Simply West of Heaven by Monique Bucheger
Release Date: 1 Jan. 2013 ~ Number of pages: 288
Genre: Mid-Grade ~ Warnings: None
​Synopsis
     When her dad confiscates her deceased mom’s journals, 12-year-old Ginnie West counts on her BFF, Tillie, to help her get them back. But Tillie's not so sure the ghost of Ginnie's mom will make a good addition to their new family tree.
       Then the girls' world gets flipped upside-down when a blast from the past shows up and makes Tillie go nutburgers. Life gets complicated when Ginnie is forced to choose between helping her best friend and getting the answers she’s always dreamed of.
BUY Link: AMAZON 

 What reviewers are saying about this book:
*Like Anne of "Anne of Green Gables," Ginnie is a character you can't help but love."

*I couldn't put these books down. I was not only entertained, but inspired."

* An excellent book that deals with the sensitive topics of bullying, abuse and forgiveness. It is action packed and full of raw emotions."

*Bucheger does an amazing job of writing this story but without giving a cookie cutter answer to the problems Ginnie faces."

ABOUT The AUTHOR
        When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.
       Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in anygiven day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, twelve grand-darlings, too many cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books in three series and hopes to write many more.
~ Facebook ~ Website ~ ~ Twitter

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The Crownless King (The Broken Prince #2)
By Kara Linaburg
YA Fantasy |  Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages |September 1, 2020
BOOK BLURB:
        She won't meet her worst enemy on the battlefield...
        War is brewing and the kingdom of Sindaleer is torn as the Knights of Norcir draw the folk to their side. When Sabriel, a specially Gifted, pledges her blood to their cause, she is ready to give all to bring the peace her leader promises. She understands Tirich's deep hatred toward the king, and has prepared for this moment all her life.But when her identity as a knight is discovered by the childhood friend who betrayed her years ago, Sabriel's plans for justice come toppling down. Now distracted by what once was, Sabriel fights to hold onto what she's believed to be true for so long.
       Nick never forgot the red-headed lass of years past, but she's not the friend he remembers. As enemies connected by their past take opposing sides on their country's freedom, Nick refuses to believe what she's become.
        Voices warning Sabriel she'll never succeed, and loyalties torn, she begins to realize that all is not as it seems. Tirich's power is growing stronger, and she fears she was wrong about the good she once saw in him.
       The concluding book following The Broken Prince, reminds us of the inner war we all face, and what it means to rise from the ashes when all hope feels lost.
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REVIEW by VICKIE:

The Crownless King - Kara Linaburg

As with The Broken Prince, I loved this story. There is so much to this story. All the feelings each character has about themselves and others has so much depth.
The characters are well-developed and it is easy to feel their emotions.
The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
I highly recommend this story to all age groups. It is a fun and enlightening story.
I give it a literary rating of 5/5

OTHER BOOKS in the SERIES:

The Broken Prince (The Broken Prince #1)
By Kara Linaburg
YA Fantasy |  Paperback & ebook, 217 Pages | June 3, 2019
BOOK BLURB:
      In all the fairy tales the maiden falls in love with the prince...but she has to remember that this isn’t a fairy tale...
     Born into a kingdom where those of magical Gifts are rejected, feared, and even killed, Serena has spent her life striving to hide her ability and keep her younger brother safe.
     The bastard son of the hated king and father he hardly knows, Prince Milosh is considered an outcast. He never expects to feel anything but contempt for the peasant girl who unexpectedly shows up in his life, forcing him to answer questions he never wished to ask.
    When two very different worlds are thrown together under less than desirable circumstances, both hold deep judgement towards the other. But will they learn to see beyond their stations and birth so that they may defeat the coming darkness, or will labels given to them at birth continue to define them?
       A heart-stopping tale about the power of human love, and how each of us are never truly alone.

(Affiliate link included.)
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Five Things to Know Before You Begin Creating a Fantasy World

