May 11, 2024 · 3:00 am

**WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR of Tales From a Rogue Ranger by Rosanne S. McHenry**

Rosanne McHenry

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

Tales From a Rogue Ranger

Tour Begins April 8

Memoir

Publisher: Book Baby

Publication Date: April 15, 2024

Print length: 239 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Tales From a Rogue Ranger is full of stories that speak to the comedy and tragedy of being a park ranger: a job that is nothing like you might imagine. Set against the stunning backdrop of California’s American River Canyon, this is an engaging and wildly unusual read about the untamed life of a woman ranger. From a miner riding a mule to a young man lost in the system, these tales show the kaleidoscope of characters a park ranger encounters, giving the reader a fascinating look into a true ranger experience. Readers will laugh out loud, cry tears of sadness, and feel the greatest joy as they revel in this amazing book!

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

Engagingly told stories from a former park ranger’s life.

Tales From a Rogue Ranger is the latest collection of memories from the career of former national and state park ranger Rosanne S. McHenry, author of Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger. McHenry writes so engagingly that I was drawn into her world and past, and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

With many years of experience in the state and national park services, Rosanne McHenry knows what she’s talking about and has a wealth of tales to draw upon; she probably had a heck of time limiting which ones to include. The stories feature wildlife encounters and those with the even wilder two-legged variety. Dealing with the public can be the source of nightmares. Funny stories shine, emergencies are tense, and others remind us that the job is not for the weak of heart or spirit; it’s not just giving nature talks or guiding nature walks. The park ranger job is a serious, critical profession that the author and her coworkers did exceptionally well.

I recommend TALES FROM A ROGUE RANGER to non-fiction readers, especially those who enjoy memoirs and time in nature.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rosanne S. McHenry has worked as both a U.S. National Park Ranger and a California State Park Ranger. Her ranger experiences include the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mount Rainier National Park, the Auburn State Recreation Area, Folsom Lake, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Death Valley National Park, among others.

In her latest book, Tales From a Rogue Ranger, McHenry shares her experiences about the rough and tumble life of a patrol ranger near Auburn, California. A park ranger’s job is nothing like you might imagine! Set against the stunning backdrop of California’s American River Canyon, this is an engaging and wildly unusual read about the untamed life of a woman ranger.

McHenry, who also wrote Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger, currently lives and works in Auburn, California, with her husband. The beautiful American River Canyon is adjacent to their home in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.

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BLOG TOUR CALENDAR:

April 8th @ The Muffin – Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Rosanne McHenry’s book Tales From a Rogue Ranger. Read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.

April 9th @ What Is That Book About – Get the 411 on Tales From a Rogue Ranger, the story of life as a ranger by Rosanne S. McHenry.

April 10th @ Fancy That! – Summer’s right around the corner! Get ready with Advice for a Road Trip to a National Park, a guest post by author Rosanne S. McHenry.

April 11th @ Words by Webb – Looking for a different kids of vacation read? Read a review of Rosanne McHenry’s Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

April 14th @ Sara Trimble – Read of review of Rosanne McHenry’s Tales From a Rogue Ranger today.

April 14 @ A Storybook World – The spotlight is on Tales From a Rogue Ranger, a book about Rosanne McHenry’s adventures as a park ranger.

April 18th @ Word Magic: All About Books – Rosanne S. McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger learned a lot during her days as a ranger. Today she shares How NOT to Get Bitten by a Gigantic Rattlesnake.

April 19th @ Pages and Paws – Stop by for a review of Rosanne S. McHenry’s book Tales From a Rogue Ranger by Kristine and her canine reviewing partner Kimber.

April 20th @ The Shaggy Shepherd – Join Isabelle at The Shaggy Shepherd for a guest post about the Best National Parks for Families by Rosanne S. McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

April 22nd @ Beverley Baird – Learn Beverley’s thoughts about Rosanne S. McHenry’s latest book Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

April 23rd @ Chapter Break – Stop by for an interview with Rosanne McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

April 24th @ Choices – Rosanne McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger, tells us how she learned to Succeed at a Job You Never Wanted

April 26th @ Beverley Baird – Stop by Beverley Baird’s blog for a guest post by author Rosanne S. McHenry about how to choose which life stories “make the cut” in your memoir.

April 26th @ The Faerie Review – The Faerie Review is spotlighting Tales From a Rogue Ranger by Rosanne S. McHenry.

April 27th @ Pages and Paws – Rosanne S. McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger, shares why being a ranger is Not Just a Walk in The Woods by sharing some animal rescues.

April 30th @ World of My Imagination – Read Nicole’s review of Tales From a Rogue Ranger by Rosanne S. McHenry.

May 3rd @ Sara Trimble – Stop by Sara Trimble’s blog for a guest post on how to choose a book cover from Rosanne McHenry, author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

May 9th @ Knotty Needle – Judy shares her thoughts on Rosanne McHenry’s latest book: Tales From a Rogue Ranger.

