A
message in a bottle leads Sophie Washington and friends on a seaside treasure
hunt in this exciting, illustrated chapter book adventure. It's summertime, and
Sophie, her best friend, Chloe, and her younger brother, Cole are spending two
fun-filled weeks in Corpus Christi, Texas with her young-at-heart grandmother.
A surprise discovery on a day out at the beach takes them on a quest for
riches. During their search, the kids snorkel, encounter endangered sea
turtles, visit a World War II warship, and learn that honesty and true
friendship are worth more than gold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
Spooked, I backtrack on the slippery sand like I’m dancing
the moonwalk.
Eek!
I almost step on a fish skeleton that includes a full set of
teeth. Whatever ate the fish cleaned its bones. Creepy.
“Why’re you jumping around like that, Sophie?” asks Cole. “I
thought you said we should be careful, so we don’t accidentally step on any
baby turtles?”
“Look!” I gesture
toward the cove, and Granny, Cole, and Chloe gather around.
What I thought was a rock wiggles again. It seems too heavy
to be a piece of paper. Is it an old trash bag? A dead animal?
“Is that rock shaking?” Chloe leans in.
“I think so,” I answer.
This is weird. I’d have goosebumps if the sun wasn’t burning
my arms. I rub my forehead with the back of my hand to stop sweat from dripping
into my eyes.
Peering closer, I
recognize what I see. “It’s a sea turtle!” I exclaim.
At first, the reptile’s head was inside its shell, so we
didn’t recognize it. It’s nearly the size of a dinner plate. Somehow, Cole’s
baseball cap is attached to one of its back flippers.
“Check that thing out!” His eyes widen.
This is my first time seeing a grown sea turtle up close.
“Good morning, Mr. Turtle!” I sing-song.
Its shell is dark, grayish-green, and its body is white. The
reptile’s nose reminds me of a beak.
Spotting us, the turtle shuffles its legs to flee, but its
shell sticks like glue to the rocks underneath.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Tonya Duncan
Ellis is author of the award winning, bestselling, Sophie Washington children's
book series, geared toward readers ages 8 to 12, and is a member of the Society
of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her independently
published books have been featured in the Houston Chronicle and the Baltimore
Sun and have seen over 70,000 downloads and sales in the United States, India,
Canada, and Great Britain. She has worked as a journalist and a freelance
magazine writer, and is a graduate of Centre College of Kentucky and holds an
M.B.A. degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
The twelve book
Sophie Washington series stars a sweet and sassy African American preteen from
Houston, TX and her diverse group of friends. Each funny and heartwarming story
teaches lessons about friendship, responsibility, truthfulness, and
perseverance.
Tonya loves to
travel and has visited 49 American states, 20 countries, and three continents,
but some of her best journeys have been between the pages of a novel. As a girl
she could always be found with a book in her hand, and reading is still one of
her favorite hobbies. When she's not reading or writing, the author likes to
ride her bike, swim, and spend time with her husband and three children. She
lives in Missouri City.
Sophie Washington: Treasure Beach by Tonya Duncan Ellis is
part of the 'Sophie Washington' series that centers around a young girl’s
adventures in life. Sophie, her best friend Chloe, and little brother Cole are
visiting Corpus Christi and Granny Washington. Between adventures at the beach,
learning about sea creatures, and a treasure hunt, the fun almost never ends,
until a wrong choice threatens to destroy a valued relationship.
This fun children’s series features the everyday adventures of
a personable young girl and her younger brother as they navigate through life.
I adore these stories because the characters are realistic and vivid, and their
experiences provide life lessons without being preachy. The interactions between
Sophie and Cole seem so normal, with typical sibling squabbles but also
heartwarming love, and I love their zest for life and enthusiasm. This story
has great info about the hazards facing the animals who live in the sea, touches
on jealousy and the importance of being able to understand another person’s
perspective, and allows one to see how the differently abled can adapt their
world to keep from being excluded from things they love. Another great addition
to the series, and as usual, each story can be read as a stand-alone tale, although
once you read one, you’ll want to read all of the others.
