group to keep it a secret. Keeping thissecret had really put Julie on edge. With all these “secrets,” Julie wasjuggling more than she could handle.
How will this all end? A goodread!
Rating:4 stars
Review: MURDER AT BEAGLE BAY by Cindy Bell
It’s been a while since we had astory about Nikki, the dogwalker, and she was back in this seaside mystery.
A boat has exploded and a richwoman was murdered. Thank goodness the new dog she was walking nearby wasn’thurt. Right way this becomes a mystery you get into.
Melinda was known to be a ruthlessbusinesswoman and a mean wife, so the list of possible suspects was endless. Ofcourse, the husband was a natural suspect. But now it seemed that we weredealing with a murderer and a thief. Was the thief a killer?
This mystery had an unexpectedlittle twist in the end. I loved the dogs and the mystery had me going. A goodread!
Rating:4 stars
Review: ORGANIZED GRIME by Christy Barritt
A fire killed 3 people and Gabby’sbest friend, Sierra, was the prime suspect. Then a bomb goes off as an act of“eco-terrorism.” In looking more into it, Gabby couldn’t be sure if her friend,the environmentalist, was involved or not. What had Sierra gotten herself into?
The character has a clever andwitty voice. The mystery was pretty interesting, but it does take a while toget into it as Gabby gets distracted easily by the bachelor auction and, ofcourse, cleaning up crime scenes.
Not overly exciting, but a fairlynice read.
Rating:3 stars
Review: NO SAFE PLACE by Robin Mahle
A woman burnsto death in a car fire and it seems to point to murder. The case takes a whileto get going as we run through procedures and character roll calls. We prettymuch get to know everything about the department before we get to the case.Wow, it was just so unbelievably slow. Couldn’t get into this at all.
Rating:2 stars
Review: YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE by NL Hinkens
This one started off really slow.The first chapter droned on in an unamusing fashion. It took me a while torealize Blair was a girl. The camping scene wasn’t too interesting either. Ithought the setting would lend a creepy vibe, but it was pretty dull instead.
This one definitely wasn’t theauthor’s best. It was one of the worst. Too boring!
Rating:1 star
March 29, 2024
Blog Tour: BELEGA by Dianne Hartsock
Belega
by Dianne Hartsock
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GENRE: Erotic Fantasy Romance(M/M)
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BLURB:
The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulatingnature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they'vedestroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, whereone of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has comefrom the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strengthno match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who onlydesires a simple life.
Nowonly Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more thanhe imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, hisKarthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth,that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.
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EXCERPT
Natan drew a contented breath, happy to have his cousin withthem as they were rowed to the ship. It was nice to be at sea again, but itwasn’t until the second day of the voyage that he recovered his spirits. Hecouldn’t help it. It was a glorious day with a steady breeze speeding him home.Kavi stood by his side, his face raised to the tangy sea air. His hair dancedaround his head and occasionally brushed Natan’s lips. Natan’s heart filled. Hedecided to make the most of the short time he might have with him. He steppedcloser and thrilled as Kavi leaned back against him.
“You were right,Natan. There’s nothing more wonderful than the sea,” Kavi murmured.
There was an exaggerated groan beside them. “I think I’mfeeling ill,” Niko said, and rolled his eyes at them, leaning far over therailing.
Jaden threw several damp rags at him. “You may as well helpme clean the deck while you’re here.”
As usual, the young men worked alongside the sailors on thevoyage. Natan gave Kavi a playful shove away and continued with his chore ofpolishing the brass work.
Niko tossed Kavi a rag. “You may help,” he said, laughingaloud as Kavi made him a bow and complied. The friends worked in amiablesilence for a time.
Niko rose and stretched from the deck he’d been scrubbingand smiled as the sun and wind kissed his cheeks. Natan saw the intense joythat lit his face, and knew he felt the stirring of power inside him. Painfierce as a knife’s thrust stabbed his heart. Kavi heard his indrawn breath,but Natan turned from him in shame, unable to hide his jealousy.
“Natan?” Kavi put a hand on his arm as Natan hung his head.
“It hurts, Kavi, not to have my powers,” he confessed agrief never far from the surface. He straightened and took a steadying breath.
“Well, I can no longer fly,” he admitted. “But I can come close.”
He felt Kavi’s gaze as he sought out the deck officer. Atfirst the man refused, clearly not wanting to risk his safety.
“I know what I’m doing,” Natan assured him.
“I’ll take him,” Daran spoke from where he worked close by.Natan’s smile broadened. Daran was the young sailor he’d met on his firstvoyage to Sennia.
“It’s your neck,” the officer said, and the limber youthscrambled up the rigging with a whoop. Natan followed more slowly, ignoring ahitch of pain, as they climbed to the crow’s nest. He swung himself into thebasket and spread his arms wide as the sea unfolded below him, laughing insheer joy as the ship rode a deep swell.
The sailor looked at him with approval. “It’s as if we’repart of the sky.”
“Thank you, Daran.”
“I’m at your disposal, Mage,” the young man bowed, and Natanfound that the title didn’t sting so badly on top of the world.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dianne grew upin one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwoodfloors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in thebasement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs.Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where herlove of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/mromance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, andanything else that comes to mind.
She now livesin the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patienthusband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over thekeyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are theperfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up inthe house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in herhands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently,Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is theperfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the richcolors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Blog: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
FaceBook AuthorPage: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsockbooks/?show_switched_toast=1&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/
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GIVEAWAY
Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $15Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMarch 28, 2024
Blog Tour: DEADLY SINS by January Bain
Deadly Sins
by January Bain
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance(Mafia)
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BLURB:
Book one in the Irish Mafia Kings series
Bloodfor blood. Her family killed my brother, so I’ll take their princess.
I’mQuinn Lyons, Irish Mafia King, a man known for getting what he wants, and Iwant her, Aria Byrne. I’m going to make her pay for her family’s sins.
Ididn’t intend to snatch her from her fancy engagement party, just kill herrival mobster father, but plans change in the heat of the moment. Now she’smine to claim and possess, because what better bargaining chip could a Mafiaboss have than the beloved princess of a rival family?
UntilI decide I don’t ever want to let her go.
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Excerpt One:
Quinn
My brother and partner-in-crime knocked then strode into myoffice at my bark to enter. “The Cullen brothers are wanting a word.” A slighttwitch under Devlin’s right eye told me the story. “You want me to keep themwaiting?”
The Cullens were in deep shit for thinking they could getaway with stealing from my family. I should keep them cooling their heels allnight. But hell, it might be more fun to torture them. I could use a goodworkout.
“Give me five and send them up.”
Devlin nodded and looked like he was about to say morebefore changing his mind and exiting. I shifted—the Irish king, ready foraction.
Stepping up to the one-way glass overlooking the main venueof the Emerald Club, I scanned the crowd, alert for possible signs of trouble.Our family hadn’t risen to the upper echelons of Montreal’s crime families byturning a blind eye. No, we’d done it by an eye for an eye, the golden rule.
“Power isn’t handed to you. It’s seized, by whatever meansnecessary.”
Amen, Dad. Rest in peace.
I was a true son of my father. To everyone else, I was amonster, mob boss, a killer, king of the underworld, a man who took what hewanted. One exception to the rule—I don’t hurt innocents. But for clarity’ssake, innocence was a rare commodity in my world.
I glanced over at the huge oil painting of my father paintedat the height of his power, his posture stern on the straight-backed chair, hiseyes dark and shadowed, a man never to be crossed. My mother stood behind himand his four sons lined up by his side.
“Family. Honor. Security. Protecting everything we hadstruggled for over the years—that always comes first, son.”
I honored his words with a nod. We might have arrived on theshores of North America starving and in rags, but since then we’d fought toothand nail to rise and take our proper place in society, aligning ourselves withpeople and places that mattered.
“Never forget where you came from, Quinn…or what you willdie for.”
I will find his killer, Da, I promised both my father and mybaby brother, Mikey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
January Bainhas wished on every falling star, every blown-out birthday candle, and everycoin thrown in a fountain to be a storyteller. To share the tales of highadventure, mysteries, and full-blown romances she has dreamed of all her life.The story you now have in your hands is the compilation of a lot of thingsmanifesting itself for this special series. Hundreds of hours spent researchingthe unusual and the mundane have come together to create books that featuresstrong women who live life to the fullest, wild adventures full of twists andunforeseen turns, and hot complicated men who aren’t afraid to take risks. Shecan only hope her stories will capture your imagination and touch your heart.
Blog Address - http://januarybainjourney.blogspot.ca/
Twitter Name – https://twitter.com/JanuaryBain
Facebook Page –https://www.facebook.com/january.bain
Any othersocial media -
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6437282.January_Bain
Instagram:January Bain (@january.bain) • Instagram photos and videos
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GIVEAWAY
January Bain will be awarding a $25Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMarch 27, 2024
Blog Tour: HELLULAND by C.R. Lindström
HELLULAND
C.R. Lindström
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GENRE: Geo Political Thriller crossed with a YoungAdult Urban Fantasy
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BLURB:
AGIFT AWAKENING. A LEGEND REVEALED.
Ina remote corner of the Arctic, unexplained phenomenon haunt an isolatedcommunity. Several people have disappeared, and somehow young Erika Holstromknows why. Still reeling from the loss of her mother, she escapes touniversity, only to be followed by unsettling visions of the future.
Whena Russian submarine vanishes in the far North, Erika's nightmares suggest theanswers lay buried deep in her family history. Now, just as the melting polarice releases its sinister secrets, Erika and her friends are in a race againsttime to convince the sceptical authorities what is really happening in herArctic homeland, before it’s too late.
Willthey succeed, or is the frozen North lost forever...
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Excerpt One:
Erika moved tothe music, allowing the rhythm to guide her. She watched Michelle from thecorner of her eye, trying to process what had just happened and how she feltabout it.
Danger.
Erika hesitatedwhile the others kept dancing. Something terrible was about to happen, butwhat? She scanned the room. Erika could see Sandra and Nicole had moved towardsthe corner of the dance floor with their French-Canadian boys. She looked up tosee a giant speaker hanging from the ceiling by silver chains. Erikadesperately tried to clear her head.
She shuffledtowards Sandra, Michelle following her with a dance move.
Danger.
Erika’s senseshoned in on the speaker chains. They were going to give way. She had to actnow. Masking her actions as a drunken stumble, she slammed into Sandra, sendingthem both into a row of chairs beside the dance floor. As they hit the ground,the chains holding the dangling speaker broke, sending the huge piece ofequipment crashing to the ground. Sparks flew from the massive box. Severalpeople nearby screamed, pushing themselves away from the electrical calamity.The music stopped.
From herposition under a pile of chairs, Erika could hear Michelle calling out toNicole. “Gibson, where are Holstrom and Bruster?”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
C.R.Lindström is a debut author with a passion for lore and history.
https://books2read.com/helluland/
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveawayBlog Tour: THE POISON DART by Geri L. Dreiling
Some tales don’t want to be told.They’re shrouded in the dark and cloaked in danger. Sensible peopleleave those mysteries well enough alone. But not Debbie Bradley.After all, that’s how she makes her living.
The Poison Dart
DebbieBradley Crime Mysteries Book 2
byGeri Dreiling
Genre:Mystery, Thriller
Anoverdose. A drug bust. A captive of the cartel. When fates collide,who will survive?
Theripple effects of an overdose send shock waves through a community.
Asweeping drug bust upends lives, exposing the cartel's deep reachinto the Midwest.
A quest for a better life threatens to destroya family.
As Debbie Bradley digs deeper into each story,startling connections emerge. When fates collide, who will survive?
Whatreaders are saying:
“Thenarrative contains the right blend of mystery, crime scenes andaction. It is one of those books that keeps one glued until the veryend.“
“Dreiling relies more on intelligent conversations, on theproper and strategic use of lies, and on wordplay“
“Grab or download a copy, curl up with a blanket on the couch,and enjoy this good read and solid, accurate, crime story withinteresting twists and turns.“
“With a talent for plot creation, patiently unwinding thethreads of all angles, and never lacking for excitement, Dreiling isan author you will want to read time and time again.“
**OnSale for Only .99 cents until March 1st!!**
Amazon* Left BankBooks * Bookbub* Goodreads
Chapter 1 – Reunion Excerpt
Just seeing the lighter made Caleb’s bodytingle. He’d been dreaming of this moment for sixty days. Even when he wassitting in group, claiming he was done, he knew it wasn’t true. He’d saywhatever he had to just to get out. There were times that, yes, when hisparents came, he felt bad. His mom would cry. His dad would remain the aloofmotherfucker he always was. But his mom. That was different. Sometimes hethought he should change for her. But his mom was just no match for heroin.
Calebput the brown powder in the spoon from his kit. He opened the vial of distilledwater. If you were going to get high, you might as well do it with style. Calebgently moved the flame under the heroin. Slowly, evenly, he applied the heat’sgentle kisses to the drug, melting it with his slow caress.
Calebpulled out a syringe. He put the needle in, pulled the plunger up, then flickedthe side of the syringe to force the air bubbles up. Caleb removed the rubbertube tied around his upper arm and pushed the needle into his arm. Since hehadn’t shot up for two months, the purple vein in his arm had ample time toheal.
Liquidpeace, Caleb thought as his body welcomed its old friend.
Calebslumped back on the couch, briefly taking in Macie as she stood on his balcony.Her back was to them, but he could tell she was jittery by how she rubbed herhands against her thighs.
“Goodol’ Mace,” Caleb mumbled. His head, too heavy for his neck, lolled back ontothe couch.
Alexpicked up the spoon, ready to repeat the process with his stash. His attentionfocused on prepping his dose. It wasn’t until he’d shot up that helooked over at his motionless friend.
“Hey,Macie,” Alex called out, “Caleb’s noddin’.”
Macieturned around and walked back into the living room. Just in case.
Shenoticed Caleb’s lips turning blue. His head was back, gurgling noises coming from histhroat.
Maciepushed Caleb’s shoulder. “Caleb,” she said firmly. “Cut it out. This isn’t funny.”
Calebdidn’t move.
Maciepushed harder. “Caleb!”
Sheopened his eyelids. His pupils were no bigger than the needle mark left in hisarm.
“Shit!”Macie said. “Alex, I think Caleb OD’d.”
Alex,his voice slurring, said, “Well, that’s why we got the Narcan.”
Maciegrabbed her purse and rummaged through it. She took out the package of nasalspray and tore it open. She took the cap off and shoved the nozzle up his noseuntil her fingers touched the bottom of Caleb’s right nostril.
“Yougotta really push that plunger,” Alex mumbled.
Maciepushed hard. The foil seal broke with the pressure. The full dose emptied intohis nose. Macie held her breath. It should just be a couple of moments, andCaleb would pop out of his coma.
Calebdidn’t move.
Macieshook Caleb’s shoulders. “Caleb!”
Shegrabbed the empty Narcan spray and put it up his left nostril, trying to getmore out of the already-spent antidote.
“Yougot another one?” Alex mumbled. “Sometimes it takes more than one.”
“I’veonly got the one,” Macie said. “Call an ambulance!”
“Man,we can’t be here,” Alex slurred.
“I’mnot leaving!” Macie said.
Chapter 2 – History Lessons (Excerpt 1)
Aretired police officer still called captain by everyone who knew him, Cap’n Jacklooked more like an aging rock star than a cop. Wavy, shoulder-length silverhair, a grizzled beard, and a relaxed way of speaking marked him as astoryteller, not a police officer. He’d been a rookie during the St. Louis mobwars of the 1980s. His nephew, Detective Daniel Flannery, had suggested Debbietalk to the man who’d become something of an amateur crime historian and localraconteur in his retirement.
Therecommendation had been hard won. Detective Flannery hadn’t beenDebbie’s biggest fan when they first met. It had taken time, one brush withdeath, and what Debbie suspected was the detective’s crush on her cluelessmother to turn him into an ally, albeit a reluctant one.
Thetwenty-eight-year-old host leaned toward the microphone. “Welcometo Crime Beat, a River City podcast. Thisweek, we’re looking back at St. Louis and the mafia war in the nineteeneighties. My guest is retired St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department CaptainJack Flannery. Welcome, Cap’n Jack.”
“Mornin’,Debbie. Thanks for having me,” he replied.
“Solet’s start with the mayhem that broke out after Anthony Giordano—Tony G.—diedof cancer,” Debbie said.
“Sure,”Jack replied, his husky voice carrying the mark of the Camels he once, but nolonger, smoked. “What you’ve gotta remember, back in the seventies and earlyeighties, St. Louis was controlled by three organized crime families. One washeaded by the mafia, another by a Syrian-Lebanese syndicate with roots in St.Louis, and the third crime family was out of Illinois with ties to Chicago. Allthree groups were embedded into several of the unions here in town. To keep thepeace, the three cooperated, but Tony G. was at the top of ’em all. In lateAugust of nineteen eighty, everything falls apart after Tony G. up and dies. Imean, it wasn’t too long before all hell broke loose.”