May 11th @ Boys’ Mom Reads! – Find out what a Boys’ Mom thinks of Tales From a Rogue Ranger by Rosanne McHenry.

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May 12th @ Jill Sheet’s Blog – Learn more about the author of Tales From a Rogue Ranger with an interview of Rosanne McHenry.

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Filed under Book Reviews, Biography/Memoir, Memoir

May 10, 2024 · 12:00 am

**Book Tour: A Gift from God by Jacob Dwyer**

Christian Children’s Book

Date Published: March 19, 2024

Baby Joan explores her vast potential in a world new to her. Teeming with challenges (not for the faint of heart) nature calls her to action! Armed with courage and called by God, Joan learns what matters most. Throughout her creative adventures she learns the value of life and that all along, she was loved right where she was.

Originally written as a poem, A Gift from God comforts many families suffering loss. Now available as a children’s book, this precious addition offers illustrations that capture the beauty of life through the eyes of a child.

Dedicated to our baby: Joan Estelle Dwyer

A Gift From God is proof of Joan’s life on earth, the human experience she shared, and the way she changed the world for the better.

About the Author

Hello, friends! My name is Jacob Dwyer. I’ve enjoyed a wide range of hobbies over the years, but I never thought I would be a published children’s book author. My journey into storytelling was sparked by inspiration during what my wife and I consider the worst season of our lives. It is the single most character defining event of my life so, in a way, sharing this book is like sharing a piece of myself.

Currently blessed with my wife Ashley, and our second daughter, Genevieve, I am humbled by God’s love for me. As a paramedic by trade and a friend at heart, I hope to model a spirit of faith and healing; for we are not meant to live life alone.

If you want to hear our full story or would like to share yours, reach out at http://www.HugginsHouse.org

Contact Links

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Facebook

Review

5 stars!

Vibrant, joy-filled illustrations and lyrical rhyming text.

A Gift from God by Jacob Dwyer is a celebration of the life of a real child, Joan Estelle Dwyer, by her parents. With its vibrant, joy-filled illustrations and lyrical rhyming text, it is a beautiful tribute and a lovely, sharable story for children and adults who will experience it in quite different ways. On the face, this Christian fiction story is about adventures featuring a little girl in a variety of settings; however, there is a subtext adults will understand, especially knowing the underlying history.

I recommend A GIFT FROM GOD to parents of young children.

Purchase Links

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Filed under Book Reviews, Childrens, Christian fiction, Inspirational, Love & Loss, Parenting, Picture Book

May 9, 2024 · 3:00 am

**WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR: Dancing Between the Raindrops by Lisa Braxton**

Lisa Braxton-Reid

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

Dancing Between the Raindrops:

A Daughter’s Reflections on Love and Loss

Tour Begins April 29

Memoir

Publisher: Sea Crow Press

Publication Date: February 23, 2024

Page count: 158 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Dancing Between the Raindrops: A Daughter’s Reflections on Love and Loss, is a powerful meditation on grief, a deeply personal mosaic of a daughter’s remembrances of beautiful, challenging and heartbreaking moments of life with her family. It speaks to anyone who has lost a loved one and is trying to navigate the world without them while coming to terms with complicated emotions.

Lisa Braxton’s parents died within two years of each other—her mother from ovarian cancer, her father from prostate cancer. While caring for her mother she was stunned to find out that she, herself, had a life-threatening illness—breast cancer.

In this intimate, lyrical memoir-in-essays, Lisa Braxton takes us to the core of her loss and extends a lifeline of comfort to anyone who needs to be reminded that in their grief they are not alone.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

A loving tribute to beloved parents and memories of earlier times.

Dancing Between the Raindrops by Lisa Braxton is a wonderful collection of essays, poems, and stories of growing up black in a predominantly white community during the late 60s and early 70s, finding oneself, and caring for beloved parents as they age, decline in health, and ultimately pass away, all punctuated with touching family photos. The stories are bittersweet at times, nostalgic, and often heartbreaking. Each chapter is compelling reading, and, being a contemporary of the author, I was frequently able to relate and remember or moved to reflect on my own experiences, especially those describing the struggle with her father’s growing dementia and mother’s battle with cancer.

The author’s storytelling commands your complete attention; her words made me feel like I was witnessing the incidents she described firsthand. Ms. Braxton has led a remarkable life and weathered a long, intense, and emotional storm over the last couple of years with her mother’s illness and subsequent diagnosis, her personal battle with breast cancer, and the loss of both parents within a mere two years of each other. She’s laid her heart out on each page, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read them.

I recommend DANCING BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS: A DAUGHTER’S REFLECTION ON LOVE AND LOSS to non-fiction readers, especially those who love a well-written, deeply affecting memoir.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Braxton is the author of the novel, The Talking Drum, winner of a 2021 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards Gold Medal, overall winner of Shelf Unbound book review magazine’s 2020 Independently Published Book Award, and winner of a 2020 Outstanding Literary Award from the National Association of Black Journalists and a Finalist for the International Book Awards. She is also an Emmy-nominated former television journalist, an essayist, and short story writer.

