THE GIRL THEY LEFT BEHIND by Roxanne VeletzosHardcover: 368 Pages | Publisher: Atria Books (October 9, 2018)
SYNOPSIS:
       A sweeping family saga and love story that offers a vivid and unique portrayal of life in war-torn 1941 Bucharest and life behind the Iron Curtain during the Soviet Union occupation—perfect for fans of Lilac Girls and Sarah’s Key. 
     On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation.    
      Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early twenties and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets.  
      When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love, or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms, and to confront the painful enigma of her past.
Purchase Links; Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble    

 MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
I highly recommend this book, based on factual events and some real individuals! In a world where confusion exists so strongly on what life in Socialism is like, this book gives the general public a good view.
This story covers the time period from the beginning of World War ll, then into the 1960s. 
The author has done a lot of intense research to bring the fiction portion of the book as close to fact as possible.
Based on the lives of real individuals, this is the story of a young Jewish couple with a small child fleeing place to place for safety as they flee persecution of Jews in Romania. They find refuge at a home of a friend of the young man's father. However, they have to live very quietly in the small attic. 
Knowing they couldn't remain hidden with a small child, and if she were discovered on a resident's step, she wouldn't be killed, the parents very reluctantly leave the child behind. Upon the discovery of the little girl, the resident took her in her home for the night then to the orphanage the next day.
A volunteer at the orphanage told a cousin, who had not been able to complete her pregnancies, of the little girl who had not been speaking, eating or drinking since they found her. The couple eagerly made arrangements and adopted the young girl.
This is a story of complete of of two couple for one little girl. It is, also, a story of the successes and devastation occurring during that time period. It is very interesting and, at times, emotionally stirring. The reader's interest is maintained throughout the story.
The characters are very real and the reader is'brought into: the story in a way one can imagine one's there.
The Title and Cover a a terrific "fit".
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating
*This book was gifted me with not request of a positive review. This is my honest review.

About Roxanne Veletzos:
​Roxanne Veletzos was born in Bucharest, Romania and moved to California with her family as a young teen. Already fluent in English and French, she began writing short stories about growing up in her native Eastern Europe, at first as a cathartic experience as she transitioned to a new culture, then simply to pursue what had become an unrelenting passion. She has worked as an editor, content writer, and marketing manager for a number of Fortune 500 companies and has been writing fiction since 2012. Her first novel, THE GIRL THEY LEFT BEHIND, is based on her family’s true story.
Connect with Roxanne:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

To have the opportunity to WIN your OWN COPY of this book, complete the Rafflecopter below!

Presented by TLC Book Tours

Title: SCALES (Spirits of Chaos, #1) Author: Nicole Conway
Pub. Date: 2019 | Publisher: Owl Hollow Press
Formats: Paperback, eBook | Find it: Goodreads
 Synopsis:
    When New York City faces the threat of an ancient evil, a teenage boy must use a magical bracelet to transform into a monster-slaying dragon superhero.
    Koji Owens is the new kid … again. As the only son of an Air Force F-16 pilot, he’s learned to adapt and survive every time they move. It’s not easy starting over with new friends and schools every two years, but when the Owens family makes their final move to New York, Koji finally has hope for a normal high school life—that is, until he finds a strange bracelet in his locker.
       Transformed into a storm-summoning dragon warrior, Koji finds himself caught up in a world of ancient powers, secret identities, and colossal monsters threatening to destroy his new home. But these awesome powers come with strings attached, and revealing his true identity could mean losing everything he loves. With his family and friends now in mortal danger and New York City in flames, Koji must find the courage to become the hero they need and face down an enemy hiding in plain sight.
       A comic-obsessed teenage misfit embraces his inner hero in this action-packed adventure that will leave you ready to get your scales on!
 
