Synopsis

 

The stories of the lost Kado treasure were not legend. They told the truth.

Eighteen-year-old Tom Murrell could never understand his father’s dreams of carving a new life out of the wilderness. He wanted to do something else with his life besides spend it behind a plow, but with the family moving to the Red River in Arkansaw Territory, he was stuck.

Everything changes for Tom when he witnesses the death of Tiatesun, spiritual leader of the Kadohadacho tribe, and is drawn into a raging conflict between the Kado and their arch enemies, a renegade band of Osage.

His new friends Mattie and James say there is no alternative. They must use a cryptic map, drawn in a bible by Tiatesun in his own blood before he died, to find this place called Na-Da-cah-ah. Only then can Tom be sure that his family and friends will be safe.

But it is a race against time—a race against Wey Chutta’s Osage. Dangers are everywhere. The only chance to save his family is for Tom, Mattie, and James to join with six Kado warriors, make sense from the many clues they uncover on their quest, and discover the real Na-Da-cah-ah.

 

 

 

Praise

“A robust take that’s steeped in history and features well-rounded characters throughout.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

Listen to the Prologue here

 

About the Author

E. Russell “Rusty” Braziel has been a rock musician, entrepreneur, and widely read blogger, and is the author of the nonfiction bestseller The Domino Effect.

Born in Caddo country in Northeast Texas, Rusty is the four-times-great-grandson of John Murrell, patriarch of the Murrell family that inspired Kado. For over 15 years, he has been a student of the Caddo tribal culture in pre-Columbian and early frontier periods, including the tribe’s history, language, and beliefs.

Rusty and his wife Teresa share their time between a homestead in Northeast Texas and grandkids in Houston.

 

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram

 

Synopsis

Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she’s a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she’s dating cute, popular, and sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells’s father is Jack Henderson, America’s most famous conservative shock jock…and Allie hasn’t told Wells that her family is Muslim. It’s not like Allie’s religion is a secret, exactly. It’s just that her parents don’t practice and raised her to keep her Islamic heritage to herself. But as Allie witnesses ever-growing Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she begins to embrace her faith—studying it, practicing it, and facing hatred and misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the “perfect” all-American girl? What does it mean to be a “Good Muslim?” And can a Muslim girl in America ever truly fit in?

ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your place.

 

 

 

Review

If you are looking for a book that reflects the struggles of a young woman and her Muslim heritage than look no further.

The title of this book intrigued me to read the description and then grab a copy of the book to read.  I am so glad that I did because I felt for Allie and her struggles with her heritage but not really growing up as a Muslim because her parents were not religious.  I’m not really sure what the turning point was for Allie to pursue learning more about being a Muslim, but it is definitely a learning curve for her.  From praying, learning the Qur’an, to fasting during Ramadan, and learning Arabic, Allie is on a roller coaster of feelings about everything she knew in the past and what she is learning now.

I appreciated the insight into the Islamic faith and learning more about what they believe.  It also showcases Allie’s struggles with what the faith teaches (especially when it comes to dating – as in there is no dating) and trying to survive in today’s world.  I admired Allie’s willingness to stand up for her faith and heritage against bigots and even though they may have dismissed her as a child, she at least made her feelings known.

Teenagers today have a lot to deal with in our social media crazed world, I can’t imagine adding conflicting feelings when it comes to faith and family.

There is also the family dynamic as her father states that they are not religious and believe in science.  I think this also is a catalyst for pushing her towards her faith because of what she sees from her extended family when she sees them on various holidays.

This book was very educational and would be a good read for any teenager to understand that they can stand up for their faith and heritage and learning more and becoming more only benefits them.

We give this 5 paws up.

 

 

As a side note, I received a copy via Netgalley but the text message text did not appear in my eGalley.  Hopefully, this is fixed for all future eBooks.

 

About the Author

Nadine Jolie Courtney is the author of ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL (FSG/2019). She is also the author of ROMANCING THE THRONE, and—under her maiden name Nadine Haobsh—BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL and CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY ADDICT.

Nadine is a Circassian-American, a Muslim, and a believer that compassion and education can make the world a better place.

Nadine graduated from Barnard College and was formerly a beauty editor at Lucky and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines. As a travel, beauty, and royalty writer, her work has appeared in Town & Country magazine, Vanity Fair online, and Vogue online, and she has been profiled in Vogue, Cosmo, the New York Times, and Allure. She is a contributing writer for Angeleno magazine.

As a blonde-haired, green-eyed Muslim of Circassian descent, Nadine was raised to hide the truth about her religion, spending years hiding behind her white-passing privilege. Following the Muslim Ban, she gathered the courage to write a love letter to Islam—a book about a young girl running toward her Islamic heritage, rather than away from it. The resulting book—ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL—is designed as a tonic for other confused or curious cross-cultural kids, eager to finally embrace their own heritage.

An avowed Anglophile, Nadine has worked for Sarah, Duchess of York, and lived in England, Argentina and Palm Beach managing Carlos Gracida, the most successful polo player in history, favorite of Her Majesty The Queen, and teammate of HRHs Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry—settings and relationships Nadine drew upon while researching and writing ROMANCING THE THRONE.

Twitter * Instagram

 

Synopsis

It is said that dreams are just that: only dreams. But believe me, this is not always true. Some dreams are as real as the dreamer.

Thanks to their dreams, dreamers can receive the special visit of eternal wisdom that has inspired the creativity of great inventors, scientists, musicians, and even writers throughout the ages.

This creative wisdom is not always the type that appears to the eager conscience. Sometimes, a Defiler, a destroyer of dreams, is the one who tries to appear before the dreamer. These creatures were once humans, but they allowed their pain and desire for revenge to take over and seek the same miserable fate for the one who dreams.

You must not fear — Dream Guardians, also known as Kelsdrant, will always protect the one who dreams, even with their own life. They are people of flesh and bone, just like you and me, or at least they are on Earth.

The following story is dedicated to the fun, extravagant, and enlightening life of Julian Fox, the Dream Guardian.

Be prepared, dear reader. It is time to dream, laugh, reflect, and even maybe cry.

Welcome to the Land of the Wise Dreams.

 

 

 

Read the first 3 chapters on E.J.’s Website

 

Interview

Tell us a little bit about your background and where the inspiration from this book stemmed from.

I believe that reading inspires any writer. I have been reading since I was a little girl, and one day, many years ago, I decided to put my own words in front of readers. I am inspired by my desire for sincere support and respect as a response to the intolerance that we can still see today. I hope Julian Fox makes the readers laugh, reflect, and realize there are other ways of writing, debunking the myth that everything has been written.

How has living in Colombia influenced your writing style and the types of stories you’re interested in telling?

I have had the honor of living in this beautiful country for almost two years. During all of this time, I have continued writing about Julian Fox’s adventures. The happiness of this Latin-American country has been very stimulating for me, especially to come up with the pranks between Julian and Nicholas. I must also say that Cartagena, a wonderful city I visited many years ago, inspired me to write the story of a brave Colombian Guardian who will always be remembered by all the present Dream Guardians.

How did you approach the book’s genre when creating a unique blend of history, fantasy, mythology, romance, and humor?

I have been wanting to create my own world for a long time. Julian Fox’s personality, sense of humor, sense of justice, love for his family, and respect for others echoes who I am. I respect and admire every book I have had the fortune of reading, and I believe every book to come must be as authentic as the writer. In my particular case, I write about stories of the past so the reader can reflect on how much we as a humanity have evolved and how much we still need to change. In this book, I also express my love for the beauty and complexity of mythology and, as an homage to past writers’ imagination, I created my own take on mythology, giving it a meaning and a purpose for me and my dear readers.

Do you think female readers are yearning for new fantasy stories that will connect with them? Did you intentionally craft your tale to appeal to a female audience?

I write to the feelings, decisions, and consequences that are born from our free will. I write to the strong heartbeats that make us humans, not to a specific gender. I dedicate my story to our laughter, strength, and courage, and I hope one day respect and understanding prevail between us, just like it does between my Dream Guardians. I know my goal is too big but it is my dream, and I know many readers out there, regardless of gender, share this dream with me.

Your writing often takes place across a wide range of settings: Paris, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, China, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Argentina. What is your take on global writing and how do you choose which locations to represent? Have you traveled to every place you write about?

I have had the opportunity of traveling to many cities around the world. I chose Paris as Julian’s birthplace after my first trip to this mesmerizing city. The same happened during my stay in Spain. I chose Seville, one of the main epicenters of the Spanish Inquisition, as the main scenario for the story of Juan de Villanueva. Many cities have inspired me, mainly for their past, their history, and their culture and how it has changed over the years. I believe a society’s culture is what makes its history, and it is important to learn from our past mistakes to avoid repeating them today. I must say that Moscow, China, and Greece are still on my travel bucket list.

 

About the Author

E. J. Miranda is an avid reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and a passionate author. Her great sense of humor and love for nature have granted her a rebellious writing style: her approach describes the adventures of life, but in such a way that each reader can have an individual take on the matter. Her inspiration comes from her curiosity about other countries’ cultures and peculiarities. A few countries in particular which spark her curiosity are Colombia, Italy, Costa Rica, England, Belgium, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Her favorite places to visit are historical sites and museums, locations that allow her to explore important and even overlooked details. She currently lives with her husband in Colombia, but frequently travels to Houston to visit her daughter and son. E.J. Miranda has a degree in tax accounting, but she prefers interacting with people to calculating their taxes.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads

 

Dragonwatch: Master of the Phantom Isle

 

by Brandon Mull

 

Publication Date: 10/1/19

Page Count: 496

Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic

Ages 10 And Up, Grades 5 And Up

Cover Illustration by Brandon Dorman

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

Design: Sheryl Dickert Smith

Author Photo: Busath Photography

 

Synopsis

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his own dark ends.

Kendra is frantic to find her missing brother, but the quest will take her and her companions, including Warren, Tanu, and Vanessa, far from Wyrmroost to Crescent Lagoon—a recently fallen dragon sanctuary made up of many islands and underwater domains. Its caretaker has regained a foothold on one of the islands. If Kendra and her friends can save that sanctuary, they might uncover the answers they need to rescue Seth.

With each sanctuary the dragons overthrow, Celebrant, the Dragon King, comes closer to the dawn of a new Age of Dragons. With the forces of darkness on the march, can Kendra and her allies gather enough power to win the epic dragon war?

 

 

IndieBound * Amazon * B&N

 

Walmart * BAM * Deseret Books

 

Praise

 

“Fans of Mull’s popular Fablehaven books will be delighted with this rousing opener to a new sequel series, which builds upon familiar characters and plot points from the original fantasy series. . . . The excitement of the adventure will sweep up existing fans and undoubtedly create new ones.” -Booklist

“Will intrigue young readers with a fondness for Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With dragons on the loose and key characters missing, there’s plenty of scope for sequels.” -Foreword Reviews

“Fans of the series will welcome a new story arc stocked with familiar characters, settings, and adventures.” -Kirkus

 

Trailer

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook

 

Synopsis

The Amazing Beatrix works as an acrobat in a 19th Century circus, no home or family to speak of. When a daring escape from her abusive ringleader crosses Beatrix’s path with that of the daring adventurer Colonel James Bacchus, the unlikely pair team up, fly to safety aboard the Colonel’s miraculous four-story hot air balloon, and begin a grand quest to find the most precious gem in the world, The Blue Star Sphinx.

If the heroes can outmaneuver the deadly treasure hunters, escaped convicts, and double-crosses that await them, they may win the treasure they seek, or better yet, a sense of true belonging.

Witty banter, colorful characters, and exotic locations pack the fantastical, globe-trotting adventure that reads like Sherlock Holmes meets Around the World in Eighty Days.

 

Review

This steampunk adventure story would be great for any (older) YA reader especially if you liked Around The World in 80 days.

The story follows Bee, an escaped acrobat from a local circus who takes off on an adventure in a hot air balloon with the Colonel and various other wayward characters that are picked up along the way. They are in pursuit of a murderer and even some treasure. All of the characters add dimension to the story and while life on a hot air balloon as large as the Ox isn’t feasible, it made for an interesting image in my mind. I think it might have been more like a Zeppelin than a traditional hot air balloon.

There are some topics that might be too mature for some readers such as the womanizer ways of the Colonel. While nothing is discussed in detail it is noted that he will have a woman on board and then set her off with a gift which sometimes isn’t appreciated by the woman.

I enjoyed the banter between the characters and their adventures across Europe.  We give it 4 paws up.

 

About the Author

I’m Pat!

I grew up in Illinois and now live in Los Angeles with my dog, Hank.

I like volleyball, gin, science, blues harmonica, and bar trivia.

I don’t like junk mail, people who don’t pick up their dog’s poo, astrology, and Capricorns.

My favorite authors include Bill Watterson, Liane Moriarty, and David Foster Wallace.

The genres I write in vary, but I always try to include unique characters, interesting language, and hopefully memorable reading experience.

You’ll have to tell me how I’m doing.

Website * Instagram

 

 

 

ANGEL THIEVES

by

KATHI APPELT

 

 

Young Adult / Magical Realism / Historical / Contemporary

Publisher: Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Date of Publication: March 12, 2019

Number of Pages: 336

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

 

An ocelot. A slave. An angel thief.

Multiple perspectives spanning across time are united through themes of freedom, hope, and faith in a most unusual and epic novel from Newbery Honor–winning author and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt.

Sixteen-year-old Cade Curtis is an angel thief. After his mother’s family rejected him for being born out of wedlock, he and his dad moved to the apartment above a local antique shop. The only payment the owner Mrs. Walker requests: marble angels, stolen from graveyards, for her to sell for thousands of dollars to collectors. But there’s one angel that would be the last they’d ever need to steal; an angel, carved by a slave, with one hand open and one hand closed. If only Cade could find it…

Zorra, a young ocelot, watches the bayou rush past her yearningly. The poacher who captured and caged her has long since lost her, and Zorra is getting hungrier and thirstier by the day. Trapped, she only has the sounds of the bayou for comfort—but it tells her help will come soon.

Before Zorra, Achsah, a slave, watched the very same bayou with her two young daughters. After the death of her master, Achsah is free, but she’ll be damned if her daughters aren’t freed with her. All they need to do is find the church with an angel with one hand open and one hand closed…

In a masterful feat, National Book Award Honoree Kathi Appelt weaves together stories across time, connected by the bayou, an angel, and the universal desire to be free.

Brazos Bookstore  ◆  Blue Willow Bookshop  ◆  Book People

Amazon  ◆  Barnes & Noble  ◆  IndieBound

 

PRAISE FOR ANGEL THIEVES

Spiritual, succinct, and emotionally gripping. — School Library Journal

A heartfelt love letter to Houston that acknowledges the bad parts of its history while uplifting the good. – BCBB

Shows the best and worst sides of humanity and underscores the powerful force of the bayou, which both holds and erases secrets.  — Publishers Weekly

Narrative strands are like tributaries that begin as separate entities but eventually merge into a single thematic connection: that love, whether lost or found, is always powerful. — Horn Book

Richly drawn and important. — Booklist, starred review

 

 

 

 

 

Kathi Appelt is the author of the Newbery Honoree, National Book Award finalist, PEN USA Literary Award–winning, and bestselling The Underneath as well as the National Book Award finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, Maybe a Fox (with Alison McGhee), Keeper, and many picture books including Counting Crows and Max … Attacks.

She has two grown children and lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband and their six cats. She serves as a faculty member at Vermont College of Fine Arts in their MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program.

 

 

Website  ║  Twitter ║ Facebook ║ Instagram

Blog  ║ Goodreads  ║  BookBub

Amazon Author Page  ║  Pinterest

 

Learn more by visiting the Angel Thieves Pinterest Boards!

 

 

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THREE SIGNED COPIES OF ANGEL THIEVES

SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 4, 2019

(U.S. Only)

 

 

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

9/24/19	Book Trailer	The Page Unbound
9/24/19	Book Trailer	StoreyBook Reviews
9/25/19	Review	Missus Gonzo
9/26/19	Guest Post	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
9/26/19	Guest Post	That’s What She’s Reading
9/27/19	Review	Hall Ways Blog
9/28/19	Guest Post	Sybrina’s Book Blog
9/28/19	Guest Post	Reading by Moonlight
9/29/19	Review	Forgotten Winds
9/30/19	Review	Momma on the Rocks
10/1/19	Playlist	Chapter Break Book Blog
10/1/19	Author Interview	Texas Book Lover
10/2/19	Review	The Clueless Gent
10/3/19	Review	All the Ups and Downs

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

If you like unicorns, you’ll love The Thankful Unicorn! The coloring book and gratitude journal in one.

The Thankful Unicorn is filled with inspiring quotes, positive actions and whimsical unicorn scenes that will be sure to delight even the young at heart, leading to a more confident, kind and creative child.

This innovative and uplifting book is all about building self-esteem, promoting positivity and inspiring creativity in young girls and boys.

 

 

Review

This gratitude/thankful journal is perfect for young people starting out and getting into the habit of recognizing what they are thankful for each day.  The unicorns are fun to color and each page has the same questions to fill out so the routine becomes a habit and you are not surprised by a new question.

This is a photo I took of one of the pages.  Each page is different and the boxes around the questions vary to spice it up each day.

 

I like that it asks more than just what we are thankful for each day, but also what dreams and goals we have each day, what we love about ourselves, and an affirmation to boost our self confidence and self worth.

This is a fun beginning journal for anyone.  While aimed at teens there is no reason an adult couldn’t use this each day especially if you enjoy coloring.

We give this 5 paws up.

 

About the Author

Hayley Rose is a #1 best-selling, award-winning author, dedicated to bringing fun, educational and inspiring books to kids through her brand Books by Hayley Rose.

In 2002 she released her first children’s book, Fifo When I Grow Up, followed by the #1 best-sellers, Fifo 50 States in 2010 and The Do’s and Don’ts in 2013. This year her brand plans to expand into music and games, along with the release of two more books Today I Feel Emotion on March 7th and Fifo Musical Animals ABC on November 2nd.

Hayley’s children’s books have won numerous literary awards, including the prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards®, KART Kids Book List Award®, Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice® and four Reader’s Favorite International Book Awards®, an honor she shares alongside actor Jim Carrey and author Sheri Fink.

In 2012 Hayley was selected as one of “The Top 50 Writers You Should Be Reading” by the AuthorsShow.com.

Before writing children’s books, Hayley had been working in entertainment business management for over 15 years, specializing in concert touring. She has worked with many “A list” musicians including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox just to name a few. Hayley hopes to one day soon release an album of children’s songs.

Hayley is currently a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, Independent Book Publishers Association and the Arizona Authors Association. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her dog, Blanche.

Twitter * Goodreads * Facebook * Website

 

 

Synopsis

Summer was the girl who had it all: good grades, a spot on the high school volleyball team, and a best friend since elementary school. Then she was diagnosed with lupus…and her best friend betrayed her. Now she’s cutting ties, because nobody should have to deal with someone as broken as her.

Kane is the guy who never gives up. When he puts his mind to something, he gets it done—no matter how many broken bones it takes. So when a chance encounter at the urgent care throws him in the path of Summer, the girl he’s secretly had a crush on for years, he’s determined to win her heart.

Despite her vow to keep people away, Summer finds herself falling for Kane’s charm. Will the boy who never gives up be able to win—and keep—the heart of the girl who is afraid to let people in?

 

Review

This book is more than teenage angst – it is about hope, forgiveness, perseverance, friendship, and love.

This may be a YA book but it spoke to me and I raced through this book like there was no tomorrow. The story flowed well, the characters were flawed yet real, and it shed some light on Lupus.

Kane is goofy and Summer is reserved but finds what Kane has to offer might be exactly what she needs. I appreciated that the characters weren’t rushing into anything, mostly because of Summer’s disease and her reservations, but that they took time to get to know each other. The relationship is not smooth sailing but it was real and honest.

I also liked Matt and Abigail, good friends to the end. I’m hoping we get to see stories for each of them in the future.

This book had me laughing at times and is worth the read.

We give it 5 paws up.

 

About the Author

Caroline Andrus was born and raised in the St. Paul suburbs where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and Henry McCoy—a wild cougar trapped in a housecat’s body.

When not working as a hotel front desk agent she divides her time between writing, Facebook, designing (book covers & promo materials), and reviewing books. She is passionate about both reading and writing teen fiction, and is pretty sure she will forever be eighteen at heart.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

CAPTAIN FIN

by

AMANDA M. THRASHER

based on a screenplay by Kevin James O’Neill

  Genre: Young Adult / Adventure / Family

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Date of Publication: May 1, 2019

Number of Pages: 432

Scroll down for giveaway!

 

 

Hannah Gunner, once a carefree child, is faced with secrets, lies, and betrayal. A life-changing event during her adolescent years forces her to confront a past that she no longer recognizes. Now, questioning everything she thought she knew, Hannah struggles with the person she is supposed to be! With the help of her boyfriend and her closest friend, they discover several clues that may hold the missing links to her life.

A tattered box filled with worn-out letters holds some of the answers that she needs, but not all of them. With an assist from her aunt, and a visitor from her past, Hannah manages to track down the only person in the world who can answer her questions—the Captain! But why did those closest to her lie in the first place? Will Hannah ever find the answers that she needs to bring her peace?

Suspenseful, engaging, and with twists and turns that make it impossible to put down, this is a book filled with surprises.

Amazon * Barnes and Noble

 

Signed Copies * iBooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do you write? Any backstory to your choice?

I’m a Plotter now, though in the past have been a Pantser. I prefer to have the entire outline of my story mapped out in my head and on paper before I begin to write. It helps to keep me focused, keep the story, especially if it’s complex, on course, and allows me to keep track of my timeline. I have never used dictation, though to each his own, and write mostly from my laptop. However, I continually carry a notebook to add scenes, dialogue, plot, or character characteristics along the way and refer back to my outline as I work.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book? 

The most difficult thing about writing this book was feeling Hannah’s pain during the most significant losses of her life. It was heartbreaking for me as the writer/author bringing it to life, and when I read it, it had the same emotional impact. There are a couple of scenes that touched me in such a way, one, in particular, was tragic, and one was so touching I couldn’t hold back my tears as I wrote the scene.

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Having the liberty to allow Hannah to be whom I thought she would be; that was very generous of Kevin, and I believe demonstrated an enormous amount of trust on his behalf.

 

How did you decide if your main character would be male or female?

I knew immediately it was going to have be written from Hannah’s perspective as a child and then an adolescent. I believe Kevin did as well, and this is why he sought out a YA writer.

 

Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured if your book? 

I think so, subtly, but it could easily give away significant parts of the story if mentioned.

 

Do you now or have you ever considered writing under a pen-name? Why or why not?

I do not write under a pen name and don’t believe I ever would. It’s a lot of work writing these novels. I may as well get credit for my own work.

 

Has your formal education influenced or impacted your writing?

Neither. It has made zero difference.

 

What projects are you working on at the present?

I am currently writing a sequel to CAPTAIN FIN and working on the fourth Mischief book.

 

What do your plans for future projects include?

I think every author, or most authors, have the same goal: ensure their work has the best opportunity possible to gain exposure allowing their audience a chance to read what they’ve written, hopefully write a good review, and help spread the word. I always attend the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, it’s my favorite, and I’ve attended and signed at ALA and BEA as well. TLA is a conference I really believe as an author is worth attending and signing in the featured author area. It is important authors understand how these conference work, but TLA is definitely on my schedule.

 

What does your perfect writing spot look like? Is that what your ACTUAL writing spot looks like?

My perfect writing spot is outside on a spring day, birds chirping, the sound of water, and a cool breeze blowing as I type. This is my spot usually from March through May. After that, my office and silence will work. I’m one of those authors, or maybe it’s just me, I can’t work with noise, music included. I need complete silence to think.

 

Are there any people you credit for being your inspiration for reading and writing?

My parents. They read to us every night. Always bought us books. Taught us to read by the time we were four and bought me a new pen and journal every single birthday.

 

Who would you cast to play your characters in a movie version of your book?

I don’t know her age, but for adolescent Hannah (if she was still a teen), Karley Scott Collins or someone with that look. Young Hannah, Shree Crooks or Alyvia Alyn Lind.

 

Is this book just for teens, as in just YA, because it’s categorized that way? 

My answer? 100% no. This book can honestly appeal to any book lover. The teens will love Hannah and Cash, young romance, but general book lovers will love the unpredictability, the emotional roller-coaster, and all the plot twists.

 

 

 

Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas, and resides there still. Amanda has authored picture books, middle-grade chapter books, early readers, young adult pieces, and a graphic novel written specifically for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center.

Amanda is a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) for YA, General Fiction, and early reader chapter books, a Readers’ Favorite International Book Award winner for YA Social Issues, an NTBF winner for YA and General Fiction, and she was awarded a New Apple Literary Award for YA and general fiction.

As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, she assists other authors with their work and shares her writing process and publishing experience with them. Her latest release, CAPTAIN FIN, was based on a contract to adapt a screenplay into a novel for the director, actor, and producer Kevin James O’Neill. Her works-in-progress are the sequel to CAPTAIN FIN and the fourth installment of her Mischief Series.

Website * Facebook * Twitter  * Pinterst

Instagram  * Goodreads

Amazon Author Page   BookBub

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TWO WINNERS: Signed Copies of Captain Fin

+ $25 Starbucks Gift Cards

THREE WINNERS: Signed Copies of Captain Fin

June 4-14, 2019

(U.S. Only)

 

 

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

6/4/19	Author Interview	StoreyBook Reviews
6/4/19	Character Interview	Hall Ways Blog
6/5/19	Review	Momma on the Rocks
6/6/19	Guest Post	Texas Book Lover
6/6/19	Deleted Scene	The Clueless Gent
6/7/19	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
6/8/19	Review	#Bookish
6/8/19	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
6/9/19	Review	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
6/10/19	Scrapbook Page	Chapter Break Book Blog
6/10/19	Top Ten	Sybrina’s Book Blog
6/11/19	Guest Post	Forgotten Winds
6/12/19	Review	Missus Gonzo
6/12/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
6/13/19	Review	Book Fidelity

 

 

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Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay’s biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.

When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can’t believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right…

One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * B&N * Kobo

 

Excerpt

Everything beyond the front edge of the stage sat in a black void. Still, the audience was there, waiting. Lindsey could feel their anticipation dripping down her neck like icky ooze.

Finally, the music played.

The stage and the audience disappeared.  Lindsey spun and danced, gliding across the stage. The music embraced her like a warm hug and invited her to fly.

One pirouette.

Two.

She bounded high into the air until a pair of arms caught her and steadied her before swishing away into a joint spin.

Then, the music stopped. Lights beamed down from all directions.

“Ready to come down?” Robert stared up at her. He held her high in the air; her body stretched out above him in a lift. Lindsey sucked in air. She was going to fall! She had no idea how she got up there. His quivering arms made her wish she hadn’t. “If you drop me, I swear I’ll pour that whole bottle of perfume over your head. You’ll stink like your grandma for weeks.”

He laughed, which didn’t exactly help things. The muscles in his arms tightened against his sleeves as he lowered her. Her weight shifted one way and then the other. When her feet hit solid floor, she let out a sigh of relief.

“Bravo! Bravo!” The theatre shook.

The audience! Lindsey turned to face the crowd. It was impossible to see them past the bright stage lights, but their cheers made it clear they were there.

“Bravo! Bravo!”

The other dancers lined up on either side of them, all falling into a wave of bows and curtseys. Robert took her hand, and together they stepped forward and accepted the applause.

“Ruf. Ruf. Ruf.”

“Broussard?” Squinting, Lindsey finally made out the first row of chairs. The red velvet cushions were puffed up and lined with golden cord. And every single one of them was empty. She couldn’t see past the first row to the rest of the theatre. Not that it mattered. Telling by the cheers, the rest of the seats were full.

“Smile and wave,” Robert ordered as he pulled her behind him and followed the rest of the dancers off the stage.

And she did smile and wave, as big and thankful as she could. She didn’t know how the music had made her dance, but she didn’t care. The audience loved the show, and she loved dancing for them. This was what it was like to dance on a real stage. It was better than she’d dreamed. She belonged on a stage. She was born for it.

 

About the Author

Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.

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