About The Show: This Easter, experience the power of the last week of Jesus Christ's mortal ministry as told through the widely celebrated and sacred oratorio, LAMB OF GOD. This unique concert film brings composer Rob Gardner’s work to the big screen for the first time. Join us for breathtaking performances from new soloists, a new orchestration, and a close-up view of this work that has been compared to Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem. About Rob Gardner: Rob Gardner began his musical career in high school as a member of and arranger for the a cappella band Two Five Nine. The group recorded 5 albums together and, while in college, toured around the country. From there, Rob began composing original works for film, theater and the concert stage. He is the author of a handful of stage musicals, including Blackbeard, The Price of Freedom, and 12 Princesses. Rob has also composed several sacred music oratorios. Rob is an accomplished producer and conductor and appears regularly on the concert stage conducting his works. Rob has a bachelor's degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University. He also attended the University of Southern California, doing graduate studies in the prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program. He currently resides in Gilbert, AZ. This Spotlight is Presented by Covenant Communications,Inc. Publishing Lamb of God Musical Production to be Released in Theaters Next Month!
This is an exciting new film created by the amazing Rod Garner! Inside is the trailer, preview pictures, and the link you can click on for more information. FOR HOME PAGE:
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Primarily created for a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Audience, this is a great family game for anyone! Game Information: Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It... Be the first missionary or companionship to complete 100 weeks of missionary service! But standing in your way are Trials ranging from Dog Bite to Dear Johns - while Blessings, Transfers, and Golden Contacts are there to help you along. Missionary: Impossible combines simple strategy and a measure of luck for a fast-paced, easy-to-play card game for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up. Amazon reviewers agree it's a FUN, CLEAN, game for the ENTIRE family! ~ Amazon Link - Review by LAWonder10:
This is a wonderful game for any family. (However, the terms are most familiar to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints families.) Especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, it would be a great "P-Day" activity for missionary districts. The game is constructively challenging, triggering one's use of strategy, and vying for the points needed to win. It inspires partners to work together and anticipate the other's game plan. It is a lot of fun. It comes with a large, quality deck of cards, and score sheets, plus, detailed instructions in English. It is reasonably priced and well work the purchase. Note: this game is for 2 to 6 people bu is definitely more fun in partnerships. The players i shared this with all agree it deserves a Five Stars rating. *This game was gifted me with no pressure, whatsoever to give a positive review. This is my honest review ![]()
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Fire And Cinder (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum, #6) by Christina Bauer Published by: Monster House Books Publication date: February 23rd 2021 Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult Synopsis: Meet the Magicorum: modern folks who are supernaturally locked into fairy tale life templates. For eighteen-year-old Elle, that role is Cinderella. Meanwhile, Agatha is her evil stepsister. Things go downhill from there… Cinderella On The Run Elle—never call her Cinderella—has found the love of her life in Alec Le Charme, the prince of a jewelry dynasty. But when Alec gets spirited away, Elle must ditch her Manhattan home for the perilous Faerie Lands. To save Alec, Elle must also swap her glass slippers for a flying carpet. But will switching templates from Cinderella to Aladdin snap Elle’s sanity? Whatever. Bring on the straight jacket. Elle is one Cinderella who’s determined to save her prince, no matter what. Evil Stepsister or Elf Queen? Agatha always accepted her role as Elle’s evil stepsister. Then her life template changes from nasty sibling to evil elf queen. Agatha has one thought on that score. Thanks but no thanks. Agatha refuses the regal life, even though stepping away from her crown means ignoring her lifelong attraction to the elf prince, Jacoby. Then everything changes. Agatha discovers that Elle’s life is at risk… and the only way to save her Cinderella is by teaming up with Jacoby. Trouble is, that’s a lot of togetherness. Working with Jacoby could easily end in disaster, not only for Agatha’s heart, but also for Elle and Alec’s lives. Fairy Tales of the Magicorum Modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance 1. Wolves and Roses 2. Moonlight and Midtown 3. Shifters and Glyphs 4. Slippers and Thieves 5. Bandits and Ball Gowns 6. Fire and Cinder 7. Fairies and Frosting Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~B&N ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play ~
How I Create Personalities For My Characters By Christina Bauer, Author As part of the launch tour for my new book, FIRE AND CINDER (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum 6), the lovely folks at Rockin Book Reviews have asked me to share how I create personalities for my characters. So without further ado, here goes! Tip #1... Pick a language base for the character OK, so I got this one from Tolkien. He used the language and history of Finland in order to inspire his version of elves. In my experience, language drives so much of a character, it isn't even funny. It gives you a way to name them, the places in their lives and their history. PRO TIP: Google Translate is awesome here. There are also about a million web sites for baby names by culture. Tip #2... Make Pinterest boards for the character I’m a super visual writer, so I start creating characters by building boards of inspirational pics. I begin with a general idea, such as the fact that the person is a ruler or whatever. Then I pull images onto my board. This takes time because I toss the stuff that doesn’t fit and keep the pieces that do. In general, I delete about ten images for every one that works. For me, it's also important to have a general Pinterest board of cool stuff that inspires me in general. I keep those boards hidden from general viewing. My public boards are here. Sarah J Maas has some cool boards that you may want to check out as well. PRO TIP: Visit Pinterest if you haven't already. Tip #3... Write Soliloquies If I’m stuck on a character, I’ll write a page-long soliloquy about their views on the world or whatever topic strikes me. It’s important that this is just something that exists… versus having all this pressure to force it into the story. Author Virginia Woolf says “I dig out beautiful caves behind my characters.” To me, I think this means you must get comfortable with creating tons of content and backstory about a character that never appears on the page. That said, I think readers can always sense when a character has that extra level of work behind them. Not sure how they can tell, but they always do! So that's it... some of my favorite tools and tricks. Hope you found them helpful! ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
