It Happened on Thunder Road by Susan Antony

 

Welcome to the book tour for It Happened on Thunder Road by Susan Antony! You can check out an excerpt here today before downloading your own copy. I also have another excerpt and an interview with the author over at Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters. Leave more questions in the comments section. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

It Happened on Thunder Road
Susan Antony

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance, Suspense, Paranormal Elements
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: 04-24-21
ISBN: 1509235329
ASIN: B08YY7BTJB
Number of pages: 292
Word Count: 72000
Cover Artist: Kim Mendoza

Tagline: Hang on, baby, for the ride of your life.

Book Description:

When Emmy Russo returns to high school in Moncks Corner, South Carolina after summer break, she discovers some changes. First: Mom has a boyfriend. Second: the cute new student, Charlie Fields, is a Rockabilly greaser with a gang who obeys his every command. Third: attractive Keir Harper wants to be more than just her best friend. And fourth: a perplexed Emmy soon finds herself drawn to two extremely different boys. How do you choose between sweet and smoldering?

Then tragedy strikes on desolate Thunder Road. Strange things start happening, with Emmy in the middle of it all. Intent on finding the truth, she must fight for her heart, her life, maybe even her soul. Because someone wants to possess all of Emmy. And they will be together, no matter what the cost. For eternity.

Read an excerpt:

We faced each other for a beat or two. Then he placed his arm around my shoulder and took my hand in his, positioning his body a respectable distance away. We danced, slow and reserved at first, but as the singer’s wails intensified, so did Charlie’s moves. His hips swayed from side to side, and he inched closer to me, smidgen by smidgen, until his pelvis ground against my hipbones.

Our bodies melded, moving together in perfect synchronicity. Side to side. Back and forth. He moved his hand to my lower back and pulled me closer. I took in a quick, sharp breath. He

“You know, baby,” he murmured, “You and me have more than chemistry. We have fire. Not the easy kind of fire you can make from a box of matches, but the kind of fire you get when you rub two sticks together. I’m all yours if you want me.”

The world around me blurred as if I were watching it through thick lenses. I imagined Charlie’s lips against mine. I imagined him shirtless, propped above me, his triceps bulging as he slowly lowered his chest—mine rising toward his, beckoning him closer. He groaned a low animal-like sound. It drew me to him.

And I wanted him bad.

I wanted our bodies to burn in Hell together for all eternity.

What was happening? Had I lost my mind? I wasn’t ready. Was I?

No.

Spasms of panic surged from my loins to the deepest recesses in my brain. In a sharp snap, the imaginary lenses cracked, and through the broken glass was a clear image of a boy with kind eyes and a halo of yellow hair.

Keir was my angel, and I was dancing with the devil. A devil who would betray his brother. A devil who would convince me to betray him as well.

I shuddered and pressed my free hand, fiercely against his shoulder. He clutched me tighter.

“Charlie, please. We can’t do this.”

“Why not?” he demanded.

I took in a long, ragged breath. “Because I don’t want to hurt Keir. He likes me.”

He forced a laugh and loosened his grip. My hand slipped from his, and he leaned toward me. His chin brushed against my cheek, and flesh bumps shimmied down my spine.

“That was the right answer, New Jersey,” he whispered in a throaty voice. “Welcome to the gang.”

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Susan Antony, an aspiring Renaissance woman, never shies from a challenge. Not only does she have a degree in the Liberal Arts, she has a degree in Automotive Technology. She currently works in the IT department at a local Charleston hospital. Susan lives with her teenaged son and two behaviorally-challenged Cairn Terriers. To maintain her sanity, she cherishes her Friday evenings dancing the night away!

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanantony1

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanAntonyCS

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57309229-it-happened-on-thunder-road

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Review of Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue

 

Welcome to the tour for Battle of the Bullies by Fenyx Blue! This is one that is going to stay with me for a while. Today I'm sharing with you an excerpt from the book as well as my thoughts. Be sure to follow the tour to read what other people thought as well, and leave questions and comments along the way. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshman. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friend and left their sister unable to speak. After giving home-schooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best. Unfortunately, they get the worst news. They have become the targets of an anonymous group of bullies who call themselves The Dimes. Can they bring down The Dimes all while trying to make it through the ninth grade?

Read an excerpt:

An Excerpt from Ebony

This week, my anonymous school survey seems to be a complete success. I’ve walked around the school visiting homerooms, telling them my story. Most of them somewhat know about my old school’s bombings. I answer their questions and offer a few of my best ideas for making changes at this school. School safety may be my platform. I haven’t fully decided.

The students have responded to my one-question survey in large numbers. The only question I asked is this: “If you could change one thing about this school, what would it be?” Replies can be anonymous, and are confidential.

Long lunch lines—Why do upperclassmen go first? —Anonymous

Theft—They stole my inhaler. I could have died from an asthma attack. —Anonymous

Lies—I have never had plastic surgery—I am not even done growing yet. Why would I need liposuction or any kind of work done on my lips, nose, or assets? No more lies, please. —Anonymous

Fees—I had to pay for books that someone else ruined! —Anonymous.

Rumors—They planted roaches in my locker, and everyone saw them crawl out. I was humiliated. I may not be live in a mansion, but we don’t have ROACHES! —Anonymous

Favoritism—I may not be a millionaire’s kid or have a famous last name, but I deserve the same education—even from student teachers. —Anonymous

Teasing—Everyone says I smell bad! —Anonymous

Confidentiality—They told everyone I had to cut my hair because I had lice. I’m sure I didn’t tell anyone but the nurse about that! She should be fired! —Anonymous

Peer Pressure!!! —Anonymous

Bullying—Check the internet . . . you’re on there, too. Sorry. —Anonymous

Gangs . . . oops, I mean the Dimes. —Anonymous

As I look through the rest of the surveys, one name continuously appears: Dimes.

