Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 77

Dragon Defender

 
About the BookTitle: Dragon Defender (Dragon Defense League, Book #1)Author: J.A. BlackburnPublication Date: October 19, 2013Publisher: Pip & GreyNumber of pages: 242Recommended age: 10+Summary (Amazon): For over a thousand years dragons have existed in secret . . . Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can't figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter's twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother's disappearance. What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined - where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter's uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it's Peter's turn. * Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2013 Literary Contest *   About the Book: Interview
1.  As succinctly as possible, tell us why someone should read your book.
People, and kids especially, who are looking for an unapologetically rip-roaring, fast-paced adventure that’ll keep ‘em on the edge of their seat from the first to the last chapter. And to get a different take on dragons.
2.  Where did you draw your inspiration from for your characters? 
Peter, the main character and our unlikely hero, is an introverted but likeable guy who spends a lot of his time tinkering with electronics. When I was trying to get to know Peter, I kept thinking about my husband, Jason (who, by the way, did the cover and inside illustrations for my book!). They’re both passionate about their interests, self-reliant, and introverted. Peter’s not the kind of kid who makes friends right away and is just as likely to spend time alone, fiddling with something, than out being social. But when someone needs help, he’s the first person to stick his neck out. He absolutely won’t tolerate cruelty. And you won’t find a more loyal or brave friend.Xana is the spunky rich girl that Peter meets in the jungle. She’s modeled after several girlfriends I’ve had over the years. She talks before she thinks, is honest to a fault, and frequently states the obvious. She’s also fun, happy to take charge, and completely up for a good adventure – the perfect person to pull Peter out of his shell.Mario was inspired by some of the children that I met while visiting Mexico. They were very poor – selling gum on the sidewalks to tourists and living in shanties outside of town. But they had a genuine happiness that has always stuck with me. I tried to capture that with Mario – even though his circumstances were hard, he was positive. A great guy – loyal, genuine, maybe a bit wistful.
3.  When did you first start writing your book and when did you finish?
I started writing in earnest in March 2012 although the idea had been mulling around the back of my head for several years before that. Once I started I couldn’t stop and would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, long before the sun came up, pour a steaming cup of coffee and hunch over my laptop to type feverishly. I had a finished draft by October that year and started querying agents.
4.  What is YOUR favorite part of the book?
Perhaps ironically, my favorite scene was the most difficult to write. It’s the scene where Peter is lost in the cave and trying to find a way out. I wanted it to be a real nail-biter and full of suspense, the kind of scene where you just have to keep reading, to see what happens. I struggled to describe what was happening when Peter’s flashlight when out and he couldn’t see anything – to make it realistic but also let the reader know enough about what was going on that they could follow along and not feel lost. I had to rewrite that scene a lot of times and it just wasn’t working. Then we were on vacation in Maui and I signed us up to go on a self-guided cave tour. We shut off all of our flashlights and I pretended I was Peter. I actually acted out the whole scene, in the dark. People thought I was nuts. But it helped. Now it’s my favorite scene – when I read it, I’m totally there with Peter.