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: Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ LinkedIn ~ Web site ~ ![]()
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The Awakening (A Guardian of Spirits Novel) by Kaylee Johnston Publication date: February 19th 2021 Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Not everyone wants magic. In a world where humans hate witches, there’s no one who hates them more than Jameson Tyler – they are the reason his mother and little sister are dead. Then one morning, he wakes to find those he’s hated for his entire life are now his only hope to understanding his new identity, his new life…as a witch. Jameson has to get to the witch’s side of town – a place he’s never been and has loathed his entire life – and give up everything he’s ever known before the Witch Special Forces (WSF) captures him. On top of avoiding the WSF, when his new Headmistress attacks him, things get even more complicated. He must accept his new fate and life before being killed, letting the Magical Community fall into the wrong hands. Can Jameson put his hatred aside or will he let his prejudice destroy them all? Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56922257-the-awakening Purchase: Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/bOXg6N?store=amazon ![]() ![]()
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The Wise One (The Scottish Scrolls, #1) by K.T. Anglehart Publication date: October 28th 2020 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Mckenna’s never thought much of her nightmares, but on her seventeenth birthday, a vivid dream of burning at the stake awakens her dormant abilities, thrusting her into a world where faeries are real, spirits hold a grudge, and a High Priestess obsessed with a 16th-century prophecy is tracking her every move. Now, her overprotective dads, Seán and Andre, are forced to tell her the truth--they know who her birth mother is, and her life is not the surrogate story she’s always been told. Abigail, Mckenna’s mom, is some sort of mystic, and Mckenna a Wise One. Whatever the hell that means. With the help of a persistent little wren and company of a newfound friend, Mckenna journeys to Ireland in search of her mother and real answers. Along the way, she learns to harness her innate magic and trust her intuition, as best she can anyway—Cillian, a kind and passionate delegate who crosses her path, is proving much harder to read. Only her mother could truly help her halt her ill fate and prepare her for what’s to come . . . before she gives in to the darkness she knows is buried deep within. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55150769-the-wise-one Purchase: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Znvkhp ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is a born and bred Italian-Canadian from Montreal. A devoted academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting; and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. After dabbling in TV writing and working as a digital marketing content manager, she left the nine to five to launch her freelance editing and coaching career. Today, she relishes in helping aspiring authors to develop and refine their stories. Besides English, Katrina speaks French, Italian, and Spanglish. When she’s not writing, diving into magical reads, or Netflixing, she’s travelling with her favourite human–her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy–and obsessing over her pet bunny, Magic, and newly rescued pup, Nessie. Katrina currently lives in Toronto, Ontario. Author links: Website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ![]()
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Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue Publication date: October 27th 2020 Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Synopsis: Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshmen. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friend and left their oldest sister unable to speak. After giving homeschooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best.The Robertsons soon discover, however, that their new classmates are anything but kind. A mysterious group of bullies known as the Dimes rules the hallways and spreads fear everywhere they go. All three sisters end up being targets of the gang and have to find a way to defend themselves. The triplets couldn’t be more different, but their loyalty to each other and to their school never fails. Along with diverse group of friends, the Robertsons do everything they can to uncover the identity of the Dimes and restore order to the school. As if their lives weren’t complicated enough, they also get sucked in to a much bigger game—discovering who was responsible for the attack on their old school. Can they bring down the Dimes and bring the murderer to justice, all while trying to make it through ninth grade? Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon
Top 10 “10 Things We Didn’t Know About Battle of the Bullies.” by Fenyx Blue 10. One of my siblings was bullied because of her skin color and gender. My younger sister was a target for physical bullying by a boy who later declared he tortured her because he had a crush on her. Battle of the Bullies shows that both genders can be bullies. 9. The character Ebony Robertson is based on my time as Student Council vice president. I was entrusted with unlimited power to write my own passes out of class for myself and others. This made me wonder what someone untrustworthy would do with powers given to them within a school. 8. The Robertson triplets come from a family of multiples just like I do. My grandfather was a fraternal twin. I am the mother of fraternal twins. We have identicals and fraternals throughout our family. I have also had the pleasure of teaching many multiples over the years. 7. The triplets’ father, Mr. Robertson, fixes and collects cars. This required a great deal of research on my part which was fun since I had the opportunity to find out about classic cars. My dad always wanted a Corvette so I gave the fictional dad in Battle of The Bullies my own father’s dream car. 6. In Chicago, students do not have to go to their neighborhood schools. Therefore, a student may need to travel into other neighborhoods to attend their desired school. The prestige of Chicago International Academy is based on two phenomenal schools in Chicago, Whitney Young and Lane Tech. 5. Eris’s name is pronounced like heiress. I was a tomboy like Eris as a young girl, but in high school, I did discover that femininity is not weakness, but instead it is strength. You can be a queen on and off the court. 4. The character Emani’s name means faith. Emani Robertson has so many gifts, but she doesn't trust herself. Her character needs to find faith in her own abilities and trust that she can do anything. 3. The Dimes are based on a group of sixth-grade bullies who attempted to rule our school many years ago. It was always the same group of girls causing fights, spreading rumors, and getting into trouble. When someone wrote a letter threatening to blow up the school, an idea for a group of naughty teen girls was formed in my mind. What if the group was organized? What if they had a purpose to try to destroy schools and the lives of students? 2. During the editing process, I had to remove six chapters in Battle of The Bullies that included a dance scene, a beach scene, and a little more of Alexis’ storyline. I could have shed a tear, but I did not. I knew the reader would want me to get right into the action. 1. I have taught several students with special abilities over the years. Charlotte’s character may be in a wheelchair, but her strength is based on my students who have fought Cancer, spinal cord injuries, and trauma with courage. ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
If author Fenyx Blue actually had a tattoo, it would be a heart. Ms. Blue has written every book with love. Blue is a teacher, coach, mentor, and motivational speaker focused on women and youth empowerment. She has written a young adult novel about bullying entitled Who Failed Johnny?, a poetry book about purpose named The Blue Ink Movement, and a children’s book about the power of a solid father daughter relationship called Worth the Weight. Fenyx believes in service to the community. After being chosen as teacher of the year for her school district, she continued to mentor teenagers and facilitate discussions about controversial topics like drugs, sex, violence, cyberbullying and mental health. She has been a guest poet for several women’s retreats and workshops and loves the energy she receives from a live audience. Throughout her years as an educator and youth ministry leader, Blue created Team Bully-Free Forever, a poetry team for her school, and a mentoring group called D.I.V.A.S to address the needs of young people. She is dedicated to teaching the next generation to follow their dreams and feels it is her mission to equip them for the future. Ms. Fenyx Blue is a proud mother of three beautiful children who inspire her to write each day. You can follow Ms. Fenyx Blue @FenyxBlueInk on Instagram and Youtube. ![]()
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Marisa Reichardt’s A Shot at Normal is a powerful and timely novel about justice, agency, family, and taking your shot, even when it seems impossible.
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A Shot at Normal by Marisa Reichardt Published by: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR) Publication date: February 16th 2021 ~ Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Synopsis: Dr. Villapando told me to get a good attorney. He wasn’t serious. But I am. I’m going to sue my parents. Juniper Jade’s parents are hippies. They didn’t attend the first Woodstock, but they were there for the second one. The Jade family lives an all-organic homeschool lifestyle that means no plastics, no cell phones, and no vaccines. It isn’t exactly normal, but it’s the only thing Juniper has ever known. She doesn’t agree with her parents on everything, but she knows that to be in this family, you’ve got to stick to the rules. That is, until the unthinkable happens. Juniper contracts the measles and unknowingly passes the disease along, with tragic consequences. She is shell-shocked. Juniper knows she is responsible and feels simultaneously helpless and furious at her parents, and herself. Now, with the help of Nico, the boy who works at the library and loves movies and may just be more than a friend, Juniper comes to a decision: she is going to get vaccinated. Her parents refuse so Juniper arms herself with a lawyer and prepares for battle. But is waging war for her autonomy worth losing her family? How much is Juniper willing to risk for a shot at normal? Add to Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N ~ iBooks ~Kobo ~Google Play ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
Marisa Reichardt is the critically acclaimed author of the YA novels UNDERWATER, AFTERSHOCKS (2020), and A SHOT AT NORMAL (2021). She has a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California and dual degrees in English & American Literature and Creative Writing from UC San Diego. Before becoming a published author, Marisa worked in academic publications, tutored high school students in writing, and shucked oysters. These days, you can probably find her huddled over her laptop in a coffeehouse or swimming in the ocean. Author links: Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ ![]()
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Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue Category: YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 301 pages Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Publisher: Wisdom Works, LLC. - Release date: October 29, 2020 Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021 Content Rating: G. There are not any explicit sex scenes or any excessive use of bad language Book Description: Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshman. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friends and left their oldest sister unable to speak. After giving home-schooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best. The Robertsons soon discover, however, that their new classmates are anything but kind. A mysterious group of bullies known as the Dimes rules the hallways and spreads fear everywhere they go. All three sisters end up being targets of the gang and have to find a way to defend themselves. The triplets couldn't be more different, but their loyalty to each other and to their school never fails. Along with a diverse group of friends, the Robertsons do everything they can to uncover their identity of the Dimes and restore order to the school. As if their lives weren't complicated enough, they also get sucked in to a much bigger game-discovering who was responsible for the attack on their old school. Can they bring down the Dimes and bring the murderer to justice, all while trying to make it through ninth grade? Buy the Book:Amazon.com ~ add to Goodreads
