Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 84

The Ghost of You ~ Blitz & Giveaway

The Ghost of Youby Amanda Burckhard Release Date: 02/24/15Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:Emmy has everything she’s ever wanted: a hot boyfriend she adores, great friends, a promising future, and even a well-connected family. But one night rips it all away.
A car accident shatters her world, claiming the lives of her twin brother and her best friend. In the wake of the accident, her friends drift away, her family falls apart, and her boyfriend cheats.
The grief is more than she can handle, so she finds escape at the bottom of a bottle of painkillers. Taking the pills makes her brother alive again, if only in her head. Seeing and talking to her brother as if he were still alive is the only thing that keeps her going. Until Logan King moves to town.

Logan sees past the mask of pristine popularity she wears in public and he’s the only one who can tell she hasn’t moved on. His uncanny ability to read her forces her to open up and she starts to fall for him, no matter how unwilling she is to admit it. But Emmy isn’t the only one keeping secrets and when a close brush with death sparks events that bring everything to light, Emmy will have to decide what’s more important: learning how to forgive and move on, or holding onto the pills and the ghost of her past.

Buy Links:Amazon
About the AuthorAmanda Burckhard grew up exploring bat caves and hunting for dinosaur bones in the Black Hills of South Dakota. When she wasn’t crossing paths with mountain lions, she was making up stories and devouring books at the library. Although, she still does that.
Amanda loves to travel and cross out things on her adrenaline packed bucket list. Some of the things she's been able to cross out include see an active volcano erupt, ride a gondola in Venice, and pet a tiger.

She currently lives in North Sioux City, South Dakota and works as a microbiologist by day. Some of her obsessions include comic book movies, hot chocolate, sushi, sunshine, and Doctor Who.
Author Links:      

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Al Capone Does My Shirts ~ Spotlight

 Book Description
Publication Date: April 20, 2006 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up Today I moved to a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I'm not the only kid who lives here. There's my sister, Natalie, except she doesn't count. And there are twenty-three other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cook's or doctors or electricians for the prison, like my dad does. Plus, there are a ton of murderers, rapists, hit men, con men, stickup men, embezzlers, connivers, burglars, kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two, though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons don't want. I never knew prisons could be picky, but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless you're me. I came here because my mother said I had to.About the Author  Gennifer CholdenkoHow did a girl named Snot-Nose end up publishing children's books?
Here are the facts as I know them . . .
I am the youngest of four kids, all of whom have big mouths. We were so loud, that once a lady asked my brother if our mother was deaf.
She was not.
The only sibling who did not have the trademark Johnson big mouth was my sister, Gina, who had Autism. My parents worked very hard to try to figure out how to help Gina, but being the parent of a child with severe Autism is like riding a unicycle in an earthquake.
Since I was the youngest, I spent a lot of time by myself making up words, stories, songs and jokes (known as Gennifer Jokes) none of which made a lot of sense. Luckily, I kept most of these strange imaginings to myself.
After graduating from Brandeis University with a degree in English, I went to work writing advertising. I spent my days trying to convince people to take out a second mortgage or upgrade their printer or buy death and dismemberment insurance. I wrote copy for seven years until all of my words began to sound like the work of a big mouth twelve year old. At which point I went to Art School. With a second degree from Rhode Island School of Design I was supposed to get my portfolio together, but instead I wrote my first novel. (I do my best work when I'm supposed to be doing something else.) And that was the beginning. I have been a twelve year old for twenty years now. I have no plans to turn thirteen.Links Website: Choldenko.com Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ktt2lpoTwitter:  @choldenko

Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing ~ Spotlight

Jago and Sally Lloyd-Jones, the creators of the bestselling Jesus Storybook Bible, present this second volume of gorgeous, simple-yet-profound thoughts on faith taken from their book, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing. This edition of sixteen thoughts (“God’s Rules” to “Acorn Power”) uses a conversational tone paired perfectly with the illustrations to look at profound spiritual truths—drawing insights from creation, history, science, the writings of great thinkers and preachers and writers, and more—to turn the reader’s eyes toward the God who loves them with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
About the Author 
 Sally Lloyd-Jones 
is a Brit who came to the US in 1989 "just for a year." She's still here. Born in Kampala, Uganda, raised in East, and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, the first book she ever remembers reading all the way through was THE COMPLETE NONSENSE by Edward Lear. Things have not been the same since. She lives in Manhattan and enjoys dividing her time between the front half of her apartment and the back.
Links
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/opadnsr
Website: sallylloyd-jones.com
 Twitter: @sallylloydjones

Guardians of Terath ~ Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Welcome to the cover reveal for Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro! This is a modern fantasy with sci-fi and romantic elements. It is being published by Soul Mate Publishing on March 25 and will be available for preorder on March 14th. About the Book:An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same. Even success comes at a price. Goodreads About the Author: Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter (@ZenDiPietro), and Pinterest. You can also find her on Goodreads.






Giveaway:
$15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Women of Badassery mousepad (US)Ends 3/5
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

The Dream Catcher Blitz ~ Giveaway

The Dream Catcherby Anya Monroe Release Date: 02/19/15300 pages
Summary from Goodreads: ***Paddle boards, bonfires & bikinis won’t help Penny. She craves the boy from the woods; not knowing she’s already caught in his nightmare. ***

Penny’s nightmare is ruling her life and she doesn’t know why. It started a few months ago, and since then Red Bulls, 5-hour Energy Shots, and Starbucks drive-thru are her lifeline.

When Penny’s parents decide to take their research of a rare Native American cult to a remote cabin for the summer, she's less than enthused.

Then Penny meets Delsin in a clearing in the woods, and her view of the world awakens. Apathy defines her, but Delsin lives life to it’s fullest. A shaman-in-training, he is everything Penny is not.

Each morning she comes to the woods, handing pieces of her heart to him, but when Penny is confronted with her worst nightmare, Delsin asks for a sacrifice Penny didn’t see coming.


Buy Links:Amazon

About the Author
Anya Monroe likes to write stories and paint words on her walls. She believes in love at first sight and fights for happily-ever-afters. As a wife and mom to six kids, she carves out time to write between carpool pick-ups and date nights because words are her heartbeat. She lives a ferry ride from Seattle and is a total Pacific Northwesterner who drinks chai lattes and wears Birkenstocks and has dreadlocks. She's a cliché, but doesn't mind it. Not even a little.
She documents her lovely-messy life on IG @anyamonroe. Find her there!


Author Links:    

GIVEAWAY:a Rafflecopter giveaway


Book Blitz Organized by:

Fearless Joe Dearborne ~ Blast & Giveaway

 
About the BookTitle: Fearless Joe Dearborne | Author: Lisa Whitney Mitchell | Publication Date: July 11, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 198 | Recommended Ages: 8+ Summary: Some might say he’s courageous, while others would say he’s daring, maybe even a little crazy. But when Joe Dearborne risked his life and ran into a burning building to save a puppy, the local newspaper referred to him as “fearless”—and that’s a pretty big title for a sixth-grader to live up to. Plus, Joe already has plenty else to worry about. After other daring feats in the past, Joe promised his father he wouldn’t do anything dangerous again, and, alas, he’s just broken that promise. But whatever trouble he expects to get into with his father, and despite the dangers he’s triumphed over in the past, nothing could prepare Joe for what he’s about to encounter when a cold, bitterness creeps into his home. A mysterious and peculiar woman named Mrs. Chill has just been hired to care for Joe while his father is away on business. In no time, however, Joe discovers that she’s up to more than cooking and cleaning, and she has plans to destroy his family. Joe’s effort to save them results in perilous, sometimes humorous, encounters, and leads him on a journey through the threatening wilderness where he faces his greatest challenge yet.   The Buzz About the BookBe sure to check out the Book Review Blitz Wrap-Up for Fearless Joe Dearborne were you can read excerpts from the 40+ reviews generated through the blitz. Here are some of the things reviewers had to say about Fearless Joe Dearborne : Leigh Shearin: "Children from age 8-12 should love this story. It is full of suspense and excitement, but also provides well-disguised learning opportunities, which should please parents as well. I simply can't say enough good things about this wonderful debut novel. Lisa Whitney Mitchell has come out fearlessly, treating us all to what could become an iconic novel!"Heart of a Philanthropist: "This reader was impressed with how many subplots are in Fearless Joe Dearborne. It is a short easy read. The book can easily be finished in just a few reading sessions. If you are looking for a good mystery embedded with humor, this book is for you! Recommended for 9-13 year old readers."Identity Discovery: "I thought this was a fantastic book. Each chapter starts with a word being defined and then the word is used within the chapter. I absolutely love this aspect. It not only is an entertaining story, but it helps kids to learn new words and how to use them. The character development really showed Joe's transformation. I loved it."Christy's Cozy Corners: "There is so much to love about this book...The storyline, setting, characters and pacing make this a great book for your kids to read alone or with you. I know I enjoyed it, so I recommend reading it with your child. I highly recommend it!"1:25 am Reviews: "I read this entire book in one sitting. I just couldn't bear to put it down because there was never a dull moment!!"BeachBoundBooks: "This is such a fantastic story. There is so much going on to keep children entertained throughout the book... The story teaches children about character and believing in yourself."Bookworm for Kids: "Of course, I'm always a fan of shorter adventures. The 135 pages invites even hesitant readers to take a peek and get swept away in the fun. In other words, I can recommend this to boys and girls who love adventure, a few chills and tons of fun thrown in."Sunshine, Bubbles and Books: "One of the strongest points of this book is how it shows the difference between being brave and being fearless. Often books portray recklessness as a positive trait... as a mother, I love that this paints it in a more realistic light. That there are consequences to actions."A Leisure Moment: "This story is filled with adventure and mystery which can be inferred through the book cover... The attention to detail, along with the description of events really creates an atmosphere of a great story that upper elementary/middle level students will truly enjoy!"Brooke Blogs: "I enjoyed the story as much as my 12 year old daughter did. This was a quick read and a page turner that we didn't want to put down until we were finished."  About the Author: Lisa Whitney MitchellLisa Whitney Mitchell lives in Florida with her husband, two sons, and their dog. When she’s not writing, she practices law. Fearless Joe Dearborne is her first novel.   * $25 Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: March 18, 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, Lisa Whitney Mitchell 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  

