Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 6
September 11, 2017
Mystery Monday: Late Choir
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
Church choirs have long been a vital part of most church services. Choir members volunteer hours of their time for practice, as well as committing to be front and center at church, usually for multiple services a week.
The West Side Baptist Church choir in Beatrice, Nebraska was even more dedicated than most. The 15 people who made up the choir were never, ever late for their 7:20 pm choir practice. They knew if they were late, they'd feel the wrath of the choir director, Mrs. Paul.
West Side Baptist Church Image credit: Unsolved Mysteries
On March 1, 1950, though, it seemed everything was against the 15 perfectly punctual choir members:
Ladona Vandergrift--The high school sophomore was stuck on a geometry problem and couldn't seem to set it aside to leave on time.Royena Estes--Her car wouldn't start. She called Ladona for a ride, but had to wait for Ladona to finish her math problem.Mrs. Schuster--She and her small daughter, who would have come to practice with her, stopped by Mrs. Schuster's mom's house to help her get ready for a meeting.Herbert Kipf--Ran late because he was working hard to finish a letter.Joyce Black--Was procrastinating going out into the cold.Harvey Ahl--Was planning to bring his two boys to practice with him, but ran late because he was talking.Marilyn Paul--Overslept her nap. Marilyn was the pianist for practice.Mrs. Paul--The choir director was late because of her oversleeping daughter, Marilyn. She couldn't get her to wake up earlier when she tried.Lucille Jones and Dorothy Wood--These high school girls usually went to practice together, but Lucille wanted to listen to the rest of a radio show.
Earlier, the Reverend had gone to the church to warm things up. He lit the furnace and went home to eat dinner. He would have normally arrived at 7:10, but his wife was ironing his daughter's dress, so he, too, was late.
At 7:25 pm, residents throughout the area heard a loud bang as the furnace exploded. The church was demolished. Every choir member was spared because they were all late.
It was the first time the choir had been late for practice. But if they hadn't been late, they likely would have all died or been seriously injured in the explosion.
The above was from a well-known Life Magazine report on the explosion. Click here to read more about it.
Do you think divine intervention was at play here? Or was it just a coincidence?
Church choirs have long been a vital part of most church services. Choir members volunteer hours of their time for practice, as well as committing to be front and center at church, usually for multiple services a week.
The West Side Baptist Church choir in Beatrice, Nebraska was even more dedicated than most. The 15 people who made up the choir were never, ever late for their 7:20 pm choir practice. They knew if they were late, they'd feel the wrath of the choir director, Mrs. Paul.
West Side Baptist Church Image credit: Unsolved Mysteries
On March 1, 1950, though, it seemed everything was against the 15 perfectly punctual choir members:
Ladona Vandergrift--The high school sophomore was stuck on a geometry problem and couldn't seem to set it aside to leave on time.Royena Estes--Her car wouldn't start. She called Ladona for a ride, but had to wait for Ladona to finish her math problem.Mrs. Schuster--She and her small daughter, who would have come to practice with her, stopped by Mrs. Schuster's mom's house to help her get ready for a meeting.Herbert Kipf--Ran late because he was working hard to finish a letter.Joyce Black--Was procrastinating going out into the cold.Harvey Ahl--Was planning to bring his two boys to practice with him, but ran late because he was talking.Marilyn Paul--Overslept her nap. Marilyn was the pianist for practice.Mrs. Paul--The choir director was late because of her oversleeping daughter, Marilyn. She couldn't get her to wake up earlier when she tried.Lucille Jones and Dorothy Wood--These high school girls usually went to practice together, but Lucille wanted to listen to the rest of a radio show.
Earlier, the Reverend had gone to the church to warm things up. He lit the furnace and went home to eat dinner. He would have normally arrived at 7:10, but his wife was ironing his daughter's dress, so he, too, was late.
At 7:25 pm, residents throughout the area heard a loud bang as the furnace exploded. The church was demolished. Every choir member was spared because they were all late.
It was the first time the choir had been late for practice. But if they hadn't been late, they likely would have all died or been seriously injured in the explosion.
The above was from a well-known Life Magazine report on the explosion. Click here to read more about it.
Do you think divine intervention was at play here? Or was it just a coincidence?
September 8, 2017
Introducing I Belong with You by Ashelyn Drake
If you like romance novels, you should definitely check out Ashelyn Drake's books. She never disappoints. Today, she's revealing her latest cover. Scroll down to read all about it!
Blurb:
Emily Richards and David Burke are the best of coworkers—pretending they’re over their hot yet short-lived romance.
When Emily finds herself without a place to live, David jumps to her rescue, offering a room in his apartment. But how can two people who are very attracted to each other survive being in such close quarters, sharing everything including a shower?
David is ready to settle down, but that’s the last thing on Emily’s mind. Will the lies and jealousy between them be the end of their relationship for good?
Pre-Order:
Amazon
Bio:
Ashelyn Drake is a romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She also writes speculative fiction under the name Kelly Hashway.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Blurb:
Emily Richards and David Burke are the best of coworkers—pretending they’re over their hot yet short-lived romance.
When Emily finds herself without a place to live, David jumps to her rescue, offering a room in his apartment. But how can two people who are very attracted to each other survive being in such close quarters, sharing everything including a shower?