Exclusive Excerpt!
     Piercing light bloomed from the totem scale. It swept over me and took away my pain, molding and stretching me into my full dragon form. The instant the searing energy coursed through my body, I launched myself into the sky.
     I didn’t have a single second to waste.
     Now that I was a beast of comparable size, I crested the skyscrapers in a few powerful beats of my wings. From a few blocks away, the wyvern spotted me. It let out a howl of fury as it surged straight for me. I answered with a battle cry of my own, driving more and more power into every beat of my mighty black wings.
     Two F-22 fighter jets rolled in on either side, joining me in aerial formation. Their engines roared, and both pilots gave me a confirming thumb’s up. They were following me in for the attack.
      I’d never felt so cool in my entire life.
    I clashed with the wyvern in the air over Central Park, clamping my jaws around his throat. I prepared to give him a taste of my lightning, the same way I had the crocodile monster. One good jolt and maybe I could bring him down.
    Before I get a good grip, he swung his spiked tail and whacked me across the eyes. I let go, snatching back with a roar.
     He dove at me; his toothy mandible jaws open wide to rip my throat out.
     A sudden plume of fire scorched his hide and sent him reeling. I drew back, wary of the blistering flames.
     Another giant dragon clashed in battle, had scales as red as fresh blood and a ridge of tall, slender black spines all the way down her back. My breath caught. Madeline? She’d gone full-form, too?
     She attacked the wyvern mercilessly, pinning him under another blast of her fiery breath.
    Shaking off the blow to my head, I charged headlong back into the fight, lightning sizzling and popping off my open jaws. We had to get him on the ground. If we could pin him there, he’d be within range of ground fire and an easier target for our air support. We could contain the damage to the rest of the city, too.
     So I went for one of the wyvern’s wings full-force.
     Fyurei had him distracted. He never saw me coming. I swooped in to break one of his wings at the shoulders with a single powerful crunch of my jaws and sharp jerk of my head. The creature screeched and kicked, floundering with his one good wing and swinging his tail like a medieval mace. The bulbous, spiky tip struck one of the F-22 jets and sent the aircraft flipping through the air end over end. Not good. I watched the aircraft fall, waiting for the pilot to eject.
     He didn’t.
     I didn’t hesitate—I dove straight after the jet, summoning every bit of speed I had. The jet spiraled, smoking and streaking toward the ground. I threw myself the final distance with a desperate cry, jaws open wide.
      I caught the tail of the jet in my teeth about a hundred feet shy of the ground. As soon as my jaws clamped onto the metal, I reared back, kicked my legs out, and flared for an emergency landing right in the middle of the park.
      It took a second for the dust, snow, and trees to settle.
      Picking the jet carefully out of my mouth, I held it up to my huge dragon eyeball like a little kid’s toy. Inside the cockpit, the tiny pilot was giving me a shaky thumb’s up. He was okay.
      I gave him my best dragon smile, terrifying as it probably was, and placed his jet, right side up, on a grassy spot in the park. Then I turned around to get back to business. I still had some wyvern rear end to roast and an evil headmaster in dire need of reeducation.

About Nicole:
    MY NAME IS NICOLE CONWAY and I love to write stories! I've been writing books since I was very young, and am blessed beyond measure to be able to do it now as a full time career. Although I sometimes step out into other genres, I primarily write Fantasy for teens and middle graders.
      ​I graduated from Auburn University in 2012, which is also where I met my husband. As a military family, we move frequently and have lived numerous places all around the world. We have one very energetic son, Ethan. We also have two dogs (French Brittanys) named Joey (currently 5 months old) and Phoebe (4 years old) and a ball python named Noodle Nagini.
      For inquiries on how to book me for a school visit, presentation, or interest in my future or current projects, please contact my amazing literary agent, FRAN BLACK, of Literary Counsel.
Subscribe to Nicole’s Newsletter!
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | BookBub | Amazon |  Goodreads

Giveaway Details:
One lucky winner will win an ARC of SCALES, US Only.

​Being a bully isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
    Sixteen-year old Brianna had everything she wanted: money to ski all over the world, underlings to do her bidding, and parents who gave her every freedom—as long as she played by their rules. But when she’s busted shoplifting and assigned to the Chain Gang, she ditches her shallow ways and realizes being herself is easier than manipulating people.
    Forced to partner with kids she’d never dream of befriending, including Xavier, a boy who makes her pulse go into hyperdrive, Brianna vows to be a better person. Breaking Old Brianna’s habits isn’t easy, but her infatuation with Xavier—someone her parents would never approve of—motivates her to keep trying.
Even when he convinces her to trade her swanky skis for a beat-up snowboard.
    Brianna lets go of her need to control everything and finally starts to feel free—until her past threatens to jeopardize her first real chance at love. She discovers balancing on the edge is as challenging in life as it is in snowboarding, and when a new friend is in trouble, Brianna must decide between the superficial things that used to be her world and putting her friend’s safety before herself.
​Goodreads | Purchase Links |

