Monday, June 29, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Forest of Souls by Lori M Lee



I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FOREST OF SOULS by Lori M. Lee Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About the Book:
Title: FOREST OF SOULS (Shamanborn #1)
Authors: Lori M. Lee
Pub. Date: June 23, 2020
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 400

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.

And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.

My Review: 

Forest of Souls begins the Shamanborn series by Lori M Lee. This one is not part of my go to genre, but it is another good reason why I should go outside my comfort zone more often. I thought it was pretty good. I was a little confused at times as to what was going on. But once I caught on, I was able to keep reading. It was a unique and different read for me. 

I am giving Forest of Souls three and half stars. I would be interested to finding out what happens next in the Shamanborn series. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy young adult fantasy. 


I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


About Lori:


Lori M. Lee is the author of FOREST OF SOULS, first in the Shamanborn duology, as well as GATES OF THREAD AND STONE and THE INFINITE. She’s also a contributor to the anthologies A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS and COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES. She considers herself a unicorn aficionado, enjoys marathoning TV shows, and loves to write about magic, manipulation, and family.

Sign Up for Lori’s Newsletter!





Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of FOREST OF SOULS, US Only.




Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/22/2020
Excerpt
6/22/2020
Excerpt
6/23/2020
Excerpt
6/23/2020
Review
6/24/2020
Excerpt
6/24/2020
Review
6/25/2020
Review
6/25/2020
Review
6/26/2020
Review
6/26/2020
Review

Week Two:
6/29/2020
Review
6/29/2020
Review
6/30/2020
Review
6/30/2020
Review
7/1/2020
Review
7/1/2020
Review
7/2/2020
Review
7/2/2020
Review
7/3/2020
Review
7/3/2020
Review

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Sugar Baron's Ring by Lorri Dudley


About the Book


Book:  The Sugar Baron’s Ring
Author: Lorri Dudley
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2020

A ring is her only tie to a distant homeland, until a marooned Englishman anchors her heart.
Hannah Rose Barrington is the island misfit. Orphaned at a young age, Hannah struggles to provide for her future, while her guardian, a weak-hearted island drunk, bleeds Hannah of her father’s inheritance. Caught between the classes of elite planters and white beggars, Hannah yearns to find a place to belong.

University life has never been Bradlee Granville’s forte. His only hope to graduate is to impress his professors by documenting his travels. After claiming unforeseeable circumstances, he delays his final exams and sets out early on his Grand Tour. However, when his ship wrecks off the coast of the Leeward Islands, Bradlee is left without means to return to England, a mounting deadline, and ruined journals.

When Hannah rescues passengers from a ship breaking apart in the bay, she’s unexpectedly drawn to the witty charm of one of the men. Helping him settle into island life will be a pleasure. However, as creditors, like sharks, begin to circle and her guardian’s desperation becomes life threatening, Hannah finds herself in need of rescue. Will Bradlee look past her pitiful situation to see who she truly is—the sugar baron’s daughter?

Click here to get your copy!



About the Author

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

The Sugar Baron’s Ring is the third book in the Leeward Island series. My heroine is caught between social classes as the daughter of a sugar baron and an impoverished white beggar since her guardian sold her inheritance to pay his debts. To generate the feeling of being a misfit, I delved back to those awkward years of middle and high school, where we often struggle to discover where we belong. Before my senior year, my family and I moved to New England for a job change. I’d had a great group of friends at my old school, but at my new school, I was a stranger—an outsider—trying to find acceptance, much like Hannah.
Bradlee, the hero, on the other hand, was fashioned in a completely different manner. At my house, the slang terms “bruh” and “noob” are tossed around by my three boys, along with constant fraternal teasing. A lot of their sarcastic wit and camaraderie are portrayed through Bradlee and his grand tour companion, Colin. Their light-hearted banter depicts the tight bonds of a deep relationship where faults may be mocked, but offenses are overlooked, and if ever in trouble, they have each other’s backs. Hannah is drawn to Bradlee, craving a similar connection but loses her heart to him in the process.
The first opening scene came about because my family loves Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. After binge-watching practically every episode, I knew my hero and heroine would meet under the duress of a shiny, steel-gray fin plowing through the water. (Queue the Jaws theme song.) However, our resourceful heroine contains the strength to rescue the hero as opposed to the other way around.
All these things, being a misfit, teasing, and shark attacks, playout in a grander scheme to show how God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He’s laying out the pieces of our happily-ever-after while developing our character and purpose. The Sugar Baron’s Ring demonstrates how God’s light shines bright even in the darkness.
To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or click here to watch The Sugar Baron’s Ring book trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWRQr3drZY8&feature=youtu.be