David is ready to settle down, but that’s the last thing on Emily’s mind. Will the lies and jealousy between them be the end of their relationship for good?
Pre-Order:
Amazon
Bio:
Ashelyn Drake is a romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She also writes speculative fiction under the name Kelly Hashway.Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
September 6, 2017
IWSG: Pleasant Surprises
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means hundreds of us will be posting about our insecurities. If you haven't yet, join in. You'll be glad you did!
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?
Before I answer this question: a caveat. In addition to my novels, I write for a dozen or so freelance clients, providing 2,000 or more words a day. I write about everything from cloud computing...
...to antique furniture.
But the freelance topic that surprised me the most was cold fusion. When I was asked to write about it, I was new to freelancing, which is 100 percent the only reason I agreed to do it. I didn't know any better.
That was when I first realized I could somehow manage to write about something I didn't understand. And every time I have to write about the Blockchain or Bitcoin, that same cycle happens all over again.
When I wrote the middle-grade novel that helped me land my agent, I wasn't sure I could do it. I wanted to write a story about young ghost hunters, but I wasn't sure I could handle the suspense/adventure that was required. I'd never done suspense/adventure before.
But I managed to do it...and well enough to get an agent. It also captured the attention of some big publishers, even though it never quite made it here:
What I learned was that we can all tackle new challenges. We just need to push ourselves. After all, I can write about cold fusion when I don't even know what it is!
Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? What did you learn from the experience?
Each month we have a question. This month's question is:
Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?
Before I answer this question: a caveat. In addition to my novels, I write for a dozen or so freelance clients, providing 2,000 or more words a day. I write about everything from cloud computing...
...to antique furniture.
But the freelance topic that surprised me the most was cold fusion. When I was asked to write about it, I was new to freelancing, which is 100 percent the only reason I agreed to do it. I didn't know any better.
That was when I first realized I could somehow manage to write about something I didn't understand. And every time I have to write about the Blockchain or Bitcoin, that same cycle happens all over again.
When I wrote the middle-grade novel that helped me land my agent, I wasn't sure I could do it. I wanted to write a story about young ghost hunters, but I wasn't sure I could handle the suspense/adventure that was required. I'd never done suspense/adventure before.
But I managed to do it...and well enough to get an agent. It also captured the attention of some big publishers, even though it never quite made it here:
What I learned was that we can all tackle new challenges. We just need to push ourselves. After all, I can write about cold fusion when I don't even know what it is!
Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? What did you learn from the experience?
September 5, 2017
Introducing Ready, Set, Goal by Debbie Dadey AND Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee
It's another round of book birthdays. They come in twos and threes these days! Today we're sharing birthday cake with Debbie Dadey and Barbara Dee--two fantabulous authors you see around here very often!
First up is this book by my friend and fellow Aladdin author Debbie Dadey. It's the latest in her Mermaid Tales series.
Blurb:
Shelly Siren and Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team travel to the city of Atlantis for the championship game in this sparkling Mermaid Tales adventure.
Shelly Siren loves playing on Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team. But is she ready to compete in the Shell Wars Championships in the fintastically famous city of Atlantis? She’s not sure, but luckily Echo, Kiki, and Pearl will be swimming along for the ride.
As part of their trip, the mergirls get a tour of Atlantis, and learn all about how the great human city ended up at the bottom of the ocean. But when they swim through Poseidon’s Temple, Shelly spots a spookfish—which legend has it, carries a horrible curse.
Shelly’s sure the curse is just a silly sea story. But after she knocks over a precious relic, accidentally hits Rocky with her Shell Wars stick, and gives another player a black eye, Shelly isn’t sure what to think. Could the Spookfish Curse be real? And will it ruin the chances of Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team taking home the championship trophy?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Debbie Dadey is an award-winning children’s book author who has written more than 150 books. She is best known for her series The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, written with Marcia Thornton Jones. Debbie lives with her husband, three children, and three dogs in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest
Book birthday #2 is a mega-talented author with an impressive career. Her book Star-Crossed was the talk of the kidlit world earlier this year, and her latest book is already making a similar splash:
Blurb:
A cancer survivor must readjust to “normal” middle school life in this hopeful novel from the author of Star-Crossed and Truth or Dare.
Norah Levy has just completed two years of treatment for leukemia and is ready to go back to the “real world” of middle school. She knows it'll be tricky—but like the Greek mythological characters she read about while she was sick, Norah’s up for any challenge.
But seventh grade turns out to be trickier than she thought. Norah’s classmates don’t know what to make of her. Her best friend, Harper, tries to be there for her, but she doesn’t get it, really—and is hanging out with a new group of girls. Norah’s other good friend, Silas, is avoiding her. What’s that about, anyway?
When Norah is placed with the eighth graders for math and science she meets Griffin, a cute boy who encourages her love of Greek mythology and art. And Norah decides not to tell him her secret—that she was “that girl" who had cancer. But when something happens to make secret-keeping impossible, Norah must figure out a way to share her cancer story.
