The Love That Binds Us by Phoenix Blackwood

 

Today you can get to know author Phoenix Blackwood better in this interview and then read an excerpt from The Love That Binds Us. Be sure to follow the tour for even more fun and then check out the giveaway at the end of the post!

Review of Always the New Girl by Kelly Vincent

 

Welcome to the review tour for Always the New Girl by Kelly Vincent. Today you get to read an excerpt and my thoughts on this coming of age YA novel. Be sure to follow the tour for even more after you download your own copy to read. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Review of Bad Boys Don't Date Clumsy Girls by KE Strand

 

I really enjoyed Bad Boys Don't Date Clumsy Girls by Ke Strand and will give you more details in my review. You can also check out an excerpt and enter the great giveaway! Follow the tour for even more!

Review of Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne

 

A teen girl hiding the scars of a past relationship finds home and healing in the words of strong Black writers. A beautiful sophomore novel from a critically acclaimed author and poet that explores how words have the power to shape and uplift our world even in the midst of pain.

"A true embodiment of the term Black Girl Magic.” –Booklist

When Darius told Angel he loved her, she believed him. But five weeks after the incident, Angel finds herself in Brooklyn, far from her family, from him, and from the California life she has known.

Angel feels out of sync with her new neighborhood. At school, she can’t shake the feeling everyone knows what happened—and that it was her fault. The only place that makes sense is Ms. G’s class. There, Angel’s classmates share their own stories of pain, joy, and fortitude. And as Angel becomes immersed in her revolutionary literature course, the words from Black writers like Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Zora Neale Hurston speak to her and begin to heal the wounds of her past.

This stunning novel weaves together prose, poems, and vignettes to tell the story of Angel, a young woman whose past was shaped by domestic violence but whose love of language and music and the gift of community grant her the chance to find herself again.

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

After a traumatizing event involving her boyfriend, Angel's mother decides to move her across the country to stay with her uncle in Brooklyn. 

She finds herself in a bit of culture shock because life in New York is markedly different than in Cali. But she also gets to enjoy a diverse collection of cultures as she gets to know her classmates and her neighborhood. I know I learned a lot, too, in this story that some have called a love letter to Brooklyn.

More importantly, Angel learns about herself. Her story is narrated in the present with several flashbacks along the way. Some of those flashbacks are repeated, but expanded for deeper reflection and understanding. It takes some time, but Angels does find herself and her niche and in ways that she hadn't anticipated. 

I also loved all of the literary references as she is introduced to new books to read. Some of them I read a long time ago and need to rediscover. Others are new and have been added to my TBR.

Adding to the wonderful coming of age story is the poetic way the author expresses herself. One early quote that I loved was "The two of them chat in floral patterns, speaking warmly with the same words and tones that pepper the air of Flatbush, Brooklyn." This poetric prose adds to the beauty of this story that I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly

 It's the second installment of this young adult, coming of age romance series. Read on for an excerpt and my thoughts on Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly. Then follow the tour for even more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

In love with the same face that haunts me….

The falling leaves of autumn are like the deceit in my family lineage. Closing the door on the infinite cold—winter blossoms into the spring of new beginnings. In the next season of my life, I’m mending the pieces back together. Opening myself up, I even begin to date, which is a big step for me.

After graduating from high school, a shocking development causes me to be on alert. When nothing comes of it, I move forward, wanting desperately to put the past behind me.

About to start college, I bump into someone from my complicated past, and my heart is torn. The dilemma I struggle with: Do I let other people’s opinion define who I am? I must decide if I’ll push through the ridicule and pave my own path. Could the face that’s scorned me be the key to my resolve? I’ll never know if I take the easy way out.

I’ve unlocked my darkest secret only to have it return to torment me. As the thorns of his obsession encompass me, I discover I’m part of a twisted ploy. If I don’t figure a way out of this predicament, then the life I’ve known may cease to exist.

Don’t miss the riveting sequel to Madison’s story that will have you dangling on the edge of your seat.

Read an excerpt:

The power of the wind beating against the windows becomes too much—two of them shatter. Glass explodes everywhere. Justin uses his body as a shield, keeping the invading glass from hitting me. Tanya screams bloody murder.

Jackson shouts from down the hall. “Move your asses, people!”

Justin ushers me in that direction quickly. As I move, I notice putting weight on my right foot is painful. It gives out against my will, then I’m hobbling.

Tanya rushes into the half-bath. Justin stops and scoops me up, carrying me the rest of the way, making me feel like a helpless child. It’s more than humiliating. We huddle in the half-bath. The room doesn’t have windows, thank goodness. Since the house doesn’t have a basement, this makes the half-bath the safest spot.

