Thursday, June 30, 2022
Yay! For Middle Grade Books 2022 Wrap Up!
Blog Tour: To Kiss A Wallflower - Review!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Since 2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Collection, a curated anthology of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.
ADVANCE PRAISE
“5 STARS - I loved the unique twists that each author used in their stories and how they tied them into the theme.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads
“What a great set of stories! If you have read any of these three authors you know you are in for a treat. If you aren’t familiar with them, prepare to add their names to your list of favorites.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
“I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these novellas. They were lighthearted, fun, and took me away from my worries for a while.”— A Bookish Romantic, Goodreads
PURCHASE LINKS
AUTHOR BIOS
An award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance, Jen Geigle Johnson has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
She loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Heather B. Moore
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Anneka Walker is an award-winning author raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor's degree in English and history. When she isn't dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Blog Tour: A Dress Of Violet Taffeta - Review!
When she is deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is left penniless with an aging mother and her five-year-old daughter to support. Desperate to survive, Lucy turns to her one true talent to make a living. As a little girl, the dresses she made for her dolls were the envy of her group of playmates. Now, she uses her creative designs and her remarkable eye for color to take her place in the fashion world—failure is not an option.
ADVANCE PRAISE
“Fans of the 1991 BBC series The House of Eliott will find familiar comfort in Arlen’s descriptions of fabrics, colorworks, and evolving fashions.” —Library Journal
“Tessa Arlen’s novel is as elegant as a Lucille gown, full of movement, color and beauty…For anyone interested in fashion, in the Gilded Age, in stories about strong, visionary woman, Tessa Arlen’s novel is a must read!” —Jeanne Mackin, author of The Last Collection
“A sumptuous treat of elegant prose, evocative descriptions, and compelling emotions. Arlen’s writing absolutely shines.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA TODAY Bestselling author of A Perilous Perspective
“Tessa Arlen delivers a fascinating tale based on the real-life fashion icon, Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon, who went up against a male dominated industry and revolutionized it…A must read for fashion fans everywhere.” —Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
“…written in a sumptuous, engaging style that appeals to all the senses and brings Lucy, her creations, and her world vividly alive.” —Alyssa Maxwell, author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB
AUTHOR BIO
Tessa Arlen writes historical fiction when she is not toiling away in her garden. She is the author of the Edwardian mystery series: Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson; the Woman of World War II mystery series. Poppy Redfern. And two standalone historical novels: In Royal Service to the Queen, and A Dress of Violet Taffeta.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Yay For Middle Grade Books! Interview With Leah Cypess!
Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to present an interview with Leah Cypess, the author of Glass Slippers, which is out now! She has also written multiple YA novels, and the MG book, Thornwood, which is the first is the Sisters Ever After series.
Would you please tell us a little about your book, Glass Slippers?
Glass Slippers is the story of Cinderella’s forgotten third stepsister, Tirza, who was only a baby at the time of the Cinderella story. When the book starts, Tirza is being raised in Queen Ella’s palace, where most people are sure she’s just as wicked as the rest of her family.
Then Queen Ella’s famous glass slippers are stolen, two days before the annual anniversary ball. Everyone is sure that Tirza is the one who stole them. Now she has two days to discover the real culprit and prove her innocence. But her investigation might uncover some secrets about Cinderella’s story… and about the fate of Tirza’s other two sisters.
What’s your favorite fairytale that you haven’t (at least not yet) written a retelling for?
Oh, that’s a tough one! I think I’m going to say The Snow Queen. It’s not my favorite, exactly, but I’ve always found it fascinating (Hans Christian Andersen had such a uniquely dark mind). It’s a challenge to write a retelling of it because the existing story is already so complex. Someday, though….
Random Question! What’s your favorite word?
Every author’s favorite word: OFFER!
If you're able to talk about it, what are you currently working on?
I’m under contract for six books in the SISTERS EVER AFTER series (!!!!!!), so I’m almost always working on one of them. In fact, I’m usually working on two at once – editing one and first-drafting another. I just recently finished proofs for the third book, THE PIPER’S PROMISE (about the Pied Piper’s little sister), which will be published in April 2023, and I'm working on a second draft of the fourth book while also doing research for the fifth book.
What are some of your favorite MG books you've read recently? And what are some that you're looking forward to reading?
Another tough one! I was under deadline until literally yesterday, so unfortunately I haven’t read a ton recently. The last middle grade I finished was Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe, which I absolutely loved. I’m currently in middle of The Mirrorwood by Deva Fagan, which so far is great. After that, I’m looking forward to The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat and A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow.
Thank you to Leah Cypess for participating in this event! :)
Here are a few links:
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Yay For Middle Grade Books! Interview With Jenna Yoon!
Review: Summer on Blackberry Beach (Mistletoe, Maine #2)!
Blog Tour: For The Love Of The Bard - Spotlight/Review!
Before you can say "all's fair in love and war," Miranda is cornered into directing Twelfth Night--while simultaneously scrambling to finish her book, navigating a family health scare, and doing her best to avoid the guy who broke her heart on prom night.
Monday, June 27, 2022
Yay For Middle Grade Books! Interview With George Jreije!
Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to present an interview with George Jreije, the author of Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria, which releases in October!
Would you please tell us a little about your book, Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria?
My novel follows 12-year-old Shad, who loves nothing more than his grandma and Arabic sweets, but is fiercely independent. When he discovers he comes from a long line of alchemists, receiving an invitation to the mysterious Alexandria Academy, he can’t wait to learn more about the ancient art. Yet uncovering his knack for alchemy also makes him a target for the necromancers, a group working in the shadows to revive a forgotten evil. To beat them, he’ll have to rely on his newfound skills as well as overcome his aversion to working with others. Only then can he save the world of alchemy from chaos.
