BOOK REVIEW: Eli and the Mystery of the Hallowshine Dragon by Eve Cabanel

Eli and the Mystery of the Hallowshine Dragon

Author: Eve Cabinet

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: Twenty Two House Publishing

Publication Date: 23rd October 2021

Book Description:

A moon elf’s journey to undo a dragon’s curse illuminates the power of friendship.

Two courageous friends adventure through lands of unicorns, fairies, and magical rainbows to confront a terrifying beast with a surprising wish.

In a beautiful enchanted forest lives a moon elf named Eli and her friend Luna. When Luna’s baby bunny is turned into hard rock candy by magical sugar crystals, the friends begin a journey to do the impossible to reverse the curse: confront the terrifying and legendary Hallowshine dragon for a drop of its healing saliva. 

In their journey to find the dragon, Eli and Luna meet magical creatures and travel through various dreamy lands including the Abyss of Time, a marvelous unicorn’s kingdom, a whimsical fairy’s home, and a waterfall with enchanted golden shoes.

The friends race against time to find the mysterious dragon and a magical lesson is learned about how love, friendship, and acceptance can heal all if you have courage and believe in yourself.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

MY REVIEW

Eli and her best friend, Luna, spend their days exploring the enchanted forest, but something terrible is happening that has the creatures of the forest running scared. These strange crystals are turning anyone who touches them into hard rock candy. When tragedy strikes Luna's baby bunny, Eli and Luna must face their fears and venture into the dangerous forest to seek a cure before Luna's baby bunny is lost to them forever.

This was a beautiful tale of friendship and courage. What wonderful illustrations. So bright and colourful. It will definitely draw the attention of curious young minds. Despite how much I love the book, I had to deduct a star due to the grammatical errors that cropped up in places. Apart from that, this was a wonderful journey that I thoroughly enjoyed.

VERDICT:

Rating: 4

Source: Author

Blog Tour & Review: No Good About Goodbye by CT Lotta

An incautious, funny, coming-of-age tale for mature teens and adult readers…

By CT Liotta

NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE, YA/LGBT, Rot 

Gut Pulp, 308 pp.

Fifteen-year-old Ian Racalmuto’s life is in ruins after an embassy raid in Algiers. His mother, a vodka-drunk spy, is dead. His brother, a diplomat, has vanished. And, he’s lost a cremation urn containing a smartphone that could destroy the world.

Forced to live with his cantankerous grandfather in Philadelphia, Ian has seven days to find his brother and secure the phone—all while adjusting to life in a troubled urban school and dodging assassins sent to kill him.

Ian finds an ally in William Xiang, an undocumented immigrant grappling with poverty, a strict family, and abusive classmates. They make a formidable team, but when Ian’s feelings toward Will grow, bombs, bullets and crazed bounty hunters don’t hold a candle to his fear of his friend finding out. Will it wreck their relationship, roll up their mission, and derail a heist they’ve planned at the State Department?

Like a dime store pulp adventure of the past, No Good About Goodbye is an incautious, funny, coming-of-age tale for mature teens and adult readers. 308p.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | B&N | Bookshop

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Only Sometimes by Felicia Blaedel

Only Sometimes

(The Without Filter Series, #3)

Author: Felicia Blaedel

Publication Date: December 9th, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Disagreeing from the first time they meet, Noah and Niko know exactly how to push each other’s buttons while they fight the intense pull between them. But when they’re forced to work together, they might realise that their connection runs deeper than frustration and lust.

Niko is driven and ambitious, even when it’s misconceived as cold and measured. Her latest project is her great-grandmother’s nature organisation. Niko is determined to see it thrive again and hopefully understand herself and her broken family better in the process. Getting a handle on her inconvenient feelings is a must too.

Noah has made a promise to set things right and honour his eccentric grandfather’s hard work. Even when that means taking on an active role in a small nature organisation, while hiding his true identity. He is busy enough as it is with university, work, and late nights of writing. Still, he can’t help but care about the organisation. Or the fierce woman who always seems to make his life harder.

Only Sometimes is a new adult frenemies to lovers romance set in Copenhagen, Denmark (with a getaway to a gorgeous Swedish forest). It’s book three in the Without Filter Series, but it can be read as a complete standalone. Only Sometimes is a steamy slow-burn romance, and it contains spicier content than the previous two books in the series.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

BOOK REVIEW: Express Your Big Emotions With No Hitting - Teaching Toddlers Self Control by Grace Love, PhD

Express Your Big Emotions With No Hitting: Teaching Toddlers Self Control

Author: Grace Love, PhD

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publication Date: 21 November 2021

Book Description:

Discover a fresh new way to combat hitting behavior with your toddler -- help them manage their big, scary feelings in a positive way.

Has your smiling bundle of joy turned into a little monster overnight?

Can a playdate turn into a tantrum in the blink of an eye?

Do you ever cringe in horror when another parent tells you your child has hit theirs at nursery?

Rest assured: you’re not alone. You’ve probably heard of the ‘terrible twos’, and it’s such a common phrase for a good reason.

When your child is going through the toddler stage of development, they’re experiencing deep emotions that they don’t yet have the language to express.

Sadness, anger, frustration, and even tiredness can all come out in aggressive behavior, often in the form of hitting others.

But just because this is a normal stage of development, it doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do about it.

By understanding what your little one is going through and helping them to understand and deal with their emotions, you can set them on the path to gentle and aggression-free play.

Express Your Big Emotions With No Hitting is a book with a difference: it’s not a children’s book; it’s not a parenting book… It's a book designed for both you and your child to help you navigate this challenging time together.

Your child will be made aware of their behavior -- through a simple, relatable story and beautiful illustrations, your child will learn everything they need to know about why they sometimes hit people and what they can do instead.

Read the story with your child, and then settle down with a coffee and learn the psychology behind your child’s behavior, before getting ready to implement tried-and-tested strategies for dealing with hitting behavior in toddlers.

In Express Your Big Emotions With No Hitting, you’ll find a simple and rewarding way to deal with hitting -- hand-in-hand your child. You’ll discover:

• A delightful story to read with your child to involve them in the process from the very beginning

• Clear insights into why your child is behaving this way so you can understand exactly what you’re dealing with 

• Practical strategies for handling your child’s behavior in the moment

• How to recognize your own reactions and manage them to promote positive behavior in your child 

• Clever tactics for preparing for potential hitting scenarios before they happen 

• How to recognize when your child’s hitting may be a sign of something deeper
• A simple 3-step plan for managing aggressive behavior 
• Helpful language and phrases you can use with your child to promote the behaviors you want to see

And much more.

If you’re at your wits’ end with your toddler’s hitting, take heart. This phase will end, and there are things you can do to help them get there.

Tackle the problem head-on with your child. Use this book as a tool to help you become a feelings-managing team and learn positive behavior together.

If you’re desperate to help your toddler express their emotions without hitting, then scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

MY REVIEW

Oftentimes when you hear the word parenting or you hear people having discussions about parenting, the topic can become very rudimentary whereby miscommunication between parent and child is usually attributed to either the child simply being ill-tempered or unruly or the parent accused of being unprincipled, which can sometimes make one miss the essentials required to create an effective solution for building a friendly and safe environment that suits both parent and child. This book certainly skips the rudimentary education and heads for the target: attentiveness, persistence and problem solving strategies. Simply being aware that a child is misbehaving will not resolve the issue. The only way to solve a problem is to first establish the cause behind the problem. Dr Love highlights both the aggression toddlers can exhibit when they feel frustrated and angry but also various reasons for why they might feel the need to lash out.

It's definitely a book that should be read by both parent and child, preferably together, as I expect children will want to elaborate on some of the points raised throughout the book. I thought the language was age appropriate. The illustration was cute. I thought they could have been a little brighter in colour so they could pop out a little more, but they did the job.

This was an insightful and enjoyable book with workable solutions for any parent having difficulties communicating with their toddlers.

VERDICT

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: Author

Book Blast & Giveaway - Buccaneer's Spit: A Race for the Treasure by J.E. Thompson

Buccaneer's Spit: A Race for the Treasure

Publisher: Pelican Publishing

Publication Date: October 18, 2021

Language‏: English

Paperback pages: 352

ISBN-10: 1455626074

ISBN-13: 978-1455626076

Book Description:

Praise for BUCCANEER'S SPIT: A RACE FOR THE TREASURE

"Buccaneer’s Spit is a fast-paced mystery adventure with artful plot twists and turns. When twelve-year-old Callie reluctantly visits her grandfather in Charleston, SC little does she know what lies ahead. With buried secrets, bad guys and suspenseful encounters, readers of all ages will be kept on the edge of their seats." —Elizabeth Geitz

In this middle-reader mystery, twelve-year-old Callie's parents send her to South Carolina alone for a spring break visit with her grandfather. Joined by a rambunctious Jack Russell Terrier and a friend with a secret of his own, she's set on revealing what the adults in her life are keeping from her. This STEM focused coming-of-age story features a girl/boy dynamic with a bit of pirate mystery and ecological danger thrown in. The adventure includes a prominent secondary character with dyslexia and is set in OpenDyslexic typeface. Perfect for high-low or reluctant readers and fans of The Goonies!

You can purchase Buccaneer's Spit: A Race for the Treasure at the following Retailers:

 

Photo Content from J. E. Thompson

About the Author

J. E. Thompson began his career in finance and left Wall Street after catching the writing bug in 1994. He has written four successful adult thrillers garnering much praise and recognition. When his daughter asked him to write something for her, Thompson began researching middle grade fiction. His first foray into the genre, The Girl From Felony Bay, did well earning status as the Winner Best Children’s Book (Southern Indep. Booksellers), and Finalist for Children’s Best Book Award in SC, GA, ME, NE, KS, MD, Junior Library Guild Selection. Now firmly entrenched in writing, Thompson is on his third mystery adventure for middle grade readers. He makes his home in South Caroline, a frequent setting for his books.

Author Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

***GIVEAWAY***

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Accidentally In Love by Danica Flynn

Accidentally In Love

(MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company, #1)

Author: Danica Flynn

Publication Date: December 7th, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance

Book Description:

At thirty-five and single, I’m tired of the dating game. Tired of men who look at me and say, “You’d be prettier if you shed a few pounds.”

There’s only one man I want a future with — my grouchy friends with bene fits, Nolan. But he’s adamant about keeping things casual.

All that changes when one night we get careless, and those pink lines show up on the pregnancy test months later.

Nolan wants to do right by me. He wants to give me what I’ve been searching for, but I’m pretty sure he’s only doing it out of obligation. It’s not like the bearded brewmaster loves me like I love him.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Eden Books

BookSweeps Giveaway: Amazing Adventures – Young Adult Sci-Fi & Fantasy

WIN AN AMAZING PRIZE PACK WORTH $500!

 Today, I have a fun surprise to share with you... 

I’ve teamed up with 40+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy books to 2 lucky winners!

Oh, and did I mention the Grand Prize winner gets a BRAND NEW eReader? 😁

You can win my novel, TALISMAN OF EL (ARCADIA, BOOK 1), plus books from authors like M.A. Rothman and Tricia D. Wagner.

Contest goes live on Monday, 6th December at 10 am EST!

Enter the giveaway by clicking here 👉 https://www.booksweeps.com/giveaway/december-2021/young-adult-scifi-fantasy

Good Luck and enjoy!

Al Stone

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Type X by M.A. Phipps

Type X

(Project W.A.R., #2)

Author: M.A. Phipps

Publication Date: March 26th, 2021

Genre: YA Dystopian

Book Description:

Feared by many. Frightened of few. Torn between humanity and the monster she’s become.

When Wynter surrendered to the DSD two years ago, she thought she was protecting her friends. Lured by the promise of a cure, she hoped she might finally be rid of her devastating disease or, at least, be on the path to controlling it. But Dr. Richter was never interested in curing her.

With a collar around her neck keeping her unstable powers in check, Wynter is transformed into an unstoppable weapon. Compelled to do the State’s bidding, she kills without feeling, remembering nothing of the people she gave herself up to protect. Her only thought is to obey.

When a mission goes wrong, triggering suppressed memories, Wynter finds herself determined to piece together her past. But as she uncovers the truth, she realizes it’s no longer clear who the real enemy is, and with the threat of war looming, she must again make a choice. Can she escape her role in the impending destruction?

Or is she doomed to remain a monster forever?

TYPE X is the second book in the Project W. A. R. trilogy, which readers have compared to The Giver, Divergent, and The Hunger Games!

“This series is a must-read for dystopian and YA readers.” ★★★★★

“Twists at every chapter will have you thinking and rethinking about the way things will play out and even then you will never see it coming!” ★★★★★

“Amazing story that leaves you begging for the next one.” ★★★★★

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Wolf Tempted by Eliza Gayle

Wolf Tempted

(The Enigma Shifters)

Author: Eliza Gayle

Publication Date: November 30th, 2021

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Book Description:

Savannah is on the run and spiraling out of control. Not because of the power she yields, because she’ll do anything to maintain her freedom.

What began as nightmares has morphed into much more as her gift of clairvoyance is far stronger than what her sisters possess. She isn’t sure what that means for her future, but one thing is clear. She needs to RUN.

But if this is the beginning of the end, she will not go quietly into the night.

She follows no one’s rules but her own.

Until the wolf hunting her shows her the meaning of tempted…

Kingston needs this job. They are offering the largest bounty he’s ever been offered and because he now has to take care of his nephew, he has to take it.

Only when he catches up to the missing woman, he discovers there’s a lot more to her story than what they gave him.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Journey by Kelsey Ketch

The Journey

(Death Island, #1)

Author: Kelsey Ketch

Publication Date: November 25th, 2020

Genre: NA Adventure / Fantasy

Book Description:

With her family name tainted by her great-grandfather’s crimes, Meriden Cummings could only dream of fleeing her oppressive life. Then she unearthed a piece of tanned skin, and her blood revealed an ancient map adorned with Mayan glyphs, launching her on the journey of a lifetime. However, she finds herself bound to the map, and there is a cost to her newfound freedom. One that will torment her mind as well as her soul.

After being shanghaied by pirates, Gregory Wilson escapes to a small English village where he runs into an obnoxious auburn-haired beauty. When he learns she is about to set sail on dangerous waters, he signs up to join her crew, hoping to defend her from the pirates seeking her great-grandfather’s treasure. But, will he be able to protect her from the ghost that haunts her or the curse running through her veins?

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

December Group Promo - FREE and Discounted Books

Welcome!

Check out all the free and discounted ebooks and giveaways on offer below. Sharing is caring. I truly appreciate your support.

Happy Reading!

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Book Blitz & Giveaway - Rogue Unbroken by Angie Day

Rogue Unbroken

(Legends & Shadows Saga, #3)

Author: Angie Day

Publication Date: December 10th, 2021

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Book Description:

Kate had survived. She had lived through pain and torment and now she was on the other side, where all the happiness was supposed to be. But with Alec’s vengeful punishment for escaping him, she can’t touch anyone without hurting them.

Alec still wants to create a Level Five and he’s dangerously close. That power under his control would mean unraveling the world as it stands. The world Kate has not yet started to enjoy. She won’t be able to rest until her body, her mind is fixed, and Alec won’t get his beloved power without her help.

The two warring sides of Rogues and Shadows will have to meet. Kate will have to confront Alec and his cruel ambition once again. But every moment with the Shadows is detrimental to those she loves, especially Kylan. So she must find a way to outsmart the person who taught her everything she knows, the most feared Shadow in the world.

Kate is strong. She survived once. But even the strongest people can break with the right pressure, and Alec is ready to tear her life apart.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Midlife Witch Unexpected by Melle Made

Midlife Witch Unexpected

(Cougar Creek Coven, #1)

Author: Melle Amade

Publication Date: November 23rd, 2021

Genre: Adult Paranormal / Women’s Fiction

Book Description:

Middle-aged and starting over is the last thing I ever wanted on my bucket list. But since my husband announced he was gay and my daughter left for college, I don’t really have a choice.

If I’m going to get my “Happily Ever After” I have to start making new choices, starting with picking guys who like women rather than women’s makeup would be a good start.

Next!

I’m way past the point of caring what other people think. I’m 49, about to turn 50 and I’m pretty sure I’m entering the prime years of my life. It’s time to make my mark and do things the way I want to do them.

Like move.

I am sooooooo leaving the city that has sucked me dry with the commute and the executive position. There’s no way I’m doing that anymore. I have enough money from the divorce to buy a house, almost any house, outside of California. I take one suitcase and my jeep, and I leave town, not stopping until I get to Cougar Creek, which is so small I think it’s barely a town, but I’m all about it. This is where I will get my fresh start.

I inherited my Aunt’s home here years ago and never even visited, but the renters just moved out and I might as well make it my home.

For now.

But Cougar Creek has a lot more in store for me than I ever imagined. There is a load of eligible young men from the local ranches, a couple of new BFFs in similar situations, and a strange invitation to a local secret society who think I’m the new high priestess of their local coven. I didn’t stop laughing until I realized they wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. They have a massive problem in the cemetery and they expect me to solve it.

But I didn’t trade in one life of rules for another one, so if they want me to be high priestess, they’re going to have to accept that I make the rules.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Golden Crown by Kathleen Mare’e

Golden Crown

(Arthur Academy, #2)

Author: Kathleen Mare’e

Publication Date: November 26th, 2021

Genre: New Adult Romance

Book Description:

“If the world is full of monsters, how do we know who wears the crown…”

Hendrix:

In the dark of the night he bared his soul, delivering a shocking event that should’ve changed everything.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

The further I’m immersed in this world he calls the ‘elite’, the more I don’t understand. And it’s not only his world I’m afraid I’m falling for, but the Golden Crown himself as well.

But Pax still has secrets.

And I want him to trust me, like a flame wanting fire.

Because despite his world being nothing as it seems, I’m not sure I could walk away even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want him.

Paxton:

In the dark of the night I revealed a truth, delivering the brutal reality of what the elite really means.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

It’s the same cat and mouse games, and the same political, power tricks where the Golden Crown is all they see. It’s all they want to see.

Except for her.

But there are things I can’t tell her. Things I don’t think she’ll understand yet.

And I need her to trust me, like a fire needing flame.

Because despite me knowing what this world does to those who fall victim to it, I’m not sure I could walk away from Hendrix, even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want her.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Bareback Cowboy by Melanie Munton

The Bareback Cowboy

(Southern Hearts Club, #4)

Author: Melanie Munton

Publication Date: November 23rd, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

He might be one of the best riders in the world,

but she’ll give him the buck of his life.

WOULD YOU RATHER… Go through your entire life without ever falling in love?

OR… Have a rough-and-tumble cowboy stomp all over your heart with his sharpened spurs before riding off into the sunset like John f***ing Wayne?

Yeah, that happened. And frankly, I knew better. All cowboys are trouble. I’ve grown up around them my entire life, so I know how they operate. I’ve broken some of the toughest horses in the business. But for some reason, I found this thoroughbred impossible to resist.

A lot of good it did me too. Nothing but tears and comfort eating in the aftermath.

Suddenly, after a year away with no phone calls or texts to show for it, he’s back. He thinks we can pick up where we left off. But I’ve got news for him: His eight seconds with me are already up.

Little do I know, there’s a reason why he’s come back.

And it’s the absolute last thing I expect.

Buy Links:

 Amazon US | UK