But how do you explain something to others that you can’t explain to yourself? Can Nora take her cue from her favorite Greek myth? And then, once she finds the words, can she move forward with a whole new ‘normal’?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Barbara Dee is the author of Halfway Normal, Star-Crossed, Truth or Dare, The (Almost) Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys, Trauma Queen, This Is Me From Now On, Solving Zoe (Bank Street Best Children’s Books), and Just Another Day in My Insanely Real Life (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Barbara is one of the founders and directors of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her family, two naughty cats, and a rescue hound dog named Ripley. Read more about Barbara at BarbaraDeeBooks.com.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
First up is this book by my friend and fellow Aladdin author Debbie Dadey. It's the latest in her Mermaid Tales series.
Blurb:
Shelly Siren and Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team travel to the city of Atlantis for the championship game in this sparkling Mermaid Tales adventure.
Shelly Siren loves playing on Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team. But is she ready to compete in the Shell Wars Championships in the fintastically famous city of Atlantis? She’s not sure, but luckily Echo, Kiki, and Pearl will be swimming along for the ride.
As part of their trip, the mergirls get a tour of Atlantis, and learn all about how the great human city ended up at the bottom of the ocean. But when they swim through Poseidon’s Temple, Shelly spots a spookfish—which legend has it, carries a horrible curse.
Shelly’s sure the curse is just a silly sea story. But after she knocks over a precious relic, accidentally hits Rocky with her Shell Wars stick, and gives another player a black eye, Shelly isn’t sure what to think. Could the Spookfish Curse be real? And will it ruin the chances of Trident Academy’s Shell Wars team taking home the championship trophy?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Debbie Dadey is an award-winning children’s book author who has written more than 150 books. She is best known for her series The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, written with Marcia Thornton Jones. Debbie lives with her husband, three children, and three dogs in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest
Book birthday #2 is a mega-talented author with an impressive career. Her book Star-Crossed was the talk of the kidlit world earlier this year, and her latest book is already making a similar splash:
Blurb:
A cancer survivor must readjust to “normal” middle school life in this hopeful novel from the author of Star-Crossed and Truth or Dare.
Norah Levy has just completed two years of treatment for leukemia and is ready to go back to the “real world” of middle school. She knows it'll be tricky—but like the Greek mythological characters she read about while she was sick, Norah’s up for any challenge.
But seventh grade turns out to be trickier than she thought. Norah’s classmates don’t know what to make of her. Her best friend, Harper, tries to be there for her, but she doesn’t get it, really—and is hanging out with a new group of girls. Norah’s other good friend, Silas, is avoiding her. What’s that about, anyway?
When Norah is placed with the eighth graders for math and science she meets Griffin, a cute boy who encourages her love of Greek mythology and art. And Norah decides not to tell him her secret—that she was “that girl" who had cancer. But when something happens to make secret-keeping impossible, Norah must figure out a way to share her cancer story.
But how do you explain something to others that you can’t explain to yourself? Can Nora take her cue from her favorite Greek myth? And then, once she finds the words, can she move forward with a whole new ‘normal’?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Barbara Dee is the author of Halfway Normal, Star-Crossed, Truth or Dare, The (Almost) Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys, Trauma Queen, This Is Me From Now On, Solving Zoe (Bank Street Best Children’s Books), and Just Another Day in My Insanely Real Life (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Barbara is one of the founders and directors of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her family, two naughty cats, and a rescue hound dog named Ripley. Read more about Barbara at BarbaraDeeBooks.com.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
September 4, 2017
Mystery Monday: The Mall Murders
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
***Warning: Today's mystery involves the deaths of children.***
On December 12, 2007, Nancy Bochicchio and her seven-year-old daughter, Joey, pulled into the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Florida. They were captured by a surveillance camera leaving the mall at 3:11 p.m.
Police were called to the mall just before midnight. Nancy's SUV was parked in the Sears parking lot with the engine still running. The bodies of her and her daughter were inside, bound, and one of them was wearing blacked-out goggles.
Nancy's purse was found 45 miles away. The crime has never been solved.
Joey and Nancy Bochicchio
However, it was only one of a string of similar cases in the Boca Raton area. Earlier in 2007, Randi Gorenberg left the Town Center Mall following an afternoon of shopping. Her body was found behind a nearby Civic Center. Police were alerted to the situation by a witness who reported hearing gunshots and seeing a woman being pushed from the passenger side of a dark SUV. The SUV matched Randi Gorenberg's vehicle.
Randi Gorenberg and her vehicle
An anonymous woman may have provided insight into what happened to this woman. In a 2008 interview, she described in detail what happened to her and her daughter at the Town Center Mall just four months before Nancy and Joey's murder.
The mom, identified as Jane Doe, left the mall for her SUV. She strapped her son into his car seat, closed his door, and walked around to the driver's-side door to get in. That was when she saw a man in the back seat with a gun pointed at her son's head. The man made her drive, stop at an ATM to withdraw $600, then drive to a remote spot. He bound her with zipties and drove around, but as they spoke, he seemed to warm up to her and let her and her son go. This was the composite that was made of the abductor.
The crimes appear to be isolated to 2007, which means the perpetrator could be in jail on another charge or maybe he stopped killing altogether. He could have simply changed his M.O. Or maybe the three crimes weren't connected at all. What do you think?
