Friday, June 30, 2023

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Runners by Justin Hale

Runners
Justin Hale
Publication date: June 27th 2023
Genres: Cyberpunk, Science Fiction

A high octane, cyberpunk thrill ride that will have you hanging on to the edge of your seat!

On the planet Nera, a world of towering metropolises powered by nano technology and controlled by corporations, Mr. Zan and his misfit crew have trained for five years to be Omegas, the greatest and most elusive assassins on the planet. However, disillusioned with their mission, they went rogue and killed their handler, Nancy. Now, they run guns to survive, while racing to stay one step ahead of the living Shadows that hunt them. After a tragic, traumatic attack, Zan and his crew find themselves on the outs with Dietrich Boateng, one of the most powerful men on the planet.

But when Dietrich suddenly risks everything to warn them of a new, dangerous threat, events are set in motion that threaten to spiral out of their control. To make matters worse, Deputy Marshal Akira Sudo is hot on their trail, after a coverup leads her to believe that there is more to this case than meets the eye.

If they can complete Dietrich’s mission, they might secure the tools they need to survive the next Omegas that show up to exact revenge. If they don’t, they might not survive to see tomorrow. For fans of Neuromancer, Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and Altered Carbon, this action-packed, dystopian Sci-Fi romp will leave you breathless and wanting more!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo


Author Bio:

Justin Hale is an author who lives in the Bay Area of California with his wife, Candy, and crazy dog, Maya. He is originally from the small, coastal city of Brunswick, GA and is a diehard Georgia Bulldog football fan. After suffering a mental health crisis, Justin left his full-time job, using his recovery time to finish and release his debut novel, RUNNERS. In his free time, he enjoys video games, watching pro wrestling, and making his wife laugh.

Justin first wanted to be an author at seven years old. He participated in a class project to write letters to The Polar Express author Chris Van Allsburg. The project was to draw a picture of what the students thought Chris Van Allsburg looked like and to write him a small message. Justin drew a grey version of Frankenstein’s monster, writing “I didn’t know what you looked like, so I drew you as Frankenstein[‘s monster], because he is weird and so are you.” His teacher was not impressed, but the experience made him interested in becoming an author, even if it would take 30+ years to arrive at that goal.

Website / Goodreads / TikTok / Instagram


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Thursday, June 29, 2023

Blurb Blitz & Giveaway: Catawba Falls (Red Farlow Mysteries, #6) by W.F. Ranew


Catawba Falls
A Red Farlow Mystery
by
W.F. Ranew


Mystery

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing

Publication Date: July 11, 2023

Page count: 253 pages


SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!


SYNOPSIS:

PI Red Farlow travels to Camp Ridgemont for Boys for a reunion with his summer camp friends. On arrival, he discovers two camp counselors in the woods, hacked to death. Red’s investigation soon widens with more mysterious deaths, one of them a close friend.

Far-right extremist Troy Unsworthy knows the hills and hollows after a lifetime of growing up in these mountains. Red soon learns all the victims are connected to Unsworthy in the years leading up to a deadly auto accident.

When he learns Unsworthy was released just before the counselors’ deaths, Red goes into the mountains. His trek requires sure-footedness over rocky terrain and old-growth forest as he explores caves with endless tunnels, shafts, and deep-water pools searching for his suspect.

But, did Unsworthy really murder these people, or should Red turn his attention to other suspects?

Red treads a treacherous path on his quest to find the killer and bring him to justice.



READ AN EXCERPT:

It didn’t surprise me when my cell phone lit up two hours later with a call from the sheriff.
 
“Red, I need you to come to my office,” he said.
 
“Be there in fifteen minutes.”
 
Perhaps the worst thing in any law enforcement officer’s life is getting arrested. Two deputies came beside me when I arrived at the McDowell County courthouse and walked into the sheriff’s office. The sheriff charged me with murder. The deputies cuffed me and led me to a holding cell. In about an hour, they transferred me to the county jail.
 
Inside, deputies led me to a room, uncuffed me, and said I could use the phone.
 
First, I called Leigh. She became distraught and wanted to drive up to North Carolina that evening. I asked her not to do that but knew she would anyway. Besides, I wanted her to be near me. I said goodbye to the sound of her crying.
 