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**My thoughts**

I was absolutely blown away by this book. I adore the three triplets, Ebony, Eris, and Emani. Each one of them has her own distinct personality and each is a strong young woman, even in the face of adversity and unspeakable tragedy. I admire their resilience and determination to fight against the Dimes and injustice. I realized at the end of the story that there is a book that came before this one and I am going to have to get that one soon to check out as well. 

Fear not, even though there is a book before this one, this completely works as a standalone story.

I actually think it would be amazing turned into a Netflix series or something like that. You have enough of the real world problems of school shootings, bullying, dating, sports, and more, with just a little added drama that makes it perfect for the screen. Fenyx Blue also makes every one of her characters come alive and jump right off of the page, so there is plenty to work with. Many times when characters as similar as triplets take turns telling a story, it can be confusing who is narrating without checking the chapter heading. But I didn't have to worry about that with this book, because each character truly had her own authentic voice. 

I think that a lot of young adult readers will be able to relate to a lot of this book, even if the Dimes are maybe a bit more exaggerated than what you typically see in the schools. And honestly, a lot of what they do is unfortunately too commonplace today. Most readers will not have access to the same supplies and methods to take down the bullies, but I think they will be inspired, nonetheless, to work on tackling the problems at their own schools. You could use this as a discussion launchpad with teens.

This story is going to stay with me for a while. I often read books in one sitting, but this one I had to stretch out a bit more. I was completely engrossed in it, but then also needed a break on occasion because it was an intense story. But that's completely up my alley when it comes to books. Like I said, I am planning on seeking out the other books in this series and will likely read this one again at some point. It really was well done.

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

BLUE: Bold, Loving, Unapologetic, and Evolving are words to describe Fenyx Blue. Ms. Blue is an author, Youtuber (FENYX BLUE INK), speaker, ministry leader, mentor, instructional coach and her school district’s former “Those Who Excel” Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Blue is a soldier in the Blue Fenyx movement encouraging every phoenix in the world to rise up. Blue’s mission is to inspire, motivate and educate. Blue speaks to audiences about their purpose and power and works to coach other authors through their journey to become published.

Her novels are tools for teachers while being candy for students. Fenyx Blue has penned four books in her poetic collection in which she shares true life tales and lessons: Her first Young Adult novel entitled Who Failed Johnny? (Book 1 of The Triplet Trilogy), second YA novel Battle of the Bullies, a Children’s book called Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem, and a Poetry Book by the name of The Blue Ink Movement. With the help of her extended family and friends network, her self-published books will touch many lives this year.

Ms. Blue is a veteran English Teacher who has worked with readers K-12. However, her expertise lies with middle school and high school students which she has mentored, taught, and coached for almost twenty years. Blue created an organization called Team BFF (Team Bully-Free Forever) and has served as its coach for more than ten years. Her students have partnered with other schools, marched, and provided education on bullying. In addition, Blue directs a youth anti-drug program called Snowflake that helps students to solve problems, build relationships and make positive choices. She created an organization called Dads Rock to bring father figures into her school system to develop relationships with students in order to build their confidence and competence in school.

When Fenyx realized her school did not have an activity for spoken word artists, Blue sponsored a poetry club of junior high students that went on to the final rounds of “The Louder Than a Bomb” competition. Her school has now expanded that club to reach all creative young people and to allow them to share their gifts. With the support of other educators, she developed DIVAS (Daughters Inspiring Values and Sisterhood) to build bonds between middle and high school girls and prepare them to be productive citizens.

Ms. Fenyx Blue lovingly refers to her squad as neighbors on her YouTube channel @Fenyx Blue Ink because she believes we are all connected in some way. One of her goals is to transform into the best version of herself as she helps others to realize their destinies. Ms. Blue is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and loves to travel, learn, garden, and read. Ms. Blue is currently working on finalizing Book III of The Triplet Trilogy before moving on to a work of nonfiction for teachers. Follow Fenyx Blue @FenyxBlueInk on all Social Media platforms.

Website for Ms. Fenyx Blue: https://fenyxblueink.wixsite.com/website

Battle of the Bullies
https://amzn.to/31TVLNa

A group of upstanders versus a gang of bullies.

Worth the Weight
https://amzn.to/33U2WXc

A Christian dad expressing his love for his daughter and the song he sings to teach her to love herself.

Who Failed Johnny?
https://amzn.to/2U5stXS

A troubled, mentally unhealthy young man who is dealing with bullying while battling problems at home and the friendships he develops along the way.

The Blue Ink Movement
https://amzn.to/312C4Cj

A bold, loving, unapologetic and evolving collection of inspirational, motivational and educational poems about women, education, culture, relationships, and spirituality.

The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner and a $5 Starbucks GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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The Importance of Jimmy Bob in The F.I.G. Mysteries by Barbara Casey

 

Get to know the F.I.G. Mysteries series by Barbara Casey and find out why the character Jimmy Bob is so important in them. Enjoy an excerpt and then follow the tour for even more! Best of luck entering the giveaway!

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THE F.I.G. MYSTERIES

Dara Roux, abandoned when she was 7 years old by her mother. Exceptionally gifted in foreign languages. Orphan.

Mackenzie Yarborough, no record of her parents or where she was born. Exceptionally gifted in math and problem-solving. Orphan.

Jennifer Torres, both parents killed in an automobile accident when she was 16. Exceptionally gifted in music and art. Orphan.

