June 7, 2021
Spartan and the Green Egg Spotlight
In Book 5, Land of The Midnight Sun, Egg, the friendly live alien spaceship, creatively uses an enchanting art gallery to reveal the young adventurers’ next destination.
Spartan and the Green Egg: Land of the Midnight Sun
In Book 5, Land of The Midnight Sun, Egg, the friendly live alien spaceship, creatively uses an enchanting art gallery to reveal the young adventurers’ next destination. Spartan, Katie, Max, Tor, and Grimm find themselves in Greenland, home to some of the biggest glaciers on earth, and known as The Land of the Midnight Sun because, in summer, the sun never sets. Greenland’s vast and daunting landscape is almost completely covered with ice and snow.
With the help of some friendly Greenland sled dogs, they arrive in the charming village of Siorapaluk and befriend a young Inuit, Malik, and his family. They soon learn that Malik’s father and his group have gone missing while on an expedition. The team goes in search of them, at their own risk. Before long, they are caught up in a treacherous avalanche and trapped on a glacier that has broken off from the mainland. Hope arrives from a powerful source as they bear witness to an astonishing and beautiful miracle from the Earth’s living creatures.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Full Cycle Publications.
About the Author
When her eldest son was a toddler, Nabila used to entertain him with made-up stories about a boy who traveled the world inside a live green egg that just so happened to be an alien from another planet. She turned the tales into a colorful children¹s graphic novel series, Spartan and the Green Egg, with the intention of introducing children to environmental and cultural themes around the world.
A portion of all proceeds from the Spartan and the Green Egg book series, toys and accessories is donated to The Children for Peace ONLUS. Based in Italy, this non-governmental organization helps young people worldwide who are living in challenging circumstances obtain their essential needs such as food, medical help and educational opportunities. Nabila currently lives in New York and has two sons.
You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
The Giveaway
You can enter to win a signed copy of Spartan and the Green Egg and Kip the Letter X here.
Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 7, 2021
Kip the Letter X Spotlight
Kip the Letter X searches far and wide trying to find his purpose.
About Kip the Letter X
Kip the Letter X searches far and wide trying to find his purpose.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Full Cycle Publications.
Book Trailer
About the Author
Kim Patrick was born in England, raised in Britain and South Africa, and now lives in the United States. She loves animals, books, films, the letter X, and much of the rest of the alphabet.
You can connect with her on her website and Twitter.
The Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of Kip the Letter X and Spartan and the Green Egg here.
Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2021
Avery’s Gift
Avery’s Gift is a story of love, loss, friendship, and finding true colors, inspired by two incredible children and the connection they forever share.
About Avery’s Gift
Avery wakes up in the middle of the night to find herself in unfamilar surroundings and has somehow lost her colors!
The crickets call to her and the flowers from the wall guide her out of bed and into the moonlit garden. With the help of a fox, an owl and a boy named Dalton, Avery goes on a quest to find her colors and finds many meaningful things along the way. Avery’s Gift is reminiscent of fables told long ago, but is based on a modern true story of two young children, Avery and Dalton. It highlights how their lives were connected one summer night and the gifts that they gave each other. Avery’s Gift is astory of love, loss, friendship and finding true colors.
Our Thoughts
Avery’s Gift is a beautiful story that made me smile, brought a tear to my eyes and gave us hope.
Avery’s Gift is based on true events that happened on August 6th, 2009. Then five years old, Avery, who was born with a rare heart defect, received a heart transplant from eight year old Dalton, after he was tragically hit by a car. Avery is now a vibrant (and healthy) sixteen year old and the two families have become close as they are forever bonded with the gift of a loving heart.
The story itself is just beautiful with gorgeous illustrations to accompany each page. The story is age appropriate for younger and older readers and gives parents the opportunity to expand the story. Avery has woken up in a dream like state and has lost her colours. As she searches for them, she meets Dalton and they have so much fun together. As Dalton gets ready to embark on his own new journey, he gives Avery a very special parting gift – a gift that helps to awaken her colours once again.
While the story doesn’t mention the heart transplant in those words, the gift that he gives her and the illustration are perfect and more than bring this part of the true story to life. It gives parents the opportunity to start having important conversations with their children about organ donation, compassion, kindness and the impact this has on others. It is a story of loss but also of friendship, kindness and the power of a simple gift. Avery’s Gift is a very special book and will make a great gift for readers of all ages.
You can pre-order a copy of this book here and learn more about the fundraiser here.
About the Author
Jonathan Hoefer is an author, illustrator and art director and has been involved with the printing and publishing industry for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Visual and Performing Arts program, majoring in illustration. His illustrative work has been published in national newspapers and magazines. He has been an illustrator and art director of four books including Eddie Shapes Up by ex-NYC mayor Ed Koch and Pat Thaler Koch, Lilly Lou Makes a New Friend and Lilly Lou Goes to Washington, D.C. a book series by Mike Murphy. In addition, Hoefer wrote and illustrated Pun Intended: Welcome to the Punny Farm, which are visual puns, once made famous when he acted as Art Director of the Daily Orange Newspaper at Syracuse University. He currently lives with his family in St. Petersburg, FL.
About the Illustrator
Milana Samarskaya is an illustrator that has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil in her hand. Reading and drawing are her two passions since childhood, and have developed into a love of book illustration, collaborating with children’s writers to give theri stories life. She currently lives in Taganrog, Russia. You can see more of Milana’s work on her website: https://misamarskaya.ru
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 31, 2021
My Dear Miss Dupré Book Review
In My Dear Miss Dupré, Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future.
About My Dear Miss Dupré
Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan–find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.
Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society’s elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn’t expect to find anything other than a proxy until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.
My Thoughts
I was not quite sure what to expect when I read the description of this book, it sounded like it could be one of the reality shows that my eldest likes to watch but it was far better and exceeded my expectations. It was sweet, funny and yet suspenseful with a great plot.
Willow is determined to take over her Father’s business, but as it was common in those days – the board felt she was just too female to take over this role and they would rather see the company sold to their competitor than see her run it (huge sigh here). Their plan? See her wed and her husband be by her side to help her run the family business (sigh number two – society was so frustrating in those days!). Her parents hatch a plan suited for the American royal family – a competition for her hand like no other, a battle for her heart and to help rule by her side. I cannot even begin to imagine the embarrassment poor Willow felt. She is a quiet, business minded young woman who does not like flash and this was definitely an over the top competition at every step of the way. But she would do anything for her family (family before all else – especially when it comes with potentially losing all that they have worked so hard for) so she goes along with her parent’s request. She meets a group of wealthy young men and from this group, she must determine who will love her for her, who will respect her, encourage her in her business goals and be a partner in life not just in business. Not an easy task with a deadline quickly approaching.
Willow sounds becomes caught up accidentally in a plot to bring down her business (and others) by one of her competitors and someone is betraying her trust and going not only to her competitor but to newspapers as well! But who can she trust?
This is such a lovely novel – a story of hope in the face of despair, a longing for a love that one has never had nor felt and a hope for something better. I enjoyed every moment of this book, that would make for a lovely summer time read.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author
Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. Grace lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter. Connect with her online at www.gracehitchcock.com.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 28, 2021
Destined for You Book Review
When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together in Destined for You, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they’ve been destined for each other all along?
About Destined for You
In 1869, Gloriana Womack’s family is much smaller since smallpox killed her mother and two of her siblings. She lives in a modest cottage in Duluth, Minnesota, with her father and young brother, and she has dedicated her life to holding her tiny, fractured family together–especially as her father is frequently gone on long fishing trips. Their livelihood may come from the waters of Lake Superior, but storms on the lake can be dangerous, even to those who know it well.
Luke Carson has come to Duluth to help shepherd the arrival of the railroad to the city’s port, and he’s eager to be reunited with his brother, Scott, who recently moved there with his pregnant wife. Competition for the railroad is fierce, with the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, fighting for the tracks to come through their town instead. But the real danger lies in a resident of Duluth who is determined to have his revenge upon Luke.
When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they’ve been destined for each other all along?
My Thoughts
Gloriana, despite her age, has faced great loss in her young life. She lost her mother and two of her siblings and at a young age she took on the role of caregiver to her surviving sibling in the harsh environment of Duluth, Minnesota. Despite all of this pain, she dedicates her time, passion and love to her Father and brother. While she carries her grief, she does so guarding it closely and without complaint. She is a genuinely good person, who loves her family and her beliefs (although at times she feels at odd with a God who causes pain).
Fate and tragedy are not done with this small fishing town. While the town has known tragedy due to the nature of their work, it does not ease the pain nor the suffering that arises when tragedy strikes. It is this pain that brings the small town Gloriana and the rich, city wise Luke together. What first appears to be a mutual friendship based on helping each other, soon becomes a bit more with both not too sure if they are ready to see this happen nor trust in their God who has taken so much away.
With the tragedy at the forefront and the possibility of a romance blooming, Tracie also ties in suspense and a scheme of destruction that could lead to disaster and possibly worse. This plot that develops alongside the main story, was incredibly interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. It also helps to bring our two main characters together as they struggle to deal with dishonesty, corruption and faith being tested.
This is a beautiful novel that gives hope – that although life can be difficult, hard to understand and sometimes we feel immense pain, out of this can come something beautiful and the knowledge that we are never alone.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.