Join us for this tour from Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021!
Book Details:
Book Title: Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue
Category: YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 301 pages
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Wisdom Works, LLC.
Release date: October 29, 2020
Format available for review: print (USA), ebook (gifted Kindle copy, PDF, NetGalley download)
Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021
Content Rating: G. There are not any explicit sex scenes or any excessive use of bad language
Book Description:
Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshman. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friends and left their oldest sister unable to speak. After giving home-schooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best. The Robertsons soon discover, however, that their new classmates are anything but kind. A mysterious group of bullies known as the Dimes rules the hallways and spreads fear everywhere they go. All three sisters end up being targets of the gang and have to find a way to defend themselves. The triplets couldn't be more different, but their loyalty to each other and to their school never fails. Along with a diverse group of friends, the Robertsons do everything they can to uncover their identity of the Dimes and restore order to the school. As if their lives weren't complicated enough, they also get sucked in to a much bigger game-discovering who was responsible for the attack on their old school. Can they bring down the Dimes and bring the murderer to justice, all while trying to make it through ninth grade?
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Thank you for your interesting Interview Fenyx Blue 2021
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
I wish I could say that I eat strawberries and celery while writing, but I devour chocolate. A Hershey’s with Almonds candy bar can be found next to my notebook, pen, and cup of lemon balm tea. Celery is not on the royal court of my writing routine. Strawberries could be considered dukes or dutchesses, but chocolate is the king.
Where do you write?
The majority of my writing happens in the comfort of my bedroom because nothing can compare to those satin sheets and comfy, plush pillows. The natural light is also quite helpful for the writing process. My office would be in second place in the writing routine race. I never had my own office until 2020 so I enjoy knowing that it is a space designed by me for me. It is quiet, too. Well, unless my son is playing video games next door. Then, I can be found on those satin sheets seated beneath my bedroom window sipping tea and eating chocolate while trying to compose something for my readers.
What is your favorite travel spot?
Before the pandemic, I traveled to Florida every year with my girlfriends or my family. The beach is the fuel that keeps my creative engine running. This is why I sometimes play music with beach sounds in the background while I write. When in Florida, you can people watch at the beach. Each couple, person, or group has a story. I enjoy trying to imagine what their stories are or trying to create a story for them. I don’t know if it is the Vitamin D that allows me to dream better while I’m there that leads to better storytelling, but when I’m in Florida, my creative faucet flows. Nothing compares to the power of the sun, surf and sand.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Traveling is a great way to overcome writer’s block, but since we are in a new era that requires being safer in our journey, I have learned to travel through technology. I find myself looking at Pinterest boards to be inspired by images. I can go on virtual tours to museums and other parts of the world through my laptop. If traveling virtually does not spark ideas, I go back to things that I have written in the past and attempt to write them from a different point of view. Whether I am traveling in real life, traveling through a screen, or traveling back in time via old drafts, I usually am able to create something new. Traveling unblocks the creative traffic jams in my mind.
Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
If every teacher decided to sit down and write a book, the world would be a better place. Hallways, classrooms, and teacher lounges are filled with infant stories that just need a little love and skill to grow into mature books. Real life has been the inspiration to my stories on bullying, mental health issues, and youth empowerment. I created a team called Team Bully-Free Forever which allowed me to hear from our youth about the challenges they face at home. They told me what type of stories they hoped would exist one day. I listened. I wrote. Though my characters are fiction, they are based on years of working with our youth as coach, mentor, ministry leader and a mother. I have been by their sides through deaths, divorce, disappointments and much more. I honor their tales by telling a new version of their story, but staying true to their desires to have happy endings. Each child I have worked with has dreamed of having a happy ending.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
Humans are created in shades of grey, not black and white. It is always hard for me to create the “villains,” but I love writing their stories. The villain does not always know he or she is the villain. I understand that since I have worked with bullies, bystanders, and targets. Therefore, it was difficult to create an anonymous group of people who would be “bad.” I didn’t know any students who were 100% naughty. I only know real human beings who make poor choices or who are hurt so they hurt others. Therefore, I wanted to make sure I told the true story behind the bullies. The easiest character to write is Eris because she is similar to the women in my family in many ways. Her strength, independence and courage were easy to write as was her dialogue. I have met many young ladies like Eris over the years. The challenge was showing her vulnerabilities. When girls and women seem strong, it does not mean that they don’t need or want love. It does not mean that they are not feminine beings.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?
My answer to this question would probably be different if you asked me this same question in 6 months because I am constantly reading books so I won’t go with actual books. I would need a How to survive on a deserted island book, a How to get off of a deserted island book, and an empty book with pages that I can fill so that I can write my own book since I may be there for a while.
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Books about bullying are dear to my heart because in 2013, my cousins 12 year old grandaughter took her life because of being bullied at school and around in her neighborhood. I've seen the devastating, heartbreaking, heartwrenching hurt this family has been through since it happened and I am glad someone like Fenyx Blue writes books like this one. This story happened to these teenagers but it was horrible to think about what these bullies were doing. Battle of the Bullies was a bit different in that they strive to bring down the Dimes instead of letting them get to the sisters. Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson prove to be strong young ladies that made a difference.