A flashlight propped up on the counter is our only source of light. Jackson’s forehead is wrinkled. Tanya is sitting on the toilet with the lid closed with her arms wrapped around herself. Justin is near me as I crouch in the corner, shivering uncontrollably. The house feels like an earthquake has gotten a hold of it—shaking under the wrath of the cyclone.

My heart is slamming against my ribcage. The sound blends in with the rumbling of the foundation. With the expressions on the others’ faces, I’m not imagining it. The tornado is right on top of us, and I’m certain the house is inside of it. For a couple of seconds, all sound seems to cease. The vroom of the monster is muted.

“Is it gone?” Tanya wonders.

My senses are waving red flags. The cyclone is nowhere near done. It’s only getting started. My intuition is confirmed when the roaring picks up again and, to my disbelief, is even louder. The theory about the eye is wrong. The center of the storm is not peaceful, only a momentary calm before the beast unleashes its full wrath. The wind is so ferocious, it takes everything in me not to cry.

Tanya lets out her fear. “Why is the house shaking? Why is it so loud?”

A moment later, it becomes clear why the house is trembling. It has been defeated and can no longer stay rooted. The roof cracks open. The cracks spread quickly, like worker ants determined to snag a meal, and then the roof rips off completely.

“Ah, hell!” Jackson yells.

Buy on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

I've been waiting for this sequel to come out, because I needed to know what was going to happen to Madison in the future. And if you haven't read the first book, you are not going to be able to truly appreciate her PTSD and the growth that she goes through.

The book starts out with a massive BANG and becomes something like VC Andrews meets reality TV. As it continues, it mellows out a bit, skimming over some time as Madison learns to cope with her PTSD and tries to get through her senior year of high school while raising her daughter - more of a coming of age YA story. She really comes a long way, but has had an awful lot of trauma. And the secrets and betrayals just keep on multiplying. And even though there are parts where the story seems to slow down a bit, something always ends up happening that picks up the pace again, making it a true roller coaster of a ride. But I couldn't put it down because I had to know what was going to happen, especially with her and Justin and the drama with his brother. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish Promotions for the requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old. She is grateful to have accomplished this dream. B. Truly has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of suspense and sci-fi. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, sci-fi, dystopian, and paranormal genres.

B. Truly likes to explore conflicted plots of romance with thrilling twists. She also loves creating impossible situations for her characters to grow from and try to overcome.

B. Truly has three wonderful children, and a husband who defines the person that she is today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Houston, Texas.

Contact Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276631.B_Truly

https://twitter.com/BrandyTruly

https://www.facebook.com/BTrulysFantasies

https://www.instagram.com/brandytruly/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-truly-a917a9b3/

B. Truly will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Iridescent by S.H. Everly

 

Be moved by faith, friendship, and family in the coming of age novel Iridescent by S.H. Everly. Read an excerpt and then follow the tour for more. Be sure to engage with the author in the comments! And best of luck entering the great giveaway.

For 17-year-old Katrina Peterson, life is never the same after she finds out she’s moving back to California. Upon arrival, Katrina learns that the town has secrets, and at the heart of them is the mysterious and popular Jared, who’s been dreaming about her long before she came to Santa Cruz. Only one thing seems to have all the answers: a map given to her by her mother. But Katrina wonders how long she can keep her own secret from Jared. Will he ever accept her for who she truly is? But, more importantly, can she? A story filled with friendship, family, love, and even faith, Iridescent will take you away to the beaches and ocean waters of Central California, and on a magical journey in this coming of age book.

Read an excerpt:

I stared at the water in front of me as I inched my way toward it, the sand damp under my toes. A sunray shone against my skin as I looked out at the rose gold sunset. The light hit the waves at just the right angles, sending the entire ocean into streams of gold, orange, and rose-colored confetti and ribbon.

I loved the sea—how one disturbance could send a thousand ripples in all directions, how light could change it in an instant, and how it was never one color. I loved that it sounded like it was breathing as it exhaled when it came across the sand and inhaled as it flowed back toward the water. And what I loved most of all were the animals that I knew lived inside it.

As the water rushed toward my feet, it seemed like the water would touch them, but suddenly it retreated, leaving white foam in its place. The sun had finished its descent into the horizon, and I finally let the water hit my toes as I felt the rush of a wave against my feet. The water was no longer rose-colored or gold; it had turned to a deep blue, mirroring the sky above me. The water was warm and smooth. I sighed a moment, feeling the wind in my hair and the water against my feet, but when I looked down, my toes were as blue as the water beneath me.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes and Noble  

(affiliate link included)

Sarah is the author of Iridescent. She is a lover of the ocean and the beach which have inspired her writing, and she is also inspired by her Christian faith. In her free time, she loves baking gluten-free recipes and painting. Something on Sarah's bucket list is to write a full first draft on a typewriter. She is excited to continue writing the sequel to Iridescent, Book 1 of the Iridescent Series.

Links:
Website: https://www.sheverlybooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheverlybooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheverlybooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SHEverly7

S. H. Everly will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Review of Finding Fate by Keelan Storm

Welcome to the Book Tour for 

Finding Fate
by Keelan Storm
February 15-19, 2021

Today I'm going to share my thoughts with you on this YA coming-of-age romance, which is the first in the Tied by Fate series. Plus you have the chance to meet some of the characters in their interviews! Be sure to also check out the great giveaway at the end. Enjoy!

Her whole world fell apart. When she tries to piece it back together, 

will she stumble or soar?

Summary: 

Isabel Dearly is tired of feeling depressed. Still grieving over the death of her father from cancer seven months ago, the seventeen-year-old has immersed herself in dance. But just as she’s starting to emerge from the darkness, she’s brutally betrayed by the handsome boy she’d only recently begun to date.

Rescued by her best friend, Isabel falls into his arms… and his bed. And when the consequences threaten her career options, she fears she may never be happy again.

Can Isabel figure out her future when the complications of the present refuse to let her go?

 

Buy on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

I love the relationship that these characters have with each other. Naturally, Annie and Izzy are going to be close because they are twins. But there's so much more than that. They have grown up together and their lives are very intertwined. And isn't it every girl's dream to fall in love with her best friend?

It's a coming of age story in the sense of first love, first loss, first time. There are a lot of emotions as the twins and their family are still mourning the loss of their father the previous year. Friendships are multidimensional and we don't always like everything that our friends do, leading to feelings of betrayal, even when their concerns are for our benefit.

Relationships are complicated. Being a teenager sucks. You are still a kid and yet you have to make a lot of adult decisions, especially in this story. I could really feel the conflicts within these characters as they had to make difficult decisions.

I think what I appreciated most about this book was its length. Too often, books are written in shorter formats and move along very quickly to wrap up everything in a pleasing ending. This one took the time to really show the ups and downs of the situation the kids find themselves in so that it couldn't all be wrapped up in 120 pages. It felt more real to me that way. I also felt like it touched on a lot of real situations that teens can find themselves in. I will say that I wish there had been better resolution with Wesley, though.

I really became invested in these characters and their story. I'm glad to know that their story continues in future books and will have to check those out as well.

Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours and the author for a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meet the characters from Finding Fate:

Jet:

Three things to describe yourself…

Patient, Laid Back, Observant

What do you like to do in your free-time?

My best friends all live in my neighborhood, so hanging out with Tucker and the twins is always at the top of the list. Parties are great, too. I do the sports thing like a lot of guys. Football team. Captain of the wrestling team. But surfing beats either of those any day.

I’m also really into cars. My dad’s a mechanic, and he’s been teaching me everything he knows for a long as I can remember. It’s not just a skill for me, it’s a passion. My biggest passion, though, would have to be my girlfriend, Annie. She’s like no girl I’ve ever met… my perfect match.

When did you first know you were in love with Annie?

If you ask anyone else, they’d say it was probably sometime during junior high because that’s when we started dating, but in reality? I’m that sucker that fell in love with the girl next door the first time I laid eyes on her. We were only four years old, so my concept of love was way different back then, but the moment I saw her, I knew she was something special. The hardest part was waiting for her to see me the same way.

Annie:

Three things to describe yourself…

Impatient, outgoing, athletic, protective, loyal, awesome, smart… Okay, so that’s more than three, but they’re all true. Ask me to start a list, and I’ll just keep going.

What are some of your interests and goals?

I love pretty much anything outdoors…surfing, swimming, jet skis. I live near the beach, so the water thing is kind of a theme. But running beats all of it. There’s nothing better than the wind in your face and the ground beneath your feet with your favorite music blaring in your ears… Seriously the best.

Sports aside, I love to party, but school’s really important, too. I’m shooting for class Valedictorian, and I’m involved in all kinds of activities. Track and student counsel being the most important. That and putting Tucker in his place when he screws up could probably be listed as a hobby. But that’s just part of being a good friend.

I don’t have a lot of girly interests. That’s really more my twin Izzy’s department, but I do like a good chick flick or rom com, and I’m not one to turn down a good mani-pedi. Not only are they good for time with my sister, but gross feet are just…gross.

You mentioned awesome girlfriend as a goal. Can you tell us about you and Jet?