“Whywas that?” Debbie probed.
“Yousee, everyone thought that Horseshoe Jimmy…”
“You’rereferring to James A. Michaels Senior, right?” Debbie interjected.
“Yep,by nineteen eighty, he was a dapper granddad, thick white hair and a cleftchin, who had spent his life as part of the Syrian-Lebanese syndicate. He’dgotten his start in organized crime as part of the Cuckoos, a south side gangfrom the times of Prohibition. By twenty-five, he was already in prison afterholding up a railroad office in East Saint Louis. And there’s a great photo ofhim from nineteen fifty-nine just before he tried to slug a photographer.”
“I knowthe one you’re talking about,” Debbie said. “It appears in the story I wrotefor this month’s issue about the mob war. That picture was taken at policeheadquarters after he was nabbed in a liquor raid.”
Crime Beat Girl
DebbieBradley Crime Mysteries Book 1
A girl is dead. A boy is locked up.Can Debbie Bradley discover the truth before more lives arelost…maybe even her own?
A series of deadly shootings.An outbreak of stolen cars. When journalist Debbie Bradley returnshome to St. Louis, the summer crime wave has started. And she’s inthe center: A witness, a reporter, a target.
Debbie’sreasons for leaving behind her promising career in Washington D.C.were complicated. Her mother, a prominent lawyer, was diagnosed withcancer. Her engagement was cooling. When she got offered a job in St.Louis that she hadn’t been looking for, Debbie recognized anopportunity. Or an escape.
But she didn’t expect to comehome and see a girl die. Debbie never planned to investigate a boybehind bars. And she didn’t anticipate colliding with hostile copsand wary politicians.
As her work gains attention, Debbiegathers enemies. Will her assignment to cover the St. Louis crimebeat be her last?
Whatreaders are saying:
“Intense crimestory full of unexpected twists and turns” — Readers’Favorite, 5-Star Review
“Grippingcrime story…with deep themes and highlighting very real problems” —Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review
“Apage-turner, engaging the reader from the first page to the last” —Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review
Geri L. Dreiling is the authorof Crime Beat Girl, the debut novel in the Debbie BradleyMystery series, which received seven book awards. She is also theauthor of Erasing the Past. Dreiling is an award-winning journalistas well as professor and lawyer. She lives in St. Louis.
Checkout the St. Louis on the Air interview for Crime Beat Girl!
Website* Facebook* X * Instagram* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreads
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$20 Amazon
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March 26, 2024
Blog Tour: SQUIRRELS IN ANTARCTICA by Sari Karplus
Book Details:Book Title: Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Tip Top Story Shop
Release date: Mar 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.Book Description:
This fantastical book of animals in unusual places will tickle your brain, leading readers of all ages imagining their own silly combos. You'll see a skiing seal in Switzerland, a pufferfish piloting an airplane, a sloth who runs a marathon (but isn't ever done), and so much more! With fun illustrations and an educational twist, this book encourages readers to embrace their limitless imagination, explore the world, and experience animals big and small in their not-so-natural habitats. Perfect for bedtime reading or as a classroom favorite, Squirrels in Antarctica sparks boundless imagination. So, come along on this epic journey and "Let your thoughts fly limitless like snails on shooting stars." Is it a book? Is it a word game? Can it be both?!Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N
add to Goodreads
Review: With wonderful illustrations andfunny quips, this book simply relays what you don’t normally see like squirrelsin Antarctica. Or how about hippos at your kitchen sink. Or a porcupine inParis wearing pink. Or a skunk in an elevator trying not to stink. It’s likewatching an animated reel of the wacky and weird. They’re enough to make youlaugh.
In this book, expect theunexpected. A crazy must read!
Rating:5 stars
Meet the Author:
Sari Karplus got her storytelling start as a comedian and filmmaker in Los Angeles. But when an improvised bedtime story to her three young children inspired her first kids' book, she officially joined the ranks of the book writing world. Sari loves to create stories with fun journeys and teachable moments... with a healthy side of humor. Sari has written all 3 books of the Robotastic! series. "Sari" rhymes with "Mary." Sari loves rhyming.
connect with author: website ~ instagram
Enter the Giveaway:
Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus Book Tour Giveaway