THE CADENCE OF GYPSIES: Book 1

Known as the F.I.G.s (Females of Intellectual Genius), three high-spirited 17 year olds with intelligent quotients in the genius range, accompany their teacher and mentor, Carolina Lovel, to Frascati, Italy, a few weeks before they are to graduate from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. Carolina's purpose in planning the trip is to remove her unusually gifted, creative students from the Wood Rose campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina, so they can't cause any more problems ("expressions of creativity") for the headmaster, faculty, and other students – which they do with regularity. Carolina also wants to visit the Villa Mondragone where the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, was first discovered and attempt to find out how it is related to a paper written in the same script she received on her 18th birthday when she was told that she was adopted.

Read an excerpt:

"Ouch! You're standing on my fingers!" This from the petite girl with a long, blond ponytail, wearing a nightgown, most of which was pulled up between her legs and tied into a knot at her waist to keep it from getting tangled on the limb where she was perched. Somewhere above her the sound of a saw and splintering wood filled the darkness followed by a stream of profanity repeated in several foreign languages for emphasis.

"It doesn't look right. It's supposed to have a rim and a dent." Clinging to a 12-foot ladder as she pointed the flashlight first this way and then that, the heavy-set girl wearing a nightshirt buttoned at the neck offered this with a slight lisp.

The girl with the blond ponytail giggled.

"What do you mean—dent?! Let me see that picture." The tall black girl completely hidden aimed her flashlight toward the magazine that was being thrust upwards through the thick branches in her direction.

"And the top is supposed to be rounded—like a button mushroom," the girl in the nightshirt added, the word "mushroom" sounding more like "muthroom."

"That's because it's circumcised," supplied the girl with the ponytail, from which she removed a small twig and a handful of leaves.

"Shekoo, baboo!” More profanity. “Okay. I know what to do." The tall black girl disappeared back into the upper-most branches of the tall plant that was more tree than bush. After several additional minutes, the sawing, crunching, and clipping sounds finally gave way to the more gentle sounds of tiny snips. And then, silence.

"That's it; everybody down."

The petite girl, with the magazine that had been overlooked in the last confiscation and now wedged firmly under her armpit, started the perilous descent first since she was nearest to the ground, followed by the tall girl. The girl in the nightshirt eased her way down the ladder juggling pruning shears, a hand saw, and scissors. Once on the ground, the three girls stood back to admire their work.

"That is one honkin' Peni erecti," said the tall girl causing a fresh explosion of giggles. "Let's get out of here." After quickly rolling down the legs of her pajama bottoms, the tall girl grabbed one end of the ladder and, along with her two friends, lugged it and the other tools back to the shed that housed lawn maintenance equipment. Task accomplished, they returned to their rooms, and to their individual beds, careful not to disturb the other dorm residents, the floor monitors, their suitemates and, most importantly, their slumbering dorm mother, Ms. Larkins. Within minutes, they fell into a deep, peaceful sleep—the sleep of innocent angels.

It would soon be light; and Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women would start another day.

THE WISH RIDER: Book 2

When Carolina and the F.I.G.s return to Wood Rose, Dara decides that she wants to try to locate her birth mother when she learns that she might be living in New York City. Carolina, Mackenzie, and Jennifer accompany her and their search leads them to a secret dangerous shadow world hidden deep beneath Grand Central, constructed in what Mackinzie identifies as chevroned magic squares—N X N matrixes in which every row, column, and diagonal add up to the same number—and cloaked in the discordant B flat minor key music that only Jennifer can hear.

THE CLOCK FLOWER: Book 3

The three FIGs—Females of Intellectual Genius—graduate from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women after returning from New York City where Dara learned why her mother abandoned her all those years ago, and they are now attending universities where they can further their special talents. This means they will be separated from each other and from Carolina, their much-loved mentor and teacher who is “one of them,” for the first time in their young lives. They vow to try living apart for one semester, in the so-called real world that doesn’t include the orphanage; but if things don’t work out, they will come up with another plan—a plan where they can be together once again. Dara is invited through Yale University to take part in an exciting archeological project in China. Jennifer, once again visualizing black and white images and the unusual sounds of another cadence that seem to be connected to Mackenzie, is engrossed in creating her next symphony at Juilliard. Mackenzie, because of her genius at problem-solving, is personally chosen by a US Senator to get involved in a mysterious, secret research project involving immortality that is being conducted in a small village in China—not too far from where Dara is involved with the archeological site. Once there, however, she finds herself facing a terrifying death from the blood-dripping teeth of an ancient evil dragon. Her best friends, the FIGs and Carolina, rely on their own unique genius and special talents to save her as she discovers the truth of her birth parents.

THE NIGHTJAR’S PROMISE: Book 4

Jennifer Torres, one of the three FIGs (Females of Intellectual Genius) who is a genius in both music and art, is the last to leave the closed rehearsal for her upcoming performance over Thanksgiving break at Carnegie Hall when she hears something in the darkened Hall. Recognizing the tilt of the woman’s head and the slight limp of the man as they hurry out an exit door, she realizes it is her parents who were supposedly killed in a terrible car accident when she was 15 years old. Devastated and feeling betrayed, she sends a text to Carolina and the other two FIGs—THURGOOD. It is the code word they all agreed to use if ever one of them got into trouble or something happened that was too difficult to handle. They would all meet back at Carolina’s bungalow at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women to figure it out. As soon as they receive the text, because of their genius, Dara starts thinking of words in ancient Hebrew, German, and Yiddish, while Mackenzie’s visions of unique math formulae keep bringing up the date October 11, 1943. And as Carolina waits for the FIGs to return to Wood Rose, she hears warnings from Lyuba, her gypsy mother, to watch for the nightjar, the ancient name for the whip-poor-will.