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, June 23
A Baker’s Perspective, June 23
For Him and My Family, June 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 24
Texas Book-aholic, June 25
Genesis 5020, June 25
Daysong Reflections, June 25
Inklings and notions, June 26
Rebecca Tews, June 26
Betti Mace, June 27
Remembrancy, June 27
Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 28
deb’s Book Review, June 28
For the Love of Literature, June 29
Britt Reads Fiction, June 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29
Kat’s Corner Books, June 30
She Lives To Read, June 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 1
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 2
Emily Yager, July 2
Pause for Tales, July 2
KarenSueHadley, July 3
Books, Life, and Christ, July 3
Blossoms and Blessings, July 4
Read Review Rejoice, July 4
Artistic Nobody, July 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Batya’s Bits, July 5
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, July 6
Hallie Reads, July 6
Life of Literature, July 6

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fcd4/the-sugar-baron-s-ring-celebration-tour-giveaway



My Review

After reading the first two books from Lorri Dudley’s The Leeward Islands series, I was excited to get my hands on the third installment, The Sugar Baron's Ring. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand along, but I do highly recommend reading the whole series.

I believe The Sugar Baron’s Ring may be my favorite of the series I have read so far. This is such a beautiful story of love, faith and hope. I loved the historical details and the settings. I found Hannah to be a true to life character that many could relate to and adored the scenes when she was with Bradlee.

I am giving The Sugar Baron’s Ring five plus stars. I was so happy to find out there will be a fourth book from The Leeward Islands series and am so excited to read that one when it releases next year.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Friday, June 26, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Victoria Grace: The Jerkface by SE Clancy



About the Book


Book: Victoria Grace: The Jerkface
Author: S.E. Clancy
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Release Date: June 15, 2020   Ever since Tori Weston and MamaBear were abandoned by her dad, finances have been tighter than a new pair of skinny jeans. As if keeping her grades up for scholarships and working every spare moment weren’t enough, Tori gets suckered into visiting a retirement home and paired with ancient resident Marigold Williams. After learning she’s the only one to visit Marigold in decades, Tori becomes a regular at Willow Springs. Besides, someone has to help with her history homework. Corbin Dallas barges into Tori’s life with a prosthetic leg and a dimple, working his way into her hectic schedule. Though she tries to deny it, there’s something beyond his Texan drawl that gets Tori hoping she’s more than his sidekick. Together, they race to find Marigold’s missing family before she fades away. Tori ditches her soul-sucking job, along with her dreams of having a paint-peeled clunker to call her own, in order to help her friend one last time.    

Click here to get your copy!
     

About the Author

S.E. Clancy (aka Sarah) is a bit of a sci-fi nerd, geek, and self-proclaimed dork. There isn’t much she won’t try at least once…unless it involves mayonnaise, because that stuff is just gross. You can learn more about her at seclancy.com.      

More from S.E.

Victoria Grace the Jerkface started as a short story after I’d listened to my favorite song by Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song. I’d overheard a teenager say, “I don’t even know what a chestnut is.” I typed that into a note on my phone because it struck a chord. Within days, a photographer named Tom Hussey issued a series called “Reflections” that featured elderly people gazing into mirrors and seeing their younger selves. That same night, one of my children asked for a project to earn school credits. Like flint to tinder, the idea of this teenager who didn’t know what a chestnut was having to visit an older person left in a care home began to grow.
To add in a bit of my mom and myself to the story, I had my main character Tori (Victoria Grace) love her mom’s meatloaf. It’s a recipe that my mom used from her grandma, an amazing woman we called Grandma Ted.
Ted’s Meatloaf
  • 1 pound thawed ground beef or turkey
  • 1 packet of dry onion soup mix
  • 1 – 2 heels of bread torn into dime-sized pieces (1 for turkey, 2 for beef)
  • 1 egg
Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in a single bowl. Works best if you use your hands, but mix really well if you use a spoon to incorporate all of the ingredients.
Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. Do not use parchment paper—no one wants a soggy bottom. Plop the entire mixture into the pan and place into the middle of the oven. Cook for an hour.
This recipe doubles easily, just change the cooking time to 1 ½ – 1 ¾ hours and check the internal temp with a thermostat.

Blog Stops

Robin’s Nest, June 20
Nancy E Wood , June 21
Batya’s Bits, June 25
CarpeDiem, June 26
Pause for Tales, June 27
Artistic Nobody, June 28 (Guest Review from Kelsey Barela)

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, S.E. is giving away the grand prize package of signed book, origami bookmark, marigold seeds, & $10 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fc81/victoria-grace-the-jerkface-celebration-tour-giveaway



My Review

What a pleasure to be introduced to SE Clancy’s writing by reading her Victoria Grace, The Jerkface. This book was a delight to read. It was so much fun with a lot of laugh out loud humor. There were a few scenes that made me tear up a little bit, too. I adored Tori’s character right from the start. I think many readers would be able to relate to her. I loved watching her grow throughout the story. She was a true to life character and I was happy getting to know her and seeing the relationships she shared.

I am giving Victoria Grace, The Jerkface a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for those who love a heartwarming and entertaining young adult story. I can not wait to read more by SE Clancy in the future.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Aftermath of Secrets by Cate Beauman

★★★  CATE BEAUMAN'S AFTERMATH OF SECRETS RELEASE CELEBRATION! ★★★

AFTERMATH OF SECRETS
The Carter Island Trilogy, Book 2

RELEASE DATE:  June 4, 2020
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
When The Secrets Of The Past Threaten To Destroy The Future…
Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelor has it all: good looks, a great career, and plenty of wealth and prestige. But Bradley Sanderson’s charmed life quickly falls apart when scandal rocks his famous family. Arrests have been made; the media circus has begun, and Brad’s been tasked with the daunting chore of restoring the Sandersons’ good name. Moving back to Carter Island and picking up the pieces hasn’t been easy, especially when the one person he needs the most won’t give him the time of day.
Bakery owner and island resident Molly Carter is loyal to her core, but that doesn’t mean Brad’s homecoming hasn’t left her torn. Brad’s darkest days aren’t lost on Molly, but reaching out to her lifelong friend isn’t so simple when she’s forced to guard her heart. Everything changed when she woke up alone after their sexy summer night.
The complications keep coming when Brad’s long-lost brother shows up in town, bringing the remnants of his checkered past with him. Forgiveness and redemption are possible for all, until new secrets come to light that may have dire consequences.
*A contemporary romance with twists of mystery and suspense
BUY LINKS:
Amazon US:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_AmazonUS
Amazon UK:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_AmazonUK
Amazon AU:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_AmazonAU
Amazon CA:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_AmazonCA
Apple Books:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_AppleBooks
Kobo:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_Kobo
Nook:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_Nook
Google Play:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_GooglePlay
BookBub:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_BookBub
Goodreads:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_Goodreads

REVIEWS & ENDORSEMENTS:
5 Stars! “I'm a big sucker for a good love story, especially one that has drama. Aftermath Of Secrets by Cate Beauman provided both in a beautiful way. I was swept in by the characters, their wants, and desires.” -Shannon Winings, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards

EXCERPT:
“What do you think it’s been, five or six years since you’ve been home for more than a week in a row?”
Brad nodded slowly. “Yeah, something like that.”
“It’s like the good old days.”
He shrugged, pushing off the wall, moving her way. “Sort of.”
Molly winced, foolishly forgetting that life for Brad was currently unrecognizable. “I guess that was pretty dumb of me to say.”
“No, I just meant Nate isn’t here hanging out in his boxers, and I haven’t done this yet.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Dunked you,” he said as he pressed his hand on top of her head and sent her under.
She sank beneath the watery depths, slapping at his hand and arm as he kept her submerged for a good three or four seconds. She came up sputtering and glaring. “You idiot.” She coughed again. “Are you trying to drown me?”
He dismissed her with a chuckle and flippant raise of his brow. “So dramatic. We had about three minutes before we needed to start worrying about brain damage.”
Her eyes narrowed again. “Oh, you’re dead,” she said, gritting her teeth, charging after him.
He laughed, swimming away.
But they were well-matched, both of them excellent swimmers. All the Sanderson and Carter kids had had numerous lessons in their younger days due to their proximity to the Atlantic.
She hooked her arm around his neck, maneuvered her way onto his back, and sent them both underwater, her legs locking around his waist to keep her leverage. But his sheer size and strength were her disadvantage.
Then they both surfaced for air, Brad laughing before she brought him under again. Within seconds, he had their positions reversed, and he held her against him, one arm wrapped around the front of her waist, the other around her shoulders as they came up for another draw of air.
His breath puffed against her neck in hot torrents as their legs brushed with their kicks to stay afloat, while he let her waist go and used his arm to tread water. “Molls, this is quite a predicament.
He wasn’t kidding. She was pinned beneath his strong arm, and her back was pressed against his solid chest, with no choice but to grip his muscular forearm caging her in place. “Fine. You win.” She just needed him to let her go.
“That’s it? Since when do you give up so easy?”
Since he’d kissed her brainless and taken her to bed. “Since I realized it’s time to get home and get changed for your party at Nate and Callie’s.” She tried to move away from him.
He switched arms, now holding her around the waist, and began keeping their heads above water with his opposite arm. “No problem. Just say, Brad, you’re the best Scrabble player I know. I bow to you, you genius.”
She huffed out a laugh, raising her arm to the surface to help keep their chins from bobbing under. “I won. Three years in a row now.”
“Just luck.” He held her tighter, whispering next to her ear, his voice full of teasing. “You’re the best, Brad. That’s all I need to hear.”
“Broody Brad,” she murmured, knowing he hated it when she called him that—a slight from their childhood.
“What was that?” he asked, drilling his fingers into her side, tickling her.
She scream-laughed. “Damn it, Brad.” She fought him enough to turn and immediately realized her huge mistake as he held her chest to chest, and they stared into each other’s eyes.
He grinned. “This is certainly a situation.”
A droplet trailed down his face to land on his firm bottom lip, and his eyelashes were webbed together, making him even more irresistible than he already was. Her heart pounded, her pulse thundering in her throat, and she glared at him, needing to be free of him, well aware he was enjoying this far too much.
There was an undeniable attraction between them. All she had to do was press her mouth to his, and they would have a repeat of August. But they weren’t going there again. She wasn’t risking their friendship a second time.

ABOUT CATE BEAUMAN
Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.
Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.
Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
Website:  https://catebeauman.com/
Newsletter:  http://www.catebeauman.com/getmyfreebooks
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CateBeaumanAuthor/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/realcatebeauman/
Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cate-beauman
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6543858.Cate_Beauman

RELEASE CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY!
Win 1 of 3 $25 Amazon Gift Cards →  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0735126860/?



My Review: 

Secrets Hidden in the Glass is the first installment from the Carter Island series by Cate Beauman. It is, also, my introduction to her books. It definitely will not be my last. I enjoyed getting to know Callie and loved her interactions with Nathan. The setting was perfect for their story.

I am giving Secrets Hidden in the Glass a very well deserved five plus stars. I recommend it for those who enjoy romantic suspense.

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.



I found Cate Beauman’s second installment from her Carter Island series, Aftermath of Secrets, to be a great read. I loved the first book and this one does not disappoint. It was great going back to this beautiful community. The story was full of mystery, suspense, action, adventure and romance. Could not ask for more than that.

I am giving Aftermath of Secrets five plus stars. I am hoping there will be more releasing soon from the Carter Island series.

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway; Dwarf Story by Professor WW Marplot



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Professor W. W. Marplot will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

For Arty to miss a day of school, either he is very, very sick or a fairytale-character turf-war has begun in his backyard — such as what begins this particular Wednesday. First, he finds an ax-swinging, bearded, sweaty warrior Dwarf scaring his dogs. Soon enough, Emma, Cry and other middle-school friends also find fairy creatures — Elves, Spriggans, Pixies, and a hoped-for Dragon — crashing into their normal homework-doing, backpack-carrying, phone-charging schooldays.

Why are these magical beings here? What should be done? Is that axe sharp? Can Pixies be given aspirin?
Arty with his friends — and spying jerks, and questionable strangers with long names — follow the clues and try to find out, even as things turn dark and dangerous.

The mythical beings are taking sides. The Gwyllion, that legendary Old Woman of the Mountains, has a sinister plan, turning the neighborhood into a fantasy battleground. One that awaits young heroes.

Read an Excerpt

I can’t be sure about everything Arty just told you. I wasn’t there. Our stories will join soon, and it’ll be fun to see Professor Arty try to use black-and-white, Courier-font science facts to make sense of a fantasy realm character landscaping his backyard. He’ll have to admit that he’s just a kid and was awfully afraid during that whole Dwarf-in-the-woods episode, even though fear is not part of the “scientific method” that he brags about all the time. I’m much more normal than he is and much more unique at the same time. And more popular. So, my version will be different, more colorful, more alive, and more imaginative—which is the way fantastic things deserve to be treated. They need to be drawn, believed, written about in long poems.

Especially with what happened next...

About the Author: Professor Welkin Westicotter Marplot, of Coillemuir, Scotland, is a collector of esoteric tales of global wisdom and curator of ancient manuscripts. He is a recluse and, as he claims, has been collecting and collating adventure and fantasy stories for over a century.





DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT
ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

June 12: Woodpecker Books - review
June 16: Rogue's Angels
June 17: Natural bri - review
June 22: Crowvus Book Blog - review
June 26: T's Stuff
July 8: Kit 'N Kabookle - review










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