        Once upon a time a young teenage girl wanted to be like Tolkien or C.S Lewis or J.K Rowling or any of the other numerous famous authors who created vast and amazing storyworlds.
But guess what?
        You are not other authors.
     As much as I love Harry Potter and would love to be the next J.K Rowling, that is not my destiny.
      You are you. I have my own story to tell, my own magical plot to create. I hold myself back when I choose to try and match up with other authors or do “another wizard story.”
       Create a backstory.
    Middle Earth is one of my favorite layered storyworlds because of how vast and detailed Tolkien made it. The language and history blows my mind as an author. I cannot even imagine having the brain to be that creative.
      The key to creating any storyworld is backstory. Regardless if you choose to use all the information in your books, choose to write the backstory of your world. I spent countless hours in high school asking questions about Sindaleer, such as why did the Guardians live in a tower in the middle of the water? What celebrations and holidays and remembrances were special to the Sindaleerian folk? Who did they consider outcasts? Who did they fear? The answers to these questions eventually led to small subplots for “The Broken Prince” and “The Crownless King.”
        Use real life.
      I grew up on Narnian stories. One reason Narnia resonated with so many readers of its time was that C.S Lewis used real life as a base for his world. Children during wartime was something his young readers could relate to and identify with. They understood the fear and the need for courage. Don’t talk about something you don’t understand—talk about what you know. I based Sindaleer terrain off of my home state of West Virginia as well as some of Florida. I then did massive research on vikings and combined it with my love of Native American history.
       Dare to be unique.
     The Giver is known for helping launch the dystopian genre. After reading the book in high school, I fell in love with what Lois Lowry had done. Ms Lowry didn’t write and worry about
whether her book was current or not: she wrote what needed to be written, going on to impact many lives and creating a launching pad for the dystopian genre.
       It’s easy to fall prey to the cliche. It’s easy to do what’s already been done. Jackaby from William Ritter (one of my favorite storyworlds ever created), combines aspects of Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes and other popular stories into something still very fresh and unique that holds true to Mr. Ritter’s writing voice, not a copycat for previous authors.
       Create what needs to be written, not what’s already been done.
       Don’t rush the process.
     Whether it’s about the writing process or the character creation or world building or creating a new language, always and continually ask a lot of questions and don’t rest until you find the answers. Be okay with taking your time. Be okay with not meeting goals because you have more to accomplish than first thought.
      We learn until we die, and life is a journey of learning. Some people say it took Tolkien nearly 57 years to complete the creation of Middle Earth.
       So in saying that, I only have 50 more years to go. ;)

About the Author
​
Kara Linaburg is most content sipping an iced chai while watching the sun set over the mountains of her home in West Virginia. When she's not dreaming about her next adventure or being a mad scientist in the kitchen, you can find on www.thebeautifullybrokenblog.com where she strives for authenticity and beauty in a broken world. The Crownless King is her second novel.

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a signed print copy of 
The Broken Prince and a
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TOUR SCHEDULE:
August 31st: Launch
Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt
Christy's Cozy Corners - Guest Post
My Life Loves andPassion - Review
September 1st:
Rockin' Book Reviews - Review & Guest Post
Splashes of Joy - Interview
​Andi's Young Adult Books - Guest Post
September 2nd:
Library Lady's Kid Lit - Review
Adventurous Bookworm - Excerpt
Losing the Busyness - Review
September 3rd:
Bookworm Lisa - Review
Wishful Endings - Guest Post
Beauty in the Binding - Excerpt
September 4th:
Rincón de Joss - Review
Locks, Hooks and Books - Guest Post
Hallie Reads – Excerpt

GUARDIAN OF THE SKY REALMS by Gerry Huntman
RELEASE DATE: 9/1/20
GENRE: Upper Middle-Grade / Lower YA / Fantasy

SUMMARY:
   Maree Webster—an "almost-emo" from the western suburbs of Sydney—hates school, has few friends, and is obsessed with angels and fallen angel stories. Life is boring until she decides to steal a famous painting from a small art gallery that has been haunting her dreams: swirling reds, grays and oranges of barely discernible winged figures. There, she meets a stranger who claims to know her and stumbles into a world where cities float in the sky, and daemons roam the barren, magma-spewing crags of the land far below. And all is not well—Maree is turning into something she loves but at the same time, fears. Most fearful of all is the prospect of losing her identity—what makes her Maree, and more importantly, what makes her human. 
        Guardian of the Sky Realms takes the reader on a journey through exotic fantasy lands, as well as across the globe, from Sydney to Paris, from the Himalayas to Manhattan. At its heart, it is a novel about transformation. Book two of the series will be released in 2021.
BUY LINKS: Meerkat Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Painting AD 2015
     
