Friday, May 29, 2026

Book Blast and Giveaway: K-Pop The 4 Lights and The Sharded Lullably by Lotte Bluejay



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lotte Bluejay will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

An epic K-Pop fantasy adventure series for readers ages 8-12.

Music becomes magic. Friendship becomes power. And every concert could save the world.

When four freshly debuted K-pop idols discover that their songs awaken ancient magic, their rise to fame turns into something far greater than a world tour.

At their first sold-out concert, Hana, Daon, Mira, and Noah expect a night of lights and applause. Instead, they uncover a broken lullaby and fragments of an ancient prophecy. Soon strange things begin to follow them from city to city - whispers in the lights, shadows beneath the rhythm, and a dark force determined to silence their music forever.

Because somewhere in the shadows, a forgotten enemy has been waiting for the music to begin.

To protect their dreams, their fans, and each other, the four must learn to unlock the hidden power within their songs. Because harmony is strongest when no one stands alone. And some melodies were never meant to fade.

Perfect for readers who love:

• magical adventures and epic quests
• powerful friendships and teamwork
• modern fantasy with a pop-culture twist
• stories where music becomes magic

Begin the adventure with Book 1 of The Four Lights. The stage is set. The prophecy has begun. And the world is about to hear their song.

The Four Lights Series

A magical middle-grade adventure about friendship, courage, and the power of music.

Book 1 - The Sharded Lullaby
Book 2 - The Shadow Band
Book 3 - The Crimson Solace
Book 4 - The Syncopated Harmony
Book 5 - The Hollow Beat
Book 6 - The Blinding Crescendo
Book 7 - the epic finale

Read an Excerpt

Daon’s fingers twitched. Tap-tap … tap.

The pulse matched him.

Hana’s breath caught. “Daon,” she said, low.

“I know, I know,” he whispered, but he couldn’t help it. The beat slipped out of him like a hiccup. He added a heel-thump, tiny, a heartbeat on the floor.

The bobbing steadied. The little bumps turned into a slow roll, the kind you could ride if you knew when to lean.

Daon leaned with it, eyes wide. “Are you seeing this?”

“I’m seeing you stop,” Noah said.

Mira pressed a new chord, soft and bright. The roll faded. The seatbelt sign blinked off.

Silence fell between them, the kind that wasn’t empty at all.

Hana looked from Daon’s hands to Mira’s keyboard to Noah’s steady grip on the bass case. No one said the word magic. No one said powers. The cabin was full of people, full of cameras, full of ordinary. The last thing they needed was attention.

Daon tucked his hands under his thighs like a kid in time-out. “Okay,” he whispered. “Okay. But did you feel how the bumps synced to me? Like the plane caught the beat?”

“It synced to the pilot,” Noah said. “Like it’s supposed to.”

Mira’s mouth curved. “Maybe both.”

The cart came back with snacks. Crackers. Cups. The clink of ice. The very normal world.
They ate. They watched a cartoon on the seatback screens without hearing it. They tried to sleep.

Hana couldn't. She stared at the little screen map and watched their plane crawl toward Japan. A bright line traced their path, pixel by pixel. She thought of the glow that had raced up the mic stands, and of how her body had hummed like a string in tune.

She reached into her backpack and slid out a notebook. On the first blank page she wrote:
Seoul: power went out – we sang – stands glowed – crowd calmed. Backstage: stands still warm – felt watched – not sure. Plane: Daon’s beat = air bumps? Mira’s chord = calm?
She added a question mark and circled it twice.

About the Author

Lotte Bluejay creates magical middle-grade adventures where music becomes power and friendship saves the day. Her Four Lights series blends the sparkle of K-Pop with the wonder of fantasy, giving young readers stories filled with rhythm, courage, and hope. Every book is written to light up imaginations, celebrate teamwork, and remind kids that even in the darkest moments, their own voices can shine the brightest.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the4lights.official
Website with all books of the series: https://www.gocrazyhappy.com/the4lights/
Soundtrack: https://thefourlights.hearnow.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the4lights.officialbr> YouTube: https://youtube.com/@the4lights.official
BookBub: https://youtube.com/@the4lights.official

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Review and Giveaway: The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids


Shop summer resources! 

Splash into Scripture this summer! Dive into God’s Word & soak
up truth with these Bible resources for curious & creative kids:

Explorer Bible for Kids

Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids

Scripture Memory Cards





Bring the Bible to life for kids with the award-winning CSB Explorer Bible
for kids & companion products! Explore the (yet) unknown with the NEW
dictionary & lock in key truths with these fun, NEW Scripture memory cards!

Summer Goal: Develop joyful Bible study habits as a family!
Get kids excited for consistent days in God’s Word with Bibles designed for them.



Shop summer resources! 