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About this item
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Twist My Parm Goodles are tasty, creamy, and good for you,
what more can you ask for? At first, I was a little skeptical about how tasty
something with so many vegetables in it could be. Surely, there would be an odd
aftertaste, right?
Nope. I was excited when I realized there were several
different flavors to try, and delighted to see that one included asiago cheese
and spiral noodles, although I was a little concerned because sometimes spiral noodles
are a bit large for my tastes, and don’t seem to soak up the flavor properly.
I
was pleasantly surprised to open the box and discover that the spiral noodles
were about the same size as an elbow macaroni. Perfect!
A watched pot does eventually boil, and I added the noodles, stirring several times while I gathered my almond milk and butter to add. It didn’t take long for the noodles to cook, and I added the contents of the sauce pouch, the butter, and the almond milk, and stirred until the contents were well mixed.
Yum. My first taste was delicious. I was a little concerned
that I might have ruined the flavor by using almond milk, but that wasn’t the
case. I used this as a side dish, and received compliments on the flavor (of
course I didn’t mention how healthy it was until AFTER it was consumed, lol).
This is a dish I would definitely try again, even though it costs a bit more
than other packaged side dishes I normally purchase. I’m not sure I will try
the other flavors since I liked this one so much, but who knows, I might branch
out one of these days. I heartily recommend Twist My Parm, and hope you enjoy
it as much as we did.
This product was provided for review
P.S. I bought mine at Target, but you can search for local locations or purchase directly on the company's website.
Gypsum,
the sixth of seven sisters, has always been a rebel. Yet no one thought she
would go so far as to join the reczavy, a group living in tents on the edge of
the desert and known for their sexual promiscuity and playful ways.
But
as the date of the Mongols’ return draws near, Ilarians of all types must work
together if they are to have any hope of surviving. And the reczavy, for all of
their odd ways, do have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. Well, up their
sleeves whenever they are bothering to wear clothes, that is.
Gypsum
is touched when her oldest sister Ryalgar comes to call, and brings an olive
branch with her. Ryalgar recognizes that the reczavy have as much to lose as
anyone, and as much to contribute. Will Gypsum accept a key role in the plan to
stop the invasion? Of course she will.
Unfortunately,
her playmates don’t all feel the same sense of urgency. Many would rather
simply enjoy the time they have left. A few claim to be allergic to long term
planning. And some are too busy with their own poorly-timed plans to overthrow
the government Ilari already has.
Good
thing needlepoint is the one traditional skill at which Gypsum has always
excelled. She will need to thread a fine needle in order to coax this
recalcitrant group into becoming life-saving warriors of a very different kind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
Curled up naked
beside him on his lumpy bed, I learned of the ill-advised pranks that forced
him to change schools. Stupid things. I thought his school over-reacted until I
learned his closest friend received no punishment at all.
“They decided I
had to be the bad influence. Best to get rid of me, you know? Probably
shouldn’t have let me in to begin with…”
“Because your
name is Sheep Scump?” Despite my joke, I sat up, indignant for him.
He sat up as
well, and wrapped a blanket around both of our shoulders.
“No. Because my
friend has a father who teaches there. They look out for their own.”
Maybe this
wasn’t the time to tell him my father taught also.
“Your parents
weren’t inclined to intervene on your behalf?” I saw the displeasure on his
face before I finished the sentence. “Wait. I remember. They don’t care that
you’re in school.”
“Oh, they care;
they just don’t care which one. Anything that keeps me from herding goats
pisses them off.”
I only knew one
place in Ilari where goat herding was common. I scooted away from him without
thinking.
“You’re an
Edser?”
“Yes.” He met
my gaze with a look saying you want make something of it?
I didn’t.
Edsers were known for being cranky, intolerant, and ignorant. So far Sheep
Scump had only shown signs of crankiness. I didn’t want to encourage it.
“So. You’re an
unusual Edser who wants an education.”
“I thought I
did. And what are you? The cherished daughter of a …”
I interrupted
him. “Don’t go there. I’m not a cherished anything. I’m the sixth daughter of
wheat farmers, and I’m the child both parents wish had never been born.”
Sherrie Cronin writes stories about people achieving the
astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had. She’s made a lot
of stops along the way to telling these tells — living in seven cities,
visiting forty-six countries, and working as a waitress, technical writer, and
geophysicist. She’s lost too many beloved cats to mention, but has acquired a
husband and three children who are all doing fine, despite how odd she is.
Today she lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina where
she writes, answers a hotline, and occasionally checks her phone for a message
from Captain Picard. She still hopes to get the chance to pursue her remaining
dream in life and become Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise.
“She’s the One Who Won’t Behave” by S.R. Cronin is Book 6 of
‘The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters’ series and features Gypsum,
the sixth of the seven sisters. Her ongoing discomfort with her place in the
family and lack of connection to her mother, plus the relationship she forms with
a fellow student she affectionately calls Sheep Scump, leads her on an
adventure she never would have dreamed of. Her habit of imbuing her needlework with
a sentiment morphs into an amazing journey of self-realization and bolsters her
self-appointed task of finding a way to help oppose the invasion of the
Mongols. Like her sisters, Gypsum has hidden depths, and her refusal to be forced
into the expectations of others will make her into a force to be reckoned with.
This intricately plotted fantasy portrays a massive,
world-changing invasion as seen and reacted to by seven very different sisters.
The excellent world building allows the reader to clearly picture the various
factions that must learn to cooperate in order to defeat their common enemy.
Gypsum’s frustration, both with her family and with those who are vital to resist
the usurpation of their part of the world, comes through clearly and vividly.
I enjoyed watching Gypsum as she navigates life and grows
into her role and into self-acceptance. The unfolding of her relationships as
she learns to search for the truth rather than just accepting what she is being
told is inspirational and compelling, and I was fascinated by the way I changed
my opinion about some of the characters as I learned more about their motives
and backgrounds.
The stories in this series explore the various aspects of
love…romantic, patriotic, and familial. Gypsum’s journey requires that she
learn certain truths, but also that she finds a way to gently bend and coax
rather than demand. Although this is part of a series, I think one could read
it without having read any of the other stories because there are recaps of major
events, but it is even better savored when one learns more details about the
adventures the other sisters are having. Even though I haven’t read all of the
stories prior to this one, I had no trouble becoming immersed in the struggles
and adventures portrayed in this tale.
I like the mixture of pragmatism and the mystical as well as
the life lessons that are portrayed, and I look forward to learning more about
the last sister.
It is my pleasure to share an interview from prolific author Morgan Brice (aka Gail Z. Martin)
Tell us a little about yourself and your
writing goals.
A: I’m a full-time author, I love writing
MM romance, and I’m a huge fan of the TV show Supernatural. My goal is to write
fun stories that let readers escape from their worries!
Congratulations on your new release. Please
tell us a little bit about it.
A: Again is the second book in my Fox
Hollow Zodiac series, which is set in a small upstate New York town that is a
haven for misfit shifters and psychics.
Again is a thrill-packed MM shifter romance
adventure full of sexy shifters, hurt/comfort, one true pairing, reincarnation,
sincere psychics, hunky mechanics, first responders, a sexy wildlife
photographer, found family, and fated mates.
Are you a planner or a pantser? How much do
you know about your story before you start writing? How often does your plan
change? Why does this work best for you?
A: I’m mostly a planner, although I am
totally up for seizing inspiration when it presents itself. I have a solid idea
of the story when I start, although sometimes new twists and additions present
themselves as the book goes along. Those almost always make the book better, so
I’ve learned to roll with them.
What was the most difficult part of writing
this book? Why?
A: There’s something about getting to the
two-thirds point in a manuscript that presents a mental obstacle. Usually
that’s because there’s something missing that I haven’t figured out yet—and
don’t know that I don’t know. Once I dig down and work that through, the rest
comes along pretty easily.