Guest Post: What story ideas would you like to tackle in the future? Why?
       I’m really intrigued by unreliable narrators. I’ve yet to write one, and I really haven’t read that many, but I’m eager to try—and I’ve already outlined a story with that in mind.
     I get a lot of ideas from the news and the world in general, so whenever I hear something that sounds too unbelievable to be real, my brain starts working—and it usually switches the protagonist and antagonist to really flip the story on its head.
        My next novel is going to deal with multiple levels of mental illness within a family, plus a
boatload of secrets, uncertain sexuality, and an ending that will hopefully shock readers. The
biggest struggle I’m anticipating is showing growth in the character—but that’s why I’m the
author, right?
        I also have an idea for a new adult novel based on the eclipse from the summer of 2017. It will be sexy and fun and while I’m not quite sure how it will fit in with the rest of my books, I can’t wait to write it.
      When I first started writing, I was focused on novels for an adult audience, but once I started writing young adult, I knew I’d found what I’m meant to write. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep challenging myself. With every book I’ve written, I’ve challenged myself in a different ways. With Flicker, for example, there are zero dialogue tags (he said, she said). With The Slope Rules, one of the characters never actually appears in the book—she’s only present via text and video messages. So I know that no matter what I write next, I’ll find a way to grow as a writer, and hopefully please my readers even more than the previous book.

Multi-award winning young adult author Melanie Hooyenga first started writing as a teenager and finds she still relates
best to that age group. She has lived in Washington DC, Chicago, and Mexico, but has finally settled down in her home
state of Michigan. When not at her day job as a Communications Director at a nonprofit, you can find Melanie attempting
to wrangle her Miniature Schnauzer Owen and playing every sport imaginable with her husband Jeremy.
WEBSITE |  SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

Hair in all the Wrong Places #3 by Andrew Buckley
Release Date: October 30, 2018
Publisher: Month9Books
A menacing shadow looms over Elkwood, as a dark and sinister evil creeps into town. Only Colin Strauss can feel it
happening. He is a werewolf, after all.
A routine Night Watch mission ends with Colin rescuing a mysterious girl from monster hunters, causing shock waves
threatening to rock the town of Elkwood to its very foundations. Just when Colin thinks things can’t get any worse, he
starts having girl problems.
If anyone is up to the task, it’s Colin. In the past year, he’s faced an evil biology teacher, defeated a power-hungry
wizard, and united a group of unlikely creatures and freaks to defend their home.
Can Colin defeat the growing evil, evade ancient monster hunters, and not mess things up with his sort-of girlfriend?
Having hair in all the wrong places is fast becoming the least of Colin’s problems.
Goodreads ~ Purchase Links: Google Play |BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD​

Other  Books in the Series:

Goodreads |

Andrew Buckley attended the Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television program. After
pitching and developing several screenplay projects for film and television, he worked in marketing and public
relations, before becoming a professional copy and content writer. During this time Andrew began writing his
first adult novel, DEATH, THE DEVIL AND THE GOLDFISH, followed closely by his second novel,
STILTSKIN. He works as an editor for Curiosity Quills Press.
Andrew also co-hosts a geek movie podcast, is working on his next novel, and has a stunning amount of other
ideas. He now lives happily in the Okanagan Valley, BC with three kids, one cat, one needy dog, one beautiful
wife, and a multitude of characters that live comfortably inside of his mind.
Andrew is represented by Mark Gottlieb at the Trident Media Group
​Website | Facebook | Goodreads | 

Book details:
Rival (Fate of the Stars, #2) by Arwen Paris 
Publication date: November 1st 2018
Genres: Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy,Young Adult
Synopsis:It’s a role she didn’t want…  
    One deadly week has passed since seventeen year old Allison Delaney realized she must save Earth from the parasitic race of Ma’tiok. But the task is even more complicated than Allison feared, and she’s being set up to fail. Blamed for a fatal blow to the Alliance fleet that killed dozens of soldiers, Allison must face judgment for their deaths. The High Priestess Kiobaan is Allison’s only hope. Kiobaan sees the warrior spirit in Allison, along with her potential both politically and physically and agrees to train her.
And a game she can’t afford to lose.
Meanwhile, though Allison is the human host of Eenoki, protector of life, she’s not yet ready to harness their combined energy. Their bond is unpredictable at best—volatile at worst. Time is running out for Eenoki and Allison to trust each other—all or nothing—or she’ll never gain the power she needs to defeat the Ma’tiok and save Earth. When Allison is marked for death by an unknown enemy, the High Priestess Kiobaan must step-up and fight. But in return Kiobaan extracts a pledge from Allison, one that will compromise her new status and make her a target.
Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon |

Rival - Fate of the Stars - Arwen Paris 

    This story is an action packed fantasy with lots of interesting characters.
       The characters are well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions.
    The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
    The title of the story is a good fit for the book. I also think the book cover is a great fit.
I highly recommend this book to other readers who love a good fantasy adventure.
I give this a literary rating of 5/5

written by vickie

AUTHOR BIO:
Arwen Paris is the author of young adult fiction. Her debut YA Sci-fi Urban Fantasy novel FATE OF THE STARS releases September 1, 2017. The actions packed pages of her novels are filled with characters that are forced to face fears they never expected. When she's not writing, you can see posts of her (too many) vacations that keep her sane. Arwen lives in Washington, has a big crazy family & after the day job, she writes Fiction For the Fearless - #F3Fanatic 
Author links:
Website |  BookBub | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

 You can find the schedule here (http://xpressobooktours.com/2018/08/24/tour-sign-up-rival-by-arwen-paris/).

Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

• 2x $50 Amazon gift cards

This grand prize giveaway - ends Nov 15th:

​Fate & Fortune
(Fate & Fortune #1)
By Robin Daniels
YA Contemporary Romance, Duology
ebook, 279 Pages
September 20th 2018

Bryce has liked Paige since they were little but has never had the guts to act on his feelings. Paige is devastated over being dumped by her long-time boyfriend and can’t seem to move on. They’re stuck in a rut, until fate decides to pull them out.

Both Paige and Bryce are talked into seeing a fortune teller at the annual Summer’s End Carnival. Neither of them buys into the mysticism, until the psychic’s predictions start coming true. Now, the most bizarre things are happening and there isn’t a clear explanation. Each of them must figure out if they’re the subject of an elaborate hoax or a bigger plan forged by destiny.

*This book is part one of two. Books should be read sequentially.

Goodreads│Amazon

Fate and Fortune - Book 1 - Robin Daniels 

I love this story. A little mystery, romance and so much fun. I can't wait to read the follow
up story.
The characters are fun and well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions. I really like the
twins and their differences and likenesses in their personalities.
The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
The title is a good fit for the story.
I highly recommend this book to others.
I give this story a literary rating of 5/5

written by vickie

Kismet and Karma - Book 2 - Robin Daniels

As with book 1, I love this story. How fun to read the story from different characters
perspectives. The same things happen but getting to see them from other characters
changes the whole story so much.
The characters are fun and well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions. I really like the
twins and their differences and likenesses in their personalities.
The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
The title is a good fit for the story.
I highly recommend this book to others.
I give this story a literary rating of 5/5

written by vickie

​Kismet & Karma
(Fate & Fortune #2)
By Robin Daniels

YA Contemporary Romance, Duology
ebook, 270 Pages
October 25th 2018

Bryce and Paige belong together, but they’ll never make it happen alone. When inspiration strikes in multiple ways, a friend decides it can’t be a coincidence; it’s a call to action. With a little luck, the help of fate, and the matchmaking plan of the century, Bryce and Paige just might get their happy ending.

You heard Paige and Bryce's version of the story in Fate & Fortune. Now join Eric, Amy, Cody, Kennedy and Genie to see how things really went down.

***This book completes the series. Book one can be read as a standalone, but book two cannot. Fate & Fortune should be read first.***

Goodreads│Amazon

ABOUT the AUTHOR:
​The most important thing to know about me is that I'm basically a sixteen-year-old trapped in an adult's body. It's why I feel such a great connection to all of my characters and why I love to write romantic comedy. The kid in me just wants to be goofy. Besides being a writer; I'm a wife, mother of five, volleyball enthusiast and home decorating guru. My list of favorites includes: reading, Christmas, pedicures, dessert, steak, Arizona winters and most importantly, Diet Coke.
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Amazon│Newsletter

TOUR GIVEAWAY!
1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends November 21, 2018

Tour Schedule

November 5th:
Launch
Heidi Reads...
Mythical Books
November 6th:
Becky on Books
Rockin' Book Reviews
Christen Krumm, Writer
November 7th:
Among the Reads
Dani Reviews Things
November 8th:
Harlie's Books
Colorimetry
November 9th:
Singing Librarian Books
Getting Your Read On
November 12th:
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Wishful Endings
November 13th:
Sarah Jane Lamb
Seasons of Humility
November 14th:
Paulette's Papers
Andi's Young Adult Books
Andi's Book Reviews
November 15th:
Mel's Shelves
Kathryn Cooper Writes
Rainy Day Reviews
November 16th:
Teatime and Books
Ghoulish Life & Reviews
A Backwards Story
Remembrancy
November 17th:
Grand Finale