In their search for “The Nightjar’s Promise” and the truth surrounding it, Carolina and the FIGs come face to face with evil that threatens to destroy not only their genius, but their very lives.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF JIMMY BOB

One of my favorite characters in The F.I.G. Mystery Series gets introduced in Book 1 – The Cadence of Gypsies. Jimmy Bob Doake is the night security guard at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women, and it is his responsibility to make sure nothing irregular happens during the “witches’ hours,” as he calls late night.

Jimmy Bob managed to complete the 8th grade, but dropped out of school after that in order to help his parents with his younger brothers and sisters. In spite of this, as an adult, he has the soul of a poet; and it is during those late night hours that he pens his thoughts onto paper.

Jimmy Bob provides comic relief to some of the more emotional scenes involving the F.I.G.s and Carolina. But he also offers inspiration and hope because he is such a good and decent person trying to do the best he can with what he has. His old hound dog, Tick, does the same thing in his own way.

Jimmy Bob is very much a permanent fixture at Wood Rose, and I bring him back in The Wish Rider and The Clock Flower, Books 2 and 3, as well as The Nightjar’s Promise—Book 4 in the series. With the problems of campus politics, jealousies among students and professors alike, and rampant distrust of Carolina and the F.I.G.s, it is Jimmy Bob who sees things with a clear eye and pure, nonjudgmental heart. As Carolina and the F.I.G.s’ search for answers takes them to Italy, New York City, China, and the tombs of a Jewish cemetery in Virginia, it is Jimmy Bob and his faithful companion Tick who give the reader a sense of permanence and security—and of acceptance.

Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, author/agent/publisher Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University, and N.C. Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. In 1995 she established the Barbara Casey Agency and since that time has represented authors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. In 2014, she became a partner with Strategic Media Books, an independent nonfiction publisher of true crime, where she oversees acquisitions, day-to-day operations, and book production.

Ms. Casey has written over a dozen award-winning books of fiction and nonfiction for both young adults and adults. The awards include the National Association of University Women Literary Award, the Sir Walter Raleigh Literary Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Dana Award for Outstanding Novel, the IP Best Book for Regional Fiction, among others. Two of her nonfiction books have been optioned for major films, one of which is under contract.

Her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in both national and international publications including the North Carolina Christian Advocate Magazine, The New East Magazine, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Sunday Telegram, Dog Fancy, ByLine, The Christian Record, Skirt! Magazine, and True Story. A thirty-minute television special which Ms. Casey wrote and coordinated was broadcast on WRAL, Channel 5, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories. Her award-winning science fiction short stories for adults are featured in The Cosmic Unicorn and CrossTime science fiction anthologies. Ms. Casey's essays and other works appear in The Chrysalis Reader, the international literary journal of the Swedenborg Foundation, 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Kraus Publishers), and A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media Corporation).

Ms. Casey is a former director of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida, where she served as guest author and panelist. She has served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida, and was the Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 through 2003. In 2018 Ms. Casey received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. She makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with three cats who adopted her, Homer, Reese and Earl Gray - Reese’s best friend.

www.barbaracaseyauthor.com

www.barbaracaseyagency.com

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Review of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: The Remix by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

A remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning for ages 12 and up.

A timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America.

This is NOT a history book.
This is a book about the here and now.
A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
A book about race.

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This is a remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning, winner of a National Book Award. It reveals the history of racist ideas in America and inspires hope for an antiracist future.

Stamped takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.

Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative, Jason Reynolds shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.

Book Links

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**My thoughts**
As I have embarked on my own ABAR studies and work, I have cultivated a lengthy list of recommended books. Certain books appear time and again on numerous list recommendations. Of course, Ibram X. Kendi is one of the top authors. I fully admit that when I was ready to start my next read, I glanced at my curated wishlist on Amazon and grabbed this one because it was one of the least expensive. And I am glad I was led to that decision. This is a book that I think everyone should read.

Author Jason Reynolds is known for writing books more geared toward the younger generation. I think it was brilliant for him to take Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning and break it down. After all, the original is about 500 pages long. Readers are more likely to want to read a more abbreviated version. This book hits on all of the high points of the full text and delivers it in a very conversational format.

I think that aspect is key. We are talking about the need to have conversations. And reading this made me feel like I was sitting drinking a coffee or a beer with Jason while he imparted some serious knowledge on me.

Many of these names were familiar to me. But I never before realized how much I didn’t know about their full stories. I’ve been learning some, thanks to some excellent Great Courses lectures. But this really opened my eyes to even more

And while this book is written with the slightly younger set in mind, I think it is an important one for adults to read as well. It lays the foundation for learning more history than we got at school. Ideally, you will want to then move on to the full text, which I already had on order before I was finished with this one.

I also hope it will inspire some inner reflection in readers. Will you challenge what you have learned and seek out more of the story? Will you better understand the current racial climate and the experiences that your Black friends and acquaintances have had in their past and continue to face? And will you finally recognize yourself as being in one of the three groups – segregationist, assimilationist, or antiracist?

Will you have better conversations?

I know there will be some who have a problem with this book. They are the ones who have the most work to do and would benefit greatly from the education inside it. I hope more people are willing to open their minds to this conversation and are willing to use this book to help them join in. I think this is belongs on required reading lists. I am glad I included it in my reading and will definitely read it again.

Further Thoughts:

Reflecting on Stamped

Why Montessorians Need to Read Stamped

Review of Scorn of Secrets by B. Truly

 

The tagline for this book on Amazon compares Scorn of Secrets to Flowers in the Attic. And let me tell you, I can see some light parallels to V.C. Andrews in B. Truly's novel. Check out an excerpt and my full thoughts and then follow the tour for even more. Best of luck in the giveaway!

I must keep it locked away—the memory of my darkest secret….

