Happy Monday Bookish Friends
Hi Bookish Friends,
Today, I am excited to be taking part in the cover reveal of
A Shifting of Stars by Kathy Kimbray @kathykimbray
Book Cover Crush Monday💙
I am in love 💙 with this Book Cover 💙
Book Cover Designed by :
Jenny Zemanek
A Shifting of Stars
by Kathy Kimbray
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: May 28th 2019
✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟
A Shifting of Stars
The first book in Kathy Kimbray’s thrilling new YA Fantasy series.
A squandering emperor.
A wicked prince.
A handsome stranger.
And the reluctant girl who’ll capsize a kingdom.
Book Blurb💙
Seventeen-year-old Meadow Sircha watched her mother die from the wilting sickness. Tormented by the knowledge that the emperor failed to import the medicine that would have saved her, she speaks out at a gathering of villagers, inciting them to boycott his prized gladiator tournament.
But doing so comes at a steep cost.
Arrested as punishment for her impulsive tongue, Meadow finds herself caught up in the kind of danger she’s always tried to avoid. After a chance meeting with an enigmatic boy, she’s propelled on a perilous trek across the outer lands. But she soon unearths a staggering secret: one that will shift her world—and the kingdom—forever.
Filled with longing and heart, surprise and wonder, A SHIFTING OF STARS is the first book in Kathy Kimbray’s gripping new series
#coverreal # ashiiftingofdtars #jennyzemanek #yafantasy #yabooks #yabookstagram #yaboundbooktours #yaseries #yabooks #yabookstagram
#bookcommunity #bookphotography #books # yalit #yareads #indiebooks
Welcome to my stop on the Maiden’s Peak blog tour! If you are looking for a good mystery with a hint of the paranormal, you will want to read on! I have an excerpt for you, and a chance to win a copy of the book!
Maiden’s Peak
Expected Publication Date: May 7th, 2019
Genre: Murder Mystery/ Paranormal
Publisher: Between the Lines Publishing
Victor Shelton ran from his family’s legacy of prophetic dreams at seventeen but finds at twenty-eight that he is unable to run from the nightmares that plague him. Haunted by images of his own death each night he follows the fleeting memory of the town limit’s sign in his nightmare to a quaint Colorado town.
Beckoned to a forbidding mountain peak with a past riddled by ghost stories and legends, Victor must figure out who is friend or foe. Can he unravel the secrets of the enigmatic citizens of Carver’s Corner and solve his own murder before it happens?
Perhaps the answers are in the siren song of whatever is calling him to the caves under Maiden’s Peak. The song in the darkness urges him on, but whether it is to his death or to his salvation, Victor can’t say. All he knows is that once before he had not heeded the call of his dreams and someone had died. He can’t let that happen again.
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Excerpt
A solitary scrap of paper was swept from the cold pavement by the updraft. The gust of wind lifted my hair and ghosted a frigid breath across my neck, causing the hairs there to stand on end. I’d come to this small town chasing a dream, but not the kind that beckons a person to great things. No, the dream that had brought me here is the kind that leaves you huddled in a corner, quietly sobbing.
Two months had passed since the nightmares began, and I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since. Even as I thought about it, flashes of the nightmare came to the front of my mind, and I quickly veered my thoughts away to keep the images at bay.
Somehow, I thought coming here to Carver’s Corner would make it better. This place was featured in the nightly horror show that my dreams had become. Being here didn’t make the dream come into clarity or logically fall into place. I had never been to this town and probably would not have missed its presence in my life if I hadn’t been beckoned here by the insistent dreams.
My grandmother insisted that we had some cunning folk in our family tree. Cunning folk, in case you’ve been blessed with ignorance, is another name for wise men and women who heal and help others through both natural and magical means.
That might not seem so bad, but at seventeen, I rebelled with every fiber of my being. I wanted so much to be like everyone else. I tried so hard to pretend that I wasn’t plagued most nights by dreams that were seemingly not my own.
Sometimes the dreams came true; sometimes they merely taunted me. The embarrassment of misinterpreting a dream was something one truly had to experience before you could appreciate it. The looks on people’s faces when they had deemed you unbalanced was something you never got used to. The straw that finally broke the proverbial camel’s back came at a party in my junior year of high school. For weeks, I had dreamed of a fire at that party. It was the only reason—other than my then-crush, of course—that I had gone. As it turned out, I’d read the signs wrong, and the dream was more my anxiety than anything else. Needless to say, Betsy Stevens didn’t appreciate me ruining her party by screaming about a fire that never came to be.
A couple weeks after the incident, I left and went to live with my dad, who was on the East Coast—far away from talks of cunning folk and prophetic dreams. The move had worked in many ways. My dreams even stopped for a time, but as with all good things, it did not last.
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About the Author
Kristy has been making up her own stories for entertainment for most of her life. Eleven years back she decided that perhaps others would want to walk through the worlds she has created. With over 10+ books in both urban fantasy and cozy mystery, Kristy has allowed readers to venture into realms where magic lives and murder mingles with humor. She currently lives with her family in the Southeastern United States where she helps other authors when she is not writing her own novels as a freelance writer and editor with eleven years of experience. With many projects in the works, there are sure to be more worlds for courageous adventurers to delve into.
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For your chance to win a digital copy of Maiden’s Peak by Kristy E. Carter, click the link below!