Oh, my God, Jet…that boy is seriously my other half. He’s literally the calm to my storm. I go off the rails, and he brings me down. He centers me. I can’t ever imagine not being in love with him. Doesn’t hurt that he’s hot either.

Isabel (Izzy):

Three things to describe yourself…

The honest answer? Or the one everyone wants that keeps things from getting awkward? Kidding. I don’t have to take it there. I’d say the three main things to describe myself would be that I’m a good friend and sister, that I’m comfortable spending time alone…really, sometimes I prefer it, and while I’m pretty introverted, I have no problem standing up for myself if needed. Also…all things purple and glitter, lol.

Do you have any interests or goals you’d like to share?

Interests…I love kids. I’ve been babysitting for a few years now. And as much as I like peace and quiet, I’m obsessed with dancing. Like, life would be empty and weird without it.

Life would be empty and weird without my friends, too. Annie really is the best sister. We’re different in so many ways, but she’s my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Just like I don’t know what she’d do without Jet. Any time I miss stepping up to the plate, he’s there for her. They’re the real deal.

Sometimes, I wonder if I get a little jealous of what they have, but no. It’s not like that. I mean, I’d love to have that with someone one day. That all-encompassing love that you never have to doubt. Finding that person that just being in their presence makes breathing easier. That would have been pretty helpful this past year when my dad died.

Ugh. Sorry, I don’t know why I’m complaining. I had so much support. Especially from Tucker. He was a lifesaver sometimes. People don’t always give him enough credit. He might be girl-obsessed, but he can be deep when he wants, and he’s better at reading people than you’d think. At least with me, he is.

Tucker…I’m glad you brought him up. With Annie and Jet dating, that probably leaves the two of you paired up at times. Is there anything more there than meets the eye?

Anything more? Like as in feelings? Ha! I’m sorry, I’m really trying not to laugh. Tucker is hot, yes, okay, freaking gorgeous, and flirty, and pretty much the guy every girl around can’t keep their hands off of. God bless whatever girl eventually ties him down, but no. I have no interest in being another one of his fan-girls. He’s my best friend and someone I know that I can always turn to, but that’s all.

Even if that ever wasn’t the case, I have no interest in dating someone who can’t make a commitment, and Tucker’s too in love with playing the field.

Tucker:

Three things to describe yourself…

Athletic, friendly, determined

Any interests or goals you’d like to tell us about?

Interests… Girls. Girls. And I repeat, girls.

Okay, I’m not really that shallow. Getting attention from girls is great, but I swear there’s more to me. For example, I have no problem dropping a sure thing if a friend needs me. And I’d never let one distract me from my main goal. Letting a girl distract me, that is, not my friends.

Basketball’s my main goal, by the way. I’ve been captain of my high school team since sophomore year, and the college deal is already pretty much a set thing. Next step, keep working hard to go pro.

Training, parties, and hanging out at the beach are my main go-to’s for free-time. Not much to share other than that; I’m a pretty straightforward guy. My friends know I’ve got their backs, and girls know I just want them on theirs. All girls except the two that live across the street, at least. Jet’s my best friend, so Annie got stuck on a ‘don’t even think about it’ list years ago. And Izzy? She’s just…too good for anyone we know.

What do you mean by that? About Izzy being too good for anyone. Does that include you?

Uh. Yeah, that includes me. Izzy’s a-whole-nother level of girl. Not that I see her that way or anything. I mean, yeah, she’s gorgeous and incredible, but she’s been through so much, being her friend is more important than anything else. She’s always had my back when I mess up, and I’ve got hers. That comment just meant that it’s hard for me to imagine a guy that’s actually good enough for her. She deserves the best. Someone who can really make her happy.

Finding Fate Book Tour Giveaway Contest!

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About the Author: 

An author of young adult and coming-of-age romance, Keelan Storm brings readers pages packed with drama, heat, and emotionally heartfelt moments you won’t want to put down. With her soap opera style Tied by Fate series, you’ll find unwavering friendship, unpredictable twists and turns, swoon-worthy romance, and a fun cast of characters you can’t help but adore.

Keelan lives in Texas with her husband and two children, and when she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, taking midnight drives, pretty much anything teal, and inhaling unhealthy amounts of iced coffee.

Author Links:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/keelanstormfacebook
Twitter: https://bit.ly/keelanstormtwitterpage
Instagram: https://bit.ly/keelanstorminstagram
Pinterest: https://bit.ly/keelanstormpinterest
Author Website: www.keelanstorm.com
Newsletter Link: https://bit.ly/introducingfatenl

Tour Created by YA Bound Book Tours 

Review of Just Shelby by Brooklyn James

 

Welcome to the book review tour for Just Shelby by Brooklyn James. This really was a most intriguing coming-of-age novel that I won't soon forget. Read on for an excerpt as well as more of my thoughts and then follow the tour to find out what others have to say. Be sure to let the author know what you think along the way! Best of luck entering the giveaway.