She is on the executive board of the Writers Room of Boston and a writing instructor at Grub Street Boston, and currently serves as President of the Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women and is a member of the Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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BLOG TOUR CALENDAR:

April 29th @ The Muffin – Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Lisa Braxton’s memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops. Read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.

May 1st @ Beverley Baird – Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops, shares the experience of being an adult orphan.

May 2nd @ A Storybook World – Start the month with a touching memoir. Read more about Lisa Braxton’s Dancing Between the Raindrops.

May 3rd @ Beverley Baird – Bev reviews Dancing Between the Raindrops, a memoir by Lisa Braxton.

May 5th @ Choices – How important is it to be part of a writing group? Dancing Between the Raindrops author Lisa Braxton gives her opinion on writing groups.

May 6th @ Anthony Avina – Stop by for a surprise guest post with Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

May 8th @ The Shaggy Shepherd – How to answer the question “Do You Have Kids?” with guest post Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

May 9th @ Boys’ Mom Reads! – Find out how a Boys’ Mom feels about the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops with today’s review.

May 13th @ Word Magic – Stop by for a guest post about growing up in the family business by Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

May 14th @ What Is That Book About – Looking for a new book for your TBR pile? Stop by for a spotlight on Lisa Braxton’s memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

May 15th @ From the TBR Pile – Dancing Between the Raindrops author Lisa Braxton will be visiting with a guest post today.

May 16th @ Fancy That! – Lisa Braxton, author of Dancing Between the Raindrops, is at Fancy That today writing about grieving the death of elderly parents.

May 23rd at Words by Webb – Read a review of Lisa Braxton’s Dancing Between the Raindrops today.

May 24th @ World of My Imagination – Enjoy Nicole’s review of Dancing Between the Raindrops, a memoir by Lisa Braxton.

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Filed under Aging, Biography/Memoir, Book Reviews, Essays, Family, Grief & Bereavement, Love & Loss, Memoir, Non-fiction

May 8, 2024 · 12:00 am

**Book Blitz & Giveaway: Refuge from the World (The Beartooth Chronicles, #1) by Kim McMahill**

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Refuge from the World
Kim McMahill
(The Beartooth Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: March 19th 2024
Genres: Dystopian, New Adult, Young Adult

Ashley McPhee arrived in Beartooth with her mom, Sara, when she was three years old. Ever since Ash can remember, life has been simple and peaceful. She enjoyed a carefree childhood, tending honey bees with her mom and spending time with her best friend, Caleb Solomon. But, life in their idyllic mountaintop community is changing.

After learning of the government’s plan to use a geoengineering process to cool the planet, Ash and Caleb realize they need to step up and take an active role in the community. Along with fear for how the process might impact their food supply, Ash learns her mom’s health is failing.

Sara doesn’t want Ash to face an uncertain future alone and nudges her and Caleb into marriage. Even though they have known each other most of their lives, Ash and Caleb’s relationship has changed drastically in a short period of time. They embrace the challenges of learning about each other, dealing with tragedy and grief, protecting their community from deadly predators and ruthless neighbors, and experiencing epic adventures, while trying to find solutions to a rapidly changing environment and deteriorating world.

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EXCERPT:

Ash fell into step next to Caleb without talking. They had known each other for so long that they could be together without saying a word, and it didn’t feel awkward. When they reached the lake, they sat down on one of the large boulders scattered around the shore and stared out at the water.

“The lake level goes down a little more each year,” Caleb said.

“I’ve noticed. It used to be up to that cluster of rocks over there when we would go fishing when we were younger.”

“Rain isn’t enough to keep it full. The last time I remember seeing snow up here was when I was seven, and it didn’t stick around. Seems kind of ironic that so much of the planet is flooded, yet many worry about having enough fresh water to drink and to irrigate crops.”

“Why did we stop fishing?” Ash asked.

“I didn’t stop fishing. I still go fishing at least once a week. When you started taking a more active role in the beekeeping and tree nursery, you were available less and less. I go first thing in the morning, and that’s when you and your mom do most of your work.”

“I miss going fishing with you. I’ll see if Mom cares if we change around the schedule a bit unless you don’t want me tagging along like I did when I was younger.”

“I miss it too. I would love for you to tag along even though you always out-fished me.”

He put his arm around her and pulled her close. Ash laid her head on his shoulder and stared out at the lake. They sat like this sometimes, not as much as they used to, and she missed this too. She loved the feel of his arm around her and the warmth of his body next to hers, but never read too much into the gesture. Today, especially, she was in no hurry to break the connection.

“Are you going to the community meeting tonight?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.

“Yes. I keep getting these unsettling feelings, and I hope to find out if it’s just my imagination or if there is something I should be worried about. First, I find out you’ve been tasked with building weapons, then I had an odd conversation with your dad, found out we’re having an off-cycle community meeting, and all of a sudden Mom is all over me about marrying Tyler Hewitt.”

“What!” Caleb shouted as he scooted away and turned his body to face her. “You’re not seriously considering marrying that old man, are you?”

