Thursday, March 29, 2018

Review Tour: Sophie Washington: Things You Didn't Know About Sophie by Tonya Duncan Ellis



Sophie Washington: Things You Didn't Know About Sophie
by Tonya Duncan Ellis




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GENRE:   Children's (Middle Grade)

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BLURB:

Oh, the tangled web we weave…

Sixth grader Sophie Washington thought she had life figured out when she was younger, but this school year, everything has changed. She feels like an outsider, because she’s the only one in her class without a cell phone, and her crush, new kid Toby Johnson, has been calling her best friend, Chloe. To fit in, Sophie changes who she is. Her plan to become popular works for a while, and she and Toby start to become friends.

In between the boy drama, Sophie takes a whirlwind class field trip to Austin, TX, where she visits the state museum, eats Tex-Mex food, and rides a kayak. Back at home, Sophie fights off buzzards from her family’s roof, dissects frogs in science class, and has fun at her little brother Cole’s basketball tournament.

Things get more complicated when Sophie “borrows” a cell phone from a neighbor and gets caught. If her parents make her tell the truth, what will her friends think? Turns out Toby has also been hiding something, and Sophie discovers the best way to make true friends is to be yourself.

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EXCERPT

No one knows how I feel about Toby. Not even Chloe. If anyone found out, I’d never come out of my room.

“Sophie, time for breakfast!” Mom calls.

I grab my backpack and rush out my bedroom door.

Bam! Me and my eight-year-old brother, Cole, collide.

“Move back, Creep!” he yells.

“Look where you’re going, Blockhead,” I counter.

“I was watching where I was going,” he frowns. “You were just running through the house again
like Mom and Dad told you not to.”

I love my little brother, but he can be such a pain sometimes.

“Can you two please be nice to each other?” pleads Mom as we enter the kitchen, still grumbling.

“Cereal’s for breakfast. I’m helping in Daddy’s office this morning, so we need to leave early.”

Mom slides in her earrings and scrolls through her cell phone while we pour cornflakes into our bowls.

Our father is a dentist and has his own dental practice. Two or three days a week, Mom goes in to help him with accounting and checking in patients in his office in downtown Houston. Since we attend Xavier Academy, a private school that doesn’t have a school bus, she drives us to school every morning.

Mom’s been working with our father most days recently because the city had heavy rains earlier this spring. A couple of weeks ago, his office flooded. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights, like Noah’s ark. Dad had to see patients in a building across the street while repairs were being made. A lot of his medical equipment was ruined. Dad left his cell phone there and it got water damage, and still needs to be replaced. I don’t know how he can stand being without it. He’s been using an old flip phone until he has time to buy a new one.



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tonya Duncan Ellis was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She loves reading so much that as a child she took books with her everywhere. She knew she wanted to become a writer after an article she wrote was published in her hometown newspaper when she was a teen. Since then, Tonya has worked as a journalist and freelance magazine writer. She's an award-winning author of the Sophie Washington children's book series, geared towards readers ages 8 to 12. The books recount adventures of Houston, TX preteen Sophie Washington and her diverse group of friends. Each funny and heartwarming story teaches lessons about friendship, responsibility, truthfulness and perseverance. Books in the series include Queen of the Bee, The Snitch, Things You Didn't Know About Sophie, and The Gamer. When she's not writing, Tonya enjoys reading, biking, swimming, travel and spending time with her husband and three children. She lives in Houston, TX.


tonyaellisbooks.com
Facebook: @tonyaellisbooks
Twitter: @TonyaDEllis


Barnes and Noble:


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GIVEAWAY 

Tonya Duncan Ellis will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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









My Review

Things You Didn’t Know About Sophie is another installment to Sophie Washington series. Like the others in the series, I really enjoyed this one. Sophie has a way to relate with other kids and they are able to learn lessons right along with her. She and her friends really know how to make a reader laugh out loud. Love it!

Things You Didn’t Know About Sophie is a delightful read and I highly recommend it. I give it 5 stars.

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



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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Review Tour: Sophie Washington: The Gamer by Tonya Duncan Ellis



Sophie Washington: The Gamer
by Tonya Duncan Ellis




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GENRE:   Children's (Middle Grade)

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BLURB:

Forty days without video games? Oh no!

Sixth-grader Sophie Washington and her friends are back with an interesting book about having fun with video games while keeping balance. It’s almost Easter, and Sophie and her family get ready to start fasts for Lent with their church, where they give up doing something for 40 days that may not be good for them. Her parents urge Sophie to stop tattling so much, and encourage her second-grade brother Cole to give up something he loves most, playing video games. The kids agree to the challenge, but how long can they keep it up? Soon after Lent begins, Cole starts sneaking to play his video games. Things start to get out of control when he loses a school electronic tablet he checked out without his parents’ permission, and comes to his sister for help. Should Sophie break her promise and tattle on him?

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EXCERPT

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine on you

And be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you

And give you peace.

Amen.”

I lift my head up from prayer and my eight-yearold brother, Cole, grumbles, “I’m starving,” as we hustle out of the crowded church.