A secret note square found in a handmade guitar proves that small town gossip is not only ubiquitous but occasionally true. This gossip comes with strings rivaling those on Ace Cooper’s guitar, the safest strings he will ever have around his heart.

Ace’s father warns him to stay away from the Lynn girl. Daughter of a deceased bootlegger and a barely living addict, Shelby Lynn is no stranger to small town contempt. She keeps her nose in the books and feet to the ground, a college scholarship the only escape from her tumultuous life.

As Ace’s heartstrings unravel, so does his family’s role in Shelby’s broken past. Thrust into a precarious journey of their roots brimming with music and betrayal, the two have never been closer…to the truth of how Shelby’s father died. One truth transforms every facet of their lives forever.

A dual POV friends-to-first-love story, Just Shelby is an unsuspecting mystery that depicts how growing together can sometimes hurt worse than growing apart.

Read an excerpt:

From male—Ace—protagonist POV (269 words):

I close my eyes and breathe meditatively. With the wren feather in hand, Shelby fans over me the smoke—or the smudge. Then she starts chanting in a language I cannot make heads or tails of. I don’t think she’s got it down either. But I love her for trying. Talk about courage!

“Do you feel anything?” she asks sounding hopeful, breaking from her chorus.

Cold. I feel cold. Underdressed for the light snowfall the higher elevation is about to receive. But I know that answer won’t do. I dig deep and at least tell the truth. “I feel like I could be a better son.”

“Oh. Okay. Cool.” She fans faster. “What about colors or images. Do you see any?”

Feeling isn’t enough? I’m supposed to see, too. Smudging, feather, wren—too obvious. Birds, feathers, owl—“I see an owl.”

“An owl!” she screeches, much like the feathered avian. “I think that’s a bad omen. A symbol of death?” She extinguishes the herbs, crushing them and their embers to bits. “I must have done something wrong. Unelanahi, disregard everything I just sent you!” She shouts into the sky, as innocent as the stars.

I chuckle, sitting upright and sliding forward on the hood, my legs encircling her hips. “Yes, death. If you don’t kiss me, I just might die.”

Her lips, so alive, are the perfect antidote to the grim reaper. The smudging may have been a flop, but she is a healer.

Spending time with her has begun to heal things within me that I didn’t know needed healing. My future aspirations, my relationship with Mom, the emptiness—she fills it.

Book Links

Linktree * Amazon * B&N *  Goodreads *  Smashwords * iBooks * Kobo 

**My thoughts**

This is the first book to hold my attention in a while. Part of that is that I have been sick. But really, it's because this was an intriguing story. I was drawn to Shelby from the get-go and her desire to get out of Appalachia and do something different with her life, escape from her difficult home life. But then we also started to get to know Ace and how their histories were so deeply entwined from the very beginning. Life choices were made about them and all around them that shaped who they are and what their destinies are supposed to be. The more they unravel the truth, though, they find that their destinies are actually something different than they had ever imagined.

The story of these two friends who fall for each other has plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing as everyone is trying to sort out the truth. And just like the characters, I was unsure about which direction I wanted some of it to go. 

There's a lot being said about the power of friends and family, and those friends who are actually your family. Is blood really thicker than water? Can you really change your perceived destiny in life and do something different? Can you learn to trust and to love again, even after betrayal throughout your life? Can you really start over? And are people always the way they seem? Can't someone change?

So much was happening in this book and the two characters had so much growth. They're so good together and learn so much. And then of course, there is the power of music. I wish my exhausted brain could better articulate all of my thoughts right now. But this is a story that is going to stick with me and one I will be quick to recommend to others to pick up and read.

Thank you to the author and to Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brooklyn James is an author/singer-songwriter who savors any opportunity to blend books with music. Her first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me, has an original music soundtrack, making for a unique Audible experience. Out of Boots grew a platform where it was Brooklyn's honor to serve as a guest speaker with a focus on awareness and prevention of domestic violence and suicide.

Her latest speaking engagements centered around accessibility, rights, and choice in birth, as well as writing workshops on how to put pen to paper composing one's own birth story with the release of her birth memoir, Born in the Bed You Were Made: One Family's Journey from Cesarean to Home Birth.

Just Shelby gifted both the challenge and the thrill of this author's primary exploration into the Young Adult genre. She cherishes reader reviews, if you should be so inclined.

Moonlighting occasionally in voice-over and film, Brooklyn played a Paramedic in a Weezer video, met Harry Connick Jr. as an extra on the set of When Angels Sing, appeared in Richard Linklater's Boyhood for all of a nanosecond, and was a stand-in and stunt double for Mira Sorvino on Jerry Bruckheimer's Trooper pilot for TNT. Although reading, dancing, working out, and a good glass of kombucha get her pretty excited, she finds most thrilling the privilege of being a mother to two illuminating little souls and a wife to the one big soul from whom they get their light.

Brooklyn holds an M.A. in Communication, a B.S. in both Nursing and Animal Science, and lives in Texas Hill Country.


Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.brooklyn-james.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynJamesAuthor/

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SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brooklyn-james-author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooklynjames7?lang=en OR @BrooklynJames7

Brooklyn is giveaway away a $10 Amazon/BN GC during the tour. 

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Review of Someone's Story by B.A. Bellec

 

Review of Micah McKinney and the Boys of Summer by Nina Chapman

With equal parts humor and heart, Micah McKinney and the Boys of Summer tells the story of twelve-year-old Micah as she embarks on the summer before middle school. More than anything, Micah hopes to undergo a miracle transformation. One that will bring with it new friends, a fresh start, and boobs . . . preferably the round kind. If that happens, then maybe she can finally forget about what happened in the past. About losing her mom, about losing her best friend, and about the disaster she became in sixth grade, when everything fell apart. She and her dad have just moved away from their old neighborhood, and Micah's childhood home, to put some space between themselves and the secret burden they both bear, one that's already changed their lives and has the power to do even more damage. Soon after moving into her new neighborhood, Micah is greeted by the Water twins, Luke and Megan. Micah is surprised to find herself caught between their two worlds. In one world, there's Luke and his band of neighborhood boys, who challenge Micah in feats of strength, crowning her the kahuna at the local pool and vying for her attention, even though she doesn't quite understand why. And then there's Megan, whose world is full of lip gloss and padded bras, and the fine art of being a girl. As Micah awkwardly navigates her way through crushes, friendship, and the challenges of becoming a teenager, she discovers that the real transformation that needs to take place is in how she sees herself.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(affiliate link)

**My Thoughts**
I loved this book so much. Micah recently lost her mother and had some kind of a crisis with her old friends. She and her father have moved to the other side of town so that they can start over again. We eventually find out what happened and then you really feel sorry for her.

Micah is also at that awkward stage where she is 12 turning 13, so she wants to grow boobs and is trying to find out who she really is. Anyone who went through puberty is going to understand that.

But underneath her questioning and awkwardness is an amazing young woman who has a lot more confidence than she ever realized she had. She also is not into the typical girly-girl stuff that the new girls in her life seem to be. That and her feisty competitive nature help to win her over to the boys in her new neighborhood. They appreciate her for being real, for sharing in their joking, and for keeping up with them in the athletic world. And yes, there are some crushes going on in both directions.

This book reminded me a little bit of Mean Girls with a lot of Judy Blume undertones written for the modern girl. I thought back to my own awkward years and was reminded of a lot of amazing young women I know today. Micah is a young lady worth looking up to and is easily relatable. And again, I just loved this book. I recommend it for all coming of age girls.

I hope the author continues to write more, because I think she is a great voice in this YA world

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anne by Zarina Macha

YA Coming-of-age

Published: June 2019

Anne Mason has a storybook childhood.

A wealthy father, loving mother, and a beautiful home in Richmond.

But behind the polished windows, Anne’s father brutally terrorizes her mother.

Sent to live with her aunt and uncle, Anne enrolls in boarding school. Though she thrives, the traumas of her past gnaw at her insides.

Will hope and inner strength prevail?

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Excerpt

Picture this. A room with two cosy armchairs and a brown wooden table resting between them holding a small clock, tissues, and minuscule pieces of Celebrations chocolate. The temperature was not cold, and not hot, but that perfect warmth you get from adjusting both the window and radiator heating. In one of the armchairs sat a middle-aged man, bespectacled, foreign — German, perhaps — with a balding patch on his head and weight around his middle. A kind smile spread across his face, his head tilted, garnering the same curiosity as an inquisitive child. In the other chair sat a girl. Fourteen, black hair cane-rolled on top and pulled up into a tight bun. Black hands, black duffel coat, black shoes, black tights. All that shed a silver lining — or a blue one — were the sapphire-crystal earrings hanging from her ears.

The girl was me.

The foreign man peered at the clock. He and the girl had been sitting in the room for forty minutes, the slight utterance of monosyllabic dialogue passing between the two. The girl was staring at the floor, her face expressionless. With only twenty minutes left, the man took his cue to pick up the bowl holding the chocolate and offered one to her. She refused.

“I do like Celebrations,” said the man. “Always a succulent choice.” He was definitely German. “They really melt in the mouth. Maltesers are my personal favourite, though. They're the most popular, aren't they?”

I grunted in response. He sighed; not in exasperation, merely in concern. “I know this is only our second session, but it would be nice to hear a little bit from you.”

I uncrossed my legs. It was amazing how interesting your shoes became when you had nothing to say.

“I'm not trying to force you,” he said gently. “I know this has been difficult for you. You have had a lot to deal with recently, and in the past. But that is why I want you to know we are here for you. When somebody close to you dies, it’s the most horrible thing in the world. That’s why we want to help you get through this challenging time.”

I closed my eyes, raising my head to the ceiling.

“How are you feeling right now?” he asked.

I shrugged.

“Anne, you are more than welcome to take your time, but remember, in here, you are safe. No one can hurt you. What we say is confidential, and you can say whatever you like.”

He was right. And yet, the clenching in my stomach wouldn’t stop. It was a reminder that no matter how awful things became, you were still left with the scars.

I spent the remaining twenty minutes in silence. So much had happened in my fourteen years of existence, I was unsure of how to form the words.

That week, I mulled over my previous two sessions and decided I was tired of being a prisoner of my past. I no longer saw the point of keeping myself closed off. Help had been offered to me, so surely now was the time to take it. I could keep the ghosts chained to me, or I could let them be released, freeing myself in the process.

When I returned to Henry — he said I could call him by his first name — that following Tuesday, I was ready to begin telling him everything.

About the Author

Zarina Macha is an author, blogger and musician born and raised in London, UK. She studied Songwriting and Creative Artistry at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford. She regularly writes a social comment blog titled 'The Zarina Macha Blog.' In her spare time she loves reading and fan-girling over "Game of Thrones".

In 2018 she began independently publishing her books through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing platform. "Every Last Psycho" and "Anne" are her young-adult fiction novels that deal with mental illness, drug abuse, domestic violence and coming-of-age. "Art is a Waste of Time" and "Single Broke Female" are her two poetry books.

"Around Midnight" is her fifth self-published work. It is a young-adult drama about jazz, ambition, and a toxic relationship.

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Promo Link

A Chosen Novel Series Sale plus Freebie from authors Jeff Altabef & Erynn Altabef

From Book 1: Wind Catcher

WINNER: 2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal - Young Adult Coming-of-Age

Lies. Betrayal. Destiny. A choice that changes everything.

My name is Juliet Wildfire Stone, and I am special. I see visions and hear voices, and I have no idea what they mean.

When someone murders medicine men in my sleepy Arizona town, I can’t help but worry my crazy grandfather is involved. He’s a medicine man and more than a just a little eccentric. He likes to tell me stories about the Great Wind Spirit and Coyote, but none of it makes any sense. I thought I knew the truth, but in order to clear his name I dive into his alien world and uncover an ancient secret society formed over two hundred years ago to keep me safe—me! And I can’t help but to start to wonder whether there’s some truth to those old stories my grandfather has been telling me.

I just want to be an average sixteen-year-old girl, but apparently I’ve never been average. Could never be average. I didn’t know it before, but I’m a Chosen, and those voices I’ve been hearing... well, they’re not just “voices.” I’ve started to develop abilities, but they might not be enough. A powerful entity called a Seeker is hunting me and he’s close—really close.

I thought I knew the answers but truth is, I don’t. Betrayed by those I love, I must choose to run or risk everything in order to fulfill my destiny. I hope I make the right choice. Don’t you?

Includes a special sneak preview of the second book in the series, Brink of Dawn.

MORE AWARDS FOR WIND CATCHER:
WINNER: Mom's Choice Awards -- Silver Medal: Young Adult Books
WINNER: Beverly Hills Books Awards - 2015: Best Young Adult Fiction
WINNER: Awesome Indies -- Seal of Approval: “A treat to read.”

Evolved Publishing presents the first book in the highly acclaimed and often bestselling "Chosen" series of young adult mystery thrillers, featuring with an American Indian fantasy and supernatural theme, from the same author who brought you award winners like the YA dystopian fantasy Red Death and the futuristic thriller Shatter Point, co-writing with his daughter. [DRM-Free]

“Wind Catcher is one of the best thrillers for YA that I have read in some time.... If I hadn't had to eat and sleep, I would have read it right through without stopping. It is just that good!” ~ Bookends

Grab theseries on Amazon for less than $4!

Also available in KU!
(affiliate link)

Grab Second Chances for FREE when you sign up for Jeff's newsletter.

I need answers only my father can provide. Separated from birth, we’ve only recently connected. Still, I have no one else to turn to. The Deltites are hunting me and they’re close now. We’ll fight our final battle soon. Needing more information, I force him to tell me a story about the beginning, my beginning. He sheds new light on my mom, on my grandfather Sicheii, and on how I started down this path. He spins a tale about love, a recent murder, and mysterious strangers who come to town looking for a medicine man, my grandfather. My father reveals his own shadowy past in the story, too, but I’m not worried about who he used to be. I care only about who he is now, and who I am, and the foe I face. He made a choice back then, and it led to all of this. Now I give him a second chance—an opportunity to make things right.

Get it HERE

Blood Branded (The Mix-Blood Book 1) by J.A. Alexsoo

(The Mix-Blood: Book One)

Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy

Date Published: October 1, 2019

Publisher: Breezy Pages Publishing

Defiance is paid in blood.

Their time is up. The crimsons are coming, marching on Hammerstone to crush the rebellious grays who renounce their rule. The graybacks have defied the ban that forbids trade or alliances with other races.

Frafnar understands intolerance better than most. Every season the grayback settlements send tribute to their oppressive orc cousins, and Hammerstone is no exception. After Frafnar is denied the opportunity to join the tribute guard because of his mixed heritage, he leaps at the chance to prove himself when his father’s signal horn is left behind.

Smoke rises in the distance. Frafnar must warn Hammerstone of the threat and comes to realize that his people are struggling with what he’s faced all his life. Now he must fight alongside those he loves—and hates—to protect his home.

Can Hammerstone withstand the siege, or will it become the final gravesite in a failed rebellion?

When the crimsons strike, always remember… strength in blood.

If you’re a fan of the epic or high fantasy genres, coming of age stories, or action-packed tales with haughty orcs and mysterious magic, then you’ll want to pick up Blood Branded.

Excerpt

Mix-Blood

“I have to win.”

The words pierced the chatter among the gathering, reaching Frafnar and echoing his own thoughts.

“I want to see a crimson!” another hollered.

“Better hope you’re not against me!” someone else shouted.

Then the energy of the group stilled as if everyone held their breath. Frafnar stood on the tips of his toes, but he still couldn’t see past the bobbing heads and shoulders of the other runts.

“Frafnar, son of Armastus.”

His elation was cut short by the groans of the group. The outbursts ceased when Trainer Groth roared for silence.

“His opponent will be…”

The gathering leaned forward.

“Bromh, son of—”

“No!” Bromh yelled from within the crowd. “I won’t be paired against the mix-blood.”

“Then you forfeit,” Groth said, already searching for the next contender.

“I never said—”

“Get over here,” Groth snapped. “Where’s Frafnar? Let him through.”

The circle of bodies parted enough that Frafnar squeezed between them, ignoring the sharp stares from the others. He kept his chin high and broke eye contact only as he passed the runts towering over him.

Trainer Groth and Bromh waited in the center of the ring.

“What’s the matter?” Frafnar taunted when he broke through the crowd. “Afraid you’ll lose?”

Bromh scoffed. “I’ll crush you in an instant, twig.”

Groth’s scowl deepened. Veins popped out of the tight flesh on his arms and neck.

“Fine,” Bromh stammered. “But everyone knows I should’ve had a real challenge,” he dared to add.

“Get into position.”

Frafnar met Bromh in the middle of the circle, a solid wood construction between them.

“Winner moves on to the finals,” Groth reiterated with a huff.

Frafnar mirrored Bromh by grasping the iron bar on the side of the wood platform with one hand and placing his elbow on the leather pad. Bromh glared over their clasped hands and squeezed so hard his knuckles paled. Maybe when he was younger, Frafnar might have cried out because of the pain. Today, Bromh would have to break his hand before he’d let go. When he won, they’d have no choice but to acknowledge him as an orc.

Trainer Groth balanced two thin strips of kindling on each side of their hands to ensure they started at his command. “Prepare,” he said. Then, after a suspense-filled moment, “Go.”

The audience erupted with noise, hollering as the strips fell over. Frafnar met Bromh’s strength with his own. He inched his opponent’s arm halfway down to the wood surface. The notion of a quick triumph crumbled when he heard Bromh snicker.

“That all you got, twig?”

About the Author

J.A. Alexsoo lives in Ontario, Canada, and has forever been a fan of fantasy and science fiction. When not working on writing or imagining new adventures, she tours the lands with her two trusty canine companions. She’s the author of THE KNIGHT’S ORDER and her new book BLOOD BRANDED is scheduled to be released October 1st.

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