5.  What is the main message you want to convey to your readers in your books?
True bravery is standing up for people or animals that need help. Just because something seems a certain way; just because a lot of people believe it is that way, doesn’t mean it’s true. There’s magic to be found when you look beyond appearances.And also . . . dragons just might exist. How do you know they don’t? J
6.  Can we expect more books from you in the future? 
Yes! I’m halfway done writing a story about a girl named Violet who travels to a parallel fairy world to rescue her twin sister who was kidnapped by fairies. I’m having fun creating evil fairies. Next after that will be the second Dragon Defense League book – The Mountain of Ice & Fire, in which Peter goes to Iceland to help his uncle rescue the Nidhogg dragon from its mountainous lair, before the ICERA (Icelandic Road Administration) unknowingly blasts it to smithereens. The Knights get involved and everything goes south in a hurry. The third Dragon Defense League book will take place in Australia. Which reminds me, I’d better get writing!  More Buzz About the Book"We read an advance copy of this book on kindle earlier this year and our 5th grade son read it twice and is anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Great adventure, really kept our interest reading it together at night. This was one of the kids books I most enjoyed reading myself as well. The characters and the plot are well developed, and appealing to a wide range of kids (both genders). The writing is sophisticated but easy to understand, not 'dumbed down' like many kids books. The subject of dragons was so well crafted that it's easy believe that dragons just might exist, after all." ~ 5 Star Review, Leigh A., Amazon"Reminiscent of the Fablehaven series (with just the right touch of Harry P.) this middle grade book is both an adventure and a pleasure...Fast-paced and full of wonder, this book takes middle grade readers on a vivid journey from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico; where jungles, ancient ruins and local folklore add to the enchantment that Peter finds when he discovers that dragons are in fact, real. As a former elementary school teacher, my strong feeling is that kids will eat this book whole, and then turn to searching for dragon eggs in their own backyards!" ~ 5 Star Review, Grace W., Amazon"Dragon Defender was an absorbing action packed read! The author pulls you in from the first page and I'm not sorry to say I read it all in the first day. I'm 33 but still! This is a fun book for a chapter a night with your 5 year old (my son is loving it so far) or for yourself. The characters are well developed so you feel like you're really there, and the dragon is so believable. I'd venture so far as to say I had to remind myself that dragons don't really exist.... or do they?" ~ 5 Star Review, MGC, AmazonAmazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle)  About the Author: J.A. Blackburn     J. A. Blackburn lives in Seattle, Washington in a small white house overlooking the sea with her husband, Jason, her son, Camden, and their dog, Bella. Dragon Defender is her first novel. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads     
   