I then called an ace criminal attorney, Winston Churchill Goodlaw. Yes, that was his name.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

W.F. Ranew is a former newspaper reporter, editor, and communication executive. He started his journalism career covering sports, police, and city council meetings for his hometown newspaper, The Quitman Free Press. He also worked as a reporter and editor for several regional dailies: The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, The Florida Times-Union, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Ranew has written two previous novels: Schoolhouse Man and Candyman’s Sorrow.
 
He lives with his wife in Atlanta and St. Simons Island, Ga.



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W.F. Ranew will be awarding $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.



Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West

Borrow My Heart (Borrow My Heart, #1)Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Appealing characters and lively interwoven plots made for compelling reading.

Wren Brady was in the coffee shop where her best friend, Kamala, worked as a barista when two cute guys came in. One had his phone out, filming the other and baiting him about meeting an online crush at the shop for a first date: he did not believe the girl actually existed and that his friend had been catfished. As the jokey taunting continued and the girl in question failed to arrive, Wren felt sorry for the apparent dupe. She impulsively decided to introduce herself as the no-show Gemma, with the intention of privately confessing her masquerade to the boy later and “breaking up.” But before she can gracefully admit her ploy, she starts to feel that she may want to get to know, for real, the lanky, appealing Asher, who surprisingly gives the best hugs ever.

Borrow My Heart is a wonderful new contemporary young adult romance that touches both the heart and the funny bone. The situation Wren puts herself in will strike a chord with the tender-hearted, the save-the-dayers, animal lovers, and social media users. Wren and Asher are a cute couple, each complementing the other while providing the warmth and support each one needs until a big misstep derails their journey to a HEA.

Wren is a sympathetic character who’s been hurt in the past and erected some big boundaries around her heart, spelled out by the “Rules for Dating” that head each new chapter. She has a best friend in Kamala, who really knows and understands why she is the way she is, and is a stable and safe voice of reason and support.

Two additional compelling storylines are woven into the main plot and hooked me: Wren and Asher’s mission to find the dog, Bean, a forever home, and Wren’s relationship with her mother and sister, Zoey. The couple’s efforts to market Bean’s desirability for adoption were creative and filled with fun and surprises. Though hopeful at the outset, Wren and Zoey’s visit with their mother at the Lake Tahoe commune proved to be a reality check. Unfortunately, both secondary storylines mirror circumstances that can be seen daily in real life, and the plots may resonate with many readers. Thankfully, there are some HEAs in the offing by the book’s end.

With its engaging characters and lively plot, I recommend BORROW MY HEART to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult romantic fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Pop-Up Blog-Hop & Giveaway: Whiskey On Our Shoes by Tonya Preece

WHISKEY ON OUR SHOES
by
Tonya Preece

Contemporary Romance / New Adult
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Page Count: 238 pages
Publication Date: February 12, 2023

Scroll down for a giveaway!


Eva dodges the fans, media, and gossip that follow her supermodel mom and rock star family members by wearing disguises. After an aimless gap year, she struggles to figure out what she wants from life. She moves in with her famous guitar god brother in Austin while he recovers from a drunken stage stunt accident and tries to stay sober. When a hot Texas cowboy named Alex takes Eva by surprise, she risks her safety and security of anonymity by letting him into her unconventional life.

Alex is captivated by Eva and promises to protect her privacy. Yet he has a secret of his own—the fling he had with an older woman is fraught with scandalous potential for him and now Eva. He broke free of that mistake months ago, or so he thought. As things heat up with Eva, his old flame returns and won’t leave him alone.

Just when Alex thinks he has the reins on the situation, his ex teams up with a gossip reporter hell-bent on invading Eva’s privacy. The resulting exposé, with a sly spin on a recent encounter with his ex, is Alex’s worst nightmare, and Eva’s unsure what to believe. Can she face the world with Alex at her side or will she return into hiding?

Purchase on Amazon:


Tonya Preece’s playlist to 

Whiskey on Our Shoes



LISTEN HERE FOR FREE ON SPOTIFY!

(SPOTIFY ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO LISTEN OR REGISTER FOR FREE!)