How do you develop a story idea? Do you
always use the same method? Specifically, which do you develop first in your
story building, the characters or the plot?
A: It really depends on the book.
Sometimes I just get the plot idea and then fill in the characters from there.
In other cases, I have a general direction in mind and fill in the details and
world building and flesh out the plot.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
A: Both—but I get cranky if I don’t
write. Plus I have bills to pay!
If you could tell your younger writing self
anything, what would it be?
A: Hang in there. Everything takes longer
than you think it will.
What is the best money you ever spent as an
author?
A: A good desk chair!
How do you select the names of your
characters?
A: I think about their age and where
they’re from and their ethnicity, and then look at lists of baby names that fit
those criteria.
What do you think about when you’re alone in
your car?
A: Usually the next scene I have to
write!
What were you like in high school?
A: I was the nerd who said she was going
to be a writer when she grew up.
The fast, furry, and furious! A lynx shifter, pursued by a cryptid trophy hunter. A wolf shifter desperate to rescue a lover who's not just his fated mate—but his one true pairing across past lives. And a love that transcends time.
Blurb
The fast, furry, and furious! A lynx shifter, pursued by a cryptid trophy hunter. A wolf shifter desperate to rescue a lover who's not just his fated mate—but his one true pairing across past lives. And a love that transcends time.
Lynx shifter Noah Wilson narrowly escaped being captured by the Huntsman. While recuperating in Fox Hollow, he meets his fated mate, wolf shifter Drew Lowe.
Noah has to return to Canada to finish filming his TV projects, so he and Drew visit when they can and come up with creative solutions to their long-distance relationship. Noah and Drew are sure they're meant for each other and start making plans.
Drew's dreams make him wonder if he and Noah are more than fated mates—could they be a true pairing, destined to find each other lifetime after lifetime?
Then Noah accidentally records a murder, and the killer is on his trail. Can he elude a master tracker and reach the safety of Fox Hollow, or will he and Drew have to wait to find happiness in another life?
Again is a thrill-packed MM shifter romance adventure full of sexy shifters, hurt/comfort, one true pairing, reincarnation, sincere psychics, hunky mechanics, first responders, a sexy wildlife photographer, found family, and fated mates.
************************
Excerpt
“I wish you could see this view in person—except for how cold it is.” Noah snapped a photo that didn’t do the colors of dawn justice, and sent it with his text to Drew.
He waited for a reply and realized Drew probably wasn’t awake yet. No one in their right mind is up at this hour.
He’d made the best of the cramped hotel room, knowing from experience to bring an extra blanket, good pillow, books, and power strips. Hotels never had enough outlets to charge his cameras. Fortunately, travel wasn’t a constant, but staying overnight to get the right light or have time to set up cameras happened fairly often.
Will that be a problem with Drew? Will he resent my photography? It’s a demanding job.
Noah cleaned his lenses and checked his batteries as he packed his day bag. Travel made it easy to find overnight company without entanglement, and he’d long ago grown tired of waking up alone. He’d had a serious relationship back in film school, which fizzled after graduation. There were a few boyfriends who lasted more than a month or two, but his irregular hours always ended up being more than anyone wanted to deal with for long.
Can it be different with Drew? We felt such an immediate bond—I’ve never had a connection like that with anyone. It’s like we’ve known each other forever.
“Of course. We’re fated mates,” his lynx reminded him, as if Noah could forget.
He smiled, thinking of their conversation that ended only a few hours ago. It wasn’t just the sex—although that was combustible in a way Noah had never experienced before. Everything took on a different light when it involved Drew. Talking about the trivial activities of the day wasn’t boring. Sharing a movie or even reading the same book and talking about their reactions now felt satisfying and fun.
I’m a Cancer—we’re protective and defend our family. Except I don’t really have any.
Noah didn’t have many living relatives. His father had vanished when he was young, and his mother died two years ago from a bad heart. He had a brother and sister, but they drifted apart, and Noah hadn’t heard from them in years. He wasn’t sure he even had valid addresses for them.
Drew is my mate. He’s my family now. And he has Russ and Liam and their friends. A pack. Someday, they’ll be my pack.
Clowder, his lynx sniffed. Lynxes have a clowder, not a pack.
Sounds like soup.
Clowder is not chowder, silly human. But we could vote to let Drew be an honorary lynx and join.
Vote? Who—you and me?
We are the only ones in our clowder now. It would be nice to add our mate—even if he is a dog.
Wolf.
Canine.
I’ve fallen hard. And it should scare me. But it doesn’t. When I worry that he might not feel the same, I can’t breathe
Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.
On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.
Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!
Again by Morgan Brice is the second book in the ‘Fox Hollow
Zodiac’ series, and picks up where “Huntsman” ends, as the former victims start
to recover from their ordeal. Drew Lowe is supporting Noah Wilson, and despite
their animal shapes being potential enemies, they decide to explore the
connection they feel almost from the start. When Noah is caught in the wrong
place at the wrong time, danger mounts, and Drew discovers the glimpses of couples
he’s been dreaming of have more significance than he ever dreamed of, they must
find a way to break a terrible cycle if they’re going to survive to explore
their attraction.
This exciting adult gay paranormal romance continues to give
more insight into the inhabitants of Fox Hollow and the challenges they face. I
was immediately drawn into the story and invested in the journey for these
guys. I love that the characters from the previous story are also important in
this one even as we get to know Drew and his wolf and Noah and his lynx. The
tension mounts even as the mystical elements complicate matters, and I couldn’t
help but root for the guys to find their happy ever after, despite them being
from different countries and having different species as their alter egos. This
is a fun addition to the series, and I hope there will be even more stories
about the residents of Fox Hollow.
She’s
an uptight Bostonian
Proud and beautiful, Chloe Tanner, inherits her family’s famous distillery—a
legacy she must save from certain disaster. Her troubles can be traced back to
one man. The man whose very presence is more intoxicating to her than whiskey.
He’s a laid-back Tennessean
No one disputes handsome Penland Kittrell’s expertise in all things whiskey.
But Pen can’t make heads or tails of his new neighbor and now business rival;
an undeniable attraction tainted by her connections to the powerful group of
Eastern moguls and tycoons she moves among.
It’s
a Whiskey War they both want to Win!
Passions
ignite between Chloe and Pen in this deadly tangle against revenuers,
moonshiners, and robber barons who all try and come between them and their
whiskey in this gilded age adventure where the real gold is amber nectar.
“Are you not afraid of reaching a stage of inebriation I
might be tempted to take advantage of?” he asked cocking one dark brow up.
“No. As you have reminded me several times earlier
tonight—there is not anything else you could do with me you have not already
done.”
“What a little innocent you are, Chloe.” He circled the
table and took the flask and pulled her up from the chair. “I’ve thought a lot
about you these past few months. Didn’t want to. But did.” He wrapped his arms
around her and nuzzled her neck.
She breathed in the butterscotch whiskey and sandalwood
smell she associated with him. Wanting to see if there was truth in his eyes,
she pushed against his chest locking her arms to study his face. Could she
believe him?
“Tell me you want to kiss me too,” he whispered.
Inch by inch she moved in, surrendering equal distance.
Finally their lips met as if no time had passed between them—a continuation of
their night together a few months before. She could taste the heavy sweetness
of the whiskey they had drunk, smell its heady scent, but it was his mouth, his
touch that made her dizzy with desire.
As
the daughter of a United States military officer, Joy Allyson grew up with a
love of travel and a deep appreciation of history. A teacher by training, she
always preferred reading historical romances to pedagogy. Her favorite
characters – rebel heroines and salvageable scoundrels. Joy believes the best
romances are the ones you want to read over and over again.
She is a member of Romance Writers of
America and Music City Writers. She resides among the beautiful hills of
Tennessee with her husband and near her two daughters and six grandchildren. Whiskey Love is her debut novel.
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