Friday, September 25, 2020

Book Tour Grand Finale: The Genesis of Seven by Sara M. Schaller #G7Prism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What inspired you to write THE GENESIS OF SEVEN?

I completely agree with the philosophy you should write the book you always wanted to read, and for me that is what drove me to write The Genesis of Seven. When I was younger, it seemed no matter where I looked, be it books or even movies, angels were always portrayed in a way that just did not agree with me. Either their stories were based on romances with humans, or they were pitted against each other with evil intentions. Because of this, I wanted to give the angels a new narrative, one that portrayed them as a group, focused on their origin story, and described the circumstances that led to the ultimate battle of good vs. evil.

(With its own giveaway.)

Rincón de Joss - Guest Post

3 KEY INSPIRATIONS BEHIND THE GENESIS OF SEVEN

The two biggest places where I draw my inspiration from are books and pop culture. No matter what story I’m writing, these factors always influence me. With The Genesis of Seven, there were three particular inspirations that motivated me to write this story. . .


"I've read other YA books about Angels including a love story. Fallen by Lauren Kate even includes an origin story. TGoS doesn't have a love story! (There is the start of a crush on the girl next door. The angels tried to meddle in Jordan's love life. It was so awkward and cute! That was a brief set up and seemed natural at the moment) Its all action and adventure. The stakes are high and the angels have quirks. I appreciate that so much."

BookHounds YA - Excerpt

“Run!” Sister Helen shouted.

Somehow, my body obliged. My legs carried me down the alleyway, past dumpsters and trashcans. At the street, I stopped briefly to figure out where to go next. I glanced at the paper and realized I had a bit of distance to cover. The address was near Central Park, but the orphanage was in the opposite direction. In fact, the orphanage wasn’t even in Manhattan. There wasn’t time to figure out a route though. At the sound of running footsteps, I looked over my shoulder and saw two men dressed in black fast approaching.

Without a second thought, I broke into a sprint and headed right.


"First thing's first, I really liked how this was in no way a romance. It was so refreshing to have a book that isn't all mushy. . . . Also, it is important to note that this is a FANTASY book. It is in no way meant to reflect what actually is and I felt like the book was quite clear about that.

All in all, if you are looking for a unique read that shows you the world, The Genesis of Seven would be a great choice."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

Those were the words Dante faced when he entered Hell. Perhaps if they were posted above the subway this afternoon, I would have proceeded with the same caution.

The New York subway system was a strange and peculiar place. An underground metropolis full of noise and activity, where anything and everything occurred. I liked to compare it to the Underworld as I imagined it worked in much the same way, with spirits being ferried across the River Styx like people being transported through the city. Yet the main difference between Hell and the subway was all those who entered typically resurfaced every day, sometimes multiple times a day, without being scathed. 

Unlike me, whose life would be forever changed by the simple act of bumping shoulders.


"The Genesis of Seven is great start to Sara M Schaller’s The Empyrean Trilogy. . . . I was entertained from start to finish. It was full of action and adventure that kept me engaged throughout. . . . I recommend this one for readers who enjoy a good and well written fantasy."

Bookishlifetime - Review

"I absolutely loved this book. It was show-stopping and I cannot wait to read the next two books to see where Sara takes this story next.

I highly recommend this series to any YA Fantasy fans. . ."

Dr. Joanna wang - Spotlight

Hallie Reads - Excerpt

She scanned the ID and looked up at him skeptically. “Is that supposed to impress me?”

He sighed. “No, it’s supposed to show you we don’t mean any harm.”

She handed the ID back to him. “You still want me to believe you’re here because of a family emergency?”

Exasperated, Uriel opened his mouth to argue, but Zadkiel spoke first. “Just because we don’t look like Raphael doesn’t mean we’re not his family.”

 
Splashes of Joy - Guest Post

JORDAN'S TIPS IN WORKING WITH AN ARCHANGEL

Listen when they tell you to do something

The angels have far more experience dealing with the fallen then I do, so I would advise to listen to them. I notice whenever I don’t listen to them, or whenever I am left to decide the outcome of a situation on my own, it usually ends up badly. Mainly with me getting hurt.

Paper Ink & Lizard - Spotlight

Oh Hey! Books - Excerpt

I left the library and approached the front door, glancing through the window in the hallway to get a better glimpse of the person outside. All I could see was the figure of a girl. The angels followed, and when they saw the figure too, they backed off.

I walked into the turret, grabbed the knob, and opened the door.

The girl standing on the other side smiled at me and said, “Hi, I’m Naomi.”


"This was one of those books that made me say….just one more chapter. Until I found the sun coming up the next morning just so I could know what happens. It had me on the edge of my seat with crazy anticipation!! . . . Ahh- now I definitely can’t wait for the next book in this series!"

Library Lady's Kid Lit - Review & Interview

"The Genesis of Seven is a great fantasy novel. . . . The book is a great read if readers can view it as purely fantasy (fiction) made up by the author. Once I did that, the book drew me in and the intensity of the plot made me want to keep reading. The Genesis of Seven is the first book in Sara Schaller’s The Empyrean Trilogy. It ends in a cliff-hanger leaving the reader anxious for the next book."

Which character did you enjoy writing most?

This is a really hard question because I think there’s something about every character that I enjoy writing, even the fallen. But if I had to choose, I think Astrid and Tabitha are the ones I enjoyed writing the most. I know those are two characters, but you can’t have one without the other. Why I enjoy writing them is because I get to have fun with them. They’re a bit crazy, a bit sassy, and a bit unconventional. They also tease Satan so much, which brings a lot of humor to the story. Astrid’s divinations in particular were I something I enjoyed because it really stretched my writing skills to write in rhyme and verse.

@the.b00kreader - Review

Ahh did I love this book! Angels, demons, the devil, a quest to save them all. What's not to love? . . . The Genesis of Seven is the first book in the Empyrean trilogy and is a wonderful introduction to the world Sara has created. I cannot wait to see what's in store for Jordan and the angels in the upcoming books!"

quirkybookreads - Review

Straight away Genesis of Seven takes you on a journey of interesting events including some amazing biblical retelling. . . . I found the more I read the more I had to know and before I knew it I had finished The Genesis of Seven. I look forward to reading the next book…

Reviews by Leslie - Excerpt & Review

“What are you doing?” I asked, sliding open the door.

I caught him off-guard. He jumped and quickly turned to face me.

“Nothing. Go back inside,” he replied, composing himself.

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

“I’ve only known you for a short time, but now you decide to become secretive?”

Obviously guilty, he relented. “They have come with messages,” he said.

"This was such an enjoyable book that I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy! . . . I don’t read a lot of fantasy books. They really have to be something to catch my eye, and this one fits the bill! The story pulled me in from the beginning. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. The action kept me actively engaged throughout the entire story."


"This book combines Christian myths and ideals with fantasy to create an amazing story. . . . As it turns out, I couldn't put this book down, and I mean literally. I had it with me everywhere I went because it was that good! Thank goodness this is the first of a trilogy because more books would be awesome. Well written, solidly paced, developed characters to cheer on and vivid details make The Genesis of Seven an ideal read. I recommend for sure!"

@bookishly_tiff - Review

"There was so much to enjoy with this book. As started there's multiple points of view which has always been a weakness of mine but the pacing is almost perfection and it was so easy to not want to put this one down. . . . Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! The wait for the next book is honestly entirely too long!"

Wishful Endings - Guest Post

JORDAN'S TIPS IN EVADING THE FALLEN

1. Run

The easiest way to evade the fallen is simply to outrun them. I’ve done it once before and it worked out pretty well. Granted, I don’t think I could do it again, so this might be a one-time thing. . .

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review & Guest Post

"The story is well-written, holds a bit of humor, a lot of suspense and intrigue. The characters are well-defined and the background scenes are fairly easy to visualize. . . . As a whole, the book is intriguing, captivating, sensitive, poignant and ends in a way which leaves the reader anxious for more."

THE ORIGINS OF MY BOOK TITLE

It's natural for readers to be curious about book titles—they set the stage for the book, possibly even the entire series, and are a brief glimpse of what to expect from the narrative. It's equally natural for readers to be curious about what meaning book titles hold. . .


With our luggage situated, I followed Gabriel through the airport and out into the parking garage, where I stopped suddenly.

“You have a car here?”

“Yes,” he replied, not breaking step. “I have a car in New York too. I don’t drive much there though.” He finally stopped in front of a silver Lexus RX. Unlocking the car, he began to load his chest and bag into the trunk.

I stared in disbelief. “You can drive?”


"Such a fantabulous book that kept my interest from page one until the end. . . . This young adult novel was just wow! I know I know I keep saying that but this story just took my breath away! . . . I highly recommend this book."

JeanBookNerd - Guest Post

THE COVER DESIGN AND PROCESS

When I started on my publishing journey back in 2018, I commissioned an artist to design the cover for my book. The work was gorgeous and phenomenal, but I knew in my gut it wasn’t the cover.

I worked as a graphic designer for five years, and I had an idea in my head of what my cover looked like, but for some reason it was impossible for me to execute it myself. I thought getting another artist to do it would be the best scenario, but the artwork just didn’t match the image in my head and it was too hard to verbalize what I was visualizing. . .

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

The Genesis of Seven
(The Empyrean Trilogy, #1)
By Sara M. Schaller
YA Fantasy, Paranormal
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 348 Pages
July 7, 2020 by Designs by Seraphim

Eighteen-year-old Jordan Conway has always wanted to help people, but helping seven archangels to achieve their divine duty was never quite what he had in mind… 

When Jordan is entrusted by the head nun of his orphanage to deliver a mysterious backpack to a New York City address, he comes unexpectedly face-to-face with Archangel Gabriel. Their acquaintance fast uncovers a labyrinth of secrets that connect Jordan’s once-normal life to an ancient heavenly prophecy. Now, he must help Gabriel to reunite the archangels before evil forces grow too strong.

Soon, Jordan and Gabriel find themselves on a divine quest across the globe, while deep in the pits of Hell, Satan plots his return to earth. To gain control, however, Satan needs the powerful prophetic objects locked safe inside Jordan’s backpack—and the devil will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

With that notion threatening his only family and the safety of his newfound friends, Jordan must do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves and help the archangels succeed. If that means sacrificing all he thought he knew to go to war with the devil himself? Bring it on.

(Affiliate links included.)

About the Author


SARA M SCHALLER is a paralibrarian, publishing professional, and young adult author. She lives in Colorado with her mom, dad, brother, and four furry canine siblings. Sara loves the world of pop culture and the performing arts, so when she is not reading or writing, she is either watching movies and shows, attending conventions, or going out to see live performances. She likes to write stories for all ages in the fantasy genre, and her writing usually contains elements of speculative fiction and features a large cast of characters. Sara has a Bachelor’s degree in English, Art History, and Religious Studies from the University of Denver, and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University. For five years, Sara worked as a graphic designer, and her creativity in design carries over into other areas of her life like writing. You can visit her online at www.saramschaller.com.


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive the following: a backpack to match the main character's, a necklace to match the main character's, a signed hardcover, a bookmark, a set of pins with a pen, and a passport with a sticker sheet featuring locations in the book.

Open internationally
Ends September 29, 2020

Grab Our Button!






Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Trouble Blows West by Monique Bucheger

Trouble Blows West JustRead Blog Tour 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Trouble Blows West by Monique Bucheger, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Secret Sisters Club
Title: Trouble Blows West 
Series: Ginnie West Adventure #2 
Author: Monique Bucheger 
Publisher: True West Publishing 
Release Date: March 18, 2020 
Genre: Middle-Grade Contemporary Fiction 

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong. 

She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Pierce likes being knocked down by one. When Pierce seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Pierce’s house. 

Sadly, Ginnie learns that Pierce has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll with one awful blow to the chest. Realizing he's a boy in big trouble, Ginnie switches gears and decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend. 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon Book Depository
 

 
EXCERPT
 

ON THE WAY TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE:

When Tillie shook her head, returned the smile, and then rolled her eyes, Ginnie knew she had done her job and reassured her best friend. She turned back to Pierce.

His eyes bore through her. “This ain’t the end of this,” he hissed. His chin wiggled as his face grew more purple, a bit like an eggplant, but not so attractive.  His cheeks were as wide as his face was long, like an overblown balloon.

Ginnie whipped her head toward him, sending her blond braids flying.  “For your sake, it better be, Pierce Owens, ’cuz there’s only two ways this ends. I knock you on your can again or you beat up a girl. Neither way looks good—for you.”

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monique Bucheger

When Monique Bucheger isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events. 

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, an adorable granddaughter, a son-in-law, three cats, and many real and imaginary friends. 

She is the author of several books and plans to write many more. You can find more about Monique and her works on her website

CONNECT WITH MONIQUE: Website Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card OR winner's choice of Google Play, Apple, or Kobo!

Trouble Blows West JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 21, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on September 28, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


 

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.






Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Review: Just Like Home by Courtney Walsh



My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Prima ballerina Charlotte Page has a life any dancer would envy, but the tragic loss of her best friend, Julianna, leaves her wanting more. Or maybe—less. In an effort to make her life about something other than accolades and applause, Charlotte leaves professional ballet to save Julianna’s small-town dance studio. This lands her directly in the path of cranky high school football coach and Julianna’s older brother, Cole Turner.

Fresh off a state win and a bitter divorce, the last thing Cole expects is for a prima ballerina to chip away at the wall he’s grown quite comfortable hiding behind.

Will their fledgling relationship be strong enough to weather the storm of old secrets and a haunting past? Or will Charlotte lose the new, simple life she’s given up everything to gain?


My Review

I loved this story full of flawed characters with good hearts that are trying to find their place in circumstances that they never foresaw. Charlotte and Cole have a rocky beginning and a somewhat difficult friendship, full of angst but also light that shines through their dark moments. They are both working through some major baggage, and it was lovely to see them come to terms and have personal revelations that impact their future, both as individuals and together. I loved their chemistry and the struggles in their relationship made their romantic moments together even more special. There is an amazing cast of family and community members that provide wisdom and support, making Harbor Pointe a wonderful small town setting perfect for healing hearts. I had tears welling at a few points in the story, something I can count on this author for- a strong connection to the characters and the emotion s running through the scenes. Highly recommend!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.



Don't miss the previous books in the Harbor Pointe series . . .





Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Book tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Genesis of Seven by Sara M. Schaller

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Genesis of Seven
(The Empyrean Trilogy, #1)
By Sara M. Schaller
YA Fantasy, Paranormal
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 348 Pages
July 7, 2020 by Designs by Seraphim

Eighteen-year-old Jordan Conway has always wanted to help people, but helping seven archangels to achieve their divine duty was never quite what he had in mind… 

When Jordan is entrusted by the head nun of his orphanage to deliver a mysterious backpack to a New York City address, he comes unexpectedly face-to-face with Archangel Gabriel. Their acquaintance fast uncovers a labyrinth of secrets that connect Jordan’s once-normal life to an ancient heavenly prophecy. Now, he must help Gabriel to reunite the archangels before evil forces grow too strong.

Soon, Jordan and Gabriel find themselves on a divine quest across the globe, while deep in the pits of Hell, Satan plots his return to earth. To gain control, however, Satan needs the powerful prophetic objects locked safe inside Jordan’s backpack—and the devil will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

With that notion threatening his only family and the safety of his newfound friends, Jordan must do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves and help the archangels succeed. If that means sacrificing all he thought he knew to go to war with the devil himself? Bring it on.

(Affiliate links included.)
 
 
Excerpt
 
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

Those were the words Dante faced when he entered Hell. Perhaps if they were posted above the subway this afternoon, I would have proceeded with the same caution.

The New York subway system was a strange and peculiar place. An underground metropolis full of noise and activity, where anything and everything occurred. I liked to compare it to the Underworld as I imagined it worked in much the same way, with spirits being ferried across the River Styx like people being transported through the city. Yet the main difference between Hell and the subway was all those who entered typically resurfaced every day, sometimes multiple times a day, without being scathed. 

Unlike me, whose life would be forever changed by the simple act of bumping shoulders.

It wasn’t unusual to accidentally graze the arm of a stranger in the subway, but there was something different about this guy at the bottom of the station steps, almost like he was waiting for me to run into him.

“Sorry,” I offered, pulling my MetroCard out of my pocket and looking up.

He was dressed in all-black, wearing a leather jacket with the hood pulled up so I could barely see his face. Instead of answering, he stared at me like I’d committed the worst crime known to man.

“I’m really sorry,” I said once more. Clearly, this guy wasn’t a local, or he’d be used to the bustle of Brooklyn Heights by now.

His response was to pull out a cigarette and lighter. He inserted the stick of tobacco between his lips and lit it. As he did, I noticed several rings on his fingers, but most memorable was the large skull tattooed across the back of his hand. It started at his wrist and ended near his knuckles.

 

About the Author


SARA M SCHALLER is a paralibrarian, publishing professional, and young adult author. She lives in Colorado with her mom, dad, brother, and four furry canine siblings. Sara loves the world of pop culture and the performing arts, so when she is not reading or writing, she is either watching movies and shows, attending conventions, or going out to see live performances. She likes to write stories for all ages in the fantasy genre, and her writing usually contains elements of speculative fiction and features a large cast of characters. Sara has a Bachelor’s degree in English, Art History, and Religious Studies from the University of Denver, and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University. For five years, Sara worked as a graphic designer, and her creativity in design carries over into other areas of her life like writing. You can visit her online at www.saramschaller.com.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive the following: a backpack to match the main character's, a necklace to match the main character's, a signed hardcover, a bookmark, a set of pins with a pen, and a passport with a sticker sheet featuring locations in the book.

Open internationally
Ends September 29, 2020

Grab Our Button!