Incandescent Visions by Lee Hudspeth

 

 

 

Join us for this tour from Nov 16 to Dec 4, 2020

 
Book Details:
 

Book Title:  Incandescent Visions  by Lee Hudspeth
Category:  Adult fiction 18 yrs +,  64 pages
Genre:  Poetry
Publisher:  George Lee Hudspeth Jr.
Release date:   December  2019
Content Rating:  PG-13. Curse words:  Three total, of the “mild” variety (godd*mn, hell, sh*t... one use for  each). No f-words. No violence, no sexual content, no drug use, no  underage drinking.

 
  Book Description:
 

Having  written numerous works of nonfiction, this is Lee Hudspeth’s debut book  of poetry. Incandescent Visions explores the meaning of the human  experience, as the author encourages his readers to ponder the universe  and their place within it, and to catalyze their own creative potential.  From the sublime shores of the Mediterranean to the majestic  expansiveness of deep space, this book contemplates nostalgia,  perspective and the gift of love. Through five short yet powerful,  thought-provoking chapters of contemporary poems—and a dash of elegant,  evocative haiku—Hudspeth takes his readers on a journey across the inner  landscape of struggle, triumph, self-realization and imagination.

 Buy the Book:
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Add to Goodreads

Now read this interesting interview with the author, Lee Hudspeth

(1) Your poetry book’s title — Incandescent Visions — is unique and gets the reader’s attention. What is this book about?

The title signifies a theme of passionate curiosity and my desire to express myself to other people. I started working on this book with an idea, a vision, a sensibility with which to convey my thoughts and feelings about nostalgia, imagination, our place in the cosmos, and how our experiences shape our lives. I hope these poems inspire others to be creative. I know that I’m inspired by the creative work of other people. This ancient exchange between artist and audience is powerful and compelling.

Exploring the nature of creativity is another major theme in this book. What is the origin of creativity? Does it change over the course of our lives? I’m also fascinated by our ability to think about thinking (metacognition) and our ability to change our habits, even how we view the world. This book is intended to be a story about how inspiration, meaning and celebration can triumph over the challenges we all encounter.

(2) What is your favorite poem, by a poet other than yourself?

I had not been reading poetry for several years before I started writing my own poetry book, although I had done so in high school and college (I recall reading quite a bit of Shakespeare in high school). I had a feeling that I would be most comfortable first finding my own voice as a poet without an awareness or influence (at least consciously) of other contemporary poets’ styles.

With all of that said, I consider Bob Dylan to be a poet as much as a musician and troubadour. The first time I heard Dylan’s song “North Country” I stood still and just listened, mesmerized. It drew me in to the story of lost love and I felt the narrator’s longing for that prior experience, relationship and place. It is a fabulous poem and song.

(3) What is your favorite novel?

To me, there is a distinction between the novel that had the most profound effect on me in my youth, and the one that stands out now that I’m a middle-aged man. I read Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as a boy and then saw the movie at around age twelve. No question that the combination of the book, as I had imagined it in my head, and the film’s visual impact plus the soundtrack, that movie-going experience was one I’ll never forget. In a very close second place—or perhaps a tie for first place—are Isaac Asimov’s novels I, Robot and Foundation. Fast forward to the present, and my favorite novel is Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem. There are literally hundreds of other novels and short stories that I have treasured. For example, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

(4) What was your objective when writing your book, and did that change during the writing process?

My debut poetry book began as an experiment to nurture my creative self. I began writing short-form poems (mainly haiku) then longer poems as a way to honor my initial desire to “do more creative writing.” As I added more poems to my collection, I soon realized I had enough material for a full-fledged book. As a nonfiction author several years before working on my poetry book, I had previous experience with traditional publishers but it only took a few minutes on Google to learn how easy it would be to self-publish. To actualize my dream, I didn’t have to find an agent and a publisher, I simply self-published my book. It really was that simple.

(5) What books are on your TBR list?

Hmmm, I’m noticing a theme here: sci-fi! Oh, and a dose of fantasy too. Ever since my childhood I have enjoyed science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels because I love science, cosmology, physics and imagining the future. It’s deeply pleasurable to get lost in these imaginary settings and become acquainted with the characters who inhabit them.

I recently finished Ada Hoffmann’s The Outside and Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy. I’m currently reading Elizabeth Bear’s Machine. Here are the books coming up next.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

Hope Is the Thing with Feathers: Poems of Emily Dickinson

The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene

(6) Where can people get in touch with you online?