When the rising tides of my life peak, I’m left struggling with the currents of the storm. The first dilemma is my dad’s gambling debt. Mama bounces back quickly from the ramifications it causes. She proves this by getting a new man. Her Rico Suave is just the tip of the iceberg—she moves us across state to live with him and his two sons.

My outgoing, older sister fits right in—she’s the total opposite of me. I am Madison Guillory, the shy, quiet type. Taught to make the best of even the worst situations, I contemplate giving my new family a chance.

Living with my future stepbrothers is interesting, to say the least. They’re like night and day. I have more in common with the laid-back brother, and we become instant friends. I’m adjusting to Taylor High, and the arrogant brother is even starting to grow on me. Maybe everything will work out after all.

My life finally seems to be falling into place until a dreadful night shatters my dreams. My world is flipped upside down because of the consequences I must now bear.

The memories of that night lurk in the shadows to torment me. If I think of what happened, I’ll succumb to my fear. His face has scorned me. No one will believe me if I confess, not even my own sister. I hold the key to my darkest secret, desperate to keep it locked away.

Read an excerpt:

My mind begins to wander in the quietness. A new home, city, and school—no friends. Deep in thought, my head snaps to attention when I hear a baritone voice coming into the kitchen. He’s singing, “That’s what I like” by Bruno Mars. My eyes bulge, swearing that he sounds better than Bruno himself.

When he catches sight of me, his tune cuts off abruptly, and his hazel eyes widen. It’s Jackson. He’s dressed more casually in warmup pants and a T-shirt. He must have skipped dinner, too. I swallow hard, assuming he’s going to call me sweet-cheeks again.

“Hi,” he finally says.

“Hey, Jackson.” Maybe if I play nice, he won’t tease me.

His warm hazel eyes twinkle. “I’m not Jackson. I am his brother.”

“Oh,” is all I can muster. This boy is just as tall. He has the same handsome face, lean figure, and muscular arms as Jackson. They’re identical! My mother failed to mention Regan had twin sons. We stare at each other. As I’m studying him, he appears to be researching me. I can’t get a read on his expression. Friendly, although I seem to have startled him. My body is surging with an electric warmth as we stare. I look away, refusing to admit I was ogling him. I shouldn’t feel too foolish. His gaze wasn’t brotherly, either.

Glancing at him quickly, I spy him still staring. “What?” It’s a rude comment—the word just spills out of my mouth. My impoliteness doesn’t seem to faze him. His lips curve upward. A dimple! A deep one forms in his left cheek. Well, that is one way to tell them apart.

He clears his throat, breaking eye contact. “Um … nothing. Sorry, I’m not used to a girl being in our house.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I’m being forced to live here now.” He chuckles. The sound of his laugh makes my stomach flutter. I don’t like it one bit.

“It’s not bad living here. Big house, great amenities—give it a chance.”

“The house is gigantic.” I shrug. “But Baton Rouge will always be home to me. It’s where I was born and have lived all my life.”

He nods in understanding. “Fair enough. I’m Justin, by the way.”

“Yeah, I met your obnoxious twin.”

He laughs again. “That would be my older brother, by only five minutes.”

Explaining my ogling, I say, “My mom forgot to tell us you and Jackson are twins.”

“Ah, that would account for the look on your face.”

I smirk at him, trying to hold in my smile.

“You must be Madison.”

“Lucky guess?”

“No, I haven’t met your sister yet. Your curls gave it away.”

My curls? “I don’t get your drift.” Justin opens the fridge, pulling out both trays. He stuffs more on his plate than I had.

“My dad told us the younger one, Madison, has a head full of curls.”

I remember the first time Tanya and I met Regan when he came to Baton Rouge. Self-consciously, I tug on a curl, yanking it straight. Once I release the piece, it springs right back into a spiral. My hair falls to my shoulders. I never do much to it because my curls are hard to tame.

A light sparkles in Justin’s hazel eyes. “Your hair is pretty.”

His admission surprises me. My stomach turns a cartwheel. Ugh! My manners intercept my irritation. Just because Justin’s making me uneasy doesn’t mean I shouldn’t thank him for complimenting me. “Thanks.”

“Do you dye it?”

I get asked this question often. It’s dominantly dark brown with natural highlights. “Um, no. Just born with two-toned colored hair.”

“The blondish highlights are quite unique.”

Okay, time to leave. Justin is charming and sings like an angel. I like the fact he’s making small talk—it lightens the mood. The problem is I shouldn’t be attracted to a boy who could possibly become my future stepbrother. “I’m gonna head upstairs.”

His forehead wrinkles. “Nice meeting you.”

After I clean my plate, I smile—or attempt to. I hurry away, because my cheeks are growing redder by the minute. I wish my complexion wasn’t such a light shade of brown. Even a blind person could see my blush.

I worry about my first impression on him. I’m sure I seemed ill-mannered. But in the short span of time talking to Justin, my palms became clammy and my body tingly. Two totally different reactions with the Jenkins’ twins. Jackson sorta got under my skin—Justin set me ablaze. This is just day one in Houston Texas.

What else will this city bring?

Buy Links:

Amazon * BN * Kobo

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

So many emotions rolling around for me in this book. I like Madison a lot. She has been dealt a crap hand in the family department with a sister who treats her like crap, a father who gets himself murdered by going deep into gambling debt with the wrong people, and a mother who is so self-absorbed she just seems to have no clue what is going on. Sure, they got lucky when Mom reconnected with an old flame who was willing to take the three ladies in. And he has two smoking hot sons and a ton of money. But even that isn't great. Regan doesn't seem to be aware of anything that is going on in his house. And Jackson is just creepy. Thank goodness for Justin. 

The girls at the new high school are predictably nasty. Reading about characters like this make me so glad I had the great experience I did in those days. But Madison is strong and seems to be able to hold her own.