        It was a balmy night but Maree shivered, buttoning up her coat. It was fear. Not for something specific, but the unknown--the back lanes of the Rocks were dark and menacing at midnight.
        This was one of the oldest parts of Sydney and many of the narrow buildings she silently passed were over two hundred years old. In the old days, footpads and other villains frequented the narrow byways. They killed for a few shillings. The history of the area was tangible; you could smell it, taste it, and every shadow seemed to form into a knife-wielding psychopath.
       Maree kept reminding herself that she had an overactive imagination as she continued down Kendell Lane, looking for No. 42. Still, she glanced over her shoulder every few seconds.
      “There,” she whispered, when she spotted the rusty number in the dim light. The sign underneath it read: Azimuth Gallery. Viewings by appointment only
            .... Not this night.
       Maree made sure no one was in sight. She pulled out a pair of stiff wires and clumsily picked the old lock, following the instructions of a dubious website she had looked up the previous night. It took a while, but she won the struggle when she heard the tell-tale click.
        She quickly entered the old building and shut the door. She pulled out a pocket torch and flashed it around to get her bearings. It was, in some ways, scarier in the gallery than in the lanes, as the paintings in the shadows appeared to come to life, shifting as the torch flickered by, the eyes of abstract figures seemingly following her. She shivered again, wandering into the next room, picking up her pace as if to avoid the gaze of the phantoms behind her.
  Her torchlight almost immediately found the painting she was after. Wings in Despair. The picture she saw on the web; the magnificent work of art she had to have. This was not going to be theft for profit—this was for her.She had been dreaming about the painting for weeks, the swirling reds, grays and oranges of barely discernible winged figures; angels perhaps, but the subject matter wasn’t angelic. There was grief and death in it. She needed to study it alone, to absorb the artist’s impression, to feel the bumps of paint under her fingertips, to grasp the complete meaning of the work.
       Maree held her breath and approached the painting. It was larger than she thought, almost four-foot square. The colors were also richer, more vivid, and the winged man and . . . yes, woman! were more evident. She was in awe, frozen with wonder before it.
        “A beautiful work, no?” came a deeply masculine voice from behind her.
She started in surprise, but she didn’t move an inch. She was frozen with fear.
The voice came again, this time a little closer. “Don’t worry. I’m a stranger in this gallery as well. I too have an . . . affinity with the painting.”
        A cold sweat bead ran down Maree’s neck. She found the courage to turn around. A tall man stood before her, no more than five feet away. He had short-cropped hair—light, but the exact color was unclear in the shadows. His eyes were pale, perhaps gray; his face was thin but his body seemed full and fit. It was hard to tell his age; perhaps in his early twenties, possibly older.
        “I suppose you are wondering why I am here?”
        Maree’s voice was weak, still with fear. “I . . . I suppose so . . .”
  “I also wanted to see the painting. I have looked upon it before but never tire of viewing the captured emotions on the canvas.” He slipped past Maree and came within a few feet of Wings in Despair. “Do you mind?” he asked, pointing to her torch.
        She complied, standing next to the stranger, and illuminated the painting.
  The mysterious visitor’s voice mellowed, almost breaking with emotion. “This is the story of Alanar, Guardian of the Northern Sky Realm, and his share-heart, Mirriam. They were Protectors and fought the daemons of the Fire Lands valiantly, never allowing the enemy to taint the Homelands. Protectors always work in pairs, as a team.” The stranger started to cry, not vocally, just allowing the tears to slowly flow down his cheeks. “One day a stray arrow dug deep into Mirriam’s breast, piercing her heart. Alanar was devastated, and he caught her as she fell and carried her in his flight to the Homelands.
   “This painting captures the moment when Mirriam’s body was caught. It faithfully portrays the agony of Alanar, his yellow-tipped wings rippling in the wind as he concludes his terrible descent. The swirling colors reflect the awful light of the Fire Lands but they also depict Alanar’s darkened heart. I look upon this work and I cannot but weep.”
      His words rang true to Mirriam. How could this be? she asked herself, for this was but an artist’s fantasy; and yet she now realized why she was drawn to the painting. There was some inherent truth on the canvas. It said something to her that she needed. She also began to weep.
         He turned his gaze to her. “You feel this too?”
        She could only nod. Words were too difficult at that moment.
        “And why?”
        She shrugged her shoulders. She still couldn’t speak.
        “Come with me.”
        Maree turned to the stranger. She saw compassion in his face, and yet they only met a few minutes ago. Maree wanted to instantly reply “yes” but all she could do was stare at him quizzically.
        He laughed while he cried. “Look at the painting again.”
        She did. The swirling colors suddenly came to life; they actually were swirling.
      “You are linked with this painting in so many ways,” Alanar said. “From the moment you were born you were meant to do this.”
        She didn’t know why but she allowed herself to fall into the painting, and then, without warning, she unfurled her expansive, blue-tipped wings, and flew into the maelstrom of colors.
Alanar gently grasped her shoulders, to steady her clumsy flight.
         “It has been a long time, Mirriam.”
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gerry Huntman is a writer and publisher based in Melbourne Australia, living with his wife and young daughter. He has sold over 50 short fiction pieces, most of which are dark and for mature audiences, but he also has a love for middle grade fiction. He loves travel and gets many of his story ideas from distant lands and culture, but is equally happy with the cafe set in his hometown.

