About the Book
Anna Emory grew up the invisible younger sister, shy and quiet, and she prefers it that way. But her father’s attempts to arrange an unsavory marriage teach her that courage is sometimes found in adversity.
Then she meets a boy and his father who tip her quiet world upside down. Captain Mathieu Tudder has run from responsibility, entrusting his young son’s care to another and devoting his Sea Beggar ship to the cause of the Dutch Revolution. After the cause fails, Tudder returns to England for the son he left behind, all he has left of the wife he lost. But Titus prefers a mysteriously quiet nursemaid to his estranged father. Tudder wants his son back, yet Anna stands in his way. Will these two hearts—the battle-scarred and the broken—ever find true freedom? About the Author
Rachelle Rea Cobb has history with words. She penned her first short story in middle school, her first novel right out of high school, and signed a three-book publishing contract right after college. Her Steadfast Love series (from WhiteFire Publishing) and 2020 release, Follow the Dawn (Illuminate Publishing) are set during the Dutch Revolution. She is also the author of Write Well, a short writing guide designed to teach the structure of good writing. Rachelle is a freelance editor, an author of six books, and voracious reader. If you're looking for her, check the bookstore. In 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero and they live happily ever after in a fixer-upper by the sea. She's a fan of chai and lemonade (though definitely not together)!
Author Interview
Review
Readers have long awaited Anna and Tudder’s story and it is here at last. Readers will quickly fall in love with Anna’s soft and sweet spirit and enjoy coming to know Tudder’s desire to become reacquainted with his son. The romance in this story is light and sweet without it being over powerful in the full story arc. This story is about overcoming hurts from the past and moving forward to make a better life. Familiar and beloved characters from Cobb’s Steadfast Love Series also make an appearance. Readers will be absolutely delighted with this well developed, touching, and emotional story.
Series: Not part of the series, but connects to the Steadfast Love Series Genre: young adult, historical, romance, 14th century Publisher: Illuminate YA Fiction Publication date: February 7, 2020 Number of pages: 304 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Giveaway
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 Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for the Exit Stage Right by Jennifer Wilcock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! About the Book Title: Exit Stage Right Author: Jennifer Wilcock Publisher: Word Alive Press Genre: Young Adult Release Date: November 30, 2019 She wants to dance, and she’s willing to sacrifice everything, everyone, to get it. Coco Bradley is a talented ballet dancer, and when an opportunity arises for her to audition for the prestigious Spencer School of the Performing Arts, she’s not about to let anyone stop her— including her parents, her friends, and any of the prima donnas of the art school. A pastor’s kid, Coco has grown up serving God and people, but gaining entry to Spencer means leaving behind all the expectations that come with growing up in the pastorate, as well as the dead-end town of Wyattsville. Coco lives by the creed “Ballet First,” but she’s about to find out in a painful way that there’s more to life than dancing. Opportunities, fame, and love all come calling as Coco chases her dream. But in going after what she wants, will she lose the things that matter most? About the Author Jennifer Willcock grew up telling herself stories in the middle of the night to keep away the monsters that lurked in the dark. Once she realized there weren’t any real monsters, she kept telling stories. A voracious reader, Jennifer reads many different genres, but she never outgrew young adult fiction. A degree in English Literature enabled her to keep her love affair with reading and writing alive. A blogger, speaker, and writer, she belongs to the MOPS Network of Speakers and the Word Guild of Canada. Jennifer studied ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance during her teen years and into adulthood. She has taught in private and community settings and choreographed productions for her church over the years. In 2017, Jennifer decided she was brave enough to try and write fiction and joined NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November. She “won” it, writing 50,000 words in thirty days. The result is Exit Stage Right, a dream she thought was impossible to achieve. In 2019, the novel made the shortlist of the Word Alive Press fiction writing contest. Besides being a mom to two sons, she is married to Mark, a pastor. She works part-time in the local library, where she’s inspired every day to write a book that will one day be on the shelves. The family’s pet dwarf rabbit, Whiskers, is her muse as he sits at her feet while she writes. She’d love for you to connect with her online. ExcerptExcerpts from Exit Stage Right by Jennifer Willcock Copyright 2019, Word Alive Press Mike flopped down on his double bed, his face sinking into the soft quilt his grandmother had made for him a couple of years ago. He closed his eyes, hoping to block out reality. Coco was leaving. He turned over onto his back and flung his arms over his eyes. He couldn’t believe Pastor Dan and Mrs. Bradley had said yes. He groaned as he thought back to that day on the bus. He should never have told her about that stupid audition. What had he been thinking? She was leaving, and it was all his fault. He’d been dreaming about their last year of high school together. He had hoped ... for what? That maybe she felt something more than friendship for him? That she’d go to prom with him? He pressed his palms against his eyes. Suddenly the dreams he’d been holding on to for so long had tanked. He felt like someone had sucker-punched him. The yearbook on the nightstand caught his eye and he reached for it. Flipping through the pages, he found what he was looking for—a black and white image of Coco and him at a football game in grade ten. He remembered that day like it was yesterday. They had stuffed themselves on hot dogs and popcorn, cheering on the senior football team. And they had laughed and joked. She had looked so pretty with her cheeks flushed from the crisp air, hair flying in the breeze. That was the day he’d noticed Coco as a girl. As someone he’d like to know as more than a friend. He gently outlined her form with his finger. He’d been afraid at first to admit to himself that he had a crush on her. He’d played it cool, telling himself they were just friends and those feelings would go away. But a year and a half later, the feelings had bloomed into something more than a crush. He no longer wanted to date other girls. He’d been working up his courage to say something to Coco, but now it was too late. Wasn’t it? Abruptly, he snapped the book shut and threw it on the bed. His gut churned again. He’d had months to tell Coco how he felt, and he’d blown it. She’d never go out with him. Coco had been offered the opportunity to leave Wyattsville and everyone in it behind, and she obviously couldn’t wait to take it. Giveaway(1) winner will receive a copy of Exit Stage Right and a $25 Amazon gift card!  Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 16, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on January 23, 2020. US/CAN only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Tour ScheduleFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
 About the Book Jason is an expert at running from his past. When it catches up, he finds himself hiding in a peculiar inn listening to a tale from centuries past. The story is Anargen's, a teen who is pulled from all he loves to follow his oaths of loyalty to the fabled King of the Realms. Together with his mentor, Cinaed, he rides north on a special quest to mediate peace talks between ancient foes--the men of Ecthelowall and the dwarfs of Ordumair. Nothing goes as planned. Many on both sides of the dispute despise Anargen's Order. Worse, an arcane evil has returned to the North. This "Grey Scourge" seeks to ruin the peace talks and ensure a lost treasure held by the dwarfs is never found by those for whom it is meant. As Anargen's story unfolds, Jason begins to wonder whether it is truly just a fable. He soon finds himself drawn into the conflict Anargen faced--a battle which has shaped and can destroy his world. About the Author From an early age, Brett Armstrong had a love for literature and history. At age nine, he combined the two for his first time in a short story set in the last days of the Aztec Empire. After that, writing's role in his life waxed and waned periodically, always a dream on the horizon, till he reached college. At West Virginia University, he entered the Computer Engineering program and spent two years pursuing that degree before an opportunity to take a creative writing class, for fun, came along. It was so enjoyable, he took another and in that course he discovered two things. The first was the plot for a short story called Destitutio Quod Remissio, which the others students really seemed to love. The second, he realized he absolutely loved writing. For him, it was like the proverbial light bulb coming on. In the years since, describing that epiphany has been difficult for him, but he found the words of 1924 Olympian Eric Liddell are the most eloquent expression for it: "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure." God gave Brett a passion for writing, and so feels His pleasure when writing. After a few years passed, Brett got his Computer Engineering degree, but also completed a minor in each of his real passions: history and creative writing. In 2013, he began graduate school to earn an MA in Creative Writing. During that time he completed the novelization of Destitutio Quod Remissio and entered the 2013-2014 CrossBooks Writing Contest, which won the contest's grand prize. As of March 2015, Brett completed his MA and is presently employed in the West Virginia Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology as a programmer analyst. Brett lives in Saint Albans, West Virginia, with his beautiful wife, Shelly. In the summer the pair gardens together, and each day Brett continues writing his next novel. ReviewFrom the turn of the first page, The Gathering Dark is a story of adventure and mystery and has plenty of action all the way until the turn of the last page. The characters come to life as they have banters and squabbles with one another. At times the story is hard to get into and follow because there is a lot going on and it is unclear what exactly is taking place. This is a story that fans of epic fantasy, especially teens will enjoy.
Series: Quest of Fire Genre: epic fantasy, young adult, coming of age Publisher: Mantle Rock Publishing Publication date: April 23, 2019 Number of pages: 420 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Omega Alpha by Kristen Landon -- Review
12/26/2019
About the Book What would you do if everything you thought you knew about your childhood, your parents, and your family turned out to be a lie? Thirteen-year-old Ethan Turner is about to find out. Ethan survives an environmental terrorist attack, but the toxic gas he breathes during the attack triggers memory flashes from when he was very young. The problem is, those memories don’t match up with the life he knows. He starts to notice and uncover clues that lead him to believe his parents are hiding a terrible secret from him. With the help of two close friends, Ethan continues to search for the truth—even when it lands him right in the middle of a group of environmental terrorists who are about to release a pandemic-grade virus on the world. The truth about his family and his past could cost Ethan his life as well as the lives of everyone he cares about. He has to make the impossible choice—save himself and those he loves or save the world. About the Author Kristen Landon always thought it would be nice to live in a place where winter never gets too cold. Besides one lovely winter in California, she has spent her life bouncing back and forth between Michigan and Utah – both great places in the spring, summer, and fall. She now lives with her husband and four children in a home with fabulous views of Utah’s beautiful mountains out every window. ReviewThis story is a fun fast paced action-adventure that readers will thoroughly enjoy. From the turn of the first page, author Kristen Landon pulls readers into her intriguing story with the life a young boy when everything is turned upside down when he discovers not all is as it seems. This is a clean well-written action science-fiction style filled story that is perfect for younger and older readers. The story moves along at a fast pace, that keeps readers on their toes wanting to know what will happen next. Readers will heave a sigh of relief when the story draws to a neat close.
Genre: upper middle grade, young adult, action, adventure Publisher: Revello Press Publication date: November 26, 2019 Number of pages: 253 A review copy of this book was provided by Revello Press. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Sword of Soter (Sacred Armor Trilogy #2) by Ralene Burke -- Blog Tour Spotlight + Giveaway
11/1/2019
 On Tour with Prism Book Tours About the Book Sword of Soter (Sacred Armor Trilogy #2) By Ralene Burke YA Fantasy, Christian Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages September 25th 2019 by Elk Lake Publishing Inc NEW KINGDOM. NEW FRIENDS. NEW DANGERS. NOT EVERYONE CAN BE TRUSTED … Karina, Tristian, Rashka, and Sam venture forth into the wilderness of Soter on the next leg of their quest to retrieve the Armor of the Creator. With the ancient evil already affecting the kingdom, nothing in Soter is what it seems—from what skulks beneath the canopies of the woods to what lies within the sleek white and gold of the capitol city to the people Karina and Tristan have known since they were children. Danger lurks around every corner. Discerning who to trust is paramount to staying alive and discovering the location of the Temple of Soter. Yet, to Karina’s horror, Faramos’s reach finds them time and again. The longer they are forced to dawdle, the more people are affected by the growing panic in Soter, and the closer Faramos is to taking over the Three Kingdoms. Can Karina retrieve the information they need while Tristan keeps his brother at bay? Or will the entire quest disintegrate before they even arrive at the temple? Other Books in the Series About the Author Whether she’s wielding a fantasy author’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINEBeyond their circumstances! Her fantasy novels are available on Amazon. When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . . You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website. GiveawayOne winner will win a prize pack that will include print copies of Armor of Aletheia and Sword of Soter, a plush blanket, a tumbler with candy, a journal, and a pen all inside a half-bushel basket inlaid with a gorgeous book print material. US only Ends November 6, 2019 Enter the giveaway HERE. Tour Schedule  On Tour with Prism Book Tours About Always (The Lost Princesses #0.5) By Jody Hedlund Christian YA Historical Romance Paperback & ebook, 136 Pages August 13th 2019 by Northern Lights Press A fierce elite guard. A loyal lady in waiting. They must work together to save three princesses from certain death. On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life. Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes plans to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn’t need or want Lady Felicia’s help. With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felicia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives—and hearts—forever. About Evermore (The Lost Princesses #1) By Jody Hedlund Christian YA Historical Paperback & ebook, 222 Pages August 27th 2019 by Northern Lights Press An ancient key. A secret treasure. And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace. Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not. Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia. When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever. Other Books in the Series
About the Author Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five teen-aged children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading. ExcerptWe returned to our respective corners of the list, raised our lances, and then began to ride toward each other once again. I bent closer to Roland, needing his strength, begging him for it. Then I put all thought out of my mind, save one—the target on Lord Mortimer’s chest. Roland’s gait lengthened. His canter quickened. And the pounding of his iron-shod hooves echoed the thud of my heart. I sensed we were working together. We were a team. And this time I had to hit my mark. We drew nearer, but I waited, my gaze fixed and unwavering. Then at the last second, I drove my lance hard, feeling Roland thrust with me. The crack of splintering wood was followed by Lord Mortimer’s muffled cry of distress. The blow knocked into his chest at the same moment his lance hit me again. The power of the strike drove the wind from my lungs, and I felt myself sliding sideways. I clung to Roland desperately with my thighs. As though feeling my struggle, the charger compensated for my weakness, lowering himself just slightly so that I might jerk back up. As I righted myself in my saddle, the crowd erupted into wild cheering. I ambled to the end of the list before turning Roland around. At the sight of Lord Mortimer sprawled on the ground and his warhorse at the opposite end of the field without him, a relieved thrill of victory coursed through me. Giveaway One winner will receive the prequel and all three books in The Lost Princesses series (Always, Evermore, Foremost and Hereafter) in paperback or ebook (winner's choice, if winner is outside the US ebooks only) Ends September 25, 2019 Enter the giveaway HERE. Tour Schedule About the Book The death of the king sets in motion a chain of events that change Karina’s life forever. Thrust out of the royal city, she must leave her world behind to seek out the Armor of Elohim in order to save the very people who now hunt her. Meanwhile, the opportunistic warlock waiting to unleash hell knows Elohim has already chosen his warrior, so he sends his own bounty hunter to retrieve her. After the bounty hunter abducts her, he witnesses her gentle nature and strong independence, and he finds he can’t turn her in. Together, they set out to retrieve the armor and defeat the hordes of creatures sent to destroy them. But is his heart secure as he faces certain death for defending the princess? And will Karina be able to rise above her circumstances to become all Elohim intends her to be? Failure for either of them will condemn the world to eternal darkness. About the Author Whether she's wielding a fantasy writer's pen, a freelance editor's sword, or a social media wand, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer's world. And her goal is to help them SHINE BEYOND! She has worked for a variety of groups/companies, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and as an editor for a number of freelance clients. When her head's not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time... ReviewWhat an adventurous young adult fantasy story author Ralene Burke has crafted in her novel, Armor of Aletheia. Readers will be pulled into this fun and exciting first book in the series. This novel is full of enjoyable characters and a wonderful adventure. It’s about a bounty hunter, a princess, friendship, and love. It’s about a trek and a challenge that can change everything, or cause everything to be lost. Young adult fantasy readers will be sure to enjoy this exciting new story!
Series: Sacred Armor Trilogy Genre: Christian, fantasy, young adult Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing Inc. Publication date: August 29, 2018 Number of pages: 268 A review copy of this book was provided by Prism Book Tours, as well as a copy borrowed from Amazon Kindle Unlimited. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book Deceiving an empire is a treacherous game. Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers race to collect the strands of an ancient cure that might save Gryfelle. But Tanwen has a secret—Gryfelle isn’t the only one afflicted by the weaver's curse. As Queen Braith struggles to assert her rule, a new arrival throws her tenuous claim to the Tirian throne into question. Braith’s heart is turned upside down, and she’s not sure she can trust anyone—least of all herself. The puppet master behind Gareth’s rise to power has designs on Tanwen and the story weavers and will stop at nothing to reclaim the throne. A plot to incite the angry peasants of Tir takes shape, and those dearest to Tanwen will be caught in the crossfire. As the fight for Tir consumes the realm, no one can remain innocent. About the Author Lindsay A. Franklin is a best-selling author, award-winning editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She lives in her native San Diego with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder of a husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following. You can learn more about Lindsay on her website. Author InterviewCheck out the author interview HERE. ReviewIn book two of her Weaver Trilogy, Lindsay A. Franklin, once again brings to life a magical adventure. This story continues and compliments the story of that in the first book. This is a series that will need to be read in order to best understand what is going on. Readers of The Story Peddler, the first book in the series, will be drawn to this story, waiting and wanting to know what will happen next. Although the story is a bit stretched out and slow going and one of the main characters is a bit whiner than some readers may like, this tale is still filled with a beautiful and magical touch that readers will find charming. There is also a bit of a love triangle going on in this story, along with the adventures and pillaging. A theme in the story is strong bonds between family and friends. Readers will be intrigued and drawn to this enticing story and will once again be left wanting more with its cliffhanger ending.
Series: The Weaver Trilogy Genre: young adult, fantasy, Christian Fiction Publisher: Enclave Publishing Publication date: July 23, 2019 Number of pages: 368 Other books in the series: 1-The Story Peddler A review copy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book Peter Pan is growing up. Nearing adulthood, he faces a choice: join the pirates of Neverland or face their wrath--or leave Neverland for good. Reluctant to abandon the Lost Boys, Peter searches for someone who can care for them and withstand the dangers of Neverland. The tough and witty Jane seems like the perfect replacement until he realizes that leaving her is almost as unbearable as becoming a pirate. About the Author Melissa has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil in her hand and she has a deformed, calloused finger to prove it. She began twisting fairy tales in the fifth grade when she wrote a story about George of the Jungle making his way to Neverland. Melissa enjoys writing, making music, reading, baking and running. She lives with her husband, three daughters and cat named Matilda. ReviewEscaping Neverland by Melissa Lemon is an entertaining and exciting story that fans of Peter Pan will absolutely adore. Lemon’s story comes to life with the turn of every page. Her characters are relatable, fun, and engaging. This Peter Pan is similar to the original, but has a few twists of its own. The lost boys, as well as Peter Pan and Jane are wonderful characters that keep the story thrilling and engaging. A light, quick, exciting read, fairytale lovers will want to pick up this charming and delightful new story.
Genre: fantasy, fairytale, young adult Publisher: Sweetwater Books a division of Cedar Fort Publishing Publication date: June 11, 2019 Number of pages: 192 A review copy of this book was provided by Clean Wholesome Romance Launch Team, as well as borrowed from Kindle Unlimited. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Book Tour Grand Finale for No Place Like Here By Christina June We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below: Launch - Note from the Author . . . It's about a girl struggling to make peace with her family, and also learning that her voice has value and power. NPLH is also filled with quotations, moonlight kisses, a sarcastic cousin, gingerbread houses, hiking, ziplines, and new beginnings. My hope is that readers will connect with Ashlyn's journey and maybe even feel inspired to speak up more often in their own lives. Cheers, Christina June It's All About the Romance - Excerpt There is never a good way to find out your father is going to prison. Some are worse than others, though. For example, learning that your father has committed tax evasion via a social media post is on the top five worst ways list. I might have missed it, if I hadn’t logged on to see if my best friend, Tatum, had posted any new messages for me. We’d spent the last school year apart—me at boarding school in the Shenandoah Valley and her at home, just south of Washington, DC—and we had been making plans for not only my big return home, but for the upcoming school year. Not that I’d actually asked my parents if I could come back for senior year yet. But I would. Soon. Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat and shut my laptop harder than I meant to. There was no way. Right? My dad going to jail? I scoffed aloud. No chance. It was a misprint. Had to be. There was no way my parents would keep something like Dad committing white collar crime a secret from me. Was there? I felt around in my backpack for my phone. I’ll just call home and clear it up. Easy. I dialed my mother but got her voicemail. The Reading Corner for All - Review "I loved that while this was an overall light read, the author was not afraid to delve into deep themes that gave No Place Like Here a layered meaning. No Place Like Here also held the timeless elements of friendship, the dynamics of family, and finding the courage to make your voice heard that will make for the perfect summer read!" Wishful Endings - Review "I really enjoyed reading this! It was interesting seeing how the classic Hansel and Gretel fairy tale was twisted into this contemporary story. The author made it her own and created a story easy to relate to, handling some difficult subjects, and creating a likable protagonist and some fun side characters. Recommended to contemporaneity YA fans, especially those who like their stories light on the romance." Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt “Call Dad,” I said into the phone. It practically slipped from my sweaty palm. It rang once. Twice. Three times. I was about to slam the phone down on my bed when my dad answered. “Hello?” Dad’s voice was gruff. Short. Like he didn’t have time for this. “Hi, Dad.” My voice quavered. “It’s me.” “Ashlyn, hi. How are you? Getting ready for exams, I hope.” Did I hear him take a deep breath? Was it fear or relief? Regardless, here he was, still managing to tell me what he thought I should be doing. Classic. I gritted my teeth. “Of course. You know me.” And the kicker was, he didn’t. But that was neither here nor there. Singing Librarian Books - Review "Author Christina June has written a deep, powerful, and heart-wrenching story in her novel, No Place Like Here. . . . Teens and adults alike will be drawn to this tender and emotional story. This is one of those stories that gives readers all the feels. Readers will absolutely not want to put down this novel. . ." Bookish Looks - Excerpt I pursed my lips. “I’m sorry I was shocked by the fact that you didn’t tell me before the internet did.” As soon as I said it, my stomach dropped like I was on a roller coaster. Clapping back at him never went over well. My father exhaled into the receiver. “Unhelpful, Ashlyn. This is a very difficult time for me right now. It is certainly not the time to be disrespectful. You were not raised to act this way.” My chest tightened the way it always did when he criticized me. I wanted to tell my dad it was a very difficult time for all of us right now. Because of him. I wanted to tell him I was angry something catastrophic was happening to our family. Because of him. I wanted to tell him I felt embarrassed and ashamed. Because of him. I wanted to tell him that despite my anger, I was scared. Because of him, and for him as well. But I said none of those things. Remembrancy - Review "A story about the longing for home even when it’s not perfect or you don’t feel worthy of it, No Place Like Here is a poignant and moving story. . . . Using touches from Hansel and Gretel, Christina June gives readers another engaging book with a young heroine whose journey to obtain her deepest with, to go home again, finds her strength and individualism. Young readers will enjoy this summer read with a memorable setting, plenty of conflict, and an ending that offers the promise of wishes realized." Moonlight Rendezvous - Review "No Place Like Here is a thought-provoking coming of age story of finding your path in life when your parents want you to be something that you’re not. . . . was a story that made me laugh and cry at times and I hope everyone gets a chance to read this beautifully written story." JeanBookNerd - Guest Post RANDOM FACTS ABOUT NO PLACE LIKE HERE 1. When I was in 5th grade, my whole class went to a team-building camp overnight. Sweetwater Overlook in the book was inspired by that trip. 2. Ashyn collects quotes and so do I. I've had a quote journal since I was 14. . . Andi's Young Adult Books - Review "I do love to read coming-of-age YA novels, so I was intrigued by the blurb to this book. I was also intrigued by the idea of it being related to the tale of Hansel and Gretel. I have to admit that I had a hard time following that parallel, but it has been years since I last read that. But I didn't need the connection to appreciate this book and inhale it in one sitting. . . . As expected, Ashlyn goes through incredible growth and discovers so much about herself and her strengths. She develops incredible leadership skills and forges relationships with some people she may not have otherwise. I love watching her journey and how she grows." The Bent Bookworm - Review "No Place Like Here was so much more than I expected! I went into it thinking I was getting a somewhat fluffy summer camp novel (at only 272 pages I finished it in half a shift at work – yes, my job is that slow). While there were fluffy aspects, it was so much deeper and touched my heart in ways I was completely surprised by." Ghoulish Life & Reviews - Spotlight Heidi Reads... - Review "I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book after reading on a different review that there's not a big focus on romance. The author dealt so well with the themes and I was captivated as I read about Ashlyn's journey that was at times difficult, uncomfortable, healing, and empowering. . . . A lovely story of becoming self-aware and choosing to be strong in the circumstances we are given." onemused - Review "Overall, this was a really fun YA contemporary about being yourself that could appeal to a wide audience (I think even older middle grade readers would enjoy this one). There are some fantastic themes/messages herein, and this would be a wonderful book to grab on the way to the beach this summer!" Confessions of a YA Reader - Excerpt “So, it’s all decided.” “All decided,” I echoed with zero enthusiasm. I knew better than to complain further. The sureness in his voice and the fact that he wasn’t trying to convince me that spending my summer in the middle of the woods was a good idea just proved how much he was still in charge. Even when he was about to be locked up. “You’ll have fun, Ashlyn. This place looks like a stand-up operation. You’ll love it. Hannah wouldn’t go back for a second year if it wasn’t great.” Hannah and I are not the same kind of girl, I didn’t say. But for my father to know that, he would’ve had to have read the annual holiday newsletter and I would’ve bet my college fund that he hadn’t taken the time to read it further than to confirm that his brother and his family were alive and kicking. He would also have had to pay attention to me beyond making sure my report card was flawless, my clothes were acceptable, and my posture was straight. Paper, Ink & Lizard - Review "Ashlyn’s journey from a quiet, apathetic girl to someone brave enough to speak up for others was excellently executed. The subtle arc was just enough to show change, without making her instantly turn around like some books I’ve read. Change is a slow process, one foot at a time, and No Place Like Here shows that perfectly. Overall, I enjoyed the book immensely, and now I’m adding Christina June to my list of favorite authors!" Hallie Reads - Excerpt “Bad news travels at the speed of light around here, I guess,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. On a scale from one to ten, my year at Blue Valley Academy earned a five. I’d managed to get good grades and do well in activities, but I hadn’t really made friends. Plenty of acquaintances, but not friends. I wasn’t surprised. The other girls were mostly from small towns nearby, while I was the “city snob,” as I’d overheard one girl saying in the hallway. No one had been rude to my face, and some had been pleasant—Cassie was on the nicer side, for sure—but I wasn’t invited on weekend trips home and no one decorated my door on my birthday. I couldn’t really blame them. Trying to break into any clique during junior year, when everyone else had known each other since birth, was nearly impossible. “So, it’s true?” “It seems that way.” My face was blank. I didn’t know Cassie well enough to trust her with the fear and confusion that was hiding behind my emotionless mask. Red Headed Book Lady - Review ". . . I loved the characters and I especially loved the setting!! . . . I enjoyed this story and I strongly recommend it." Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven't already...
From Christina June, author of It Started with Goodbye and Everywhere You Want to Be, comes No Place Like Here, a modern twist on Hansel and Gretel. Ashlyn Zanotti has big plans for the summer. She's just spent a year at boarding school and can't wait to get home. But when Ashlyn's father is arrested for tax evasion and her mother enters a rehab facility for "exhaustion," a.k.a. depression, her life is turned upside down. The cherry on top? Ashlyn's father sends her to work with a cousin she doesn't even know at a rustic team-building retreat center in the middle of nowhere. A self-proclaimed "indoor girl," not even Ash's habit of leaving breadcrumb quotes--inspirational sayings she scribbles everywhere--can help her cope. With a dangerously careless camp manager doling out grunt work, an overbearing father trying to control her even from prison, and more than a little boy drama to struggle with, the summer is full of challenges. And Ashlyn must make the toughest decision of her life: keep quiet and follow her dad's marching orders, or find the courage to finally stand up to her father to have any hope of finding her way back home. Fans looking for stories with elements of drama, romance, friendship, and an unflinching look into navigating and improving even the most difficult parent-teen relationships need look no further. Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository│Kobo Bookstagram Tour
May 28th: @read.and.wander @suziewaltner May 29th: @StackingMyBookShelves @singinglibrarianbooks May 30th: @onemused @heidireadsblog May 31st: @hellojennyreads @mamasreadingcorner June 1st: @savingsinseconds @countrygalsbookblog Other Books by the Author
About the Author Christina June writes young adult contemporary fiction when she’s not writing college recommendation letters during her day job as a school counselor. She loves the little moments in life that help someone discover who they’re meant to become – whether it’s her students or her characters. Christina is a voracious reader, loves to travel, and hopes to one day be bicoastal – the east coast of the US and the east coast of Scotland. She lives in Virginia with her husband and daughter. She is the author of IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE, EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE, and NO PLACE LIKE HERE. Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Blink Release Blitz Giveaway
1 winner will receive a print copy of NO PLACE LIKE HERE, a poster, and a book plate US only Ends June 5, 2019
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