Maisy and the Money Marauder Blast & Giveaway

About the BookTitle: Maisy and the Money Marauder (The Maisy Files, Book #2) | Author: Elizabeth Woodrum | Publication Date: February 17, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 90 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 12 Summary: Lunch money has been stolen at West Valley Elementary, and everyone's favorite fourth-grade detective in on the case. With a cherry lollipop in hand, her fedora, and her trusty notebook, Maisy steps into her black-and-white mystery world to search for clues. Join Maisy on her quest to unmask a thief in Maisy and the Money Marauder. Book 2 Available from AmazonPLUS, Grab a FREE Kindle Copy of Book 1, Maisy and the Missing Micefrom Amazon February 17 and 18, 2015. Sneak Peek   The Buzz About Book One" Maisy and the Missing Mice is a fun chapter book featuring a smart and sassy tween girl as the title character; a solid and interesting plot featuring age-appropriate intrigue and suspense; and some terrific writing that carries the reader on a journey as a detective uncovering clues and solving the mystery of who stole the missing mice. I highly recommend this book as a read aloud book for children between the ages of 6 and 10 or for independent readers between the ages of 7 and 12 who love to read mysteries." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews "Woodrum certainly knows her target audience and does a very nice job with the character development of Maisy. This is an incredibly kid-friendly story that makes a great introduction to the genre of mystery for newly independent readers. It's a quick page turning read that encourages kids to think outside of the box." ~ The Children's Book Review"The delights from this book start with the cover art and continue with a fun story that is well-written." ~ 5 Star Review, R. Johnson, Amazon"My name is Kat. I am 9 years old. I would rate this a five because I like everything about it, the mystery the most. It was fun to read. My favorite part was the mystery and the end. I love this book so much. I think other kids would love it too because it has mystery and most kids would like mystery books. Most mystery books have a good mystery. I would love to read the whole series." ~ 5 Star Review, Heather A., Amazon"What an Amazing book. I totally love it. I admire the author dedication for writing an incredible book. While reading this book, it was very clear that author understand kids. I’ve always been an avid reader and this book is one of the best books I have read in 2014. This book grabs my attention from the very start of the book and couldn't put it aside till I finish it." ~ 5 Star Review, KristinT, Amazon"I knew I would love this book simply because I knew it would remind me of the mystery books I read in my childhood. I really love how much trust the teachers and community as a whole put in Maisy. She is well deserving of their admiration as the way she finds clues and finds the mascot for the school is well thought out. This is a story any child would love to read. I hope Maisy continues to solve mysteries..." ~ 5 Star Review, Josh, Amazon  About the Author: Elizabeth Woodrum Elizabeth Woodrum is an elementary teacher in Ohio. She came to love writing when she was in elementary school, but more recently began writing material for use in her classroom. From that writing, grew the desire to write books for the general population of children and adults alike. The Maisy Files , a children's series, is the first series that she has published. As a reader, Elizabeth prefers the fantasy genre, but she enjoys realistic fiction as well. Some of her favorite authors include JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and Nicholas Sparks. Originally from Indiana, Elizabeth currently resides near Dayton, Ohio with her two pets: a cat named Butterscotch and a dog named Reese Cup.   Book Website | Author Blog | Twitter Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest  * $25 Book Blast Giveaway *  Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: March 16, 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, Elizabeth Woodrum 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  

