Our Friendship Matters by Kimberly B. Jones Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 12/8/20}

"Engaging and heartfelt. Our Friendship Matters opens and continues much needed discussions for young people and their families. Read and discuss!" Rita Williams-Garcia, NYT Bestselling Author

Book Details:
Our Friendship Matters by Kimberly B. Jones
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  221 pages
Genre:  Contemporary/Social Issues
Publisher:  Rhetaskew Publishing Company, LLC
Release date:   October, 2020
Tour dates: Nov 11 to Dec 1, 2020
Content Rating:  Rated G.
Book Description:
        Leah and Sasha are 17-year-old friends who had been close to one another since elementary school, but as the summer approaches they find their friendship tested in ways they never anticipated. Following graduation, Sasha's privileged life and perception of the world around her is suddenly altered when an old childhood friend persuades her to join in a campaign against an injustice after his best friend is killed by the police. But joining the protest has unforeseen consequences for Sasha, distancing her from Leah, who becomes jealous of Sasha's new friends and finds herself on the opposing side, protesting alongside her group of new white friends. As the tension mounts between the two bitterly opposed factions, a tragedy strikes and threatens to make Sasha and Leah enemies. Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other's viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?
BUY THE BOOK: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Add to Goodreads

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View Book trailer:

 GUEST POST !

                                      A Beginner’s Guide to Diversity and Equity.

       Have you ever imagined the perfect world with peace? No violence, no politics, and no racism. Sadly, it doesn’t exist. But we can always make our world a better place to live. The phrase, “we can’t live with them and we can’t live without them is real. Not just for men, but for us as a human race.
         My husband and I were discussing police brutality. An incident that happened in Ferguson, MO with Michael Brown. During that killing we were stationed in Germany. When we moved to Missouri, I had no clue that the shooting happened in that state.
          After being stationed there for three years, I could see that the state needed a wake-up call from their little towns that had no inclusion of diversity whatsoever. I myself had several encounters of being a victim of hearing racist marks, but because of who I am and where I’m from, I knew it wasn’t worth it to argue but to educate them on such a sensitive topic they too probably encountered for the first time.
        While stationed there, my mother became sick and before I left to go home there was another killing of an African American, Jemel Roberson. These two were not included with the hundreds across the states. But just to name a few. From then I wanted to write a novel addressing the issue of police brutality among African Americans, but I wanted to come from a perspective of both a white and black teenager. To show how it affects lives from so many different angles.
          To say the less, the world is becoming more diverse each day. We must face reality. Some may agree and some may not but that’s not going to stop the earth from rotating. To live in a world of peace means accepting people for who they are and where they come from. Doesn’t matter the color of their skin, the thickness of the hair, their ethnicity group, or the clothes they wear. It’s just accepting each other and living amongst one another as one in unity.
         No matter who you are and how you came across someone, they will not share the same interest as you. There is that one difference you don’t share. Your best friend likes cream cheese on her bagels, and you like them plain. Understand that people are going to have different views on certain subjects. No matter how many times you try to convince them, it’s okay because that’s their view of life. All you can do is express how you feel and if the person or friendship is valued and appreciated, then coming to an agreement is possible.
          In Our Friendship Matters, I wanted the novel to come from both friend’s perspective to see how they could all come together and see each other’s viewpoints. I wanted both girls to wear each other shoes and see how difficult it can be for them. We always say, “children are the future.” That’s why I decided to write a young adult novel. If I can’t reach adults, I can reach the children who will someday be our teachers, nurses, doctors, and lawyers.
         “By teaching each other how to deal with diversity, we are protecting ourselves throughout a lifetime of upcoming issues.”

Meet the Author:
        Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels.
        She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military.
       She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters. ​
         When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.

Connect with the Author:  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Autographed copy of OUR FRIENDSHIP MATTERS plus $10 Amazon Gift Card. (USA only) (one winner) (ends Dec 8)

To Enter, fill in the Rafflecopter below.

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