My Review:

Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids is marketed for youngsters 12 and under. However, my son is 14 and loves it. He is my little historian and enjoys to learn about the Bible and the ancient history surrounding it. We both learned about the people, animals, and places of those times. It even included human emotions (such as, kindness), artifacts (such as, weights), and other words found in the Bible (such as exile). I personally found it interesting to read and seeing all of the vibrant photographs and graphics all throughout the book. It is two hundred thirty pages full of knowledge. 
My family and I give Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids a very well deserved five plus stars. We highly recommend it for families with children 12 years of age and younger. I know our copy will be a keeper on my son's shelf so he can look over it again and again.
I received a hard cover copy of Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 


Disclosure:

Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.


Giveaway:

1 GRAND PRIZE giveaway of the Explorer Bible for Kids + Toddler Theology Series Bundle (retail value of approx. $149.99)

Qualifications: Giveaway winners must be a US resident.

To enter: Entrants must fill out THIS FORM (there’s no other way to enter) by 6/11)

Bundle contents: 2 copies of the Explorer Bible for Kids, 2 Explorer Bible for Kids Dictionaries, Explorer Bible Stickers, an Explorer Bible Tshirt, and the Toddler Theology Series set (6 books in set).


Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway is limited to US winners only.

Three or less word comments will be deleted and will not be entered into the giveaway.

Chosen winner/s will be contacted by email to verify information needed to give to the appropriate channels to get the prize to you.

Winner/s MUST reply to this email within 24 hours.

If no response, a new winner’s name will be drawn and you forfeit the prize.

Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible for lack of response from the chosen winner.

Winners from previous Momentum campaigns within 90 days will be disqualified.

Please note: Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible in sending the prize.


Spotlight and Giveaway: Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats by Kayla E Green

 

About the Book

Book: Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: Children’s Illustrated Book

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Hadley the Hippo is hungry, and she won’t rest until she finds something to eat. But as she walks through her jungle home, she finds that the snacks in the jungle have an odd effect on her-they change her color! Still, Hadley munch, munch, munches her way through the greens, blue, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows of the jungle, hoping to finally satisfy the rumbling in her tummy. Along the way, she finds that it really does matter what you consume.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is an award-winning author and poet who writes to remind others—and herself—that light always prevails over darkness. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio and pretending she’s a unicorn. Fittingly, her YA debut fantasy novel is titled The Goodness of Unicorns.

 

 

 



 

More from Kayla

I wrote Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats to provide a fun story to engage small learners. Through the hippo’s journey through the jungle where her color changes based on what she eats, pre-K and primary students can learn about both fruits and colors. But, what’s more, the back of the book contains a note to parents/teachers with activities to discuss the importance of consumption—what we listen to on the radio, watch on TV and online, and read impacts our minds and hearts. Approaching this lesson in an age-appropriate way is important for providing a foundational framework for discernment later in life.

As a former elementary school librarian and classroom teacher turned full-time mother, I know firsthand how play and learning go hand in hand. This principle applies to foundational skills for understanding biblical teachings, character development, math, literacy, and, well, a lot of things! Playing games with your learners can help reinforce that learning is fun–not only is there a game involved, but your learner will get to spend time with YOU!

As a part of the book tour, I’m so excited to share 3 learning games with you! These games are designed with minimal materials but maximum fun. PLUS, they can be modified for various age groups. Find these 3 learning games to play with littles at home here in this online slideshow:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGL0GUW9TM/zHX6mL4Sp2gt06-apfjdMA/view?utm_content=DAGL0GUW9TM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3c4b129030

 

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 25 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, May 26 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 28 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, May 29

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, May 31

Artistic Nobody, June 1

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book, the companion coloring book, a special cookie mix from Story Crumbs inspired by Hadley, and a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/efZJQ/hadley-the-hippo-is-what-she-eats-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Spotlight and Giveaway: Chaos Woods, Chronicles of the Ever-Guise, Book 1 by Scott T Barnes



About the Book



Book: Chaos Woods, Chronicles of the Ever-Guise, Book I

Author: Scott T. Barnes

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release Date: November 14, 2025

After a thieves’ auction goes wrong, young barmaid Telyn Brower winds up with a shard from a magical mask.

Only one problem: In this world, humans are forbidden to use magic. In fact, they’re the only sentient beings without any innate magical powers.

That doesn’t stop Telyn and her friends from using the mask to improve life in their isolated mountain town of Harlech.

At first, the changes seem small. Helpful. Necessary.

But good intentions only carry them so far.

Soon, lies begin to surface. Trust erodes. With every spell they cast, the mask tightens its grip. The power is seductive, addictive. The consequences are dangerous.

As the subjugation of humans intensifies and enemies draw near, the only way out seems to lie deep in the Chaos Woods—an ancient forest where magic itself bends and frays.