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Blog Tour Organized By:
Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed
Christine Doré Miller

Please don’t forget get to inter the Giveaway
Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed
Christine Doré Miller
Published by: Evernight Teen
Publication date: April 26th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Naïve sixteen-year-old Andrea Cavanaugh is elated when Josh, a charismatic, bright-eyed piano prodigy, becomes her first boyfriend. But the closer she gets to him, the more she realizes that he is not the boy she first fell for. In its poignancy and emotional darkness, Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed takes you deep into the delicate and devastating web of shame that spirals from the depths of dating violence when dreamy teenage love turns dark. Andrea must find not only an escape, but a belief that she is even worthy of freedom.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo
—
EXCERPT:
My eyelids closed as if they were being drawn down by sluggish, unhurried weights. When I forced them open after several seemingly endless moments, nothing had changed. I could still make out a blurry image of Josh standing nearby, Mr. Thompson’s hands clenched firmly on Josh’s shoulders from behind. There was a crowd, I think, and muffled voices. The steel school locker felt cold against my back and I recognized the familiar feeling that lately seemed to just dwell and ache in my bones. Fear, I think it was, mixed with just enough madness to keep the blood racing through my veins … fast. Too fast.
“Why did you do that, Andrea?” Josh shouted in my direction.
My eyes fell closed again. I don’t remember what else he said. I just remember the feeling of each overly pronounced syllable piercing the air while he said it. I stared through the darkness that danced behind my heavy eyelids. What had I done?
I tried to pry open my hazy eyes to examine the faces of the expanding crowd as they stood, mouths agape. I only recognized a few. There were hardcover music books sprawled open on the tile floor at my feet. Confused, I looked to Josh, but the heavy silence of the room deafened any words he may have been saying. I gripped the ends of my soft, thin hair between my slender fingers and waited. Each thought sunk deeper than the last.
There was a poster taped sloppily against the locker behind me. I turned my head to face it and focused. The ends were curled up and there were ripples in the masking tape adorned to the edges. “Oakwood High School Invitational—TONIGHT” it read in handwritten purple block letters. There was a pixelated saxophone image pasted underneath the words, “Brought to you by Mr. Thompson and the Oakwood High Jazz Band.” I brought my hand up to trace the edges. The poster board felt crisp and thick under my fingertips. I could smell the aftermath of the permanent marker. The loud reverberating voice behind me got softer until it resembled a deep echo I could easily ignore. I started to pick at the tape from the bottom left corner of the poster until I felt the sticky residue ball up underneath my fingernail.
Suddenly the life reentered my body in one abrupt breath when I felt a strong tug on my arm. I turned and saw Ethan Marks. Everyone else was gone. Had it been minutes this time? Hours?
“Andrea! Come on,” he barked at me, interlacing my arm, tucking it quickly under his. He jerked me to a standing position and pulled me down the hall, speeding up his gate as I stumbled to catch up.
“Where’s Josh?” I asked worriedly, but he didn’t answer. We were silent as we walked through the empty hallway. I lifted my gaze, trying to catch Ethan’s eye, trying to read his thoughts. His light blue eyes, usually sparkling with laughter, were steely and somber as he charged forward, dragging me with him, away from the wreckage I’d caused.
He stopped short and took a deep breath. His eyes were unyielding and dismal as they studied me, and slowly his frustration melted into a deep sadness.
“What happened, Andrea? What was that back there?”
“I don’t know…” My voice began breaking. My thoughts were muddled beyond recognition and I couldn’t form the right words, or any words, to explain.
Ethan wrapped himself around me in a gentle, firm embrace. It felt kind. And warm. And wonderfully different. My muscles unclenched for the first time in months, and I didn’t know I was crying until I tasted the salt as it stained my face. I buried my head into Ethan’s chest as he tightened his hold on me. I wanted him to say something, to tell me everything would be all right, but we both knew better. So we just stood there, Ethan supporting me as I clasped the back of his cotton t-shirt between my fingers.
After a few minutes, I fully returned to my body as my breathing calmed. I steadied my stance and took a step backward, shakily holding Ethan’s forearms as I regained my balance. Wiping smudged mascara from my pale face, I met Ethan’s eyes and quickly looked down, fixating on a crack in the tile below me.
“Hey,” he started, “Andrea … it’s…”
“I’m okay. Ethan, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to … I’m sorry I … ugh your shirt.” I motioned to the tear stains on his light green tee that crept from his chest to his shoulder.
“Oh God, don’t worry about that. Andie, I just…”
“It’s fine.” I wiped my face and took a deep breath. “Thanks,” I said, squeezing Ethan’s hand and looking in his eyes sincerely, so he knew I meant it. “I should go. But thanks.” I shook my head and turned around to walk back into the havoc and face what I had done. I felt Ethan staring at me as I left. He was just another person whose life would’ve been better if he hadn’t met me. I swallowed, took a breath, and kept walking.
It was over for now, that latest incident, and there was no way to tell when there would be another one … but there would definitely be another one. I was too broken for it to be any other way.
Author Bio:
Christine lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and their two children. She works full-time as a senior marketing manager for a large media company and holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University where she studied marketing. Growing up in the chilly midwest, she developed a deep passion for dramatic writing and alternative music at an early age, which still peaks through in her adult-corporate-mom life today. Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed is Christine’s debut novel.
My Interview with the Author
I live in the Los Angeles area with my husband, who is a film editor, and our two young children. I also work full-time as a Senior Marketing Manager at a large media company in Santa Monica so my days (and nights) are pretty consumed with motherhood and work, but I’ve also always had a passion for writing. I grew up in Michigan and graduated with a marketing major from Western Michigan University before finally leaving the chilly midwest to start my career, first in Virginia and then eventually settling in southern California. I’ve worked in marketing at both non-profits and big corporate entertainment companies, so it’s been a really interesting journey. A couple years ago I finally decided to pursue my dream of writing a novel, and Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed was born.
I’ve taken a few creative writing classes for fun but never thought too seriously about it until recently. Every once in a while I’d have feelings that were so big that they needed to pour out onto paper so I’d craft them into poems or short prose and the itch to write more just got stronger and stronger over time. Writing always helped me make sense of my feelings and gave me something to refer back to later to remember exactly how something felt, both physically and emotionally, in exquisite detail. I loved reading, too; poetry, fiction, and non-fiction alike, and I treasured the feeling I’d get when I read something so beautiful, articulate, and relatable. It became my dream to write a novel one day, too, that could, hopefully, give other people an escape into words and a feeling that they’re not alone.
Andrea’s story has been inside of me for a long time now and I can’t even express how good it felt to let it breathe and exist outside of my head once I started writing it down. I was inspired by a lot of things, some from my own experiences as a survivor of teen dating violence and some from the stories of many other teens who have suffered abuse at the hands of an intimate partner, whether it be emotional, physical, verbal, and/or sexual. A new study shows that 60% of teens in the U.S. have experienced some form of abuse from a person they were dating. This is a staggering statistic, especially considering it’s not an issue that is often talked about. It became my mission to spark a dialogue on this topic through a novel that could be crafted from the voice of a modern teenager. I spoke to many teens and adults alike, some who experienced dating violences themselves and some who witnessed it. Both groups felt helpless and isolated by the shame that spirals from this type of abuse, even if you’re on the outside looking in, so I created Andrea Cavanaugh to be a voice for this topic. She is a fictional character but her struggles and experiences are quite real and represent things happening on a daily basis.
The book is a work of fiction but the experiences that Andrea faces were created from true stories, whether it be from my own real-life experience, from someone I know, or from someone I interviewed for this book. Each act of violence is inspired by a real person’s life. That was important to me because this story needed to represent what’s actually happening in high schools across America, not just what my best guess would be. The most consistent thing I found through my research was the shame that survivors felt, the silence they were manipulated into, and the isolation that consumed them because those around them, even the most well meaning friends and family, didn’t intervene. While we are taught to look out for bullying nowadays, that knowledge doesn’t seem to translate if the bully and the victim are in a relationship. Dating violence can be more manipulative than typical bullying and it can begin more subtly, plus it’s easier for outsiders to view it as “relationship drama” or “not my business” or assume the victim is staying in the relationship by choice instead of by fear. I’m hopeful that Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed can show the reality of what happens behind closed doors in these young abusive relationships and what goes on emotionally in a victim during and even after the relationship ends. Hopefully this will educate people on the severity of this issue, teach them signs to look out for, and know when and how to offer or ask for help.
It’s not easy! My daughter is almost 3-years-old and my son was just born a few months ago. I began writing this novel when my daughter was an infant, which is funny because that’s when my life started to be the busiest it ever had been since that’s when I was first learning how to balance motherhood and career, so it seems like a strange time to then take on the additional daunting task of writing a novel. But I think that having a daughter and experiencing the love that comes with parenthood and the desire to protect your children at all costs is part of what pushed me to finally write this story, even though I really didn’t have the time. I looked at writing this book, though, as something that would benefit my daughter in the long-run. I wanted to show her that women can do anything they set their mind to do and that her potential is limitless. I also wanted this story to one day resonate with her when she’s old enough to date, and I hoped it could help her understand that she is worthy of safe, respectful love. So I made the time to write it, which usually meant I stayed up late after everyone went to bed. Even though it was hard, it felt like an investment to me. I was fulfilling a dream of mine to write a novel without sacrificing my time as a mom or my time at work, plus I was telling a story that I think is important. I figured that in the long-run, I wouldn’t regret missing out on extra sleep, but I knew I would regret if I never wrote this book or shared Andrea’s story with the world. After a lot of work writing, editing, and pitching my manuscript to different publishers, I ended up signing the publishing deal with Evernight Teen when I was newly pregnant with my second child, and now working on the marketing of my debut novel while juggling two kids and my day job is definitely taxing, but being the mom of a newborn again reminds me how invincible women are. And having a son now just fuels my desire to get this story out there because I think it’s important that young men bond with this story, too. My goal for my son and all young males is that they understand their privilege in our society and learn how to be advocates and allies for consent, respect, and healthy relationships. It’s on all of us.
Don’t give up on your dream and don’t assume that you have to spend less time with your children to make it happen. It’s not a “this or that” kind of thing, it’s about balancing. Think of the incredibly strong, brave, and intuitive things you do every day just by being a mother. It’s really awe-inspiring! So if you truly want to write and you have the itch to journal, or write a novel, or start a blog, whatever it may be, then I encourage you to make the time for it. Your voice is important. We all have to prioritize parts of our life so we don’t spread ourselves too thin, and while family is often the top priority (as it was for me), that doesn’t mean that you can never write, it just means that you may not finish a project as quickly as someone who can write all day every day, but that’s okay! Slow and steady is better than not at all.
I started this book first by creating the main characters: Andrea, Josh, Harper, Carter, Ethan, and Stephanie. Once they had names and faces in my mind, I wrote thorough character descriptions for myself to refer back to, so that everything each character did and every piece of dialogue was authentic to their unique identities. After that, I created a rough outline of where I thought the story would go, and then I just started from the beginning. Music was a big part of writing this book for me, too. I created a soundtrack on Spotify of songs that represented the mood I was going for and songs I thought the characters would listen to so I could really get in their headspace. I let the story flow out of me, not looking back to reread anything until the first draft was complete. At that point I had the bones of the story all put together, so then it was about rereading and editing, which I did a lot of; sometimes it was as small as cleaning up a sentence structure and sometimes it was as big as cutting a whole scene and starting from scratch, or moving the entire timeline around. When I felt like it was in a good place, I began sharing it with some friends of mine who are high school teachers and had them help me secure some of their teenage students who wanted to help by reading and providing feedback, too. This was invaluable because they all brought different, unique, and important perspectives for me to consider and they helped me be accountable to keeping the story authentic to modern day teenagers. When I had a final draft ready, I started shopping the book around to publishers, and with that process came some additional notes and suggestions from industry professionals, some of which I accepted and some of which I chose not to incorporate because I felt like changing certain aspects would reduce the integrity of this very particular story I wanted to tell, so it became important for me to understand what I was willing to change and what I wasn’t. I realized that I needed to keep the plot completely intact for me to feel like it represented my ultimate vision, but I was fully open to constructive criticism on the writing itself. It then became about finding the right publisher who shared my vision and believed in this story enough to take a chance on it, which, I’m grateful to say, I finally did.
Somewhere comfortable, like my bed or couch, where I can put my feet up, dim the lights, and listen to music loudly in my headphones. I like to feel relaxed, not pressured, and inspired to just see what wants to come out.
The story was written with high school and college-aged young women in mind as the primary readers since that’s the demographic of the narrator, but I think it has a certain appeal to young men and adults, too, just in a different way. I definitely think parents, teachers, counselors, or anyone who works with teens could get something out of reading this book to help them better understand the mindset of teens in abusive relationships and educate them on how/why this happens. But since the story is written through Andrea’s eyes, I think people who can relate to Andrea will be the most interested in her story.
I love dark, realistic fiction, both YA and not, especially contemporary stories about love, loss, friendship, family, despair, and hope. I’m a sucker for a good drama, especially when the protagonist is vulnerable, honest, and someone I really want to root for.
I’m not totally sure! I have a storyline mapped out for a sequel to Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed but I haven’t decided yet if I’ll pursue it or not. I think it depends on the response to this novel first. If readers are curious about what’s next for Andrea, then I’d love to discuss a sequel with the publisher, but I’m open to the idea that readers may be happy to just let the story breathe after the way it ends in Forgiven, too, so we’ll see! I’m open.
GIVEAWAY!
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A MURDER ON JANE STREET by Cathy Cash Spellman
TOUR SCHEDULE:
http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2019/04/cover-reveal-murder-on-jane-street-by.html
Praise for Cathy Cash Spellman
“…Almost impossible to put down. The Author has the ability to produce one powerful scene after another and the action draws you helplessly on…” ―Publisher’s Weekly on So Many Partings
“…A cross between The Thorn Birds and Ragtime…” ―ALA Booklist on So Many Partings
“Flows along with an inexorable narrative current that propels the readers from one involving episode to the next.” ―Booklist on So Many Partings
“An energetic plot that never takes a breather.” ―Kirkus Reviews on Paint the Wind
“A western extravaganza.. a plot teeming with outsize characters.” ―Publishers Weekly on Paint the Wind
“I have never read a book or connected with an author who has touched me so deeply – as a mother, a grandmother, and another psychic kindred soul!” ―Elizabeth Taylor on Bless the Child
“This book has really touched my heartstrings as both a mother and grandmother. And Cathy Cash Spellman is one hell of a writer!” ―Maureen Stapleton on Bless the Child
“With a seductive, at times spellbinding style, author Spellman (An Excess of Love) incorporates ancient myths into an entrancing romantic thriller.. Spellman succeeds in capturing the reader’s close attention as an unrelenting sense of foreboding drives the narrative forward with power.” ―Publisher’s Weekly on Bless the Child
A brutal murder
A heinous secret
A deadly conspiracy.
The brutal murder of the little old lady next door puts FitzHugh Donovan on the case. A retired New York City Police Chief, he knows a cover-up when he sees one and his Irish Cop conscience can’t let that happen.
Now, Fitz, his family and his quirky band of Bleecker Street Irregulars are ensnared in the bizarre secret the woman died to protect.
Is this a 75-year-old cold case turned hot again, or an unspeakable crime-in-progress that could alter the course of the world?
Fitz doesn’t yet know how high the stakes are, that failure isn’t an option, and that the little old lady was so much more than she appeared. But he’s trying to keep everyone alive long enough to find out.
Characters you’ll care about, dark shocking secrets, and disturbing similarities to today’s political scene, will keep you turning pages to an ending you won’t see coming.
You can purchase A Murder on Jane Street at the following Retailers:
Multiple New York Times and International Bestsellers, a Paramount Movie, book sales in 22 countries, Cathy Cash Spellman writes stories about love, friendship, adventure, and history. Known for her big sprawling sagas and memorable characters, Cathy writes the kind of stories women like to lose themselves in, and then remember long after the book is done.
Her books range through several genres: contemporary, historical, mystery, mystic and romance. Several take place in two time-frames, both current and historical.
Bless the Child was a Paramount movie in 2000, starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, and Paint The Wind has been optioned for film and TV.
Cathy is an Astrologer, Martial Artist (Black Belt Goju Ryu Karate) and has expertise in Chinese Medicine, several alternative healing modalities and many metaphysical disciplines.
She has written for Self, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Mademoiselle, Cosmo, Penthouse, Mode, Kung Fu and many other magazines about women, health, empowerment, sexuality, spiritual philosophy and Astrology. She blogs for The Huffington Post and The New York Time
Enter a chance to win a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card.
ENDS: MAY 21, 2019
1 Winner will receive a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card.
The Sisters of Salem
Tish Thawer
(Witches of BlackBrook, #3)
The Sisters of Salem
Tish Thawer
(Witches of BlackBrook, #3)
Published by: Amber Leaf Publishing
Publication date: Summer/Fall 2019
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Through space and time, sisters entwined. Lost then found, souls remain bound.
After facing a relentless foe, three sister witches are forced even further back through time to a place that holds just as much sorrow for them as it does joy.
Returning to their origins in 1685, the trio races to save not only their mother from the clutches of their new enemy but also to secure the future they’ve worked for centuries to build.
Avoiding their younger selves is a necessity that proves difficult, especially when one sister isn’t sure she wants to leave the past behind. Faced with love and loss, these witches are forced to endure the burning times again, and one wrong step could alter history and their future forever.
Previous books in the series:
Author Bio:
2017 – #1 Bestseller in Historical Fiction (Witches of BlackBrook)
2017 – Top 100 Bestselling in Paid Kindle Store (Witches of Blackbrook)
2015 – Best Cover – Penned Con (The Witches of BlackBrook)
2015 – Readers Choice Award – My New Favorite Book Awards (The Witches of BlackBrook)Bestselling and Award Winning Author, Tish Thawer, writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart.
Tish is known for her detailed world-building and magic-laced stories. Her work has been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. She has received a RONE Award nomination (Reward of Novel Excellence), as well as nominations for Best Cover, Reader’s Choice, and Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery).
Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and is a columnist for Gliterary Girl media and has bylines in RT Magazine and Literary Lunes Magazine. She resides in Arizona with her husband and three wonderful children and is represented by Gandolfo, Helin, and Fountain Literary Management.
You can find Tish on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTishThawer
A common FAQ: “How do you pronounce her last name?”
Answer: Think “Bower” or “Thow-er”. It’s Persian!
Flightless Bird
Paulina Ulrich
(Flightless Bird, #1)
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
#Young Adult
Flightless Bird
Paulina Ulrich
(Flightless Bird, #1)
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
A secret from the past…
The summer of her seventeenth birthday, Livy Eckels was faced with something she wasn’t ready for when her parents announce their divorce. In the midst of a crumbling family, she grabs her bicycle and heads out of town to escape but unexpectedly crashes into the mysterious and oddly secluded life of Gregory Mason. Their chance meeting permanently alters her future when she begins experiencing dreams she cannot explain.
Tall, handsome, and ever so annoying, Livy can’t stand being around Gregory Mason until she finds herself being pulled closer and closer to the dangerous truth of a time altering world. Together they set in motion changes that lead to irreparable consequences for both of their pasts, presents, and futures. Before she knows what is happening Livy becomes entangled in the mystifying plots of a secret society, a vengeful ex-lover, and a situation she never expected to find herself in: falling in love with a boy whose secret she should have never known.
—
Broken Wings
Paulina Ulrich
(Flightless Bird, #2)
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
Nothing left to lose…
After a turbulent start to her senior year of high school, graduation approaches quickly for Livy Eckels, however the approaching final exams and college applications are the least of her worries. Gregory Mason, the boy she never meant to fall for, has shown her his world of impossible secrets and powerful capabilities that come with unintended consequences for both of them. A new and dangerous threat lurks in the shadows as the undisclosed people from Gregory’s past begin to haunt them around every corner. These people threaten everything Livy knows to be true about love, life, and death. Struggling to survive, Livy must make a choice: return to the life she knew or fight and risk everything she has left.
When you’ve lost so much, how much more is worth losing?
—
Fair Feathered
Paulina Ulrich
(Flightless Bird, #3)
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
No return to normalcy…
Livy barely escaped the Society’s clutches after risking everything to save the boy she used to dream of spending an eternity with: Gregory Mason. Fighting the heartache of the knowledge that her time left with him is limited, Livy returns from hiding to attempt another shot for a normal life. The Society of Seven continues to seek the truth and destroy Livy and Gregory for their mistakes. Even more prevalent is the vengeful Amelia lurking in the shadows and stirring up the damage she left in her wake.
As if having her fragile life and relationships constantly endangered isn’t enough, an unforeseen betrayal by someone trusted threatens to completely unravel Livy. Now she is faced with trying decisions concerning those closest to her. Livy must make the ultimate sacrifice or risk losing another person she loves.
Livy has her mortal life but what exactly is worth dying for?
—
Timeless Sky
Paulina Ulrich
(Flightless Bird, #4)
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
When it all ends…
In the tumultuous world of time travel, Livy does her best to adjust to her new life and abilities. Livy and Gregory’s shared dreams have them searching for clues to piece together their lives. In time though, Livy discovers that her lifeline to Gregory isn’t as strong as she thought and she now faces an even worse fate. A voice only she can hear has started to follow her and one mistake could keep her locked permanently in the past.
When people close to her begin to disappear, she and Gregory are compelled to join forces with any allies they have left. With Amelia on the path of revenge, the Society of Seven on the brink, and Damon still missing, the lives of those around them are in jeopardy and not all will survive.
Time is running out. How long will forever last?
Author Bio:
Paulina Ulrich: author, book nerd, & crazy cat lady received her BA in Creative Writing and is the author of the young adult Flightless Bird series, the award nominated young adult Fighting Fate series, and many more stories to come. She also writes nonfiction and has been published in various literary magazines. When she’s not writing, reading, drinking copious amounts of tea, or doing author-y stuff, she’s out buying way too many cute shoes. Stay up to date with her at http://www.paulinaulrich.com
Tags :Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
🌸🌱🌸 MAY 1st 🌸🌱🌸
Welcome to WWW Wednesday
🌸🍃🌸🍃🌸🍃🌸🍃🌸
The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
🍃🌸🍃 Come Join in on May 1st Wednesday
bookish friends! Another Wednesday means another WWW Wednesday, which is a meme sponsored by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. To take part, you just have to answer the following questions:
I am currently Reading : 
I recently finished Reading :
What I think I will be Reading Next :
It’s Wednesday Bookish Friends. I am really excited to be apart of this Book Tour, I was picked to be able to interview this Amazing Author 🌱🌸🌱
North to Nara
Amanda Marin
(Crimson Sash, #1)
Published by: Inkspell Publishing
Publication date: March 20th 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Romance, Young Adult
Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others’ troubles for them. But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward… and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain.
The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives.
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—
EXCERPT:
“It’s you,” he murmurs, studying my face. “I thought it was you—on the trolley, when you looked at me.”
A wave of panic begins to drown me. He must think I’m stalking him—that I’m strange, maybe even dangerous. I bite my lip and struggle for words. Then, I decide to claim innocence. It’s my only defense at this point.
“I don’t understand,” I say. “What do you mean?”
“You’re Neve.”
He says my name, and I can only gape in disbelief. It’s not just me knowing his identity after all—somehow, Micah Ward also knows mine. He grasps my arm, gently but firmly, and he pulls me aside, out of the view of passersby and into a quiet corner behind a founder’s statue. I follow him willingly, without question—I’d follow him just about anywhere, I find myself thinking.
“You know who I am, don’t you?” he asks. “And I recognize you from your pain. I saw you—just in an abstract—but I saw you when you transferred your sadness about what happened to Levi at the Center.”
I squirm uncomfortably. He knows everything. He knows how I feel about him—that I admire him and am attracted to him. I’ve heard before that abstract images sometimes transfer, along with the feelings, while Suffering. They’re said to be like reflections of our self-image, buried in our thoughts. But I never expected the scenes to be clear enough that my Sufferer might recognize me.
“Yes, it’s me—I’m one of your Sieves,” I admit. “You don’t have to worry about the anonymity laws, though—I’m on my way to tell Isla that I broke the rules and need to be reassigned again.”
But Micah’s eyes flash with sudden urgency and desperation. “No, please don’t tell Isla—not yet, at least.”
Author Interview Questions
North to Nara by Amanda Marin
Author Bio:
When Amanda was a child, her father traveled frequently for business, always bringing her back a book as a present. Whether she was getting lost in the pages of a tale about far-away knights, girls with supernatural powers, or kindly giants, she was quickly hooked on stories.
Over the years, Amanda has followed her own yellow brick road of reading and writing, and although her adventures haven’t involved sword fights or saving the planet from certain annihilation, they have involved jobs in scholarly publishing and marketing, a modest amount of travel, and a lifelong love of novels.
Amanda holds degrees in English from Salve Regina University and Boston College. She lives in southern New Hampshire with her family and pet poodle, Snickers. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and several of its subchapters.
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Tags: #Book Release #Dystopian #Fiction #NewBook
Spin the Dawn
{The Blood of Stars #1}
by Elizabeth Lim
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books
Release date July 9, 2019
Pages: 416
Ya Fantasy
#ya fantasy # magical
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
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This book was received as an ARC from NetGalley,in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
This story follows Maia Tamarin, a girl with aspirations to be a tailor, but because she was born female all she can hope for is to make a good match in marriage. However, when her father, a renowned tailor in his own right is summoned by the royal court, Maia decides to pose as a boy to save her father from becoming even more ill on the journey. Aware that the penalty of death is imposed for her actions, she’s determined to overcome the hardships to become the best tailor. Except she’s one of twelve tailors eyeing the coveted position. Despite her skills, she becomes caught up in the schemes of saboteur tailors and is saved by the royal court magician Edan, who has seen through her disguise; his motives unclear. Her final challenge is the most difficult: crafting three dresses for the king’s bride-to-be using the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of the stars. Her journey will set her on a path that she never imagined,
Maia Tamarin, has aspirations to be a tailor, in world where women are subservient. Born the only girl in a family of three older brothers, with a Father as Tailor. She sacrifices everything to protect her family. In a turn of events she seizes the opportunity for a one in life time chance to become a Court Tailor. Maia decides to pose as a boy and Travel to court In disguise as her brother .while there she must avoid court intrigue and schemes of saboteur tailors .She must face her final challenge crafting three dresses for the king’s bride-to-be using the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of the stars.
Her journey will set her on a path that she never imagined..
This is one of those books that you just have to read to know what feeling I’m getting at. It sucks you in and keeps you hungry for more until you reach the mind-blowing ending. It’s a unique and unforgettable magical storyline. Masterfully created spellbinding world. I devoured this one as fast as I could and was completely drawn into the lives of these characters. I turned those pages as fast as I could and then slowly took in this beautifully written page turner.
What I especially liked is Elizabeth Lim imaginative writing style. I feel in love with the overall premise of the novel, and the quick pace it kept me engaged.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more books by this author
#book-review #Ya Fantasy#YA Fiction
As Silver Is to the Moon
R. A. Watt
Publication date: April 28th 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
New school. First love. A psychotic werewolf that wanted me dead. And it was only week one in Santa Isadora.
For fifteen-year-old Teavan Laurent and his older sister Suzanne, Santa Isadora seemed like a sleepy and idyllic California town to finish high school after their unexpected move west from New York City.
As he struggles to make friends in a town shrouded in secrets, Teavan soon finds himself the target of an irrational tormentor and rumored-to-be werewolf. The revenge-obsessed psycho vows to wipe out Teavan and his small family due to past wrongs beyond Teavan’s control or knowledge. The twisted legacy left to him by his late grandfather brings Teavan at odds with everything he knows to be true—or at least everything he thought to be true.
The impossible truth of the tale begins to gain traction at his first wolf sighting, and Teavan and Suzanne soon find themselves in the crosshairs of the dark and secretive lycan world of Santa Isadora.
Stalked by a legend that shouldn’t exist, Teavan must decide how far he is willing to go to save those that he loves and come to terms with what lurks from within.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
—
EXCERPT:
The room felt crisp and refreshing as I crawled back into the cozy warmth of my covers. The comforting presence of my dog Honey’s stretched curled form was gone. “Honey”?
Only the sounds of occasional thunder and rain could be heard, along with the violent, howling winds. The big oak tree in the yard was flailing back and forth, looking like it could lose a limb.
“Honey?”
Listening for the familiar sounds of her padded footsteps, I was alarmed when I heard banging on what sounded like the front door. I almost jumped out of bed.
Who could be here, in the middle of a storm, in the middle of the night?
An uneasy feeling slid over me as I made my way to the hall, electing to keep the lights off so I could see out the windows.
Answering the door to our apartment back home at two in the morning usually meant some drunken idiot was at the wrong door and couldn’t get their key to work. But out here, there could be no mistake.
Maybe it was the outer screen door banging in the storm. The gusting winds would most likely rip it off its hinges if it weren’t pulled tightly closed. As I reached out to unlock the bolt, an unmistakable knock came from the other side, sending my heart racing.
Someone was there.
I’m not proud to admit it, but I panicked a little. A bead of sweat trickled down my cheek. Lightning occasionally illuminated the room from the front windows.
Crap.
Maybe someone needed help. Maybe someone was being chased by a wolf. Maybe it was the wolf. Except a wolf couldn’t knock on a door.
But a werewolf could.
I tried to laugh at myself to ease my own tension.
On either side of the big wooden door was a floor-to-ceiling privacy window, with white curtains covering each one. I tried to look through the somewhat transparent lace, but I couldn’t see anything, just blackness outside.
If whoever was there saw my movement, I would have no choice but to open the door.
Chancing it, I ever-so-slightly moved the curtain aside to look out on the porch. I could see nothing until the next flash of lightning lit up the sky.
A wrinkled, elderly woman sat in an antique wooden wheelchair outside our front door. The winds blew her long, white hair in all directions, but she was looking down.
My head snapped back with my heart in my throat. Surely she needed help, but she almost looked scarier than some guy dressed in black. The image of her wheelchair and wild hair flying all about terrified me.
How did she get up the steps, alone, in a wheelchair?
Author Bio:
Ryan is a husband and a father of three children. A lover of food, wine, sunshine, skiing, and fiction.
Although his background is in finance, he has always had a love of books, particularly fiction, since a young age and has been an avid reader ever since. Ryan’s favorite books are deep, engrossing novels that may not necessarily win Pulitzer Prizes, but are difficult to put down.
Reading should be fun, absorbing, and a step away from our ordinary world. No matter what the critics say about the book on your nightstand, if you don’t look forward to reading each night it’s not the right book for you!
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Stranger Rituals
Kali Rose Schmidt
Publication date: July 9th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult
A fighter with a venomous grudge.
A monster with an immortal curse.
A girl with a terrible gift.All three out for blood in a land torn apart by harsh gods and holy wars. Each entwined with the other, on their own quests for vengeance, and yet held together by strange links to sinister pasts. As their fates unravel, a dangerous romance blooms, and violent darkness beckons.
At turns both darkly humorous and utterly morbid, STRANGER RITUALS is the startling first novel in Kali Rose Schmidt’s dark new series.
Author Bio:
Kali Rose Schmidt is an author, mother, and villain lover. She likes bloody tales of monsters, yoga with the lights off, and anything that goes bump in the night.
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#cover-Reveal
BY: STEPHANIE GREY
Justice watches from the shadows…
Throughout history, the world has witnessed cruel, gruesome, and twisted murders at the hands of the most notorious serial killers. For those who were never caught—Jack the Ripper, the Atlanta Ripper, and the Cleveland Torso Murderer—their crimes will live on in infamy as their identities are forever chased, but never revealed.
It’s 1947 in Washington, D.C. and a dangerous murderer has boldly discarded two headless bodies nearby the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. With no leads, Detective Clive O’Reilly is feeling desperate. When a stranger convinces O’Reilly to join him at a local pub, he is treated to a wild tale about Prudence Blackwood, an immortal who seeks vengeance for those murdered by history’s most notorious serial killers.
Initially in disbelief over her existence, O’Reilly is surprised to discover that she’s very real and she’ll be assisting in the investigation.
But Prudence has unorthodox methods. With the body count rising, O’Riley will have to find a way to work with her to stop the most brutal killer in D.C.’s history before more victims are added to the list.
DIGITAL ARCS OF THE IMMORTAL PRUDENCE BLACKWOOD:
Book reviewers and bloggers interested in reviewing the book may request a digital ARC of The Immortal Prudence Blackwood. ARCs are available through NetGalley and at the publisher’s website.
Title: The Immortal Prudence Blackwood
Author: Stephanie Grey
Genre: Suspense
Publication date: September 12, 2019
Publisher: BHC Press
Available Formats:
Hardcover: 978-1-64397-032-5, $26.95
Softcover: 978-1-947727-83-0, $15.95
Ebook: 978-1-948540-33-9, $7.99
LCCN: 2018948482
The Immortal Prudence Blackwood releases on September 12, 2019 in hardcover, trade softcover, and ebook. Preorder is currently available from select retailers.
The Inspiration Behind The Immortal Prudence Blackwood With Author Stephanie Grey
I wish I could say it was a misty and stormy night when the idea for an immortal woman who eliminates the world’s most notorious, unidentified serial killers struck me, and that I had an amazing tale. But the truth isn’t quite so mysterious and exotic. That’s how it normally goes, right?
It was quite hot outside, which was normal for a March day in Hawaii. It’s difficult to get into a dark frame of mind when the sun is constantly shining and there’s a beautiful, blue ocean view from your window.
On that particular morning, I was reading the news and stumbled across an article titled, “Rabbit hole leads to incredible 700-year-old Knights Templar cave complex.”
This cave, found underneath a farmer’s field in Shropshire, UK, was concealed by a rabbit hole. The article explained the caves were linked to the Knights Templar, a Catholic military order that was founded in 1119. Over time, the Templars’ military influence faded and, by 1307, the French King Philip IV plotted to bring down the Knights Templar. Most were arrested on charges including heresy and dozens were later burned at the stake. Pope Clement V disbanded them in 1312.
The owners of the property sealed the entrance to the caves in 2012 after black magic ceremonies were conducted there.
Reading this amazing story and seeing the incredible photographs immediately made me think about a woman living in the 1700s discovering an ancient cave covered in glyphs. But…you can’t just have a story about a woman finding a really old cave. Where would she go from there?
For the next few days, I mulled over ideas about this woman’s destiny. I caught a TV show about a man who had a scarf with blood on it and was trying to prove that his ancestor was the real Jack the Ripper. The man’s lead was a bust, but that’s when I knew what the woman would do: she would murder the serial killers whose identities were never discovered, thus evading capture. She would be the reason why the gruesome crimes stopped.
It didn’t take long for me to narrow down the woman’s name to Prudence Blackwood and write her history. However, it did take a month to research the murderers I wanted to include, as well as the history of each time period featured in the book. The “modern day” portion of the story takes place in 1947, and I am so very grateful for my grandmother, Barbara Thomas, for her immense help and knowledge of that time period.
I love Prudence’s story and I sincerely hope that readers will love it, too. If you’re interested in seeing the photographs that inspired me, please visit this website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephanie Grey is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in journalism. Writing has always been present in Stephanie’s life. From a young age, she has been writing short stories for her family to enjoy. When she entered high school, she decided that she would one day write a full-length novel. She finally achieved her goal and is the proud author of three novels, including The Immortal Prudence Blackwood. She continues to write and hopes to be able to share her stories with the world for many years to come.
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Be sure to visit The Immortal Prudence Blackwood’s publicity page to download free exclusive digital content!
The Scarecrow & George C
Mia Kerick
Publication date: June 3rd 2019
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, New Adult, Romance
High school senior Van Liss is barely human. He thinks of himself as a scarecrow—ragged and unnerving, stuck, and destined to spend his life cold and alone. If he ever had feelings, they were stomped out long ago by his selfish mother and her lecherous boyfriend. All he’s been left with is bitter contempt, to which he clings.
With a rough exterior long used to keep the world at bay, Van spooks George Curaco, the handsome new frycook at the diner where he works. But George C senses there is more to the untouchable Van and refuses to stop staring, fascinated by his eccentricity. When Van learns that George C is even more cold, alone, and frightened than himself, Van welcomes him to his empty home. And ends up finding his heart.
Their road to trust is rocky and, at times, even dangerous. And looming evil threatens to keep them apart forever.
Fair warning: You may want to strap in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
*All proceeds of this book go to charity: True Colors United.
“True Colors United implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people.”
Author Bio:
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—one in law school, another a professional dancer, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son, heading off to college. (Yes, the nest is finally empty.) She has published more than twenty books of LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing scholarship essays. Her husband of twenty-five years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it’s a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled people in complex relationships. She has a great affinity for the tortured hero in literature, and as a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of tortured heroes and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to her wonderful publishers for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.
Her books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine, and have won Rainbow Awards for Best Transgender Contemporary Romance and Best YA Lesbian Fiction, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award for Young Adult e-book Fiction, among other awards.
Mia Kerick is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology. Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com or visit at http://www.miakerickya.com to see what is going on in Mia’s world.
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Come A Little Closer
Chrissy Brown
(Georgia Boys #2)
Publication date: January 13th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Sophie was the love of my life. Okay, we were twelve the last time I saw her but still. I’ve tried everything to move on—whiskey, women, weed. Nothing seemed to fill the void. Now, ten years later, she shows up out of the blue. The problem, I’m not the boy she used to know. I have a reputation that could ruin everything. Still, I have to try. Even if nothing happens between us, having Sophie in my life as a friend is better than not having her at all.Come A Little Closer is the second installment in the Georgia Boys Series. It can be read as a standalone novel.
—
EXCERPT:
I blush and shake my head. “We should get started on the bedroom.”
Kevin follows behind me, fiddling with his phone. I refill the paint tray and set it on the bedroom floor. Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” starts playing. Kevin comes up behind me, puts his hands on my hips and begins to move them to the music. He presses against my back. My hands fall to my sides, and I tilt my head against his chest.
“This is not helping my walls get painted,” I whine.
“Come on, dance with me.” he pleads.
I turn around and stare into his eyes. It would be so easy to get lost in them but I can’t. I won’t. My hips stop moving, but Kevin’s still dancing. I raise the paintbrush that’s in my hand and slap him in the face with it. Slap sounds violent. It was more like I grazed him with cream colored paint while my hand slowly moved in front of his face. Kevin stops dancing. His jaw hangs open.
“Game on babe.”
Author Bio:
An avid reader who loves to write. When I’m not reading a book, I’m chasing around my twin girls or my two dogs. Visit my website http://www.chrissybrownauthor.com
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