You are Invited to the ACFW Storyfest!

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for ACFW Storyfest, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited:

ACFW Storyfest 

August 24-26, 2023 

Hyatt Regency at the Arch, St. Louis

When hundreds of authors gather for their annual ACFW conference in August, readers are invited to participate in their own event on the same premises. Storyfest will present a full program of meet & greet or meals with authors, casual conversation, games, panels, swag bags of story-related treasures, and the opportunity to hear from the heart of readers’ favorite authors.

Per reader requests, the ACFW Storyfest team is also including reader-only workshops to help answer reader questions and gain reader feedback. The ACFW bookstore will also be open to readers. Last year’s attendees recommend bringing extra luggage for the book and swag haul.

Learn More about ACFW Storyfest 2023

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Participating Authors:

                                             

Sami A. Abrams, Kate Angelo, Pepper Basham, Laurel Blount, Sara Brunsvold, Colleen Coble, Sara Davison, Lynette Eason, Loretta Eidson, Joni M. Fisher, Liana George, Sarah Hamaker, Sarah Hanks, Brandy Heineman, Rebecca Hemlock, Pam Hillman, Angela Hunt, Denise Hunter, Kelly Irvin, Dana R. Lynn, Tracey J. Lyons, Joy K. Massenburge, Nancy Mehl, Shaen Layle, Dana Mentink, Robin Caroll, Dineen Miller, DiAnn Mills, Carol Moncado, Mindy Obenhaus, Candice Sue Patterson, Lisa Phillips, Deborah Raney, Shannon Redmon, Terri Reed, Helena Smrcek, Betsy St. Amant, Melanie Stevenson, Carrie Turansky, Marilyn Turk, Darlene L. Turner, Virginia Vaughan, John Matthew Walker, Kimberley Woodhouse, Lenora Worth, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and more

Register Now for ACFW Storyfest 2023

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of one registration fee to ACFW Storyfest in St. Louis OR if unable to attend Storyfest, a swag bag STUFFED with swag, including the Storyfest booklet and signed copies of books by up to 10 participating authors!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 14, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 21, 2023. 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. If selected, the swag bag will be sent after the event in late August. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

 

Review: 400 Calories or Less with Our Best Bites by Sara Wells, Kate Jones

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the bestselling authors of Our Best Bites and Savoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites comes a unique cookbook for healthy eating. Inspired by the authors' personal weight loss journeys, these healthy recipes, all under 400 calories, provide a wealth of ingredient option substitutions for comfort food main dishes, flavorful side dishes and yummy desserts.

Each recipe includes mouthwatering photography, easy-to-follow instructions for swapping out healthy, low-calorie ingredient substitutions, and complete nutritional information including fat content, carbs and sugar and salt intake. Features vegetarian and gluten-free choices and tips for stocking a healthy pantry from ordinary grocery store options plus advice for making the best choices at the salad bar.

My Review

Healthy eating is always a goal for me, and I appreciated the variety of recipes in this cookbook. I'm in a bit of a cooking rut right now, especially for dinnertime with members of my family going in all directions. We do have a goal to eat at the dinner table together at least a few times a week, and I'm excited to try out the recipes I think my family will enjoy. Sections are divided into categories of Breakfast, Soups, Salads, Snacks, Pasta, Poultry, Beef, Pork, Seafood, Meatless, and Desserts. Several recipes are additionally labeled as Gluten-Free, and each recipe has a sidebar of basic nutrition measurements of Calories, Carbs, Sugars, Fat, Fiber, and Protein. I also liked the add-on options, shopping, prep, and cooking tips, serving suggestions, alternatives, and rollover ingredients identified which varied with each recipe. There are at least three recipes from each section that I will be making for my family or myself, and I know there are more to try if I'm feeling adventurous or creative ;)

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.

Review: 101 Super Cute Things to Draw by Lauren Bergstrom

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Learn to draw tons of cute and quirky stuff with the 100+ step-by-step drawing projects in 101 Super Cute Things to Draw.

Specifically geared toward beginning and aspiring artists of all ages, 101 Super Cute Things to Draw features: 

 

More than 100 easy-to-follow drawing projects that help you quickly learn to create super cute illustrations in a super simple way.

Adorable animals, darling little foods, enchanting everyday objects, and nifty natural wonders, all designed for maximum delight.

Basic art instruction, including information about tools and materials, combining colors, and creating patterns that sets you up for success so you can enjoy the creative process of drawing.

101 Super Cute Things to Draw is perfect for beginners, as well as young artists, with its simple illustrations and easy-to-follow drawing steps. For those who want to learn how to draw everything adorable and amusing, this book is for you! 

 

With this book, you’ll learn to draw:

- Everyday objects, including a teapot, balloons, and a terrarium
- Food, including a cinnamon bun, a sushi roll, and strawberries
- Nature, including a mushroom, a tiny forest, and a rainbow and cloud
- Animals, including a red panda, a sloth, and a cow
- Mythical creatures, including a yeti, a dragon, and a jackalope

So grab your pencils, some paper, and a copy of 101 Super Cute Things to Draw to create plenty of giggle-worthy drawings!

Bursting with humor and imagination, books in the 101 Things to Draw series will put a smile on your face with original mash-ups, step-by-step drawing instructions, doodling exercises, and mindfulness activities.

My Review

Drawing is fun, and the step-by-step guided instruction for these simple figures are easy enough for even young children. I plan on using these as directed drawings in the elementary classrooms where I teach. For adults who enjoy whimsy and kawaii cuteness, the wide variety of objects and creatures will inspire creativity. Basic information on color, patterns, materials, and expressions are included in the introduction, but the majority of the book is full of fun things to draw! From ordinary objects around the house, to food, to animals, to imaginary creatures, the artist makes anything "super cute!"

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.