What was the inspiration for the book?
My inspiration came from wanting to create a more original alternative to the traditional magic we see in many fantasy books. Alchemy had roots in Arabic-speaking countries, which is where I’m from, so this seemed like a very natural—and fun—direction to go. Shad Hadid himself is a reflection of the boy I had been at his age, which is where his inspiration came from as well as why he’s such a troublemaker!
Random Question! What’s your favorite word?
A tough question, but probably “Salaam”. It’s an Arabic word that means peace, and can be a greeting. It just makes me happy that I can meet people and wish them peace!
If you're able to talk about it, what are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on the second book in my series! The world of Alchemy has been so exciting to live in, and I’m always eager to return to it. My writing tends to be cinematic, and the first book is full of unexpected twists, so I’m working hard to live up to that in the next installment.
What are some of your favorite MG books you've read recently? And what are some that you're looking forward to reading?
Recently, I’ve really enjoyed HANA TSU AND THE GHOST CRAB NATION by Sylvia Liu and NURA AND THE IMMORTAL PALACE by M.T. Khan. I’m looking forward to reading ZACHARY YING AND THE DRAGON EMPEROR by Xiran Jay Zhao as well as SIR CALLE AND THE CHAMPIONS OF HELSTON by Esme Symes-Smith.
Thank you to George Jreije for participating in this event! :)
Author Bio: George Jreije is the Lebanese-American author of SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA, a forthcoming children’s fantasy novel with HarperCollins. He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. When not writing, George enjoys helping other writers via mentorship or his freelance editing services, trying tasty Arabic pastries, and messing with new yoga poses.
Here are a few links:
Review: Never Marry a Scandalous Duke!
Review: Never Marry a Scandalous Duke by Renee Ann Miller
A thoroughly roguish nobleman and a devoted lady entomologist have absolutely nothing in common—or do they? Love is far from scientific when it truly blooms...
In the eyes of the ton, Lady Sara Elsmere is so firmly on the shelf, she might as well be nailed in place. Not that Sara minds. She is far more concerned about her study of butterflies than society’s gossip. Of course, it’s also true that the nervous laughter that ruined Sara’s debut—and every social event thereafter—is a bit embarrassing. She can hardly help it—men are quite nerve-wracking. Except for one: the rake who pulls her into a dark room during a costume ball and kisses her senseless. He doesn’t make her titter, he makes her burn...
Ian McAllister, the Duke of Dorcester, is perfectly satisfied to remain a rogue for the rest of his days. But when he finds he has kissed the wrong shepherdess, albeit a decidedly luscious one, he’s faced with a dilemma. His indiscretion with an innocent may cost him a lucrative business arrangement—and his two scapegrace wards need a maternal influence they can’t scare away. Promising Sara the use of her dowry to fund her studies seals the pair’s businesslike deal. But as they embark on their life together, they discover that their mutual attraction has sparked a desire not easily tamed—and certain feelings each of them are surprised to own.
Can their matrimonial experiment possibly end in real love?
-summary and cover via Goodreads
Plot: I really enjoyed the plot of this one! Marriage of convenience stories are always fun, and I quite liked Sara and Ian's relationship. Sara being an entomologist was nice! And there is a twist in the story towards the end, that I did not expect at all!
Characters: The characters were what made this story for me, from Sara and Ian, to the boys, the butler, and their friends, I liked them all!
The Cover: I really like it, I love how bright the colors are on it!
Overall: This was a great historical romance novel, and I would definitely recommend reading it!
I received an e-ARC from the publisher.
Sunday, June 26, 2022
Yay For Middle Grade Books! Interview With Sonja Thomas!
Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to present an interview with Sonja Thomas, the author of Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence, which is out now!
Would you please tell us a little about your book, Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence?
Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence is about a twelve-year-old scientist named Mira Williams who will stop at nothing to save her sick cat, Sir Fig Newton, when her parents can no longer afford to treat his diabetes. It’s a story about friendship, family, and the power of persistence.
The inspiration for Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence came from real life. My first cat Whiskey was diagnosed with diabetes and a co-worker had shared with his young son who has Type I diabetes that my cat was receiving insulin shots. His son was so excited, that he’d said, “If a cat can get insulin shots, then so can I!”
At that moment, I knew I had to write Whiskey’s story.
Fall!
My short story “Lovebugs Bite” will be coming out this July in the fantasy/sci-fi anthology Beware the Bugs. Although I can’t get into details, I just wrapped up my third freelance project, historical chapter books to supplement fourth grade social studies textbooks. I also have some projects on submission, so keeping my anxious mind busy by focusing on school visits, speaking at various events, and daydreaming about new story ideas.
Sadly, I’m way behind on my TBR pile, but the most recent middle grade books that I’ve read and loved are Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin, The House That Wasn't There by Elana K. Arnold, and JR Silver Writes Her World by Melissa Dassori.
I’m really looking forward to reading Every Bird a Prince by Jenn Reese, Dad's Girlfriend and Other Anxieties by Kellye Crocker, and Etta Invincible by Reese Eschmann.
Thank you to Sonja Thomas for participating in this event! :)
Author Bio: SONJA THOMAS (she/her) writes stories for readers of all ages, often featuring brave, everyday girls doing extraordinary things. Raised in Central Florida—home of the wonderful world of Disney, humidity, and hurricanes—and a Washington, DC transplant for 11 years (go Nats!), she's now “keeping it weird” in the Pacific Northwest.
Ruled by coffee & cats, a few of her favorite things are
dancing to music blasting in the living room
traveling to new places and buying a magnet before leaving
snuggling with her furry friend, Gabbie Lu (just don't let her roommate's 3 other cats know!)
She's a contributing author for Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic. Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence is her debut middle grade novel
Here are a few links: