Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 93

THE DIAMOND LOOKING GLASS w/ EXCERPT & $25 GIVEAWAY!

THE DIAMOND LOOKING GLASS
Book 3 in the Cleopatra's Legacy series
Dorine White
Skyrocket Press
Ages 8 - 12

Beauty and the Beast. The world knows it as a cartoon with dancing teacups and broomsticks. To twelve year old Claire La Fleur, it is family history, and the power behind Belle’s mirror is real. Every ten years her family gathers to see if the mirror will awaken, and for the last two hundred years it has slept. This time, Claire’s touch awakens the magic within the diamond looking glass, a direct portal to the past and a way to communicate with Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. The lure of power brings with it many perils, and a betrayal close to home thrusts Claire into a treacherous underworld. To protect the mirror, she travels into the Louvre museum in the dark of night, searches abandoned subway tunnels, and walks the catacombs of the dead. Welcome to Paris, France - where danger follows in every step.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the perfect series for younger readers who are aching for adventure and mystery. With just the right balance of history and magic, boys and girls will be equally drawn into these fun and exciting stories!




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EXCERPT:  Claire looked up at the clock. The second hand seemed to creep around it in slow motion, and the five minutes left until the end of the school day dragged on. She looked down at her history handout. Instead of answers, she’d drawn pictures. If any of the other students saw her page, they’d laugh, amused that Claire still liked fairy tales.La Belle et Le Bête.Beauty and the Beast.The world knew it only as a fairy tale from a famous animated film. To twelve-year-old Parisian Claire La Fleur, it was family history. This weekend everybody in the family would be remembering that history, from the great-aunt three times removed, to the cousin nobody had heard from in a decade. This was the weekend of the reunion, the time of the choosing. And Claire could now participate.A small piece of paper hit her in the cheek. She looked up, and Pierre nodded his head toward the teacher, but his hint came too late. Claire had been caught not paying attention.“Mademoiselle Claire,” said Professeur LeBlanc. “Would you like to share the answer with the class?”Claire squirmed in her chair and then looked at Pierre for help. He gestured at the whiteboard. Claire’s eyes scanned the teacher’s notes. The words “Ancient Egypt” were scrawled across the gleaming surface, but she had no idea what the teacher had asked.“Anyone?” he questioned, turning from Claire with a frown.A hand shot up in the front of the classroom.“Oui. Yes, Margeritte?” the teacher asked.Claire clenched her teeth in an attempt not to groan. She should have known that Margeritte would jump on the question. The two were running neck and neck in becoming premier étudiant, first student, among twelve-year-olds, and Claire knew if she let her guard down even a little, Margeritte would catch up.“The land of the dead was ruled over by Osiris,” stated Margeritte.“Oui,” said Professeur LeBlanc.Just then the bell rang. Darn it! Why hadn’t it rung one minute earlier? Then Margeritte would not have scored the class point, Claire thought. She scuffed the toes of her shoes against the floor.“That’s not like you,” said Pierre. He stood in front of Claire’s desk, waiting for her to gather her things.“I know. I know,” sighed Claire. “This weekend’s got me freaking out.”Pierre ran his hand through his brown, wavy hair, moving strands out of his gray eyes. “You’re lucky you held it together until now, or your perfect grades would suffer.”“They’re not perfect. They’re just good.”“You’re the top student in the class,” said Pierre. “Call it what you want.”“Well,” said Claire. She picked up her books and stuck them into her satchel. “Margeritte scored big with her answer.”“Only because you spaced out.”Claire winced. “Come on. Let’s go.” 

$25 GIVEAWAY - FINN'S ROCKET by Serena Schreiber

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for "Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air", the third book in the "Finn's Fast Books" middle grade series by Serena Schreiber.   About the BookTitle: Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air (Finn's Fast Books, Book #3) | Author: Serena Schreiber | Publication Date: November 1, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 176 | Recommended Ages: 7 to 12Amazon * GoodreadsBook Description: Finn's summer vacation plans didn't include leaving the planet. When his little sister gets kidnapped from space camp, Finn will do anything and go anywhere to get her back. Even the international space station.    The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"Finn's Ship: "The story blends Finn's American upbringing with his German heritage, acquainting the reader with the many similarities and differences in food, culture, language, transportation and family values." ~ Candy 613, AmazonFinn's Ship: "The author did a marvelous job bringing the characters to life and making the reader feel apart of each scene." ~ Glen G., Amazon Finn's Car: "I really enjoyed reading this book! Very fun to read and it's something that teens will love to read. I recommend it to everyone!" ~ Jocelyn, Amazon Finn's Car: "A well-paced, funny and highly infectious read!" ~ Bree W., Amazon 
About the Author: Serena Schreiber First published in Brooklyn in third grade, Serena Schreiber took a circuitous route through Europe to settle in Florida. When not writing for kids or scientists, she follows her other muse, fantasy. She's a happy co-conspirator of Florida Writers Association Youth Program and runs the Howl at the Moon Writers Jam. Serena has two amazing children, a handsome husband, and a turtle named Bolt.
Author Website | Book WebsiteTwitter | Facebook | Goodreads   
** Book Blast Giveaway **Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 29, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: 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 Serena Schreiber and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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$25 GIVEAWAY! - BOOK ELVES ANTHOLOGY

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the second volume of the "BookElves Anthology" featuring some of your favorite middle grade authors. Now available - just in time for the holiday season!  
About the BookTitle: BookElves Anthology, Volume 2 | Authors: Jemima Pett, Cheryl Carpinello, Rebecca M. Douglass, Wendy Leighton-Porter, S.W. Lothian, Annaliese Matheron, Ben Zackheim | Publication Date: November 12, 2015 | Publisher: Princelings Publications | Pages: 176 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 14 Summary: Seven authors, seven new tales to twang your heartstrings as you snuggle up cosy and warm during the long winter nights. Will the Christmas fairy be ready to grant your wishes? Will Shirley Link solve all the clues to her presents? Will a keen inventor steal the heart of a lady? Will another lady have her life saved by a horse? And will Santa's reindeer, a lost and forlorn hero, and a boy under the spell of a wicked witch find their way home when they are left out in the cold at midwinter? Find out in this second anthology from the MG BookElves, a selection that older children will love, and adults will enjoy reading to younger children.
Shirley Link's friends help her rediscover the joy of Christmas by setting her musical puzzles to solve - and with her detective skills, maybe she's the only one who can! Ben Zackheim (Shirley Link Detective Series, the Camelot Kids)Max the talking Tonkinese cat has an unpleasant surprise when he finds himself trapped in the attic one night and, while pondering his escape, discovers that he’s not alone. Help comes from a rather unexpected quarter … and the Twelve Days of Christmas will never seem quite the same again! Wendy Leighton-Porter (The Shadows from the Past series)Not only does Melvin Finklestein plan to impress his peers with his brilliant cracker at the Beverly Hills College of Gifted Inventors Xmas Reunion Spectacular, he’s determined to win the heart of the wonderful Trixie Tragik. What could possibly go wrong? S W Lothian (The Quest series, Time Square series)If you found a lost reindeer in the woods, could you hide him away long enough for him regain his ability to fly? Find out who else Dougall meets when he befriends Reinhardt the reindeer. Jemima Pett (The Princelings of the East series)Halitor can't find the people who need his help on the long night of Midwinter. But they find him, and there may be some holiday magic in the air. Rebecca M Douglass (The Ninja Librarian series, Halitor the Hero)Once this warhorse carried a mighty king; now he carries a cargo more precious - the young girl destined to be his queen. Cheryl Carpinello (Young Knights of King Arthur series, Young Guinevere)The Witch War is over, but the scars of their spells still cause havoc in Werifesteria, even King Aldridge is affected. When Jacob’s father is taken by the witch of The Dark Wood he and the king set out on a quest to return him. A fun fairy-tale adventure by Annaliese Matheron (Ninja Nan series)  Each tale weaves its own seasonal magic. Each magician has already warmed the hearts of thousands of young readers with their stories. Enjoy these frantic races to meet the Christmas deadline while you curl up in your favourite reading spot this winter.
Amazon (Print) * Amazon (Kindle) * Amazon (UK)Smashwords * iTunes * B&N * Kobo * Goodreads 
About the Authors: Cheryl Carpinello is a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, her profession introduced her to writings and authors from times long past. Through her studies and teaching, she fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, she hopes to inspire young readers to read more through her Quest Books set in these worlds. Website: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com     Rebecca M. Douglass has been reading and writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She has a special fondness for fantasy thanks to childhood visits to Narnia and Middle Earth. Ms. Douglass uses her word-processor near San Francisco, CA, where she lives with her husband and two teenage sons, while her imagination runs where it will, in this world and out. She is the author of the beloved Ninja Librarian books, as well as a picture book for outdoor families, a mystery for the parents, and of course the middle-grade fantasy, Halitor the Hero. Website: http://ninjalibrarian.com   Wendy Leighton-Porter devotes her time to writing books for children after 20 years of teaching French, Latin and Classical studies. Shadows from the Past is a series of time-travel adventure stories, featuring three children and a rather special Tonkinese cat. She lives in France and Abu Dhabi, and is currently working on the ninth book in the series, The Shadow of the Tudor Rose . Website: http://www.wendy-leighton-porter.com   S.W. Lothian is the creator of edge-of-your-seat time-travel adventures that provide thrills for all ages. From his sun-drenched home in Australia he pens exciting books that launch readers into epic settings filled with amazing action. Great characters, mystery, and humour make a broth of irresistible tales. Through recent personal experience, S.W. has become a passionate advocate of raising awareness of Childhood Cancer. Improved awareness leads to increased research, which hopefully will lead to a cure. Website: http://swlothian.com   Unlike many authors Annaliese Matheron never knew what she wanted to be. She wanted to do a million and one different things – be an ice-skater, or an archaeologist, or an astrophysicist, or a theatre director – luckily she realised that by being an author she could be all these things and more. Annaliese now spends her time making stuff up and writing it down. Her humorous adventure story Ninja Nan and Sidekick Grandad was a finalist in the 2013 People’s Book Prize. Website: http://annaliesematheron.com   Jemima Pett lives in a three-bedroom red-brick castle surrounded by water, along with her guinea pigs, the inspiration for brain-twisting The Princelings of the East. She writes their adventures as fast as she can, but sometimes writes science fiction adventures about asteroid miners and their friends instead. She lives in Norfolk, writes in UK English and occasionally in US English or double Dutch. Website: http://jemimapett.com     Ben Zackheim started writing Shirley Link in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. He's up to book five in the series, which will be titled Shirley Link & The Party Poopers . He lives in Massachusetts, at 42.5098° N, 72.6995° W, surrounded by the Forbidden Forest, with his wife and son. Website: http://benzackheim.com      
Follow the MG BookElves on Facebook: http://facebook.com/mgbookelves and elsewhere using #MGBookElves.Please also give your support to the other MG BookElves not included in this year's Anthology: * Melanie Abed * Julie Anne Grasso * Paul Hewlett * Fiona Ingram * M G King * S. Smith 
Goodreads GiveawayPrize: 2 copies of the "BookElves Anthology, Volume 2", the paperback edition, worldwide. Open: Worldwide Giveaway Ends: Nov 26 2015
Goodreads Book Giveaway BookElves Anthology Volume 2by Jemima PettGiveaway ends November 26, 2015. See the giveaway detailsat Goodreads. Enter Giveaway
** Book Blast Giveaway **Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 26, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: 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 authors of the BookElves Anthology, Volume 2 and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Announcing THE IFS by J.D. Pooker - $25 Giveaway!

  About the Books  Title: The Ifs | Author: J.D. Pooker | Illustrator: Frank Walls | Publication Date: April 22, 2013 | Publisher: Little Devil Books | Pages: 146 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: Landon and Broden are brothers. And some days they DO NOT get along very well. They spend most of their days fighting, arguing and plotting ways to get revenge on each other. Then, strange things start happening…
Noises in their room that are not the cat.Homework is mysteriously finished.A broken shoelace repairs all by itself.Clothes are put in the hamper on their own.The brothers want to share their weird experiences, but they don’t know if they can trust each other. But when they find out who’s behind all the strange things around the house, they are called to battle. Battle? Whoa! Right there in the forest by their house! A battle with the most unusual creatures and wildest of beasts. And when the battle turns more dangerous than they imagined, Landon and Broden must face their fears, put their grudges aside and learn how to work together.
    
Title: The Ifs Return | Author: J.D. Pooker | Illustrator: Frank Walls | Publication Date: May 17, 2015 | Publisher: Little Devil Books | Pages: 131 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: “Gage escaped.” These are the worst words Broden could hear from his big brother Landon—just one day after they battled alongside Slade’s Ifs and his army of forest beasts. Sure, the brothers had learned to work together to fight and capture the evil If Gage. But, now, Slade has informed them that Gage has escaped! Fear and distrust have entered the boys’ world. Why should they help Slade if he can’t keep control of his prisoners? Will they be able to fight against a familiar foe? Plus, Landon has more news… “Gage has magic.” What kind of magic? Will he use it against them? As the boys are drawn into yet more adventure with the Ifs, they find out just how powerful, and dangerous, Gage’s magic can be.

    The Buzz About the Books CLICK HERE TO READ EXCERPTS OF REVIEWS FROM "THE IFS" BOOK REVIEW BLITZ The Ifs: "A good and exciting read for a middle school age child. I like the message this story projected, brothers no matter what!" ~ 1977 Books The Ifs: "I am in love with this book!. Action packed, adventurous and thrilling!" ~ Naznin Azeez The Ifs: "This book is packed full of mystery, adventure, action and some brotherly love. It’s a fun read and will be enjoyed by both girls and boys." ~ Stitch Says CLICK HERE TO READ EXCERPTS OF REVIEWS FROM "THE IFS RETURN" BOOK REVIEW BLITZ The Ifs Return: "This book is very exciting.Children and up would absolutely love this book. I’m ready for book 3!" ~ Jane Ritz The Ifs Return: "There is a lot of quick paced action which children enjoy. The characters are great and ones your kids can relate to as well. I recommend that you check out The Ifs books if your kids enjoy a good adventure." ~ Christy’s Cozy Corners The Ifs Return: "Summed up, this is a fun adventure for kids ages 8+ which will send their fantasy on a wild ride and make the search for a hidden tiny fold adventure of their own." ~ Bookworm for Kids 
About the Author: J.D. Pooker J.D. POOKER lives in wonderful Wyoming with her husband and two sons, along with a black lab named Ryder and a sweet kitty named Alia. J.D. likes to spend time with her family and go camping, fishing, and snowmobiling. Her sons, Landon and Broden, were the inspiration for The Ifs and The Ifs Return. The brothers enjoy camping, fishing, and snowmobiling with their parents. They also enjoy wrestling, playing with their Wii, their toy guns and bows and arrows, and their pets. J.D. can’t wait until her boys get older. She is sure they will have many fabulous adventures.
Website   
** Book Blast Giveaway **Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 25, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: 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 J.D. Pooker 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.

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$50 GIVEAWAY - THE STORYTELLERS!

  To celebrate the release of my newest book, THE STORYTELLERS, Mother Daughter Book Reviews is hosting a $50 GIVEAWAY!!! You can enter below. And please spread the word! Thanks!
Read An Excerpt HERE. About the BookTitle: The Storytellers | Author: Laurisa White Reyes | Publication Date: October , 2015 | Publisher: Skyrocket Press | Pages: 234 | Recommended Ages: 10 to 14 Summary: 12-year-old Elena Barrios' father has AIDS, a new disease in 1991 with a 100% fatality rate. Rather than face certain ridicule and ostracism, Elena tells her friends anything but the truth, fabricating stories about her father being a writer and researcher. But the reality is that Elena resents her father’s illness and can’t face the fact that he is dying. When she is befriended by a woman named Ang who tells stories about her own father, Elena is transported into these stories, allowing her to experience them first hand. With Ang's help, Elena gains the courage to stand up to the bully at her school, mend her relationship with her father, and finally say goodbye.
Amazon (Kindle) * Amazon (Print) * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads
About the Author: Laurisa White ReyesLaurisa White Reyes is the author of The Celestine Chronicles and The Crystal Keeper series. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Middle Shelf Magazine, a digital publication about books for middle grade readers.
Author Website * Author BlogFacebook * Middle Shelf Magazine 
** Book Blast Giveaway **Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or $50 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 18, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: 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, Laurisa White Reyes 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.

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$200 GIVEAWAY - CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY

Are you on the hunt for that special Christmas book, the one that will get you into the holiday spirit, bring back memories of your own family traditions, and inspire you to revel in this Christmas season like no other? (What about $200 in Christmas cash to go along with it?) Every year, I search for stories that will fill my Christmas reading list--romance is always a fun read, but  I want them to be clean and wholesome too. That's why I'm sharing this spectacular book. Christmas Kisses is not just one story, but five romances, all clean, wholesome, and beautifully written in one anthology now on sale for .99 cents!

Let's show the world that there is a demand for clean and wholesome romances by purchasing this book today. For less than a dollar, you get a delightful read and help send a message that we want more of these kinds of books. Purchase your copy here, or your preferred vendor and then, will you please help spread the word about this book? Feel free to share any part of this post or share or like the Facebook or Twitter post. Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveaway for $200 in Christmas cash!

Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors.Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.
***$.99 November 3 - 7***


Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * iTunes * SmashwordsAdd it to Goodreads
The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning authorSomeday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business.  Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.
https://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDymock?fref=ts
Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling authorChelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near.Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.www.camichecketts.com * https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckettsAuthor

Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning authorAnika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.www.facebook.com/rachellechristensenauthor * http://rachellechristensen.com/

Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling authorKeira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?www.conniesokol.com * https://www.facebook.com/8basics?_rdr=p
 One Winter Night by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling authorJonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals.Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?http://heathertullis.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTullisBooks


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THE STORYTELLERS - My newest book is out!

THE STORYTELLERS
 Laurisa White Reyes
Skyrocket Press
Ages 10 - 14

12-year-old Elena Barrios' father has AIDS, a new disease in 1991 with a 100% fatality rate. Rather than face certain ridicule and ostracism, Elena tells her friends anything but the truth, fabricating stories about her father being a writer and researcher. But the reality is that Elena resents her father's illness and can't face the fact that he is dying.
When she is befriended by a named Ang, who tells stories about her own father, Elena is transported into these stories, allowing her to experience them first hand. With Ang's help, Elena gains the courage to stand up to the bully at her school, mend her relationship with her father, and finally say goodbye. 
AMAZON                      BARNES & NOBLE                    GOODREADS ______________________________
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
THE STORYTELLERS' journey began more than twenty years ago when I worked as an office assistant at Huntington Memorial Hemophilia Center in Pasadena, CA. In addition to treating children with leukemia and patients with hemophilia, the office also treated HIV and AIDS patients. At the time, in the early 90s, AIDS was death sentence. The doctors for whom I worked were some of the leading researchers in the field, searching for a treatment that could extend life expectancies and improve the quality of life of AIDS patients.
One morning, a family arrived at the center--a father and several young children. They all looked rather sad. Later, I learned that they had lost their mother to AIDS and now the children were being tested for it. It broke my heart.
Those early years of AIDS were wrought with fear and ignorance. Patients were often ostracized and quarantined because the public was so afraid of contagion. Victims of AIDS were also stigmatized, especially those who were gay. I won't mention here the things I heard said about them at the time, but it was pretty awful.
Times, thankfully, have changed. Not only are treatments effective in managing the disease, but the fear and stigma once attached to it are no longer as prevalent as they once were. For many years, I wanted to write a story capturing some of that history--so that the current generation might understand what things were like in our not-too-distant past,  and that they might think twice about allowing such discrimination to exist in our present and our future.
I began writing THE STORYTELLERS nine years ago. In those years, I have re-written it at least a dozen times. I have received very positive responses from many corners, but the one issue that seemed to stand in the way of its publication was the 'AIDS issue.' I was told, understandably, that the discrimination described in my book isn't an issue anymore, so why write about it? Why share this particular history with today's children?
I have to ask this question in response:  We no longer practice slavery, so why write books about it? The Civil Rights Movement happened decades ago. Kids today don't have the same prejudices as their grandparents did, so why bother teaching the present generation about the past?
We write about the past because, 1) Those who do not learn from the past are destined to repeat it; and 2) To fail to record our history, however black it might be, is to fail to progress toward something better.
So, I present to you THE STORYTELLERS, asstory that means a great deal to me, and one that I truly hope will make a difference somewhere to someone. Enjoy!
AMAZON                      BARNES & NOBLE                    GOODREADS
EXCERPT:



Elena stood at the street corner, the toes of her sneakers timidly peeking out over the curb. Waves of heat rose from the asphalt, warping the air like water ripples. She took off her glasses and wiped them with a tissue. Then she put them back on.No, it wasn’t her glasses. The air really did seem to move. Elena had never seen that before, not in Idaho where October mornings were cool and crisp. But now the term ‘Sunny California’ made sense to her. It was as hot as a July afternoon back home.She shifted her backpack from one shoulder to the other. Would the light ever turn red, she wondered? This neighborhood was nothing at all like Idaho, everything concrete and brick, the only patch of earth being a vacant lot squeezed in between apartment complexes. And the intersection of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Lake Avenue seemed as wide as the Grand Canyon, with cars zooming past in all directions. Elena wanted to cover her ears and run all the way back to the farm where she had spent her entire life until now, but unfortunately that was something she just could not do.Everywhere Elena looked, there was movement. Across the street in front of a café, a man wearing a white apron around his waist held up a large square of red and white checked fabric. He snapped it in the air before letting it glide down onto a round table. At a florist shop next to the café, a woman arranged bundles of roses and lilies in long, black canisters. Across the street on the opposite corner, a large man with a thick brown mustache stiffly swept the sidewalk in front of a drugstore. And there were people everywhere, men in business suits, women in high heels or active wear, kids with backpacks—everyone walking or jogging or even running. Elena suddenly missed Idaho more than ever.“Off to school, are you?”Elena started. Was someone speaking to her? She glanced around. On the steps of the building next door to Elena’s sat an old woman with skin the darkest shade of brown Elena had ever seen. She wore a flowered bandana tied around her head, and in her hands a strand of yellow yarn twitched between two long, metal needles. Elena wondered what she was making. Mittens? A sweater? No, not in this heat, she thought.The woman looked up from her knitting and spoke again, a little louder than before. Her accent sounded slanted and round, like people who came from the South.“I said are you headin’ off to school?”Elena allowed herself a brief glance in the woman’s direction but then quickly looked back to the street. This was the city after all, and Papi had warned her about strangers.The light turned red and the flow of cars stopped, their engines grumbling and growling like animals pulling against invisible leashes.Elena reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a brown plastic tube the length of her palm. She held the inhaler to her lips and pressed the button on the bottom of the canister. A cool mist filled her lungs. She felt a little better now, but the cars still snarled at her, and the street loomed in front of her like a black void that could swallow her whole.Elena knew she should cross. She would be late to school if she didn’t. There was nothing epic about it, really. She just had to take one step after another. But the longer she waited the harder it was to pry her feet from the curb.“What’cha scared of?” said the woman. Elena felt her staring at the back of her head. “Cars don’t bite, y’know. The way you jus’ standin’ there, you’d think they was a pack of alligators.”The woman was talking to her, but why? What could she possibly want?Elena stiffened. She had to get to school. It was her first day, after all. As she willed herself to step off the curb, she tried to picture her farm and the way the fading daylight cast lacy shadows across the barley fields. She took a deep breath and lifted her foot.Suddenly, the street rippled. Elena leapt back with a start. Scrunching her eyebrows, she peered curiously at the street, which swelled and sloshed like water in a bucket. Then the color of it shifted from black to a sickly shade of green.Elena looked up at the city’s squat concrete buildings with their sharp, straight edges. She watched with astonishment as her new neighborhood, section by section, began to transform—the café, the florist shop, even the apartment buildings all melted into mud, street lamps sprouted leaves and became trees, and where the cars had been appeared the ridged backs of alligators half submerged beneath the murky water.Soon the entire city had vanished, replaced with a hot, humid swamp that smelled of earth and damp moss. Elena listened to the sound of croaking frogs and swatted at a mosquito buzzing in her ear. For a single moment, she forgot about the cars, and the city, and school, and just stared. She was too amazed at her new surroundings to be afraid. Then, curiosity getting the better of her, she dipped the toe of her left sneaker into the water.All of a sudden, a monstrous gray gator sprang up like a giant mousetrap and snapped its tooth-filled jaws, missing her by inches. Elena threw her arms in front of her face and screamed.The frog sounds and the mossy smell vanished, and the all too familiar stench of exhaust fumes filled her nose. Elena lowered her arms. She was back on the corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard, the woman’s knitting needles clicking away. The signal turned green, and the cars at the intersection lurched forward. Elena turned and ran as fast as she could up the front steps to her complex. Then she rushed inside, down the hall to her apartment, and slammed the door shut behind her.

BOOK TOUR: KILLSHOT by Aria Michaels

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KILLSHOT
Aria Michaels
Young Adult Suspense

Available in digital, paperback & audio formats


When 17 year old Liv Larson and her brother are sent to separate foster homes, she dedicates her every breath to getting him back. After months of solitude and anti-social behavior, her best friend Riley ropes her into a Rooftop Solar Flare Party.
Despite the fascinating lights in the sky, Liv finds herself drawn, instead, to Zander- the boy with the crooked smile. For a few hours, Liv’s troubles finally feel a bit less overwhelming—that is until what should have been a small flare erupts into a massive solar storm forcing them all to seek shelter in the school’s basement. Cut off from the rest of the world and with no signs of rescue, fear and paranoia set in and battle lines are drawn, dividing their ranks. What is left the group must embark on a perilous journey to save one of their own and find their families…but, something sinister awaits them in the shadows and it’s undeniably connected to Liv.
Can Liv keep her promise to reunite with her brother? What are she and her friends willing to do to survive? Will their bravery and determination be enough to save them all from a rogue government, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night…Or was Icarus, indeed, The Killshot?

getBook.at/Killshot myBook.to/KillshotAudibleBarnes & Noble (paperback only): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killshot-aria-michaels/1120584241

INTERVIEW WITH ARIA MICHAELS:

Tell your readers a little bit about yourself…It's funny. I have written literally hundreds of thousands of words in my career as a writer. I have created entire worlds only to turn around and artfully destroy them. My stories can make people laugh, cry, and shout out in anger or fear. Words are one of my very favorite artistic mediums. Finding just the right ones has always been a strength of mine...Until you ask me to describe myself.  
I spend so much time focusing on my characters, that this is difficult for me. I guess I will keep it simple. I am a wife, mother of six, artist, and avid reader. I love all things zombie, enjoy playing in the dirt with my kids, and I am a sucker for a great red wine. I have zero tolerance for bullying or arrogance, and every moment that is not spent with my family or on my craft, is dedicated to helping my peers. Being an indie writer is easily the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. If I can make it even a tiny bit easier for someone fighting to get their words out into the universe, I will.  
What is the most important attribute in a dystopian or apocalyptic story? What is that one thing it needs to be mind-blowing?Complete and total sensory saturation. Vivid imagery, raw and real emotions, true danger and fast-paced action. I want to be pulled into the story, kicking and screaming if need be. I want to feel what the characters feel, see what they see. I want to be a part of the story. These are the types of stories I have always devoured, and what I will always aim for in my own writing.   
What is your all-time favourite apocalyptic novel, and film?Novel- That's gonna be a tie between Apocalypsis by Elle Casey and Ashfall by Mike Mullin.Movie- 28 Days Later....though, I'd prefer to curl up with some icecream and watch a Walking Dead marathon on Netflix.   
Who are your favorite authors and what did they write that stuck with you?Elle Casey (her Apocalypsis series actually inspired me to write), Stephen King (because, duh), Kate Corcino (check out Spark Rising), and Mike Mullin (The Ashfall Trilogy) just to name a few. Truth be told, there are just too many for me to list but most of my favorite authors can be found in one place; The Band of Dystopian Authors and Fans. It's a virtual who's-who of apocalyptic and dystopian talent. Amazing authors gather there to interact with fans and support each other, but it's also a great place to connect with preppers, zombie-fanatics, and a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone who loves or writes apoc-fic! 
Check them out-- https://www.facebook.com/groups/bandofdystopian/ 
If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?
Insta-love. Don't get me wrong, I like a sprinkling of romance with any good horror adventure, but it can't be that storybook, happily-ever-after love at first sight thing, you know? I am all for living in the moment, but what are the odds of finding your soul-mate five minutes after the world ends as you run screaming from a hoard of zombies hell-bent on swallowing you whole? (laughs)
How would you define the current state of the dystopian/apoc-fic genre? 
Trying to define the genre is like trying to nail Jello to a tree. It is continuously evolving; mutating like a virus that has grown resistant to the formula that once kept it in check. As technology advances, we find ourselves in the age of access and free information. Anything you want to see, hear, do...it is just a click away. As a result, society has grown restless and unimpressed. We are desensitized to the simplicity of guts, gore and complete mayhem. Of course, for true fans that will always be a loved and treasured part of the genre, but it's just not enough anymore.
People want to really connect with the story. The most successful apocalyptic adventures are character-driven with psychological elements that force the reader to ask, "what would I do in that situation? Am I strong enough to survive?" 

What was the last great book you read?One of the best books I have read recently is Spark Rising by Kate Corcino. From the moment I read the first word I was immediately drawn into a world so complex, so well developed that I completely lost track of the one I existed in. It’s definitely worth a read!  
How would you describe your writing style?Immersive. The story should chew you up and spit you out. I want you to lose all track of time and reality. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a post or received a message from a reader at 4:30am thanking me for the book hangover they will happily be taking to work with them. That's what it's all about for me. If you can make you escape your own reality and live in the one I've given you, even for a few minutes, then I have done my job. 

What’s the most important lesson you have learned about writing?Don't dream about writing, think about writing, or dream about writing. WRITE. 

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?
1. Giving up control- I am a complete control freak. I have come to terms with it, and learned to use it to my advantage. In certain aspects of the trade, however, this does not translate. I have had to learn to say what I need to say, then take a step back, breathe, and TRUST others to understand my vision. The struggle is real.
2. Scheduling- I have always been told that in order to be a successful writer you should "set aside" a certain time for to write every day; a few hours during your peak performance window (I am a night owl). Unfortunately, when you have six boys under the age of 14 (two of whom have special needs), doing this with any kind of consistency is virtually impossible. 3. Editing. Makes me want to bang my head on my desk just thinking about it. 
How do you feel you have grown as a writer since you first started?My voice has become more distinct and my style more defined but I will forever strive to perfect the art of showing, not telling. 
What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?"Stop trying to be a writer and write." -Meredith Wild
"It's never gonna be perfect, so learn to be okay with your absolute best." -My husband (who also happens to be an amazing author)

If you had to choose a “favorite” character from your work, who would it be and why?Riley Baxter, Liv's foster-sister and best friend. She has been to hell and back and still manages to see the good in people. She balances Liv's need to control the world around her by injecting a bit of faith. She is also a bit of a smart-ass, which I can appreciate.
What character was the most difficult to develop? Zander. In order to truly connect with Liv, he needed to have his own demons. I took a lot of time exploring them with him, so I could truly understand what made him tick.

For those who haven’t read any of you books, what book of yours do you think best represents your work and why?
While I have plans to venture off in other paranormal directions, Killshot (Icarus Series, Book One) is the best representation of where I am at in this moment. Check it out and see for yourself! -->
When seventeen-year-old Liv Larson and her brother are sent to separate foster homes, she dedicates her every breath to getting him back. After months of solitude and anti-social behavior, her best friend Riley ropes her into a Rooftop Solar Flare Party. Despite the fascinating lights in the sky, Liv finds herself drawn instead to Zander, the boy with the crooked smile. For a few hours, Liv’s troubles finally feel a bit less overwhelming—that is until what should have been a small flare erupts into a massive solar storm forcing them all to seek shelter in the school’s basement. Cut off from the rest of the world and with no signs of rescue, fear and paranoia set in and battle lines are drawn, dividing their ranks. Those who remain must embark on a perilous journey to save one of their own and find their families…but, something sinister awaits them in the shadows and it’s undeniably connected to Liv. 
Can Liv keep her promise to reunite with her brother? What are she and her friends willing to do to survive? Will their bravery and determination be enough to save them all from a rogue government, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night?
Or was Icarus, indeed, The Killshot?  
What you are working on next?With Killshot and the companion novella, Before the Sky Fell complete, I am hard at work on bringing my readers the next full-length novel in the Icarus Series. This book is going to be messy...relationships will falter, friendships will be tested and a new threat looms on the horizon.  
What scares you?Aside from the usual (my husband or kids being hurt, heights, small spaces, and centipedes), my biggest fear in this world is not being heard. 

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?To whom shall we address this million-dollar check? (Just kidding...mostly)



NOW AVAILABLE: SIGNED PAPERBACKS!!!

(Prices include shipping to lower 48 states. Other locations may increase the shipping cost)

#1 Killshot...................................................$21 
#2 Before the Sky Fell...............................$13  
#3 Bundle (both books +signed swag)...$30
Visit for details: http://ariamichaels.com/books.html


Contact Aria Michaels:Website: www.ariamichaels.com Aria Michaels Bio/About the Author:Aria Michaels is the author of the Best-Selling young adult dystopian novel Killshot (Icarus Series, Book One) as well as its companion novella, Before the Sky Fell. In addition to her career as an author, Aria Michaels is an avid reader, die-hard zombie fan and enthusiastic lover of bonfires and red wine. When she is not glued to her computer pouring out the voices in her head, Aria can be found playing in the dirt with her boys, painting, or binge-watching The Walking Dead with her husband. Don't let her mild-mannered smile fool you…this woman has lofty ambitions that include complete global domination. She is determined to live in a world where every pair of yoga pants comes with a free book, an iced caramel macchiatto and a magic force-field that repels the sound of screaming children (of which she has six). In the meantime, Aria is hard at work on the next installment of the Icarus Series, reveling in her role as instigator of literary mayhem and stealth assassin of fictional characters. 

For more information about Aria Michaels and the Icarus Series, be sure to check out her website at www.ariamichaels.com 

"You are never more than one choice away from a different future." --Aria Michaels
My site: www.ariamichaels.comMy blog: Aria Ever After http://ariamichaels.com/blog.htmlMy Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aria-Michaels/e/B00OBJVDSY Facebook (profile): https://www.facebook.com/aria.michaels.73   Facebook (Author/Like page): https://www.facebook.com/AriaMichaels.Fiction Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ariaeverafter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriaMichaelsYA  @ariamichaelsyaTsu: http://www.tsu.co/AriaMichaelsYA & @ariamichaelsya (linked)Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariamichaels/  &  ariamichaels Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8573796.Aria_Michaels Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/thealternateending Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/AriaMichaelsYA

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BOOK REVIEW: WENDY DARLING by Colleen Oakes

WENDY DARLING
Colleen Oakes
Spark Press
Ages 12 & up

Wendy Darling takes readers far beyond the second star to the right and straight on till morning. It is the story of a girl loved by two men—the steady and handsome bookseller’s son from London and Peter Pan, dashing, charming, and dangerous. From the cobblestone streets of London to the fantastical world of Neverland’s many secrets, readers will love watching Wendy’s journey as she grows from a girl into a woman, and realizes that Neverland, like her heart, is a wild place, teaming with dark secrets and dangerous obsessions.
“This beautifully written series is sure to intrigue both fantasy fans and young adult readers alike.” — Emily Kiebel, author of Serenade
MY REVIEW:



We are all familiar with the story of Peter Pan, whether from J.M. Barries’ original 1911 novel or the many film versions it inspired. Oakes’ tale, told from Wendy’s point of view, breathes new life into Peter’s story and makes it her own. This Neverland is far more mesmerizing and dangerous than Barries’, and I was pulled in by the lyrical writing. Every time I opened the cover, I felt completely transported into Wendy’s world. The perilous call of the mermaids, Tinker Bell’s violent obsession with Peter, the sinister charm of Captain Hook—all compelling reasons to read Wendy Darling. To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. I gobbled it up and cannot wait for the sequel. 


CONTENT RATING:
Violence:  HighProfanity:  Moderate (just a couple instances of the word 'd**n')Sexuality:  Moderate (passionate kissing)