 

 

1.       “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
2.      “That Something” by With Confidence
3.      “Out of Nowhere Girl” by Luke Bryan
4.      “I’ll Be Your Small Town” by Cole Swindell
5.      “Think of You” by Mayday Parade
6.      “Dopamine” by With Confidence
7.      “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton
8.      “Whiskey Glasses” by Morgan Wallan
9.      “Fly” by Sleeping With Sirens

 


5 stars!

Sure to grab on and hold tight to the attention of readers of contemporary new or young adult romance.
 
Whiskey On Our Shoes by Tonya Preece is a new contemporary new adult/young adult romance set in Austin, the capital city of the state of Texas. With its multi-faceted characters and multi-layered plot, it is sure to grab on and hold tight to the attention of readers of the genre and soon have them turning pages, compelled to see what would happen next.
 
The main character, Eva Covington, had a unique and unusual childhood. The daughter of a musician father and supermodel mother, she lived her life, until recently, on a tour bus, part of the entourage of The Fabulous Undertakers. You’d think this would have led to a life of freedom: sex, drugs, and rock and roll; however, her mother, Sloane Silver, has kept her completely under wraps and away from the eyes of the paparazzi, and over the years, most have forgotten Sloane had a daughter. Mother and daughter have gone to unusual lengths to hide their relationship, ostensibly to protect Eva, but I’m convinced it was more to hide the fact that the supermodel was a mother with a now-grown daughter.
 
The male lead, Alex Marshall, although a typical UT university student, has a complex backstory of his own. His freshman year was nearly derailed by an unfortunate love affair he’d had with an older woman who lied about being single. Alex is on academic probation and worries every day that his parents, back home in Florence, Texas, will find out about his grades and the woman. Adding to his pressure, his former lover wasn’t ready to end their affair when he did and is constantly hounding him to resume the relationship.
 
The first meeting between Eva and Alex is funny, and the two make an adorable pair. Eva is staying with her rock star brother, Lor, to help him recuperate from injuries sustained while filming a music video. Alex is the alcoholic Lor’s unwitting accomplice in his latest escapade to obtain alcohol. The attraction between the two is immediate. Both have little experience with the opposite sex, and the expected bumps along their journey to love are mostly due to big misunderstandings. I was hooked by their story and was glued to the pages wanting to know if these two would have a HEA.
 
I recommend WHISKEY ON OUR SHOES to readers who enjoy contemporary new/young adult romances, especially stories set in Austin or small-town Texas, or the music industry.



 
Tonya Preece writes romance and contemporary young adult fiction and incorporates music into all her books in one way or another. She lives near Austin, TX where she’s a small business manager for a forensic engineering firm. She and her husband enjoy traveling, live music, wine, and spoiling their fur babies.



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THREE WINNERS
Grand Prize: autographed paperback & $10 Amazon gift card; 
2nd Prize: autographed paperback; 
3rd Prize: eBook
(US only; ends midnight, CST, 7/14/23)

Monday, June 26, 2023

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Paint Me A Crime (Rose Shore Mystery, #1) by Holly Yew

 

Paint Me a Crime
A Rose Shore Mystery
by
Holly Yew

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada
Publisher: Touchpoint Press
Publication Date: June 13, 2023
Paperback: 252 pages
ISBN-10: 1956851623 / ISBN-13: 978-1956851625
Digital ASIN: B0BWPVHLSB


SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

SYNOPSIS:

 

Art curator Jessamine Rhodes has left behind her gig at a prominent gallery in the city to open her own community art center in the small town of Rose Shore. She’s all set to host an extravagant opening watercolors class and has even booked a famous artist to teach it. Gabriella Everhart brings along her priceless painting Tranquil to showcase as the centerpiece of the event. The opening class is just wrapping up when suddenly Tranquil disappears before Jessamine’s eyes. Next, the lights of the art center flicker out and leave the crowd in complete darkness as a scream pierces the air. To her horror, Jessamine’s flashlight reveals that prestigious art collector Victor Carlisle has been murdered, and now her dreams are as shattered as the champagne glass found near the scene. Determined to save her now teetering reputation, Jessamine sets out to search for answers and the missing painting on her own. She has invested everything into her art center and is too anxious to step back and do nothing. Along the way, she teams up with a handsome paramedic who seems to have his own reasons for wanting justice for Victor’s tragedy.