I enjoy communicating with my audience through my blog, newsletter and social media, and I always answer emails. My blog’s main themes are artistic creativity, writing and self-publishing.

Joy, I’m honored that you’re hosting my book and I have enjoyed this interview. Thank you.

Website:        https://leehudspeth.com/

Blog:            https://leehudspeth.com/blog/

Email:            lee@leehudspeth.com

Twitter:        https://twitter.com/leehuds

Instagram:        https://www.instagram.com/hudspethlee/

LinkedIN   http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-hudspeth-44538512

Amazon Author:    https://www.amazon.com/author/leehudspeth

Goodreads Author:    https://www.goodreads.com/leehudspeth

Meet the Author:
 

Lee Hudspeth is a poet, writer, musician and fellow human being.  Incandescent Visions is his first book of poetry. He is the co-author of  ten nonfiction books in the field of Information Technology. He has  written articles for professional journals like PC Computing and Office  Computing. He is the author of over one hundred articles in the online  magazine The Naked PC, which he co-founded and co-published. He lives in  Southern California with his wife, two sons and their cat. Find out  more about Lee, his books and his music at LeeHudspeth.com.

​Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter ~ Instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Nov 16 – Splashes of Joy – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 16 - Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 17 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 17 - Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 18 – Rajiv's Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 19 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 20 – I'm Into Books – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 23 – My Reading Journeys – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 24 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 25 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 26 – Sadie's Spotlight – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 27 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 28 - Books lattes & tiaras – book spotlight
Nov 30 – Hall Ways Blog – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 1 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 2 – Westveil Publishing – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 3 – She Just Loves Books – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 4 – Deborah Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

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Holidays Inc by Rachelle Paige Campbell

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On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Holidays, Inc. is the book of my heart. I grew up on old movies and have always loved when the ultimate solution to the problem is to put on a show. For years, I’ve been drafting various ideas about a showbusiness romance but found inspiration after watching a news story about a group of young business people determined to save their town. . .

Kimber Li - Excerpt

He stood taller and puffed out his chest. “Do you need me to move something?”

She scanned the muscles straining under the basic T-shirt. He probably purchased a multi-pack on a grocery run, yet the cotton hugged like a custom fit highlighting a trim figure. As she met his gaze, she spotted the fine lines around his eyes. He was definitely a few years older than her, but not by much.

Her chin trembled. “No, no, heavy lifting.” She smoothed a stray tendril behind her ear, brushing her fingers against her warm cheeks.

The Review Crew - Review

"Holidays Inc. takes you through the year, planning big festive events for each holiday making this the perfect read for any time of the year. . . . As the two deal with their own struggles and their potential love match, we are introduced to a town with that Stars Hollow small town feel with supporting characters you can’t help but fall in love with. The town is so full of support and hope, the kind of community we all want to have surround us. I truly enjoyed getting to know each character and wanted them to succeed in their adventures."

BookHounds - Excerpt

He swallowed the sigh building in his throat. The town changed, but not his twin. For most of their lives, his sister slumped and slouched in her never-ending quest to avoid attention. As fraternal twins, they shared a remarkable number of physical similarities, including height, dark brown hair, and gray-blue eyes. In the light, her eyes looked blue and his gray. By choice, Jill faded into the background. He’d utilized those exact attributes to stand out in a crowd.

Her smile lit her whole face brighter than the old marquee outside the theater. He slid across the smooth bench seat and interlaced his fingers on the Formica tabletop. With a deep breath, he counted to ten but couldn’t calm the throbbing in his temples.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” She dropped her menu.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"This story is portrayed in a small town named New Hope. I love that first because I love small town living. Secondly, I believe we are all looking for new hope. . . . I highly recommend this book to all those who enjoy a good romance. This story is a great read."

Library Lady's Kid Lit - Excerpt

“I can’t.” Her voice cracked. Exhaling a heavy sigh, she stopped tapping and slumped her torso. Without the rush of adrenaline, she could barely hold up her head and definitely couldn’t fight the truth. “I don’t have the luxury of running everything on my own. Until I have a full managerial staff, I’ll be extinguishing fires and lighting other ones.”

“What happens when you do?” He lowered his brow and fixed his stare. “Don’t you want to score and direct your shows?”

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

“Come on.” He scoffed. “If she ended up here, can she really have a celebrity network? No offense.”

“Some offense taken.” She sighed. “I can list any number of reasons why someone might choose a town like New Hope.”

“Like she’s on the run from the law? Or she’s conning the town and planning to bolt?” His instincts about people swerved way off base with his last partner. If he’d been cheated by a friend of ten years, how could he believe Dani—a stranger—and her too-good-to-be-true job offer? She doesn’t judge me. He drank the rest of the coffee, quenching his dry mouth. Being a good listener didn’t absolve Dani of nefarious motives.

Wishful Endings - Review

"HOLIDAYS, INC. is a story of second chances, not only for the two main characters, but also for this small-town. It's also about family, unexpected love, how dreams can change, and figuring out that fame isn't all it's professed to be. Recommended to clean romance readers who enjoy small-town settings and a touch of Christmas cheer. . . . This was a fun read with plenty of sweet moments of both friendship, family, and romance. I'm hoping for more stories set in this small town from this author!"

Abigail Kay Harris - Excerpt

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m looking for a friend. Guess I stumbled into your finale. My humblest apologies,” a throaty, feminine voice said over the sound system.

Claps, cheers, and whistles boomed through the theater.

Frozen in place, he turned and focused on the figure strolling across the stage.

Carrying a microphone in one hand, a petite blonde sashayed in sequins.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"I love the relationship that starts as "enemies" which turns into friends and finally attraction. The way they banter and relate to each other was a pleasure to read. Both find it hard to trust and their trust is tested when an old "friend" of Dani comes to town. It is a great reminder that new dreams can be made and priorities shifted. . . . If you are looking for a book that makes you "feel good". This is a great one to pick up."

Splashes of Joy - Review

"I love this sweet clever small town romance, and I have always loved a hate turned love relationship in characters. There is usually much tension and not so nice conversations among the characters at first as well. All things I love in a quirky Romance novel. . . . If you are in for some Christmas reads, this is a great one to choose. Check it out, purchase you a copy, grab a warm blanket and cup of coffee or hot chocolate and you are ready for a few hours of reading Holidays, Inc."

Cover Lover Book Review - Excerpt

His low laughter tugged at the tight coil wrapped like a belt around her fluttering stomach. She caught her lower lip with her teeth and stumbled, her shoe catching in a crack on the pavement. Stretching her arms forward, she brushed his bicep with a hand.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he lifted her against his body.

She focused on his dilated pupils, her chest rapidly rising with shallow breaths. “Sorry,” she murmured. “Thank you. I’m tossing these shoes.”

He lowered her to the sidewalk. “What a shame.”

An Indie Adventure - Excerpt

Paul straightened. The performers commanded attention, and the sweetness of their interaction enraptured him. I’d like to have that someday . He slipped a finger under his crew neck collar. With only inches of separation, he heightened his awareness of her so close to his right side. He hadn’t felt anything either professionally or personally for a long time. At the theater, he couldn’t deny the rush of excitement for both. If he made a move, he risked his career. Would holding back shutter his heart?

Dani leaned toward him. “Now, they have a spark,” she murmured. “I can’t believe your family isn’t the most talented in town.”

Remembrancy - Review

"There is so much more to Holidays, Inc. by Rachelle Paige Campbell than the book blurb. This story is about a struggling small town, friendships, and finding a place your heart can call home. . . . From the get-go, the exchanges between Dani and Paul start out rough but as they warm up to each other, their conversations shift to more. Add in a secondary budding romance (which I sincerely hope we get a resolution to in a future book) and a Hallmark-esque ending, and Holidays, Inc. is a charming read with the happy finale romance readers crave."

Reading Is My SuperPower - Excerpt

“What do you have?”

“You agreed to help with town research.” He grinned and raised a large to-go bag. “The least I could do was provide sustenance.”

If we eat together, our acceptable work meeting becomes a date. The crazy logic flared in her chest. She pressed hands to her sides, breathing through the scalding pain in her ribs. Somehow kissing him onstage was acceptable behavior? “I have heartburn. I better not eat anymore.”

Hallie Reads - Excerpt

“We’ll get more tonight,” Jill said.

Dani froze. Slowly, she shut her mouth and raised her scarf over her nose and cheeks. With the toe of her boot, she traced lazy circles on the sidewalk in front of the grocery store.

Jill crossed the pavement. “Snow, I mean.”

Frowning, Dani pieced together Jill’s greeting. “You think so? My phone didn’t say anything.”

“You trust a phone designed in California over a born-and-bred Wisconsin girl about snow?” Jill shook her head and chuckled.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt

“The kitchen is located in the building next door. It used to be a p—”

“The pizzeria?” Nora widened her gaze.

“Long gone before I arrived.” Dani shrugged and continued to the employee entrance to the auditorium. With a hand on the knob, she swung open the door. “And this is the theater.”

Nora stepped through and gasped. “Wow.” She turned in a slow circle. “I never imagined Howell Cinemas could be transformed into something so grand. What you’ve done here is miraculous.”

Teatime and Books - Excerpt

“Dani, he’s perfect. I’m taking him home.” Kara stood in front of the cluttered desk, fingers splaying on her tiny waist and one shoulder tilting forward.

“Shhh.” Dani shut the door and turned the lock. With years of lessons, Kara trained her voice to carry from stage to the rafters. Dani pressed her ear “and cheek against the solid door, straining for any sound. Silence greeted her. Sagging her shoulders, she turned and faced her visitor.

Under the dull fluorescent lighting, she shimmered. Always a star. Dani frowned. Did she categorize Kara as a friend, a one-time confidante, or an enemy? Until last autumn, Dani considered Kara a sister. Dani barely repressed her instinct to embrace Kara. With more time, Dani hoped for a reconciliation. Today was too soon.

Beauty in the Binding - Excerpt

Dani poked her head through the slim opening and lifted her gaze.

Her blue eyes sparkled. He ran a hand through his hair. Waiting to enter the office filled him with dread from a childhood of being called to task in the very spot. He couldn’t use the same excuse for stalling today.

“Hi, Paul, what’s up?”

“I wanted to chat with you.” He cleared his throat. “About the other night.”

I'm Into Books - Excerpt

“I’ve been talking to my agent about the guy at your place. Everyone loves the idea of a show about—wait for it—are you ready?” She squealed. “When you hear the angle, you’ll scream. It’s genius. Hollywood comes to save small-town America. The storyline is perfect, and the script writes itself. Who doesn’t adore an underdog?”

Are you stealing my life? Gritting her teeth, Dani counted to ten and breathed through her nose. She definitely wanted to scream. Over the past three weeks, she hadn’t heard a peep from Kara and assumed the plans stalled. Dani hoped her oldest friend found another idea for her latest comeback pitch. Dani pinched the bridge of her nose. The idea of the two united as a pair twisted her heart more than Kara running off with her ex-boyfriend. “I… I… I really don’t know what to say.”

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

Holiday's, Inc. By Rachelle Paige Campbell Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 260 Pages November 4, 2020 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc

Former child actress, Danielle "Dani" Winter, left Hollywood to transform an old cinema into a dinner theater, seeing the project as her chance to take control of her future. The middle-of-nowhere location in Wisconsin is a perfect escape from backstabbing celebrity friends. The small town welcomes her help with open arms, but one man questions her plan.

After unsuccessful writing stints on both coasts, Paul Howell returns home to New Hope. He's shocked to discover that his sister has sold the family business to a beautiful woman. With the encouragement of his neighbors, he reluctantly agrees to write Dani's next musical.

Working together, they discover more similarities than differences and grow close. When Dani's former best friend and America's sweetheart, Kara Kensington arrives, their blossoming relationship is threatened in more ways than one.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

About the Author

Rachelle Paige Campbell writes contemporary romance filled with heart and hope. No matter the location—big city, small town, or European kingdom—her feel-good stories always end with a happily ever after. She’s grateful for the support of her family, her robot floor cleaner, and her reluctant writing partner (her dog).

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

Ends November 19, 2020

ENTER HERE

Our Friendship Matters by Kimberly B Jones

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Join us for this tour from Nov 11 to Dec 1, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Our Friendship Matters by Kimberly B. Jones
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  221 pages
Genre:  Contemporary/Social Issues
Publisher:  Rhetaskew Publishing Company, LLC
Release date:   October, 2020
Tour dates: Nov 11 to Dec 1, 2020
Content Rating:  Rated G.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB__3tS53_Y]

           

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"Engaging and heartfelt. Our Friendship Matters opens and continues  much needed discussions for young people and their families. Read and  discuss!" Rita Williams-Garcia, NYT Bestselling Author

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Book Description:

Leah and Sasha are 17-year-old friends who had been close to one another since elementary school, but as the summer approaches they find their friendship tested in ways they never anticipated. Following graduation, Sasha's privileged life and perception of the world around her is suddenly altered when an old childhood friend persuades her to join in a campaign against an injustice after his best friend is killed by the police. But joining the protest has unforeseen consequences for Sasha, distancing her from Leah, who becomes jealous of Sasha's new friends and finds herself on the opposing side, protesting alongside her group of new white friends. As the tension mounts between the two bitterly opposed factions, a tragedy strikes and threatens to make Sasha and Leah enemies. Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other's viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?

 

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ B&N
Add to Goodreads

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•What inspired you to write Our Friendship Matters?

During the time of my mom passing, I needed to channel my feelings onto another surface. While in the hospital, she encouraged me to keep writing. Everything I do is for her. She always knew I had a passion for writing. When I returned home to Missouri the death of another African American was all over the news. I began stressing to my husband about all the police brutality that we have encountered year after year. I was fearing for his life, my son’s life, and both African American males. I wanted justice for all the people killed amongst the hands of a police officer and not just a slap on the wrist. In between the time of me mourning for my mom passing and angry from all the police brutality amongst African Americans, I had so many mixed feelings. So, I decided to write a novel and put all my feelings towards Our Friendship Matters. This was three years ago and it’s sad how we are still living this today in 2020.

• What was the most difficult part of writing the book?

The most difficult part of writing this book was using profanity. This was my first novel, so I wasn’t sure if I should use profanity for young adults or not. Then, I verified it with my editor, and she confirmed that it was okay, and I should say just what I meant. It’s not heavy profanity but something you would hear on a daily basis.

• What does being a successful author look like to you?

A successful author to me is expressing your concern in words across the nation so that you or a group can be heard and make change.

• Do you plan on writing more YA books in the future that tackle racial injustice and police brutality?

Oh yes. I am writing another novel that’s dealing with racial injustice and you can say that it does have a little police brutality but it’s coming from a southern point of view. 

• What’s the best and worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave to you?

I received some great advice from a NYT bestselling author. She encouraged me to stay open to stories. She told me that I will have a strong following and will not need anyone’s words on my cover and good things are coming. She gave me hope for the novel because in writing there is always discouragement. There is also room for growth and a way to become a better writer. I’m not no Stephen King, but I can become a writer just as good as him. There’s always room for improvement.

• If you can go back in time, where would you go?

That’s a great question because if I can go back in time I would go back to where my mom was healthy and do more with her. At times, I wish this was a thing that could happen but I do cherish all the memories we shared.

• In 5 words or less, what can readers expect from your book?

Races coming together for change.

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Meet the Author:

Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters. ​ When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.

Connect with the Author:  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Tour Schedule:

Nov 11 – Working Mommy journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 11 - Splashes of Joy – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 11 - Lisa's Reading – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 12 – Over Coffee Conversations – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 13 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 16 - Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 17 – My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 18 – Sadie's Spotlight – book spotlight
Nov 19 – mama_and_the_bookworms – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 20 – Rajiv's Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 23 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 24 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 25 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 25 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 26 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 27 – Buried in Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Nov 30 – Books Tea Healthy Me – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Dec 1 – Instagram: All Booked Up Reviews – book spotlight

Enter the Giveaway:

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Back to the Burgh and Beyond by C. S. McDonald

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Join us for this review tour from Nov 9 to 20, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Back to the Burgh and Beyond (The Owl's Nest Mysteries) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 208 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Sep 10, 2020
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:
Meet Alexa Owl. She's returned home to Pittsburgh after a divorce to start a new life and a new business, The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to her surprise, she's getting more than she ever bargained for: Detective Bobby Starr, and he's no ordinary sleuth. Bobby is an angel who's returned to Earth in hopes of earning his way into the Guardian Angel Squad. He's been sent by none other than Saint Pete to acquire Alexa’s help to solve three cold case murders he left behind. Except, here’s the catch: he’s only been allotted four days to solve the first case! How in heaven’s name is she supposed to do that? Alexa is a professional seamstress—not a detective. Bobby insists the only way to solve the first case is to return to 1953, and Alexa’s not in love with that idea at all!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N

After moving back to her hometown in Pittsburgh, Alexa meets the ghost of Detective Bobby Starr in her new apartment. Detective Starr is there to solve his wife's murder but they had to take a trip back to the '50's to do it.

I love cozy mysteries, and this one is as intriguing and exciting as they come. There is a bit of time travel from now to back in the 1950's, which was very interesting for me being I was born during that time. I always love going back to that era, though I was quite young. There are a lot of interesting characters as this story unfolds and these two try to find answers. There are some twists and turns to keep the story moving and more entertaining, as they drive Alexa to more determination to find who the killer is.

I really enjoyed this story. It is my first from author C. J. McDonald, and I sure look forward to more from this author in the future. If you love a good clean cozy mystery, I would highly recommend Back to the Burgh and Beyond! You will be delighted and intrigued by this story.

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: 

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona  Quinn Mysteries nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

 

Tour Schedule:
Nov 9 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Nov 9 - Instagram:. All Booked Up Reviews – book review
Nov 9 - Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
Nov 9 - Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Nov 10 – mowgliwithabook – book review
Nov 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review / giveaway
Nov 12 – Rajiv's Reviews – book review / giveaway
Nov 13 – Books and Zebras @jypsylynn – book review / giveaway
Nov 16 – Lisa-Queen of Random – book review / giveaway
Nov 17 – Hall Ways Blog – book review / giveaway
Nov 18 – Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
Nov 19 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Nov 20 - I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway

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Animals at the office by Sarah Sommer

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Animals at the Office by Sarah Sommer
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  40 pages
Genre:  Picture Book
Publisher:  Sarah Sommer
Release date:   October 2020
Content Rating:  G. Children's picture book with no adult topics or language

 

Book Description:

It's Gator's first day at his new office job, and he is surrounded by quirky personalities like the slow slug, the obedient dog, the aggressive hawk, and the chatty chicken. He is eager to fit in with his new co-workers, so he tries to be like them. But acting like everyone else doesn't work out for him, and he learns a valuable lesson about himself instead. Featuring hand-drawn illustrations, vibrant colors, and rhymes, Animals at the Office sparks dialogue regarding first-day jitters, fitting in with new crowds, and embracing one's own special traits despite being surrounded by others who are different. Adults may relate to the featured characters based on their own experiences at an office and can use the book to talk more with children about their own job and what going to work means for them.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Bookshop.org ~ Barnes & Noble
  

NOW READ THIS WONDERFUL GUEST POST BY THE AUTHOR!!

I Should Take My Own Advice

By Sarah Sommer

I purposefully aim to boost women by collaborating with them on my books, and I write women into leadership roles as doctors and bosses in my books, but I’m not great at balancing my own life as a woman.  I often feel plagued with lists and chores, which are exacerbated by my roles as breadwinner, caretaker, and author.  I wish I could take my own advice sometimes.  My first three books all feature main characters asking for help, and yet, I rarely do it.  As a woman, I sometimes feel that I have to prove to everyone that I am strong enough to handle my busy plate, but that doesn’t always lead to a balanced life. 

Sometimes, I think my writing reflects how I wish certain types of situations had happened in my life.  For example, Animals at the Office features a main character seeking out sage advice from his boss when he is plagued with a feeling of not fitting in and wanting to give up.  This seems to stem from some of my personal experiences where I had mustered the courage to talk to my boss but was met with indifference instead of encouragement.  I find that asking for help is difficult, and when the attempt is unsuccessful, it can be discouraging as well, making it even more unlikely that I will seek guidance in the future, creating a vicious circle of “I’ll take care of it myself.”  

I’m trying to accept that I don’t have to do everything perfectly and right now, that allowing others to assist is allowed.  I’m trying to be more present in my life instead of focused on my to-do list, and I’m also trying to forgive myself when I make a mistake or miss an event.  While I was writing my first few books, I was concerned with telling cute stories, but as I reflect on those stories, I see a deeper meaning behind them, and I sense a greater responsibility for making some changes.  As we encourage other women and girls that they can do anything and be anything, we should also encourage them to ask for help.  We all can use a little boost here and there to help us maintain a healthy lifestyle.  My books have good messages and themes; I just need to listen to them.  

I just adore this fun book of animals. Though it is a children's book, adults can relate to many things in this book because it talks about Gator's first day at the office. I love Gator and I can well relate to him! He deals with so many issues that I dealt with when I had those first days at the office. Mainly coping with the idea of whether or not I would fit in.

But this book is also fun and interesting for children of all ages because they love the inner action of these adorable animals. And speaking of adorable, Devon does an amazing job creating the illustrations!! Each animal is so very cute, they are all colorful, each page has vibrant colors that pop out at you when you turn the page. The story has a lot of humor, and Devon create that humor in the animals. I love that on each page, the story and animals are just perfect together. And one thing I love about awesome pictures is, even small children will love this book because they not only listen to the story read, they can make up their own story by looking at the illustrations. This has always been a special thing for me in childrens books.

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.

You May Also Want to Read:

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Goose on the Roof by Sarah Sommer
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  40 pages
Genre:  Picture Book
Publisher:  Sarah Sommer
Release date:   January 2020
Content Rating:  G. Children's picture book with no adult topics or language

 

Book Description:

When one little girl tries to solve a big problem involving a goose on her roof, she enlists the help of her animal friends. Despite her best efforts, things don't go as planned, and she ends up with additional challenges to navigate as well. The Goose on the Roof features rhymes, animal characters, and a theme of problem-solving. The order of the characters can serve as a memory game as the story builds up and unwinds. Children may also be encouraged to come up with their own ideas for how to solve the issue of the honking goose on the roof and the predicaments created by the other animals. Winner (1st place) of the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards in the animals/pets category (ebook), this children's story highlights animals in a wholesome and engaging way.

 Buy the Book:
Amazon
Bookshop.org ~ Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Sarah Sommer enjoys working with words in a way that makes the story feel musical and rhythmical, which is a reflection of her first career in music as a professional clarinetist. She is passionate about animals and enjoys nature, the arts, and dark chocolate.

connect with the author:  website  ~  facebook  ~  instagram  ~  goodreads

 

Tour Schedule:
 

Oct 19 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 19 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Oct 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 21 – Welcome To MLM Opinion's Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office
Oct 21 - Bound 4 Escape – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 21 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 21 - Amy's Booket List – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 22 – I'd Rather Be At The Beach – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 22 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 23 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 23 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 26 – She Just Loves Books – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 27 – Splashes of Joy – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 27- Amy's Booket List – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 28 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 28 - Cuzinlogic - book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 29 – I'd Rather Be At The Beach – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 29 - My Journey Back – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 30 – Reading is My Passion – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 2 – Welcome To MLM Opinion's Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 3 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 3 - My Journey Back – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 4 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 4 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Nov 5 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 5 - Pick a Good Book – book review of Animals at the Office / author interview / giveaway
Nov 6 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Nov 6 - Nighttime Reading Center – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 9 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 9 - One Frugal Girl – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 10 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 10 - Pick a Good Book – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 11 – Bigreadersite – book review of Animals at the Office
Nov 12 – Bigreadersite – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 12 - Reading is My Passion – book review of Animals at the Office
Nov 13 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 13 - One Frugal Girl – book review of Animals at the Office / author interview / giveaway

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The Cowboy's Holiday Bride by Cathy McDavid

 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

#CHBPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Cowboy's Holiday Bride (Wishing Well Springs #1) By Cathy McDavid Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages November 1, 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Changing his heart…

Would be a Christmas miracle!

Cash Montgomery creates Western-themed weddings and knows all about happily-ever-after. In theory. He’s been hurt too many times to think that he could ever be a marrying man. His business partner Phoebe Kellerman doesn’t agree with him—on anything! At Christmas, Cash is visited by three of his past girlfriends…and he begins to see the error of his ways. Will it be before he loses Phoebe, the woman he’s falling for?

New York Times Bestselling Author

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository BAM | IndieBound | Apple | Kobo | Google | Harlequin

🎄🎄🎄🎄

The Cowboy's Holiday Bride is another Christmas story that I love! I had so much fun reading this sweet story about Phoebe and Cash. Christmas is fin in itself but add in a wedding and its awesome! I love the talk of Christmas, the detailed decorations, and eveything else that goes along with it.

There were some twists in the story. Tensions were a bit tight at times when Cash had visits from his past, but they were ironed out and everything was good again. I really enjoyed Cash and Phoebe, their chemistry was phenomenal, just what I love in a sweet Romance. And I love the Heartwarming line from Harlequin because they are good clean reads. If you live a good Romance in the middle of the Christmas holidays, I recommend this one. And this is a 4 stars from me, mainly because there are several times questionable words are used that I don't feel should be used in a clean read. Otherwise it would have been a perfect Christmas read.

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.

About the Author

In the third grade, NY Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid made it her goal to read every Black Stallion book ever written. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things western, owning a stagecoach pulled by six mules, and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With over 50 titles in print and 1.3 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world six years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It's a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card (US only)

Ends November 11, 2020

ENTER HERE

How to Pack for the End of the World by Michelle Falkoff

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Join us for this tour from Nov 3 to Nov 23, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  How to Pack for the End of the World by Michelle Falkoff
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  320 pages
Genre: Literary / Mystery
Publisher:  HarperCollins (HarperTeen)
Release date:   Nov 20, 2020
Format available for review:  Print, NetGalley Download (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf)
Will send print books out:  USA and Canada
Tour dates: Nov 3 to Nov 23, 2020
Content Rating:  PG-13.  Language is clean, no sex on the page but reference to it, dark subject  matter--wasn't sure the best category based on descriptions.

Book Description:

If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do? This  is the question that haunts Amina as she watches new and horrible stories of discord and crisis flash across the news every day. But when she starts at prestigious Gardner Academy, Amina finds a group of like-minded peers to join forces with—fast friends who dedicate their year to learning survival skills from each other, before it’s too late. Still, as their prepper knowledge multiplies, so do their regular high school problems, from relationship drama to family issues to friend blow-ups. Juggling the two parts of their lives forces Amina to ask another vital question: Is it worth living in the hypothetical future if it’s at the expense of your actual present?

Pre-Order the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
Bookshop.org ~  IndieBound

HOW TO PACK FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

Guest post by Michelle Falkoff

The title of this website makes me want to write only about experiences that bring me joy and delight. The hard part is that given everything that’s going on in the world, I’ve found myself reading (and writing) some pretty dark stuff. I’m mired in the world of mysteries right now, taking tremendous satisfaction in reading about murder and family drama and romantic turmoil. But the fact remains that these books are bringing me joy, and in this post I’ll contemplate why that’s the case.

I know it’s much more common to find joy in romance and other light-hearted reading, and I certainly have some fun books on my night table—for the YA readers out there, Becky Albertalli and Amy Spalding write entertaining and satisfying romances, for example. Many of us love these books because we know that while the path to love might be complex and rocky, the ultimate destination is familiar and beautiful.

Those of us who love mysteries often love them for precisely the same reason, though the path to resolution might be different, and often more difficult to read. In mystery novels, the world can be dark and troubling, and people can be violent and hateful and filled with rage that leads them to do terrible things. Or they can be loving to the point of obsession and still do terrible things. No matter what, some terrible things are going to happen.

Ultimately, though, we’re likely to see resolution. The murderer will be caught and punished; the investigation will close. The characters may have to deal with the fallout of their worlds being turned upside-down and inside-out, but we trust that they will be better off with the knowledge that the crime has been solved. Justice will prevail, even if it’s a complicated justice, and we can dream of returning to a world that is familiar and beautiful. It may not be the same kind of world we see in romance, but it’s familiar and beautiful nonetheless.

And that, for me, is enough to bring a splash of joy.

MY REVIEW

This is a very different book than what I usually read, and though I have a much different viewpoint on what will happen at the end of the world, I did the different aspects of the story the students have kind of interesting.

Amina's parents sends her to a prestigious boarding school because she is obsessed with the end of the world and they are hoping this will help with the anxiety she has been having. After there a few days at the school she is invited to a mysterious meeting along with four other with somewhat the same anxiety problems and the same reasons for their anxiety. As they discuss their anxieties, they each contribute with their survival skills and help with ways to survive when the day happens.

I liked the students in this group. They were a little weird at times, but they are not the usually boarding school students. It was sometimes difficult for me to keep listening because the story doesn't have a lot going on except for the survival skills of the group. I would have liked more depth to the story. There wasn't a lot of wow there.

I have the audio version of this book. I really enjoyed listening to the Narrator, Stacey Glemboski. She has an excellent smooth voice for audiobooks. Her dynamics and expressions are just perfect. I hope to find more books that she is narrating. She is one voice I could listen to all day!

This book is a four star for me. And if I could rate the narration, I would rate it a 5 plus Stars!

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:

Michelle  Falkoff is the author of Playlist for the Dead, Pushing Perfect, Questions I Want to Ask You, and How to Pack for the End of the World. She is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and currently serves as director of communication and legal reasoning at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Connect with the author:   website  ~  twitter  ~  instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Nov 3 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 3 - Splashes of Joy - audiobook review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 3 - Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 4 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 5 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 5 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book review / giveaway
Nov 6 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 9 –Jazzy Book Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 10 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 10 - Corinne Rodrigues - book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 11 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview
Nov 12 – Books, Tea, Healthy Me – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 12 - Instagram:. All Booked Up Reviews – book review
Nov 13 – Viviana MacKade – book spotlight / guest post
Nov 16 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Nov 17 –Westveil Publishing  - book review / giveaway
Nov 18 – JulzReads – book review
Nov 18 - 411 ON BOOKS, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHING NEWS - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 19 –100 Pages A Day - book review / giveaway
Nov 20 –Books and Zebras @jypsylynn – book review
Nov 20 - Lamon Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 23 - Writer with Wanderlust - book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 23 – My Fictional Oasis – book review / giveaway
Nov 23 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book review / giveaway

 

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