Synopsis

 

Dying has its perks…mostly. Bullied teen, Ember O’Neill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected from a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her. Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 

 

Barnes & Noble * Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

“I love that.” He reached up and pulled a piece of hair away from her cheek. “I love your innocence. I love your hair. And those eyes…don’t get me started.” He ran his thumb gently across her bottom lip. “And these, right here.” His voice dipped low. His tongue darted across his lips as he looked into her eyes.

“Can I kiss you, Ember O’Neill?”

Finally. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Slowly, she nodded her head. She had been waiting for this moment. Ever since she let her guard down and began trusting him, she had imagined what it would be like to kiss his perfect lips.

Logan reached up, placing one hand under her hair at the base of her neck. Electricity buzzed throughout her body. With his other hand, he cupped her cheek, pulling her closer.

She held her breath as his lips parted and pressed against hers with the lightest touch. In an instant, their bodies became one. The world melted away. It was just Ember and Logan on the dance floor. Her greatest wish for the night was coming true. She was kissing Logan.

Too soon, he pulled away. Eyes sparkling in the disco light, his thumb dragged across her bottom lip. She wondered if he could feel her racing pulse.

The kiss was sweet. Perfect. Ember smiled, remembering to breathe.

Both dimples asserted themselves as his lips shifted into a devilish grin. “You taste better than I imagined.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Kerrie Faye is a Gen X wife and mom who found her passion to write later in life. A graduate of Murray State University, she has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Raised in Western Kentucky, where her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, takes place, the author currently resides near the Rocky Mountain Flatirons in Colorado, where there is far less humidity but not nearly enough BBQ. Her debut novel, DEAD GIRL, will be published on February 26, 2024, by The Wild Rose Press.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * X (Twitter)

 

 

 

AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS

 

The Companion Novel to

 

The Aquamarine Surfboard

 

By Kelley Abernathy

 

 

 

Young Adult / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Atmosphere Press

296 pages

February 6, 2024

NEW RELEASE!

 

 

 

 

“This is a night for being brave.”

In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.

When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America-all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth-a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

Amethyst, The Shallows is the brand-new companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

 

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Praise

 

“Amethyst, The Shallows’ sensitive and potent prose stirs the reader, leaving a lasting impression. Although this novel is the second installment in a series, it stands strong independently, welcoming newcomers and returning readers alike.” —Literary Titan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

 

Website * Instagram * X (Twitter)

 

Facebook * Goodreads * Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For Participating Blogs, added as they pop up.

 

 

And don’t miss the Lone Star Book Blog Tours Pop-Up Blog-Hop,

 

Starting March 25, 2024, for book reviews, special features, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Bold statements, compelling quotes, and thoughtful prompts lead young Black girls on a journey of ancestral wisdom and self-discovery in this beautifully illustrated guided journal.

I AM a voice for my people.  I CAN create my own opportunities.  I WILL live with hope.

These and other powerful mantras will enlighten, engage, and empower young Black girls to embrace their connection to a long, unbroken line of historical and contemporary Black women who have inspired people through the centuries and across continents. The courage, integrity, humanity, passion, and intellect that flows through the lives of these foremothers is each girl’s to discover, inherit, and enhance with her own accomplishments.

Meaningful quotes and biographies provide real-life examples of how readers can implement what they learn in their own lives. And guided questions and prompts lead girls through a process of self-reflection that acknowledges their own potential to inspire and lead.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

I was sent an online version of the book to look through, and I wanted to share my thoughts on what I saw in the book.

This book combines a journal and the history of various influential and historical African American women. There are actors, scientists, astronauts, businesswomen, and more. There are journal prompts after each individual asking probing questions on how one might achieve the same as these women, what fears one might have, why you love yourself, and more. I appreciated that the women portrayed in this book covered a wide range of ages, including younger women who have made their mark in this world. I have to admit, I started to feel old when I saw some born around the time I was finishing high school!

While the target audience is young black women, I think any young woman would benefit from the history within the pages and the journal prompts. I learned about many women I had not heard of and their contributions to society and the world through their efforts. The journal prompts gave me a moment to reflect and wonder how I might answer the questions when I was younger and how the answers might change today as I am older.