***Warning: Today's mystery involves the deaths of children.***
On December 12, 2007, Nancy Bochicchio and her seven-year-old daughter, Joey, pulled into the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Florida. They were captured by a surveillance camera leaving the mall at 3:11 p.m.
Police were called to the mall just before midnight. Nancy's SUV was parked in the Sears parking lot with the engine still running. The bodies of her and her daughter were inside, bound, and one of them was wearing blacked-out goggles.
Nancy's purse was found 45 miles away. The crime has never been solved.
Joey and Nancy Bochicchio
However, it was only one of a string of similar cases in the Boca Raton area. Earlier in 2007, Randi Gorenberg left the Town Center Mall following an afternoon of shopping. Her body was found behind a nearby Civic Center. Police were alerted to the situation by a witness who reported hearing gunshots and seeing a woman being pushed from the passenger side of a dark SUV. The SUV matched Randi Gorenberg's vehicle.
Randi Gorenberg and her vehicle
An anonymous woman may have provided insight into what happened to this woman. In a 2008 interview, she described in detail what happened to her and her daughter at the Town Center Mall just four months before Nancy and Joey's murder.
The mom, identified as Jane Doe, left the mall for her SUV. She strapped her son into his car seat, closed his door, and walked around to the driver's-side door to get in. That was when she saw a man in the back seat with a gun pointed at her son's head. The man made her drive, stop at an ATM to withdraw $600, then drive to a remote spot. He bound her with zipties and drove around, but as they spoke, he seemed to warm up to her and let her and her son go. This was the composite that was made of the abductor.
The crimes appear to be isolated to 2007, which means the perpetrator could be in jail on another charge or maybe he stopped killing altogether. He could have simply changed his M.O. Or maybe the three crimes weren't connected at all. What do you think?
August 29, 2017
Introducing Molly in the Middle by Ronni Arno AND No Place Like Home by Dee Romito
Birthdays are always better when you get to share them with a friend. I think it has to be the same with book birthdays...and today, two writers who are friends get to celebrate their new books hitting shelves on the same day!
One of those awesome authors is Ronni Arno, author of Ruby Reinvented and Dear Poppy. The second awesome author is Dee Romito, author of The BFF Bucket List. You have to scroll down and read all about Dee's after you check out Ronni's! I can't figure out how to make it so you can read everything about them at once or I would.
First up is this one, which has a cover that makes you wish you were in middle school again! The blurb is every bit as adorable as the cover.
Blurb:
A girl finds herself in the middle of a big decision—follow the crowd or follow her heart—in this hilarious M!X novel.
Twelve-year-old Molly Mahoney is in the middle of everything. She’s in the middle of her parent’s impending divorce. She’s in the middle of her rebellious older sister and her lazy younger sister. She’s in the middle of her class, ranked at exactly 143 out of 286. Even her name (first and last!) places her right in the middle of the alphabet. And after a morning where her parents forget to drive her to school, and the field trip she was supposed to be on leaves without her, Molly decides it’s time to figure out how she can finally be in the spotlight—and stop being invisible.
But her new, outlandish ways put her in a different middle altogether. She now finds herself in the middle of her new, popular group of friends, who think the New Molly is amazing and bold, while her old BFF, Kellan thinks the New Molly is mean and aloof and headed for trouble. What’s worse, Kellan doesn’t hide his feelings. Faced with a probable future in a wheelchair, Kellan doesn’t understand why Molly would risk getting in trouble just to be popular. So when Molly has to choose between going to the year’s biggest party with her new pals, or participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Walk with Kellan, she’s stuck in the middle once again. Can Molly reconcile the Old Molly with New Molly—and figure out the best way to make her mark?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Ronni Arno Blaisdell is the author of Ruby Reinvented. She has written for several magazines, blogs, and websites. In a previous life she worked as a publicist in Hollywood, and eventually built a home in Maine. She is a keen SCBWI member and contributor to the KidLiterati.com blog.
Author Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
Next up is a cover that has actual red glitter. Which makes me want to request that all my book covers have glitter from now on. How cool is Dee Romito's new book? It just screams to be read!
Blurb:
After living a jet-setting lifestyle thanks to her dad's job, twelve-year-old Kenzie decides it's time for her to plant roots in this heartwarming M!X novel.
Kenzie Rhines doesn't have a home--she has too many. Her dad's job keeps them flying around the country, which means "home" is whatever fancy hotel they're currently staying in and "school" takes place 30,000 feet in the air. And since it's just the two of them, she has no choice but to be his travel partner. Kenzie loves the constant adventures, but she wouldn't mind planting her feet in one place for longer than two seconds, having her own bed, and maybe even finding a best friend she can talk to.
When Kenzie's dad surprises her with the news that they'll be in Las Vegas for an extended business trip, she's thrilled he wants to enroll her in a local middle school while they're there. And even though it's the longest she's been in one place in years, Kenzie knows it's only a matter of time before she's on the move yet again. So, for the first time in her life, she decides to take some risks: why not let the cutest boy in school know she's got a bit of a crush on him, give it a shot and audition for the school musical--The Wizard of Oz (her all-time favorite movie), and run for VP of her class?
Thanks to her plan, Kenzie discovers a courage she didn't know she had--and finally feels like she belongs somewhere. But when things start to get complicated, Kenzie discovers that she'll have to face the consequences of everything she's done since her arrival--and that maybe home isn't necessarily a place on a map, but where your heart is.
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Dee Romito lives in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, where she and her family are steadily checking items off their own bucket list of adventures. You’re likely to find her at the local ice cream shop, writing at a café, or curled up on the couch with her cats. And while she does her best to be a grown-up most of the time, giggling with her BFFs is still one of her all-time favorite things. To join the fun and create your own bucket list, visit TheBFFBucketList.com.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest
One of those awesome authors is Ronni Arno, author of Ruby Reinvented and Dear Poppy. The second awesome author is Dee Romito, author of The BFF Bucket List. You have to scroll down and read all about Dee's after you check out Ronni's! I can't figure out how to make it so you can read everything about them at once or I would.
First up is this one, which has a cover that makes you wish you were in middle school again! The blurb is every bit as adorable as the cover.
Blurb:
A girl finds herself in the middle of a big decision—follow the crowd or follow her heart—in this hilarious M!X novel.
Twelve-year-old Molly Mahoney is in the middle of everything. She’s in the middle of her parent’s impending divorce. She’s in the middle of her rebellious older sister and her lazy younger sister. She’s in the middle of her class, ranked at exactly 143 out of 286. Even her name (first and last!) places her right in the middle of the alphabet. And after a morning where her parents forget to drive her to school, and the field trip she was supposed to be on leaves without her, Molly decides it’s time to figure out how she can finally be in the spotlight—and stop being invisible.
But her new, outlandish ways put her in a different middle altogether. She now finds herself in the middle of her new, popular group of friends, who think the New Molly is amazing and bold, while her old BFF, Kellan thinks the New Molly is mean and aloof and headed for trouble. What’s worse, Kellan doesn’t hide his feelings. Faced with a probable future in a wheelchair, Kellan doesn’t understand why Molly would risk getting in trouble just to be popular. So when Molly has to choose between going to the year’s biggest party with her new pals, or participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Walk with Kellan, she’s stuck in the middle once again. Can Molly reconcile the Old Molly with New Molly—and figure out the best way to make her mark?
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Ronni Arno Blaisdell is the author of Ruby Reinvented. She has written for several magazines, blogs, and websites. In a previous life she worked as a publicist in Hollywood, and eventually built a home in Maine. She is a keen SCBWI member and contributor to the KidLiterati.com blog.
Author Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
Next up is a cover that has actual red glitter. Which makes me want to request that all my book covers have glitter from now on. How cool is Dee Romito's new book? It just screams to be read!
Blurb:
After living a jet-setting lifestyle thanks to her dad's job, twelve-year-old Kenzie decides it's time for her to plant roots in this heartwarming M!X novel.
Kenzie Rhines doesn't have a home--she has too many. Her dad's job keeps them flying around the country, which means "home" is whatever fancy hotel they're currently staying in and "school" takes place 30,000 feet in the air. And since it's just the two of them, she has no choice but to be his travel partner. Kenzie loves the constant adventures, but she wouldn't mind planting her feet in one place for longer than two seconds, having her own bed, and maybe even finding a best friend she can talk to.
When Kenzie's dad surprises her with the news that they'll be in Las Vegas for an extended business trip, she's thrilled he wants to enroll her in a local middle school while they're there. And even though it's the longest she's been in one place in years, Kenzie knows it's only a matter of time before she's on the move yet again. So, for the first time in her life, she decides to take some risks: why not let the cutest boy in school know she's got a bit of a crush on him, give it a shot and audition for the school musical--The Wizard of Oz (her all-time favorite movie), and run for VP of her class?
Thanks to her plan, Kenzie discovers a courage she didn't know she had--and finally feels like she belongs somewhere. But when things start to get complicated, Kenzie discovers that she'll have to face the consequences of everything she's done since her arrival--and that maybe home isn't necessarily a place on a map, but where your heart is.
Buy Links:
Amazon | IndieBound
Bio:
Dee Romito lives in her hometown of Buffalo, New York, where she and her family are steadily checking items off their own bucket list of adventures. You’re likely to find her at the local ice cream shop, writing at a café, or curled up on the couch with her cats. And while she does her best to be a grown-up most of the time, giggling with her BFFs is still one of her all-time favorite things. To join the fun and create your own bucket list, visit TheBFFBucketList.com.
Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest
August 28, 2017
Mystery Monday: Joan Risch
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
BUT FIRST...I just need to take a second to congratulate Cathrina Constantine. She won the autographed copy of Best. Night. Ever. from the recent blog tour!
The 50s and 60s were an interesting time for women. It was normal for a woman to stay home and take care of the kids while the man worked. Joan Risch was a typical 1960s housewife...with one big exception. One day in October of 1961, Joan's husband left on a work trip and never saw his wife again.
Joan Risch was the mother of two young children, Lillian and David. In 1961, they moved to a city just outside of Boston and were an active part of the community.
On the morning of October 24, Martin left early for the airport to fly to New York City. Joan fed the children breakfast and left her son with a neighbor before heading to the dentist with her daughter in their 1951 Chevrolet.
Front of Risch home. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's Nonfiction
By 11:15 a.m., Joan was back home and her daughter was playing outside with a neighbor's son. Soon after she returned, a dry cleaner arrived to pick up some of her husband's suits. He entered the house and said he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Just before 2pm, Joan took her daughter and her neighbor's son across the street to the neighbor's house. At approximately 2:15 pm, that neighbor said she saw Joan walking up her driveway in a trench coat, carrying something red. She looked like she was chasing someone. That was the last time Joan was ever seen.
The Risch Driveway. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's Nonfiction
At 2:45, a woman was spotted walking along the road on Route 2A in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She wore a trench coat and was hunched over as though she were cold. Between 3:15 and 3:30, a similar-looking woman was spotted on the Route 128 median strip in Waltham. She had blood running down her legs and was holding her stomach as though cradling something.
Joan's car in her driveway. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's Nonfiction
At 3:40, the neighbor dropped Lillian off at her house on her way to the store. When she returned at 4:15, Lillian came over and said, "Mommy is gone and the kitchen is covered with red paint." The neighbor crossed the street and found David crying in his crib and blood in the kitchen. She called the police.
Warning: Crime Scene Photos Below!!!
In the kitchen, the phone receiver had been ripped from the wall. The phone book was open to a page listing emergency numbers. There was blood in the kitchen and on the driveway all the way to the road. One thumbprint was found in the blood in the kitchen that could not be traced to anyone.
Her husband was initially suspected, but he was eventually cleared. But prior to her death, Joan had checked out 25 books on disappearances and missing persons cases over the summer. Did she orchestrate her own disappearance?
Was this an abortion gone wrong? Or was it a case of attempted murder where she got away, only to be tracked down later by her killer while walking down the road?
What do you think happened to Joan Risch?
BUT FIRST...I just need to take a second to congratulate Cathrina Constantine. She won the autographed copy of Best. Night. Ever. from the recent blog tour!
The 50s and 60s were an interesting time for women. It was normal for a woman to stay home and take care of the kids while the man worked. Joan Risch was a typical 1960s housewife...with one big exception. One day in October of 1961, Joan's husband left on a work trip and never saw his wife again.
Joan Risch was the mother of two young children, Lillian and David. In 1961, they moved to a city just outside of Boston and were an active part of the community.
On the morning of October 24, Martin left early for the airport to fly to New York City. Joan fed the children breakfast and left her son with a neighbor before heading to the dentist with her daughter in their 1951 Chevrolet.
Front of Risch home. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's Nonfiction
By 11:15 a.m., Joan was back home and her daughter was playing outside with a neighbor's son. Soon after she returned, a dry cleaner arrived to pick up some of her husband's suits. He entered the house and said he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Just before 2pm, Joan took her daughter and her neighbor's son across the street to the neighbor's house. At approximately 2:15 pm, that neighbor said she saw Joan walking up her driveway in a trench coat, carrying something red. She looked like she was chasing someone. That was the last time Joan was ever seen.
The Risch Driveway. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's NonfictionAt 2:45, a woman was spotted walking along the road on Route 2A in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She wore a trench coat and was hunched over as though she were cold. Between 3:15 and 3:30, a similar-looking woman was spotted on the Route 128 median strip in Waltham. She had blood running down her legs and was holding her stomach as though cradling something.
Joan's car in her driveway. Image credit: I Can't Believe It's NonfictionAt 3:40, the neighbor dropped Lillian off at her house on her way to the store. When she returned at 4:15, Lillian came over and said, "Mommy is gone and the kitchen is covered with red paint." The neighbor crossed the street and found David crying in his crib and blood in the kitchen. She called the police.
Warning: Crime Scene Photos Below!!!
In the kitchen, the phone receiver had been ripped from the wall. The phone book was open to a page listing emergency numbers. There was blood in the kitchen and on the driveway all the way to the road. One thumbprint was found in the blood in the kitchen that could not be traced to anyone.
Her husband was initially suspected, but he was eventually cleared. But prior to her death, Joan had checked out 25 books on disappearances and missing persons cases over the summer. Did she orchestrate her own disappearance?
Was this an abortion gone wrong? Or was it a case of attempted murder where she got away, only to be tracked down later by her killer while walking down the road?
What do you think happened to Joan Risch?
August 25, 2017
Best Books of August
Since it's the last Friday of the month, it's time to tell you all about the great books I read this month.
If you like YA romances, you'll love the first book I read this month. Jen Malone can transition from writing as a tween to a teen and back again effortlessly. Her writing voice is incredible.
Imagine being stuck on a sailboat for four months. Now imagine being a teenager stuck on the boat with your mom, who cheated on your dad and caused their recent divorce. That sums up the basic premise of Changes in Latitudes, but there's so much more. We see the world through the point of view of Cassie, who has a lot of issues swirling around in her adolescent brain, but we also have a swoony romantic interest to keep things fun. Jen perfectly captured the complexities of being a child of divorce, while also taking us on yet another great adventure.
I always love reading suspenseful romances, so I jumped at the chance to download Sandra Cox's latest re-release!
Imagine if you had an accessory that could heal. Now imagine if you woke up in the hospital in need of that accessory, only to find it's missing. Boji Stones kicks off with that very scene, setting the stage for the suspense that is to follow. I loved Marnie and Jack and their romance, as well as the mystery as to whether or not Jack could really be trusted. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is the book for you!
