This is Not a Werewolf Story by Sandra Evans {Blog Tour Spotlight and Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

This is Not a Werewolf Story

by Sandra Evans
Middle Grade Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 352 pages
July 26th 2016 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

This is the story of Raul, a boy of few words, fewer friends, and almost no family. He is a loner—but he isn’t lonely. All week long he looks after the younger boys at One Of Our Kind Boarding School while dodging the barbs of terrible Tuffman, the jerk of a gym teacher. 

Like every other kid in the world, he longs for Fridays, but not for the usual reasons. As soon as the other students go home for the weekend, Raul makes his way to a lighthouse deep in the heart of the woods. There he waits for sunset—and the mysterious, marvelous phenomenon that allows him to go home, too. But the woods have secrets . . . and so does Raul. When a new kid arrives at school, they may not stay secret for long.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Guest Post:

Sandra Evans is a writer and teacher from the Pacific Northwest. Her forthcoming middle grade novel, This is Not a Werewolf Story (Simon & Schuster July 2016), was inspired by her favorite 12th century French tale, Bisclavret, by Marie de France. Born in Washington state, Sandra spent her childhood on U.S. Navy bases from Florida to Hawaii, and returned to the Northwest as a teenager. Since then, she has lived and traveled in France and Europe, but has never strayed far for long from the Puget Sound region.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter

Tour Schedule

November 28th: Launch

November 29th: The Silver Dagger Scriptorium

November 30th: Brooke Blogs & Katie's Clean Book Collection

December 1st: Beck Valley Books

December 2nd: Wishful Endings

December 4th: With Love for Books & Moonshine Art Spot

December 5th: Falling Leaves

December 6th: Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima & Mel's Shelves

December 7th: Life as Leels

December 8th: deal sharing aunt & Books, Books the Magical Fruit

December 9th: 100 Pages A Day

December 11th: Nish Homeschool Blog

December 12th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

A hardcover copy of THIS IS NOT A WEREWOLF STORY by Sandra Evans plus Swag
Open internationally
Ends December 16th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buying Love by Toni Shiloh {Blog Tour Spotlight with Giveaway}

Series: Maple Run
Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: CelebrateLit Publishing
Publication date: October 27, 2016
Number of pages: 161

Will money ruin everything?

Nina Warrenton is ready for the next step in her life pan: marriage--but no one has proposed. Taking matters into her hand, she places an ad in the newspaper hoping to entice a willing stranger. But when she begins to fall for the small-town chef, she realizes how much she wants him to love her and not her money.

​​Dwight Williams needs fast cash to save the family restaurant. When he sees the monetary offer for husband, he goes for it. He’s determined to save the legacy his dad left him, but can he let it go to prove his love for her?

Can Nina and Dwight find true love, once money has entered the equation?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | AMAZON | BLOG | WEBSITE

​Excerpt from Chapter One:
Nina Warrenton checked her watch for the umpteenth time. He was late. On the one hand, she was thankful; on the other, she was annoyed. Who makes an appointment and shows up late? Granted living in the D.C. Metro area guaranteed multiple opportunities to be late, but she made an effort to arrive on time to any appointment. Too bad the unknown Mr. Williams didn’t hold the same virtue.
She sighed. Had she acted prematurely? Putting an ad for a husband was a little archaic, but she believed it would get the job done. However, none of the previous candidates had panned out. One man had been released from prison a couple of months ago. Another had answered her ad with the hope of moving out of his mother’s place. Still, another had answered her ad because the voices in his head had prompted him to. She shook her head.
Maybe the fact that Mr. Williams was missing was God showing her he wasn’t the one. Maybe he was prematurely balding or had the personality of wilted lettuce. Of course, she had prayed that God would send her the right man, but there was no guarantee He would acquiesce to her request.
She tapped her pen on the table and looked around the room. The coffee shop was filled with D.C. metropolitans ready to embrace the autumn air. It was a gorgeous day with a light breeze and the preferred seventies temperature. Was it possible that Mr. Williams was already here and hiding behind a coffee mug or laptop, to secretly get a first impression without her noticing? She peeked around the shop, but she was the only one alone.
She glanced at her watch again. He was only five minutes late. Maybe he took the metro and it was running behind. On the other hand, maybe he drove and couldn’t find a parking spot. The sound of her pen hitting the table seemed to mark the seconds. She knew this part of D.C. wasn’t filled with ample parking, but she wasn’t ready to excuse him yet. Her place was a block away and she had made the journey in no time.
She glanced down at her aqua journal to review her notes about the man in question. He had filled out the questionnaire she had sent when he contacted her about the ad. She knew he was a few years older than herself and lived in Loudoun County, a suburb in Northern Virginia. Coming from that direction, he probably was stuck in traffic.
She really wasn’t that obsessed with time. However, he was the third candidate she planned on meeting face-to-face. Third time was the charm, right? If so, why wasn’t he here? Why hadn’t Prince Charming swept her off her feet? Shouldn’t she be the one making him wait?
She glanced up at the tinkle of the door chime. She inhaled sharply. In strode a man, wearing a sweater that matched the color of her notebook, a white-collared shirt peeking above his collar and hanging past the sweater’s edge. His maple-brown sugar skin reminded her of her favorite body scrub. He was gorgeous.
She shifted in her seat wondering if he was her missing appointment. Mr. Williams had agreed to bring a white rose so that she could identify him. However, the bookshelf by the door hid his hands. The man scanned the crowd then brought his hands up and took a sniff of the aforementioned flower.
It was him.