This book is worthy of many young readers, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter works in philanthropy at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She is the author of the National Geographic books Africana Woman: Her Story Through Time and Freedom in My Heart: Voices from the National Slavery Museum, which was nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for Best Literary Work. Cynthia’s gift for storytelling brings alive the Black female experience for women of all ages. Having six granddaughters helps inspire her to celebrate young women. Holding a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in international education from George Washington University, Cynthia has connected especially with young women as an instructor and lecturer in Africana Women’s studies at GW and Georgetown Universities. While working in philanthropy at Howard University, she was curator for the exhibition “Women of the African Diaspora,” which toured the White House, the World Bank, and George Washington and Georgetown Universities. Cynthia serves with several local and national organizations and their boards, including The Links, Incorporated. As a development officer she has grown philanthropic programs at Africare, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where she founded the Harriet Tubman Legacy Society.

 

 

Ruth Chamblee is a publishing and marketing professional who leads the Content Marketing Strategy & Promotion team for National Geographic Kids Books. Her early career included brand management marketing at Richardson-Vicks, a division of Procter and Gamble, and membership marketing for the Smithsonian Institution Books and Recordings divisions. For more than three decades she has designed and carried out multifaceted strategic marketing initiatives for countless National Geographic books, and her guidance has helped bring new voices to and fill key niches in the children’s book market. She is a board member of the Children’s Book Council and Chairman of the Board for Every Child a Reader. Her vision for I Am, I Can, I Will arose from her realization that knowing and honoring our ancestors can contribute to self-awareness, self-empowerment, and self-love for her, her daughter, and all little Black girls.

 

 

Synopsis

 

 

15-year-old Emma Chan is an aspiring musician with her eyes aimed at the stars. Sure, she might not have won any notable competitions, but she isn’t “bad” by any means… unless you’ve met her easygoing and charming best friend, Naomi Lin, who seems to have the unique ability to accelerate Emma’s heartbeat.

On the surface, Naomi has her life together. Outside of being dubbed a child musical prodigy, she’s just another 15-year-old who likes coding, spending time with her friends, and reading celebrity gossip. But deep down, she longs to escape her life of expectations and build one that she truly desires, even if she doesn’t know what it means yet.

When the two friends team up to compete in a coding contest hosted by their childhood idol, their seven years’ worth of friendship falls into the danger of being jeopardized by deepening feelings, desperately hidden secrets, and the pressure of growing up. Emma and Naomi will have to adapt to the changing shape of their relationship, even if it means realising that life can be so much more complicated than they imagined.

 

 

Order from your favorite retailer

 

 

 

Review

 

While I am not a teenager anymore, I found this book to be engaging and hit on some important topics that impact teens today – mental health and sexuality.

Naomi and Emma met through music and became fast friends for many years. They happened to be at the same school, which helped forge that friendship. It was never easy; they lived different lives, but their love for music is what bonded them. However, the path wasn’t always easy. Emma is somewhat confident in her sexuality (Bi, but it isn’t clear until much later in the book), while Naomi is not. A misunderstanding of Emma’s feelings that are not reciprocated leads to more issues for Emma. But it was really just that final straw since she was having issues at home with her parents fighting and a path towards divorce. I appreciated how the authors made Emma vulnerable and did not shy away from her suicidal thoughts.

Naomi’s issues were different. She didn’t love music anymore, or at least not playing, performing, or competing. She may have been a prodigy at a young age but started losing that love for the piano. Perhaps it was the pressure of practicing and competing, or maybe this wasn’t what she was meant to do in the long run. Or maybe she just needs a break to rediscover who she is.

I enjoyed the world that this book opened up for me. I have never visited Hong Kong, but I felt like I had an insider’s look into that city. The situations that these teens face are very common, and they are not hidden in this book. They are brought out into the open for us to understand and perhaps even relate to.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Kylie Wang was born in Taiwan in 2006 and moved to Hong Kong soon afterward, where she attended school until she was 12. She is now a high schooler in the San Francisco Bay Area who writes to procrastinate on her school assignments. So far, she’s been awarded or published by YoungArts, the Ron L. Hubbard Writers of the Future Award, BlueFire, and more than 30 other venues. She started her first book, Stuck in Her Head, with her friend Liana when she was 14. You can find her editing her latest short story or attending California Writers Club meetings in her spare time.