I love anthologies. If you don't like the story you're reading, you simply turn the page and start another. The next book I read this month is a compilation of short stories and poems featuring our very own Tyrean Martinson.
The background of Book Dreams (Brain to Books Anthology 1) is almost as entertaining as the great stories inside! The stories and poems in this book were all featured at the 2017 Brain to Books Cyber Convention and Book Expo. I, of course, had to look that up and I found that it's an online "con" designed to discover new authors. How awesome is that? This compilation includes mostly novellas and short stories. Tyrean's story is Here There Be Dragons, which features two characters battling a mean dragon. It's a short, entertaining read with a great ending!
The next book I read was also an anthology. C.D. Gallant-King's short story is featured in Strangely Funny IV, a book that is intriguingly billed as, "Tales of horror gone wrong. So very wrong." How cool does that sound?!"
At this point in our nation's history, I think we all could use a little comic relief every now and then. Strangely Funny IV delivers on that front, with 19 stories that combine horror and comedy--not a combination you see every day! C.D.'s story was Save or Die, which follows four heroes as they set out on a quest to rescue a princess who has been kidnapped by ogres. It has everything a horror-comedy should--fun heroes, goblins, and snarky humor!
I've always been fascinated by the title of the first book I read this month. Thankfully, Medeia Sharif re-released it with a brand new cover, which gave me a reason to read it and tell you all about it!
Medeia had me at "Madonna mixtape!" Hot Pink in the City is set in the 80s, which will make Gen X-ers like me oh so happy. Asma is a 16-year-old girl who spends the summer in New York City with some relatives. An exciting adventure to find a mixed tape results in all kinds of fun. In addition to getting to go back in time to my favorite decade, this book also gave me the opportunity to learn more about Islamic culture. Definitely recommend!
What are you reading this month?
If you like YA romances, you'll love the first book I read this month. Jen Malone can transition from writing as a tween to a teen and back again effortlessly. Her writing voice is incredible.
Imagine being stuck on a sailboat for four months. Now imagine being a teenager stuck on the boat with your mom, who cheated on your dad and caused their recent divorce. That sums up the basic premise of Changes in Latitudes, but there's so much more. We see the world through the point of view of Cassie, who has a lot of issues swirling around in her adolescent brain, but we also have a swoony romantic interest to keep things fun. Jen perfectly captured the complexities of being a child of divorce, while also taking us on yet another great adventure.
I always love reading suspenseful romances, so I jumped at the chance to download Sandra Cox's latest re-release!
Imagine if you had an accessory that could heal. Now imagine if you woke up in the hospital in need of that accessory, only to find it's missing. Boji Stones kicks off with that very scene, setting the stage for the suspense that is to follow. I loved Marnie and Jack and their romance, as well as the mystery as to whether or not Jack could really be trusted. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is the book for you!
I love anthologies. If you don't like the story you're reading, you simply turn the page and start another. The next book I read this month is a compilation of short stories and poems featuring our very own Tyrean Martinson.
The background of Book Dreams (Brain to Books Anthology 1) is almost as entertaining as the great stories inside! The stories and poems in this book were all featured at the 2017 Brain to Books Cyber Convention and Book Expo. I, of course, had to look that up and I found that it's an online "con" designed to discover new authors. How awesome is that? This compilation includes mostly novellas and short stories. Tyrean's story is Here There Be Dragons, which features two characters battling a mean dragon. It's a short, entertaining read with a great ending!
The next book I read was also an anthology. C.D. Gallant-King's short story is featured in Strangely Funny IV, a book that is intriguingly billed as, "Tales of horror gone wrong. So very wrong." How cool does that sound?!"
At this point in our nation's history, I think we all could use a little comic relief every now and then. Strangely Funny IV delivers on that front, with 19 stories that combine horror and comedy--not a combination you see every day! C.D.'s story was Save or Die, which follows four heroes as they set out on a quest to rescue a princess who has been kidnapped by ogres. It has everything a horror-comedy should--fun heroes, goblins, and snarky humor!
I've always been fascinated by the title of the first book I read this month. Thankfully, Medeia Sharif re-released it with a brand new cover, which gave me a reason to read it and tell you all about it!
Medeia had me at "Madonna mixtape!" Hot Pink in the City is set in the 80s, which will make Gen X-ers like me oh so happy. Asma is a 16-year-old girl who spends the summer in New York City with some relatives. An exciting adventure to find a mixed tape results in all kinds of fun. In addition to getting to go back in time to my favorite decade, this book also gave me the opportunity to learn more about Islamic culture. Definitely recommend!
What are you reading this month?
August 21, 2017
Mystery Monday: Dave Bocks
It's Monday, which means it's time for another...
In 1984, Fernald Feed Materials Production Center was in trouble. The processing facility was found to be leaking uranium dust into the environment, causing contamination of the surrounding area. That same year, a tragedy occurred on the site that some have linked to the environmental issues the plant was facing at the time.
Dave Bocks was a 39-year-old pipe fitter who had worked at the company for three years.