To survive, the friends must face the cost of their choices and decide whether they can truly trust one another.

Discover the young adult fantasy Chaos Woods, rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by IndieReader, and described as “an ambitious, character-driven fantasy.”

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

An afficionado of small towns, forests, and mountains, you can find Scott T. Barnes writing in coffee shops all over Southern California. Scott won the Writers of the Future Award for his story “Insect Sculptor.” His contemporary fantasy, Memories of Lucinda Eco, set in Baja California, received a coveted “Editor’s Pick” from BookLife, while his epic fantasy Chaos Woods earned 4.8 out of 5 stars from IndieReader. Kirkus Reviews called it, “An absorbing, character-driven YA tale of camaraderie and redemption.”

 




 

More from Scott

One of the things that makes the fantasy genre so powerful, so important even, is that it often deals with existential questions, especially life versus death and good versus evil. Many other genres shy away from such question, or pretend that evil is, in fact, “relative.”

However, sharing the same stakes also means that many fantasy tales may come to resemble one another a little too much.

For Chaos Woods, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Given that the main character winds up with a magical mask, it did not take long to realize that the primary stakes of this story would be truth versus lies. This realization made the writing of the story much easier. Conflict and confrontation came easily through the turning of these two poles. This led IndieReader in a 4.8/5-star review to remark, “Scott T. Barnes delivers a richly imagined, character-driven coming-of-age fantasy that balances cozy adventure with thoughtful themes of morality, addiction, and the consequences of one’s choices.”

In addition to unique stakes, there is a lot of me in this tale. I grew up in a gold-mining town, surrounded by fields and live oak stands, and the mountains, forests, and small-town vibe enrich Telyn’s adventures. I hope the reader finds the Chaos Woods a place they want to visit again and again.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30

Fiction Book Lover, May 31 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 2 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, June 3

Books, Books, & More Books, June 4 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, June 7

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 8 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 9 (Author Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/E1JY7/chaos-woods-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Book Tour and Giveaway: Lies to Forever by Marlene M Bell


 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Lies To Forever by Marlene M. Bell
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 316 pages 
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher:  Ewephoric Publishing
Release date:   March 2026
Content Rating:  PG because: There are a couple of references such as "hell" or "damn" in the dialog. No sex. Mild attraction. Mild description of dead bodies. Not too graphic. No strong language.

Book Description:

​First they stole her trust. Now they want her life. 

April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being conned out of her life savings she’s left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her old job at an architectural firm, even if it forces a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex-boyfriend.

There’s only one small hitch. The owner of the firm is dead, and the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.

As the killer runs free, disturbing reminders arise from April’s troubled childhood, and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Only one thing is certain. Death is stalking April, and she must unmask the killer before they land the fatal blow.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
B&N
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Marlene M. Bell shares many traits with the bold protagonists she writes. Her Annalisse series stars a New York antiquities appraiser who chases dangerous criminals in far-flung locales. The series has won eight international literary awards and an avid fan base around the world. When Marlene's not busy plotting her next novel, she's exploring her wooded Texas ranch with camera in hand and thirty sheep faithfully in tow. As an accomplished painter and nature photographer, she's always hunting for the next spark of inspiration - or the next adventure calling her name.

connect with the author:  website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads





My Review: 

I have always loved diving into a new novel from Marlene M Bell. When I had the chance to read her latest, Lies To Forever, I jumped at the opportunity. I found myself instantly captivated with this story. I admired April's courage and bravery all throughout the book. The plot was action packed and unpredictable. There were so many twists and turns, that my head was often spinning. I never knew what happen from chapter to chapter. I felt like I was riding on a thrilling roller coaster. I kept wondering on who done it. Just when I thought I had it solved, I was once again left guessing again. Overall this was a fabulous novel that was full of danger, mystery, suspense, adventure, and action. I loved reading every single page. I had no problem reading it from cover to cover in one sitting. A perfect way to spend a nice spring day on my back porch.

Lies To Forever will be getting five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for fans of suspense filled mysteries and thriller fiction. I will be on the look out for the next release from Marlene M Bell to see what she has in store for her readers. I believe that this one is definitely worth a read and not to be missed. 

I received an advanced paperback reader copy of Marlene M Bell's Lies To Forever from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 


Enter the Giveaway:



Book Blast and Giveaway: The Flames of Soulflare by L A Kayshal

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. La Kayshal will be awarding $10 PayPal gift to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



Dragons fear prophecy, and love may be the final weapon in this dark, multi-POV Romantasy perfect for fans of Fourth Wing and From Blood and Ash.

Feared as the harbinger of doom, Everin Haydon is stolen, broken, and reforged by magic into a living weapon bound to a Dragon Council that calls its tyranny justice.