 

Instagram

 

Liana Tang is a 17-year-old writer from Hong Kong who has been published or is forthcoming in 55+ publications. When she was 14, she reached out to Kylie to craft a #ownvoices book that would hopefully resonate with other teens’ experiences. She is enrolled at the University of Toronto and plans to study English Literature. She started playing piano when she was 3 and acquired an ARSM Level 4 Diploma in Music Performance with distinction when she was 13. She plays Pokémon, Identity V, and probably watches YouTube more than she reads.

 

Instagram

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The desert town of Rattlesnake isn’t a destination. It’s a last resort. Seventeen-year-old Jonah Guthrie’s aunt sold their home in New England and fled to this place to escape the humiliation of his dad’s indictment for embezzlement and subsequent disappearance.

While their late uncle left them a house and a silver mine, the house is in shambles and the mine is defunct. They’re almost out of money, so they have no choice but to stay in Rattlesnake. Then, Jonah discovers they’ve inherited something else. Her name is Catherine, and she’s been dead for over a hundred years. Now, she needs his help.

 

 

Amazon * Smashwords * Kobo * B&N

 

 

Excerpt

 

For a moment, the sun balanced on the tip of the tallest peak, then slipped behind the mountains, turning them black against the sky. They were out of options all except for going back to Old Cemetery Road and dealing with the property. From somewhere far out in the desert came the loneliest sound Jonah had ever heard. That high-pitched yowl caught him at the center of his stomach. Suddenly, he felt eyes on him from every direction, and the shadows grew teeth.

 

 

Review

 

This story will appeal to those who enjoy time travel and paranormal books.

Jonah and Allie, along with their Aunt Margaret, move from New Hampshire to Rattlesnake, Nevada. This is what some might classify as a dying town. I don’t remember the population, but around 500 sounds right. So you can imagine what sort of folks live here and what environment these newcomers might face. There is a bully that runs the town, with his son a bully at the high school. The townfolks are very closed-minded and do not like outsiders at all, save a few.

I enjoyed watching the story unfold, from learning to navigate a new high school to trying to figure out what this ghost needs help with. Both kids are dealing with more than they should have in their lives, not only with the move but with trying to come to terms with the allegations against their father. Margaret is trying to support their little family, but it is hard to gain acceptance from the local residents, which in turn makes it hard for her to find a job.

Jonah is a bit of a wild card. He isn’t afraid to go after what he wants or stand up to the local bully, Snake. He can also see a ghost that needs his help in finding something, but she doesn’t know what. It takes an unusual turn of events for Jonah to figure out what she needs help with and then try to assist 100 years in the future.

This story is fraught with emotions, from loneliness to fear to desperation. There is even a little romance in the story. It depicts what people might encounter if in a similar situation. There is a silver lining at the end. It will appeal to a wide variety of readers, not just those who like young adult or paranormal aspects in their novels.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Until about a year ago, my writing was all about what was real and current in the world. I’ve written about cutting (Sliding on the Edge, 2009), death of a parent (The Princess of Las Pulgas, 2010), illiteracy (Double Negative, 2014–voted as one of the top ten novels for YA), homophobia (Sudden Secrets, 2014), injustice (Not Guilty, 2019, and paraplegia (Shattered, 2021–finalist in the Indie Book Awards). Then suddenly…Rattlesnake, my first other-worldly YA.

It was probably a reaction to what was happening in my personal life as well as the world around me during the Covid shutdown, but I needed escape, and I thought others did as well, so I gave this story my best shot.

When I’m not writing, I’m hiking, traveling, or practicing yoga. I love to cook, and I love to eat. I love to talk with friends, and while I’m not a snob about it, I appreciate good wine—all of these seem to pair well of an evening.

I live on the edge of a forest and don’t hate cities, but I can only take them in short stays before I itch to return to where there are a lot of trees or an ocean.

 

Website * Substack * Goodreads * Facebook * Instagram

 

 

 

 

Realm of Ice and Shadow
Young Adult Fantasy
1st in Series
Level Best Books, Level Elevate (November 7, 2023)
Number of Pages 210

 

Synopsis

 

Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger.

Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Guest Post

 

My Favorite Places to Write

 

Some of my favorite places to write are my library, my office (where I also homeschool my son) and my sunroom when I’m looking for somewhere peaceful.

 

 

I tend to have a difficult time getting started writing. I need everything to be just so. Before I even start, I go through all of my emails and social media to be sure nothing needs my attention. If I have any phone calls to make, I do that so I can minimize interruptions. Once I have anything that could distract me in order (not that something I haven’t anticipated won’t interfere, but I do my best), I get set up to write. If I’m just beginning a story, I set up my murder board with a diagram of all the main characters and suspects, then I set up my notes—piles and piles of them, on everything from loose-leaf paper to fast food napkins—and settle down to write. That’s usually when the phone rings or one of my kids starts yelling, “Mom!”

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Your Majesty.” Jackson Maynard dropped to one knee before the king and bowed his head. “You summoned me?”

“Rise.” Though the king issued the demand quietly, there was no mistaking the steel in his tone or the strength in his near black eyes.

As Jackson stood, his gaze ricocheted around the stone chamber, noting everyone present in an instant, as he’d been trained to do. It made no sense he’d been summoned to the throne room. Unless he was in trouble, again. An official reprimand, perhaps?

He wisely kept his mouth shut, for a change, at least until he had some clue what was going on. Though he’d stood in the throne room more times than he could remember, as a child, as a trainee, even during counsel sessions, his presence had never before been the result of an official summons.

His trainer, the king’s second in command, for the moment anyway, stood at attention beside the throne, feet apart, hands clasped behind him, dark eyes rivetted on Jackson. An imposing figure under the best of circumstances, Kai was downright scary at the moment.

Elijah, the king’s prophet, hurried into the chamber. “My apologies for taking so long, sir, I had to be sure.”

The king simply nodded as Elijah took his place beside Kai, fidgeting with the sleeve of his black robe.

Jackson didn’t have to turn around to know the warriors lining the wall behind him in full battle gear all stood at attention in the king’s presence. If the Death Dealer team had been assembled, something was definitely wrong.

Since his best friend Dakota wasn’t present, Jackson doubted it had anything to do with the dragon they’d commandeered the night before, though he couldn’t be sure. But the presence of Death Dealers would most likely mean something more pressing than a childish prank, albeit an unwise and dangerous one. Besides, it’s not like they hadn’t returned him when they were done.

King Maynard rose from his throne, standing tall in his own armor. He bore the dark hair of most Cymmeran men, though his had shot through with a streak of silver upon Queen Dara’s death—perhaps the only touch of light she’d been able to leave him. “Prince Maynard…”

Uh oh. His official title, which his father never used unless Jackson was in serious trouble.

“Under Kai’s tutelage,” he continued, “you have trained these past centuries to take your place as a Death Dealer.”

Jackson sucked in a breath. Oh, no way!

With one hand resting on the handle of his sheathed sword, his expression carved in stone, the king paced the platform that held both the king’s and queen’s thrones, though Queen Dara’s had sat empty these many centuries.

Jackson’s gaze shifted to the seer, Elijah, only for an instant while his father’s back was turned, but he couldn’t read the other man, couldn’t tell why he’d been summoned. Jackson could only hope… His gaze shot back to the king, offering his full attention before he turned back around.

Unfortunately, his momentary lapse of focus hadn’t been lost on Kai. The warrior scowled in warning, and Jackson struggled to regain his concentration.

King Maynard descended the steps to the chamber floor and stood facing Jackson. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he held Jackson’s gaze. “It is time, my son.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Young adult and middle-grade fantasy writer Leigh Stratton is the author of the Kingdom of Cymmera series and the Ranger of the Realms series. Leigh grew up in a small town on Long Island where she spent many lazy afternoons with a good book. She would read at the beach, outside beneath a tree, anywhere she could find to curl up and lose herself in a story for a few hours. She loves reading as much now as she did back then, only now she enjoys the added pleasure of creating stories of her own.

 

Website * Facebook * X (Twitter) * BookBub * Goodreads

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

15-year-old Emma Chan is an aspiring musician with her eyes aimed at the stars. Sure, she might not have won any notable competitions, but she isn’t “bad” by any means—unless you’ve met her easygoing and charming best friend, Naomi Lin, who seems to have the unique ability to accelerate Emma’s heartbeat.

