Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Bookworm by Cookie o'Gorman

I'm delighted to be a part of the Bookworm by Cookie O'Gorman book tour, hosted by Xpresso Tours. I have an excerpt from this exciting YA Romance, and the author will be giving away a $20 gift card at the end of the tour.

Bookworm

Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: April 20th 2023
Genres: Romance, Young Adult

Bookworm (buk-werm): Someone who loves books, reading, and/or studying. For reference, see Charlotte Kent.

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Kent likes happy endings. Not that she’s looking for one herself. Awkward, never been kissed, and bookish to the core, Lottie would rather read about love than experience it.

But she enjoys helping others find their HEA in books.

Lottie loves working at the library…even if it means running into Bo Stryker.

Broody, athletic, and unfairly attractive when he frowns, Bo works at the flower shop across the street. Lottie is about to get rejected…when surprisingly, Bo steps in, pretends to be her boyfriend, and steals her first kiss.

One viral video later, everyone thinks they’re together.

Bo wants to keep pretending. Lottie wants to make amends—long story short: she was on a ladder; he startled her; the book slap was an accident.

A fake relationship may be the solution. But as they grow closer, Lottie can’t help falling for Bo—which is a disaster because grumpy sunshine only works in fiction…right?

This book features two opposites with undeniable chemistry, one lovable librarian, so many stolen kisses and answers the question:

What happens when a nerd falls for the grump-next-door?

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Rolling my eyes, I reached over, gently grasped his forearm and brought it closer.

“What are you doing?”

“Relax,” I said, trying not to laugh at the alarm I heard in his voice. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve done it by now.”

“Says the girl who gave me a bookcussion” he grumbled.

Biting back a smile, I concentrated on his forearm, running my fingers over his skin to find the correct spot. This took a few moments. When I found it, I leaned closer, using my thumbs to press down, gently at first, then adding a little more pressure. Bo didn’t tense. He didn’t move a muscle. I might’ve thought he’d stopped breathing he was so still. But then I felt his breath against my neck.

The sensation sent shivers down my spine.

I counted the seconds under my breath and then released him.

“What was that, Kent?” he asked softly.

“I looked up how to treat a sprained wrist,” I said with a shrug. “It was nothing, just one of the techniques they recommended.”

“You looked that up?”

Meeting his eyes, I nodded. “Does it feel any better?”

Bo glanced down at his wrist before looking back up, locking me in his intense stare. “Yeah, it does. Thanks, Kent.”

For some reason, I blushed. “No problem.”

I didn’t know what made me say it.

But I added, “Maybe now, you won’t be so opposed to working with me.”

Bo shook his head. “It’s not that.”

“It’s not?”

“No,” he said. “I just don’t like the idea of you taking care of me out of some misplaced sense of guilt.”

Oh.

I hadn’t even considered that possibility.

“I thought you hated having me around,” I admitted.

“I don’t.”

“You even told me how much you hate people.”

“Not you,” he said.

My heart skipped a beat.

“I could never hate you, Kent.”


Author Bio:

Cookie O'Gorman Bio: Cookie O'Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge (YA novella), WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, and FAUXMANCE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, and The Sweetest Game. Her newest release BOOKWORM came out on April 20, 2023!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
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Sunday, April 23, 2023

Book Tour: The Golden Frog Games by Claribel A. Ortega

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES by Claribel A. Ortega Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!


About The Book:

Title: THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES (Witchlings #2)

Author: Claribel A. Ortega

Pub. Date: May 2, 2023

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/THE-GOLDEN-FROG-GAMES

Get ready for more magic, mayhem, and monstruos! From Claribel A. Ortega, author of Frizzy and Ghost Squad, comes the sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling and #1 Indie bestselling Witchlings.

Every four years, the Twelve Towns gather for a legendary magical tournament--the Golden Frog Games.

With Ravenskill hosting this year's games, all eyes are on Seven Salazar, Valley Pepperhorn and Thorn Laroux: the most famous Spares in the Twelve Towns. Thorn is ready to compete as a fashion champion, but when a forbidden hex is used to turn her fellow champions to stone, suspicion lands on the Witchlings.

As the Witchlings attempt to unravel the mystery of the stonifications, future Uncle Seven is harboring a dangerous secret: While she's supposed to be able to communicate with animals, the voices she hears most clearly belong to monstruos, and one spine-chilling voice is the loudest of all.

Can Seven fix her broken magic and find out who is stonifying the champions . . . before Thorn becomes the next victim?

 

Claribel talks about THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES


My thoughts...

I'm about halfway through this enchanting and imaginative middle-grade novel. It has such a fun tone, with likable characters I'd love to be friends with. There's mystery, danger, magic, and champions turned to stone! I always enjoy stories where the underdogs save the day. I'm rooting for Seven and her friends to unravel who is behind this mystery, and I'm so very curious to learn more about the monstrous.

I haven't read the first book in the Witchling series, and while it took me a little bit to learn all the characters, there is enough backstory for a reader to thoroughly enjoy this book without reading the first. But do yourself a favor, and grab Witchlings book one first, so that you or the young reader in your life can spend even more time in this magical world.

 

About Claribel A. Ortega:

Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Squad, Witchlings, and Frizzy (Pura Belpre Award-winner), is a former reporter who writes middle grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she's cohosting her podcasts Write or Die and Bad Author Book Club and helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business, GIFGRRL. Claribel has been featured on BuzzFeed, NPR, Good Morning America, and Deadline. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Claribel_Ortega and on her website at claribelortega.com.

 

Sign up for Claribel’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES, US Only.

Ends May 16th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/17/2023

YA Books Central

Interview/IG Post

4/18/2023

Reads by Radus

Excerpt/IG Post

4/19/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Book Drop

4/20/2023

onemused

IG  Post

4/21/2023

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Guest Post/IG Post

4/22/2023

pluvioreads

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

4/23/2023

@bookish_cherie

IG Review

4/24/2023

laura's bookish life

Review/IG Post

4/25/2023

A Backwards Story

Review/IG Post

4/26/2023

For the Love of KidLit

Guest Post/IG Post

4/27/2023

Nonbinaryknightreads

Review/IG Post

4/28/2023

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post

4/29/2023

@_lbee2ndl_

IG Post

Week Three:

4/30/2023

@katherinebichler

TikTok Post

5/1/2023

@Ohyouread

IG Post

5/2/2023

Confessions of the Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post

5/3/2023

The Litt Librarian

Review/IG Post

5/4/2023

The Story Sanctuary

Review

5/5/2023

Stacialovestoread

Review/IG Post

5/6/2023

Breysreviews

IG Review

Week Four:

5/7/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

5/8/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

5/9/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

5/10/2023

@drew_ambitious_reading

IG Review/TikTok Post

5/11/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

5/12/2023

@lexijava

Review/IG Post


Friday, April 21, 2023

Book Tour & Giveaway: Prince of Blue Flowers

 


I'm delighted to be a part of the Prince of Blue Flowers by RyÅ« Zhong book tour, hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. I have an excerpt from this exciting new fantasy, and the author will be giving away a $25 gift card at the end of the tour.


Title
: Prince of Blue Flowers
Author: Ryu Zhong
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

BLURB:

Young boy Hatsukoi leaves his village to become a monk, only to find monastic life incredibly boring. With a new-found name and a new-found friend, Hatsukoi travels the countryside and plays tricks at the expense of corrupt, irate, greedy, and ignorant people. Nobles of all ranks—from petty governors to crown princes—fall victim to the boy’s wit and cunning.

As his tricks evolve from childhood frolics to elaborate cons, Hatsukoi grows as well. He learns not only the craft of his trade, but also its higher purpose.

Join Hatsukoi’s journey, laugh at his exploits, and learn with him.

Grab your copy


Peek between the pages...

Governor Tu Fang was the first to notice Hatsukoi, who was lying on the roof of the well with his head hanging down.

“What are you doing there?” he asked.

Hatsukoi shrugged his shoulders. “I’m looking to see if the well has a bottom.”

Tu Fang frowned at the boy’s response. Why would someone need to look for the bottom of a well? It sounded very suspicious to him.

“Well, get down!” he barked.

“No,” Hatsukoi answered.

“Get down by your own will, or my hunters will shoot you with their arrows.”

Hatsukoi slowly climbed down. Tu Fang waved to one of his hunters, who immediately grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck.

“Ai! What are you doing?!” yelled Hatsukoi, struggling, but the hunter held him tightly.

“Tell me at once,” demanded Tu Fang, “what is in this well, and then perhaps I’ll let you go.”

Hatsukoi trembled like bamboo in a strong wind. He began, “I have seen—”

“What did you see?” Tu Fang interrupted impatiently.

