Friday, November 30, 2018

Review: Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham


STOP THAT YAWN!
by Caron Levis
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Picture Book
48 pages
ages 4 to 8



Pack your toothbrushes, but leave your pajamas and pillows behind for this bedtime story. And whatever you do…DON’T YAWN!

Gabby Wild has had enough of bedtime. Yawn, curl, snuggle, snore—what a bore!

So instead of tucking in, she jets out—with poor Granny in tow—to a place where beds are for bouncing, hushes are shushed, and it’s never too late for ice cream. But sometimes, even when you grit your teeth and seal your lips, it’s impossible to stop that…YAWN!

There’s a yawn on the loose! Can Gabby stop that yawn from spreading the snooze, or will it be lights out for Never Sleeping City?
 



 MY TIDBITS

This is a fun trip into imagination with lots of energy and a very addictive yawn to pull into the world of dreams.

Gabby Wild is ready for an adventure...not bedtime. When Grandma tries to tuck her in, they shoot off into an adventure instead to Sleepytown. Here, life is excitement pure with shows and dance and lights galore. But when one person yawns, the problem begins. Gabby must stop that yawn before it causes the entire Sleepytown to want to go to bed.

Boredom is not a word in these pages. Instead the adventure is wild, fantasy packed and quick paced the whole way through. Set up more in comic style, the illustrations let imaginations fly. The balance between the text and the illustrations holds the story and allows young listeners the possibility to glance through the story on their own and still understand what is happening. Especially the granny is fun to watch as she joins in the race to stop sleep.

While the story keeps an exciting pace the whole way through...which might not appear to invite to sleep...when that yawn hits, so does the slow down. Yawns are contagious, which makes this book end on a fun note. Even luring the listener in.

Young listeners (and slightly more sure readers) ages four and up will find giggles and fun in these pages.


And here they are...

The Author...
Caron Levis grew up in the city that never sleeps (a.k.a. New York City), yet confesses that even as a baby she slept through the night. Caron has an LMSW from Hunter College and an MFA in creative writing for children/YA from The New School, where she now teaches and advises. Caron never tires of visiting schools to work with kids using her books, drama, and creative writing to encourage social, emotional and literacy skills. Things she'll always stay awake for include great theater, star gazing, and turtle watching. Visit Caron online at CaronLevis.com.

The Illustrator...
LeUyen Pham has been an insomniac her entire life, so she wouldn't mind a trip to Sleepytown. The good thing about not being about to sleep is that she has more time to draw and paint. She is the creator of more than ninety books for children, including the New York Times bestseller for Grace for President, written by Kelly DiPucchio, the Princess in Black series by Shannon and Dean Hale, and her own A Piece of Cake, and The Bear Who Wasn't There. She lives and yawns with her husband and children in Los Angeles. Visit her online at LeUyenPham.com.








Thursday, November 29, 2018

Review: Deadly Scorpion Sting! by Kevin Blake


DEADLY SCORPION STING!
Envenomators
by Kevin Blake
Bearport Publishing
Picture Book Non-Fiction
ages 8 to 12


Deep in the jungles of Thailand, Gareth Pike awoke one sunny morning in 2007. As he was getting dressed, he reached down to grab a pair of shorts off his floor. Suddenly, Gareth felt a horrible stinging pain in his thumb. Then he spotted a deadly black scorpion scurrying away. "I was in dreadful pain," said Gareth. Would he survive his encounter with a venomous scorpion? Learn all about venomous scorpions in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers. It's packed with exciting wildlife encounters, cutting-edge science, and loads of info about venom and its deadly effects.



MY TIDBITS

Friends of creepy crawlies and more dangerous creatures will not only get a thrill but learn all sorts of things about the world of scorpions.

The theme of this book is very clear—deadly scorpions. The first page already introduces a wild environment in the jungles of Thailand and a man who lost his life thanks to a tiny black scorpion. The ominous tone is set...and it's clear why this book isn't recommend for younger readers. But this isn't a 'horror' story. Rather, facts are everything, and while the danger of the venom is clear, the scientific end stays front and center. A few real-life stories from victims, who've been stung by scorpions give the book a creepy setting which is sure to intrigue readers, but at the same time, the scorpions are explained, investigated and presented not only from a biological stand-point but also from a chemical one. Readers learn that the venom might be dangerous, but it also offers hopes for the future in medicinal areas.

Various species of scorpions are presented with bright, clear photos which present them in the natural habitat. The anatomy is briefly explained, habits, anti-venom and the truth about scorpion stings. While the main information is presented in paragraph form, other interesting tidbits are scattered in bubbles throughout the page, making it fun to flip through. At the end of the book, there's a glossary, a small chart of the three scorpions to really look out for, an index, places where more information can be found, and a website address to also learn more.

It's a short, bright book which especially reluctant readers will appreciate. The information is well laid-out, making it interesting and enjoyable to flip through time and again.

Welcome to the world of venomous animals! Discover a lizard that can take down a huge water buffalo, a small spiny frog that can kill a human, a tiny black scorpion that can sicken a person to the point of death, and much more. In this engrossing narrative nonfiction series for young readers, learn about which venomous animals are the most deadly to humans, the effects of venom, and how scientists are using venom to create lifesaving drugs. Packed with exciting wildlife encounters, cutting-edge science, and loads of info about venom and its deadly effects, this exciting new series will captivate young readers.

There are six titles in this series:
You can find more at: https://bearportpublishing.com/shop/show/12376

Deadly Scorpion Sting!
Deadly Frogs!
Deadly Lizard Bite!
Deadly Snake Bite!
Deadly Spider Bite!
Deadly Venomous Mammals!


Sneak Peek: Valiant by Merrie Destefano with Giveaways!




VALIANT

by Merrie Destefano 

Entangled: Teen
YA Science Fiction

COMING...
DECEMBER 4th, 2018!!!





The Valiant was supposed to save us. Instead, it triggered the end of the world.
Earth is in shambles. Everyone, even the poorest among us, invested in the Valiant’s space mining mission in the hopes we’d be saved from ourselves. But the second the ship leaves Earth’s atmosphere, our fate is sealed. The alien invasion begins. They pour into cities around the world through time portals, possessing humans, forcing us to kill one another.
And for whatever reason, my brother is their number one target.
Now the fate of the world lies in the hands of me, a seventeen-year-old girl, but with the help of my best friend, Justin―who’s suddenly starting to feel like more―maybe if we save my brother, we can save us all…


