Friday, September 25, 2020

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!

cropped-justread-logo.png

*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!