AUTHOR LINKS: Website | Twitter

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ESME’s GIFT by Elizabeth FosterPaperback, 266 pages
Published November 30th 2019 by Odyssey Books
ISBN: 1925652831 (ISBN13: 9781925652833)
BOOK BLURB:
        Terror was within. Terror was without.
         Like her mother, she was at the water’s mercy.
   In the enchanted world of Aeolia, fifteen-year-old Esme Silver faces her hardest task yet. She must master her unruly Gift—the power to observe the past—and uncover the secrets she needs to save her mother, Ariane.
       In between attending school in the beguiling canal city of Esperance, Esme and her friends—old and new—travel far and wide across Aeolia, gathering the ingredients for a potent magical elixir.
        Their journey takes them to volcanic isles, sunken ruins and snowy eyries, spectacular places fraught with danger, where they must face their deepest fears and find hope in the darkest of places.
        Esme’s Gift, the second instalment in the Esme trilogy, is a gripping fantasy adventure for readers 12 years and over.

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​ESME’S WISH by Eliabeth Foster
Paperback, 252 pages
Published October 30th 2017 by Odyssey Books
ISBN: 1925652246 (ISBN13: 9781925652246)
BOOK BLURB:
        This was her last chance.
        Her hand twisted high in the air.
    When fifteen-year-old Esme Silver objects at her father's wedding, her protest is dismissed as the action of a stubborn, selfish teenager. Everyone else has accepted the loss of Esme's mother, Ariane--so why can't she?
    But Esme is suspicious. She is sure that others are covering up the real reason for her mother's disappearance--that 'lost at sea' is code for something more terrible, something she has a right to know.
     After Esme is accidentally swept into the enchanted world of Aeolia, the truth begins to unfold. With her newfound friends, Daniel and Lillian, Esme retraces her mother's steps in the glittering canal city of Esperance, untangling the threads of Ariane's double life. But the more Esme discovers about her mother, the more she questions whether she really knew her at all.
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Book Details:
FINDING HOME by Corinne Joy Brown
and Ginny McDonald
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 
130 pages | Genre: General Fiction |  Publisher:  Loose Cayuse Productions
Release date:   June 2019 |  
Tour dates: August 3 to 21, 2020
Content Rating:  G. There are no expletives,
sex scenes or bad language anywhere.
Book Description:
     For every girl or boy who owns a horse, or wished they did, “Finding Home” brings all the drama and beauty of America’s wild horses to the middle-grade reader.
    A coming-of-age story and a tale about friendship, trust and understanding, both horse and owner have powerful lessons to learn. Together, young Jesse Nolan from Colorado and her wild mustang, Curly Girl, rounded up in Wyoming, discover what it means to rely on oneself, as well as those who love you most.

Buy the Book: Finding Home ~ Amazon ~ B&N

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
    Written as viewed by the young girl, Jesse, and also through he thoughts of Curly Girl, it offers a doubly entertaining reading experience. 
     Jesse always loved horses. Her love of horses increased as she was able to live two Summers with her aunt and uncle in Wyoming.  It increased more, when she was able to get a Summer job, when only 13-years-of-age, with her uncle! Her home life was very unpleasant. Her parents' quarrels ended with their separation two years ago. She wished her dad was more like his brother.
    Jessie couldn't believe her parents actually agreed to her getting her own horse from the BLM auction! 
    Curly Girl was two years old when she was terrified by a loud, noisy object and taken away from her mother and the other Mustangs which were able to escape. She was depressed and determined to, somehow, escape. She discovered there were some cruel and others kind nature in the human bodies.
     This is a wonderful, uplifting tale of the two "broken youth" and the discoveries they made. It is a story about sorrow and healing in both, human and beast.
     I especially was drawn to this book because te early setting began in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where my mother was raised and because of my father's experiences with and love of horses, which was passed onto me.
        This book portrayed the characters and scenes so well, it was easy for one to visualize being there. 
       Illustrator, Ginny McDonald, did an outstanding job in creating colorful illustrations which aided the visualization process.
         This earns a Five Stars rating.
        This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
  

​Horses Are My Teachers
   I'm a writer of many kinds of stories; fiction, non-fiction, historical novels, children's books and more. In my varied careers, I've been a teacher, businesswoman, freelance journalist, magazine editor, wife and mother. More important, I've loved horses all my life.
   So why a Middle Grade story now? I was a kid once. I remember the magic, the thrill and even the heartbreak of wanting a horse, owning one, and eventually, losing one as well. I got my first horse when I was 8 years old and my second horse at 40. I had that second horse for 23 years. He died in 2014. He taught me respect, patience and acceptance and how to think like a horse. At least, I like to think so.
    Writing the book "Finding Home" was a test of everything I've ever learned from every horse I've ever known. This isn't my first horse book, but my most defining one. The real inspiration for this special story came from Ginny McDonald, the illustrator of "Finding Home", and the mustang she adopted and gave a home to, "Curly Sue", an American Curly , a specific breed, palomino in color, with a coat like a poodle in the winter time. The mare has been in Ginny's care since she was rounded up in Southern Wyoming almost a decade ago and taken to the Cañon City, Colorado prison facility for training. Many prisons around the country have wild horse training programs. It's good for the inmates and usually, good for the horses too. Here's what the Bureau of Land Management has to say about this program.