On the surface, Naomi has her life together. Outside of being dubbed a child musical prodigy, she’s just another 15-year-old who likes coding, spending time with her friends, and reading celebrity gossip. But deep down, she longs to escape her life of expectations and build one that she truly desires, even if she doesn’t know what that means yet.

When the two friends team up to compete in a coding contest hosted by their childhood idol, their seven years’ worth of friendship fall into danger of being blown wide apart by deepening feelings, desperately hidden secrets, and the pressure of growing up. Emma and Naomi will have to adapt to the changing shape of their relationship, even if it means realizing that life can be so much more complicated than they imagined.

Set in contemporary Hong Kong, Stuck in Her Head is an honest story about cherishing loved ones, healing from mental illness, and, most of all, facing the ultimate challenge of the teenage experience—trying to be enough in a world that constantly demands more.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

Chapter 1: Musician and Wannabe

 

Emma

 

Emma peeked behind the heavy black curtains in the wings, the narrow gap of space revealing another girl onstage. In the sharp beam of light, her daisy-white dress—along with the ivory keys she was playing—shone starkly against the piano’s glossy black wood and the ebony curls in a ponytail coiling down her neck. Naomi Lin’s hands quickly jumped between two ends of the keyboard, linked by quick successions of scales. It was the same ten-page piece, brimming with thick arpeggios, that had taken Emma months to practise and twice as long to perfect and memorise, but Naomi made the music sizzle in the air, projecting rich, three-dimensional harmonic undertones that was filled the hall. Flawless, as always. Like any musician, Emma recognised this as the fruit of stacked hours of heavy toil, but it wasn’t hard to understand why Hong Kong news headlines dubbed this pianist a “prodigy.”

Deep breath, deep breath. But Emma clutched her stomach, trying to rub away the dull pain. Remember, you don’t have anything to lose. Even if you don’t win, all you’re missing out on is another fancy title to brag about on your resume. There are plenty of other opportunities out there.

But it wasn’t just about winning. She could feel her inner voice whispering from the darker crevices of her mind, the part that came most alive when the window blinds hung heavy and darkness barred the room from the outside world.

Focus, Emma. Now was not the time. The girl recited the things her music teacher, Ms. Yang, kept nagging her about: dynamics, articulation, pedalling, holding my breath during that particularly hard phrase, relaxed shoulders…

Waves of applause reverberated through the hall. Some people even stood up and whistled. Emma snapped her head back towards Naomi as the other girl bowed, before striding across the lacquered wooden stage towards her. Emma gave a mini thumbs-up.

“You did well,” she whispered.

Naomi pushed aside the red curtain. “Thanks, but I made so many mistakes. At least I got it over with.” She sighed deeply, rolling out her shoulders as if shaking off the stress. “Anyway, want to get ice cream after this? Mango?”

Just the thought of her favourite flavour made her gut flip. “I have a stomach ache right now.”

“Are you okay?” Naomi furrowed her brows.

“Yeah, I’m good.” Emma forced a weak smile. Despite the pain, the girl sheepishly indulged her friend’s concern. “If I drop dead, at least I won’t have to look at my score.”

“Emma!”

“Kidding, kidding. Just hoping I don’t crash in the middle of my performance. That would be a mortifying way to go.”

“Maybe it’s nerves,” Naomi offered. “But I’m sure it’s nothing a future full-time musician can’t handle.”

“If it ever happens,” she reminded her friend. Contrary to her words, though, she could see an image of an older her and Naomi sitting side-by-side, compiling music together on a laptop. “Not all of us have it in the bag already.”

The edges of Naomi’s smile sank. “Yeah, I suppose so.”

Did I say something wrong? Before Emma could open her mouth to speak again, the PA system blared: “Let’s all welcome our next competitor on stage, Emma Sanders!” Polite clapping ensued.

The girl glanced back at Naomi in the shadows, and saw her friend was grinning again. “Break a leg,” Naomi waved.

Emma nodded in acknowledgement. She smoothed out her indigo dress, then brushed the curtain aside.

Rows of red cushions extended into the black void of the auditorium, hundreds of lurking shadows waiting. At least neither her parents nor Ms. Yang were out there in the abyss to witness her failure. Only the faces of three strangers perched at the table below would be visible tonight, scrawling notes that would determine her fate.

One step at a time. Emma plodded toward the black and white instrument, ignoring the bile churning inside her stomach. She sat down on the black stool, and took a deep breath. In. Out. But the action had no effect. Even as the chilly air pricked her skin, making her hairs stand on end, she felt like a ghost, watching her body being pulled by invisible strings.

She could barely believe that she managed to make it across the stage. Had I bowed already? Yes, she had. Emma closed her eyes, and placed her hands on the piano. For a terrifying second, she thought her fingers would lock up and forget their roles, but as soon as she pressed the first note, the feeling vanished.

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Kylie Wang is a Taiwanese writer who grew up in Hong Kong and is now a high school student in California. Her short works have received 30+ awards and publications, including from YoungArts, the Scholastics Arts and Writing Award, Paper Lanterns, and Bluefire. Her co-authored Young Adult novel, “Stuck in Her Head,” is coming out with Earnshaw Books in October. You can find her editing her latest short story or attending California Writers Club meetings in her spare time; or alternatively, on Instagram @kyliewangwrites.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Liana Tang is a teen writer who has been published or is forthcoming in 60+ publications. She is enrolled at the University of Toronto and plans to study English Literature. She is a Writers’ Union of Canada member, has been nominated for Best of the Net and attended John Hopkins Talented Youth English program. Her co-authored Young Adult novel, “Stuck in Her Head,” comes out with Earnshaw Books in October. You can find her at @lianatang.yantung on Instagram.

 

Website

 

 

Synopsis

 

Resa Stone is one of the first humans to set foot on a foreign world. But ever since arriving on planet Wandelsta, the introverted teen witch can’t sleep. Visions of a mysterious jeweled forest haunt her dreams. Who is the ghostly shrouded girl who emerges from those woods? And what is the meaning of the ominous message she delivers: You are the one?

And when the unearthly messenger appears in her waking life and leads her to a mystical glowing gem, Resa learns of an ancient legend that suggests the stone may be a remnant from a crystalline paradise called Gemja and harbors great power. On a quest to discover the significance of the stone, Resa is transformed by love, betrayal, magic, and hidden secrets. And when danger befalls her, she must summon the courage to journey into her dream realm to confront the ghost for answers…

Only to discover that deciphering the message reveals a painful truth…

One that may cost Resa her life.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Grams, have you heard of Gemja?”

She shook her head. “No, what is that?” She pulled me toward her so that my back was leaning against her.

“A magical crystal planet where only peace and love exist,” I said, not doing the legend justice. “Maybe it’s where we’ll all meet again one day.” I didn’t want to leave her. I rested my head on her shoulder.

“Ah, then it must be a wonderful place,” she said, stroking my hair. “If I can go to this Gemja, I will,” she reassured me. “I’ll wait for you there.”

“Promise?”

“Of course,” she said, “but you had better make me wait a very long time. There is so much for you to do in your realm. Come now. It’s time.” She patted my arm as a signal for me to stand. “You have to go meet Nitika before it’s too late. I fear the white creature will come for you unless we stay one step ahead of it.” She held out the single filament. “It’s time. Help me sever it.”

I dug into my bag, feeling for something that could snap the filament. I pulled out a pair of wire cutters.

“That’s my girl,” she said. “Always prepared.” She held out the filament for me to cut, but I hesitated. “It’s all right now,” she said, laughing. “You’re giving me life. What better gift could there be?”

I had to see her one last time, so I turned on the flashlight. When I looked into her eyes, there was no fear in them. No uncertainty. They were shining brightly with hope.

I opened the cutters around the filament and paused. I wished that she could have closed them herself, but the angle was all wrong. “Still want to be the lone red daisy?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Her answer startled me. “I would have it no other way,” she said. “And I’m hardly alone. I have you. Both of us were chosen…to do something wonderful, I imagine. The universe doesn’t give you more than you can handle, so you must embrace being red.” She put her hand to my face. “No tears. This is not the end. You’re giving me life. Remember to tell your grandfather.”

“I will, I promise.” I didn’t want to leave her. I had so much to ask her. So much to tell her. I had just said hello, and now it was already time for goodbye?

“Hurry, you must turn off the flashlight,” she said. “Do it now. Both our lives depend on it.”

“I love you, Grams,” I said.

“And I you, my darling. It’s time. I’m ready to go.”

I wasn’t ready. Still, I forced my hand shut. The cord snapped. And my grandmother floated upward, transforming into a beautiful barn owl before flying out of sight, leaving one lone feather and a sparkling trail of violet stardust in her wake.

 

 

Praise

 

“An edge-of-your-seat adventure…sweeps to a cliffhanger climax. A rousing introduction to a promising new series.” –  Booklife Reviews by Publishers Weekly

“A fast-paced tale with richly drawn characters that revels in mythical worldbuilding…It blends fantasy and SF elements, along with witchcraft and teenage romance, with a degree of skill that’s likely to satisfy fans of all these genres.”  – Kirkus

“Gemja: The Message offers a compelling blend of witchcraft and magic and establishes an immersive fantasy realm. Protagonist Resa is an alluring and relatable teen witch. Readers will eagerly engage with her as she attempts to unravel the mystery behind her visions of a ghostly figure.” – Critic’s Report: The Booklife Prize

“Messina blends witchcraft, prophesies, aliens and interplanetary tensions into a highly enjoyable young adult drama…set to be a captivating and popular series.” (Starred Review, Notable Book – Blueink Review

“Climactic moments and powerful revelations are plentiful. Worlds of unexpected wonder and danger abound.” – Clarion

“A wonderfully, well-written read. 5 stars.”  – Readers Favorite

 

 

About the Author

 

K.M. Messina is an earth and space science teacher, a dog mom, and a lover of all things mystical. Her black German shepherd Luna is the star of her award-winning picture book, IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR DOG ONE QUESTION, which won the Best Independent Book Award (BIBA) and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for best picture book for all ages. She lives on the rocky coast of Long Island, New York, where she enjoys feeding wild turkeys, moon gazing, and adding to her ever-growing collection of stones and crystals.

 

Website * Instagram

 

 

 

Giveaway

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THE COLDEST WINTER I EVER SPENT

 

by

 

Ann Jacobus

 

YA / Contemporary / Suicide & Family Issues

 

Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab

 

Date of Publication: March 7, 2023

 

Number of Pages: 352 pages

 

Audiobook: 9 hours, 11 minutes

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Eighteen-year-old Del is in a healthier place than she was a year and a half ago: She’s sober, getting treatment for her depression and anxiety, working in her Aunt Fran’s San Francisco art gallery, and volunteering at a suicide-prevention hotline. Her own suicide attempt is in the past and living with her beloved aunt has helped her see a future for herself.

But when Aunt Fran is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Del’s equilibrium is shattered. She struggles to help care for her aunt—while also dealing with a crush, her looming first semester at college, and her shifts at the crisis line. After Aunt Fran asks for her help with a mind-boggling final request, Del must confront her own demons and rethink everything she thought she knew about life and death.

 

 

 

Bookshop.org │Amazon │ Indiebound

 

B&N │ Books-A-Million

 

 

 

 

This book sent me on an emotional roller coaster. There is so much to unpack in this book, not to mention how it might impact the reader.

Death is never an easy subject, and this book has it in spades. Between Del working as a volunteer at the Suicide Prevention line, her Aunt Fran battling cancer, and even Del’s own rocky past, I felt like the weight of the world was on Del’s shoulders, and the struggle was real. I appreciated the work that Del was doing to manage her issues while helping Fran in the last stages of her life. For someone who is only 18, she handled everything remarkably well. Or as well as could be expected. She wasn’t perfect, but then who is? But she learned a lot about herself and what she could handle being thrown at her.

While I admired Del for making strides in her life, I was very disappointed in her father. He avoided the situation with Fran, his sister, until the very last minute. But it was his way of coping with losing someone that he cared about. It is a message to us to not avoid the hard things in life and to do the uncomfortable no matter how hard it is.