“I saw a thief hide his bounty here.”

“Bounty?” Tu Fang exchanged glances with his brother.

It must be said that unselfish people rarely went on to become governors. Tu Fang was no exception. He thought only of ways to feed his insatiable greed. And Tu Liwei, being his half-brother, was a pea from the same pod. So, at that moment, the brothers came up with the same thought.

And Hatsukoi was counting on it.

“A whole bag filled with all kinds of stuff,” he said confidently. “Gold, jewels, pearls… If you look from the roof, you can see how it glitters at the bottom.”


Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the author
:
‘RyÅ«’ means ‘dragon’ in Japanese, and ‘Zhong’ can be translated from Chinese as ‘flute’. This amalgam of languages represents the fusion of cultures that characterises the writings of RyÅ« Zhong.

In their books, Ryū Zhong explore challenges that humanity might face as our technology gets more and more complicated to the level where it becomes magic. Such a shift would force people to look towards religion and reinterpret realities that today, we call fairy tales.

Ryū Zhong were lucky to be born and grow in Asia. Now they live in Amsterdam, study Dutch, and adapt their writings to English.

Connect with Ryu

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Challenging Destiny

Where has the time gone! My YA paranormal romance/thriller, CHALLENGING DESTINY, is celebrating its 9th birthday this year. This novel and the characters have a special place in my heart. Their story was sparked by a desolate church I had once driven by. The story percolated in my thoughts for months. Writing the first draft went smoothly, and I was delighted when I found a home for it with my amazing publisher, The Wild Rose Press. 

To celebrate, I have an excerpt from the book. 


Excerpt

She put her hands on my waist and rose to her tiptoes. “It’s a sweet thought,” she said, her breath warm on my lips. “But my fate has already been sealed.”

Her perfume seemed to wrap around me, filling me with the urge to pull her closer even though my brain screamed for me to step back. I wondered if this was how the people I made suggestions to felt—compelled to please me—because right then I wanted to sweep Kira up in my arms and kiss her. Although something inside of me clung to the thought that I needed to stay focused on why I was there, every other fiber of my being coaxed me to just let down my guard and enjoy being in a secluded place with a pretty girl.

Kira brushed her lips against mine.

“I’m not what I seem,” she said in a husky whisper.


I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!


About the book

Title: Challenging Destiny
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance, Thriller, Angels, Demons

Blurb:

Logan Ragsdale and his younger sister, Ariana, have been marked, chosen to be unwilling participants in a war between angels and demons.

Logan can sense something's not quite right. Like an unexpected chill on a summer's day, he can feel the unseen closing in. He's had these feelings before and, each time, someone close to him died. He's afraid this time it might just be Ariana.

Logan's fears are soon confirmed when he discovers their new friends aren't human, but rather representatives from Heaven and Hell sent to Earth to ensure he and Ariana accept their roles in an ancient prophecy. Demons want Logan to open the gates of Hell. Ariana has the power to stop them, but if she chooses to side with Heaven to spare the lives of thousands of innocent people, she'll damn her brother for eternity.

Together, they must derail the biblical event if they hope to save themselves and the future of mankind...but what price are they willing to pay to keep the other safe?

Grab you copy on

Add to your Goodreads TBR List


Thanks for stopping by!


Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Book Blitz & Giveaway: MID-FLIGHT by Lisa Wilkes



I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MID-FLIGHT by Lisa Wilkes Blitz Tour hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!


Title: Mid-Flight
Author: Lisa Wilkes
Genre: Sci-fi Romance

Blurb2037 was a really bad year.

 

Lexi Brennan’s best friend was killed in a plane crash. Two weeks later, an intergalactic crisis threatened the fate of humanity. Authorities responded by launching a genocide.

 

Lexi opposed this vicious attack. Then again, what could she do? An eccentric flight attendant drawn to glamorous trysts, she felt powerless to incite change.

 

Until tragedy struck close to home. Suddenly, Lexi was forced to acknowledge the widespread atrocities. She uncovered a network of lies along with an opportunity to restore basic human rights. To protect others, Lexi would have to launch a movement that could destroy everything important to her, including her promising new romance.



Grab you copy on Amazon

or get it on Lisa Wilkes website


Peek between the pages


Wordlessly, Lexi grabbed her purse and darted for the exit. She needed to see it. She had to know for sure.

 

The midnight sky was pierced by jagged red veins. A thousand burgundy fingers tore through the stratosphere like lightning etched in the wrong color. Puffs of smoke dotted the horizon, mushroom clouds rising toward the ominous red ether. From the descriptions and images in Lexi’s VirtuAlarms, it appeared Santa Fe had gotten off easy. Other cities looked like they’d been struck by an atomic bomb.

 

The world was blazing. The sky was breaking apart in pieces.

 

AutoScan—Jorge Rodrigues, I didn’t see your texts ‘til just now. They’re grounding all planes immediately? Scary stuff. Wish I was there with you. Where’s your plane landing?

 

With a rapid-fire double blink, Lexi sent the message.

 

Jorge’s response flitted across Lexi’s cornea. His words felt frantic. Can’t get down. Capitol Hill is burning. Dense population, nowhere to land. 80 miles from Dulles Airport. I don’t think we’ll make it.

 

Lexi read the last sentence and crumbled. She fell to her knees on the hot New Mexico concrete, sirens blaring in the distance and meteors crashing to the ground with a fiery scarlet vengeance.


 

 GIVEAWAY

 

Lisa will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC at the end of the blitz


a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: Lisa Wilkes has spent 13 years as a flight attendant, jetting across the globe and collecting inspiration for her writings. Her debut novel, Flight Path, is a fast-paced romance laced with serendipitous encounters. This book follows a daydreaming stewardess as she learns to navigate a new terrain: unconditional love.

 

In her second novel, Mid-Flight, Lisa transports readers to the year 2038. A flight attendant begins to unravel after her best friend is killed in a plane crash. In the throes of unspeakable grief, she uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat this sinister plan, she must risk everything. Including her breathtaking new romance.

 

Lisa’s writing is provocative and timely, with a focus on societal issues and powerful internal conflict. Flight Path’s readers will appreciate Mid-Flight's emphasis on hope and redemption, while newcomers to Lisa’s work will be drawn to the power of her storytelling.

 

Connect with Lisa:

WebsiteGoodreadsAmazon Author Page ~ FacebookInstagramEtsy 



 

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Book Tour & Review: Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the CLASH OF FATE AND FURY by Rachel Menard Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: CLASH OF FATE AND FURY (Labors of Gen #2)

Author: Rachel Menard

Pub. Date: March 21, 2023

Publisher: North Star Editions

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 416

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/CLASH-OF-FATE-AND-FURY

Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn’t saved him yet. If she fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell. To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia. Making matters worse, Gen’s former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia’s reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor’s twin brother, Gen’s StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic. With Castor’s pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux’s servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen’s mission. The quest has caught the attention of one of Elysium’s Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.


 

My thoughts:

I'm a few chapters in Clash of Fate and Fury and eager to read more. I read the first book about a year ago, but it was easy to jump right back into this mythological world. The games from book one are over for everyone but Gen. She either completes the potentially deadly tasks given to her by the Empresses or her father will be sent back to prison. Castor is looking for a way to save her kingdom that doesn't include marrying a man she doesn't love. Pollux is ready to separate himself from his father and kingdom forever. Seeing as Gen and Castor hate each other, this should be an interesting and fun story.

While you can probably read this book without reading book one, I suggest starting with Game of Strength and Storm

Click here to read my review of Game of Strength and Storm.

 

About Rachel Menard:

Rachel Menard is an author of strange and fantastical tales for teens. Her self-published novel, Steel Hand, Cold Heart won the grand prize in the 7th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-book awards, and her traditional debut, Game of Strength and Storm, was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard along with its sequel, Clash of Fate and Fury, forthcoming from Flux in March of 2023. Her short fiction has been featured on the Cast of Wonders podcast and her writing tips and advice have been seen in Writer’s Digest. She lives in Rhode Island with her partner, son, and feisty cat.

Subscribe to Rachel’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | BookBub

 


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive finished copies of books 1 & 2 in The Labors of Gen series, US Only.

Ends April 17th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/27/2023

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

3/28/2023

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/29/2023

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post

3/31/2023

Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

3/31/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

4/1/2023

Nonbinary Knight Reads

Review/IG Post

 Week Two:

4/2/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/Tiktok Post

4/3/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

4/4/2023

@bookish_cherie

Review/IG Post

4/5/2023

Emily Ashlyn

Review/IG Post

4/6/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

4/7/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

4/8/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

 Week Three:

4/9/2023

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

4/10/2023

The Momma Spot

Review