New Faith Church is one of the largest Baptist churches in Houston. I love coming with my dad, mom and little brother each week, and it looks like the entire congregation showed up today. During the service we were squished in our seats like sardines, and Mom had to put her purse on the floor to make room. I spot my best friend Chloe in the row across from us. She and her family have been attending New Faith since she was little, just like we have.

“Hey Sophie,” she waves. “I love your dress!”

I smooth the skirt of my floral print, blue and white dress. Mom bought it for me last week and I love to twirl around in it. Chloe looks beautiful herself, as usual, wearing a light yellow sweater dress and grown-up looking shoes with a small heel. Tall, with curly black hair and a bright smile, Chloe is one of the prettiest girls my class.




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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tonya Duncan Ellis was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She loves reading so much that as a child she took books with her everywhere. She knew she wanted to become a writer after an article she wrote was published in her hometown newspaper when she was a teen. Since then, Tonya has worked as a journalist and freelance magazine writer. She's an award-winning author of the Sophie Washington children's book series, geared towards readers ages 8 to 12. The books recount adventures of Houston, TX preteen Sophie Washington and her diverse group of friends. Each funny and heartwarming story teaches lessons about friendship, responsibility, truthfulness and perseverance. Books in the series include Queen of the Bee, The Snitch, Things You Didn't Know About Sophie, and The Gamer. When she's not writing, Tonya enjoys reading, biking, swimming, travel and spending time with her husband and three children. She lives in Houston, TX.


Website: www.tonyaellisbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyaellisbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyaDEllis

Book Video:

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Barnes and Noble:


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GIVEAWAY 

Tonya Duncan Ellis will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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

March 28The Reading Addict
April 4Kit 'N Kabookle
April 4Bookaholic









My Review

The Gamer is yet another fun installment from Tonya Duncan Ellis’s Sophie Washington series. I think this one is my favorite I have read from the series. It has the normal laugh out loud humor and perfect lesson for anyone – young and old – to learn. I liked there was an element of faith in it, as well. So many good words to read in this one. 

I give The Gamer 5 plus stars and highly recommend it, as well as, the rest of the books in the series. 


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


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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Book Blitz with Giveaway: FROM YOUR HEART by Shannyn Schroeder

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Blitz for
From Your Heart
By Shannyn Schroeder

Check out the excerpt and giveaway below...

From Your Heart
(For Your Love #4)
by Shannyn Schroeder
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 320 pages
March 27th 2018 by Kensington

SOMETHING OLD? . . .

Kathy “Play it Safe” Hendricks isn’t used to taking risks, or fighting for what she wants. But as Maid of Honor in her best friend’s wedding, Kathy will do anything to make sure it all goes smooth as bridal silk. She didn’t plan on the Best Man being Kevin O’Malley, the hotter-than-flames, can’t-commit bad boy who broke her heart five years ago.

SOMETHING NEW . . .

Kevin has never forgotten Kathy, the sweet, sexy brunette who ghosted him just when he was starting to think he was ready for something more. Kathy was different from the other girls Kevin dated, and five years later it’s truer than ever. Only now he senses a new strength in the shy girl who left him hanging all those years ago. And this time, he’s not going to let her get away . . .

Sometimes first love needs a second chance.

Praise for the For Your Love series

“Schroeder’s latest For Your Love sizzler has everything a romance needs.”
RT Book Reviews, TOP PICK on Through Your Eyes

“If this sweet romance doesn’t have you dancing a jig, nothing will.”
Kirkus Reviews on Through Your Eyes

“Schroeder infuses plenty of emotion into this strong love story.”
Booklist on In Your Arms

“A surprising big hearted romance.”
Kirkus Reviews on Under Your Skin


Excerpt

Although the crowd around the bar and on the dance floor had thinned, there were still a lot of people. Kathy needed a break from all of them. The cruise would be over soon. They’d already taken their turn to circle back, so she wanted to go outside to enjoy the fresh air and the view of the city from the lake.

She walked out and leaned into the rail, closing her eyes and raising her face to the wind off the lake. When she reopened her eyes, she looked up at the moon and sighed.

“Couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight.”

She spun at Kevin’s voice. “I thought you were doing the entertainment.” She cringed. “That sounded bad, but you know what I meant.”

“I had to get the entertainment started, but a moonlight walk alone with you sounded much more appealing.”

She licked her lips. For as much as she’d thought she wanted to be alone, she liked the idea of being with him. “There’s not far to walk.”

“We can do a circuit or two of the deck.” He reached for her hand, and they walked in silence toward the back of the boat.

When they got there, they were alone in the shadows, the only sound the sloshing of the water against the boat. The scene was perfectly romantic, and Kathy’s heart thundered in her ears.

“Heart and mind still at odds?”

“More than ever.”

“I know I said I’d give you time, but I’m an impatient man. So unless you tell me not to, I’m going to kiss you now.” He released her hand and moved it to her cheek, using his thumb to tilt her chin upward. Staring into her eyes, he waited a beat, cocking one eyebrow in question.

She should stop him, but she wanted to feel his mouth on hers, so she said nothing.