“No, but apparently, they’ve talked about it. I pointed out to Mom that he’s eleven years younger than she, but eighteen years older than me. In Tyler’s defense, I can only think of a couple of other eligible women between his age and mine.”

“He has no defense. For him to even be thinking about it, is wrong. When he moved here, you were what? Three? Four? Why now?”

“I think Mom is worried about getting old and leaving me alone. I don’t think she’s been feeling well, but I don’t know if it’s anything serious.”

Caleb stood up and paced. Ash watched him, confused by his reaction.

“I don’t plan to marry Tyler or anyone else not of my choosing. But, I’m not sure why you would care anyway since you’ve got eyes on Evelyn.”

“Where’d you hear that?”

“Apparently, her mother has been telling people that you two have been spending time together.”

“That’s not true. She tagged along when I was delivering deer meat the other day to the storehouse, but that was it. I most certainly didn’t ask her to come with me, and all she did was ask me questions about Dillon. Besides, she’s just a girl.”

Ash chuckled. “If people are happy to pawn me off on a man eighteen years older, a mere four years between you and Evelyn is nothing.”

She watched as Caleb retreated to the water’s edge. He picked up a flat stone and skipped it across its glassy surface. Ash walked to his side and stood next to him.

“We’d better get back. The meeting starts in a couple of hours, and I should help Mom with dinner,” Ash said as she turned to leave.

Caleb grabbed her arm and pulled her back until she was facing him. “Let’s hear what they have to say tonight. If there is some reason why everyone needs to get married, you’re marrying me.”

“And, what if there is no need?” she asked softly.

“Well, maybe we should anyway.”

Author Bio:

Kim McMahill started out writing nonfiction, but her passion for adventure, stories of survival against the odds, and speculating about the future of humanity and our planet, soon turned her attention towards fiction. She has published eleven novels, over eighty travel and human-interest articles, and contributed to a travel story anthology. Growing up in a beautiful mountain west community, traveling the world, and enjoying a twenty-year career with the National Park Service, has given her the opportunity to live in amazing places, experience incredible adventures, and witness many changes in our world, all of which have helped shape her stories.

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Filed under Book Blitz, Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic, New Adult, Young adult

May 6, 2024 · 12:00 am

**Review Tour & Giveaway: Two Polar Bears (Polar Bear, #2) by Crystal Beach**

TWO POLAR BEARS

(Polar Bear series)

Crystal Beach

Children’s Picture Book / Counting / Disabilities

Publisher: Tellwell Talent

Publication Date: February 22, 2024

Hardcover Page count: 32 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

What could possibly be better than One Polar Bear? Two Polar Bears! Join this charming polar bear couple as they try to have a peaceful soak in the tub only to be interrupted by four very dirty cubs! This delightful rhyming story chronicles a lovable polar bear family as they go through their nightly bedtime routine. Celebrating individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities, readers are introduced to early learning skills such as bedtime routines and grooming. With fun and humour, this book also helps children establish healthy sleep habits. Two Polar Bears is an entertaining story and a beautiful addition to your child’s own bedtime routine.

If you can be anything, be inclusive.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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ENJOY AT EXCERPT:

REVIEW:

5 stars!

The second in this adorable and beneficial children’s picture book series.

Two Polar Bears is the second publication author Crystal Beach’s warm and wonderful children’s book series featuring polar bears, including young cubs with complex illnesses or disabilities, subtly representing a long-overlooked audience. With its adorable illustrations and beautiful, cozy palette of colors, the book is eye-catching and inclusive. It offers a delightful opportunity for young readers to learn and practice counting and see simple words in context.

The rhyming text narrates the bears’ nightly routine of preparing for bed, and the story ends with an amazing list of ways to say “Good night” in many different languages. I know my boys would have loved this book as a bedtime story.

I recommend TWO POLAR BEARS to families with young children, especially those with differently-abled members and children who enjoy animal characters in their stories.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Crystal Beach is an adoptive mother and caregiver of two adoptive children who have complex medical needs and disabilities. Her children are often represented in her work as strong, caring individuals with special gifts and powers. Her writing projects are intended to ensure financial support for her children’s future.

Crystal has a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her focus is in children’s literature, publishing, and journalism. She has had many careers including ten years as a MedA with the Canadian Naval Reserve, advertising with a daily newspaper, communications and marketing, training as an EMT, and continued studies in developmental psychology.

She and her family live in Regina, Saskatchewan in a simple little house with two giant support dogs.

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Crystal Beach will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

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Filed under Book Reviews, Childrens, Disabilities, Educational, Picture Book, Read-aloud

May 3, 2024 · 3:00 am

**Blurb Blitz & Giveaway: Seven Days at Mannerley by Audrey Schuyler Lancho**

SEVEN DAYS AT MANNERLEY

Audrey Schuyler Lancho

Historical Romance

Publication Date: March 26, 2024

Page count: 233 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

The suitcase she found changed everything. The contents? An elegant dress and an invitation in another girl’s name. Twenty-three-year-old Mary would go to the ball, enjoy how the rich lived just for one night, and then quietly slip back into her real life, sorting rubbish as a poor barmaid. No harm done. Of course, there wouldn’t be much of a story to tell had it turned out that way.