REVIEW By LAWonder10: The Battle f the Bullies is a disturbing, much needed book addressing the intense problem off bullying in many different forms.This is a problem faced through the ages, but with modern-day technology and lack of ethics, bullying has become even more cruel. This story is of a traumatized family consisting of parents, an eldest daughter, triplet daughters, and twin sons...Traumatized after a bombing of their school. After counseling, home schooling and other efforts, they move to a new city and admit their daughters to a "pricey" private high school. Little did they realize this school contained a set of ten bullying girls who are just as bad, or worse, than the bullies of other schools. Will they survive these demons, or will they succumb to the power as others in the school have? The story felt slightly awkward in the beginning, but as the events are added and the suspense increases, the reader is brought into the tale. It feels as if he/she is actually there and that the characters are real people. The mystery was intense until the last pages of the story. I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no pressure to give a positive review. This is my honest review. ![]()
Meet the Author:
BLUE: Bold, Loving, Unapologetic, and Evolving are words to describe Fenyx Blue. Ms. Blue is an author, Youtuber (FENYX BLUE INK), speaker, ministry leader, mentor, instructional coach and her school district’s former “Those Who Excel” Teacher of the Year. Ms. Blue is a soldier in the Blue Fenyx movement encouraging every phoenix in the world to rise up. Blue’s mission is to inspire, motivate and educate. Blue speaks to audiences about their purpose and power and works to coach other authors through their journey to become published. Her novels are tools for teachers while being candy for students. Fenyx Blue has penned four books in her poetic collection in which she shares true life tales and lessons: Her first Young Adult novel entitled Who Failed Johnny? (Book 1 of The Triplet Trilogy), second YA novel Battle of the Bullies, a Children’s book called Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem, and a Poetry Book by the name of The Blue Ink Movement. With the help of her extended family and friends network, her self-published books will touch many lives this year. connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads ![]()
Giveaway Details:
Win signed copy of BATTLE OF THE BULLIES, $15 Amazon Gift Card, & other gifts (1 winner) (USA only) (ends Feb 26) Enter by completing the Rafflecopter below. ![]()
Silver Dawn Afire (The Seventh Age Saga, #1)
by Sonja J. Breckon Publication date: March 16th 2021 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Myridians are coming, each wielding one of Six Cataclysmic Powers that will lay waste to the world and wake the God of Neutrality. What happens when one refuses to succumb to her myridian nature and sets out to save the world instead? *** SIDRA ANATOLA will soon die a human death and be reborn as one of the myridian, beings destined to destroy the World of Aetheria. In a desperate attempt to change her dark fate, she flees home and the young man she loves to seek help from a powerful entity who has lived through all the ages. But she may not make it in time before she is killed by hunters—or by the love of her life, also a myridian, who fights every day to hold onto the emotions that made him human. BRESEIS ERISWEN was expelled from the academy and failed her father who expected her to carry on her late mother’s profession as a myridian hunter. But Breseis never wanted to be a hunter—she refused to kill, and she never believed in myridians, to begin with. She leaves home with big dreams, lacking experience, and a broken heart, to prove that she is more than a failed hunter. Two contrasting paths converge to become a turbulent one. A mouthy intellect with a colorful personality, and a skilled warrior with a frosty attitude, put their differences aside and travel the rest of the way together, robbing temples, angering false gods, and escaping numerous predicaments with their lives. Amid the chaos, they form a friendship despite a gut feeling that both hide dangerous secrets that can save or destroy the world and each other. Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N. ~ Kobo ~
What attributes need to be in a Book Cover Image? Why is the cover so important? I’ve heard a lot of people say the book cover doesn’t really matter as long as the content is good. But this is so far from the truth! Many people won’t even give a book a chance if the book cover is bad, looks amateurish, or doesn’t go with the theme or genre. Book covers are the first and most important thing about a book – especially when it comes to YA Fantasy – that will catch a reader’s eye. An author can get away with a basic, even cookie-cutter cover for some genres, but when it comes to YAF, it really does need to be beautiful. Imagine all of the readers an author loses because their cover wasn’t done by a professional. I am guilty of being one of those readers. I can’t help it, but the cover art attracts me, and if it doesn’t, chances are I’m not going to even read the blurb. And it’s not just the art that needs to be spot-on, but the fonts. The font choices are just as important as the art. Things not to do, if you’re doing your own cover art: 1 – If you don’t already have a few years experience working with programs like Photoshop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, then don’t even attempt it! 2 – Never use photos you took of a family member or friend who posed one day, cut it out and paste it onto another background image. It almost always looks amateurish, and, quite frankly, bad. The lighting and coloring are usually off, the perspective doesn’t match up, etc. 3 – Stay away from bleeding and dripping fonts, fonts that might be too hard to read (just because you know what it says doesn’t mean everybody else can read it), fonts that are *too* gothic; nothing wrong with gothic – I love gothic – but some of the fonts are so overused they just don’t look good. 4 – This is just a personal preference, and other people might not have a problem with it, but I steer clear of books with covers that are too heavily manipulated: a girl with fire all around her and another ball of fire in her hand and fiery eyes. That’s more of a dramatic example, but the point is, just don’t go overboard. ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
