Are you an avid reader looking for your next "fix"? Can't bear to be without some form of reading material in your spare time? Welcome to my world! Whether you are seeking a new book to "feed your need", or you are an author seeking an unbiased point of view on your own recent masterpiece, this is the place to be. With life as with books, you never know where the next step might take you...

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Tis the season for STORYBOOKS!: Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights by Charlotte Offsay, Illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt - REVIEW!


Tis the season for STORYBOOKS!
You know, those short tales filled with WONDER, illustrations, memories in the making, and morals to take away.  They are an integral part of childhood, and a great way to step back to those days as an adult reader.  They're beautiful to add to your own collection, and a great gifting idea for little readers in the making.  

Today's featured title comes to us via Random House Children's Books and focuses on a story that's just as beautiful as the season.  It takes us through a modern day celebration that has its roots deeply in the past, and adds in a bit of edutainment to broaden our knowledge horizons.  So whether you already take part in this seasonal affair, or are simply curious to know more, take a closer look between the pages of today's ebook of choice...


by
Charlotte Offsay
Illustrated by
Menahem Halberstadt
9780593808726
Doubleday Books for Young Readers

About the book...
A warm and yummy Hanukkah-themed picture book about the joys of coming together to celebrate with family and food.

It’s time to start counting sleeps—Hanukkah is coming! Shimmering, shining, sparkling. Eight sweet nights, a festival of lights.

Set in a cozy house full of latkes, applesauce, sufganiyot, and other Hanukkah holiday treats, this warm and emotional story highlights the importance and joy of passing along traditions from one generation to the next, and making new traditions too.



🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎


Hanukkah.
Feast of the Maccabees.
Festival of Lights.

All names for the same celebration that takes place over the course of eight nights some time between November and the beginning of January (this year happens to fall on December 25th through January 2nd). In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.  What most on the outside see is the lighting of the candles in the menorah, eight days of gifts, and foods being cooked in celebration of the season.  On the inside of the celebration, there are connections to the past to remember, traditions to be carried out, and new memories to be added to carry it all forward to the next generation.  

The story between these pages let's us share in the festivities of the first night. It shares the traditional names, foods, and histories that go along with eight nights of celebration.  It shares a bit of the why behind the practices, as does the add in at story's end, while respecting the who both between the pages and the individual reading the pages so that no one feels left out, nor disrespected.  There's a joy, and a peacefulness to the tale that stays with you through the turn of the final page, while the beauty of the togetherness illustrated warms your heart.

A great story to add to your holiday reading this season and a great gift idea for those you hold dear!



🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎




Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



Monday, November 25, 2024

Tis the season for thrills, chills, and holiday escapes with Author Tony Lee Moral - GUEST POST!


Tis the season for thrills, chills, and holiday escapes!
Sound like a mixed bag of fun?
Certainly...but not everyone is looking for a certain greeting card type of story this time of year.  Some people's reading tastes veer to something with a bit more mystery and suspense, but still keeps them immersed in the spirit of the season.  Or perhaps you're looking for the perfect gift for someone on your list that fits that bill?  In either case, today's special GUEST POST is something you'll want to pay attention to as we take a closer look at TWO of their latest releases just waiting to be checked off your lists once...or twice.  Ladies and gents, I give you author Tony Lee Moral...


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Discover the Thrills of Holiday Escapes with 
The Two Masks of Vendetta and The Passion of the Cross

As the holiday season approaches, many of us crave thrilling stories that are perfect companions for cozy nights by the fire, coffee in hand, as we escape into fascinating worlds beyond our own. My two novels, The Two Masks of Vendetta and its sequel The Passion of the Cross, make excellent reads as we move toward Thanksgiving and Christmas. With their festive yet mysterious settings in New York and Rome, these books are ideal for readers eager to immerse themselves in tales of suspense and intrigue that complement the holiday spirit.


The Two Masks of Vendetta: Mystery in the Heart of Festive New York

The Two Masks of Vendetta captures the pulse of New York City, a city that truly comes alive during the holiday season. Readers are transported to iconic locations like Park Avenue and the glittering Rockefeller Center, where mystery and elegance combine against a backdrop of festive lights. New York’s famed window displays on Fifth Avenue and the magic of Times Square set the scene for a thriller in which secrets unfold within an autumn wonderland. Descriptions of New York add depth to this suspenseful tale, letting readers feel the chill in the air and the thrill of the unknown.

The city itself becomes a character, drawing readers into the pulse of Manhattan, from the Lower East Side to the Meatpacking district. As the protagonists navigates New York’s festive yet shadowy streets, readers are immersed in a perfect blend of the holiday atmosphere and suspenseful intrigue, making this story a seasonal page-turner that’s ideal for Thanksgiving or pre-Christmas reading.



The Passion of the Cross: A Christmas Journey Through Ancient Rome

For those seeking a holiday read with a European twist, The Passion of the Cross transports readers to Rome, a city that glows with history, especially during festivities such as Christmas and Easter. Rome’s timeless architecture, winding alleys, and breath-taking holiday decorations make the setting feel immersive and even mystical as the protagonist uncovers secrets tied to Rome’s ancient landmarks.

During the holiday season, Rome is adorned with nativity scenes, twinkling lights, and festive markets, and the novel brings readers into the heart of the city. The story’s central plot, revolving around a high-stakes investigation for the hunt for the true cross of Jesus Christ, captures Rome’s mysterious aura, with scenes set against the grandeur of the Vatican, the Pantheon, and the cobbled streets of Trastevere. The book offers an exciting balance of suspense and holiday spirit, as readers can almost smell the roasted chestnuts from Roman street vendors and feel the city’s energy.


Why These Novels are Perfect for the Holiday Season

Both novels offer an escape into atmospheric worlds—New York’s thrilling pace and Rome’s historic allure. For readers looking to add a sense of suspense to their holiday reading list, The Two Masks of Vendetta and The Passion of the Cross are suspenseful choices. My background in writing about Alfred Hitchcock has given me an edge for crafting suspenseful thrillers and also using locations to the max to advance the plot. Whether curled up by the fire or traveling, these stories of mystery in festive settings bring a fresh, exhilarating twist to holiday reading.


Ready for Your Next Holiday Thriller?


With The Two Masks of Vendetta and The Passion of the Cross on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase, this holiday season is the perfect time to explore the sights and sounds of the holiday season and experience the mystery, suspense, and magic of these incredible cities. Both Kindles will be on sale for 99 cents starting on Black Friday.





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About the author...


Tony Lee Moral is an author and mystery and suspense writer who has written four books on Alfred Hitchcock: Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards (2024) published by Titan Books; The Young Alfred Hitchcock's Movie Making Masterclass (2022) published by Sabana/MWP books; The Making of Hitchcock's The Birds (2013) published by Kamera Books and Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie Revised Edition (2013) published by Roman and Littlefield/Bloomsbury.

He is also the author of four novels; The Two Masks of Vendetta (2024) and its sequel The Passion of the Cross (2024) published by The Book Guild in September; The Cat That Changed America (2022) and Ghost Maven (2019).


SITE  |  AMAZON



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Special thanks to author Tony Lee Moral for the chance to bring this spotlight to you and for the special guest post.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles, or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  Both titles are available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer for a "me" gift or an easy way to check off the thriller fan on your shopping list!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!


Friday, November 22, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: Adventures at Lake Omigosh by Scott Sollers, Illustrated by Bryan Janky - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!


We're heading towards the holidays, and they're coming faster than some may like, but that doesn't mean the good old days of summer should be forgotten. The time spent with friends, days in the sun, adventures taken, and close calls laughed about later... they all turn into memories to cherish.

Today's AWARENESS TOUR making its way through the blogosphere via The Children's Book Review features a book about those summer days we hold in memory with a nod towards friendship, a dash of the extraordinary, and a reminder about boat safety! Trust me, it works. Ladies and gents, today's ebook of choice and blog tour guest...



by 
Illustrated by
Bryan Janky
Ages: 4-8 | 39 Pages
9798891381742
Mascot Kids


About the book...
Felix and Harry, two best friends, are super excited to go away for the summer to Camp Horizon, a sleepaway camp in the woods of New Hampshire. There, they can bike, hike, and ride canoes on Lake Omigosh. But something mysterious lurks in the depths of the lake.

For many years, people have claimed to have spotted a mysterious creature drifting on the surface of Lake Omigosh. One day, when Felix and Harry decide to go canoeing, a bad storm arrives, putting the two in real danger. Who will come to their rescue when their canoe flips over and the boys are left stranded in the middle of the lake? Fuel your imagination with Adventures at Lake Omigosh.







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☀️ Summer camp. 🏕 
For some it's a right of passage, for others a dreaded annual occurrence, and for others still a much anticipated tradition that brings new adventures, the chance to build lifelong friendships, and the ability to enjoy every last minute of summer fun. This story focuses on that last viewpoint with Felix and Harry becoming the stars of their own summer camp adventure on the shores of Lake Omigosh. 

Strange name? I thought it was pretty cool actually, and when you find out how it got that name, it makes total sense! No, I'm not about to spoil it for you, but read it and you'll see... not to mention that namesake plays a big part in the boys making it back from their ill-started trip on the lake. Yes, that's where the boating safety I mentioned earlier comes in. It's great to have a row on the water, but even better to do so safely so that you're there for more adventures still to come. The friendship between these two vibrates off the page, and you can't help but get caught up in the excitement and joy that you see on the faces of the campers illustrated throughout. 

It's a great tale for summertime or when you're longing for those days that seem so far away, but it's also a fun way to introduce myths, and show how amazing summer camp can be. So chase away those wintertime blues, and get ready for your next sunny day escape right from the comfort of your favorite reading spot!




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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Having worked as an investment banker in the municipal securities industry for decades, Scott Sollers created this and other nighttime stories for his daughter, Stephanie, when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories and finally had the inspiration to get them published. Scott still works, is an avid golfer, and leads a not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children. He currently resides in San Mateo, California, with his cat, Charlie.

For more information, visit scottsollersauthor.com.





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!!! GIVEAWAY !!!

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a hardcover copy of Adventures at Lake Omigosh and a notebook.


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Special thanks to Bianca of The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this title to you and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this author, her other works, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!



TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Instagram Post for Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Thursday, November 14, 2024
Book Activity for Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Friday, November 15, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Book Spotlight of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Thursday, November 21, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Friday, November 22, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Monday, November 25, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Thursday, November 28, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Monday, December 2, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Thursday, December 5, 2024
Author Interview with Scott Sollers

Friday, December 6, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh

Monday, December 9, 2024
Book Review of Adventures at Lake Omigosh



Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!




Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... A LEGEND IN THE BAKING by Jamie Wesley- REVIEW!

It's that time again!
Time for another BOOK BIRTHDAY celebration to kick off the release of something you won't want to miss! This time around, we're bringing you a new title out TODAY via St. Martin's Press...


by
Jamie Wesley 
9781250801883
St. Martin's Press 


About the book...
August Hodges was supposed to be the silent partner in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes. Emphasis on silent. That is until his impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn’t a threat to masculinity goes viral, making him the hottest bachelor in town. With a new location in the works, August and his partners decide to capitalize on this perfect opportunity to help cement their place in the community. But the hiring of his best friend’s younger sister, the woman who has haunted some of his best dreams for years, was as much of a shock as his new-found fame.

Social media manager Sloane Dell fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. Still, she accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity, knowing it’s the big break her fledgling career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still August, i.e. sexier and sweeter than any man has a right to be. And that he drives her crazy with his resistance to all her ideas.

They vow to leave the past in the past. But when an explosive make-out session makes it clear their attraction burns hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams.

As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.



---------------------------------



Can I get a WOOT WOOT for that fab cover?! Okay, okay, let me focus. 

Today's book birthday spotlight shines on this delicious release that's about to romcom up your TBR. Take one part hot 🔥 bachelor that's a dynamite... in the kitchen (mind out of the gutter people!), one part social media manager with a past crush that isn't so much in the past, and you've got a recipe that's sure to ignite reader's tastes buds and/or imaginations 😉.

I really enjoyed this fun little romp through the pages. The culinary aspects mixed with the will-one-of-you-just-admit-to-your-feelings moments, and the positive voice for women in what can still be considered in the professional side of things a man's world. There's a bit of spice, but it sure tastes nice, and, as they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

🧁 Add this sweet treat to your reading escape list today for a delightful way to step away from the holiday hubbub and enjoy some me time! 


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Special thanks to the Sara and the St. Martin's Griffin team for the chance to share this title with you and the egalley for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now wherever books are sold. 

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!










RRR presents... Santa Maybe by Carla Luna - REVIEW!


Happy holidays!
Is it too early to be saying that?  GOOD QUESTION!  Technically, I'm undecided on the matter, but I do think that Thanksgiving is being given the bum rush at this point.  Poor little holiday isn't getting the attention it truly deserves anymore...but I digress.  Today's blog tour guest comes to us via Rachel's Random Resources, and stars the latest holiday release from author Carla Luna!  I've reviewed her work before, and happily doing so once again because it was A LOT of fun!  So whether you're HO-Ho-holiday-ing it up, or Bah-Hum-Bugging about, put a jingle in your reading with today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...



Santa Maybe
by
Carla Luna


About the book...
Have yourself a merry little fauxmance—with a dashing Santa who just might make it real.

Rosie Gonzalez isn’t having a wonderful Christmas time. Not when she’s at risk of losing her job as assistant manager of the Duchess—Victoria’s oldest boutique hotel. If she and her team can’t bring in more guests by the end of December, she’ll be let go. Adding to her stress is a calendar filled with family gatherings where her mom will inevitably nag her for still being single.

Drew Richardson isn’t faring much better. As if working alongside his ex at Northlife Fitness wasn’t bad enough, now she’s invited him to her December wedding. And since all his coworkers will be there, bailing isn’t an option. To get through it, he’ll need a plus-one for moral support.

So, when Rosie recruits him to play Santa for her hotel’s activities, he also proposes a fake-dating scheme to benefit them both. Just for the holidays—nothing more. But as things between them turn from nice to naughty, they’ll have to decide whether a real relationship could be the best Christmas gift of all.






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Fake romance trope, anyone?
How about a potential marriage of convenience?
Or maybe break it down to the base level of holiday romance?
Anyway you slice it, it comes off with a lot more attention than the last slice of holiday fruitcake.
Okay, so at my table that wouldn't be too hard to do...LOL...but seriously, this was a lot of fun!

From the various tropes running around that will draw their individual fan bases to the fabulous characters you'll be cheering on from the word go, the story potential was BIG and it lived right up to it!  I loved our leads, both Rosie and Drew.  They each had their histories, some shared and others not so much, and they each had their own challenges of the moment, which of course leads to the proposed solution for them both, but in the end, their hearts were totally in sync, and their chemistry was off the charts.  😉  ...no mistletoe needed, although the tree setup was PERFECTION!

If you're looking for a great holiday romance?  Check into The Duchess Hotel (see what I did there?!) and experience a staycation you won't want to forget.  OH, and did I mention it appears to be the first in a potential series?  Oh yeah...I'll be keeping room on my TBR for me!



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About the author...


Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Vancouver Island, she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.





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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you, and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!



Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!




Monday, November 18, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!


HI there!
Today, we're back with another AWARENESS TOUR making its way through the blogosphere via The Children's Book Review.  It features an adventure filled Middle Grade Fiction novel that's sure to capture the hearts and minds of Young readers, but that's not EXACTLY why I'm here today.  Check out the previous stops for reviews (and more), and keep reading right here as I welcome author Janet Fox for a special GUEST POST all about Crafting Courageous Heroines!



by
Janet Fox
9781665956666
Simon & Schuster Books (2024)

About the book...
A girl tackles a summer filled with mystery, treasure, and learning to be her true self in this middle grade adventure that’s a modern-day Holes set on a dusty dude ranch in Montana.

Becca Soloway’s perfect summer goes up in smoke when her mom flees a looming divorce by dragging Becca to a Montana resort. To make matters worse, her mom’s hasty booking lands them not at a spa, but an aging dude ranch called Far Away.

Becca is miserable until she meets the wrangler’s son, Jon, who shows her what might be the first clue to a century-old mystery: the lost treasure of a Robin Hood–like outlaw known as Pearlhandle Pete.

As they slowly uncover the true history of Pete, venture into the mountains, search haunted ghost towns, and are threatened by a treasure-hunter-social-media star, Becca discovers that treasure is in the eye of the beholder and the important things in life are always worth fighting for.






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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

Crafting Courageous Heroines: Building Becca’s Character in THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN by Author Janet Fox


My favorite part of writing is building characters. Especially my main characters. Main characters, or protagonists, like Becca Soloway in my newest novel THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN, need to be complex and interesting because one of their most important functions in story is to show how they change from start to finish. And one of the greatest changes a character can make is to learn the meaning of courage.


My job is to understand everything about a character like Becca – her flaws, her strengths, her dreams and desires, and so on – so that at the beginning of the story readers feel an attachment to her and by the end they can see that she has grown and has attained both her external goal and a deeper understanding of her own nature. 


The External Story Problem


When I come up with a story idea, here’s one place I begin to brainstorm: what is the story problem that this protagonist will face? In MYSTERY, I had the idea of a treasure hunt, so of course that meant that a number of characters might want to find the treasure – i.e., a competition. A race. Solving riddles and puzzles. Matching wits, and a ticking clock. Companions and enemies. 


That race to find the treasure became the external goal or story problem. Then I had to define the characters – especially Becca, the protagonist – who would face that problem. And to show how she would change and grow while doing so.


Courage, or a willingness to stand up against big odds and face big challenges, is something that readers want in characters, so it’s one of the traits that I need to show in a protagonist. In Becca’s case, I needed to give her both the external problem of the treasure hunt but also internal issues that may have nothing directly to do with that external problem. This would carve a path to show how she could exhibit the kind of courage that would take her through an internal arc of change.


The Internal Story Problem


I decided that Becca’s internal problem would be, first, that she was at the age where she was trying to figure out what kind of person she wanted to become. She was a nerd, and loved puzzles and figuring out mysteries, but right before the story starts, she was given the opportunity to become a part of the “in crowd” in her school, a member of the gang of cool girls. But that would mean abandoning everything she believed and also meant leaving behind her best friend who was being excluded. Would Becca try to fit in for the sake of popularity? Be cruel to her friend? Redefine herself through disloyalty? This was an internal problem providing great challenges for Becca.


I also decided that Becca’s parents were on the verge of separating, and maybe divorce. Both of these complications in Becca’s life – her fraught self-examination and the loss of family stability – would mean she had to spend time in the story figuring out her place in this new world order. Creating internal questions like these is one way to put a protagonist into a place of requiring courage, and having a protagonist confront obstacles to the external goal is another.


Bringing Everything Together


Weaving internal and external drivers together is the writer’s challenge. The treasure hunt needed to be important enough to Becca that she’d want to get it done, but I also needed to push her into scenes where she would have to make decisions that mirrored her internal problem. This meant making her act in ways that would show betrayal and insecurity, and taking her from there to a place where she could begin to chart a better path as a person. Her interactions with the secondary characters and especially her new friend Jon would set the stage for her development.


I really had fun creating this complicated web of issues. How Becca handled the needs of Jon versus her own needs was central to building the story. Becca was forced to make choices and through those choices to see how she created problems for both herself and for Jon. She was forced to examine her relationship to friends new and old. She was forced to uncover the true needs of her parents and what made the people around her happy, or unhappy. And she was forced to uncover the true value of treasure.


Courageous heroines don’t need to be defined by acts of great valor. They don’t need monumental battles or death-defying stunts to exhibit courage. Courage comes out in actions small and seemingly insignificant – like standing up for a friend even if it means losing status or being honest with yourself even if that introspection hurts.


My Writerly Goal


As a writer I don’t want to teach lessons to my young readers. I want to show them how we can become better people in those small and seemingly insignificant ways. Whether my readers will ever participate in a treasure hunt in Montana is beside the point. They will almost certainly face discrimination or hurtful behavior, and they surely will have to make their own choices as to the kind of people they want to be. They will hopefully absorb the idea that character – by which I mean decency, integrity, honor, and yes, courage – matters.


I hope my books provide entertaining blueprints for living a courageous life like Becca’s.





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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Janet Fox is an award-winning author with a deep passion for the magic of storytelling. Her writing journey began at age 8 with a poem published in the town newspaper, setting the stage for a career dedicated to writing captivating tales for young readers.

As a writer, Janet strives to create books to help grow young hearts and minds. Her 12 award-winning books span the spectrum of picture books through young adult, in a broad variety of genres.

As a mentor and book coach with 25 years in publishing, Janet’s mission is to guide writers through the twists and turns of their creative odyssey, turning struggles into triumphs. She has helped scores of writers achieve their dream of writing, revising, and, yes, publishing their children’s books.

For more information, check out janetsfox.com.





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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain, some fun swag, and a signed copy of Carry Me Home!





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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Janet Fox. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!


TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Instagram Post about The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Monday, November 4, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Monday, November 11, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Interview with Janet Fox

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Thursday, November 14, 2024
Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Friday, November 15, 2024
Interview with Janet Fox

Monday, November 18, 2024
Guest Post about The Mystery of Mystic Mountain



Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!




Tuesday, November 12, 2024

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree by Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Tim Budgen - REVIEW!


Hi again!
This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.



Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree
by
Anna Membrino
 Illustrated by
Tim Budgen
9780593807828

Okay, I gotta say, I'm really feeling a FIN-ship with Little Shark and Big Shark.  I mean, hello...they LOVE TO READ!  Friends from the word go!  Anywho, they start out enjoying a day of reading until a mysterious shadow lands something in their midst.  But wait, is that...a Christmas tree?  Seems to be, but things aren't exactly as they should be, bringing fishy frowns instead of smiles.  Good thing our sharky duo has a plan to make it merry and bright once again...and the end result is SEA-tacular!

The coral-filled and colorful illustrations are brilliantly done to entice little readers' eyes.  The easy read story style makes it less intimidating and therefore the perfect holiday pick for early readers just getting their feet wet...so to speak.  It allows kiddos to take center stage during story time not only to share their skills, but a tale of Christmas time fun to be enjoyed by all!



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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!


Monday, November 11, 2024

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: There's a Little Snowman in Your Book by Tom Fletcher - REVIEW!


Hello, hello!
This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're taking a look at a new Board Book, available now for your winter reading pleasure, that's filled with more than just words, and illustrations, and bookish joy.  That's right.  In today's book...there's a SNOWMAN!  Get ready for a flurry of fun as we step between the epages of today's featured title...


by
Tom Fletcher

Have you read ANY of the "in your book" series?  If you have, you know what you're in store for; if you haven't, it's high time you check it out because they are RIDICULOUSLY CUTE, FUN, and filled with friends you'll adore making and won't soon forget.

This time around, we're checking into a title filled with familiar friends, like Monster and Elf, and making a NEW wintertime friend.  You get to join the first two in making some snowy day magic that results in the appearance of Snowman!  Then with the right words, and a wave of your fingers, you'll be transported somewhere very, VERY far north where a certain holiday figure just so happens to reside.  You'll pay a visit to his workshop, meet a special team that's especially busy at this time of year, and get a special sneak peek at Snowman's present!  BUT, SHHH!  Don't tell him what it is!

The adorable illustrations never fail to impress.  The interactive nature of the stories allow readers of all ages to get in on the fun, and easily reach for it time and time again.  The consistency of the series, whether it be in sturdy, tiny hand friendly, Board Book format, or a little bit larger, and gloriously illustrated Storybook format, makes this one that you'll want to add to your bookshelves, and keep you adding it to as more and more release!  The variety of characters available makes it so that there's a little something for everyone, and some titles can be kept aside for more seasonal reads...not that you won't want to read about the Witch during summer, or the Elf at Easter!  Seriously, they are TOO CUTE TO MISS!



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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!


Sunday, November 10, 2024

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Christmas Forever by Elysa Dutton, Illustrated by Manu Montoya - REVIEW!



Hello, hello!
This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're getting our holly jolly spirit on with a title from Random House Children's Books.  It gives us a look at a grand adventure to make Christmas FOREVER!  (Can you IMAGINE?!)  SO, if you're ready, let's get between the epages ...


by
Elysa Dutton
Illustrated by 
Manu Montoya
9780593430996

Holiday decorations.  They each have their own time and place for display, and then they go back into storage until the next year rolls around.  It's dark, and musty, and certainly not filled with sparkling holiday delights...but what if they didn't have to go to this place?  What if...it could be CHRISTMAS FOREVER?!

Sounds perfect, right?  In theory, yes, but too much of anything is indeed still too much, but I digress; that's not the point of this tale.  This lovely storybook isn't setting out to make a case for one holiday at a time, but rather to remind us that what makes the holidays special isn't our location, or the chance that those times may never end.  What makes the holidays the holidays, the special moments those special moments, is the family and friends that surround.  It's the company we keep, the loved ones we draw close, the friends we hold dear...that's what truly gives the holidays that extra sparkle and shine...something the ornament friends come to realize when one of their own looks like their be left behind!

Readers will love teaming up with these ornament friends to put their plan into action.  You'll plot with them to make their dreams come true.  You'll give pause when you see there's a furry friend that might cause some mischief.  You'll laugh when an unexpected rescue takes place, and that four-legged little mischief maker gets a little taste of the mayhem they always seem to be causing!  The illustrations really play well with the story to bring it all to life, and the color palette keeps your attention without overpowering the tale.  A great addition to any family holiday reading time!


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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!






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