On a late Sunday night, June 18, 1984, Dave met a coworker named Harry Easterling at a restaurant. They usually met in the parking lot, where Dave left his car and rode with Harry to the plant. They were two of very few employees working the nightshift there.
Harry Easterling. Image credit: Unsolved Mysteries
Dave reported to work at midnight, where he was assigned to handle a job at Building 8. As was customary, he left his lock and keys on top of his toolbox, which remained in the main building. Harry was assigned to a different area.
Around 4 a.m., a witness reports seeing Dave in his supervisor's truck, having a "serious discussion." Despite the fact that it was a very hot evening, the truck's windows were rolled up.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
That same witness reported seeing Dave an hour later, walking toward Plant 4, which seemed odd since he'd been assigned to Plant 8. It was the last time Dave Bocks was seen alive.
Dave Bocks
At the end of his shift, Harry couldn't find his carpooler, but he saw his toolbox was still open with his lock and keys on top. He assumed he was working late, left a message with the security guard, and left without him.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
Approximately 7:30 that morning, a furnace operator in Plant 6 in told his supervisor there was a sticky residue on his furnace's casings. There was also a strange odor coming from the furnace. After a quick look, the supervisor told the furnace operator to get back to work.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
Harry showed up at the usual meeting spot that night and found his friend's car abandoned. The hood wasn't warm. At the plant, he notified supervisors Dave was missing. After looking into it, plant management noticed that at 5:15 a.m. on the morning Dave disappeared, the temperature in the furnace in question plunged 28 degrees below its constant 1300-degree temperature. This is the same effect they would see if something was dropped into the furnace.
Additionally, a bone fragment was found on the lip of the furnace. The sheriff's department launched an investigation, shutting the furnace down. Once the furnace cooled, investigators found bone fragments, two-way radio pieces, a pair of eyeglasses, and Dave's keys. Harry Easterling swore those keys were in Dave's box at the end of his shift at 7:30 a.m. that morning. So how had they gotten into the furnace at 5:15 a.m.?
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
What happened to Dave Bocks? Police ruled it suicide. He left three children and an ex-wife behind who said he wouldn't have taken his own life, although he tried once before, following his 1979 divorce.
Was he killed for being a whistleblower about safety issues at the plant? The safety issues were already known. Was he murdered for some other reason? What do you think?
In 1984, Fernald Feed Materials Production Center was in trouble. The processing facility was found to be leaking uranium dust into the environment, causing contamination of the surrounding area. That same year, a tragedy occurred on the site that some have linked to the environmental issues the plant was facing at the time.
Dave Bocks was a 39-year-old pipe fitter who had worked at the company for three years.
On a late Sunday night, June 18, 1984, Dave met a coworker named Harry Easterling at a restaurant. They usually met in the parking lot, where Dave left his car and rode with Harry to the plant. They were two of very few employees working the nightshift there.
Harry Easterling. Image credit: Unsolved Mysteries
Dave reported to work at midnight, where he was assigned to handle a job at Building 8. As was customary, he left his lock and keys on top of his toolbox, which remained in the main building. Harry was assigned to a different area.
Around 4 a.m., a witness reports seeing Dave in his supervisor's truck, having a "serious discussion." Despite the fact that it was a very hot evening, the truck's windows were rolled up.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
That same witness reported seeing Dave an hour later, walking toward Plant 4, which seemed odd since he'd been assigned to Plant 8. It was the last time Dave Bocks was seen alive.
Dave Bocks
At the end of his shift, Harry couldn't find his carpooler, but he saw his toolbox was still open with his lock and keys on top. He assumed he was working late, left a message with the security guard, and left without him.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
Approximately 7:30 that morning, a furnace operator in Plant 6 in told his supervisor there was a sticky residue on his furnace's casings. There was also a strange odor coming from the furnace. After a quick look, the supervisor told the furnace operator to get back to work.
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
Harry showed up at the usual meeting spot that night and found his friend's car abandoned. The hood wasn't warm. At the plant, he notified supervisors Dave was missing. After looking into it, plant management noticed that at 5:15 a.m. on the morning Dave disappeared, the temperature in the furnace in question plunged 28 degrees below its constant 1300-degree temperature. This is the same effect they would see if something was dropped into the furnace.
Additionally, a bone fragment was found on the lip of the furnace. The sheriff's department launched an investigation, shutting the furnace down. Once the furnace cooled, investigators found bone fragments, two-way radio pieces, a pair of eyeglasses, and Dave's keys. Harry Easterling swore those keys were in Dave's box at the end of his shift at 7:30 a.m. that morning. So how had they gotten into the furnace at 5:15 a.m.?
Recreation courtesy Unsolved Mysteries
What happened to Dave Bocks? Police ruled it suicide. He left three children and an ex-wife behind who said he wouldn't have taken his own life, although he tried once before, following his 1979 divorce.
Was he killed for being a whistleblower about safety issues at the plant? The safety issues were already known. Was he murdered for some other reason? What do you think?
August 20, 2017
Best. Blog Tour. Ever.: Day Four
It's the last day for the Best. Night. Ever. blog tour. It's also the last day to enter the giveaway. Check out today's blog tour stops:
Jennifer Lane
Ro
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Enter my giveaway:
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Jennifer Lane
Ro
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Enter my giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