   "American mustangs played a vital role in the settling of the American West. Today these mustangs are helping troubled men make a new beginning with old-style horse training. Born and bred in the wild, mustangs must be intelligent, hardy, sure-footed, and healthy to survive the rigors of the open range. It is these traits, combined with their loyalty, that make them such versatile horses. In 1986, the Colorado Correctional Industries and the BLM initiated a program in where mustangs are trained and offered for adoption to qualified applicants. They operate a state-of-the-art facility and employ a staff of professional horse trainers who provide horsemanship, animal husbandry and farrier skills. Since its inception, more than 5,000 mustangs have been trained. These horses have found homes and lead productive lives with youth riding clubs, handicap and therapeutic riding organizations, riding stables, and government agencies."
     Curly Sue didn't stay in Canon City very long. Luck and timing were on her side. Within two days after her arrival, Ginny McDonald showed up with friends wanting to adopt mustangs. Ginny spotted Curly and knew she couldn't leave her there. The rest is history. I am now a huge advocate of both saving horses in the wild and finding the captured ones new homes. And understandably, the mustang now called "Curly Girl" in our book has stolen my heart!

ABOUT the AUTHOR:

    Denver native Corinne Joy Brown is a multi-published, award-winning Colorado author, magazine editor and freelance writer focused on the West ." Recent publications include "Young Rider", "Cowboys & Indians," and "Working Ranch." She's also been a horse owner most of her life. Corinne is committed to teaching the next generation about the power of horses to teach and heal. "Finding Home" is her eighth book.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ​

ABOUT the ILLUSTRATOR & CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR:

​   Ginny McDonald is an award-winning, professional Colorado illustrator and a longtime advocate for wild horses. She is the adopter of an American Curly mare, and more recently, a second mustang named "Lil Bit". Ginny's skill in the use of Prismacolor pencils brings this story to life with rich detail and heartfelt emotion.Ginny McDonald is an award-winning, professional Colorado illustrator and a longtime advocate for wild horses. She is the adopter of an American Curly mare, and more recently, a second mustang named "Lil Bit". Ginny's skill in the use of Prismacolor pencils brings this story to life with rich detail and heartfelt emotion.Ginny McDonald is an award-winning, professional Colorado illustrator and a longtime advocate for wild horses. She is the adopter of an American Curly mare, and more recently, a second mustang named "Lil Bit". Ginny's skill in the use of Prismacolor pencils brings this story to life with rich detail and heartfelt emotion.

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​
$15 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of the
authors of FINDING HOME (1 winner) (ends Aug 28)

TO ENTER the GIVEAWAY, Fill out the Rafflecopter Below!

 In the Heart of a Mustang by M.J. Evans
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  359 pages
Genre: Contemporary Coming of Age
Publisher:  Dancing Horse Press ~ Release date:   October, 2017
Tour dates: July 27 to August 7, 2020
Content Rating:  PG. Some suggested violence but not explicit
Book Description:
      A boy is told that his father was a brave and virtuous man, a soldier who traded his life to save the lives of countless others. He was the man that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is the whole story is a lie, all of it. The truth, which Hunter discovers as he begins his sophomore year of high school, is that his father has actually spent the boy’s entire life in jail, paying his debt to society, but not mending his ways. A wild mustang mare, is rounded up by the BLM. The spring rains had been sparse, the forage on the plains even more so. The mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation and placed for adoption. In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys, the boy and the mare meet. A weathered, old cowboy brings them together – a mentor for one, a trainer for the other. The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.

Buy the Book: Amazon.com ~ B&N ~ Books-A-Million~  Book Depository ~ IndieBound
Add to Goodreads

 BOOK REVIEW by LAWonder10:
This is an amazing story which will surely enthrall the reader from the first page to the last one! 

A teenage boy has been raised his whole life with the tales of his war hero father who he should honor through living his life in a manner to make his father pleased. He arrived home from school one day hearing his mother arguing with an unfamiliar, roguish  man...his father.

Outraged that he'd been lied to his entire life, Hunter began ditching school and hanging out in a bad part of town... but not for long. He got busted! His grandfather persuaded the Judge to allow Hunter to live at an at-risk boy's ranch in Arizona.  

As the grandfather drove him to his new home, the two rode in silence. Hunter would never forgive his mother and was angry with his grandfather for taking him to this strange place. He was determined to make them all regret it. 

When they arrived at the ranch, horses were being unloaded. as one particular filly was being unloaded there was strong, yet brief, eye contact between her and Hunter...Did he imagine it?

Smokey was the "horse handler". He was also good with young, troubled boys. He had noticed the brief exchange between boy and horse. Carefully speaking to the boy, he instilled interest in Hunter making that filly his by gently, patiently taking care of her. Hunter named her Sally. 

