Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Ruby Moon by Jenny Knipfer

About the Book



Book: Ruby Moon

Author: Jennifer Knipfer

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: October 2019

Ruby Moon embodies a tale of grief, guilt, and redemption…

On the shores of Lake Superior in Ontario during the mid 1890’s, Jenay, a young woman of mixed French and Ojibwe descent, must survive the trauma of causing a horrific accident.

Amidst this drama, Jenay is caught in a web spun by Renault, a rich, charming man who once threatened ruination of her father’s shipping company but now seeks something even more valuable…

Jenay must find where her strength lies in order to face the challenges life brings her or be washed away like driftwood on the tumultuous shores of Lake Superior. Life’s richest dramas are played out under the banner of two ruby colored moons and become the hidden gems which forge her into a mature strong woman. Jenay realizes God is by her side, using even the harsh events of life to create something precious in her.

Fans of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, split-timelines, and mystery will enjoy this stimulating read!

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.

Jenny’s education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions. She spent many years as a librarian in a local public library but recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability.

She authored and performed a self-published musical CD entitled, Scrapbook of a Closet Poet.

She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Historical Novel Society, Wisconsin Writers Association, Indie Christian Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.

Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set. She has self-published the first two books, Ruby Moon and Blue Moon in her four-part series. Two more novels to complete the series are planned for 2020. She is currently writing a new historical fiction series called, Sheltering Trees.

Keep current with Jenny by visiting her website at https://jennyknipfer.com.

More from Jenny

The Creation of Ruby

All things have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Let me share a glimpse of Ruby Moon’s creation with you.

The Beginning: 

Ruby Moon, the first book in my series: By the Light of the Moon, began many years ago—twenty in fact— with a hot, sticky July evening, a red moon, and a premise: what it would be like to recover from the guilt of being involved in an accidental death. Someone I knew had dealt with that same issue not long before.

Yes, I really did see a red moon on that July evening and while doing a mundane task of taking the garbage out. The image of the otherworldly blood-red sphere hanging above the treetops stuck with me, and before I got into bed that night, I wrote the opening scene to what would become Ruby Moon.

The Middle:

Insert life, kids, and a job into the picture. These took up the great portion of what I call my “author in the making” years. For a while I scribbled out Jenay’s story, but my life and family in general took precedence. Her story waited in the depths of our old IBM computer for just the right time.

Jenay is my main character and the crux of the novel revolves around how she handles the horrific accident, which takes someone’s life. Her help comes from several avenues. One being her ability to express her thoughts by journaling, which becomes an important part of Ruby Moon. I split the timeline, in which Jenay relays her own thoughts in a present tense and a third-person multiple perspective picks up the rest until the timelines converge on the fateful night.

When I first started Jenay’s story in Ruby Moon, I didn’t know what it was to grief or how the harsh places of life can gouge you out until hardly anything remains but hope or despair. Eventually, that’s where I found myself.

During that time, I expressed myself through writing songs, poems, and endless diary entries. I’d also started several blogs, back when blogging first started to be the cool thing to do. However, it wasn’t until a serious health crisis arrived on the scene that Ruby Moon emerged from her hiding place.

The Ending or Fruition:

In 2015 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. My life since has been a series of ups and downs, but through it all I’ve tried to keep my eyes focused on God and the bigger picture. I drew from my past trials, knowing that He wouldn’t allow anything to come to me that wouldn’t bring Him glory and help me to grow.

On the day I had to quit my job as a floral designer because of my disability, I thought of Ruby Moon (I didn’t know the title then) and picked up where I left off at chapter 5. Over several months the rest of the book poured out of me, like water expressed from a sponge, as if I’d held Jenay’s story within me the whole time.

After months of revisions and with a hope and a prayer, I started down the publishing path. In hindsight I wish I’d been more patient and tried the querying path for a longer time before striking out on the indie road, but such is life. We can only move forward not back.

Now:

Here I am, with you. Thank you for reading about my writing journey. I hope that you’ll be able to pick up one or all of my books. If you read and like them, please tell a friend or family member about them.

It’s my mission to not only entertain my readers with a well-written story but to leave them encouraged and inspired afterward, which I hope you will be.

Please visit my website at jennyknipfer.com to learn more about me, my books, and how you can connect with me.