Diane Cantrell Book Blast

Title: Riley's Lost Tooth Author: Diane Cantrell Illustrator: Heather Castles Publication Date: February 16, 2010 Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group Number of pages: 24 Recommended age: 4+ Summary: Oh no! One of Sunday's very favorite humans, Riley, has lost her tooth! But where did it go? How did she lose it? Why does no one besides Sunday seem to care? It isn't long before the tooth fairy steps in and tries to teach the pups all about growing up. Join Sunday and her two puppy-pals, Precious and Mr. Lee, as they try to hunt down . . . Riley s lost tooth! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Author Website    Book Trailer for Riley's Lost Tooth   Title: Good-bye Baby Max Author: Diane Cantrell Illustrator: Heather Castles Publication Date: February, 2008 Publisher: Bridgeway Books Number of pages: 32 Recommended age: 4+ Summary: Mrs. B's class excitedly awaits the birth of three baby chicks. When Max is unable to crack open his shell, the children's loving teacher assists them in expressing their feelings of loss and planning a special good-bye.   Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Author Website  The BuzzRiley's Lost Tooth: "The book is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. The book will definitely appeal to all children (including children at heart like this reviewer) and their parents / grandparents / elder siblings and other care givers. The book is strongly recommended as a good gift that is educational and also entertaining." ~ 5 Star Review, S.V. Swamy, AmazonGood-bye Baby Max: "This book is amazing! I have given it as several gifts to my friends with children. It is very well written and the illustrations are fun and colorful. This book it a great tool to help parents and teachers talk to children about loss of a pet and a loved one in general. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!" ~ 5 Star Review, Dawn N., AmazonGood-bye Baby Max: "This colorful, hardcover children’s title Good-bye, Baby Max (Bridgeway Books, Texas, 2007) by Diane Cantrell & Heather Castles is special in its purpose of teaching an invaluable lesson: that of properly saying the final farewell to a loved one who is no more ... Diane Cantrell has created a very purposeful book for children-one that is at once a story, a poem, and a healthy course of helping children get over grief. The book’s illustrations by Heather Castles are very appealing to a child’s imagination. There is a good deal here in Good-bye, Baby Max to learn for children ages 4 to 8 years and the 32-pages book is a must read for all kids of this age category." ~ Ernest Dempsey, Book CornerGood-bye Baby Max: "I bought this book to help my nieces and nephews deal with the loss of a beloved pet. The storyline and illustrations were used as a springboard to discuss their own loss. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has young children and is looking for a way to help them cope with a loss in their lives." ~ 5 Star Review, Jeanne B., AmazonGood-bye Baby Max: "[Good-bye, Baby Max] is a tender story about death, a tough topic for young children. Kindergarteners eagerly await spring and the hatching of the class' three chick eggs. But one chick, Max, dies. What ensues is a gentle exploration of grief and its many expressions -- from tears to songs to artwork. At the end, the surviving chicks' peeps encourage the children to embrace the living without forgetting the dead." ~ Michele Siuda Jacques, Detroit Free Press  About the Author: Diane Cantrell ]  Diane Cantrell began her career in education teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Transitional First Grade. She also worked as a counselor providing assistance to parenting teens in a local school district. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Diane has provided therapy for adults, families, and children in agencies and private practice settings. As part of her private practice, she offers parent training to her clients and to parents in local schools. Diane is presently writing and publishing children’s books as well as provides counseling services to adults and children in her private practice, Life Designs Counseling. Diane’s time at Fort Sam Houston I.S.D. provided inspiration for Good-bye, Baby Max. The book, which is based on a true story, describes how Ms. B helps her kindergarten class cope with the loss of a classroom pet. At the time Diane wrote the book she was working with many children who were experiencing a great deal of loss in their lives. Her hope in writing Good-bye, Baby Max was that the story would help parents, children, and other caring professionals begin talking about losses rather than responding to their losses from a state of fear. Her second book, Riley’s Lost Tooth , was written for her granddaughter, Riley as a Valentine’s Day present. Mr. Lee, and Sunday are main characters in the book as is Precious, who died before the book was written. When Diane is not involved in writing or listening to people’s stories, she enjoys being with her husband, Rich, and their two dogs, Sunday and Mr. Lee. Diane and Rich live in San Antonio, Texas. Website | Twitter   Copyright © 2014 Mother Daughter Book Reviews, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to participate in the Diane Cantrell Book Blast. Our mailing address is: Mother Daughter Book Reviews N/A Vancouver, BC V5N2B9 Canada Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp

Fox Talk Blog Guest Post

About the BookTitle: Fox Talk Author: L.E. Carmichael, PhDBook Designer: Michael PenmanIllustrator: Jody BronsonPhotography: Brian Dust Publication Date: August 8, 2013 Publisher: Ashby-BP Publishing Pages: 62 Recommended Age: 8+Summary When you talk to a dog, does the dog talk back? Many people think so. But for a long time, scientists didn't know how our furry friends learned to communicate with people. Luckily, Russian scientist Dmitri Belyaev had a plan. If he could tame wild red foxes, he could learn how dogs first came from wolves. By studying the way these foxes changed during domestication, the mystery of communication would be solved at a last. More than 50 years after the experiment began, Belyaev's foxes have become so tame, you can have one as a pet! Packed with eye-popping photos and first-hand research, FOX TALK reveals the story of these amazing animals... and everything they've taught us about wolves, dogs, and communication.   ~Guest post~ The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
Some days, I wish I was the kind of writer that gets to make stuff up.
It would be a lot easier. If information wasn’t available, or sources conflicted, it wouldn’t actually matter. I could pick the version I liked and run with it, adding and subtracting as the story demanded.
As a nonfiction writer, though, the stories I tell have to be true. I can get creative with presentation, but the facts have to stay facts.  But what’s an author to do when the experts themselves can’t agree what IS fact?
This happened to me while I was working on Fox Talk, which is about domesticated foxes and what they’ve taught us about human-animal communication. One type of communication involves body language, specifically pointing. To understand how domestic animals gained the ability to understand pointing, scientists developed the “object-choice experiment.” The scientist hides food in one of two containers, points to the correct one, and waits for an animal to choose between them. Right answers more than 50% of the time are a sign that animals are using information from the pointing gesture to find food – in other words, communicating.
Pretty simple, right? Yeah… no. As I quickly discovered, object-choice experiments have only been around for about 10 years, and scientists are still arguing over how to do them properly, never mind what the results might actually mean. HOW should one point, for example: with the finger, or the whole arm? What’s the best way to control for the effect of training and experience? If the animal learns during repeated trials, what impact does that have on the numbers? And what if they’re using their noses instead of their brains?
As a writer, all I wanted was to describe one cool experiment Brian Hare’s team did with domestic fox puppies. Instead, I got sucked into a decade-long debate about the research that involved hundreds of pages of journal articles. And I couldn’t read the papers like a writer, looking for the “oh wow!”; I had to dust off my scientist hat and critically evaluate the validity of a dozen experiments, trying to figure out WHY they got different answers, and what that meant for domestic foxes.
I won’t lie – there was a lot of bad language involved. At one point, I caught myself throwing printouts across my office while arguing (out loud, no less) with people I’d never met who were not in fact present at the time. If I was this frustrated, I can only imagine how the actual scientists felt!
In the end though, the data convinced me – domestication really does make animals better communicators. It’s a fact.
Want to try an object-choice experiment with your pet? Check out the At-Home Experiment in Chapter 3 of Fox Talk!  Early Buzz About the Book"Fox Talk is an educational non-fiction title exploring the domestication of dogs by studying fox behaviour and communication. The information is presented with beautiful photographs, illustrations, bubbles/boxes of brief information, and descriptions of the research findings using age-appropriate language. I think this would be an excellent resource in elementary schools or for homeschoolers in particular and I highly recommend it." ~ 5-Star Review, Mother Daughter Book ReviewsPurchase Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Chapter/Indigo (Canada) 
About The Author: L.E. Carmichael L.E. Carmichael Lindsey Carmichael never outgrew that stage of childhood when nothing's more fun than amazing your friends (and correcting your teachers!) with your stockpile of weird and wonderful facts. Her sense of wonder came in handy during her career as a scientist, and in 2006, she received the Governor General's Medal for her PhD thesis, Ecological Genetics of Northern Wolves and Arctic Foxes. Lindsey finds talking about science more fun than doing it, however, and now writes for kids, teens, and occasionally adults (a sense of wonder is essential for this, too). Lindsey publishes under the name L E Carmichael, and her work has appeared in Dig, Highlights for Children, Kiki, and Canadian Tales of the Fantastic. Her published science books cover everything from animal migration to hybrid cars. When not digging up obscure or wacky details for her next nonfiction project, Lindsey's probably working on her young adult fantasy novel.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads     