Julius was  Hunter's "bunk mate". He jovially "chipped away" the wall Hunter had built around himself. The cook and housekeeper also became a close friend to Hunter.  

This is an inspiring story of how the love of an animal, and the responsibility of its care, helped change a young man's direction in life. It is also a story of loving support without criticism. 

I highly recommend this book to not only young readers, but adults as well.

The characters are so realistic and the story events so feasible, it feels more like a true story rather than fiction.

I offer a Five Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
  

Book Details:

Book Title:  PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History by M.J. Evans
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  243 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Dancing Horse Press
Release date:   October, 2019
Format available for review:  print, mobi file (for Kindle), gifted Kindle copy, ePub, PDF, NetGalley download
Will send print books out:  USA
Tour dates: July 27 to August 7, 2020
Content Rating:  G. This book is taken from the actual journals that were kept by the men on the journey. There is no bad language or explicit scenes.

Book Description:

In 1912, four men, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they embarked on the longest horseback ride in history. Their goal was to visit all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years and complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915. Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey…Pinto, a little horse with a heart as big as the whole country! This is Pinto’s account of his arduous adventure.

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ B&N ~ Books-A-Million
Book Depository ~ IndieBound

Meet the Author:

Award-winning author M.J. Evans grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Upon graduation from Oregon State University, she spent five years teaching high school and middle school students. She retired from teaching to raise her five children. Mrs. Evans is a life-long equestrian and enjoys competing in Dressage and riding in the beautiful Colorado mountains. She has published fourteen books, most of which are fiction.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~ Pinterest  ~  Instagram ~ Goodreads

Here is the tour schedule. ​

Giveaway Details:​

Win 1 of 5 print copies of PINTO! or
1 of 5 copies of HEART OF A MUSTANG! (
USA only) (10 winners)
 (ends Aug 14)

TO ENTER, Fill out the Rafflecopter Below!

Book Details:
PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History by M.J. Evans
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  243 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction |  Publisher:  Dancing Horse Press
Release date:   October, 2019 |  
Tour dates: July 27 to August 7, 2020
Content Rating:  G. This book is taken from the actual journals that were kept by the men on the journey. There is no bad language or explicit scenes.
Book Description:
       In 1912, four men, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they embarked on the longest horseback ride in history. Their goal was to visit all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years and complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915. Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey…Pinto, a little horse with a heart as big as the whole country! This is Pinto’s account of his arduous adventure.

Buy the Book: Amazon.com ~ B&N ~ Books-A-Million ~ Book Depository ~ IndieBound

REVIEW by LAWonder10: 
What makes this an even better story, for young and old alike, is that it actually happened but is little known!

Related through the thoughts of "Pinto", this is an amazing true story of the "longest horseback ride in history'. Taken from Journal accounts and other communities records, very little fiction has been added to it. It is a tale about the only journey  to stop at the Capitols of forty-eight states by four men on horseback. They set a world record! Still the majority of Americans are aware of it! Have you ever heard of the Overland Westerners?

The story is very entertaining and captivating, yet, bittersweet. Pinto relates the various types of struggles, the horses and the four men endured. She also mentions the receptions they received in the various places. She discovers some areas are more accommodating than others, but in all areas, there are generous, hospitable people and those who are not. After reading this account, determine what category you would it into.

The story in the first person, being told by a horse makes it very delightful reading. It is very well portrayed in the wording.

The title and cover are both a good "fit". It is a great book for family reading. All ages can easily enjoy it.

I offer a Five Stars rating for this  book.
This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my Honest review.

Other Book in this series and Tour;

Book Details:
 In the Heart of a Mustang by M.J. Evans
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  359 pages
Genre: Contemporary Coming of Age
Publisher:  Dancing Horse Press
Release date:   October, 2017
Tour dates: July 27 to August 7, 2020
Content Rating:  PG. Some suggested violence but not explicit
Book Description:
       A boy is told that his father was a brave and virtuous man, a soldier who traded his life to save the lives of countless others. He was the man that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is the whole story is a lie, all of it. The truth, which Hunter discovers as he begins his sophomore year of high school, is that his father has actually spent the boy’s entire life in jail, paying his debt to society, but not mending his ways. A wild mustang mare, is rounded up by the BLM. The spring rains had been sparse, the forage on the plains even more so. The mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation and placed for adoption. In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys, the boy and the mare meet. A weathered, old cowboy brings them together – a mentor for one, a trainer for the other. The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.

Buy the Book: Amazon.com ~ B&N ~ Books-A-Million ~ Book Depository ~ IndieBound
Add to Goodreads

Q: How Do You Raise Kids To Be Book-lovers?
​
A:   As an author, former teacher, and mother of five, I am often asked this question. We all know how important reading is for success in school and a fulfilling life. But how do we help our kids love to read?
      First, let me say that most children will love to read if they do not have a disability that makes reading difficult or downright unpleasant. If that is the case, I recommend reading to them or using audio books.
         But let me focus for now on your average child that is not struggling with a disability.
         As I mentioned, I have five children, all of whom are now grown. Each of them has at least one college degree and some of the over achievers have multiple. We all know that reading well is a big asset when it comes to getting an education. I even have one son who writes a book blog!
        So, what did I do right as a mom? Reading has always been a part of our home. Both my husband and I are avid readers. Our home is filled with books. I have a bookcase in nearly every room. Our children saw their parents reading all the time they were growing up. I also read to my children every day…from they time I held a nursing baby on up through their teenage years.   
​          On road trips I read to them. During the summer months I had scheduled reading time. At four o’clock every day, friends went home, toys were put away, and the books came out. If a child couldn’t read, I read to him. Once they could read on their own, they picked their own books and read to themselves. We read until five o’clock at which time they had the choice to either keep reading or help me cook dinner! Win, Win. They all learned how to cook!
         Make time for reading. Make reading fun. Let them read something that interests them. Read with them!

Meet the Author:
        Award-winning author M.J. Evans grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Upon graduation from Oregon State University, she spent five years teaching high school and middle school students. She retired from teaching to raise her five children. Mrs. Evans is a life-long equestrian and enjoys competing in Dressage and riding in the beautiful Colorado mountains. She has published fourteen books, most of which are fiction.

Connect with the author:
Website ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~ Pinterest  ~  Instagram ~ Goodreads

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Win 1 of 5 print copies of PINTO! or 1 of 5 copies of HEART OF A MUSTANG! (USA only) (10 winners)   (ends Aug 14)

ENTER the Giveaway by completing the Rafflecopter Below!

DAY OF RECKONING (Concord Chronicles # 1) by Kai Strand
 * Paperback: 289 pages * Publisher: Independently published * Language: English * ISBN-10: 1690603372 * ISBN-13: 978-1690603375
SYNOPSIS:
      Not only does twelve-year-old Terra learn she’s a Nature’s Spirit destined to serve the peaceful underground city of Concord, but she also finds she is named in a prophecy as the only one who can thwart the leader of the death tribe.
    The Trepidus are the death janitors of the Underworld. They’re responsible for the termination and cleanup of Concord’s beings. When their leader, Blanco, learns Terra is the one who can derail his day of reckoning, he does everything he can to get rid of her. Including, dispatch a “Bringer” to complete the ultimate of death janitor duties.
     Not only does Terra want to stay alive, but she hopes to complete her training and discover her Spirit talents too. So, Frank, a Spirit of Security, is assigned to protect her. Together, they undertake a secret investigation of how to defeat Blanco. But with the future of Concord and Terra’s very own life at stake, will they find the answer in time?
Can be purchased at the following sites: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo 

ABOUT the AUTHOR
    Award-winning Kai Strand, author of the action-packed Super Villain Academy series, is often found exploring hiking trails and snapping pictures of waterfalls in her Oregon hometown.
    Mother of four, Kai uses her life experiences to connect with young readers. With middle grade works such as Save the Lemmings, The Weaver Tale series, and Day of Reckoning, and emotional YA adventures like Finding Thor, I Am Me, and Worth the Effort, Kai has written compelling stories that tweens, teens, and their parents love.
     Kai has given numerous presentations throughout Oregon about her work and the writing process. She loves interacting with teens and gaining their insight on their latest reads as well as what they would like to see in future stories.
Kai's Media: Website | Mailing List | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | 

Book Details:
The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions, Book 1) by Sunayna Prasad
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  136 pages
Genre:  Fantasy | Tour dates: May 4 to May 29, 2020
Publisher:  Amazon KDP | Release date:   October 2018
Content Rating:  G: There is no mature language or adult content whatsoever.
Book Description:
        A world of magic and adventure awaits…
       Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa McCarthy longs for the life she used to have—one filled with fun and love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the window that will change everything.
        "Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere."
         Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using Alyssa’s friends, to ensure he is triumphant.

BUY THE BOOK: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ Add to Goodreads

GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL by Beverly Stowe McClure
* Paperback: 214 pages * Publisher: Freedom Fox Press 
* ISBN-10: 1939844665 * ISBN-13: 978-1939844668
SYNOPSIS:
      Gabe Montana is clumsy. He's overweight, and he's dyslexic. Worse yet, the bullies make his fifteen-year-old life even more miserable-so miserable he wants to die.
      Charley, his guardian angel, says no to that idea and comes up with a different plan. He'll give Gabe self-confidence so he can solve his problems, not run away from them. But Gabe wonders why the angel doesn't just help with the bullies. What's with this self-confidence stuff?
      Can Charley help Gabe stand on his own two feet? Will Gabe give up hope life can improve for him? Or will he finally listen to the angel's advice?
GABE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL is available at the following sites: AMAZON PAPERBACK |  AMAZON KINDLE |   BARNES AND NOBLE PAPERBACK  | BARNES AND NOBLE NOOK BOOK |  KOBO

ABOUT the AUTHOR:
      Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds.
       She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.
      Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.

