  Book details: Sticks & Stones by Dianne Beck Published by: Acorn Publishing | Publication date: March 18th 2020 Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Emily Greene wakes up to police banging on her door, she is shocked to see her mother arrested on drug charges. Uprooted and in disbelief, Emily moves to a new town to stay with her grandmother, known as Crazy Carol for her outspoken faith and quirky behaviors. As if the arrest isn’t enough, kids at her new school immediately begin to stereotype and judge her based on the news they’ve heard about her mom. Emily is sure her mother’s fiancé is to blame for the crime. He has conveniently disappeared since the day of the arrest. She’s determined to find him, and prove he’s at fault. But something awful happens, shaking her world yet again. After this string of tragedies, Emily starts to question God, but is gently and consistently reminded by her grandmother, through stories she tells of all the sticks, leaves, and stones she collects, that God is her good and faithful parent. Emily must learn that the words others say about her don’t matter, that her mom’s mistakes don’t define her, and she is always deeply loved by her heavenly father. If only she can learn to forgive herself. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks   Sticks and Stones - Dianne Beck This is a great story to help us remember how to handle hardships in our lives, ones we have no control over. We can't change the way people think or feel or feel. We can only do what we can to not let others bring us down. This story has some really good ideas of how to do that. The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along. I really like the way cover and title of the book are a perfect match for the story. I highly recommend this book to all those who enjoy a great read. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie You can find the schedule HERE.   AUTHOR BIO: Dianne Beck has spent the majority of her career teaching students ranging from Kindergarten through adult. No matter what age, her biggest goal is to encourage her students to be their own unique selves, to have confidence in who they are, and to follow their passions. Dianne’s debut young adult novel, Sticks and Stones, was inspired by her years of teaching, where she saw so many students struggle with varying issues, and also experienced how an understanding ear and relevant literature could make a significant impact on their lives. She hopes young people as well as adults can find faith and strength, like her main character Emily does, even when things seem to be falling apart. Dianne is motivated daily by her faith in God, her husband, and her four adult children. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, sipping coffee, browsing a bookstore, or pursuing a part-time faith and fitness ministry at www.ofcommonground.com. Author links: https://www.diannebeck.com/ 
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  Book Details: Night Hunt by Isa Mikaelson Publication date: March 13th 2020 | Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Betrayal takes a backseat to survival. Called back to his small town in Washington for a funeral, Ezra Zaan finds himself exactly where he doesn’t want to be … in the middle of paranormal problems with the vampire ex who broke his heart. The new owner of the Book of the Dead, Ezra’s tasked with defending the town against the Night’s Huntsmen—a deadly group of ghostly hunters who run a magical competition that ends in death and ruin for all paranormal beings. It is set to begin, and the only way to survive is if the factions of witches, vampires, and shifters band together. Which is easier said than done when their hatred has them at each other’s throats. Investigating the breaches in the veil between their world and the other, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to tear them apart. It’s a race against time and their own tangled past as they prepare for the battle of a lifetime. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon
I get by with a little help from my friends Writing itself is a solitary occupation. You sit down in front of the computer and type or cry, depends on how the words are flowing. But being a writer is so much more than that. I have a team of people who assist me. From my editor Melissa at There for you Editing to my incredible graphic artist, Rebecca, at Dreams2Media. I start with a concept, working it around in my head. I listen to music I feel ties into the story. I watch shows and movies that inspire me , and finally, when I’m certain it’s ready to be planted and grow, I contact Rebecca. We put our heads together, and she brings what I see in my head ot life. Everyone has a different process, but I like to have my cover long before the book. I then break down my deadline and what needs to be written by what date, including the release date, after I’ve spoken with Melissa, so she’ll save my editing spot. This helps keep me on track. After that, I pester my friends, family, and assistant about all things related to the story. By the time it’s finished, they’re sick of me, and if I’m honest, I’m sick of my characters. We part ways so they can be edited and viewed by other eyes, and I start on my graphics and try to get in some serious downtime. Binge-watching television, reading until the wee hours of the night, and road-tripping are usually what the doctor orders before I dive in again. Each book is a bit different, but in general, over the years, this has become my process. There for you Editing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/771768419960209/ Dreams2Media: http://dreams2media.com/  AUTHOR BIO: Isa Mikaelson is a USA Today Bestselling author starting a new Penname for YA. She lives in Cincinnati with her two daughters and husband. She is known for her strong female leads, detailed fantastical worlds, and compelling romance infused plots. Her mind is a treasure trove of paranormal, historical, and various other random facts. Author links: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS  GIVEAWAY! Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
TO ENTER, Click on HERE!    Time With Norma Jeane: Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas Publisher: Broadback (January 13, 2020) | ISBN: 978-1671646032 Category: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Time Slip, Women’s Fiction Tour Dates March and April, 2020 | Available in Print and ebook, 258 pages Description: A young woman is hurled back to 1954 to spend a week with Marilyn Monroe. Together, they embark on their own personal journeys — one a coming-of-age — the other, Marilyn’s journey, a struggle to reconcile with her past and perhaps change the future. Buy link: Amazon  REVIEW by LAWonder10: Especially interesting to those with a fondness for Marilyn Monroe, this time travel tale will be notably captivating. This is a very well-written account by a young woman's views of the "real" Marilyn Monroe, as she is transported back in time and spends time with an idol of her's and her deceased mother's. As she gets to know Marilyn, she realizes even her idol has flaws. Within the short time away from home, Darla reevaluates the her relationship with her father and step mother, plus others. She is torn whether to stay in this time in history or return home where she has felt she never "fits in". This is a bittersweet story of romance, dysfunctional situations, true friendship, self-evaluation. It is a coming-of-age-tale that is sure to entertain the reader. The characters are portrayed well, the background scenes clearly defined, and the adventure is constant. The Book Cover and Title are attractively "eye-catching" and "fitting". I offer a Five Stars rating for this story *This book was gifted me with no stipulation for a positive review. This is my honest review.