Across the realms, Lord Tynan, the Demon of Darkness and Chaos, returns. His awakening marks the coming of the three days of darkness, and he tears through realms to reclaim what fate binds to him, the Hell’s Fire Dragon.

But one question remains. If the demon rises, where is the immortal meant to stop him?

As the dragon world waits for divine intervention, Everin must decide whether she remains a weapon or becomes the fate of the realms.


Read an Excerpt

His control was precise and deliberate.

“Tariel—” She sucked in a breath, fear slipping into her voice. “What are you doing?”

His lips hovered above hers, so close she could taste the hint of warmth in each breath he released.

“You belong to me,” he whispered, his voice shifting, deepening, curling around her like smoke. His eyes burned brighter, molten gold spilling across the darkness of his gaze. “You always have.”

Everin’s heart thrashed in her chest. Something ancient stared back at her through his eyes—something demanding, something claiming.

She tried to pull away. “You’re frightening me.”

He leaned closer, lips brushing the edge of her jaw. “You love me,” he whispered. “You always have. And you will give yourself to me again.”

His mouth dragged slowly toward hers, teasing, commanding, his breath warm against her parted lips.

“I want you,” he said, low and certain. “I want all of you.”

“No.” Everin gasped, turning her head away as panic surged. “Stop. You’re not—”

His fingers tightened at her neck.

He didn't stop. The Tariel she loved would have.

“I am yours,” he murmured.

She squeezed her eyes shut. Then her voice broke in a whisper—

“You’re not the Tariel I knew.”

The room fell silent. And everything inside her knew she was right.

About the Author: La Kayshal is an Australian writer of romance, YA, and children's fantasy novels. She lives with her husband, daughter, and a playful Malshi puppy in the coastal plains of the Sunny State.
br> Her debut novel, The Lost Crown, is an adventure romance set in the exotic landscapes of India. She also created the much-loved Sylph Series, a whimsical children’s collection that introduces readers to the amazing world of Sylphs, with each book carrying a gentle moral lesson. A lifelong fan of wizards, magic, dragons, swords, and elementals, she poured all these passions into her YA fantasy Ariston Baker in the Weird Picture Book, a fast-paced journey filled with realms, riddles, action, and adventure.

Her latest project is the Hell’s Fire Dragon duology, a romantasy series filled with dragons, magic, and high-stakes conflict. Book 1, The Flames of Darkness, begins the story, followed by Book 2, The Flames of Soulflare.

Website: http://lakayshal.wixsite.com/my-site-1
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaysreads1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakayshalbooks
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaKayshal
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lakayshalbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/La.Kayshal/
X: https://x.com/LaKayshal

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Book Tour and Review: The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal by Nigel Roberts


 

Book Details:

Book Title: The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal by Nigel Roberts
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  306 pages
Genre: Travel Memoir
Publisher: ImperfeCt Books
Release date:  May 2026
Content Rating: PG-13 + M because of Language and themes of suicide and drug addiction.​

Book Description:

In September 2016, at the age of 65, Nigel Roberts embarked on a two-month trek through Dolpo, one of the most remote regions in Nepal.

Following the route taken by Peter Matthiessen (The Snow Leopard) and George Schaller (Stones of Silence) over forty years before him, Nigel was driven by a wish to make sense of illness and tragedy in his family, and to better understand his part in those traumatic events.

A quest for clarity and candor, The Leopard and the Moon weaves together three different journeys: a demanding physical hike, an emotional reckoning, and Nepal’s own trajectory across four tumultuous decades.


BUY THE BOOK:
​add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Nigel Roberts worked for thirty years for the World Bank, much of that time based in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, West Bank and Gaza, and Australia. Since retiring, he has advised governments in Somalia, Myanmar and Afghanistan on managing the economics of war and instability. He lives in Virginia with his wife, Sarah, and his grandson, Alex.

Connect with the Author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads







My Review: 

The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal is my first introduction to the works from talented, Nigel Roberts. I really enjoyed reading his story. I was able to see a part of the world that I will never ever see in my lifetime through his eyes. It was admirable that he chose to take this trek in the Dolpo area in the country of Nepal at the age of sixty five years of age. I learned so much of what he saw of the area. His details of the landscape were quite vivid, making feel as though I was part of the adventure. I, also, loved that he learned more about himself. I thought this memoir to be a beautiful true story of tragedy, healing, honesty, grace and perseverance. I loved every single page of it. 

I am going to give The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to learn about new cultures, adventures, travels, and memoirs. I would be interested in reading more from Nigel Roberts in the future and seeing other journeys he has taken. I found this one to be one that is definitely worth a read and not to missed. 

I received a paperback copy of Nigel Roberts' The Leopard and the Moon: A Journey in Dolpo, Nepal from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.