The Bifrost Bridge

About the Book Title: The Bifrost Bridge | Author: James Bradley Clarke | Illustrator: Marcus Gran | Publication Date: January, 2013 | Publisher: Wynwidyn Press | Pages: 92 | Recommended Ages: 8+ Summary: The Bifrost Bridge is a Viking princess fairy tale intertwined with Norse mythology. Silya, the feisty ten year old Princess of Norway, eagerly awaits the arrival of her cousin and best friend, Princess Hedda of Denmark. The princesses are both looking forward to the summer solstice celebration, but trouble lurks in their future as magical villains see the girls as being vital for their deadly conspiracy. Hedda and Silya find themselves cast into a dangerous adventure filled with fire giants, female warrior angels and the God of Thunder.     PurchaseAmazon | Wynwidyn Press Books  The Buzz"A delightful and endearing adventure that winds Norse mythology and two young girls through a whirlwind of danger, friendship and standing up to evil-doers. The Princess heroines, Silya and Hedda, engage the reader with their charming day to day life at the celebrated summer solstice festival in ancient Norway... The book moves along easily and the characters are likable at once. A fun read for the parents, and challenging enough for the children because it may have a few new words and characters they may not know. It is an adorable story that will soon become a favorite." ~ 5 Star Review, Janet, Amazon"Bifrost Bridge is a beautiful fairytale, mixing legend and adventure and creating a wonderful reading experience for both children and adults alike. I read this to my 7 year old daughter, and my 10 year old daughter read it for herself; both of them were captivated by the story. My 7 year old loved the idea of two princesses being such close friends, and my 10 year old loved all of the action and suspense in the story. I enjoyed the Norse mythology woven into the tale. It's a wonderful family story. I will be reading it to my sons next!" ~ 5 Star Review, Rebecca F., Amazon"When I first looked into this book, I was sure that the world of fairy tales had been overdone so many times that I wouldn't see much difference between this one & my other classic favorites that I enjoyed over the years with my children... However, I was proven wrong.. This is such a beautiful and entrancing fairy tale! Mr. Clarke takes the often repetitive world of fairy tales and adds an elegant, dramatic twist to it, producing an epic and moving adventure that children will forever cherish! My daughter and I read it together and had many nights where we just didn't want to put it down! His characters, including the feisty Silya, are memorable and seem so very real! It's a hard thing to do that with children's fairy tales and again, I commend Mr. Clarke for releasing a wonderful new fairy tale to pass on to generations to come!"  ~ 5 Star Review, Vicky R., Amazon  About the Author: James Bradley Clarke James Bradley Clarke is a graduate of Hiram College, The University of Houston, and the University of Michigan. He currently resides in Oxford, Ohio, where he works as an academic librarian for Miami University. He grew up near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he has spent most of his life in the Great Lakes region. The Bifrost Bridge is Clarke’s first work of fiction. The children’s book was first developed as stories Clarke started telling to his two daughters back in the summer of 2003. Both girls shared a love for classic princess fairy tales, so he invented original princess characters for both of them. As residents in Riverside, Illinois, Clarke’s family lived in walking distance of the Brookfield Zoo where the girls regularly admired the Norwegian fjord horses. When he learned this ancient breed of horse was used by the Vikings, a specific medieval setting for the stories came into focus. As a Hiram College student, Clarke had developed a love for the epic poems of Homer and Virgil, so he chose to borrow from mythology to provide magical elements. The girls became instantly enamored with these stories and they insisted on developing new adventures for the two Nordic princess characters. The first draft of a manuscript was produced during the summer of 2005. Clarke’s daughters were delighted with the bound copy they received as a Christmas gift later that year, so he began the process of becoming an author. Clarke has a love for history and a taste for plot driven stories about extraordinary individualism. Themes of fortitude and self-determination lay at the heart of Clarke’s writing interests. Facebook (Book Fan Page) | Facebook (Author Fan Page) | Goodreads    Copyright © 2014 Mother Daughter Book Reviews, All rights reserved.

The Amish Doll ~ spotlight

Raven Meadows was raised on the Allegheny Indian Reservation in New York but placed in foster care after the death of her grandparents. Moving from one foster home to another, she's had two constants in life: knitting and her ragdoll. Now at 24, she works as a social worker in a foster home for boys. To her surprise, Amish families from Cherry Creek, NY apply to be foster parents. She quickly bonds with one Amish woman, Susanna Yoder, a knitter waiting for a kidney transplant. Susanna shows Raven her prayer shawl, and seeing what comfort it brings, Raven eagerly knits prayer shawls and eventually helps start a knitting circle. Over time, Raven discovers her ragdoll is really an Amish doll that unravels the mystery of her birth. This revelation leads her to a new found faith, forgiveness, and an Amish love
Award winning author, Karen Anna Vogel writes stories that take readers into a real life situation where they can learn to solve their problems in a Biblical manner or by the Amish philosophy of life. A discussion guide full of scriptural application is at the end of her novels.
About the Author
 Karen Anna Vogel is an author on a mission to use stories to entertain and encourage, but most of all to help heal the hurting...and she does it masterfully! ~ Kathi Macias author of 40 novels.

TOP 100 Amazon Author in Religion & Spirituality:
November 2012, January 2013, February 2013, February 2014, April 2014, July-September 2014, December 2014
Amazon #1 Bestseller in Christmas, Christian Counseling, Quakers, Short Stories, Knitting, Christian Fiction Anthologies, and Dating & Relationships. Karen writes stories that take readers into a real life situation where they can learn to solve their problems in a Biblical manner or by the Amish philosophy of life.

Karen Anna Vogel has worn many hats: stay-at-home mom to four kids, (youngest daughter Kara Vogel Farnam is a buddy Amish fiction author), home school vet, entrepreneur (started Thrifty Christian Shopper) substitute teacher (aka survivor) wife to Tim for 33 years, musician. Writing has always been a constant passion, so Karen was thrilled to meet her literary agent, Joyce Hart, in a bookstore...gabbing about Amish fiction.
After her kids flew the coop, she delved into writing, and nine books later, she's passionate about portraying the Amish and small town life in a realistic way, many of her novels based on true stores. Living in rural, PA, she writes about all the beauty around her: rolling hills, farmland, the sound of buggy wheels.
She's a graduate from Seton Hill University (psych & education) and Andersonville Theological Seminary (Masters in Biblical Counseling). In her spare time she enjoys knitting, photography, homesteading, and sitting around bonfires with family and friends. Visit her at Linkswww.karenannavogel.com @KarenAnnaVogelAmazon:  http://tinyurl.com/mzh4ln5

Rain by Cristie Cotes ~ Cover Reveal

About Rain
Taylor Sullivan took her life for granted until she received news that would change her life forever. In a state of denial she met Kyle, who didn’t end up being what she expected. She wasn’t able to escape her new reality, but with his friendship, just maybe she could survive it. 
About Christie
Christie Cote resides in Vermont with her Husband and their dog. When she isn’t reading, writing, or dreaming up her next story, she can be found shooting targets with her bow, drawing or baking.

Christie writes Young Adult Realistic Fiction, Fiction, and New Adult novels.

Find Christie:
| Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Review Blog |


Website: http://christiecote.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorchristiecote
Twitter: http://twitter.com/christiewriting
Instagram: http://instagram.com/christiewriting
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6994618.Christie_Cote
Rain on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18522639-rain
Book Review Blog: http://christiesbookreviews.com

Book Review ~ Playing the Maestro ~

Aubrie Dionne
Romantic Science Fiction and Fantasy
Get Swept Away to Other Worlds... http://www.authoraubrie.net
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

Two words to describe Playing the Maestro: "Classy and Sophisticated". Not only is this novel a love story, but a love story pertaining to two orchestra musicians: a German maestro named Wolf, and the first flutist in his orchestra, Melody. The fact that this story is wrapped around the symphony lifestyle, made this read even more interesting. I found the characters were very well developed, and I could truly picture the sweet, yet beautiful Melody, and the handsome, GQ style Wolf, in my mind. Their on and off romance kept me intrigued, and it made it hard for me to put the book down. I found the storyline well developed and fast paced, with some great twists and turns. In all, it was very refreshing, and the budding love between Wolf and Melody was a perfect mix of intrigue and romance. I commend the author, because great romance stories need not be overly explicit. Aubrie has created a beautiful, well-crafted love story that will pull at your heartstrings until its very end.