A delightful and enthralling read! Elyse Douglas captured magic and put it on the page.”--Ambling Bookworm Reviews “This is just an astonishing read that will have you hooked on page one and won’t let go till the last. I read it all in one sitting and could not put it down.”--Donadee’s Corner Reviews  Praise Lost Mata Hari Ring: A Time Travel Novel by Elyse Douglas “I am amazed by the research done into her characters, especially since with this book it is a known woman from the past – Mata Hari. From the moment Trace falls back in time, the descriptions of people and towns created a vision in my mind and I could imagine myself there observing the situations. This book captivated me to the end! If you like books that delve into past lives along with time travel, this is a book you should pick up and read!”-Storeybook Reviews “I must say that the authors did a fantastic job in writing this book. I do not believe that time travel is possible nor do I believe in reincarnation. But while I was reading this book, I believed it was all possible. Part of me envied Trace Rutland for what she experienced, for the things she got to see. What an exciting thing! Well, except for the being thrown in prison part. Once I was about halfway through the book, putting it down for any length of time proved to be impossible.”- Lisa’s Writopia “This book has it all mystery, romance , history. I really enjoyed it as I didn’t really know that much about Mata Hari. I like historical fiction and this book was filled with history. I am not a believer in past lives but I found myself being drawn into the story and holding my breath to see what would happen next. A very well done story. I would recommend it if you like historical fiction.”-Mindy, A Room Without Books Is Empty
Ten Things I Wish I Knew about Being an Author I Didn’t Know Before: 1. As hard as it is to write a novel, it’s even harder to get people to read it. Finding an agent requires a level of pig-headedness equal to or greater than the pig-headedness required to write a novel. If you decide to self-publish, then you quickly learn lesson #2: 2. Don’t expect your friends and family members to read your novel once it’s available as an eBook or paperback, especially if it’s your second, fifth or twentieth novel. They might share the excitement of a first novel, but after the first, they (1) think they already know what you have to say, or (2) are jealous, or (3) don’t have any real interest in reading (and read your first one out of a sense of duty), or (4) don’t like the type of book you write and can’t bear to read another time travel or Christmas romance. 3. You must learn how to market your book, and you must be willing to pay money to do it. Without marketing, no one knows your book exists. To get readers, you must advertise as aggressively as professional marketers do for soft drinks or dish detergent. You must start your own email list of people who truly do enjoy the books you write and communicate with them about new releases and articles of interest. 4. When you are working on a novel, it is your job, 24/7. Every day you get up with that gnawing feeling that you MUST work at some point during the day, despite invitations, distractions, and the activities of daily living. You have to let everyone know: I write from noon until 5 p.m. every day, and I cannot be disturbed. 5. Your subconscious mind knows it is your job 24/7 and it provides hints, or shouts, or even wake up calls in the middle of the night to feed you plot suggestions and turns of phrase. Once you’re fully in your novel’s world, your subconscious provides downloads at any and all times of day. Oh, it’s 3 a.m.? Sorry. But here’s what you need to do in your next scene or, you fouled up the plot in Chapter 4. Go back and fix it! Now! 6. Characters sometimes enter the room of the novel and take over, messing up your ideas of where you thought the novel was going. They can be very demanding at times. Surrender and go with them or, throw them out of the room and lock the door. 7. Details matter. We once had a reviewer say she would have given us five stars on a book, but we got the location of an airport wrong, so she changed it to three stars. Fact checking is very important. Especially in time travel novels, you want to root the characters in such a strong reality that the reader goes with you when you jump off into fantasy. 8. Typos matter, and it is nearly impossible to catch them all. I’ve had very good proofreaders miss a few misspellings or word usage errors (their/there, past/passed) which were then picked up by other, more casual readers. A lot of readers get distracted and offended by typos, so do the best you can to obliterate them. We use Microsoft spell check and ProWritingAid, and we listen to the novels, hoping to catch any and all such errors. We also hire readers and editors. Still, inevitably, some pesky typos leap the backyard fence and get through. 9. Once you’ve managed to write and market the novel sufficiently to get readers, you must develop a very thick skin. You will get some one-and two-star ratings. It’s unavoidable. Just think of your own family and their various tastes in movies, food and romantic partners. You get the idea. You might be riding high after ten four- and five-star ratings, and then it comes: the dreaded one-star. People respond very emotionally to books and have very set expectations. If you don’t meet them, they will let you know. You might write 100,000 words they love, but if they don’t like the ending, those lovely and hard fought 100,000 words won’t matter. It’s the last 500 words that often get you a bad review. 10. Writing is a journey that sometimes leads down an interesting but dead-end street. You might start a novel, write 30,000 words and realize it’s not working, so you start again, write another 30,000, and realize again it’s not working. You can only hope that you can recycle part of what you’ve written and/or place a beloved character in another story. We like to call it the novel junk yard. We even have a virtual junk yard dog, named Scratch. Dear readers, if you are a writer, you will write, no matter what the obstacles are. Happy exploring! May you enjoy the journey and the outcome, whatever it may be. Elyse Douglas - 2020 FIND TOUR SCHEDULE HERE!  About Elyse Douglas Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager and an equities trader. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. Website | Twitter | Facebook |   This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of print or ebook however, print is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends April 22, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only. To Enter, Click on HERE!    Book Details: Judas Kiss (Murphy’s Law, #2) by K.A. Fox Published by: Acorn Publishing | Publication date: March 10th 2020 Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis:Delaney Murphy is learning what it really means to be the daughter of the Devil and that not everyone appreciates her father’s kinder, gentler side. When tragedy strikes and upsets the fragile balancing act of her life, Delaney will have to choose between the world she’s sworn to protect and the father who has changed the whole of Hell just for her. As betrayals around her mount, she begins to question herself and those closest to her. Cut off from her magic, Laney’s tie to humanity is fraying. She’s slipping closer and closer to giving in to the overwhelming darkness growing inside her. Ultimately, she’ll have to confront her demons or risk losing herself entirely. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon
I closed my eyes once again, envisioning the shield I held in place around us. Keeping that visual firm in my mind, I pulled up my power, letting it build layer by layer as it spilled out of a well deep within me. The screams of the demons were louder. I felt the shield shudder under their repeated blows. Still, I waited. I needed every demon as close as possible before I struck out at them. The power continued to build in answer to my call. I felt stretched from within, my skin burning with the strain of holding the energy tight inside. The shield shook around us. Large cracks spider-webbed across it, the apparent success of their onslaught whipping the demons up into a frenzy. A claw cut through, swiping across my ankle. Moose growled, lunging forward but I pulled him back with my hand tight in his fur. He had to stay next to me. A hot river of pain flared along the back of my leg, a second demon sneaking a hand through and reaching for me. I held tight, forcing the magic to wait a little longer, promising it would be free soon. Another claw sunk in and I fought against the agony, my body trembling with power. I felt it when the shield finally gave. The energy I’d siphoned into it bounced back and joined with the magic I’d gathered into my core. Moose yelped next to me, his body going rigid under my hand as a scream escaped me. I dropped to my knees, wrapped my arms around him and held on tight.   AUTHOR BIO: K.A. Fox is a proud military brat who has lived all over the world but now calls the Midwest home. She uses her psychological training to facilitate successful negotiations at work and to convince her husband and three sons that she’s always right. When not writing, she can usually be found hiding somewhere with a book and a bit of chocolate, or chasing after her own adorable Hell Hound. Author links: Instagram | Newsletter | Website | Facebook |   Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
To Enter, Click on HERE!    Book Details: Fae Hunter (Tangled Fae #1) by Sarah K.L. Wilson Publication date: December 11th 2019 | Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Synopsis: Think you know fae? Think again. Our lives are nursery rhymes and faerie stories now, Allie. When Allie Hunter’s twin sister steps through a magic circle into the Faerie realm, she opens the door to deadly fae, bent on causing havoc and harm to Allie’s village. Rendered blind to all but the spirit world, Allie is frustrated and angry but determined to bring the fae down. No matter what that might cost her. But in a world where lies are truth, power is sustenance, and every action ripples into violence, how can one mortal stop all of Faerieland? Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon
The way she looked down coyly, the way her dark lashes made fans over her cheeks and her rapid breathing made her chest rise and fall so quickly that eyes were drawn to her form – well, maybe she didn’t know what that might do to a man. I had a pretty good idea. I’d been watching boys’ eyes get big around Hulanna all my life. She was the pretty one. The dreamy one. The one everyone wanted to know. But she hadn’t been good when she convinced me to come here with her. Our parents were going to be so angry when we got home. Furious. “I had a dream,” she had said while we were herding the goats to the high pasture this morning. “And it was of a place where gemstones are more common than wildflowers.” “Sounds cold,” I’d said, twitching my rod to remind the goats to keep going. “Of a place where everyone is beyond beautiful – like the angels of heaven.” “I hate beautiful people,” I said, prodding one of the goats with my finger to move his stubborn behind down the path. “They don’t bother being anything else. They aren’t funny or smart or wise or interesting – they’re just pretty because that’s all they need to be.” “The food there was all ambrosia and truffles,” she sighed. “Have you ever had ambrosia? I mean, the bards talk about it as if it’s amazing, but what if it’s just goat’s milk? Maybe it’s all a scheme that some ambrosia dealer down on the lowlands uses to get people wanting something that’s actually awful.” But she wasn’t having any of my cynical attitude today. “There was a prince there – the most beautiful prince in the world with raven black hair to his shoulders and huge green eyes and corded, rippling muscles running down through his core, and …” “Let’s stop the image there,” I said dryly. “The only core I’m interested in right now is the core of the apple waiting for me with my lunch.” “Don’t be like that, Allie. Will you come with me to the Star Stones?” she’d asked – no, begged – and she’d turned that look on me. It was the look she was giving him right now. The look that would make you do anything.   AUTHOR BIO: USA Today bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson loves spinning a yarn and if it paints a magical new world, twists something old into something reborn, or makes your heart pound with excitement ... all the better! Sarah hails from the rocky Canadian Shield in Northern Ontario - learning patience and tenacity from the long months of icy cold - where she lives with her husband and two small boys. You might find her building fires in her wood stove and wishing she had a dragon handy to light them for her. Author links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | GOODREADS |  GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
Enter to Win by Clicking on HERE!  Book Tour, Top10, & $25. G.C. Giveaway for Roman and Jules by Stephanie Fowers! {Ends 3/15/20}3/10/2020  
When Jules meets Roman Verona at an exclusive Vegas party, she doesn’t suspect the bad blood that runs so deep between Roman and her boyfriend, Ty, until the two men have it out in front of her. Even worse, Jules finds out that Ty has never loved her. She storms away, only to have her ex’s sworn enemy offer her a ride into town... as well as a shocking proposal. A nice girl wouldn’t even consider making her ex jealous with a sham marriage, so why does she chance it with Roman? Acting the role of devoted husband, Roman soon becomes fascinated with more than Jules’s sweet smile and poetic soul. As her band’s fame grows in Vegas so do his feelings for her and what started out as revenge against his miserable cousin turns into something deeper. But bad boys don’t settle down. So why does Roman risk everything to win Jules’ heart? All bets are off in this modern and sleek tale of star-crossed love! ~ Universal Amazon Link ~  Roman and Jules - Stephanie Fowers I loved this story. The family dynamics were interesting. The way things moved from one cousin to the other was fun to see. The differences between Roman and Ty were very distinct. The characters are well-developed. It's easy to feel their emotions. Jules is a sweet and honest girl. Real fun to see her interactions with the cousins. The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along. The cover and title of the book are a perfect match for the story. A highly recommend this book to all those who enjoy a good romance. This story is a great read. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie
Top Ten random facts about Stephanie (in no particular order. 1-- I was voted "Most Dramatic" in my high school yearbook 2-- I play the guitar and I've been in many bands. One was called, "We the Peeps." 3-- I love hiking and have been checking off all the hikes in the Big and Little Cottonwood canyons 4-- Halloween is my favorite holiday--I probably dress up at least 3 different times each October. 5-- I lived in the Philippines for a year in a half for a church mission and I speak Tagalog (though I'm kind of a cave man in it right now) 6-- I come from a family of ten kids. I have 60+ nieces and nephews (and great nieces and nephews) 7-- I walk two big Labradors for my friend and they've recently forced me to jog and trail run. 8-- My favorite cookies are no bakes--it's pure sugar pumped into my veins. 9-- I starred as Lady Macbeth in my brother's movie... and I actually produced tears to cry on camera (I used onions, of course) 10-- One year I got to go for free to ComicCon in Hawaii and I painted faces there to pay for my keep!  ABOUT the AUTHOR: Stephanie Fowers loves bringing stories to life, and depending on her latest madcap ideas will do it through written word, song, and/ or film. She absolutely adores Bollywood and bonnet movies; i.e., Jane Austen. Presently, she lives in Salt Lake where she's living the life of the starving artist. ~ Facebook ~ Amazon ~~ Book Funnel ~ To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page   Click the cover to find these books at your local Amazon:  Among the craftsmen traveling to the capital is Constance Rendare and her family. An artist, a widow of an unhappy marriage, and the mother of a young son, she dreams of escaping the cruel servitude of her father’s household. Wilard Naron serves the Earl of Dentin. He returns to the capital, his childhood home, to collect his earnings and finally free himself from his father’s reputation. Kidnappings, bandits, and a plot against the king complicate the journey. The conflicts throw Constance and Wilard together as their circumstances grow steadily worse. The more the pair uncovers, the direr the future looks for the country and for them.
Duty - Rossano Duty is a great adventure set in medieval times. There is a wonderful romance throughout all the turmoil and fighting. The characters are well-developed and it is easy to feel their emotions. I especially like Irvaine for his strong character and Brielle for her strength and loving care for others. I highly recommend this story to all those who enjoy a great adventure and true love gained under hard circumstances. This is a truly enjoyable story. It flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 Stars Book 2 - Honor - Rachel Rossano This is a wonderful romance that follows the first book in this series. Having the characters that I got to know and love. Living in those times was much harder than it is today. I loved getting to know The Earl of Dentin and Elsa better. All of the characters are well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions. I like the authors list of characters. It helps keep track of all the characters and how they fit in the story. I highly recommend this second book of Ryynan to those who like a good romance with Kings, Earls, Barons and all the other nobles from that time. It a great read. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 Mercy -Book 3 by Rachel Rossano This book is a great story of sacrifice and love. It brings Wilard Naron back in the story with a life in a way that is much better than his earlier life. Him meeting Constance in all her strength and knowledge, he learns lessons he couldn't without her. The characters are well-developed and easy to feel their emotions. The cover and title of the book are a perfect match for the story. The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along. I really enjoyed this series of medieval living. It's a great story of friends, love and hardships. I recommend all three books to everyone who loves these qualities in a good read. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie  Novels of Rhynan (3 book series) Kindle Edition From Book 1: Duty to King Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman. Duty to Others Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier? Duty to Each Other Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. Failure could mean death.  To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page  ABOUT the AUTHOR: Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the children are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction. ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~ ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter ~
I HATE YOU FULLER JAMES BY KELLY ANNE BLOUNT BLOG TOUR, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 3/20/20}3/5/2020   I Hate You Fuller James by Kelly Anne Blount Publication Date: March 2, 2020 | Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush | Tour Date: March 2-13, 2020 SYNOPSIS: I hate you, Fuller James. I hate your floppy hair and your lopsided grin and those laughing blue eyes that always seem to be laughing at me. I hate that you’re the most popular guy in school and I’m still the girl who sneezed and spit out her retainer on someone at a middle school dance. It’s just such a cliché. I hate that I’m being forced to tutor you in English and keep it a secret from everyone. Because otherwise it might put our basketball team’s chances at winning State in jeopardy, and even though I hate you, I love basketball. I hate that it seems like you’re keeping a secret from me…and that the more time we spend together, the less I feel like I’m on solid ground. Because I’m starting to realize there’s so much more to you than meets the eye. Underneath it all, you’re real. But what I hate most is that I really don’t hate you at all. Link to Goodreads | ~ Purchase Links:| Amazon | B&N |
Q.: Where do you get the ideas from, when creating personalities for your characters? How to Make Your Characters Believable? A.: I draw inspiration for my characters from the world around me. It be as simple as observing a couple walking around Target or overhearing someone arguing with a friend over the phone, these moments inspire scenes and dialogue in my books. I also base parts of my characters off of people I know. If I have a friend who gives really great advice or is known for her great laugh, I may incorporate those traits into one of my characters. Making my characters believable is an incredibly important task. You want your readers to get lost in the world you create, and nothing can pull you out of that quicker than stumbling into a character who isn’t believable! I focus on blending personality traits that I’ve observed in real life when creating my character’s personalities. Also, everyone has flaws, therefore, characters should have flaws too. Imperfections are relatable and personal. Writing a flawed character can lead to readers developing a deeper connection with the story. Creating personalities for your characters and making your characters believable are monumental tasks that authors should not take lightly. It’s a skill that I’ve studied and plan to continue learning more about as I write more books. Thank you so much for having me today! It’s an honor to be featured on your blog! Kelly Anne Blount xoxo   ABOUT THE AUTHOR USA Today Bestselling author and Wattpad Star Kelly Anne Blount has more than seventy-three-thousand followers on social media. Her Wattpad stories have been read more than twenty-million times. She’s contributed to Tap, Wattpad’s new app for chat-style stories, where her work has been “tapped” more than fifty-million times. She is a writer and reviewer for SpoilerTV, which has allowed her to develop an incredible network of film and TV stars. Two of her Wattpad works, including Captured (seventeen-million reads), have been optioned for film by Komixx Entertainment, and she is regularly invited to present seminars about social media at author events. Stop by any of Kelly’s social-media platforms (@KellyAnneBlount) and stay tuned to this website for announcements and information about upcoming releases and events Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram Link to Tour Schedule !  Giveaway Details: One (1) winner will win a signed copy of I HATE YOU, FULLER JAMES and a commissioned art postcard Ester the Giveaway by clicking on HERE!    STING by Cindy R. Wilson Publication Date: March 3, 2020 Genres: Entangled: Teen, YA, Dystopian, Friends-to-Lovers, RomanceSYNOPSIS: They call me the Scorpion because they don’t know who I really am. All they know is that someone is stealing from people with excess to help people with nothing survive another day. But then a trusted friend reveals who I am—“just” Tessa, “just” a girl—and sends me straight into the arms of the law. All those people I helped…couldn’t help me when I needed it. In prison, I find an unlikely ally in Pike, who would have been my enemy on the outside. He represents everything I’m against. Luxury. Excess. The world immediately falling for his gorgeous smile. How he ended up in the dirty cell next to mine is a mystery, but he wants out as much as I do. Together, we have a real chance at escape. With the sting of betrayal still fresh, Pike and I will seek revenge on those who wronged us. But uncovering all their secrets might turn deadly… ADD to GOODREADS | ~ Amazon | iTunes | B&N | Kobo | Paperback | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU |
 ABOUT CINDY R. Wilson Cindy began creating worlds as a kid, entertaining her siblings with spontaneous ghost stories before bed. She filled notebooks with novels and ideas and realized quickly she wanted to be a writer as an adult. Now Cindy lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and loves using Colorado towns and cities as inspiration for settings in her stories. She’s the mother of three girls who provide plenty of fodder for her YA novels.Visit her website to learn more about her books or subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.cindyrwilsonauthor.com Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub | Amazon Author Profile TOUR SCHEDULE HERE!  One prize pack that includes a signed copy of STING and a $20 gift card (open to US only) ENTER the Giveaway HERE!    Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee Publisher: Bowker (January 11, 2019) Category: Memoir/Self-Help/Non-Fiction Tour dates: March/April, 2020 ISBN: 978-0578430805 Available in Print and ebook, 316 pages Description: Michaela Renee Johnson was just 12 years old in 1992 when a financial slump forced her family to move from an upscale area in Sacramento to a 27-ft trailer in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with no electricity or running water — so no Nintendo or MTV. It wasn’t exactly the life that every adolescent dreams of, but it was, in fact, their reality. Michaela chronicles these formative years (and beyond) in her often humorous, constantly candid true story, Teetering on Disaster. As the young Michaela navigates her way through the inherently melodramatic teen years, she must come to terms with relieving herself in the woods, shaving with a 10-cent borrowed razor in an irrigation ditch and taking what she called “bird baths” with a jug of water. Somehow, in the midst of disorienting change, she learned to focus on what she was gaining instead of what she had lost. And in the end, she gained profound wisdom about her family and the world around her, and uncovered the truth about her own ability to thrive in the face of life’s inconveniences. But the effects of her unorthodox upbringing don’t end at adulthood, and Teetering takes readers along as a grown Michaela stumbles upon a few “Mr. Right Nows,” gets divorced in her twenties, and ends up right back where she started: a small mountain town in the middle of nowhere. Teetering on Disaster is a heartfelt, coming-of-age story written to inspire others to live a courageous life of authenticity and to speak their truth with grace. Michaela’s book is an unapologetically honest, authentic tale that will make readers laugh out loud and cry — sometimes at the same time. Buy Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | IndieBound  REVIEW by LAWonder10: This coming of age story is in two parts. The first half of this tale begins with the devastation a young 12-year-old girl experiences when her family is forced to liquidate all their belongings and buy a trailer and old truck to move to a small community in a new state, on top of a hill with not electricity or toilet accommodations. It is very interesting in the manner they improvised. Because of a strong family unit and the attitudes of dedicated parents, the children adjusted as well as possible. In the second half, the rites of passage this girl went through as she went away to college and became a woman is mind boggling. The first part of the book is entertaining and compelling. However, in my opinion, the second part became a little unsettling and loses some of the momentum. It does portray how certain choices can bring unexpected consequences into one's life. It is interesting how she dealt with these changes and the unconditional love of her parents and siblings. Many will be able to relate to parts of this incredible story, others will become outraged. The characters are portrayed realistically, and situations are well-defined and easily visualized. I do feel the transition from one scene to another occasionally loses a smooth "flow", leaving a few gaps. This story addresses the devastation which cam occur in life, without ever contemplating it and of which is sometimes out of one's control. At these times, it is a choice in each one how he/she will respond to each situation. There are a lot of beneficial lessons taught within these pages. Reader Beware: There is occasional profanity and cruse language. I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating. * This book was gifted me with requirement for a positive review. This is my honest review.
“Throughout Michaela’s autobiographical story, she sent me through a rollercoaster of emotions. Not being able to identify on a personal level with the extreme of both of her situations in each half of the book, I still felt that as a human being I could sympathize, and it helped me to have a greater appreciation for what I currently have. Michaela’s story had me happy at all of her highs, sad at the many losses, and emotionally confused concerning her relationships. What it all boils down to is that at times, being a grown-up, and a female, can be very difficult.”- Rachel Dehning, San Francisco Book Review “I really did laugh, and cry, while reading this. I was able to relate to the experiences of the author, even though we are twenty years apart in age; the early years… amazing experience that family went through, creating a precious, ever-lasting bond between a young woman, her parents, and her two younger brothers. Her humor and positive attitude, her extreme frankness and humility (touched with a bit of narcissism) draw one to her. She, like the sweet doggies of the Great North, she is ever pleasing, forgiving, hard-working and never tiring. She relates to the dog world so much, calling herself Rio’s mom, that she probably won’t mind being compared to a canine. Being a dog lover myself, I think of it as the highest compliment! I wish I had her strength, her sense of humor and wit, her looks, her intelligence, her resilience and determination; I wish I had her ability to seems so Angie-Jolie-transcendent, and yet admit to being a little Grace-Adler-(Debra Messing)-ordinary … striking and competent, clumsy and insecure… God bless her!! I wanna go through struggles and come out looking like Michaela Renee! One you just can’t help admiring. Very inspiring. You just know she is going to be JUST FINE! She has spirit! She has spunk! And she IS LOVED… she will never be alone When she least expects it her true love will curl up next to her, and he won’t have four legs!”- Marcy Lundy, Goodreads “Laugh out loud funny, interesting & touching. Teetering on Disaster is like a Modern day “Swiss Family Robinson meets Jerry Springer”! You could know the entirety of the story and Kayla’s writing style, quick wit, raw truth still entertains. If she wrote recipe’s we wouldn’t need the food channel. Buy it for every chick you know and earn major points, but make sure you keep one copy for yourself! Not just a “chick” book – man up and enjoy!”-Rick Harris, Amazon Acclaim/Awards Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee
Q: Why Writing is a Form of Personal Therapy A: For me writing has always been a way to process the depth of my emotions and share my hopes and dreams in a way that feels completely authentic. Journaling especially became a safe place for me from a young age to share how I felt without worry of the judgment of others. Teetering began as a blog, back before blog was a word, and really was a way for me to process and share, and hopefully inspire others during a very trying time in my life. The response was overwhelming and Teetering became a real book through that channel. I think often people sit down to write and feel that there has to be a certain way. We are taught from grade school to dot I’s, cross T’s and stay in the lines. I like to challenge my clients to pick up the pen and write and don’t worry about the wrong or right way to do it, the wrong or right thing to say. I encourage people to begin with a journal they love and a pen they love even more. Start by writing the weather and how your emotions relate to it. It’s amazing what can begin to unfold from simply associating your internal feelings with something external. Writing is absolutely a form of personal therapy, special and private to you.   About Michaela Renee Michaela Renee Johnson is a licensed psychotherapist, Be You Find Happy podcast host and an award winning published author. She inspires happiness by encouraging people to speak their truth with grace, and live a courageous life of authenticity Her business Be You Find Happy holds workshops and conversations on happiness in spite of life’s setbacks and has landed her speaking opportunities across the nation. She lives in Northern California with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and has visited 19 countries; she loves the ocean and everything in it. She rarely finds herself without an activity whether it be hiking, yoga, tinkering the garden, golfing, reading or spending time outside.In her most simplest she loves poetic quotes and all things metaphysical. Website | Facebook | YouTube   This giveaway is for one autographed print copy and 2 ebook copies of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends April 21, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY! Teetering On Disaster Web Tour Schedule
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 2 Interview & Kickoff Becky What U Talking Bout Willis Mar 3 Review Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews Mar 4 Review & Guest Post Susan Amazon Mar 5 Review Amber Amazon Mar 6 Review Michelle Reading Authors Network Mar 9 Review Wendy Wall-to-wall books Mar 10 Review Katy Goodreads Mar 12 Review Gud Reader Goodreads Mar 16 Review Karen Amazon Mar 23 Review Jas International Book Reviews Mar 26 Review & Interview Miller Amazon Mar 31 Review Serena The Write Review Apr 1 Review Amy Locks, Hooks and Books Apr 8 Review & Excerpt Dawn Bound 4 Escape Apr 14 Review Betty Toots Book Reviews Apr 17 Review & Excerpt Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Apr 20 Review   The Prince and the Wedding Planner (The Bartolini Legacy #1) By Jennifer Faye Contemporary Romance | Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages March 1st 2020 by Harlequin Romance SYNOPSIS: When different worlds collide… …sparks fly! With her family name on the line, wedding planner Bianca Bartolini needs this royal wedding to go perfectly—she can’t afford distractions. Too bad the bride’s dashing brother has other plans! Duty-bound Crown Prince Leo has mere weeks to announce his own engagement, but none of the candidates measure up to Bianca. They’re the most unlikely match, but might that just make them perfect for one another? (Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | PRINT  REVIEW by LAWonder10: In her familiar style, Jennifer Faye, once again, creates a wonderful "feel good" novel which is sure to leave the reader uplifted and entertained. Prince of a small country must soon marry immediately after he successfully overseas his younger siblings wedding... If he can ever endure the conflict between his mother and sibling! By chance, he is inspired to resolve the issues through an unexpected source, yet is surprised by the results. Within this tale, is a whirlwind of fun, often unexpected events, which will keep the reader eagerly anxious for the next page. The characters are delightfully endearing. and portrayed well. The background scenes and events are well described, allowing the reader the feel he/she is there, experiencing it. There is one cliff-hanger which never is answered. This is okay if there us a sequel. If not, then it leaves an unresolved feeling on the issue. The Book Title and Cover are well-chosen. I offer Four and a Half Stars rating. * This book was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest Review.    About the Author Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards. Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube | BookBub | Newsletter  Giveaway Details: - One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one of Jennifer's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook (if outside the US) - Three winners will each receive one of Jennifer's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook (if outside the US) Ends March 11, 2020 To ENTER, Click on the Rafflecopter link: RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY! Tour Schedule March 2nd: Launch Rockin' Book Reviews Thoughts of a Blonde Books and Zebras March 3rd: Pause for Tales Wishful Endings Bookworm Lisa Jorie Loves A Story March 4th: Deal Sharing Aunt Reading Excursions Andi's Book Reviews Two Points of Interest March 5th: Harlie's Books Baroness' Book Trove Peaceful Pastime Splashes of Joy March 6th: Locks, Hooks and Books underneath the covers Bookish Jottings Hallie Reads March 7th: Grand Finale    Book details: Trickster (Angelbound Lincoln, #3) by Christina Bauer Published by: Monster House Books Publication date: February 25th 2020 Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult Synopsis:* **A hilarious adventure after the events of Angelbound SCALA ... and it's all from Prince Lincoln's point of view!!!*** With the drama of the Ghost Towers and Lucifer's Orb behind them, Lincoln looks forward to sharing some quality time with Myla. Maybe they'll even do a 'regular couple thing' like a dinner date. Or they could kill more demons together. Lincoln isn't picky. Then a trickster gets loose inside Antrum. And by trickster, we're talking a giant orange monkey with magical powers and a love of causing drama with uptight thrax. Looks like date night is on hold. Author’s Note To Readers: You can read this book after Angelbound Origins SCALA or not. I wrote it to work either way. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play |
Trixter - Christina Bauer I love the Angelbound stories. So much great imagination. This story has great characters and all the different fantasy characters make it truly interesting. Lincoln and Myla are a great couple. I also came to really like Peli. He is a great character. The characters are all well-developed and it's easy to feel their emotions. The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along. The cover and title of the book are a good fit for the story. I highly recommend this book along with the previous books in this series to anyone who enjoys a story with a great deal of imagination and a great romance. I give this book a literary rating of 5/5 written by vickie  Other Books in series: Author’s Note to Self: Why do I write things out of sequence? Wasn’t SCALA published a while ago? To which I say to myself: self, this is how our gift works. Just be happy it does. And go eat more cookies. We like those. ANGELBOUND LINCOLN 1. Duty Bound 2. Lincoln 3. Trickster Don’t miss out: Get your FREE copy of Christina’s novella, BEVERLY HILLS VAMPIRE, when you sign up for her personal newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/bauersbooks ***Not available in stores***  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 | Stalk Christina On Social Media – She Loves It! Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Web site  You can find the schedule HERE.   Giveaway Details: Tour-wide giveaway (INT)
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