He moved in slowly, using his other hand to shift her body and pull her flush against him. He kept his eyes open and on hers as his lips met hers softly, a gentle stroke. He parted his lips, and she felt his breath whisper across her mouth before their lips reconnected.

Other Books in the Series

 

About the Author


Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series and the For Your Love series, contemporary romances centered around large Irish-American families in Chicago and the Hot & Nerdy series about nerdy friends finding love. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter

Blitz Giveaway


1 winner will receive print copies of books one through three from the For Your Love series, UNDER YOUR SKIN, IN YOUR ARMS, and THROUGH YOUR EYES
US only
Ends March 31st

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Lie to Her by Mehrisa Mex


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mehrisa Mex 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.

Despite years of treatment, twenty-one year old Lydia still struggles with trauma from being attacked as a teenager. House-bound with anxieties and haunted by ghostly visions, she soon comes to suspect her psychiatrist husband, Myles, of sabotaging her recovery.

Her pursuit of the truth uncovers secrets more terrible than she ever imagined and it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted – not even herself.

Read an Excerpt:

The room was spinning and she realized in surprise that she was on her feet in the kitchen. She looked around in a panic. What was she doing there?

The time on the microwave read 2.23am. She looked down at her hands and found them smeared with blood. Her breath knotted up in her throat. She staggered to the kitchen sink and washed the blood off her hands. Her face felt wet and she reached up to touch it. More blood.

She rushed to the bathroom and, in the mirror, she found a streak of blood going down her face. She washed it off, and found the source - a cut in her hair line. It was only then, when she tried to calm herself a bit, that the pain at the site of the injury grew into her awareness.

With her heart thumping in her ears, she thought of the video Myles had shown her where she had tried to stab him with a knife. She hurried out the bathroom to Joanie who raised her head as Lydia crouched down beside her. She didn't seem to be hurt or afraid of her, but Lydia ran her hands over her body anyway to make sure she wasn't injured and bleeding. She wasn't. She was fine.

Lydia looked up at Zach's bedroom door. She had no recollection of trying to harm Myles, but there was clear proof that she had. Had she also tried to do something to Zach?

She didn't know how she had cut herself, but the blood on her hands may not have been all hers.

About the Author: Mehrisa Mex writes mystery-thrillers, neo-noir and international crime. She often appears in her own imagination lit in the chiaroscuro style of film noir and narrating thoughts to herself in moody, hard-boiled tones.

Amazon link for book purchase: http://www.amazon.com/author/mehrisamex
Info links: https://twitter.com/mehrisa_mex
http://www.facebook.com/mehrisamex

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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


March 19: The Avid Reader

March 20: Mixed Book Bag
March 22: BooksChatter
March 22: T's Stuff
March 23: A Writer's Life
March 23: FUONLYKNEW
March 23: Liz's Reading Life
March 26: Jazzy Book Reviews
March 28: Christine Young
March 29: Natural Bri - review
March 29: Readeropolis
March 30: Author C.A.Milson
March 30: XoXo Book Blog









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Monday, March 26, 2018

Blog Tour: 1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed by AE Wasserman

1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: November 8, 2016
Archway Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 370 Pages
Series: Langford Series, Book #2
Genre: Fiction/Historical
It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse. Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one—not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad—seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother’s death and prevent his own murder.
“Not only is this a fast-paced historical mystery, 1886 Ties That Bind offers commentary on the political and social issues that are still relevant today.” – Helga Schier, PhD, author and founder of With Pen and Paper
"Wasserman’s writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended." – Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

The daughter of a newspaperman, A.E. Wasserman grew up in a household filled with books and stories. At age 14, she wrote her first novella and never stopped writing. She is the author of a new mystery/thrillers series, the first of which takes place in London: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue. The second in the Langsford Series, 1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft and Greed, has just been released. Her work, critically acclaimed as “richly atmospheric,” is being noticed by readers and critics alike, and has garnered international attention, not only in the U.S., but Europe and the U.K. as well. She recently received top honors from Writer’s Digest for her work. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she lived in London, then San Francisco. Currently she resides in Southern California with her family and her muse, a Border Collie named Topper. For more information, please Visit the author’s web site at www.aewasserman.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, February 27 Feature at Passages to the Past Saturday, March 3 Excerpt at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Sunday, March 4 Interview at T's Stuff Wednesday, March 7 Excerpt at Let Them Read Books Friday, March 9 Feature at What Is That Book About Monday, March 12 Interview at Donna's Book Blog Thursday, March 15 Review at Locks, Hooks, and Books Tuesday, March 20 Review at Teaser Addicts Book Blog Thursday, March 22 Review at Impressions in Ink Friday, March 23 Excerpt at A Literary Vacation Friday, April 6 Interview at  Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of 1886 Ties That Bind by A.E. Wasserman! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. 1886




My Review

1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed is a good read. At first, I was not sure how I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I did enjoy it. I was captivated with Lord Langsford from the beginning. The details and descriptions of the setting and story that surrounded him took me back in time. I had no problem reading the book all the way through in one sitting. 

I give 1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed a well deserved 5 stars and I highly recommend it.


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



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