Blessings, Jenny

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 21

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 22

Inklings and notions, October 23

A Baker’s Perspective, October 24 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, October 24

Texas Book-aholic, October 25

For Him and My Family, October 26

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 27

lakesidelivingsite, October 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 28

Artistic Nobody, October 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Connie’s History Classroom, October 30

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 31

Godly Book Reviews, November 1

Stories By Gina, November 2 (Author Interview)

CarpeDiem, November 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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/10262/ruby-moon-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Review: 

Ruby Moon is the start to Jenny Knipfer’s By the Light of the Moon series. I found this book to be uniquely written. It took me a little bit to get used to it but once I did, I could not put it down. My heart ached for Jenay. I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the story. I believe many other readers would feel a connection to her and relate to her struggles. There were several life lessons that we all could learn from. 

Ruby Moon is getting four and a half stars from me. I look forward to reading the next books in the By the Light of the Moon series, Blue Moon, Silver Moon and Harvest Moon. I recommend this for readers who enjoy clean Historical Fiction. It is not one to be missed. 

I received Ruby Moon from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Book Blast and Giveaway: The Bachelor's Bride by Holly Bush


The Bachelor’s Bride by Holly Bush

Publication Date: November 17, 2020
Holly Bush Books
eBook; 244 pages

Genre: Romance/America/Victorian
Series: The Thompsons of Locust Street, Book One


Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by storm…

1868 Elspeth Thompson is the middle daughter in a family with tightly held secrets. While she loves her family, she longs to break out from their overprotective hold, to find herself, to be noticed for who she is rather than as chaperone to her beautiful younger sister, Kirsty, or underling to her elder sister, Muireall. A chance meeting under scandalous circumstances offers her the opportunity to be seen for herself, but the repercussions could lead to the downfall of her family.

Confirmed bachelor Alexander Pendergast enjoys his position as the right-hand man of one of the most influential and powerful politicians in Philadelphia. Heir to the largest textile mill on the east coast, Alexander is handsome, charming, and the ultimate catch on high society’s matrimonial market. But he has no interest in settling down with a pampered debutante. He doubts the perfect woman for him actually exists…until he meets Elspeth Thompson.

But the Thompsons and Pendergasts move in different circles, and Elspeth has no desire to be judged and found wanting by Philadelphia’s first families. Though she tries to resist Alexander’s charms, when he comes to her family’s rescue, she knows there’s more to him than she’d first thought. But Alexander realizes that his ambitions may have placed Elspeth and her family in grave danger. With an unseen enemy determined to uncover the Thompson family’s secrets, Alexander grapples with secrets of his own, secrets that could cost him the only woman he’s ever truly cared about.

When Elspeth finds herself in terrible danger, can she muster the inner strength of her ancestors to save herself and her family and find the courage to meet love head on?

Available for Pre-Order on Amazon & Barnes and Noble

About the Author


“Love always has something to say. Sometimes it shouts from the highest hill, and sometimes it whispers so softly one must listen closely to hear. Do not turn away. It is a rare and precious commodity. Treasure it.” The Gentrys of Paradise

Holly Bush's historical romances are set during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s. The first two books in her newest series, The Gentrys of Paradise, released in the spring of 2017 and began with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia. For the Brave is Matthew’s story and is the first full length book of the series. Olivia's book, For This Moment, released in the spring of 2018. The final book, For Her Honor, is now available.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters. Cross the Ocean and Charming the Duke are both British set Victorian romances. Fan favorites stand-alone historical romance novels include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly's books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

She also writes General Fiction under the name of Hollis Bush.

Holly makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever and a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, and on Facebook at Holly Bush. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and on BookBub to check out her reviews and get sale information.

Book Blast Schedule

Tuesday, October 27
Probably at the Library

Wednesday, October 28
Books & Benches
Locks, Hooks and Books

Thursday, October 29
Novels Alive
Carole's Ramblings

Friday, October 30
Books, Cooks, Looks

Saturday, October 31
Passages to the Past

Monday, November 2
Coffee and Ink
Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Tuesday, November 3
Rajiv's Reviews

Wednesday, November 4
History from a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, November 5
What Is That Book About

Friday, November 6
CelticLady's Reviews

Saturday, November 7
Nursebookie

Monday, November 9
Donna's Book Blog

Tuesday, November 10
The Intrepid Reader

Wednesday, November 11
The Book Junkie Reads

Thursday, November 12
A Darn Good Read

Friday, November 13
Gwendalyn's Books
Tangents and Tissues

Sunday, November 15
WTF Are You Reading?