There is a bright side, and that is Nick. While the relationship and interactions between Del and Nick are not always smooth and happy, it does provide real-world experiences for Del and how to handle the ups and downs without giving in to her past addictions. I loved the addition of Noor, his service dog. But then, I am a sucker for dogs in any capacity.

The book addresses an important topic, dying with dignity. At the time of this book, California was not a state that allowed this, but they are now. This is a very controversial topic, but it is an important one.

This book was an emotional one for me near the end as Fran entered her last days. It reminded me of losing my father, so the tears were flowing. It was cathartic, and I could feel for Del and all she was experiencing at that point.

While the book has trigger issues, if that does not impact you, pick up this book. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Jacobus is the author of YA novels The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent and Romancing the Dark in the City of Light. She earned an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has published articles, essays, short fiction, and poems. She teaches writing and presents at workshops and conferences. A former suicide crisis line counselor, she’s a mental health advocate and speaks to teens about writing and suicide prevention both. Born in Texas and a life-long Tex-Mex addict, she and her family divide their time between California and Massachusetts.

 

Website ◆ Linktree ◆ Facebook

 

  Pinterest ◆ Goodreads ◆ X (Twitter) ◆ LinkedIn

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

TWO WINNERS:

 

Each receives a signed hardcover copy + San Francisco swag

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 10/6/23)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

or visit the blogs directly:

 

09/26/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
09/26/23	Hall Ways Blog	BONUS Stop
09/27/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Audiobook Review
09/27/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
09/28/23	Forgotten Winds	Excerpt
09/29/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
09/30/23	Shelf Life Blog	Author Interview
10/01/23	Bibliotica	Playlist
10/02/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Audiobook Review
10/03/23	Book Fidelity	Deleted Scene
10/04/23	The Real World According to Sam	Review
10/05/23	Jennie Reads	Review

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Lost in a wild West Virginia forest, Phoebe Gray’s world is upended when she finds an irritable goblin named Gnish-Gnash. She’s stumbled into Lerch Hollow, a place of magic and mystery where trolls lurk in shadows and mermaids sway with the tide. The young adventurer soon finds herself caught up in a race against time; the Dark Mistress Lucinda is on the hunt for the last Griffin’s egg, for its power will make her unstoppable. It is up to Phoebe to protect the egg while discovering the secrets of her own magical connection to the mysterious wizard Thatcher. With Gnish at her side and her grandfather’s old cloak on her back, Phoebe must protect this enchanted world from destruction.

 

 

Coming February 2024

 

 

Excerpt

 

Phoebe had many more questions but was too afraid to ask them. Instead, she studied the troll. He was sweeping his head from side to side, looking for the two small creatures he’d been so certain of catching. After a moment, he spoke in a voice so mighty, it rattled Phoebe’s bones.

“Hmph. Just saw little rat people. Kobus was so close.”

He scratched his head with the spikes on the end of his club. Phoebe realized he was referring to himself. Though he was a fearsome sight, she had to admit–this troll didn’t seem terribly bright.

After a moment, he grunted and turned away, stomping carelessly as he moved deeper into the forest. Phoebe was glad he was gone.

Then, her heart dropped.

“My parents,” she whispered. “I…I think our camp is that way. I think he’s headed for them.”

Gnish shrugged helplessly. “I’m sorry, Miss Phoebe. But we cannot risk losing the egg. The fate of Lerch Hollow hangs in the balance. Endangering our quest now would be foolish.”

Phoebe glared at him. “Maybe protecting this thing is your quest–but it isn’t mine.”

The goblin made a face as she thrust the egg into his arms. She took a deep breath and stepped from behind the oak tree, ignoring the urge to run.

She felt incredibly brave, and incredibly afraid. Cupping her hands to her mouth, she shouted loud enough to draw the troll’s attention.

“Hey, you big stink-face. I’m over here!”

 

 

 

About the Author

Cole Poindexter grew up influenced by the writers who changed children’s fiction throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s, like Katherine Applegate, George Lucas, Karen Cushman, and Neil Gaiman. It was at the age of ten he decided he would one day become an author, without the slightest clue as to how it would happen.

He lives in Louisiana with his spouse, surrounded by dogs and chickens, and frequently travels to New Orleans to take in the beautiful architecture and music.

The Griffin’s Egg is his debut novel.

 

 

Giveaway

 

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