It’s 1870 in rural England, and Mary assumes the identity of the suitcase owner, Agnes. When Mary’s one night at Mannerley estate turns into a seven-day, hilarious farce, she quickly makes friends, finds suitors, and keeps fibbing. Not only does Arthur, the heir himself, fall for her, but so, too, does Mr. Singh, his friend visiting from India, making advances in plain sight of the heir. Making matters worse, a former workmate recognizes Mary and extorts her: she must steal a golden watch from the heir for him or have her true identity exposed and risk being thrown in jail, which could mean death–and that would certainly ruin her stolen, er, borrowed ball gown.

The only way Mary can get close enough to Arthur to steal his watch is via sensuality and flirtation. But as Mary scrambles to cover her tracks, her lies and crimes compound, weaving themselves into an impossible tangle. All the while Agnes, the real owner of the fancy ball gown, is making her way ever-closer to Mannerley.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

She swung the door open, pocketing her key, and grabbed the corner of her dress and held it to walk. Arthur was standing a short way off by the stairs where he had been waiting for her, every golden hair perfectly combed. His pocket watch’s chain glistened on his vest in the lamplight. He heard her and turned to face her.

“Your hair. It’s wild.”

“I’m sorry, I slept too long.”

“I like it,” he said almost too quietly, a bit raspy, and she took his arm. Once again, she was his object, and she didn’t know quite what to make of it.

REVIEW:

5 stars!

Delightful fish-out-of-water masquerade

Seven Days at Mannerley is the first book in author Audrey Schuyler Lancho’s new romance series, Love & Lies, and it is a delightful fish-out-of-water tale of a young barmaid impersonating a gentlewoman to attend the local spring ball. With its earnest and hopeful young protagonist with just enough moxie to pull off the masquerade, the story is fun entertainment, watching and waiting to see how successful she will be.

The main character is Mary Potts, the younger sister-in-law of the kind owner of The Drabbe Inn and Pub. Although Mary longs to escape her life and most likely poverty-stricken future as a barmaid, she good-naturedly helps her sister and brother-in-law out in any way she can without complaint. She’s grateful that when her mother died, leaving her on her own at age eleven, Briddie and Roy rescued her from ending up on the streets. Mary is not ashamed of her position, nor does she act too good to work for a living, but she yearns for something more. When she discovers the abandoned trunk with the ballgown and its owner’s invitation to the spring ball at the magnificent Mannerley estate, her sister proposes the plan for her to attend instead. It’s just for one magical night, but the move is so bold I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, wondering if she could pull it off.

The story progresses at a nice pace, with Mary arriving at the estate on foot and immediately attracting the attention of the future heir and his sister when her original plan was to stay well out of the limelight. I love that she inadvertently provides herself with the perfect excuse if her manners or actions veer from the norm by claiming to be from Greece, the first place that popped into her head. I was all behind her attraction to the surprising and kind Mr. Advik Singh and thought Declan Thobbs a perfect nemesis.

I recommend SEVEN DAYS AT MANNERLEY to historical romance readers or those looking for a fun, light introduction to the genre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Audrey has always written stories. Her very first picture book which she wrote in early elementary school was about a mean, grumpy tooth fairy. Her first “novel”, bound using a cardboard cereal box, was written in the fourth grade. By high school, she was writing secret novels of her own, usually naming her characters by her own initials. By her twenties, she knew that writing was her calling––and she’s so glad you’re reading her debut romance!

Audrey lives in North Carolina with her Spaniard husband and two young sons, is completely bilingual in Spanish, and enjoys church, crochet, jigsaw puzzles, time with friends, yoga, and funny movies. She’s a freelance fiction editor on Upwork, an editor at a literary agency. She also writes contemporary romance under the name Audrey Lancho. Her debut contemporary is due out in May 2025 from Harpeth Road. You can learn more about Audrey by visiting http://www.audreylancho.com and signing up for her newsletter––she promises not to spam you; she’ll just inform you of big happenings and new releases. Audrey also enjoys connecting with readers and other authors on X/Twitter and Instagram (@audreylancho).

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The author will award a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.

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Filed under Book Blitz, Book Reviews, Historical fiction, Historical romance, Romance

May 3, 2024 · 12:00 am

**Book Tour – Gob the Gnome: The Gnome and the Seedlings by Marilyn Slaughter**

GOB THE GNOME

The Gnome and the Seedlings

by

Marilyn Slaughter

Illustrated by: Angel Neha

Children’s Book

Publisher: ‎Mindstir Media

Date Published: ‎February 27, 2024

Page count: 69 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Gnome and the Seedlings

This short story is about a mother wanting balance for her children. She wants her children to spend more time outdoor exercising, running and having fun. One weekend mom encouraged her children to stop playing video games and streaming movies while sitting on the couch and spend some time in the local National Park. While at the park the children, Nathan and his sister, met a mythical and magical Gnome, named Gob. Gob the Gnome explained to the children what his role is at the National Park, and how to plant seeds to grow trees.

I chose to add a Gnome as one of the main characters because since the 1400s, folklore has described Gnomes as guards of treasure and the protector of earth. Gnomes represents stability, growth and Good Luck. My six children books all revolve around a Gnome, the protector of a local forest who became friends with Nathan and Iris.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

A delightful environmental tale with fun, detailed illustrations perfect for sharing on Earth Day or throughout the year!

The Gnome and the Seedlings is part of author Marilyn Slaughter’s awesome educational series for children featuring the wisdom of God the Gnome. Each page of the narrative is accompanied by a corresponding illustration, full of small details that provide many surprises hidden in plain sight.

The story involves a simple trip to the park that Nathan and Iris will never forget, one with which young readers can easily relate. The sudden appearance of the gentle Gob, who is a gnome, happens in a funny way when Iris tosses away an apple core without looking at where she aimed. Gob takes the opportunity to share the secret value (seeds) of what the children view as garbage. As Gob is a stranger to the children, they remind the reader that going off with someone they don’t know is unwise.

With its colorful and joyfully detailed illustrations, children are certain to enjoy the story of Nathan and Iris as they all soak up some environmental basics. I recommend THE GNOME AND THE SEEDLINGS to children of all ages. This book would be perfect for sharing on Earth Day, for science discussions, and for reading aloud.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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Marilyn Slaughter is an educator with experience teaching second through fifth grades, middle school science, and social studies. She now spends time authoring books for children and adults for engagement, learning, and entertainment. Marilyn’s first six books are a set with the theme of children, with their families enjoying the outdoors; and with teachers and classmates learning about the environment. The children are introduced to a magical and mythical being in the forest and they work to save the local forest. Her goal is to provide a fun read with an entertaining way for children to learn about science.

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Filed under Book Blitz, Book Reviews, Childrens, Part of a series, Picture Book, Science

May 1, 2024 · 3:00 am

**Blurb Blitz & Giveaway: City of Lies by January Bain**

CITY OF LIES

January Bain

Hard-boiled / Crime fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Publisher: Rough Edges Press

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Page count: 284 pages

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SYNOPSIS:

A Gripping Tale of Identity, Crime, and Survival…

Claire Preston, a script reader for a Hollywood movie studio, has recently lost her mother. Discovering she was adopted as a baby, she goes on a perilous quest for her true identity.

Assisted by her mentor, the seasoned private investigator, Jake Sterling, Claire delves deeper into her past, only to unearth a labyrinth of secrets more daunting than she ever envisioned. Soon, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless serial killer—an ex-Nazi fugitive evading justice for decades.

As Claire confronts her heritage, grapples with danger, and races against time to evade the clutches of a deadly predator, she finds herself wondering: Is uncovering the truth in a city of lies even possible?

Experience the chilling twists and turns of a tale where identity, mystery, and survival converge in the heart of 1968 Los Angeles.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

She smiled that Mona Lisa smile again before efficiently tapping the end of her Salem twice against the huge glass ashtray still sparkling from a recent cleaning. When she sat back, her brown suede mini skirt rose another half inch, making him sweat in the air conditioning he’d cranked up to maximum setting before Mae Dixon, his bossy and essential secretary, had ushered in his last client of the day. The small rose tattoo peeking at him was the final coup de grâce. He yanked at his tie, releasing its stranglehold.

“You read a lot, Mr. Sterling?”

“Please, call me Jake. Guilty. You?”

“It’s what I do daily to keep body and soul intact.” She gave a grimace, quirking red-rouged lips downward at the corners like she’d just eaten something unagreeable. Picking up the glass of whiskey, she took a large gulp, the liquid working its way sensuously down her creamy white throat. His best guess, a real redhead. The conveniently located beauty mark near the edge of her mouth sealed the siren deal.

He looked into her arresting green eyes shining like an alley cat’s in the streetlight before taking a good slug of his own Jim Beam. “Doesn’t appear to be agreeing with you. And here I was betting on your being an actress. An even less agreeable occupation.”

“Good place to learn the lying, stealing, mannerisms of Hollywood as anywhere—reading scripts. And I leave the acting profession to my friend, Serena Sands.”

“You want to become a mystery writer exposing the underbelly of Hollywood? Come work for me. Nothing like the real world to give a writer excellent fodder. In fact, you’ll need to work hard to make your book more plausible than what truly goes down in this city of lies.”

She stubbed out the cigarette, then immediately lit another before he could lean forward to assist. He noted her fingers trembled ever so slightly. She blew another perfect smoke ring. Impressive. She was the kind of female he almost hoped would say she needed his help to kill someone, and to bury the body in the desert, so she’d be in his debt forever. Not that he would do it, of course, though he had never been properly tested. Until now.

“Maybe I will. Do you believe in fate, Jake?”

The rebel song still high jacking his brain slowed down a bit. “I like to think I have a hand in my own destiny, that if I don’t care for the cards dealt, I can reshuffle the deck. Helps me sleep at night.”

She gave him a slight nod, her glittering Veronica Lake pageboy swinging forward against her shoulder, shadowing half her face. Too bad she was a decade younger and a ten. On a good day he might be a solid six—six and a half.

REVIEW:

4 stars!

Compelling search for a young woman’s identity turns deadly.

City of Lies is a new historical mystery set in 1968 Los Angeles by veteran author January Bain. It features a former police detective turned private eye, Jake Sterling, and his latest client, Hollywood film script reader Claire Preston. The mounting tension of the search for Claire’s origins and the building chemistry between the two makes for compelling reading.

The main characters, Claire and Jake, make a great team as they track down the truth about Claire’s birth. Claire had grown up never knowing she’d been adopted, and her accidental discovery of this after the death of the woman she’d always known as her mother was naturally a shock. More shocking is finding out that her father was probably a notorious Nazi doctor who murdered her birth mother and abandoned Baby Claire on the steps of an orphanage. Jake is a former LAPD detective now working for himself as a private investigator. Fed up with her job at Paramount, Claire is intrigued by Jake and his profession and talks him into taking her along as he chases down the few clues she has to her identity. Their chemistry is immediate, and their banter, including the trading of quips and quotes by Raymond Chandler, is entertaining.

The plot is well-paced, as one case turns into two when Claire’s roommate goes missing. Readers are slowly made aware of what has happened to Serena, and it is chilling. The 1968 Hollywood setting is peppered with references to actual persons, places, and events of the time. Both main characters have pets, a dog and a parrot, that are lovable additions to their lives and the story.

With its engaging characters and compelling story, I recommend CITY OF LIES to readers of historical mysteries and thrillers, especially those who enjoy a novel set in Hollywood.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

January Bain firmly believes that stories unite us, that good stories help us to discover the commonality of the human experience by supporting values, empathy and understanding. January writes with her heart, mind, and soul, hoping that her novels will touch your life, giving you moments of freedom as you fly with her to other worlds.

The award-winning author has had the pleasure of select novels being turned into games, while her work is also available in different languages.

January and her husband live in rural Canada on peaceful acreage where a variety of wildlife comes to visit regularly and expects to be fed and paid attention to.

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Filed under Book Reviews, Crime fiction, Hard-boiled, Historical fiction, Historical mystery, Mystery, Private Eye, Thriller

May 1, 2024 · 12:00 am

**Book Blitz: Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby (The Merblood Saga, #1) by Ella English**

Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby

The Merblood Saga Book One

by

Ella English

Middle-Grade Fantasy

Publisher: Spider Web Press

Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Page count: 340 pages

SYNOPSIS:

When the Tide Turns, the Merblood Rises…

In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers’ dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the waves: “Just relax. You can breathe easily. I’ve got total control over you.”

Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona’s strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena’s window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world.

The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina’s haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim.

Faustina’s power stems from a mysterious ruby necklace, an artifact of untold magic and menace. Its dark magic can turn the tide of fate, offering salvation or doom. As Selena grapples with bullies at her new school and the complexities of a small town riddled with secrets, the necklace becomes her only hope to save her mother from a watery, undead fate.

With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the necklace’s hidden past and its current whereabouts. The journey takes her deeper into Faustina’s world—a world of betrayal, ancient curses, and underwater lairs.

As the clock ticks and Fiona’s transformation accelerates, Selena must confront her deepest fears. Plunging into the murky depths, she faces off against Faustina in a heart-stopping struggle for the necklace. In this underwater chess game, every move could be her last. Will Selena retrieve the necklace and reverse the curse, or will she become another lost soul in Faustina’s mermaid kingdom?

As Selena’s story unfolds, she discovers that the true power lies not in a ruby’s glow, but in the strength of her own heart. In a final, breathtaking climax, Selena must decide the fate of the necklace, balancing the weight of its power against the safety of those she loves.

“Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby” is a tale of magic, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a story that reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is always a glimmer of hope.

…For in the Depths of Despair, a Hero Rises.

Purchase Link

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ella English is a British author and illustrator who swapped afternoon tea for lattes to go when she moved from London to Baltimore, USA 23 years ago. She writes children’s books, including the beloved Kitty in the City chapter book series about a singing cat in Manhattan, as well as the Merblood Saga which deals with magic and mermaids in Madderly Bay.

The inspiration for the Merblood Saga can be traced back to Ella’s childhood holidays on the Kent Coast in the UK. With massive waves crashing against the seawall and the occasional freak wave pulling unsuspecting beachgoers into the water, young Ella’s imagination ran wild. She began to wonder if a hidden community of mystical mermaids could be living beneath the surface, their lives intertwined with the ebb and flow of the tides.

Years later, those childhood musings have transformed into a middle grade series that will enchant readers. The Merblood Saga brings the magic of Ella’s coastal daydreams to life, inviting readers to dive into a world where mermaids are real and adventure lurks beneath the waves.

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April 30, 2024 · 12:00 am

**One-Day Book Blitz & Giveaway: Just A Hat by Shanah Khubiar**

JUST A HAT

By SHANAH KHUBIAR

Young Adult / Coming of Age / Jewish Fiction / Small-Town Texas / 1970s

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Page Count: 254

Publication Date: July 18, 2023

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Action-packed, humorous, and bittersweet, this 1970s-era coming-of-age novel is more relevant than ever–exploring how a second-generation immigrant kid in a new hometown must navigate bullying, unexpected friendships, and the struggle of keeping both feet firmly planted in two very different cultures.

It’s 1979, and thirteen-year-old Joseph Nissan can’t help but notice that small-town Texas has something in common with Revolution-era Iran: an absence of fellow Jews. And in such a small town it seems obvious that a brown kid like him was bound to make friends with Latinos–which is a plus, since his new buds, the Ybarra twins, have his back. But when the Iran hostage crisis, two neighborhood bullies, and the local reverend’s beautiful daughter put him in all sorts of danger, Joseph must find new ways to cope at home and at school.

As he struggles to trust others and stay true to himself, a fiercely guarded family secret keeps his father at a distance, and even his piano teacher, Miss Eleanor–who is like a grandmother to him–can’t always protect him. But Joseph is not alone, and with a little help from his friends, he finds the courage to confront his fears and discovers he can inspire others to find their courage, too.

Just a Hat is an authentically one-of-a-kind YA debut that fuses the humor of Firoozeh Dumas’s Funny in Farsi with the poignancy of Daniel Nayeri’s Everything Sad Is Untrue.

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Amazon│Blackstone Publishing

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5 stars!

The unique coming-of-age story of a small-town, Persian-American Jewish teen in 1979 Texas.

Just A Hat by Shanah Khubiar is the vivid and evocative coming-of-age story of young Joseph Nissan, a Persian-American Jewish teen whose family had immigrated to the U.S. to escape the Shah of Iran’s police. The multi-layered story features Joseph’s school life, home life, and life in general in his small Texas town at the start of the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis.

The main character is Youssef (or Joseph as he is known at school) Nissan, a 13-year-old transplant from California, living in Hazel, Texas (somewhere outside Dallas) with his Baba and Maman, who had years earlier fled their home in Iran just ahead of the Shah’s police. Besides navigating the emotional minefield of middle school, he’s on the cusp of manhood, studying for his Bar Mitzvah and slowly changing his relationship with his parents. He’s frequently mistaken for Hispanic; his best friends are Mateo and Roberto Ybarra, and there are no other ethnically Persian families (or Jews) in the entire county, so he is unique to the area’s residents.

Joseph struggles with wanting to do the same things other kids do and still respect his parents’ wishes, especially his father’s. Still, their culture and, sometimes, religious restrictions present a conflict. He’s quiet, studious, and academically adept. Joseph has a healthy temper that he must constantly work to control. His nemeses in the town are two cousins, Larry and Brian Edmondson, who are revealed later to have their own interesting backstories, who generally make Joseph’s life miserable at school and in the neighborhood.

In Texas, football is a common denominator, a great equalizer that brings diverse groups of people together, creating otherwise unlikely allies (and hitting people is considered a legitimate and acceptable practice.) Joseph makes the fortuitous decision to join the football team where he shows a lot of promise. I enjoyed how Joseph observed the “tells” of the two Edmondson cousins that telegraphed their moves on the field and how he used it to even out their relationships with one another.

The story includes details of Joseph’s culture and religion, with celebrations attended by extended family from across the country or Israel. The discussions of the extensive preparations for his Bar Mitzvah were eye-opening and informative, as was the talk about the political situation back in Iran that had prompted many of the characters to immigrate to the U.S.

Joseph’s life is further complicated by his crush on a classmate, the daughter of a disapproving and narrow-minded Christian pastor. Baba, who knows the tough path such an alliance would pose even if the two kids were older, does not support the friendship either. The confrontation between the two fathers is frighteningly intense but Joseph sees a side to Baba that he’s never seen before: one that he’d been worried was absent. It was so satisfying to see father and son open up at different times during the story and reveal their secrets to each other. And I loved when Maman revealed that she, too, had hidden depths. (I would have thrown a hissy about those apples.)

Ramiz Monsef narrates the Audible audiobook and is one of the best at this craft. His voice is warm and welcoming, using subtle changes in tone, accent, and pitch to differentiate this broad cast of characters that include male, female, young, old, and native English, Spanish, and Farsi speakers. The production is just great.

With its wonderfully relatable characters and unique coming of age story, I recommend JUST A HAT to readers of young adult fiction.

Shanah Khubiar is a retired law enforcement officer, and she is now self-employed as a subject matter specialist. She holds a BS and MEd in education from East Texas State University and a PhD in philosophy. A student of her Persian ancestry, she incorporates (Mizrachi) Middle Eastern Jewry into her fiction, examining the historical challenges and triumphs of a different culture and narrative than what usually appears in literature. Khubiar is a sometime resident and always fan of most things Texas.

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