Enter the giveaway HERE.

​November 28--Faithfully Bookish
Novebmer 29--Christy's Cozy Corners
November 30--Katie's Clean Book Collection
December 1--Reading is My SuperPower
December 2--Bookworm Lisa
December 3--Singing Librarian Books

Pass Interference by Cami Checketts {Review}

Pass Interference (Book Six Last Play Series) by guest author Cami Checketts

Kindle Edition

Published November 17th 2016 by Birch River Publishing

Hyde Metcalf, wide receiver for the Denver Storm, is recovering from pneumonia and needs the best personal trainer in Colorado to get him in shape for the season. With his dad missing again and his mom fighting Alzheimer’s, it's crucial he stays close to home.
Lily Udy idolizes Hyde Metcalf and the Denver Storm. Her dream is to be a team trainer someday. When Hyde walks into the gym she’s working at and her boss gives her the opportunity to train him, it’s more than a dream come true.  

Hyde thinks he may have found the perfect trainer and maybe more with Lily, until another man who wants Lily for himself, the media, his mom, and a horrible accident come between them. Happily ever after may be a pass that neither of them can jump high enough to reach.

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My Review: 4 Stars

I feel like I need to hang my head in shame because I haven't read any of the other books in this series...yet. Too many books, too little time. However, this book can completely stand on its own. Confession time: I have some weird fascination with professional athletes and celebrities--I love them and their lives, especially when they're like Hyde. I also love the idea of an average girl, like Lily, finding a relationship with someone of this fame.

Hyde plays football and an illness at the end of the football season leaves him in desperate need for a trainer to whip him into shape for the upcoming season. Enter Lily. She's got grit, determination, and doesn't back down on her trainer skills for someone with national popularity. They each come from opposite sides of the tracks, but their common interests are enough to support a solid working relationship with a fragile personal side. 

I love Hyde! He's tough and fierce in his sport, but he's a big ol' softy off the field. He's generous, almost to a fault, but has a jealous streak that I couldn't help but adore. Lily is motivated and aggressively loyal, especially when her large family is involved. She's got priorities and nothing messes with her--except her small streak of insecurity. The explosive combination of their personalities ignites a genuine and turbulent chemistry that ensnared my heart. I definitely need to go back and read the other books in this series, so that I can get the full scoop on those whom I only caught glimpses of in this story.

Content: mild romance

*I received a copy from the author with no obligation to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Buy Link:

About the Author:

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

www.camichecketts.com

  

Cover Reveal: Lana's Ex Prom Date by Amy Sparling

Today is the cover reveal for 

Lana's Ex Prom Date by Amy Sparling! 

This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.

Lana's Ex Prom Date
By Amy Sparling
Genre: Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 6 December, 2016

Blurb:
Lana Clarke just got asked out by one of the hottest guys in school. Toby Fitzgerald is undeniably gorgeous, but his charismatic personality makes Lana the envy of every girl at Fawkes High. Senior prom is right around the corner, and although Lana had planned on a stag outing with her friends, Ashlyn and Bennet, Toby asks her to be his date in the most romantic way ever. Her friends are bummed, but support her anyway. After all, Toby Fitzgerald is the boyfriend everyone wants.