REVIEW:
4 stars!

This promising debut introduces a reluctant amateur sleuth and a gaggle of fun and engaging supporting characters. 

Paint Me A Crime is the first book in author Holly Yew’s great new cozy, art-themed Rose Shore Mystery series, and it kept me reading until I went cover to cover in almost a single sitting. With its warm and friendly small-town atmosphere and community art center setting, this promising debut introduces a reluctant amateur sleuth, an enticing love interest, and a gaggle of fun and engaging supporting characters. 

Jessamine Rhodes is a recent transplant to Rose Shores from Vancouver. All we know about the circumstances for her move is that she wanted a slower, more relaxed life. She’s an artist but no longer creates art of her own but promotes the works of others, now in a community art center she has purchased. Although an outsider, the locals welcomed her with open arms. She has a few “light bulb” moments when she realizes the unbelievable speed of the small-town rumor mill. I liked this character a lot and felt she honestly understood and knew that she should stay out of investigating the murder herself but consciously decided to look into aspects related to the case to protect her fledgling business, which is suffering an immediate impact from being a crime scene. Her motivations seemed natural. 

New to town, Jessamine has already gained a new best friend, Emilia Kent, and a fabulous pair of coworkers in Andrew and Mollie. Emilia, a transplant from across the pond, owns the local tea shop, and there are frequent references to tea blends and scrumptious-sounding foods. Although elusive initially, Jessamine’s next-door neighbor, Jackson Yeung, makes an excellent potential love interest. Character development felt a tad slim, but the plot more than compensates, and I look forward to their growth in any follow-ups. 

The mystery is intriguing, with lots of options for suspects and motives. I was kept in the dark until the reveal, but the clues and action had me guessing. The unofficial investigation follows a logical path, as indicated by the clues and bits of information Jessamine and her friends uncover. As is often said, I was glued to the book from start to finish. 

I recommend PAINT ME A CRIME to cozy mystery enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy art-themed plots, small towns in Canada, and stories set in the early fall.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After having called many places around the world home, Holly Yew has settled in the Okanagan, BC with her husband, son, and two rescue dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s playing the piano, watching Star Wars, or enjoying a Dole Whip in Disneyland.

Holly is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers. She loves connecting with other writers and bookworms on social media, and you can find her at hollyyew.com.


TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

June 13 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 13 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 14 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
June 15 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 15 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
June 16 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
June 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 17 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
June 18 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Rebecca M Douglass, Author – REVIEW
June 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 20 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
June 21 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
June 21 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 22 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
June 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
June 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 24 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 25 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 26 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - REVIEW


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Sunday, June 25, 2023

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Bomb Blast (Dr. Catherine "Cat" Powers, #4) by Solange Ritchie

 


Bomb Blast: A Thriller
by
Solange Ritchie

4th in Series
Publisher: Middle River Press
Publication Date: February 24, 2023
Paperback
Page count: 206 pages
ISBN-10: 1946886432 / ISBN-13: 978-1946886439
Digital ASIN: B0BWZH8M65


SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!


SYNOPSIS:

In the fourth novel in the Dr. Catherine (Cat) Powers series, top FBI forensic pathologist and special agent Dr. Cat Powers is called as two Syrian-born bombers wreak havoc on “soft targets” in the United States.

Starting with the New York Stock Exchange, these bombers are intent on causing as much murder and mayhem as they can. As their bombing spree takes them cross-country, Cat is appointed the eyes and ears of the president of the United States. Teamed with Special Ops and bombing expert Sam Patterson, Cat must figure out who these bombers are, what their motives are, who is funding them, and ultimately, if they can be caught. As the bombings become more violent and deadly, Cat and Sam are in a race against time to catch these savage killers before they kill again.

Will they succeed or will the bombers avoid detection and escape?

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

| Amazon | Kindle

REVIEW:

COMING SOON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 
BORN ON THE BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL ISLAND of Jamaica to a Jamaican father and a French mother, Solange Ritchie (then Solange Levy) immigrated to the United States at age eleven. Since then, she has become a dynamic force for change. Fed up with thrillers that start with a fizzle and longing to see more powerful women as lead characters, Solange decided to create her own characters. Despite the demands of a busy legal career, she accomplished her ambitious goal by rising each morning to write before work, dedicating her weekends to writing, and even spending her vacation time writing. Solange is fortunate to have traveled to over 19 countries in her lifetime. Words have always been Solange’s passion – now so more than ever. Solange achieved a successful writing career while doing “last minute trial,” mostly in Southern California. Dubbed “the Case Saver,” Solange handled intense legal motions that either make or break a case, especially in the areas of business, labor, and employment law. In 2014, she received the State Bar of California’s Solo and Small Firm’s Section’s highest award, the Myer J. Sankary Attorney of the Year Award. It is given to only one attorney each year in California. When Solange was just thirty-seven years old, her first husband, John, died due to gross medical negligence at a leading Southern California hospital. This life-altering experience helped shape her into the person she is today. She began writing creatively to deal with the stress of his hospitalization and his death. Solange’s first psychological thriller, The Burning Man, featuring FBI forensic pathologist Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers was published in 2015. Her second novel in the series, Firestorm, was released to critical acclaim, on May 15, 2018. Dying Declaration is the third novel in the Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers series. Bomb Blast is Solange’s fourth novel in the series. Solange plans at least two more books in the Dr. Catherine Powers series. A fan of things that go bump in the night, Solange has also penned a Southern Gothic novel called Fiona’s Box, which will be released shortly. Solange lives in Southern Florida. She enjoys traveling, writing, gardening, time with her family, as well as good food and conversation. Solange is available for speaking engagements. She especially enjoys talking with book clubs. To receive her Sunday blog post, Notes from Solange, just go to her author website, www.solangeritchie.com, and leave your e-mail address. Nothing negative or political is ever posted. Her author website, www.authorsolange.com, includes a blog, reviews, recipes, events, and the latest on Solange’s adventures. Solange welcomes your comments, reviews, and suggestions, and invites you to contact her at https://www.authorsolange.com/




TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

June 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE
June 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
June 21 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT
June 22 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
June 24 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 25 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - REVIEW 
June 26 – Christy's Cozy Corners - CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 27 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
June 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

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Saturday, June 24, 2023

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Murder To My Ears (Octavia Fields Mystery, #1) by Rebecca McKinnon

Murder To My Ears

An Octavia Fields Mystery
by
Rebecca McKinnon


Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Independently Published
Publication Date: June 30, 2023
Print Length: 260 pages
ASIN: B0C7LT56BD

 


SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

SYNOPSIS:

Octavia Fields should know better than to judge things by their appearance. After all, most people don’t expect a nomadic hippie to be a classical violist—let alone one who runs a seasonal music shop at Aerie Pines, the summer home of the Aerie Peaks Symphony.

But when her business season starts off on the wrong note, it’s obviously the persnickety concertmaster’s fault. If he hadn’t turned up dead—leaving Octavia to find his body— she wouldn’t have to deal with the handsome detective who isn’t sure what to think of her impressive arrest record.

With symphony members cornering Octavia to pass on “evidence” by way of sotto-voce rumors, it shouldn’t surprise her to learn the helpful musicians aren’t the only ones who believe Octavia’s helping with the investigation. When a threatening letter arrives, it’s clear the killer thinks she’s playing harmony to the detective, too.

When the detective doesn’t appear to be making progress on the case, Octavia decides it’s up to her to solve the mystery—before the killer hears their cue to silence her!

CLICK BELOW TO PRE=ORDER/PURCHASE! 

REVIEW:

5 stars!

A fantastic beginning to this new cozy music-themed mystery series!

Murder To My Ears is the debut novel in author Rebecca McKinnon’s new cozy mystery series featuring the free-spirited musician and music shop owner Octavia Fields. With an intriguing murder to solve and the quirky Octavia surrounded by a slew of stellar secondary characters, this first in the series promises good things to come and delivers.
 
Octavia is a good-hearted and peaceful soul whose world is rocked when she discovers the body of another musician dead in the green room of the symphony’s amphitheater. The turmoil is partially due to the hunky lead detective on the case, whom Octavia silently dubs all sorts of hilarious names throughout the story. I loved their chemistry, and their interactions kept me smiling. I also loved the idea of Octavia’s seasonal lifestyle and that her employees took full and serious responsibility for the music shop. The victim was suitably annoying and had angered so many people there were plenty of possible suspects in his demise to keep readers guessing.

The mountainside music camp setting and the community of the symphony members were delightful. It felt comfortable and enjoyable and reminded me of Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico, a place I love visiting. I also want to mention how much I like the cover of this book.

I recommend MURDER TO MY EARS to cozy mystery readers ready for a new series to enjoy, especially those who enjoy a music-themed story and summer camp vibe.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

  






TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

June 21 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 22 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 24 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
June 24 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
June 26 – Jane Reads – REVIEW
June 26 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
June 27 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT
June 27 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 28 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 28 – StoreyBook Reviews - AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 29 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 29 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 30 - Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

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Friday, June 23, 2023

ChupaCarter by George Lopez & Ryan Calejo

ChupaCarterChupaCarter by George Lopez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The delightful debut novel for authors George Lopez’s & Ryan Calejo’s middle-grade fantasy adventure series, ChupaCarter!

When the struggle to make ends meet and provide the stability he needs becomes too much, twelve-year-old Jorge’s mother makes the tough decision to send him to live with her parents. However, the dry and dusty town of Boca Falls, New Mexico, feels like an alien planet to the boy from LA, and he dreads being the new kid coming in mid-semester to a new school again. But the night before his first day at school as Jorge sits on his grandparent’s roof looking at the stars and the desolate surroundings, he catches a glimpse of a strange creature in the lone pine tree near the house: a strange creature who tells him his name is Carter and he’s a chupacabra.

ChupaCarter is a delightful middle-grade fantasy chapter book from the multi-talented George Lopez and co-writer Ryan Calejo. The book debuts the series about the friendship between twelve-year-old Jorge and Carter, the young chupacabra who was accidentally separated from his family.

The main character, Jorge, has been an angry, frightened, and worried child for some time. His father is not in the picture, and his mother is foundering as she tries to keep body and soul together as a single parent. Jorge has been acting out in school, and his quick wit and fast mouth have gotten him into trouble. This is all too much for his mother, and her solution to send him to live with his grandparents feels like a huge betrayal to the boy. It is a wonderful moment when Carter gives Jorge a new perspective on her motives. Both benefit from their relationship as they learn that it is only how THEY see themselves that matters, not how others do.

The story is fast-paced, with fun moments, sparkling dialogue, and tense situations. Readers with a Spanish language background will enjoy the natural mix of English and Spanish throughout the text. And readers learning Spanish or English may be able to hone their reading and comprehension in a light and entertaining way. The witty exchanges between characters and Carter’s incomplete understanding of common idioms and phrases are sure to generate a smile or two, as will Jorge dodging his abuela’s chancla.

I am happy to recommend CHUPACARTER to upper-elementary and middle-school readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Book Tour: Midnight at Bat Hollow by Eric Avedissian

 

Horror

Date Published: 06-10-2023

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing


photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

Reece Rokowski never wanted to be a hero. A dedicated cop and stickler for law and order, Reece’s life is anything but orderly. His wife split, his gambling debts spiraled, and his past trauma haunts him.

Drowning his sorrows at a local watering hole, Reece meets Queenie, a woman too good to be true. He could tell Queenie anything, perhaps too much. On his way home, Reece stumbles upon a John Doe nearly sucked dry of blood and becomes the prime suspect.

As Reece defies his superiors and investigates, he encounters the Legion of the Lamb, a monster-hunting biker gang looking into the same case. Teaming up with the Legion, Reece discovers gaps of missed time, a hulking stranger pursuing him from the shadows, and a secret vampire coven. When the bloodsuckers capture Queenie, it's up to Reece and the Legion to save her before the Regens Noctis – the true ruler of the night – plunges the city into an orgy of blood. 

 

Review Coming Soon!

About the Author

Eric Avedissian is an adjunct professor and speculative fiction author. His published work includes the novel Accursed Son and the role-playing game Ravaged Earth. His short stories appear in various anthologies, including Across the Universe, Great Wars, and Rituals & Grimoires. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and a ridiculous number of books. When not chained to his writing desk, he hikes the Pinelands and wastes too much time on social media. Visit him online at www.ericavedissian.com.

 

Contact Links

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Purchase Link

Amazon


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