SNEAK PEEK

There’s a pain in my chest as I remember the first time I stumbled across a man with fists lined with metal spikes. I was walking through downtown Santa Ana with Justin, and it was one of those times when I thought, He’s totally going to kiss me tonight. It was back before I began traveling through time, before I found out just how dark the world could be. We were laughing and heading toward a frozen yogurt shop, and he slid his arm around my waist.
It might have been the first time I thought, This guy is it; he’s the one I could fall for. I knew he was a Genetic and that nobody wanted us to be together. But I didn’t care. He was sunshine on a dark night. He was heat when the cold winds blew.
I put my head on his shoulder.
It was only natural.
It was exactly right.
Then I saw the metal man, his brow furrowed as if his heart held all the anger in the world. He was chaos and destruction and he was walking toward us, eyes like fire, like he wanted to kill us both.
Maybe he was looking at Justin. Metal men hate Genetics, because in a real battle, Genetics win. It doesn’t matter how much metal you’ve grafted onto your skin or bones—it might make you stronger, but you’re slower, too. Nobody can match the speed and natural strength of a Genetic. So, this guy might have been looking at Justin and challenging him, but it felt like I was going to be collateral damage.
One swing of his spike-covered fist and I’d be dead.
But I didn’t have to worry about it for long, because Justin pushed me behind him. I couldn’t see his face, but I could see the metal man. Doubt flickered in his eyes; he paused and glanced to the side. He was probably looking for a way out.
Justin took a step forward, his hands curled in fists. When he spoke, his voice came out like thunder, a loud, low growl that rumbled through my spine.
“Don’t even think about it,” Justin said. “Take one more step and I’ll rip out your metal implants, one by one. They hurt going in, so you better believe it’ll be a mother when I pull them out.”
He paused to laugh, but I’d never heard him laugh like that before. It was chilling, like he was a different person. He continued to warn the metal man. “Especially when I twist those implants sideways and the roots tear off chunks of your flesh.”
The metal man narrowed his eyes, and there was a split second when I thought he was going to tackle Justin.
Maybe he would have.
But he didn’t get a chance. It was like Justin knew the metal man’s plan, like it was an open football playbook. Justin rushed him, grabbed the guy around the waist, and slammed him against the brick wall of a local tattoo parlor. It took the wind out of the metal man’s lungs, and he was temporarily stunned. Justin could have slugged him; he could have broken the guy’s arms; he could have killed him.
All he did was lean close enough to whisper in the guy’s ear.
Then Justin stepped back and let the thug slide to the sidewalk in a heap. The metal man caught his breath, his eyes flickered, and he glanced up at us. Then he floundered to his hands and knees and crawled away as fast as he could. By the time he got to his feet, we were surrounded by a Friday-night club crowd, most of them drunk and all of them laughing at the metal man as he ran away.
Justin didn’t even hit the guy.
Sometimes you can win by intimidation alone.
So, do I melt every time I see this boy, who was willing to fight to protect me?
You better believe it.



And here she is...

Born in the Midwest, former magazine editor Merrie Destefano currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat, and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies, and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time. 


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Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Review: The Lights of Time by Paul Ian Cross with Giveaway



THE LIGHTS OF TIME
The Chronicles of Engella Rhys, Book 1
by Paul Ian Cross
Farrow Children's Books
November 27th, 2018
YA Science Fiction





Would you sacrifice your future to save your past? 

Engella Rhys is alone, adrift and on the run. Pursued by a secret agency, known only as the Hunters, she must stay ahead to stay alive. 

As she travels through space-time using dangerously experimental technology, she only has one wish: to be reunited with her lost parents. After a close shave with a Hunter on the streets of New Shanghai, Engella escapes to find herself on a deserted beach. When she meets a kind stranger, who offers her food and shelter, Engella feels safe and protected for the first time in years. 

But who is this woman? And why did their paths cross at the most convenient of times? 

Engella soon discovers their lives are intertwined in more ways than she could ever imagine.



 MY TIDBITS

This is a thrilling mixture of searching for the truth, keeping out of evil's grasp and darting through time.

Engella is on the run and has been for a long time. Unfortunately, the Hunters are getting closer. She springs through time in an attempt to stay one step ahead, but almost lands in their clutches. When a woman unexpectedly comes to her rescue, Engella isn't sure what to think. Not only that, but the woman knows things...things she's not allowed to tell. Engella doesn't know if she can trust her, but with the Hunters so close and questions about her parents still open, she doesn't have a choice.

The tension starts high and stays pretty much that way through the entire tale. There are a few more descriptive moments but these developed a fairly intricate world. The story flashes through different moments in time and various places, but the author keeps this from becoming confusing with an entry at the beginning of each chapter. The story doesn't stay in one character's point of view but switches at the right times...usually with an entire chapter. In the first chapters, it took a bit sometimes to sink into the new perspectives simply because the characters and their purpose were unclear, but this slides into place quickly. There were moments during the chapters themselves that the point of view would switch suddenly between the characters, and this caused hiccups. But the story flows nicely otherwise.

Engella is a character on a mission. She does fear certain things but is ready to sacrifice everything when it comes to finding her parents. She's pretty level-headed and her decisions, for the most part, understandable.  The other characters add the right amount of depth and are as fun to cheer along as Engella. This isn't all action but ta

As to the time travel, it's an interesting mix. The jumps are well done and hold enough logic to allow the reader to sink into the world. There's a nice dash of intrigue and many surprises along the way. In other words, Engella is kept on her toes at all times. It's a lovely read science fiction fans are sure to enjoy.


And here he is...

Paul Ian Cross is a multi-award-winning children’s author and scientist from London, UK.

Paul works in clinical research (developing new medicines) and he’s also involved in science communication; presenting science to non-scientists. He enjoys his science career but he also has a real passion for writing stories! He likes introducing children to the wonders of science, especially reluctant readers. By introducing science creatively, he aims to spark their interest; allowing them to gain confidence with their reading. As a previous reluctant reader himself, he understands how hard it can be. But it’s all about making reading fun and interesting!

Paul’s nephew Hayden influenced his decision to become a writer. He loved seeing Hayden’s reaction when his sister Michelle first read one of Paul’s stories to him!

In his spare time, Paul likes to visit new and exciting places. One of his favourite places is Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye.

Paul’s debut picture book, Praxx and the Ringing Robot, won second prize in the ‘Picture Books 5 and Younger’ category at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2017. The book trailer also won first place in the ‘book trailer’ category at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards later that year.

Paul’s second book, Planet Scrabbage and the Vegerons, won an honourable mention in both the ‘Picture Books 6 and Over’ and ‘Health’ categories at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018.

And that brings us to now... Paul is currently working on several new books. Paul’s debut upper middle grade novel will be published in 2018. The Lights of Time is the first novel in a brand-new series: The Chronicles of Engella Rhys.

Paul hopes you enjoy reading his stories as much as he enjoyed writing them!

Social Media Links –



GIVEAWAY!!!



Win  a Kindle HD Fire 7” and a signed copy of The Lights of Time (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


Paul Ian Cross is a multi-award-winning children’s author and scientist from London, UK. Paul works in clinical research (developing new medicines) and he’s also involved in science communication; presenting science to non-scientists. He enjoys his science career but he also has a real passion for writing stories! He likes introducing children to the wonders of science, especially reluctant readers. By introducing science creatively, he aims to spark their interest; allowing them to gain confidence with their reading. As a previous reluctant reader himself, he understands how hard it can be. But it’s all about making reading fun and interesting! Paul’s nephew Hayden influenced his decision to become a writer. He loved seeing Hayden’s reaction when his sister Michelle first read one of Paul’s stories to him! In his spare time, Paul likes to visit new and exciting places. One of his favourite places is Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye. Paul’s debut picture book, Praxx and the Ringing Robot, won second prize in the ‘Picture Books 5 and Younger’ category at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2017. The book trailer also won first place in the ‘book trailer’ category at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards later that year. Paul’s second book, Planet Scrabbage and the Vegerons, won an honourable mention in both the ‘Picture Books 6 and Over’ and ‘Health’ categories at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018. And that brings us to now... Paul is currently working on several new books. Paul’s debut upper middle grade novel will be published in 2018. The Lights of Time is the first novel in a brand-new series: The Chronicles of Engella Rhys. Paul hopes you enjoy reading his stories as much as he enjoyed writing them! Social Media Links – http://www.pauliancross.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pauliancrossauthor https://www.instagram.com/pauliancross.author/ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pauliancross/ https://www.youtube.com/pauliancrossauthor https://twitter.com/tyrannopaulus Giveaway – Win a Kindle HD Fire 7” and a signed copy of The Lights of Time (UK Only) *Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Happy Book Birthday to 4 novellas from Christina Bauer with Giveaway!


November 27th Paperback Releases (novellas) from Christina Bauer!

Check Out These Series From Christina Bauer
- Fairy Tales of the Magicorum, a series of modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance
- Beholder, where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love 
- Dimension Drift, a dystopian adventure with science, snark, and hot aliens
- Angelbound, about a quasi (part human and part demon) girl who loves to kick butt in Purgatory’s Arena


 Scythe
Dimension Drift Prequels #1
YA Urban Fantasy



A prequel novella to the new series from USA Today's 'must read YA paranormal romance' author, Christina Bauer.

Truth time. I go to a Learning Squirrel High School. Don’t judge.

On second thought, judge away. Learning Squirrel is one step above attending class in a junkyard. But what do you expect? Everything’s made out of garbage these days. At least, I have my freelance work to keep Mom and me housed, clothed, and fed. How? I’m your regular high school science geek for hire… only my work manipulates space-time. These gigs pay really well, but the government wants people like me dead. Good thing I’m super careful about hiding from their detection systems.

Then I screw up a job. Badly. My house slips into two-dimensional space-time. It only lasts for a few seconds, but the move still sets off about a dozen government alarms. If they track me down, Mom and I are good as dead. Long story short, I need to pay someone off, hide the evidence, and keep us safe.

Unfortunately, that means asking the Scythe for help. He runs the local underground crime scene and has absolutely no conscience. Or I'm pretty sure he doesn’t. It’s hard to think straight when a guy’s that hot in an evil Mafioso kingpin kind of way. More importantly, he's a crime lord who can conceal my slip-up with a few clicks on his minion’s computer keyboards. But the Scythe has his price. In this case, he wants me to finish a certain dimensional prototype for him in twenty-four hours. I can do it, but it might mean Learning Squirrel High gets blown up in the process. Oh yes, and there's also my new hot classmate who may or may not be an alien... and he says he'll do anything to help me.

This job won't be easy, but I’ve gotten out of worse scrapes. Maybe.

"Bauer’s unique voice blends magical fantasy, swooning romance, and a bucketful of teenage sass." - Booklist

This new series is perfect for: fans of urban fantasy, action & adventure, cool science, evil corporations, forbidden romance and hot new classmates who may or may not be aliens.

Buy Links: Amazon


MY TIDBITS

After reading the blurb, I was excited to get my hands on this one. It was even better than I expected.

Meimi is about sixteen years old and a genius. Too bad, she can only use her talents to create devices for the black market, since it's the only way to keep her mother alive. Thanks to her mother's mental illness, she's been placed on the government's to-be-exterminated list. Meimi makes sure the two of them live off grid, but it's not easy. While semi-stealing parts for her latest order, Meimi runs into more than a little trouble, and she finds herself mind-melding with the government's latest killing beast. It could be a dream just like the ones she has about a hot alien guy...but as things get weirder and more dangerous, she begins to question more than her sanity.

This is a book for multi-universe, science fiction, action, teen romance and imagination fans. Meimi is a tough girl...not overly so, though. And it's this which makes her enjoyable. She's a genius in her area—dimension drifts—but she's social null and more than awkward. Plus, she's not a kick-butt heroine like often found in these novels. Her talent is simply her brains. And heart. Her sass is heavy but it fits very well to her situation and background. Plus, she's aware that she doesn't know everything and can't handle every situation. It's easy to like her and connect with her.

Imagination hits science fiction hard and creates a rich, fun world. There's a dash of dystopian which makes for an interesting mix with the multi-universes and dimensions. Not everything is scientifically sound...not even close, but that's also not the point. There is a ton of fun in these pages, and it's a fantastical dive into Meimi's amazing devices and the shifting of dimensions and creatures. The criminal/mafia add-on gives a nice touch as does the problems Meimi faces with her family situation.

The romance hits fast (as is often the case in young adult novels) and that was a little disappointing. But at least, the author makes sure to give a solid reasoning behind the almost 'instant' love in wonderful science fiction style.

This isn't a literary wonder but an enjoyable read to get lost in and an adventure with tons of thrills. I'll be continuing with this series to see what happens next.






Duty Bound
Angelbound Origins #0.5
by Christina Bauer

YA Dark Fantasy









"Christina Bauer has blessed us, people! This book, written from Lincoln's perspective, was simply a treat that I most definitely enjoyed!" - The Reading Life

As the High Prince of the demon-fighting thrax, Lincoln knows he must marry for political gain. Not that he minds. For all of his eighteen years, Lincoln’s been bound to his duty. Fighting demons is his life, and he’s never given romance a second thought. Instead, the High Prince lives for the days when he leaves his hidden realm to fight demons on Earth.


Then, everything changes.


"I call dibs on Lincoln as my book boyfriend and main squeeze." - Accidental Reader


Lincoln and his nobles become forced to visit Purgatory, the home of quasi-demons (who are mostly human with a bit of demonic DNA). Here Lincoln spies Myla Lewis, a lady warrior who enflames his heart, ignites his interest, and inspires his respect. Trouble is, Myla’s also a quasi. By thrax law, Lincoln must kill anything demonic—not date them.


For the first time in his life, Lincoln wonders if he’ll follow his duty…or heed the demands of his heart.


Don't miss this prequel novella to the best-selling Angelbound, told from Prince Lincoln's point of view!

Buy Links: Amazon



Moonlight and Midtown
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1.5
YA Urban Fantasy









“Bauer’s unique voice blends magical fantasy, swooning romance, and a bucketful of teenage sass.” – Booklist

Years ago, Elle — never call her Cinderella — escaped her evil step family in order to build a new life for herself in Manhattan. Today, Elle’s awful past is a distant memory. In fact, Elle even attends West Lake Prep, an exclusive high school where regular humans mix with members of the Magicorum, such as fairies, shifters and witches. Although she still must live in hiding from her evil step family, Elle always has found ways to get whatever her heart desires.

That is, until Alec Le Charme. Sure, Alec is the heir to the Le Charme dynasty of high-end jewelers, but he's also kind, charismatic, and has a knee-melting smile.

“Must-read YA paranormal romance!” - USA Today

Long story short, Elle has fallen for Alec, hard. Unfortunately, thanks to Elle’s evil step family, the Le Charme heir is absolutely off limits. In fact, if Elle and Alec so much as kiss, it will start a magical chain reaction that would end in powerful factions of witches and wizards going to war. As a result, Elle and Alec vow to stay friends, no matter what. Then West Lake Prep holds a masquerade ball. Identities get mixed up and forbidden kisses are finally shared.

Time for the Magicorum to go to war, and for Elle to confront her hidden past in ways she never thought possible.

Buy Links: Amazon




Cradled
Beholder #5
YA Dark Fantasy









"Has romance, adventure, and lots of magical encounters! It definitely satisfied my craving for something exciting!" - Cloud 9 Books

Finally, Elea and Rowan are settling in to their new lives. Trouble is, Rowan is spending a lot of time cleaning up messes from his childhood. And considering the nightmare that was his mother, those are some ugly messes indeed. In fact, the experience is enough to make Rowan vow that he never wants children of his own.


Oops.


"A riveting story with action, love and vengeance...A fantastic read." - The Not So Public LibraryPerfect for readers who love sword and sorcery filled with magic, necromancy, witches and wizards. This series combines fierce females, paranormal romance and epic fantasy. Enjoy! 

Buy Links: Amazon


And here she is...

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!
Twitter: @CB_Bauer





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Blog Tour Organized by:

Happy Book Birthday, The Viking's Captive by Quinn Loftis with Giveaway!



The Viking’s Captive 

Clan Hakon, Book Two
by Quinn Loftis 
Clean Teen Publishing
YA Historical








Prophecy spoken.
Alliances broken.
Will duty come before love?
The Viking’s Captive is the exciting sequel toThe Viking’s Chosen by USA Today Bestseller Quinn Loftis.
Two worlds collide in this epic historical fiction centered on an undeniable chemistry that smolders against the odds. Richly written and injected with moments of humor, this action-packed romantic tale will leave you breathless. 
Novels in The Clan Hakon Series Include:
The Viking’s Chosen (February 12, 2018)
The Viking’s Captive (November 27, 2018)
The Viking’s Consort (Fall 2019)




SNEAK PEEK

“If you vomit on my lap, I will most likely throw you overboard,” Dayna, my incredibly helpful sister, told me for the fourth or fifth time.
“If you hadn’t come running after me like a sodding fool, you wouldn’t have gotten yourself captured. Then you wouldn’t even be on this boat, and you wouldn’t have to worry about me vomiting on you, now, would you?” I asked as I clutched my midsection. My stomach seemed to think it should take its cues from the ocean upon which we sailed. It rolled and flipped just like the waves.
“First, if I hadn’t come after you, then that would make me a coward and not much of a sister, so that was never an option. Second, if I hadn’t gotten captured, then you would be all alone with no one to hold your hair while you vomit, now, wouldn’t you?”
“Do we have to use the term vomit in every sentence?” Hilda, the Hakon clan Oracle, healer, and Torben’s mother, asked dryly.
“Apparently, we do since you just used it yourself,” Dayna pointed out.
Hilda shot me a sly grin, with one eyebrow raised, asked, “You don’t mind if I just put a small hex on her, do you?”
“She is my sister, so I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Thank you,” Dayna said a bit smugly.
“But if you feel it’s absolutely necessary, I guess I could overlook it,” I added, earning me a pinch from said sister.
I had no idea how long it had been since Magnus, Torben’s jarl, had captured us. On one hand, he’d done me a favor. I certainly wasn’t going to have to marry Cathal now. On the other hand, my sister and I were now the prisoners of a man who was slowly losing his mind. I wasn’t sure which was worse, being married to a madman or being stolen by one. For whatever reason, I seemed to have suddenly become a hot commodity to lunatics. I chuckled to myself.
“Pray tell, sister, what is so funny?” Dayna asked.
“Madmen want me,” I said as I groaned and shifted my head, which was indeed lying in my sister’s lap, where I very well might have been sick at any second.
“Do you think she’s already delirious from being at sea?” Dayna asked Hilda.
Hilda snorted¾a most unladylike sound. “We’ve only been at sea for half a day at most. If she’s already delirious, then we are going to need to shore up her constitution.”
I was just about to tell her where she could shove her shoring up when I quickly covered my mouth and sat up. I refused to vomit. If I did, it would feel like Magnus was winning in some bizarre, silent game between the two of us. Once I was sure I could open my mouth without anything but words coming out of it, I addressed Hilda. “I am feeling more than just my own illness, worry, and fear.” I pressed my hand to my heart and rubbed it as if that could somehow remove the ache. “There’s a pain deep in my breast.”
Hilda nodded. “That would be the anchor bond between you and my son. You are feeling his worry and fear as well as your own. And knowing how deeply Torben feels anything, I imagine he is in quite a bit of distress, though he won’t show it on the outside.” She shook her head. “No, he’s a warrior through and through. On the outside, he will look as though he could slit your throat without a second thought. But on the inside, he is frantic to get to you.”
“Is that why you weren’t wailing about the possibility of Torben being dead when Magnus said he was?” Dayna asked.
“I would know if he were dead. A part of me would die inside as well.” I looked back to Hilda. “Will he kill Magnus?” I asked.
She nodded. “It is his destiny to become jarl of the Hakon clan, as it is your destiny to rule at his side. For that to happen, the old jarl must die. Magnus will never relinquish power willingly. Our two nations will grow stronger, not only because they embrace one another’s differences, but because they need new blood. Your offspring will be strong.”
The boat gave a mighty heave, and Dayna and I both nearly fell off the small bench upon which we were perched. Hilda didn’t appear bothered at all by the motion. She noticed the expression I was giving her and shrugged.
“I’ve lived at sea a long time. She and I are well acquainted.”
“Forgive me for speaking out of turn,” Dayna said, gripping the seat beneath her as though it might try to toss her into the bottom of the boat, “but your life has been about as fun as a house rat’s on cleaning day if you’ve spent that much time on the ocean.”

And here she is...
Quinn is an award winning author who lives in beautiful Western Arkansas with her husband, two sons, Nora the Doberman, and Chewy the Cat who thinks he's a dog. She is the author of 17 novels, and 2 novellas, including the USA Today bestseller, Fate and Fury. Quinn is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write. 


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Happy Book Birthday, Black Tie Christmas by Jo Michaels


Black Tie Christmas
by Jo Michaels
YA Sweet Holiday Romance
Edited by Tia Silverthorne Bach with INDIE Books Gone Wild


Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR





Seventeen-year-old Evelyn Hart is a broken shell of her former self. She can’t even talk to the cute barista in the mall who asks for her number without having a panic attack afterward. Barely holding herself together, she heads to the Caymans with her family for a little pre-Christmas trip, needing time to focus on her future career as an artist.
All is well until they check in at the hotel, and Evelyn comes face-to-face with the boy from the mall, Adam. Believing she has a boyfriend, Adam tells her he just wants be friends, and she agrees. They spend their entire vacation hanging out together.
Falling in love wasn’t in her plan, and now, she has no idea how to tell him about the lie—or the incident that left her in pieces—because she’s terrified he’ll run. So, Evelyn lets him return to New York without saying a word.
All she can hope for is understanding from Adam and a little Christmas magic to help her open her heart to someone once again.




Jo Michaels is...
Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.
I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.
At the risk of sounding cliché, I'm going to let it out there and say how much I absolutely adore the man I'm married to. Along with my children, he's my whole world.
I've lived in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, but I've had my feet in almost every state. Traveling is something I adore, and have plans to someday see the Mongolia I've written about in Yassa.
One of my favorite things is hearing from fans! You can find me on social media most any day of the week. Connect! I'd love to hear from you.





“What is with all this glittery stuff?” Evie’s frustration grew as she slapped at another rack of sparkly outfits.
“Duh. It’s nearly Christmas. Everything’s gonna have some kind of glitz happening.” Shana plopped on the couch and threw herself backward, draping her forearm over her face. “You’re killing me. It’s a good thing you’re my best friend, or I would’ve traded you in a long time ago.”
“Shut. Up.” Grabbing a scarf, Evie chucked it at her friend’s head. “You know you love me.”
A grin bloomed on her over-glossed lips. “I do, but that doesn’t mean you’re not being a brat right now. Why don’t we just go to the freaking swimsuit store? You know they’ll have something beachy.”
“Have you seen their prices?”
“Yeah, but it’s not like your family is hurting for cash. What does it matter?” She sat up and threw the scarf back on the rack. It hit the metal, paused for a second, and slowly slid to the floor.
Evie bent over to pick it up and hang it properly as she answered, “Ever wonder why we’re not destitute? My parents are super frugal.”
“You guys are the definition of yuppies.”
With a sigh, she shrugged and waved her hand. “Fine. Let’s go to the swimsuit store.”
They stopped off at the coffee shop for a couple of lattes on the way. One of the baristas took the girls’ orders, and they moved to the end of the counter to wait while he fixed their drinks.
“Girl, he was eying you hard,” Shana said.
Evie turned back to look at the guy again, and she couldn’t stop the quirk of her lip when she saw him glance up, turn red, and go back to what he was doing. He was cute in a boy-band kind of way. His blond hair curled at the ends and was just long enough to graze the tops of thick eyebrows over honey brown eyes. She turned away when he looked at her again, and she grinned at Shana.
“I told you so.”
“And?”
“He’s fine as hell. If you don’t get his number, I’m going to.” Putting her hand on her hip, she pursed her lips and widened her eyes.
“No, you’re not, and neither am I. We have stuff to do.”