Lana’s life is now perfect—until Toby breaks up with her three days before prom.

But he’s a nice guy, and he still wants to take her to prom as a friend. After all, they’d already rented a limo and picked out Lana’s dress together. Her friends think she shouldn’t ditch them for a guy who ditched her, but when she discovers Toby’s secret, she’ll have to choose between lying to her friends, or lying to the whole school.

You can find Lana's Ex Prom Date on Goodreads

Pre-Order:

  

About the Author:
Amy Sparling is the author of The Summer Unplugged Series, Deadbeat & other awesome books for younger teens. She lives in Texas and has an addiction to sparkly nail polish, taking photos of her cute dog, and swooning over book boyfriends.

You can find and contact Amy here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Instagram
- Goodreads

A Taste of Home by Annette Lyon {Review}

A Taste of Home by Annette Lyon

ebook

Published November 28th 2016 by Smashwords Edition 

 

From USA TODAY bestselling author Annette Lyon comes an enchanting Christmas novella: Claire Jennings is headed home to spend Christmas with her family, riding the train with Will Rhodes, who grew up across the street. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire learns that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She’s stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. Will stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.


A TASTE OF HOME was first published in the SILVER BELLS COLLECTION from TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGIES.

 

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

I love a romance about two people who grew up together, but never have a mutual attraction until later. Maybe that's because my husband and I grew up together, yet didn't have a relationship until college. :)

William was the kind of boy who tormented Claire, but how else is he supposed to capture her attention? Now that they both work in CA, William is escorting Claire home for the holidays. And he's nothing like the boy she once knew.

I love how sweet and thoughtful William is. He truly has Claire in mind, as he strives to make this a Christmas to remember. Claire is as sweet and pretty as ever and isn't one to hold a grudge. This is a very sweet Christmas story and it's dear to my heart.

Content: mild romance 

 

*I received a copy from the author. I voluntarily reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.*  

 

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Buy Links:

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ePl33V
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1125125091?ean=2940153845654
iTunes/Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-taste-of-home/id1175198275?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-taste-of-home-1
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/680742
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32945122-a-taste-of-home

 

About the Author:

 

Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, a 4-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (twice for novel-length works and twice for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Annette is represented by Heather Karpas at ICM Partners.

Love For All Seasons by Stacy Henrie {Blog Tour Review with Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Love for All Seasons
(Four Inspirational Historical Romance Novellas)
Inspirational Historical Romance
ebook, 164 pages
November 9th 2016

If you like the inspirational historical romances of Deanne Gist and Lauraine Snelling, you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie! With four novellas—one for each season of the year—you’ll find a heartwarming collection of couples from a simpler time in America who discover the redeeming powers of faith and love.

A Long Winter Kiss

As Samantha and Rex’s childhood friendship matured into young love, they promised their hearts to one another, even as Rex headed off to war. But their hope for a bright future was shattered when Rex succumbed to his belief that the horrors of war had made him a man no woman could love. Now he has returned, and Samantha must help Rex see that he still has much to give—and much more to gain—by replacing fear with faith and opening himself to love.

An Unlikely Spring Courtship

Tempest worked hard to secure her independence as a woman running her own mercantile, so when Bram has the audacity to open a competing shop in a town with only enough room for one, Tempest is driven to despair. And then to retaliation. But when tragedy strikes their community and threatens everything they both hold dear, will they be able to recognize that what they share is far more important than what separates them?

A Summer for Love

Loralee’s life has changed dramatically in the eight years since she’s last seen the resort town of Bayocean, but one thing that has never changed is her feelings for Wyatt, a man she promised to meet at the resort on a specific day if they were both still unattached. When Wyatt appears on that date, as hopeful and uncertain as Loralee, the two must see if an old and abiding love has outlasted the changes wrought by time—and begin to build a new life together.

Romance in Autumn

Phoebe and James grew up together but apart in the same beautiful mansion, he as the son of the owners, she as the daughter of a servant. In the years since, Phoebe’s fortunes have changed dramatically, and she carries the dream of one day owning the mansion that is still close to her heart. Until James—now a deeply compelling man—delivers the bad news that securing the purchase will be all but impossible. As Phoebe reluctantly relinquishes her dream, she will also look deep into her soul to learn that a true home might exist in her budding love for James.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

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My Review: 5 Stars

I love this author's writing style and loved how well the novellas came together into stories that felt complete. For as much as I complain about certain seasons (namely winter because I hate being freezing cold all of the time...and maybe autumn because right now, I'm pretty tired of raking leaves), I LOVE having seasons. There are things that I love about each and every one and having a sweet story set in each season is truly magical.