 Purchase:

Owlet ~ Spotlight

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.About the Author                                     Emma Michaels is a multi-talented bookish girl. Not only is she the designer of beautiful covers, but she has many other accomplishments under her belt. She started book blogging in 2009 and was first published in 2010. She started The Writer's Voice blog in 2011 as a way to help readers get to know authors on another level.She moved to Washington at seventeen to be with the man that she loves, who asked her what she secretly wanted to be when she grew up. Naturally, she told him that she wanted to be an author, but at the time she thought "it was a pipe dream." He encouraged her to pursue her dreams and taught her that "sometimes reaching for the impossible can make a world of difference in your life." Now she is published and reaching well beyond what most people can imagine.Linkis Amazon : http://tinyurl.com/nkvmvrk                       http://www.emmamichaels.com                                          https://www.facebook.com/emma.michaels

Pixelated ~ cover Reveal

Pixelatedby L.S. Murphy Release Date: 06/30/15Bloomsbury Spark
Summary from Goodreads: Senior Year. 
Middle of nowhere. 
What's the new girl to do?
For Piper Marks, the answer is simple. She’s determined to have her photography rock the cover of National Geographic someday, and moving to Clarkton, Iowa for her last year of high school is not going to stop her. Even if her usual subjects have changed from bright lights and skyscrapers to fields, cows…and more fields. 
But when photographer at the local paper quits in a huff, she steps into his spot. Her new job keeps Piper busy capturing tackles, and zooming in on first downs and end zone dances, not to mention putting her directly in the path of varsity football star Les Williams IV. Her new friends warn her off, but she can’t resist the pull she feels toward this mysterious country boy. But this small town is keeping a secret, and it’s one that could destroy any chance they have to be together. 
It’s up to Piper to decide what to do with the distorted truth. Can she risk exposing her heart? It might be worth it, 'cause Les is about to change her world from black and white to fully saturated color. 
Praise for Pixelated:
"In Pixelated, L.S. Murphy weaves a complex web of secrets and lies with a ‘will they or won’t they’ romance that kept me turning pages and holding my breath!" ~ Julie Reece, author of The Artisans and Crux

"Beautifully written, with a full spectrum of emotion and complex characters, Pixelated will tug at all your heartstrings. I easily lost myself in the world L.S. Murphy created and couldn't stop reading because I needed to see how the story ended." ~ Kelly Oram, author of Cinder & Ella

"L.S. Murphy brings something for every reader with Pixelated: romance, secrets, mystery, and a main character torn between two choices. Murphy's writing is sharp and steeped in emotions, deftly hooking her readers from the first sentence to the last." ~ Sarah Bromley, author of A Murder Of Magpies 

About the AuthorL.S. Murphy obsesses about St. Louis Cardinals baseball, fangirls over her favorite authors, and watches every episode of Doctor Who like it's the first time. When she's not doing those time-consuming things, the former farm-girl turned city slicker turned suburbanite writes sweet romances for teens and adults.

Author Links:
     


Cover Reveal Organized by:

Caterpillar Shoes Blast & Giveaway

 About the BookTitle: Caterpillar Shoes | Author: Angela Muse | Illustrator: Ewa Podles | Publication Date: March 26, 2015 | Publisher: 4EYESBOOKS | Pages: 28 | Recommended Ages: 0 to 8 Summary: Patches is an energetic caterpillar who is trying to decide what activities to do. In the end, she doesn't put any limits on herself and lives her life to the full. Amazon * Goodreads  About the Author: Angela Muse Angela was born in California to a military family. This meant that she got used to being the "new kid" in school every couple of years. It was hard trying to make new friends, but Angela discovered she had a knack for writing. In high school Angela began writing poetry and song lyrics. Expressing herself through writing seemed very natural. After becoming a Mom in 2003, Angela continued her storytelling to her own children. In 2009 she wrote and published her first rhyming children's book aimed at toddlers. Since then she has released several more children's picture books and released her first young adult romance series, The Alpha Girls , in 2012. Angela's husband, Ben Muse writes suspense/thriller books that can also be found on Amazon. Check out what else she's working on by visiting www.4eyesbooks.comWebsite | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter  * $50 Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 6, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open: 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, Angela Muse and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway