Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Celestial Contract by W.B. Dineen & Elizabeth Boyer

The Celestial Contract

Author: Elizabeth Boyer, W.B. Dineen

Publication Date: August 14th, 2024

Genre: Metaphysical and Visionary Fiction

Book Description:

Thousands of years ago, Earth was hijacked by a self-appointed group of puppet masters. Their objective? To keep humanity from remembering why we have incarnated onto our planet—to keep us ignorant of the contract we signed with God before we came.

The powers-that-be have created and perpetrated falsehoods, distractions, and illusions, so we no longer have any idea what life on Earth is supposed to be—what reality truly is. We struggle with the most basic principles of living, unaware the game has changed.

An evolution is coming that will alter the landscape of civilization forever. If we want to evolve, we need to wake up now, and honor our covenant with the Divine. The alternative is being cast into eternal darkness.

The Celestial Contract is a harrowing story of what is happening in our world today. It explains who we are, why we’re here, and why we have lost all control over our lives.

“The information in this book blew my mind! I’ve searched for answers to philosophical questions about why we (humans) are on Earth, and what our purpose is … I’m both surprised and delighted by the answers. I want another book stat!”

– USA Today Bestselling author, Diana Orgain

Buy Links:

Books2Read

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Rebound Play by Kate O'Keeffe

The Rebound Play

(Love on Thin Ice, #2)

Author: Kate O’Keeffe

Publication Date: August 29th, 2024

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance / Sports

Book Description:

If you get a second chance at love with your hockey star ex, should you take it?

Keira

What do you do when your NHL superstar ex skates back into your small town? Drop to the ground and hide behind the bleachers, hoping he doesn’t see you. But Lady Luck must be in a bad mood today because Dan spots me, my hood over my eyes, pretending I’m not there.

Mature? No.

Necessary? Oh, yes.

Humiliation washes over me, and the wall around my heart stands firm. Dan might be back, but I can’t afford to let him in again. Not after the heartbreak of losing him once before.

When he offers to coach my nephew, I reluctantly agree. Every smile he flashes at me, every kind word, threatens to crack my resolve. But I can’t go through that again. I have to protect my heart.

Dan

I want Keira back. End of story.

The Rebound Play is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet hockey romcom series. It’s a second chance at love story about a jock and a nerd who get a second chance in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

BOOK REVIEW: Ellie, The Tiny Little Chick by Avery Smart

Ellie, The Tiny Little Chick

Author: Avery Smart

Publication Date: 30 July 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Book Description:

Ellie is a little chick with big plans! She talks and plays and explores all day... but when night falls, and it's time to sleep, she refuses to go to bed.

How can she possibly lay down when there are so many fun things left to do? The world around her is full of so many promising possibilities. Besides, she's not even tired!

But her mom always has a bit of wisdom tucked under her wing. What will Ellie learn this time?

Ellie, The Tiny Little Chick is the first book in a colorful and engaging series of adventures in which Ellie learns all about life. It's the perfect opportunity for parents to bond with their little ones and nurture good manners through the magic of storytelling.

Order your copy today to join Ellie on her next adventure.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

SUMMARY

This is a charming and heartwarming tale that introduces us to Ellie, an energetic and curious little chick with boundless enthusiasm for life. Ellie loves to explore, play and imagine all day long, but when night falls, she struggles with the idea of going to bed. How could she possibly stop when there are still so many things left to do and discover? The story takes a clever turn when Ellie's mother uses a gentle and wise approach to encourage Ellie to sleep, simply by asking about her plans for the next day. Ellie, excitedly rattling off her list of things to do, becomes so wrapped up in the future that she tires herself out and finally drifts off to sleep. This story is the perfect way to teach little ones the importance of rest while also fostering their imagination and planning skills.

MY THOUGHTS

Ellie, The Tiny Little Chick is a delightful story that resonates well with young children who are often reluctant to end their day for bedtime. I found the character of Ellie to be lovable and relatable, embodying the playful and imaginative spirit of many toddlers. The simple, yet clever approach of her mother asking about her plans for the next day was a brilliant and soothing way to transition Ellie from wakefulness to sleep. It feels like a subtle reminder for both children and parents that a structured bedtime routine can be both fun and effective.

The illustrations add a colourful, vibrant dimension to the book, which is essential in engaging young readers. The gentle pacing and repetitive structure make it ideal for reading aloud, and the life lesson tucked into the narrative feels natural rather than forced.

Overall, I think this book fits perfectly within the bedtime story genre and can be a helpful tool for parents looking to ease their children into a bedtime routine. The story is sweet, heartwarming and teaches children the value of rest in a way they can understand. I’d highly recommend it to parents of toddlers and young children, especially those who might have a little Ellie of their own at home who resists bedtime.

VERDICT

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: Author

Book Blitz & Giveaway - CINDER31LA by Freida Kilmari

CINDER31LA

Author: Freida Kilmari

Publication Date: August 31st, 2024

Genre: Adult LGBTQ+ / Retelling / Steampunk

Book Description:

I have 22,280 days left to live.

She only has 31.

Here in Clepsydra, everyone knows when they’re going to die. Born with a life clock embedded into our wrists, the tick-tock of our heartbeat is a pulse we’ll forever hear. Steambotics rule number one? Never mess with a life clock. For 21 years of my life, I’ve followed the rules and walked in my late father’s footsteps, hoping to one day be as good an engineer as he was.

Until she walked into my life.

The princess is dying, and it’s up to me to break the law and do the impossible. To cure time.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen

Breaking the Ice

(Love on Thin Ice, #1)

Author: Whitney Dineen

Publication Date: August 22nd, 2024

Genre: Adult Comedy / Contemporary Romance / Sports

Book Description:

What do an entitled billionaire and small-town ice-skating coach have in common?

Ellie

My life is not turning out like I thought it would.

My mom’s arthritis has gotten so bad that I had to move in with her. I’m making ends meet by giving ice skating lessons at the arena in Maple Falls. I’d be in serious trouble had the Harts not given me that job.

Which makes it impossible to say no when they ask me to let Troy’s obnoxious billionaire brother stay in the cabin on my mom’s property during the charity hockey event they’re running.

Zach

First the tabloids call me out for being a cheapskate and then Yolanda Simms takes to national television to tell everyone what a vicious heartbreaker I am?

Yeah, my life has been better.

My brother thinks I can fix my bad press by coming to Maple Falls and donating big to his new charity endeavor. Too bad he didn’t mention the woman who owns the cottage I’ll be staying at hates me with a passion.

He also didn’t mention she’s everything I’ve ever looked for in a woman…

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble

BOOK REVIEW: Sky High by Christy Breedlove

Sky High

Author: Christy Breedlove
Publication Date: 30 July 2024
Genre: YA Dystopian

Book Description:

In a post apocalypse world, a group of teenage orphans are determined to escape the tortures of a mile-high city government—a literal platform-city in the sky. They seek the refuge of a utopian society they believe is rumored to exist.

However, all is not well when they reach terra firma. They escape a communist dictatorship only to land in a world of rogue tribes and hybrid monsters.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

SUMMARY

The story is set over 800 years into the future, where humanity’s catastrophic past has led to a world divided between those who live in towering cities above the clouds and those who remain on the devastated earth below. The society within these sky-high cities is rigid, with strict rules, assigned roles and harsh penalties for those who step out of line. Four teenagers—Toby, Maria, Justice and Remy—decide to defy the oppressive system of Cloud’s Rest, their airborne city, by escaping to the ground, a place they’ve only heard about in whispers and rumours. Their journey is fraught with danger as they are relentlessly pursued by the city’s security forces, led by the determined Lieutenant Branson Newman. On the ground, the teens encounter strange creatures, unpredictable tribes and a world vastly different from the one they fled, challenging their perceptions and testing their resolve.

MY THOUGHTS

Sky High presents an intriguing concept of a dystopian future where humanity has split between the skies and the earth. The setting, with its towering city and the desolate ground below, immediately draws readers into a world where survival is dictated by strict societal rules. However, while the escape from Cloud’s Rest is the catalyst for the plot, the majority of the story centres around the teens' struggles and encounters after their descent from the sky-high city.

The plot is engaging, with a well-paced journey that introduces various challenges and adversaries as the teens navigate this unfamiliar terrain. The contrast between the regimented life in Cloud’s Rest and the wild, unpredictable nature of the ground is compelling, though it could have benefited from deeper exploration of both worlds. The tribes and creatures the group encounters are intriguing, but there’s a sense that much more could be uncovered in future installments or with more detailed storytelling.

When it comes to character development, the teens are defined more by their roles and physical descriptions than by distinct personalities or growth throughout the narrative. Toby, as the de facto leader, shows some initiative, but the rest of the group—especially Maria and Justice—could have been fleshed out more fully to create a stronger emotional connection with the reader. Branson, on the other hand, stands out as a character with more depth, particularly as his role evolves towards the end of the story.

Dialogue within the book reflects the formal upbringing of the teens in their rigid society, but at times it felt stilted and could have used more variety to better differentiate the characters. The writing is accessible, with minimal graphic content, making it a suitable read for the YA audience. The action scenes are well-executed, and the inventive use of the teens’ makeshift weapons adds a layer of excitement to their encounters.

Overall, while Sky High delivers a solid dystopian adventure with an interesting premise, it leaves some areas underdeveloped. The world Breedlove has created is rich with potential, but I found myself wanting more—more exploration of the sky-high cities, more insight into the various tribes and more depth in the characters’ personal journeys. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read that set the stage for what could be a much larger and more complex story in future books.

VERDICT

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: Author