The holidays come alive with Samantha and Rex's second chance romance. The effects of the Civil War don't leave this couple unscathed and I enjoyed how everything played out. Their friendly competitions put a smile on my face, as did their later interactions.

Tempest and Bram engage in a fierce rivalry with competing businesses. I love how feisty and dedicated each of them are, but especially Tempest, who really lives up to her name. The way they come to awareness over their behaviors is delightful.

Loralee and Wyatt have a charming deal--if they're both unattached, they'll meet up and see if it's possible to kindle a romance. What better way to spend a summer? These two characters are adorable and their story warmed my heart as fast as the summertime sun.

Phoebe and James live opposite lives in the same world. This autumn romance shows that it just might be possible for love to conquer all--even social statuses. The hopeful current of this concluding novella is the perfect finish to a great collection.

If you want little snippets to brighten your day and take you through a year of weather, holidays, and love, try this book out! 

Content: mild romance; very mild war violence.

*I received a copy through Prism Book Tours. A favorable review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

Tour Schedule

November 27th: Launch

November 28th:

Katie's Clean Book Collection

Heidi Reads...

November 29th:

The Power of Words

Hardcover Feedback

November 30th:

Bookworm Lisa

Reading Is My SuperPower

Zerina Blossom's Books

December 1st:

Tell Tale Book Reviews

Wishful Endings

December 2nd:

Singing Librarian Books

Jessica and Gracie's Tree

Mel's Shelves

Bookworm Nation

Rockin' Book Reviews

December 4th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$40 Amazon eGift Card and Winner's Choice of an ebook of Any of Stacy Henrie's Books (you can see her books listed on Amazon here)

Open internationally
Ends December 8th

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To Move the World by Regina Sirois {Power of the Matchmaker #10) by Regina Sirois {Review}

To Move the World (A Power of the Matchmaker series, #10) by Regina Sirois
Published October 1st 2016



Eve Brannon never had to bother planning out her future. In the Yorkshire dales where life is harder, it is also simpler. Next in line to inherit her family's farm, she will raise another generation of children and sheep high in the uplands of England. Waiting until next year when she is 19 to marry her father's handsome hired hand, Alan, is the detail she added herself.

But in 1939 even the most stalwart corners of the world are vibrating with the tremors of change. Eve's long-anticipated proposal comes on the wings of losing Alan to the Royal Army and at the brink of the farm's profitable war years the sheep herd is decimated by a mysterious illness. With her steady future suddenly in the clutches of a capricious fate, Eve is introduced to Jonathon Doran, a land manager anxious to prove himself in a crisis, and she discovers that the solid earth beneath her feet is moving after all.

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My Review: 5 Stars

I've really enjoyed reading this series--The Power of the Matchmaker. Each book is written by a different author and I've loved discovering new-to-me authors and this one is fantastic! She has an amazing way of writing that blew me away.

Eve lives on her family's sheep farm in England in 1939. With rumblings of war, her world is not only turned upside down when friends enlist, but also when a mystery ailment attacks the sheep and threatens to destroy their livelihood. This is a great story showcasing the typical life of a working-class family during this time period. The plot closely follows the normal rise and fall of Eve's emotions, decisions, social life, and personality. I felt a strong tie and connection to each character, but especially to Eve.

The gentle nature of this story swept me away, heart and soul. The imagery evoked vivid collections of nostalgic feelings right smack in the middle of my heart and they chained me to these characters in a way that wouldn't allow me to escape. I was completely moved by the plot and the emotions I felt. This is a wonderful addition to the series.

 

My only complaint is that Pearl, the Matchmaker, hardly makes an appearance. I believe she's in there only twice and not until well over halfway through the book. I kept wondering if this one was really part of the series. She plays another great part in the story though. 

  

Content: mild violence; mild romance (a love triangle of sorts, but nothing more than kissing).

*I received a copy through eBooks for Review. I voluntarily reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Buy Links:

 

  

About the Author:

 

Winner of the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for my debut novel, On Little Wings, available 5/30/13 from Penguin/Viking.
I am a housewife, mother, writer, interior decorator and avid reader.

Dreaming Sophia by Melissa Muldoon {Blog Tour Spotlight with Giveaway}

Dreaming Sophia by Melissa Muldoon

Book Description:

Dreaming Sophia is a magical look into Italy, language, art, and culture. It is a story about turning dreams into reality and learning to walk the fine line between fact and fantasy. When tragedy strikes, Sophia finds herself alone in the world, without direction and fearful of loving again. With only her vivid imagination to guide her, she begins a journey that will take her from the vineyards in Sonoma, California to a grad school in Philadelphia and, eventually, to Italy: Florence, Lucca, Rome, Verona, Venice, and Val d’Orcia.

​Through dreamlike encounters, Sophia meets Italian personalities—princes, poets, duchesses, artists, and film stars— who give her advice to help put her life back together. Following a path that takes her from grief to joy, she discovers the source of her creativity and learns to love again, turning her dreams into reality.

Buy the Book:  

Amazon – print

Amazon / Kindle – ebook

Create Space

I-tunes – Apple Store-ebook

Barnes & Noble – ebook

Inktera-ebook

Author's Bio:

Melissa Muldoon is the Studentessa Matta-the crazy linguist! In Italian, "matta" means "crazy" or "impassioned". Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master's degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence.

Melissa promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog, Studentessa Matta (studentessamatta.com). Melissa began the Matta blog to improve her command of the language and to connect with other language learners. It has since grown to include a podcast, "Tutti Matti per l'Italiano" and the Studentessa Matta YouTube channel. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Tours, which she co-leads with Italian partners in Italy.

Dreaming Sophia is Melissa's first novel. It is a fanciful look at art history and Italian language and culture, but it is also the culmination of personal stories and insights resulting from her experiences living in Italy, as well as her involvement and familiarity with the Italian language, painting, and art history.

As a student, Melissa lived in Florence with an Italian family. She studied art history and painting and took beginner Italian classes. When she returned home, she threw away her Italian dictionary, assuming she'd never need it again but after launching a successful design career and starting a family, she realized something was missing in her life. That "thing" was the connection she had made with Italy and the friends who live there. Living in Florence was indeed a life-changing event! Wanting to reconnect with Italy, she decided to start learning the language again from scratch. As if indeed possessed by an Italian muse, she bought a new Italian dictionary and began her journey to fluency-a path that has led her back to Italy many times and enriched her life in countless ways.

Now, many dictionaries and grammar books later, she dedicates her time to promoting Italian language studies, further travels in Italy, and sharing her stories and insights about Italy with others. When Melissa is not traveling in Italy, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is married and has three boys and two beagles.

Melissa designed and illustrated the cover art for Dreaming Sophia. She also designed the Dreaming Sophia website and created the character illustrations that can be found in the book and on the Dreaming Sophia websites.

Connect with the Author:  

​Website  ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Youtube ~ Pinterest


Book Trailer: 

a 

Giveaway:​

 

Prizes: ​ Win a copy of Dreaming Sophia (print open to USA & Can, ebook int’l) One winner will get the grand prize package that includes a copy of the book, calendar, mug and tote bag (USA & CAN only) 7 winners total

Ends Dec 24

 

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The Charming Life of Izzy Malone by Jenny Lundquist {Book Blast and Giveaway}

 
The Charming Life of Izzy Malone 
by Jenny Lundquist

Izzy Malone isn’t your typical sixth grader. She wears camouflage combat boots and tie dye skirts; the Big Dipper and Orion are her two best friends; and she’d rather climb trees or shoot hoops than talk about boys and makeup. And after only a month of middle school she’s already set the record for the most trips to the Principal’s office. The only time Izzy feels at peace is when she’s on the open water, and more than anything else, she wants to become a member of the Dandelion Paddlers, her school’s competitive rowing club. But thanks to those multiple trips to the Principal’s office, Izzy’s parents force her to enroll in Mrs. Whippie’s Charm School, a home-study course in manners and etiquette, or they won’t let her race in Dandelion Hollow's annual pumpkin regatta—where Izzy hopes to prove to the Dandelion Paddlers she is more than qualified to be on their team. When Mrs. Whippie’s first letter arrives it’s way different from what Izzy was expecting. Tucked inside the letter is a shiny gold bracelet and an envelope charm. Izzy must earn her first charm by writing someone a nice note, and once she does more tasks will be assigned. Izzy manages to complete some of the tasks—and to her surprise, she actually finds herself enjoying the course. But when one of her attempts at doing something good is misinterpreted, she fears her chances at passing the course—and becoming a Paddler—are slipping away. With some unexpected friends there to support her, can Izzy manage to earn her charms and stay true to herself?


Praise for the Book:

“Izzy’s frank, vulnerable, sassy first-person narration reveals her surprising journey from a solitary girl talking to the stars to a girl with friends to light her way…This story of an atypical girl, her family, and friends, laced with middle school drama, is indeed a charming one.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A heartwarming coming-of-age journey…Lundquist deftly portrays the pain of being odd girl out, both at school and at home.” –Publisher’s Weekly

 

Excerpt

Coco grunted and stuck a pumpkin on her bookcase. “Consider yourself lucky. The only reason you’re not in Principal Chilton’s office right now is because Ms. Harmer decided stealing keys is a bigger offense than climbing trees…And how many more times am I going to have to tell you not to put your feet up on my desk?”

 

“I don’t know,” I said. “How many more times do you think I’ll get sent to your office?”

 

“That’s a mystery to me. You’ve only been here a month and I think you already hold the school record. It’s been—What?—two days since I last saw you? When you kicked Tyler Jones in the shin.”

 

“That was totally not my fault. Tyler called me a weirdo and a waste of space.”

 

“‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me.’ It’s a saying,” Coco said. 

 

“Ever heard of it?”

 

“You know what? Now that you mention it, I think I have!” I nearly sprained my eyeballs; I was trying so hard not to roll them. Words are a weapon, and rotten kids like Tyler Jones get a free pass when it comes to using them, because the marks they leave are invisible. Why don’t more adults realize that?

 

 

Author Jenny Lundquist 

Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA, where she spent her time unsuccessfully learning how to surf. When she was younger, she wanted to be either a rock star or a published author. After she taped herself singing and listened to it on playback she decided she'd better opt for the writing route. Jenny is the author of Seeing Cinderella and Plastic Polly as well as the young adult titles The Princess in the Opal Mask and The Opal Crown.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

       
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/12/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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The Forgotton Carols 25th Anniversary Tour {with Giveaway}

Popular Musical Production ‘The Forgotten Carols’ celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Forgotten Carols, a seasonal concert favorite, celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year.  Michael McLean, a well-known performer, composer, songwriter, author and director staged his first one-man concert in 1991 with the hopes of it becoming a tradition families would enjoy. For those first performances McLean played all the parts to give people a sense of how families could create their own narration at home. 

Over the course of the last 25 years, McLean’s modest one-man show has evolved into a huge theatrical production with over 1 million concertgoers enjoying the music that has become a time-honored Christmas tradition and attracts repeat attendance from guests of all ages. The show has been produced all over the world in limited runs, including shows in Ireland, Germany, England and even Ukraine. “One of the great things about touring is seeing the familiar faces that have been coming for years and are part of the Forgotten Carols family,” shares McLean. “New comers and longtime devoted fans of this production keep the magic of the performance alive. We embrace, giggle, and sometimes cry at these reunions.”  

The Forgotten Carols 2016 concert schedule includes performances in four states Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. The production has arranged over 20 shows in 12 different cities and showcases an elegant arrangement of special musical choral performances and solos. McLean stars as one of the musical’s primary characters, John, an elderly gentleman who helps Constance, a young nurse who can’t be bothered with Christmas, discover a new love for the season.   

Each year, local community and student choirs are invited to perform alongside the professional Forgotten Carol company members during the concert in their cities. It’s important to McLean and the show's producers to preserve this tradition that keeps the magic alive for an enchanting experience each year.

Performance tickets are on sale now. For a complete listing of concert dates and locations or to purchase tickets visit the website at www.forgottencarols.com. 

My Experience:

Years ago, I was able to attend one of these shows and it was an amazing and incredible experience. The Christmas Spirit was so strong and the songs are absolutely moving.  This experience was one that stuck with me for a long, long time, as I reflected on the powerful message and touching music throughout the holiday season. I would highly recommend this show to everyone!

More Information:

Video: https://youtu.be/ffmjw1NtHgw

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forgottencarols

RECENT NEWS INTERVIEW:  http://www.good4utah.com/news/midday/where-to-see-the-forgotten-carols

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