Until the one night that she can't.

**Necessary spoiler and content warning** 

There is a sexual assault. And the second half of this book deals with the fallout from all of that.

My heart was absolutely broken for Madison in the second half of this book as she has to deal with this horrible secret. I almost got possessive of her and wanted to fix it for her. I found myself growling here and there as I read this.

But I was completely engrossed in the book, sneaking a few pages here and there while I was at work. The tagline on Amazon references Flowers in the Attic, which was one of my favorite books in my youth. I can definitely see some of the parallels between author B. Truly and V.C. Andrews. That's quite possibly part of the reason I was so engrossed. Looking forward to finding out what happens next.

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/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Review of Bake Believe by Cori Cooper

 

Welcome to the review tour for Bake Believe by Cori Cooper! This is a book full of delectable baked goods and an interesting family twist. Read my full review and an excerpt from the book before you download your copy. Follow the tour for even more thoughts and sneak peeks inside. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Cat Anderson doesn't want much out of life. Give her a circle of friends to giggle with, a few boys to flirt with, a cute outfit, and she is good to go! She especially could care less about food.

But food, it turns out, is a very big deal.

In Cat's family there is a secret too fantastic to be real. Something happens when Cat bakes.

Something amazing.

Something impossible.

Can it be true? Or is it Bake Believe?

Read an excerpt:

Robyn saw the look on my face and sat back up. She reached for a corn tortilla and held it in front of my face. “See this?”

I nodded.

“This tortilla, by itself, is muy disgusting.”

Marissa clicked her tongue.

Robyn glanced at her mom but kept talking. “It is super bland all by itself, but if you add salsa or guacamole or something else, it’s deliciouso!” She spooned salsa down the center, rolled it up and took a bite to prove her point.

I nodded again, even though I had no idea what she was talking about.

As soon as she was done chewing, Robyn spread her hands out. “You don’t want a bland tortilla life, Cat; you want life with the salsa!”

Book Links:

Goodreads * Amazon * Immortal Works

**My thoughts**

My favorite part of this book is definitely all of the fantastic recipes that are interwoven throughout. I love the way that the author puts her personality into the directions for making the various concoctions. They make for a fun collection and I look forward to trying some of them out.

The story was ... interesting. Cat is a lot to take in, especially at the beginning of the book. She's extremely active, loud, and rambles on in that present tense narration where you know every single little detail of what she sees and is doing that is not my favorite. (This does ease up as the story goes on, though.) She's also way overly concerned with what anyone else thinks about her. When I later realized she was just starting the 8th grade, that part made a lot more sense and the abrasiveness eased. I also think that Cat calmed down a bit more.

Her mother is extremely odd. She has a complete aversion to cooking or baking and refuses to let anyone in her household do either. They eat prepackaged foods or order out. Mom also seems to zone out. The teacher in me started getting very concerned about this poor girl and her family.

But then when school starts, everything starts to change. Cat ends up in a Culinary class, thanks to a weird mix-up with the schedules. And then halfway through the book, we find out why her mom is so weirded out about cooking and baking. Everything finally starts to make sense and then I found myself really enjoying the second half of the book. I especially like her interactions with Tobey and her lessons with her Aunt Marissa.

This is definitely a book geared toward younger teens. So if you're not used to that age group, I think you're going to have a hard time enjoying it. But I think kids around the same age as Cat and her friends will like it a lot. And again, the recipes alone are worth it. I do wonder if there will be more with Cat and company in future books?

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for fulfilling my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Since I was six years old I wanted to be a published Author. I still have all my early manuscripts, but don't ask to see them - my spelling was atrocious!

I'm a mama of four witty, movie quoting, awesome sauce kids - three teens and one preteen. Yes, they end up in my novels! Don't worry, names are changed to protect the innocent and everything is always GREATLY exaggerated! That's my super power.

I'm also wife to the cutest guy in the whole world. It's true! I'm not bias at all, really. We met in Middle School and got married after he served a mission for our Church. It's been a wild ride, but I wouldn't miss it for a plate full of Cinnamon Rolls.

Or anything else, actually!

I hope you have as much fun reading my stuff as I have writing it. The creative process is so fantastic, I just love every part of it!

https://coristories.com/

https://www.facebook.com/coricooperauthor

https://twitter.com/CoriCAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/authorcoricooper/

Cori Cooper will be awarding a Bake Believe Apron (US Only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Drifting by Steven M. Cross

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making Drifting by Steven M. Cross a timely book to read. Check out this excerpt before you download your copy. You can also follow the tour for even more. Let the author know what you think along the way. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

Drifting brings light into the dark corners of mental health, bullying, and sexual assault.

Dean Knight has struggled against his personal demons for as long as he can remember. He thought he lost that struggle when he felt their knowing grip pull him deeper in the river, but he was saved. Saved for what? His memories are trapped within his mental illness. He hears his sister and father’s voices. The problem is, they’re dead, both killed in the same river that tried to claim Dean. As he struggles to remember, he discovers their voices aren’t pushing him to harm himself, but to discover the truth surrounding both their deaths. One person, Ella, has all the answers, but Dean can’t remember if she loved him or tried to kill him.

Roxanne “Rocky” Rivers struggles against her own demons, not voices, but a past trauma she can’t fully remember. She only knows everyone at school thinks she’s a slut and a head-case. A razor her only release for the pain. Rocky knows no one will believe a crazy girl who tries to kill herself.

Dean and Rocky find a connection. Can they find the strength and trust to help each other when neither can survive alone?

Read an excerpt:

We have walked into another large cave. In one wall, a small chamber is cut.

“I bet there’s treasure in there. Arrgh,” like a pirate, then laughing hysterically, cackling, and releasing my hand. I kneel and see a pocket watch lying at the chamber’s entrance.

A hand, half bone, half decayed skin, creeps from the chamber, grabs my wrist. My heart catches. My eyes bulge. A scream rises in my throat.

Then, I see a bashed in skull emerge from the opening, its jaw set in a gaping grin and then another hand. Behind it on the floor, I see part of a skull, blood, a tooth, and hair. The skeleton crawls out of the chamber. I hear the girl’s crazed laughter. Bones skitter over the ground, click like castanets.

“Dean.” Its voice is thick like it’s filled with sand. I, we, feel like our head is going to explode into pieces of blood and brain and bone.

When I close my eyes, it grabs me and lifts me up, flopping me over its shoulder like an old rug. I can’t move, can’t talk, can’t breathe. The dry, brittle bones click against my skin.

It takes me to another part of the cave on the edge of a high cliff, lifts me off its shoulder, grabs my shirt, dangles me over the edge of the cliff, lets go.

I kick and scream as I fall through the air. I look up, see the face of a beautiful girl, then disappear into a pool of hot, frothy water. As I peer through the churning water, the skeleton’s hand grabs my hair.

I scream, choke on water, but then I’m gulping fresh air and staring into the Rose’s face.

“What the hell?”

“I’m naked,” I say aloud, though I’m only thinking it in my head.

“Next time, I’ll let your skinny ass drown.” She turns, leaves the bathroom.

Available on Amazon

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Steve Cross is an educator/freelance writer who lives in Poplar Bluff, MO. His credits include four young adult novels, two fantasy novels, and seven plays. He has optioned one script and sold another one. Plus, he's finished as a quarterfinalist in Bluecat and in Fresh Voices screenwriting competition. He and his wife have one daughter and two grandchildren with whom they spend a lot of time. Cross loves Cardinals baseball, classic rock music, and character-driven movies. His favorite films are Dead Poets Society and Field of Dreams. Cross also likes to read, everything from Young Adult contemporary novels to screenplays, to horror and fantasy. At 62 and a cancer survivor, he believes his writing career is just now getting into full swing. His favorite type of screenplay to write is a psychological drama.

https://www.facebook.com/steven.cross.56/

https://www.facebook.com/stevecrosswordswrites

https://twitter.com/stevecrosswords

https://www.instagram.com/stevecrosswords/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/987662.Steven_Cross

Steven M. Cross will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Read an excerpt from He'll Be Waiting by Liz Alterman

   

We are thrilled to share an excerpt from Liz Alterman's debut release,

HE'LL BE WAITING!

He'll Be Waiting is a standalone YA Thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and up reading all night!

 

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Indiebound ~ Barnes&Noble

(affiliate link included)

 

Synopsis: 

What would you do to remember? What would you give to forget?

When Tess Porter agrees to pick up her boyfriend’s college pal at the airport on a snowy December night, she has no idea she’s about to embark on the most dangerous ride of her life.

Two days later, the 17-year-old wakes up in a hospital with broken bones, unable to remember how she got there. Her parents are acting strange, and neither James, her boyfriend, nor her best friend, Izzy, has visited. As she struggles to physically recover, Tess wrestles with haunting questions: What happened? Will her memory ever return? And what if she’s better off not recalling any of it?    

     

Read an excerpt:

“Tess! Tess!’ Mom pats my right arm gently. “Honey, wake up, you’re having a bad dream.”

I stare at her, confused. It was so real. I’d been tumbling, falling down beside a flat cement wall. I’d tried to stop myself, but there was nothing to grab on to, no banister or ledge. All I could smell was damp, wet earth. A man stood above me. I couldn’t see his face and had no idea who he was. But one thing was clear: He’d come to hurt me. Me specifically.

In my nightmare and in real life, my mouth is dry, my tongue as sandpapery as Daffy’s. I can’t speak. My heart gallops, thumping hoofbeats pound in my ears.

“This is how it ends!” he shouted in the dream, his voice echoing as I plunged into total darkness and struggled to crawl out of sight. I couldn’t move. My legs wouldn’t work.

I want to tell Mom everything, but I can’t catch my breath. Was it only a dream or does it have something to do with my accident? What if it’s one of the flashes Lydia talked about? Memories attempting to resurface? Is the man in the dream Nick? My head hurts thinking about it. For once, I'm actually grateful to be in this hospital bed. Safe.

     

And check out Liz's He'll Be Waiting playlist to enhance your read!

Spotify Playlist

         

Meet the author:

    

Liz Alterman lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications. He'll Be Waiting is her first young adult novel. When she isn't writing, she spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.    

Connect with Liz:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

 

Clockwork Igni (Angelbound) by Christna Bauer

 

OK, YA urban fantasy fans, this one is for you. Check out an excerpt from Clockwork Igni by Christina Bauer and then download your own copy. Be sure to leave questions and comments as you follow the tour. And best of luck in the giveaway!

Long live the me! As Queen of Antrum, I rule an underground realm of demon hunters who love finding new caves. Hey, it’s boring down here; I’m glad they all have a hobby. Per usual, I try to act interested about their latest discovery, but all I hear is "blah blah blah new cavern blah blah blah Forbidden Tombs blah blah blah massive bronze pyramids blah blah blah creepy ticking sounds." It’s a little odd, but I’m not worried.

My bad.

Suddenly, the Forbidden Tombs burst through the ground in my home realm of Purgatory. Bronze pyramids smash through abandoned buildings and highways, making rush hour a nightmare. Even worse, the metal structures attract tiny lightning bolts called igni, which are my very special supernatural buddies. Within minutes, every last igni gets stolen away.

Now. I’m. Pissed.

Whoever hides inside those pyramids? Time to dust off your mummies and shine up your sarcophagi. Because my husband, Lincoln, and I are breaking in and kicking ass.

Angelbound Origins
In which Myla Lewis kicks ass and takes names. Nuff said.
1. Angelbound
2. Scala
3. Acca
4. Thrax
5. The Dark Lands
6. The Brutal Time
7. Armageddon
8. Quasi Redux
9. Clockwork Igni
10. Lady Reaper

Read an excerpt:

I stand in a small square room. A heavy iron door looms before me. All around, the walls are lined with intricately-entwined gears and springs. Tiny pieces whirl and tick away at high speed. With each click and swipe, a tiny jolt of worry ricochets down my spine. Sweat beads on my palms.

I’m girl enough to admit it. This scene freaks me out.

No question why, either. This isn’t just any metal portal. It’s Pandora’s Door. As in, the girl didn’t keep a box of nasties. Nope. Instead, something awful lurks behind this very entrance. If I pull on the handle, that magical whatchamacallit gets free. Based on what I’ve learned, the mystery something-something could make everything right again. In other words, my igni would return. I’ll move souls once more. The Great Scala is back. How perfect.

Or I could release an unknown scourge that destroys all the after-realms. Definitely not as cool.

A memory appears. I picture Verus giving me a solemn warning: “No matter how tempting the door may appear, you must step back and walk away.”

It’s logical enough advice. Plus, Verus is an oracle angel. In my experience, she’s right most of the time. Perhaps I should give up. Go home. Play with my kid. Smooch my hottie husband. Get a mocha.

That lasts all of five seconds.

Screw it. I’m going in.

I grasp the handle and pull.

Buy on Amazon

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Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. She loves to connect with her fans at BauersBooks.com.

Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!

Blog: http://monsterhousebooks.com/blog/category/christina

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

Twitter: @CB_Bauer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cb-bauer-481b12139/

Web site: http://monsterhousebooks.com/authors/cbauer

Christina Bauer will be awarding an angel/demon necklace to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Dark Creation by Kelsey Ketch

 

Welcome to the Book Tour! 

Today you can check out an excerpt from Dark Creation and author Kelsey Ketch talks more about writing Charissa's story. There's also a great giveaway at the end!

Dark Creation (A Dark Reflections Short Story #2)
By Kelsey Ketch
Release Date: April 30^th, 2021
New Adult Dark Fantasy Short Story

Summary from Goodreads:

Long before Charissa began her murderous rampage through history, she was a young woman living in ancient Alexandria.

Oppressed by society and cursed by the color of her hair, Charissa had hardly seen the world beyond the four walls of her home. So, when her husband leaves for extended military duty, she takes the opportunity to tour the city her brother once loved. Little does she know the Fates have other plans in store for her when she runs into an exotic woman in the Rhakotis District. The encounter will change her life forever.

Read an excerpt:

A soft heat mixed with a sweet metallic scent made my mouth water. My empty gut squirmed and rumbled. My eyes fluttered open only to find the room around me blurred. From what I could tell, I was lying on a piece of furniture covered in pillows, much like the seven couches of my husband’s andron. An image moved above me, and something soft and sticky pressed against my lips. A honey-like fluid rushed into my mouth. I swallowed greedily, letting it nourish my dry throat. As my stomach filled, my senses sharpened. The rhythmic drums vibrated in my ears. The heat and metallic scent interweaved with myrrh, cinnamon, and frankincense, becoming intoxicating.

Buy Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | Apple Books | Google Play

(affiliate link included)

Writing Charissa’s Story

To begin, I want to state that my characters, though fictional, become real in my imagination. They have their own thoughts, their own emotions, and their own secrets even I am not privy too. In my mind, they are their own person.

As the antagonist of Dark Reflections, Charissa has not been an easy character to get along with. If the topic is not about one of her bloody victories or conquests throughout history, she remains closed lipped about her past. I always felt this was because she didn’t want to seem vulnerable. Not in anyone’s eyes. And the details of her life in ancient Egypt and with Sekhmet appeared to be her Achilles’s heel. Still, I’ve been wanting to write Charissa’s backstory since Dark Reflections. And when readers’ reviews revealed they wished they could see things through Charissa’s eyes, I figured I could try again with a short story.

It was Sekhmet, who actually started sharing small bits and pieces of the events from her point of view and told stories Charissa shared with her. I wrote these down, but it was still like only having a few random puzzle pieces scattered on a table. They didn’t explain Charissa’s thought line or what her life was like. So, I started my research into Alexandra during the Hellenistic era: how the city was designed, how the Greek rulers blended religions, and what daily life could have been like for normal citizens. I became particularly interested in the social structure, woman’s lives, and the several districts that separated the people and their cultures. Eventually, as I conducted my research and attempted to apply the information, Charissa finally decided to open up. Not about everything from her past, but enough to write about the day she met Sekhmet, a little about brother and father, and of course, the night she was thrown out of Egypt. I could tell she was uncomfortable sharing even that small amount of information. But I think she also felt if I’m really going to write about her, she wanted me to write the story right.

I still don’t know a lot about Charissa’s story. I’m not sure I ever will or if she will reveal a few hints as I continue to work on the other short stories for the Dark Reflections Short Story Collection. But I knew from day one she was a complicated character. At least, now, I understand her a little better than when I was writing Dark Reflections.

Giveaway! 
5 Winners will receive an e-copy of Dark Reflections by Kelsey Ketch! 

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Playlist! 

About the Author:

Kelsey Ketch is a young-adult/new-adult author, who works as a Wildlife Biologist in the state of North Carolina. During her free time, she can often be found working on her latest work in progress. She also enjoys history, mythology, traveling, and reading.

For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

Author Links:

Goodreads | BookBub | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Created by YA Bound Book Tours