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About the Book
Title: The Staircase of Fire (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 3)
Author: Ben Woodard
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Number of Pages: 276
Publisher: Miller-Martin Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018
Summary: A quiet town in Kentucky explodes from a racial incident and fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is in the thick of it. His past haunts him and now he’s witness to a horrific event leaving him devastated and afraid. He must escape his town and its memories. But leaving has consequences, too. He will have to betray his friends and his new love.
Nothing stops his nightmares. Not high risk activities or running away. But when his past returns, Tom is forced to confront his greatest fear and finally realizes he cannot escape himself. Now he has to take a stand that could change his life—or end it.
“…a highly recommended pick for teens looking for something different…”
A Stairway to Danger (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 1)An eyeless body. A menacing stranger. And a tangled mystery.
It’s the summer of 1923 and two cousins hunting for hidden gold stumble on a decayed body. Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is convinced the death was murder and drags his older cousin into a harrowing struggle against a shadowy group. Not even attempts on their lives can stop the boys from relentlessly pursuing the mystery. But when their curiosity leads them to investigate a derelict barge, what they find is bigger and more dangerous than anything they could have imagined.
A STAIRWAY TO DANGER is a fun-filled thriller with humor and adventure in a Twain-like setting.
Winner! Orangeberry Hall of Fame Best Young Adult novel for 2013
Steps Into Darkness (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 2)
Explosions, sabotage, deadly warnings, and a dangerous red-haired man. Imagine The Hardy Boys meet Tom Sawyer. Add a layer of teen angst and excitement plus a mysterious group stirring up racial tensions.
That’s STEPS INTO DARKNESS, the second book in the Shakertown Adventure Series by Ben Woodard.
Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace again makes plans to escape the small town in the 1923 Kentucky countryside—the town that won’t let him forget his past, when a horrific event changes his mind. He teams with his cousin, Will, and young FBI agent Rick Sweeney to solve a perplexing mystery. Attempts on the boys’ lives and a bewildering list of suspects keep them on edge and confused until they discover the real villain—and then wish they hadn’t.
About the Author
Ben is a (mostly) retired amateur adventurer who has traveled across Tibet, climbed to 18,000 feet on Mt. Everest, and solo backpacked wilderness areas. Now his adventures come in the form of imagining stories, writing and telling them to kids and teens. He works with teachers, schools and literacy organizations spreading the word that books are vital—and fun.Book Blast Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice
Giveaway ends: June 13, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Ben Woodard and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to [email protected].
About the Book
Lying becomes easy for Caleb until his own life crumbles before him. Brought to his knees under the pressure of his actions, he comes to realize the sweetness of his Savior.
About the Author
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About the Book
Title: Selah’s Painted Dream (Dream Horse Adventures, Book 3) | Author: Susan Count | Publisher: Hastings Creation Group | Publication Date: May 7, 2018 | Genre: Children’s Novel | Number of Pages: 174
Description: Thirteen-year-old Selah’s life is about as perfect as it gets. She has horsy friends at school, and on weekends, she rides her black mare on Grandpa’s farm. Training the horse to do upper-level liberty work is what makes her heart beat.
But one word can ruin a perfect life—moving.
A move would separate her from her horse, so she plots to get her name on the farm mailbox instead. She’s sure she could persuade Grandpa—except he’s overly distracted by a sheep-loving neighbor.
Determined not to let Grandpa’s new sweetheart take her place in his heart, Selah puts her hope in a painted dream horse from Grandpa’s past. When she snugs up the girth and buckles on her spurs, Selah rides to win.
A story of love and determination in the face of adversity that will steal your heart.
Twelve-year-old Mary longs to have a horse of her own, but she’s limited to reading horse books. A talented artist, she spends her days on a blanket in the grass sketching the horses at the farm next door. She falls in love with one of the foals and is outraged to learn the filly is considered worthless as it was born lame.
Mary befriends and enlists the help of twelve-year-old Laura, whose family owns the horse farm. Against the better judgment of the farm manager, a brief reprieve is negotiated for the foal’s life. The girls conspire to raise money to save her, but time is running out. Sadly, it appears the expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct the problem anyway. Mary isn’t about to let her own disability hold her back. She sacrifices what she holds dear – the trust of her papa, to gain her heart’s desire. But she could lose everything in her struggle to save the foal.
TxAuthors Best Book Award Winner for 2017 – Juvenile – Coming of Age
Feathered Quill – 2017 GOLD Award – Children’s Fiction – Animals
Purple Dragonfly – 2017 First Place – Disability Awarenes
A delightful read. Plenty of twists and turns which makes the book a great little adventure. Selah embodies perseverance, hope, determination, compassion, and spunk.
Twelve-Year-Old SELAH’S quest to be equestrian superstar is impossible without a horse. Then she spots buzzards circling in the grasslands behind Grandpa’s farm. They’re stalking a horse trapped in wire and Selah is its only hope. But the mare she rescues might be a bigger challenge to her dream than not having a horse at all. When an old friend of Grandpa’s and a world renowned horse trainer offers to work with the wild and defiant mare, Selah jumps at the opportunity. She trains with a fierce determination to equal the equestrian talent of the deceased grandmother who instilled the love of horses in her. But when the horse causes mayhem at the trainer’s facility, he sends them home. Selah must gather her courage and face up to the trainer or watch her dreams gallop away.
About the Author
Instilled with the need to create, I love building projects and writing adventure stories. I’m a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse. I adore grandchildren, horses, bunnies, mochas, and forest trails.
I’ve published three books in an equestrian series. I write at an antique secretary desk that occupies a glass room with a forest view. Fittingly, it once belonged to the same wise grandmother who introduced me to the love of reading via Walter Farley’s horse books. That desk has secret compartments which hold memories, mysteries, and story ideas.
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice
Giveaway ends: May 29, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Count and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to [email protected].
Brief summary of the story:Vanessa Bennett lands her dream job working at the Palace in Tarsurella. She struggles to balance everything on her plate: life in a new country, stressful deadlines, crabby co-workers, college classes at the local University, and blossoming feelings of romantic adoration toward her boss–King Addison. Keeping up with her To-Do list, while trying to earn respect in Addison’s male-dominated administration, presents its challenges. Nevertheless, she can’t help but fight a reoccurring thought and the excitement rising with it: is Addison interested in her?
Addison is adjusting to his new role as King. Rumors of a rebellious uprising among the youth in Tarsurella intensifies, as acts of violence and protest break out across the city. Addison is determined to uncover the hidden instigator who fearlessly blogs democracy-driven ideals with a secretive pen name. Will Addison discover and expose the fiery rebellion leader? Or will his efforts fail to stop the rebellious thoughts spreading like wildfire, causing a heartbreaking rift in his divided nation?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The tiny nation of Tarsurella is located in modern day Europe, between France and England.
The crowning jewel of Tarsurella is most certainly the Palace of Tarsurella. Tourists flock from all over the world to visit the ancient Palace, which is listed as one of the Top 25 Must See Palaces in Europe. The capital city is totally adorable as well, and has tailored their downtown area to appease to tourists. Tourism is what keeps this tiny little nation afloat, so a vast majority of jobs within Tarsurella are connected to the tourist industry. Main Street offers classic carriage rides and is speckled with gift shops and restaurants on every corner. The historic downtown area strives to keep some of the charm of their early years, so you can find employees dressed in vintage paper boy outfits and women in fanciful hoop skirts, entertaining the crowds. Ice-cream and fudge are a huge tourist fave! Eating at The Royal Restaurant is a must, as well as strolling through the Queen’s Gardens. Especially in the springtime, when everything is in bloom, and there’s a lively little flower festival! Tarsurella has a lot to offer to Tourists, so I hope you’ll come take a trip!
What dangers should we avoid in Tarsurella?Tarsurella has always been a safe, friendly, welcoming country. But political unrest is stirring, and has resulted in recent riots and protests in the streets. It’s a tough time for the nation. I’d hate to say, “Don’t come to Tarusrella, because you never know what might happen on the streets”, but honestly, things have been very rocky. So please still come visit, but just stay aware of your surroundings, and pray for the peace of this country!
Sea food is pretty big in Tarsurella, as it is in many parts of the Europe, but Clark Myers, the head cook at the Royal Restaurant, is famous for his seafood dishes. Many travel to this country just so they can get a taste of Clark’s food! One of his most popular dishes is a Sea Food Melody, with oyster, crab, sushi and clam sea-weed wraps, dipped in a sweet tangerine sauce. Foodies pretty much freak out after their first bite. Tarsurella is also known for their fried baby octopus.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Tarsurella.
What is the political or government structure in Tarsurella? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Author Autobiography:
I’m a twenty-something author, singer, and songwriter. I enjoy crafting YA fiction that is pure, lovely, inspirational, and of course, entertaining! When I’m not writing, you can usually find me playing guitar, blogging, drinking peppermint tea, connecting with new friends, planning my next trip to Disney, or pinning images of Europe and Golden Retriever Puppies.
Where can readers connect with you online? <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.MsoFooter, li.MsoFooter, div.MsoFooter {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-link:"Footer Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.MsoPageNumber {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-unhide:no; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.FooterChar {mso-style-name:"Footer Char"; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:Footer; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-language:ZH-TW;} @page WordSection1 {size:595.45pt 841.7pt; margin:.8in .8in .8in .8in; mso-header-margin:53.85pt; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}
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Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
On Tour with Prism Book Tours
What do you hope readers take with them after they read it?
People can change. Troy grows into a better man, and we see that reflected through Bridget’s responses to him through the course of the story.
Also, what you see on the surface isn’t always the truth. Michelle judges Troy based on what she sees – a hockey player without any problems, which is a stark contrast to her own life. She discovers there’s more to his story. Michelle is dealing with her own problems, beyond the financial pressures that are apparent on the surface. And those rise up unexpectedly.
Mostly, I hope readers enjoy these characters, and the journey they take to find their HEA.
Kids will lie about their bedtime.
Beer is not an appropriate snack…
“This book is so sweet, delightful, heartwarming and, at times, emotional. I thought it was pretty good. Michelle and Troy were great, relatable characters, with perfect chemistry.”
If only it could have been Mitch, still with them in every way. Coming in hot and sweaty from a run and pulling her into his embrace while she squealed, and he pretended not to understand what she was squealing about…
Troy raised his eyebrows. “Hello?”
Michelle forced herself to glance up, and she saw amusement in his eyes. He thought she was tongue-tied from staring at his naked chest. As if. Yes, she was staring at him, but she could handle an attractive body. It was remembering the past that would bring her down.
“Her Family’s Defender by Kim Findlay is different from typical books that I read, in that it brought me into the world of Canadian ice hockey, and I thoroughly enjoyed it…
Kim Findlay has crafted an entertaining story that romance fans will enjoy, even those not particularly interested in sports (like me). I look forward to much more from this author.”
He’s gone from winning the Stanley Cup, hockey’s highest prize, to battling cancer, and now he’s figuring out who he is after these experiences. He’s 6’2″, in excellent physical shape, and he’d agree that he’s good-looking. But his life is changing…
“This is a well-written book. There are things that happen to us in our lives that are hard to deal with and difficult to put behind us.
This book is a wonderful love story with people who are dealing with many of the hardships we all have to deal with. “
What did he want from Michelle anyway? He remembered all his own arguments against dating mothers. They had responsibilities, and that wasn’t something he wanted to take on. And just as important, they had kids, and kids shouldn’t be hurt.
Right now, though, the idea of responsibility wasn’t scaring him. It wasn’t a vague thing anymore; these were two kids he was attached to. Being responsible for them sounded okay. Better than okay. Being part of their family tonight, and the taco night…he’d truly enjoyed that.
And he’d move heaven and earth to make sure those two weren’t hurt.
“I loved this book! From when Michelle and Troy first meet until the end this was such an enjoyable and fun read…
I’d recommend Her Family’s Defender to fans of contemporary romance, it was just wonderful.”
“Her Family’s Defender is the Second book in the A Hockey Romance series by Kim Findlay. . . . This is a great family friendly romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“If you are craving a sports romance that will make you smile and swoon, with characters you’ll quickly come to care about, then Her Family’s Defender is a great choice for you! The Canadian setting was a nice change of pace and, even though I know basically nothing about hockey, I really enjoyed that dimension to the story as well. Additionally, I loved the role that the characters from book 1 played in this novel despite the fact that I have yet to read their particular story. A cute story with layered characters and a sweet message!”
Michelle is focused on her family. She grew up in a military home, moving around, and enlisted herself, where she met and married another recruit. He came back from deployment suffering from PTSD, and eventually committed suicide…
“Her Family’s Defender was an nice story. I really liked Troy, who began the story as a quintessential bachelor, but by the end was intricately entwined in the Robinson family…
I liked Michelle. . . . I enjoyed their family dynamic, and especially enjoyed the way Troy fit right in.
…I enjoyed this title and look forward to reading more from this author.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Angie spat out, giving her mom the side eye. “But Mom’s afraid to leave us completely alone at night.” For twelve the kid could really give attitude.
“If you don’t want a babysitter, what are you doing here?” Troy asked.
Angie sighed, burdened by these slow-witted adults. “Mom doesn’t trust us. She got someone to come for the night, just as if we were babies, but that person canceled. I can take care of my brother. I just need a responsible adult I can call if anything happens,” Angie retorted.
“Am I responsible enough?” Troy asked with a grin.
“As a hockey fan who is enjoying cheering for her team in the playoffs, what more could I ask for than a hockey romance? How about one with miscommunication and dislike between the guy and gal? Or with a couple of kids in the mix?”
“I really enjoyed this one. . . . This book had all the feels, but also a good amount of humor. I just gobbled this book up.”
If he was honest, the day he’d been told the cancer was gone had been incredible, in a completely different way.
But that victory had been humbling and private, and something he hoped never to repeat again. The Cup he intended to win again if he could.
He wasn’t going to tell all that to a twelve-year-old, though, so he simply said that not much could top hoisting the Cup over your head.
“Emotion filled and reality laced! From the first page, we are captivated by the emotional journey these two characters are embarking on as they set out to pick up the pieces of their ravaged lives and find a way to carry on. . . . Overall, a solid read.”
Her Family’s Defenderby Kim Findlay
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
May 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
He has home advantage…
But she’s got a strong defensive play.
Hockey star Troy Green never gives up. Not on the ice. Not when he battled cancer last year. And not when it comes to his new neighbor, Michelle Robinson. Troy only wants to help the struggling single mom and her sweet kids, but soon he’s falling for her. Is Troy finally ready to trade in his bachelor life and become a family man?
Crossing the Lineby Kim Findlay
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
March 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Icebreaker or endgame?
Can two devoted athletes make room in their lives for love?
Mike Reimer knows from experience that hockey and relationships don’t mix. And hot-tempered swim coach Bridget O’Reilly couldn’t be more wrong for the widowed pro goalie, aka the Iceman. As the playoffs approach, Mike’s growing feelings for her could melt the hardest heart. But what if being with Bridget means letting down his team…and, worst of all, himself?
Kim Findlay lives in Toronto, Canada, with her very handsome husband, two strapping sons, and possibly the world’s cutest spaniel. When she can get time away from her accounting business, Kim can be found traveling, sailing, reading, or writing, depending on the season, time of day, and her energy level. You can find her at kimfindlay.ca, @missheyer74, or on Facebook.
– 1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card and an ebook of Crossing the Line
– Ends May 9th
Summary: One day Catalina overhears the king planning to build a wall and fears her family will never be able to visit. Catalina tricks the king into building walls that droop, drip, swirl, and swoosh away. But now the king demands a wall that will outlast even a Twinkie. Luckily, Catalina has the perfect ingredients to bake up a family reunion!
Available on Amazon & Eifrig Publishing
Take a peek inside the book…
Patty Costello lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, a crazy awesome toddler, a dog named Pippa, and a dog named Spencer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of St Thomas and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. She currently works in higher education. Catalina and the King’s Wall is her first book. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found standing at her desk, helping her university run smoothly and working on her next story.
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice
Giveaway ends: May 31, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Patty Costello and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to [email protected].
Everywhere You Want to BeYoung Adult Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 288 Pages
May 1st 2018 by Blink
From author Christina June comes Everywhere You Want to Be, a modern tale inspired by the classic Red Riding Hood.
Matilda Castillo has always done what she was told, but when she gets injured senior years, she watches her dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer slip away. So when Tilly gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the summer with a New York dance troupe, nothing can stop her from saying yes–not her mother, not her fears of the big city, and not the commitment she made to Georgetown. Tilly’s mother allows her to go on two conditions: one, Tilly will regularly visit her abuela in New Jersey, and two, after the summer, she’ll give up dancing and go off to college.
Armed with her red vintage sunglasses and her pros and cons lists, Tilly strikes out, determined to turn a summer job into a career. Along the way she meets new friends … and new enemies. Tilly isn’t the only one desperate to dance, and fellow troupe member Sabrina Wolfrik intends to succeed at any cost. But despite dodging sabotage and blackmail attempts from Sabrina, Tilly can’t help but fall in love with the city, especially since Paolo, a handsome musician from her past, is also calling New York home for the summer.
As the weeks wind down and the competition with Sabrina heats up, Tilly’s future is on the line. She must decide whether to follow her mother’s path to Georgetown or leap into the unknown to pursue her own dreams.
In EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE, Tilly and her fellow dancers are preparing for a performance at the end of the summer. There’s a lot at stake, both for the dancers and the choreographer, Sage. The piece is about fighting your demons, both external and internal, so the music I listened to while writing often reflected that, in the artist’s life, their lyrics, or the mood of the song.
“And each of you is going to do a little self-reflection while you’re here.” A collective groan echoed softly through the room. Sage chuckled. “Nothing you can’t handle. The theme I want you all to remember while you’re dancing is ‘slaying the dragon.’ That could mean an actual dragon, like in a fairy tale. It could mean defeating an enemy in a war, like Joan of Arc. It could mean something within yourself. But you need to do some thinking on what, or who, inspires you to keep going. Get a book. Watch a movie. Observe the people in your life.” Sage’s voice grew quieter. “Some of my favorites are the ones who battled and lost. For example, I’ve often used the music of Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin in my pieces because you can hear them wrestling with their emotions when they sing.”
Here’s my playlist on Spotify.
Other Books in the Series
It Started with GoodbyeYoung Adult Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 304 Pages
May 9th 2017 by Blink
Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she’s stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF’s gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client). When Tatum discovers she’s not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela-slash-fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.
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. Christina is the author of IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE, EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE, and the forthcoming NO PLACE LIKE HERE.
– 1 winner will receive an ebook of IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE and EVERWHERE YOU WANT TO BE
– Ends May 5th
The Socks
About the Book
The SockKids focus on educating children and adults how bullying affects us all and what we can do about it.
Do you know where your socks go when they go missing in the washing machine? Well, the SockKids know! The SockKids are a mismatched family of socks that sometimes time travel through the spin cycle, teaching universal lessons of love and kindness, and focusing on creating a greater awareness of the many social issues that children are faced with today. The SockKids help to educate and encourage children from 2 to 92 to find solutions in helping to make this a better world.
In this story, Sudsy and Wooly discover their human is being bullied at school and team up against bullies with Ethan’s newest friend, Olivia. They discover bullying hurts everyone and staying silent is not an option.
More Inside! Children’s counselor and licensed therapist, Jamie Ross, gives adults and children guidelines on how to handle bullies.
About the Author
Michael John Sullivan is the creator of the SockKids. Constantly searching for his socks, he wondered whether the missing foot comforters had found another pair of feet to warm. So he searched and searched, until he discovered these elusive socks likely time traveled. Before his interest in socks, Michael started writing his first novel while homeless, riding a NYC subway train at night. After being rescued off the train, he spent much of the past two decades helping raise two daughters while working at home in New York.
Michael eventually returned to his subway notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness (Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books imprint). Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreakone of the year’s best in 2010. His second novel, Everybody’s Daughter (Fiction Studio Books, 2012) was named one of the best books of 2012 by TheExaminer.com. He completed the trilogy by having The Greatest Gift published by The Story Plant in 2015.
Michael has written articles about the plight of homelessness for CNN.com, The Washington Post.com, Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post, and America Online’s Patch.com service. He is a former board member of the Long Island Coalition For the Homeless.
About the Illustrators
Shelley Larkin performs many tasks for the SockKids. She develops ideas, co-writes books, and is the marketing and promotions director. She has spent a lifetime of wondering where her missing socks go. The SockKids are grateful to finally solve this mystery for her.
She loves that children and their parents are drawn to the diversity of the SockKids family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences; treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course, beware of the spin cycle! In addition, she is dedicated to finding the right soap for Sudsy.
Shelley is also a passionate child advocate, working with a variety of cause-driven organizations such as Destination Imagination, Up & At It!, Child Abuse Prevention Council, 3 Strands, the International Bullying Prevention Center, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters Youth Organization. Shelley has developed a keen sense of awareness of what children experience today in dealing with such important issues including bullying and recognizes the importance of putting into place the type of value-added programs that will effectively strike a nerve in preventing our youth from losing their way to a safe and productive future.
In her spare time, she is an event planner and resides in California.
Susan Petrone lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, her daughter, and two silly dogs. When she isn’t writing SockKids stories, she writes novels and short stories (her work has been published in Glimmer Train, Featherproof Books, The Cleveland Review, Muse, Conclave, and Whiskey Island) writes about her beloved Cleveland Indians at ItsPronouncedLajaway.com for ESPN.com’s SweetSpot network. Her most recently, Throw Like A Woman, was published by The Story Plant in 2015.
Alexandra /SugarSnail dreamed of becoming an illustrator since childhood, even though she didn’t know the profession actually existed. She later graduated from college with an MFA in graphic design.
She never gave up on her dream, so she decided to do what she loved best – become a children’s illustrator. SugarSnail’s beautiful artwork can be seen in many children’s books.
To reach Alexandra Gold/SugarSnail, follow her on Facebook.
Book Blast Giveaways
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or $50 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice and a second winner will receive One pair of SockKids Socks
Giveaway ends: May 14, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Michael John Sullivan and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to [email protected].