Me Tarzan You Jane Tour & Giveaway

Tour Schedule Me Tarzan, You Jane by Camelia Miron Skiba Moving on doesn’t always have to mean goodbye. Widowed makeup artist Jane Sullivan is more comfortable keeping her husband's memory alive than dating a pool full of sharks. Ella, her 4 year-old daughter, is her whole world. When Jane meets Lucas Oliver, famous cover model, it’s hate at first sight. His playboy persona rubs her the wrong way. Accustomed to every woman fawning over him, Lucas is drawn to the shy, uncompromising single mom and completely melts at the sight of Ella. He is determined to convince Jane that sometimes a second chance can mend a broken heart.   Grab your copy for just 99 cents! Amazon      Praise:  Fun book. When it first started out, I was afraid it was going to be shallow (lots of references to hot guys, etc) but it turned out to be a thoughtful story with likable characters. I look forward to reading more from this author. ~ Author Karey White   Great story! Loved Jane's strength, and learning the layers of "Tarzan." This is a great story about moving on after a tragedy and learning to trust again! ~ Author Sherry Gammon   I adored this book. The characters were so alive for me that I was actually sad when the book ended. I wanted more. Maybe the author will be kind enough to write about each of the male models mentioned here ... If your looking for a heartfelt story this is the book for you. ~Solmarie   Author Camelia Miron Skiba I WRITE. I LIVE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE. I’m a dreamer I’m a sinner I love my books I conjure hooks And heroes with good looks Romance is my guilty pleasure Taking me to places with new decor Come join me if you dare I promise not to bore If you like to read my stories Pray my husband continues snorin’ For he’s the one who keeps me up at night When I give my heroes wings and flight.   Facebook * Twitter * Website   Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/27/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway   -- ~Inspired Kathy~ I Am A Reader

My Puddle Adventure: Children's Winter Book about Puddles, a Winter Book Level 3 (The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 2)

Free for a limited time on Amazon!Book Description
Publication Date: January 20, 2014 | Age Level: 6 - 8 | Grade Level: K - 3

Read this book for FREE as part of your PRIME or Kindle UNLIMITED membership.Get new ideas on what to do on a rainy day with your childrenFrom the #1 best seller of "My Snow Day" and "Sparkly Me"When Gabi wakes up she can hear the rain tapping on her bedroom's window.
Would she stay home all day or go out to seek new adventures?
Are you ready to go on an adventure with Gabi? Put on your rain boots and get ready to splash!
This book is about:FriendshipFunCreativityAbout the Author  Ally  Nathaniel is an author and mom to three young children who have inspired her to write and publish children's books. To date she has published ten titles: "Sparkly Me," "Who's Under the Bed," "Fabulous Me," "Dancing with the Sun," and more. "Sparkly Me" and "Who's Under the Bed?" made it to the #1 best seller position on Amazon for children ages 0-6. Currently she has sold more than 40,000 copies on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).

Through Ally Nathaniel eBook Publishing Services, she assists business owners and authors to self-publish their books through Amazon KDP by guiding them through the entire self-publishing process for Amazon Kindle. She offers assistance with the writing, finding illustrators, editors and (when necessary) ghostwriters, and works with clients on ways to promote their books after publishing and listing on Amazon.

In addition to her work as a self-publishing coach, Ally has edited an on-line parenting magazine, managed parent-oriented forums, and has written and published articles for a parenting magazine. She is also a trained chef and is currently working on a unique cookbook that combines child-friendly recipes with parenting tips on how to build a child's confidence and develop a closer bond with your child in the kitchen.Links: 
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/lfmrcunTwitter: @AllyNathaniel 

Bored No More: A Children's Book about Creativity ~ Spotlight

Free on Amazon for a limited time!@ http://tinyurl.com/osfz4jaBook Description
Publication Date: January 12, 2014

Join Brother and Sis on their journey of turning a boring day into one full of creative play!
This book was written for preschool and elementary aged children. It is meant to be an inspiration for children to find pleasure in creating their own fun. It is also meant to encourage them to look at the things around them a little differently and see how they can be repurposed.
It is playfully illustrated by two sisters (still kids themselves).
Included in the ebook is a link for free printables including a collection of building fronts that you can print for your children to use to create their own “Recycle Bin Town.” They can fit nicely onto empty cereal boxes or other items you are recycling.
This is the second book in a series of adventures with Brother and Sis. The first is titled, "Room to Play: A Children's Book about Decluttering"About the Author Jen Burns is a momma of six children (ages 9-17), who loves to read, sing harmony, eat dark chocolate and anything pumpkin. She also loves to find new thrift stores and coffee shops with her best friend (Mike).

As a child her favorite place was the public library. As a teen her first job was at a public library. One of her dreams was to one day write a children's book. That dream has now come true!

Jen values time spent making lasting memories of those she loves. She drives her family crazy asking to take pictures, and loves planning themed events. Her home is full of cartwheels, movie making, and hair cutting adventures as her six children grow and become the future adults they are meant to be.

She loves hearing that anything she has said or written has helped someone. To make a load lighter, to give encouragement, and to share her thoughts and experiences are her goals in writing.  LinksWebsite: http://Jamesandthebigbattle.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/jenburns8