​About the Book:
Jane of Air The Tattoed Girl Series Book 1 by Jessica Penot
  Jane has spent her entire life hiding. Hiding under bulky clothing. Hiding behind books. Hiding behind glasses. Abandoned in an emergency room at the age of four with her name written on her forehead in Sharpie and a mysterious tattoo of a door on her back, Jane grew up in foster care and learned early on that blending in with normal people was the only way to survive.
      Now, at the age of 16, Jane is hoping to get a fresh start at a prestigious college on a full scholarship. With limited resources and no family to help her, Jane takes a job as a live-in companion to a wealthy old woman who lives near the school. Jane grows to care for Miss Adele and loves her new home, the magnificent Thornfield Hall, even though everyone says it’s haunted. She doesn’t even mind Adele’s brooding grandson, Edward Rochester, who the locals believe murdered his first girlfriend. At first Jane tries to stay away from Edward, but she can’t help being drawn to him. As her attraction grows, so do the whispers about the dark secrets that Edward is hiding. After Jane witnesses several improbably accidents, she realizes that any sensible girl should run away in terror. She realizes that only a fool would stay, yet she can’t make herself leave no matter how dark the shadows grow and how real the ghosts become. As her fears escalate, her tattoo begins to change and spread across her back. Jane knows something wicked lurks at Thornfield and she knows it’s connected to her. She knows the only way to stop the darkness is to run, but somehow, she can’t seem to find the strength to leave the only person she’s ever loved.

Jane of Air - Jessica Penot 
​
This is a very intriguing paranormal story. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.
I like the tie to old England.
The characters are well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions.
The story flows well from chapter to chapter and is easy to follow along.
The title of the book fits the story well. The cover of the book is also very appealing.
I can't wait to read the following books in the series.
I highly recommend this book.
I give this book a literary rating of 5/5

written by vickie

​About the Author:
Jessica Penot is a therapist and writer who lives in Alabama.  Jessica is the owner of Tree of Life Behavioral Health and connoisseur of ghost stories and all things that go bump in the night.  She is the Author of Haunted North Alabama, Haunted Chattanooga, and Amazon bestseller, The Accidental Witch.
​www.jessicapenot.net
www.jessicapenot.com
www.hauntingdarkness.com

​Book details:
Broken Arrow 
by Azaria M.J. Durant 
(Darkened Destiny Saga #1) 
Publication date: July 29th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:An ancient power long kept dormant stirs in the shadows once more as one boy embarks on a quest to earn his freedom and the freedom of his world!
Magic has turned to myth, the Vaelhyreans of old to legend, and the power wielded by the ancients has long been forgotten. However, with Ealdred, a mere half-breed slave boy, myth becomes real, the forgotten remembered, and the power of legend is reborn within him.
Ealdred is merged into a world of mystery, brimming with deceit, where the remaining Vaelhyreans are in a desperate fight for their very survival. When Ealdred is kidnapped by the power-mongering dark lord Zeldek himself, he must make a choice; to commit his newfound magic to Zeldek’s service or die. But when he meets Bellator, clever yet treacherous servant of Zeldek, an alternative is presented to him: to escape from Zeldek’s stronghold and embark on a quest to find a cursed arrow and free the Vaelhyreans from the spell that keeps their powers at bay.
Yet how can he survive in a world where magic is illegal, half-breeds are hated, and the four countries are on the brink of war?


Goodreads |~ Purchase: Amazon | B&N |

Broken Arrow - Azaria M. J. Durant 

This is a great book of fantasy with lots of adventure and incredible characters. With all the characters, both good and evil, Azaria create so many magical creatures and characters with elemental magic.

The characters are well-developed. I like the extremes of Bellator. Her dragon is my favorite magical creature. Elroy is also a wonderful character. I t is so easy to feel their emotions.

The story flows well from chapter to chapter, it held my attention fully from beginning to
end of the story.
The title of the story is a good fit for the book.
I highly recommend this book to other readers who love a good fantasy adventure.
I give this a literary rating of 5/5
written by vickie

AUTHOR BIO:
Azaria M. J. Durant is a young, passionate writer of fantasy with plans to branch out into sci-fi and dystopian. She enjoys writing stories with action, adventure, unexpected plot twists, and fleshed out characters that challenge gender roles and expectations.

Azaria lives in Atlantic Canada with her family, cats, and dogs, and her big dreams to travel the world. In the moments when she isn’t writing, she is sketching concept art for her stories, participating in community theatre, or curled up with a good book and a bag of mint chocolates.

Author links: 
https://ofswordsandquills.wordpress.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17939902.Azaria_M_J_Durant
https://www.facebook.com/azariamjdurant/
https://twitter.com/HerMajestyMJ

Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

• 2x eBook copies of Broken Arrow

This grand prize giveaway - ends Nov 8th: