Monday, September 28, 2020

NERD BLAST: Pretty Funny For A Girl by Rebecca Elliott


Today, we are thrilled to kick off this 5-day Nerd Blast for Award-winning Author and Illustrator Rebecca Elliott's YA novel, Pretty Funny For A Girl! Be sure to check it out and pre-order your copy now!

Genre:
Young Adult
Contemporary Romance
Publish Date:
October 1, 2020
Publisher:

Synopsis:
A candid and laugh-out-loud journey of family, friends, and fierce mistakes.

Haylah Swinton is an ace best friend, a loving daughter, and an incredibly patient sister to a four-year-old nutcase of a brother. Best of all, she's pretty confident she's mastered making light of every situation--from her mom's new boyfriend to unsolicited remarks on her plus-sized figure. Haylah's learning to embrace all of her curvy parts and, besides, she has a secret: one day, she'll be a stand-up comedian star.

So when impossibly cool and thirstalicious Leo reveals he's also into comedy, Haylah jumps at the chance to ghost-write his sets. But is Leo as interested in returning the favor? Even though her friends warn her of Leo's intentions, Haylah's not ready to listen--and she might just be digging herself deeper toward heartbreak. If Haylah's ever going to step into the spotlight, first she'll need to find the confidence to put herself out there and strut like the boss she really is.

Rebecca Elliott's hilarious and authentic narrative voice is sure to capture readers' hearts as her plus-sized, teenage heroine navigates learning to love the body she's in while dealing with friends, family, and boys.


     
  

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Praise for PRETTY FUNNY FOR A GIRL

“Elliott, who has previously published picture books and early readers, nails the voice and persona of a high school girl…. A good purchase for libraries that need coming-of-age books centering body-positivity.” ―School Library Journal

“A feel-good story featuring a narrator who’s likable and genuinely funny, even at her most self-deprecating. Dreams, being true to oneself, body-image issues, single parenting, family dynamics, self-confidence, and a realistic depiction of friendship make this a refreshing coming-of-age read full of optimism, dreams, and plenty of stereotype-smashing laughs. A natural pick for Dumplin’ (2015) fans.” ―Booklist  

“Sharp, funny… The working-class British milieu feels freshly wrought, and Elliott’s characters are well balanced… [Haylah’s] comedy routine, though at times self-deprecating, also flips some stereotypes.” ―Publishers Weekly  

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**About the Author**
Photo Content from Rebecca Elliott
Rebecca Elliott was not so much born as assembled from potatoes, cat hair and sarcasm in Suffolk quite a few years ago. A school project of Rebecca's from the age of 6 reads, "When I grow up I want to write and draw books", clearly a precocious little brat but still, if nothing else it proves that when she's made a decision she really can't be bothered to change it. After a 'brief' detour from this career plan involving wanting to be Stephen Fry, a degree in philosophy and a dull office job, she finally got round to doing the whole book thing.

Since then she has become an award-winning (you won’t have heard of the award but come on, that sounds good, right?)and bestselling author of over 30 books for children. These include Just Because, a book about her daughter who had severe special needs and her ongoing series Owl Diaries which has sold 6 million copies worldwide. Her new YA novel, 'Pretty Funny' is due out in March 2020. (Published by Penguin, like actual Penguin. Which is dream-come-true awesome) And her mum really likes it.

When she's not story-making she can be found reading (everyone puts that as a hobby but really, I mean who doesn’t read? Even if its just the TV guide?), loudly venting her issues on the drums, singing in her band, painting pictures only she appreciates, at the movies (again, everyone, right?), podcasting or just hanging out with her husband Matthew (a history teacher), her children (professional monkey-boys), chickens (egg production executives) and cat Bernard (currently unemployed).

Stay connected with Rebecca Elliott
      

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***The Giveaway***


Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter
- ends October 19, 2020
Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

Nerd Blast Organized by

Friday, September 25, 2020

BLOG TOUR: Sisters of the Moon by Alexandrea Weis

 

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Sisters of the Moon by Award-winning Author Alexandrea Weis! Today, on our tour stop, we have a review AND a tour-wide giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now! Follow the tour (tour schedule is at the end of this post).

Genre:
Young Adult
Horror/Fantasy
Publish Date:
September 22, 2020
Publisher:

Synopsis:
A monstrous fate will turn a girl into a legend.

On an island in Lake Obersee, where The Sisters of St. Gertrude abide, a destitute Moor named Durra arrives. Sold for taxes, she and her two companions tend to the nuns and their collection of cats. At night, she combs the library for details on the order, the remote island, and the beasts howling outside her window.

But when a prank reveals the sisters’ gruesome secret, Durra is forced to accept a new fate. Bestowed an unearthly power, she must choose between life as a nun or living among the monsters beyond the convent walls.

Her path is about to change the tide in the ultimate war. The war between good and evil.


   
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*


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**About the Author**
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight.

Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.

A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes mysteries, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, action, historical, and romance.

Alexandrea Weis is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers Association.

Stay connected with Alexandrea Weis
      

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Sisters of the Moon is a good book for a cozy reading session at home. There is enough in each chapter of the story to keep the reader invested and curious to know what happens to Durra and the other girls next. There is mystery, diverse personalities in Weiss’s characters, and action.

Sisters of the Moon is a vivid and fluid read from start to finish. Weiss intricately describes the environment and supernatural of the story. It’s dreary, dirty, and enigmatic. With that in mind, the reader is immediately immersed in Durra’s world. The book starts with rain fall and ropes cut into Durra’s skin as she rows the oars of a boat towards an island where her fate may be sealed. She is a slave sold with two fellow slaves, Emily and Leida. The three are established in just the first chapter with just enough detail to be engaging but not wholly revealing until later in the story. Emily is a short-tempered and big mouthed girl who won’t stand for Lars Brelhoff’s abuse or being controlled by anyone. Leida is the more docile and timid one of the group and Durra is an the between as someone guarded yet curious.

Sisters of the Moon takes place in one location, but the story never becomes dull as there is more information to unravel. St. Gertrude’s, the convent that would be the girls’ new home is housed on Lake Obersee and is unknown territory to them. There aren’t many other inhabitants, as far as the girls could see, but the sisters of the convent seem welcoming enough, particularly the warm and serene Mother Amelia. As Durra learns more and the girls live their new lives, the reader cannot help but feel a sense of belonging to the convent. Even so, the convent offers mystery enticing skepticism in Durra, even though she could describe it as a sanctuary. The suspense build in the desolate atmosphere and Weiss brilliantly foreshadows the incoming fight by describing the convent’s tapestries and stonework with images of wolves, animals, demons. If I had to be critical, Sisters of the Moon offers everything you need in a supernatural horror and is worth the read.

My rating:

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***The Giveaway***

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box
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Tour Schedule

September 21st

September 22nd

September 23rd

September 24th

September 25th


Blog Tour Organized by

Thursday, September 24, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ: Snow Queen by Mary Ting


Today, we are excited to share the release of International Bestselling and Award-winning Author Mary Ting's Snow Queen, the fourth title in the Secret Knights series! Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:
Young Adult
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series:
Secret Knights, #4
Publish Date:
September 24, 2020

Synopsis:
A curse turned her heart to ice, but only true love can melt it.

Cyrus, the possessor demon lord is dead, but his final battle left Hawaii in turmoil. Hundreds of people are wounded, and the aftermath of a volcanic eruption has kept the survivors busy with the cleanup. Schools are closed and stores are being rebuilt. Life is almost back to normal, except for Ikelia, Eli’s mother.

Eligor, Eli’s father, is still trapped inside the Keeper crystal. Ikelia is unable to free him, so she asks Davin, the head of the Chosen Knights, to travel to her past to when she first became the Snow Queen to find any clue that could help her.

They learn they must go to Kaneana Cave, home to a legend about a Shark Man who lures humans through a smaller opening in the cave and eats them. So Davin rounds up the team. But what they find there might mean the end for Ikelia and the Chosen Knights.


    
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*



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Binge read the Secret Knights series now!
    
(covers link to Goodreads)

        
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*


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**About the Author**
Mary Ting is an international bestselling, award-winning author. She writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers around the world. Her books span a wide range of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans, as well as garnered critical praise.

Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.

Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Being a huge Twilight fan, Mary was inspired to make book-themed jewelry and occasionally gives it away as prizes to her fans.

Stay connected with Mary Ting
      
 


Release Day Blitz Organized by