I think the author handles everything well as she describes the Dimes and what the sisters did to stop them. We need more brave people like this in our schools. It gave me great pleasure reading about the Robertson sisters plotting their ways to expose this group of the Dimes and their attack on the people in the school. If you or someone you know is dealing with bullies at at school or anywhere for that matter, tell someone. And if they don't listen tell someone else and keep telling it until someone helps you. I think this book should be in all middle and high schools. I feel this will give courage to those going through the same things. And no only students need to read this, teachers, principals, and all school authorities need to read this book and get a glimpse of what is happening in schools. Sadly with my cousin, schools did not help so much when they found out about the bullying. I don't know the answer to why, but it happened. There is a lot more going on in this book, and if you check out this book you will read the entire account of the Robertson. I highly encourage everyone to read this wonderful book. All in all it is a great read and I give this one Five Stars for sure.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Meet the Author:
BLUE: Bold, Loving, Unapologetic, and Evolving are words to describe Fenyx Blue. Ms. Blue is an author, Youtuber (FENYX BLUE INK), speaker, ministry leader, mentor, instructional coach and her school district’s former “Those Who Excel” Teacher of the Year. Ms. Blue is a soldier in the Blue Fenyx movement encouraging every phoenix in the world to rise up. Blue’s mission is to inspire, motivate and educate. Blue speaks to audiences about their purpose and power and works to coach other authors through their journey to become published. Her novels are tools for teachers while being candy for students. Fenyx Blue has penned four books in her poetic collection in which she shares true life tales and lessons: Her first Young Adult novel entitled Who Failed Johnny? (Book 1 of The Triplet Trilogy), second YA novel Battle of the Bullies, a Children’s book called Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem, and a Poetry Book by the name of The Blue Ink Movement. With the help of her extended family and friends network, her self-published books will touch many lives this year.
connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Tour Schedule:
Feb 1 - Living in a Bookworld - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 1 - Sadie's Spotlight - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 2 -Rockin' Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 3 - Books, Tea, Healthy Me - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 4 - She Just Loves Books - book review / giveaway
Feb 5 - Literary Flits - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 8 - Splashes of Joy - book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 8 - Rockin' Book Review - book review
Feb 9 - I'm All About Books - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 9 - Windows to Worlds - book review
Feb 10 - FUONLYKNEW - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 11 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 12 - Lisa's Reading - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book review / giveaway
Feb 16 - The Phantom Paragrapher - book review
Feb 16 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book review / giveaway
Feb 16 - High Society Book Club & Reviews - book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 17 - Jazzy Book Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 18 - Stephanie Jane - book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 19 - My Fictional Oasis - book review
Feb 19 - Writer with Wanderlust - book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 19 - Reading Authors Network - book review / giveaway
TBA - All Booked Up Reviews - book review
Enter the Giveaway:
I follow on Instagram as @oldblueeyes070Reply
Dragons Don't Dance Ballet by Jennifer Carson is a really cute but kinda different book because Esmeralda the dragon really wants to dance Ballet. But she is a dragon. She is bigger than all of the other ballet dancers, she towers over them and she will get in their way. But Howard the janitor knows just how Esmeralda can dance because he watches her every night after her job is finished working the spotlight at City Ballet. And he encourages Esmeralda to try out. But it seems to not go so well. But you really need to get a copy of this sweet and beautiful book to read for yourself and see what happens.
Jennifer Carson does such an awesome job of writing this special book. I love the story because it is teaching children that they can do anything they want to do, and encourages the try whatever it is they want to do. Even when other don't agree, or don't think they are qualified, teach your child to go for and set their minds to do what they want. The illustrations by Eric Afuso are amazing and captures the tone of the story so well. The colors are absolutely beautiful and the characters are the most adorable. I just love and adore Esmerelda! The hardcover book with its dust jacket is very good quality. I love everything about this book and will be keeping it for my new grandaughter! Dragons Don't Dance Ballet is a special book that belongs in every daycare, preschool and elementary school library. And it would make the most adorable book for your child's library. I encourage you to check this book out. And this one gets a solid Five Stars from me. Wish I could give it more. I sure hope you and your child/children will love this book as much as I do.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Author: Jennifer Carson
Book: Dragons Don’t Dance Ballet
Author Guest blog:
Perseverance. It is defined as “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.”
Perseverance is one of the best things we can teach our kids, along with imaginative thinking, and these are two things that I believe are missing in the public educational system today.
When common core became the program of every public school in the United States, teachers lost the time to encourage creativity. When we don’t have imaginative thinkers, people who can think out of the box, then we lose the ability to come up with new solutions to problems and for children who never struggled, the gift of “sticking to something until you get it right” is never received.
I didn’t set out to write a book with the message of persistence and creative thinking, but it is just one of the lovely messages that can be gleaned from Esmerelda’s story. Dragons Don’t Dance Ballet, is a love note to all the unique people in the world who bang their drum to their own beat and might just sing a little off-key.