To Follow Beverly and her writing visit:  Blog |  Website |  Twitter |  Facebook |  Goodreads | 

Journey to Twilight - Charmayne Hafen 
    This story has some fun mythical characters and Twilight is an interesting place. I like the friendship that built between Sam and Lorna. I really like the illustrations. They are awesome.
         The characters are well-developed and it's easy to feel their emotions.
       The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
        I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great adventure.
I give it literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie

Return to Twilight (Land of Twilight Trilogy #2) By Charmayne Hafen
Middle Grade Fantasy | Paperback & ebook, 142 Pages
January 21st 2020 by Capture Books
SYNOPSIS: 
       In this second book of the Land of Twilight Trilogy, seventh-grade Lorna struggles with the meaning of friend like, how to be one, how to choose one, and how to keep one.
      Lorna rejects her dad, deceives her mom, and turns her back on the ethereal Land of Twilight. She even turns on her best friend, Sam, in favor of gaining the attention of a new girl in the neighborhood, Jenny. Lorna sheds her own social norms, stealing and hiding as she pretends to enjoy her second year in challenging Crestwood, Arizona.
            It has to be Sam's turn to do what true friends do.
           An exciting read for readers ages 9-13 who enjoy Celtic mythology, magic, and busting the dust of the Arizona desert with your best friend.
(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Trouble to Twilight (Land of Twilight Trilogy #3) By Charmayne Hafen
Middle Grade Fantasy |  Paperback & ebook, 129 Pages
April 1st 2020 by Capture Books
SYNOPSIS:
     How can the most colorful world in the universe turn hapless and gray?! That's what mystifies both Sam and Lorna.
  Trix falls from the Land of Twilight, showing up at the discarded camper shell in the Arizona desert where Sam and Lorna are making their secret plans.
   Trix and Melvin focus on the Land of Realtime because the lives of both Lorna and Sam have interwoven with the Land of Twilight. How can the four unravel themselves?
    A tragic accident forces Sam to again realize that life can change suddenly. Now he and Lorna must rethink what in life is most important to them.
     History, philosophy, and faith enter the scene through interdimensional time travel. The Land of Twilight Trilogy is filled with adventure and supernatural elements for readers ages 9-12. With its relatable characters and fast-moving plot, Sam and Lorna discover their priorities. As Sam faces unbearable consequences, he learns the bonds of true friendship and personal truth are real.
      Readers are given not only an interesting story filled with allegorical elements about the meaning of faith, but are also challenged to think about their own ideas of reality and meaning.

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

​About the Author
     Charmayne Hafen has been writing since she was nine years old when she kept a private journal documenting love and loss in her fourth-grade class. In 2016, she published her first book, The Land Of Twilight, which was selected as a winner in the category of Juvenile Fiction in the Winter 2017 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. Using knowledge and skills acquired from her MA in counseling, Charmayne wrote The Land Of Twilight series to help kids navigate the sometimes difficult waters of divorce. Her love of Celtic mythology also influenced the book. The first book in the series has been republished under a new title called Journey To Twilight which will be available November 1, 2019. There will be two more books in the series coming out early [2020].
​
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GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

One winner will receive an ebook of Journey to Twilight and a $50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
​Ends April 30, 2020

​ENTER HERE!

Smailholm by C.L. Williams
Genre: YA Fantasy Release Date: January 28th 2020

Summary:
       Shh! Can you keep a secret? 
   In wild medieval Britain thirteen-year-old Wynn Hoppringle has a big secret of the smallest kind. She has discovered a miniature village hidden close to her family home of Smailholm Tower. When tales of merciless border raiders reach the small folk, they realise they are in danger and must seek a cure to their strange predicament. Can Wynn help her tiny friends or will the scheming King quog have other ideas? Heroes it seems come in all sizes.
​“
Add to Goodreads | ~ Purchase Links: https://shor.by/clwilliams | Audible

​The Wicked Tree - Kristin Thorsness 
      This story has so much imagination and great thinking put into it. I love the magic that takes place in their little area.
    The characters are well-developed and it's easy to feel their emotions. I really like the friendship with Tav and Harper. They are wonderful characters. Edward is also an awesome character.
      The cover of the book and title fit the story perfectly.
    I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good adventure, magic and the unexpected.
      I give this book a literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie

Tour Schedule ​