Sonja J. Breckon is a builder of fantasy worlds and not ashamed to admit she lives in them more than in the real world. Besides writing books, she works with various programs to create her own cover art, interior art, design, formatting, and fantasy maps. She loves nature, the universe, coffee, and bookstores. Oh, and chicken potato enchiladas. Author links: Website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ ![]()
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Book Details:
Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue Category: YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 301 pages Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Publisher: Wisdom Works, LLC. - Release date: October 29, 2020 Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021 Content Rating: G. There are not any explicit sex scenes or any excessive use of bad language Book Description: Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshman. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friends and left their oldest sister unable to speak. After giving home-schooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best. The Robertsons soon discover, however, that their new classmates are anything but kind. A mysterious group of bullies known as the Dimes rules the hallways and spreads fear everywhere they go. All three sisters end up being targets of the gang and have to find a way to defend themselves. The triplets couldn't be more different, but their loyalty to each other and to their school never fails. Along with a diverse group of friends, the Robertsons do everything they can to uncover their identity of the Dimes and restore order to the school. As if their lives weren't complicated enough, they also get sucked in to a much bigger game-discovering who was responsible for the attack on their old school. Can they bring down the Dimes and bring the murderer to justice, all while trying to make it through ninth grade? Buy the Book:Amazon.com ~ add to Goodreads
How being an upstander changed my life They called her skinny, twig, pencil legs, and every other name they could use to insult her slim physique. Her initials were R.P. and she was beautiful to me. R.P. was not the confident supermodel that she is now when I met her because of bullies, name calling, and teasing from boys who had not mastered their hormones quite yet or jealous little girls who could probably see her potential just as I had. She was tall with a face that demanded your attention, big ebony eyes that sparkled like gems and corkscrew curls. She was a rare gem. R.P. can now be seen on magazine covers and in commercial ads. The world finally realized what I knew in high school. Some High schoolers only see the chrysalis. Many haven’t learned to distinguish a moth from a butterfly. I could see her wings. A wealthy investment realtor that I know was once an unpopular kid who I spent many hours giving pep talks to as a high schooler. It was quite amusing to see the very same kids who did not know his name in high school brag on his accomplishments as an adult. “Did you hear that D.B. is a millionaire now?” “Did you hear that he drives a Tesla?” These two stories did not change my life, however. It was a high school reunion that I had not planned on attending that did that for me. I barely remember what I was wearing. I do not recall every person that was there. Yet, I do remember a classmate pulling me to the side in a crowded bar and telling me that she only came to the reunion because of me. She said, “You sat with me. You talked to me. You made me feel seen. I will never forget you. I wanted to thank you for that. That’s why I came here tonight.” I will never forget her words, but the crazy part is that I know that all kids can do those things. I didn’t save her life by taking a bullet. I didn’t cure a fatal disease. I treated her the way she deserved to be treated. Our kids can do that. Our youth can give to the world what they wish to receive. Battle of The Bullies is a fictional story, but it is realistic because kids do have the potential to be heroes. One day, they will have a high school reunion. One day they will have to stand in a room of classmates on equal ground. Our youth get to decide how they will be remembered. Will they choose to stand up for others or stand by as classmates get hurt? My classmate says I was kind to her. I hope Battle of The Bullies will inspire our students to be kind to all. After all, who wouldn’t want a millionaire, a supermodel, and an overcomer for friends? ![]()
Meet the Author:
BLUE: Bold, Loving, Unapologetic, and Evolving are words to describe Fenyx Blue. Ms. Blue is an author, Youtuber (FENYX BLUE INK), speaker, ministry leader, mentor, instructional coach and her school district’s former “Those Who Excel” Teacher of the Year. Ms. Blue is a soldier in the Blue Fenyx movement encouraging every phoenix in the world to rise up. Blue’s mission is to inspire, motivate and educate. Blue speaks to audiences about their purpose and power and works to coach other authors through their journey to become published. Her novels are tools for teachers while being candy for students. Fenyx Blue has penned four books in her poetic collection in which she shares true life tales and lessons: Her first Young Adult novel entitled Who Failed Johnny? (Book 1 of The Triplet Trilogy), second YA novel Battle of the Bullies, a Children’s book called Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem, and a Poetry Book by the name of The Blue Ink Movement. With the help of her extended family and friends network, her self-published books will touch many lives this year. connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads ![]()
Giveaway Details:
Win signed copy of BATTLE OF THE BULLIES, $15 Amazon Gift Card, & other gifts (1 winner) (USA only) (ends Feb 26) To Enter, Fill-in the Rafflecopter below. ![]()
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Baculum (Angelbound Lincoln #4) by Christina Bauer Published by: Monster House Books Publication date: January 26th 2021 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Watch Lincoln battle Norse monsters in the Viking Games! As King of the Thrax, Lincoln leads the most powerful demon fighting force in the after-realms… yet he cherishes nothing more than his Angelbound love, Myla. Which is why the king loses his freaking mind when the sinister Ringmaster Kell targets his pregnant wife. So. Not. Happening. Ringmaster Kell runs the infamous Viking Games, a series of battles where participants take on the identity of a Norse monster and fight to the death. Sounds good to Lincoln. The king sets aside his crown and enters the arena with one goal only: destroy Ringmaster Kell. Sometimes, a warrior just needs to ignite his baculum sword and kick a ton of evil ass. But is Lincoln protecting Myla or walking into a trap? Perfect for readers who love Vikings, Norse mythology, hot princes and cool heroines. Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play ~ ![]()
ANGELBOUND Series
Stories from the perspective of Mister The Prince 1. Duty Bound 2. Lincoln 3. Trickster 4. Baculum 5. Angelfire 6. Rixa
What to Look for in a Publisher By Christina Bauer As part of the launch for my latest book, BACULUM, the lovely folks at Rockin Books have asked me to share what to look for in a publisher. CAVEAT: I’m independently published, so these are my third party observations. 1) First Thing To Look For: Yourself Okay, I know that sounds hokey, but it’s important to know what kind of books you want to spend the rest of your life with. For example, some authors have told me that they wrote in a particular genre because it was hot and they wanted to get published. But then when they were successful, they felt trapped into doing something they really didn’t like. For me, I find it helps to think of publishers as department stores. They have their men’s section, evening wear, shoes and so on. They’re looking for hot trends that will pull people into their shop. If you get labeled as a great shoe designer, then it’s hard to go back and restart in menswear. 2) Second Thing to Look For: The Editor or Agent You know when you first get to high school and everyone is picking out their friends? It’s just a great time to meet people. Along that line, you want to find editors or agents who are on the prowl for something. Back to the department store example, their CEO just said, go find some new shoes because this line up sucks! There are a lot of books out there, but what I like to check is Publishers Market. You see who is doing deals on what and for how much. It costs $20/month and you can sign up for one month if you like. You can also see how people are pitching their stuff. It’s best to use the latest hot terms in your pitch, if that makes sense. True confession: I read Publishers Marketplace to see what not to write. Deals tend to go in waves. For instance, if the big publishers are all doing mermaid books, then I want to avoid the seven seas. So there you have it—my indie take on finding a publisher! ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
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 lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. She loves to connect with her fans at BauersBooks.com. Stalk Christina On Social Media – She Loves It! Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ LinkedIn ~ Web site
You can find the schedule HERE . ![]()
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
This grand prize giveaway (this giveaway is set up and managed by author, not Xpresso Tours): To Enter, Use the Rafflecopter below. In this stunning debut, author Natalie Walton tackles privacy and relationships in the digital age. ![]() Revenge of the Sluts by Natalie Walton Available February 2, 2021 Paperback: 320 pages / ISBN: 9781989365519 | E-ISBN: 9781989365526 Young Adult BOOK BLURB: As a lead reporter for The Warrior Weekly Eden has covered her fair share of stories at St. Joseph’s High School. And when intimate pictures of seven female students are anonymously emailed to the entire school, Eden is determined to get to the bottom of it. In tracking down leads, Eden is shocked to discover not everyone agrees the students are victims. Some people feel the girls "brought it on themselves." Even worse, the school’s administration seems more concerned about protecting its reputation than its students. With the anonymous sender threatening more emails, Eden finds an unlikely ally: the seven young women themselves. Banding together to find the perpetrator, the tables are about to be turned. The Slut Squad is fighting back!
REVIEW By LAWonder10: This is a very well-written book about cyber bullying and the very controversial subjects on ethics. Most would not condone some of the teen practices addressed in this book, but wrong or right nobody should have the right to malign another's character in such a public way without full details and proof of damage to others. In any case, bullying needs to be stopped as much as possible. Very few individuals have not done foolish, thoughtless things in his/her High School and College years he/she has not totally regretted. The individual should be able to "put it behind him/her". with cyber tech, this is nearly impossible. Schools and parebts need to find a way to stop this from happening. The situations and suspense steadily progresses from page to page, sustaining the reader's interest to the last page. The characters are developed realistically, the background scenes are described well, and the Book cover and Image are "fitting". *Reviewer's note: There is quite a lot of crude language and sexual references. I realize it is used to make literature more realistic, but in this Reviewer;'s opinion, it shows a lack of literary creativity. I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating ![]() About Natalie Walton Natalie Walton has been writing since she was seven, often keeping her stories a secret from friends and family while posting them publicly online for strangers to read. She wrote her debut novel, REVENGE OF THE SLUTS, while working toward her degree in sociology and criminal justice. It will be in bookstores February 2, 2021. Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Amazon Page ~ ![]()
Book details:
Ninja Girl Adventures (Ninja Girl Adventures Series, #1) by MG Wilson & Phil Elmore Publication date: November 1st 2020 Genres: Thriller, Young Adult Synopsis: Sister Power at It’s Best Moira Mackenzie is just 14 years old. Her sister Mindy is 15, and their younger sister Marci is 9. The girls have lived their lives until now believing their father, Scottish billionaire Stephen Mackenzie, is simply a businessman whose KogaTech Consolidated (KTC) is the world’s most successful technology company. Their father was married to a Japanese woman, Kameko, whom the girls are told died in a car accident. The girls’ idyllic existence in New York, where KTC headquarters is located, is shattered when their father disappears. He is legally declared dead by their Uncle Jiro Akiyama, Kameko’s brother. Uncle Jiro wants to possess the company for himself. What he doesn’t know is that Stephen Mackenzie changed his will so that Moira inherits the entire corporation. An overwhelmed Moira must contend with the unraveling of her family. She has the help of Morton Gerardi, Stephen Mackenzie’s best friend, but he’s not the girls’ father and there’s only so much he can do. While Mindy rebels and Marci, a child genius, disappears deeper into her computer, Moira is further frightened by an intruder who invades the girl’s Manhattan apartment. Not long after this, Moira is visited by Uncle Jiro himself, who offers to provide for the girls financially as long as Moira signs the company over to him. Moira considers giving in but doesn’t. Suddenly, out of nowhere, black-clad figures, who can only be the mythical ancient ninja of feudal Japan, attack the Mackenzie sisters. The girls are saved by an elderly Asian woman who heads a ninja clan of her own. That woman removes her face mask to reveal that she is Aiko Akiyama, the girls’ grandmother. Moira immediately has many questions. Why has Aiko only now revealed herself? Aiko explains that Kameko, as Aiko before her, was a member of a Koga ninja clan of Kunoichi — a female ninja. Aiko was forced to fake her own death because of Jiro’s ambitions. She vows to teach Moira to become a ninja warrior and fulfill her family destiny. As Moira beings to learn the ways of the ninja, Aiko’s Yoda-like lessons give her greater self-confidence as well as physical martial arts skills. She passes these lessons to her sisters… but there’s more. Legends claim the ninja were shape-changing tengu, forest spirits with magical powers. Aiko reveals that these stories are true. If Moira wishes, she can learn these mystical abilities. Jiro himself can become a wolf and other ferocious beasts. Moira can learn these same skills, just as Aiko has. As Moira trains and learns more about herself, she helps her sisters to grow more confident and more disciplined as well. Soon, Mindy is using her gymnastics skills to have ninja-style adventures of her own, as genius Marci helps both of her sisters using her knowledge of computers. As they grow in their abilities, the girls uncover a plot by Uncle Jiro to misuse “sleep learning” technology developed by KTC. This is why Jiro wants the company. He believes the technology can be used to control minds, ultimately giving him control over the city — and perhaps, one day, even more than that. As the girls use their new abilities to chase down clues that point them to Jiro’s sinister ambitions, Jiro grows tired of holding back. He instructs his ninja to kidnap Mindy and Marci. He then tells Moira she has no choice but to sign KTC over to him if she ever wants to see her sisters again. To get her sisters back, Moira will have to face her greatest fears. With only partial training, she must conquer her own doubts and apply the lessons of empowerment and confidence that Aiko has given her. The story climaxes in a battle between the two rival ninja clans wherein Moira must first save her sisters and then defeat Jiro himself. The fate of New York City hangs in the balance, as does the fate of Moira’s family and of her father’s company. Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ ![]()
How to Write Nonfiction (or other genre) Like a Pro.
Many people through the years have benefited from the following formula I created for writing a non-fiction book. As a book coach and book marketer I have used it often in the last decade. I hope it can benefit you also. Step 1: 30% – Make the crust of your pie. Just like you take the time to create a good pie crust, take time to write a great outline for you book. Step 2: 60% – Pour in the FED’s --facts, examples, and details. The facts are all those great statistics and research that helps bolster the ideas presented in your book. Examples are the great stories that illuminate the ideas you present even faster as they offer both tacit (implied) and explicit (self-evident) knowledge. Stories help readers wrap their arms around complex ideas. Step 3: 10% – Finish with the garnishment. This is the unique part of the book– the heart of you–your voice–the uniqueness of you. I have over 400 blog posts on my website at www.networlding.com to keep on learning along with three free books on writing and publishing ![]()
ABOUT The AUTHORS:
Hello! I’m Melissa G Wilson and my top passions are writing, helping new authors who want to make a difference through their writing, and mentoring women and at-risk youth to become authors. My company Networlding Publishing, focuses on assisting thought leaders to write, publish, and launch “books that make the world better.”I’ve been growing my company for the last ten years and have helped 120 thought leaders write, publish, and launch their “make-a-difference” books. I’ve consistently used proceeds from my authors’ book sales to help mentor new adults to help them learn this “new world of publishing.” So far, I’ve mentored more than 30 new adults through an organization called Dream Careers and I can’t wait to help more young people get better starts in their lives. My mentees have gone on to create stellar careers in publishing, marketing, and social media. I’ve had the honor and pleasure of writing five best-sellers, one that held a #10 on Amazon for year and also had a book on Oprah that turned into an opportunity to travel the country and hold community leadership events with kids, adults, and city leaders. One other major honor was getting to be one of 70 people who helped Seth Godin, one of the best marketing leaders in the world, reinvent publishing through his initiative called “The Domino Street Team.” My goal now is to keep helping new author thought leaders get their important books out to the world and into the hearts of others, especially youth, who can use the insights from these books to make the world better for all. ![]()
Phil Elmore is a bestselling author, freelance journalist, and technical writer who lives and works in Upstate New York. He has contributed extensively to “Tactical Knives” and “Survivor’s Edge” magazines as well as several other self-defense and “tactical gear” trade publications. He is the Senior Editor of League Entertainment (an IP development company based in Florida) and the owner of Samurai Press, an independent small-press publisher. Through Samurai Press, Elmore has published a variety of non-fiction and self-help works, including the self-help bestseller “Ten Things Doctors Won’t Tell You About Your CPAP Machine.”
As a ghostwriter, Phil Elmore has been the author behind countless non-fiction and fiction works, including multiple action and science fiction novels, martial arts and fitness publications, survival and “prepper” ebook and print products, and even a survival-themed series of novellas. He has edited numerous novels, magazine articles, and other copy for inclusion in commercially published vehicles, as well as generating hundreds of thousands of words of content for Internet marketers across the Web. With League Entertainment, Elmore co-created the Duke Manfist parody action series. The publisher of “The Martialist,” the online magazine “for those who fight unfairly,” Phil Elmore is also the author of twenty-one Executioner, Mack Bolan, and Stony Man novels for Gold Eagle/Harlequin Enterprises. His other work includes the “Augment,” “Monsters,” and “Detective Moxley” series, as well as the short story collection “The Thing in the Office and Other Tales of Terror” and the crowdfunded comedy-action novel “Spaceking Superpolice.” ![]()
Giveaway Details:
Tour-wide giveaway (INT)
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Book Details:
The Winter Heals (Honey Cove, #2) by Marie McGrath Publication date: January 12th 2021 Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Synopsis: It was almost impossible to heal when everyone was out to get you. Shelby Rowe was stuck between two worlds—the one she wanted and the one everyone else wanted for her. As the daughter of a prominent family in Honey Cove, Shelby’s life was out of her control. Her friends, interests, and even her love life was controlled by others. When a new girl moves to town, Shelby’s life was turned upside down as she gets a glimpse of what life could be like—no obligations, no pressure. As the Christmas break begins, Shelby is left stuck between what is expected and what she feels is right. Split in half, Shelby has to make decisions to correct her life and heal her spirit. Will she allow others to control who she is? Or will she finally go out on her own? Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54779586-the-winter-heals Purchase:Amazon: https://amzn.to/3okuE7c ![]()
AUTHOR BIO:
Marie McGrath lives in a small rural town in Maryland. She hopes to inspire others with her stories. Her favorite genres to read are YA Romance and Contemporary Fiction. She loves the color turquoise, tigers, and listening to music. Author links: Twitter ~ Facebook ~Instagram ~ Website ~ Fan Page ~ Goodreads ~ ![]()
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
This grand prize giveaway - ends Jan 21st: ![]()
Book & Author Details:
Simply You by Maggie Wild Publication date: January 12th 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance Synopsis: She needs someone she can count on. He’s gun-shy after being hurt. Can a brush with fate in a rained-out English village turn into enduring love? Sarah Tildon thinks she’s found the perfect man. But after her overbearing future mother-in-law insists her quiet country wedding become a high-society shindig, she sets out on a two-week ride to rethink her plans. Stranded when her bicycle is stolen in a picturesque hamlet, she’s touched by the kindness of a handsome young farmer who comes to her rescue. The big city failed Michael Marsden’s ample ambitions. After his fiancée cheats on him, he turns his back on the hustle and bustle and takes on a farm to prove he can lead a self-sufficient life. And taken by surprise when a charming outsider helps sing his hens into laying, he realizes his newfound Eden is missing its Eve. Unexpectedly falling for the sweet homesteader, Sarah is torn between the security of a gilded cage and the precarious freedom of raising chickens. And when her fiancé arrives to bring her back to London, Michael fears she’ll leave him with yet another shattered heart. Will this unlikely couple throw caution to the wind and embrace a destined second chance? Simply You is the first book in the heartwarming Hope Valley Romance series. If you like fun heroines, pastoral backdrops, and endearing courtships, then you’ll adore Maggie Wild’s sweet tale. Read Simply You to start fresh today! Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56036854-simply-you Purchase: Amazon: https://amzn.to/35B6HkX B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/simply-you-maggie-wild/1138542328 iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1547527171 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/simply-you-2 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ASYSEAAAQBAJ Universal: https://books2read.com/u/mdnEVy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maggie Wild lives in California Wine Country with her own Mr. Right and a small collection of furry friends. A native of Yorkshire, England, she returns “home” every day through her fictional worlds. When not writing her fun, contemporary romance stories, she loves to watch the birds in her garden and hike through the local redwoods. Author links: https://www.instagram.com/maggiewildbooks/ http://www.maggiewild.com/ https://www.facebook.com/maggiewildbooks ![]()
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