Monday, November 16
The Lit Bitch
Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on November 16th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Bachelor's Bride

Blog Tour: The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb

After aspiring opera singer Tessa loses her voice in a fire, she needs both a place to heal and a way to keep music in her life. She retreats to her aunt's apple orchard in rural North Carolina to collect folk ballads. But amid the autumn splendor of this isolated Appalachian community, she uncovers an unnerving connection between a murder case and a long-ago disappearance. Tessa gets a glimpse into an almost-forgotten world, encounters a corrupt, small-town political dynasty, and finds superstition and prejudice at every turn.

She's also drawn to Zeke, the handsome but enigmatic orchard caretaker, who shows her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. But battling a conspiracy of silence, Tessa isn't sure if she can trust him. Yet somewhere in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, evil lurks, and a killer is determined to keep the past where it belongs--dead and buried.



My Review: 

The Sound of Falling Leaves is the first book I have read by Lisa Carter. It definitely will not be the last. I thought this was a great story. The author does a great job creating a fabulous piece of suspense filled mystery. I could not put it down until I had finished the whole book in one sitting. It was very good. I enjoyed getting to know Tessa and loved the beautiful community she visits. Her and Zeke has undeniable chemistry.

The Sound of Falling Leaves is getting a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean Romantic Suspense. I will most definitely be looking for more by Lisa Cox Carter in the near future. I could not get enough of this one.

I received The Sound of Falling Leaves from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.


View all my reviews

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Blog Tour: Modern Manners for Moms and Dads

Be a Confident Parent from Day One

“Evie and Sarah artfully marry expert etiquette and parenting advice in a fun, modern, and valuable way.” ―Heidi Dulebohn, international cultural consultant and etiquette expert

#1 New Release in Children's Studies Social Science

Parenting doesn’t happen in a bubble, but you wouldn’t know that from other parenting books. Own this humorous, often irreverent take on what parenting in public is really like.

Real-world advice on embarrassing moments parents with young kids face every day. When you’re raising kids, you’re thrown into dilemmas you could never have dreamed up. A diaper disaster in the middle seat during take-off. Naked baby bath photos your mother-in-law posts online without permission. An unexpected gift that leads to a tantrum in front of the gift-giver. How can you turn these into opportunities to be an A+ parent and friend, role model, and member of your community?

They've done the research so you don't have to. Authors Sarah Davis, Ed.D., and Evie Granville, M.Ed., are educators, manners mavens, and creators of a blog and podcast dedicated to parenting etiquette. Their two families total six young kids. Modern Manners for Moms & Dads unpacks the complicated social code for parents of kids ages 0 to 5. Sarah and Evie help you discover a public parenting style within a unique framework, analyze your gut reactions to sticky situations, and choose a course of action that balances the needs of parent, child and others.

Written by and for busy parents, this guide includes parenting tips, lists, charts, pop quizzes, personal anecdotes, and practical advice. Also offered is child rearing guidance from real experts on:

  • Leading your family with kindness and awareness
  • Setting a good example (and realistic expectations) for little ones
  • Maintaining friendships and good communication

If you are a fan of etiquette books like A Kid’s Guide to MannersDude That’s Rude, or 365 Manners Kids Should Know, you’re going to love Modern Manners for Moms & Dads (Kids 0–5).

Sarah Davis, Ed.D., and Evie Granville, M.Ed., are etiquette experts whose advice reaches nearly 600,000 parents and caregivers each month and has been featured by Parents, MSN, The Washington Post, the Associated Press, Reader’s Digest, and other major media outlets. They are the hosts of a five star–rated podcast with the same titular name Modern Manners for Moms and Dads, speakers, parenting coaches, and moms to six young kids between them. Their mission is to acknowledge all the external factors that affect our parenting and provide the knowledge and skills to navigate them with confidence, clarity, and character.


With their combined expertise in early child development, education, communication, and etiquette, Evie and Sarah teach research-based strategies that give parents and children a powerful social advantage linked to relationship-building, academic success, and resiliency. Their advice stems from their professional experience in the classroom, their research, as well as their “hands-on training” as mothers.

And here are the links to purchase the book:
  1. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mZ9w64 [affiliate link]
  2. Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/modern-manners-for-moms-dads-m-ed-evie-granville/1135637280?ean=9781642503319
  3. Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/modern-manners-for-moms-dads-practical-parenting-solutions-for-sticky-social-situations-for-kids-0-5/9781642503319
  4. Target: https://www.target.com/p/modern-manners-for-moms-dads-by-evie-granville-sarah-davis-davis-paperback/-/A-81016747
Guest Post:

All books have an origin story. All friendships do too. In our case, those two stories overlap.


About ten years ago, we became neighbors in adjoining townhouses, sharing a wall and the fact that we were new moms, teachers by profession, and writers at heart.


Our friendship grew around a routine we set for ourselves: meet up each morning and push our babies in strollers while we talked about everything, from what it meant to us to become stay-at-home moms, to the pros and cons of wearing a nursing cover while breastfeeding.


We shared so much of our lives, from car seat recommendations to sleep-training challenges to advice on sticky social situations. In fact, as we grew closer, lots of our calls and conversations started with, “You won’t believe what just happened to me!” Because every time we left the house (or welcomed others in), there were opportunities to feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, and even judged.


It was little things, like the businessman on the airplane saying, “Well, I sure do hope your baby’s going to be a quiet traveler!” Or the glares of strangers during a toddler’s tantrum in the middle of a grocery run. But it was also bigger things, like tough talks with family members about unwanted advice and friends when our kid no longer got along.


From our wider circle of friends and all we saw on social media, we knew we weren’t the only ones dealing with this question of how to be an A+ parent and friend, role model, and community member. So we put our heads together and called on our combined expertise in child development, education, and communications to come up with a method that any parent or caregiver can use to balance what we discovered were three competing priorities in social situations:


  1. The child’s wishes and well-being

  2. The parent or caregiver’s comfort and boundaries

  3. The expectations of everyone else


We came up with a framework and a quiz to help you identify which of the three you instinctively prioritize. If you’ve ever taken a personality quiz like the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs, you know that learning about yourself can bring such personal growth! The same is true for our quiz, which helps you discover when your “Parenting Perspective,” as we call it, is helping you shine or holding you back. 


Take, for instance, the example of the businessman preemptively complaining about a baby on a flight. If you’re the type of person who hates making others uncomfortable (we call these Constellation Parents), you might panic when your baby starts to cry at takeoff, even though we all know babies fuss because of the pressure change in their ears, not because of poor parenting. Here’s where a Constellation, while well intentioned, needs to change perspectives to prioritize their child--offering the baby a bottle, holding and comforting them, and ignoring the judgment of others. They need to behave more like a Crescent, the parent who thinks of their child first.


But, of course, each Perspective has its strengths and weaknesses. And each parent can learn to judge a sticky social situation through the lens of their Parenting Perspective, moving away from their instinctive reaction when it’s not serving them (or others) well. This is the beauty of Modern Manners for Moms & Dads: it’s not simply a list of dos and don’ts, but also a tool to learn and grow as a parent, to examine your instincts, and sometimes learn to pivot.


Thank you to Amy for graciously allowing us to share our story, and for sharing her thoughts on Modern Manners for Moms & Dads. If you’d like to learn more, please take our quiz to discover your Parenting Perspective and join our amazing community on Facebook, called Talking Modern Manners for Moms and Dads.


Sarah Davis, Ed.D., and Evie Granville, M.Ed.



My Review: 

Authors, Evie Granville, M.ED and Sarah Davis ED.D have written a great advice book with their newly released Modern Manners for Moms and Dads: Practical Parenting Solutions for Sticky Social Situations (For Kids 0–5). I wished I had this book handy when my children were smaller. It would have been a perfect addition to add to my bookshelf. It does have some wonderful tips that I am hoping will help with my older ones. 

I am giving Modern Manners for Moms and Dads four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who have younger children. I believe it is a keeper. 

I received Modern Manners for Moms and Dads from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: My Hair Went on Vacation by Paula Quinn

Join us for this tour from Oct 12 to Oct 30, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  My Hair Went on Vacation by Paula Quinn
CategoryChildren's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
GenreChildren's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books
Release date:   August, 2020
Content Rating:  G. This children's book is for everyone.
 
Book Description:

This story is about Rosie, who lives in Chicago. Within three weeks she lost all of her hair and asked, "Where did it go?" Rosie loved to rock the bald, without even skipping a beat. She happily wore sunscreen -not even a hat!- in the summer heat. At bedtime, Rosie would tell her own stories with a smile on her face. She'd imagine her hair going on magical adventures all over the place. From a young age, Rosie loved herself and was not phased by her look, So her mother decided to share her spirit to teach others through this book. Come on this adventure with a confident bald girl, Who tells us Bald is beautiful! as she smiles with a twirl. We hope this book can inspire you to love others as they are, And to love yourself every day, whether your hair is near or far.
 
 
Meet the Author:

Paula and Rosie Quinn are the founders of Coming Up Rosies, a nonprofit dedicated to fulfilling Rosie’s dream to make bald kids like her smile confidently. At two years old, Rosie was diagnosed with alopecia universalis, an incurable autoimmune disease that results in baldness. From a young age, Rosie taught her parents how to embrace her difference by coming up with magical adventures of her hair each night before bed. Despite Rosie’s confidence, awkward questions and comments about her baldness started to bother Rosie. One day, her parents surprised her with a head scarf made from one of her paintings. Rosie immediately felt confident again, and wanted to share this feeling of pride with all bald children. Rosie lives in Chicago with her sister Caroline, her parents Paula and Larry, and their bernedoodle, Enzo. As a family, they love to go to Cubs games, have dance parties, and cook Italian dinners at home.

Connect with the Author:  website  ~ facebook  ~ instagram ~ goodreads

 
Tour Schedule:
 
Oct 12 - Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 12 – I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 13 – Library of Clean Reads – book review / giveaway
Oct 14 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 15 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review / giveaway
Oct 16 – Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Oct 19 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Oct 20 – Older & Smarter? – book review / giveaway
Oct 21 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
Oct 22 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Oct 23 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 26 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 26 - Pick a Good Book - book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 27 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 28 – Authors Ace – book review
Oct 29 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Oct 30 – My Journey Back – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 


 


My Review: 

My Hair Went on Vacation is a good book for younger readers by Paula Quinn. I thought it was an inspiring story of a little girl named Rosie, who is suffering from a medical condition that keeps her from having hair. I, also, find it to be an important one to share with children. Everyone – young and old – need to understand that we are all different and need to be nicer with our words. Especially, when we do not know what another is going through. Sometimes we can all learn life lessons from a child such as Rosie. I found her to be brave and admirable. Definitely, a good role model to others. 

I enjoyed the illustrations in My Hair Went on Vacation. Chiara Civati’s talent shines through in her pictures throughout. They followed the Rosie’s story perfectly. The pages were so beautiful and vibrant that would catch any young reader’s eye. I adored the colorful and rainbow colored head scarf given to Rosie. 

My Hair Went on Vacation is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who are four to eight years old. I will be proudly donating my copy of this book to my son’s school library. I know the librarian and teachers will be thankful and excited to share this story with their younger students. 

I received My Hair Went on Vacation from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Secret Beach Boyfriend by Kari Trumbo

About the Book

Book: Secret Beach Boyfriend

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 29 , 2020

She met Rafe on the beach when she was just five and it seemed like fate tied them together. When a chance encounter returns him to the islands twenty years later, Annie finds her beach friend has grown up and now needs her help.

Damaged and scarred from a past that still hasn’t healed, Annie needs help of her own. True to character, Rafe comes up with a perfect solution, but a temporary island romance does not fit into his agenda at all.

Will an offer to be her secret boyfriend give her heart a second chance? How can it turn into something more and prove there’s power in prayer and that love can triumph over a painful past?

He was Annie’s hero long ago, but can the man he has become save her now?

Secret Beach Boyfriend is the third “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kari Trumbo is a bestselling author of Christian historical and contemporary romance novels. Her books are known for characters who feel real, settings you could move to, and faith woven between the pages. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, and never enough time.

More from Kari

Have you ever hunted for seashells on the beach?

This sweet story actually starts twenty years before the moment you open the front cover. Years before, on a solitary beach, a little boy comforts a girl he finds crying by offering to help her find seashells. He doesn’t know why she’s crying, just that he can help. Even though he knows his mother will be angry with him.

You see, Rafe (that’s the little boy) has a mother who has minor OCD and doesn’t let him go on the beach. But when Annie (that’s the little girl) is obviously heartbroken, he can’t leave her sitting there and not do anything. At that moment, a hero is born.

It’s the little things that make a hero. That moment in time when he made a choice to put Annie above his own discomfort created a past for them both, an anchor they could both look back on. It was pivotal enough for them both that they remembered it years later. Rafe, because he hid the shells and cherished the one time he got to collect them. Annie, because she was going through something no child of five should have to. His kindness was a glimmer of hope.

Fast forward twenty years and these two meet again, but don’t realize right away they are the people they’ve been thinking about on-and-off for most of their lives. Interestingly enough, that part of my story is true. I had a friend I met at a local beach when I was too young to recall names or anything else of great significance other than the feeling that it was the best day ever. She made me her best buddy for the day, and that stuck with me.

When I think of this story beyond the printed page, where Annie and Rafe live on in my mind, I have to wonder if shells will continue to be a theme in their lives.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 22

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

Stories By Gina, October 23

Captive Dreams Window, October 23

Inklings and notions, October 24

CarpeDiem, October 24

For Him and My Family, October 25

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, October 25

Older & Smarter?, October 26

21st Century Keeper at Home, October 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 27

deb’s Book Review, October 27

Connect in Fiction, October 28

lakesidelivingsite, October 28

Artistic Nobody, October 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Godly Book Reviews, October 29

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 30

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 30

Livin’ Lit, October 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 31

Life, love, writing, October 31

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 1

Batya’s Bits, November 1

Daysong Reflections, November 2

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 2

Blossoms and Blessings, November 3

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, November 3

Simple Harvest Reads, November 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, November 4

Giveaway

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

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/102a8/secret-beach-boyfriend-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Review

Secret Beach Boyfriend is the third installment and Kari Trumbo’s contribution to the Independence Island series. I have enjoyed the previous books of this series and this one does not disappoint. I enjoyed this lovely romance. I felt a connection to Annie from the start. I adored her and Rafe’s story. They were just cute and delightful together with undeniable chemistry. The story was quite predictable but still definitely worth a read. I can never get enough of sweet romance on a beautiful island. 

Secret Beach Boyfriend will be getting four stars from me. I am looking forward to reading the next book from the Independence Island series, Rachel Skatvold's Her Merriweather Hero. I recommend this one for readers who are looking for quick and clean Contemporary Romance. 

I received Secret Beach Boyfriend from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion my own honest opinion.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Book Blast and Giveaway: Merlin Raj and the Drones of Sleepy Hollow by DG Priya



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. D.G. Priya will award a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter. Please click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Mom's Choice Gold Award Winner
"...the more conceptual discussion of algorithms is well done, and the story is satisfying and emotionally resonant." -- Kirkus Reviews

My name is Merlin Raj and I live in Sleepy Hollow. Legend has it that a Headless Horseman haunts the town. Usually, I only have to worry about helping my boy, Matthew, to walk at school. But during the spookiest time of year, we’ll tackle the scariest creature of all—big brother.

Boo!

Will learning conditional logic save this family’s Halloween from certain doom?

Appealing to readers of all ages, Merlin Raj and the Drones of Sleepy Hollow is an ILLUSTRATED chapter-book. From artists to astronauts, the jobs of the future will deal with computers. But do kids want to read a coding book? Not as much as dog stories.

With a Computer Science degree and a passion for preparing kids for the future, author D. G. Priya blends technology with animal stories to stimulate a desire to read.Each book in the series introduces a new programming skill. If you or your child like delightful dog tales that explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, dedication, and the importance of being true to one's self, then you'll love D. G. Priya's tail-wagging adventure.

Read an Excerpt

Uh. Oh. How could I help? I’d learned that thinking like a computer could help you decide what to do when you weren’t sure.

Algorithm one: What if Peter exploded? He would come after Matthew. Matthew would wrestle him. They would both get in trouble. Algorithm one == fail.

Algorithm two: What if Peter calmed down? What if Matthew calmed down? We could all rescue the plane. I would be a big help barking at the tree to give up the plane.

Snort. Laugh. Get serious, Merlin. Algorithm two would never happen.

Algorithm three: It had been Peter’s ball that started all this. It had been Matthew’s plane which went kablew. What if they both fell in the mud? All socks would be ruined.

About the Author:
D. G. Priya is the bestselling author Priya Ardis. She obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, #6 in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2014) and #8 (US News, 2020) in Computer Science. Her advocacy of early education in computing and the challenges of childhood disabilities come from her experience as a parent and volunteer. Her love of dog stories comes from the antics of her own golden retriever.

Shelley Hampe is an author-illustrator. She is known for her work with Harvard University, illustrating a ground-breaking social-emotional learning program for children. She has a master's in studio art and has taken part in world-recognized artist residencies in the United States. When she isn't busy solving problems, Shelley can be found teaching STEAM principles to elementary aged kids. Shelley's dog Beau, helped solve her problem of cold-feet while illustrating this book.

Author website: http://www.dgpriya.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgpriya.author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/priyaardis
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20125405.D_G_Priya
Follow on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D.-G.-Priya/e/B085P2NMKD
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/priyaardis

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D.-G.-Priya/e/B085P2NMKD
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22D.%20G.%20Priya%22
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/d-g-priya/id1501769549
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/merlin-raj-and-the-drones-of-sleepy-hollow
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/D_G_Priya_Merlin_Raj_and_the_Drones_of_Sleepy_Holl

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