Tag: books

Book Spotlight Posts

Book Spotlight: Baby Bandage Dr Laurie Zelinger

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Happy Saturday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. I am bringing you a book spotlight on the ‘BreakevenBooks book tour for Baby Bandage by Dr Laurie Zelinger.

Blurb/Synopsis:

Baby Bandage and the First Aid Healing little Hurts and Booboos is an adorable, colorful, engaging, educational and universal book that captures the interest of young children, while using clever language that also appeals to adults. Children “Dr Zelinger’s Baby Bandage is another must-have for parents, health professionals, educators, and all who love or care for children. Her endearing characters, engaging and age-appropriate story, and accompanying parent notes help to alleviate the anxiety and fear often associated with childhood injuries while reinforcing the family values of love, empathy, and resiliency.” — Darlene Glasser, RN, MSED, Retired school nurse “I absolutely loved Baby Bandage! Dr. Zelinger’s characters and fun illustrations take the fear out of ‘booboos’ and all the things associated with them. In addition, her skillful storytelling weaves in essential lessons on confidence, patience, and recognizing the important roles we all play in this world. Baby Bandage is a wonderful resource for parents and educators alike. — Linda Abraham MLS, Peninsula Public Library “Dr. Zelinger creates a make-believe world where first aid remedies are personified. Through story and illustration, children enter this world and discover that bandages come in all sizes, colors, and shapes and have different and important roles. Young children love covering their ouchies; this story will hold their attention and teach them valuable lessons. As an early childhood educator and a grandma, I recommend Baby Bandage to encourage dialogue about little hurts and booboos.” — Barbara Alster, MS, early childhood education teacher.

Author Bio:

Dr. Laurie Zelinger’s passion for helping children is reflected in her work and numerous booksthat tackle issues of concern to children and their families. She is a board-certified psychologist and credentialed play therapist with over 45 years’ experience working in schools, developmental centers and private agencies, as well as in her busy private practice, devoted exclusively to children. Her passion for writing began when she discovered journaling in third grade, and which was then fortified in fourth grade when she wrote a play that was performed by students in her public school. As an adult, she has successfully blended her love of helping children with her writing talent, creating topical, educational books that appeal to kids and their parents.

Dr. Zelinger’s books for Loving Healing Press include: Please Explain Anxiety to Me: Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents, Please Explain “Time Out” to Me: A Story for Children and Do-It-Yourself Manual for Parents, Please Explain Vaccines to Me Because I Hate Shots!”, Please Explain Alzheimer’s Disease to Me: A Children’s Story and Parent Handbook About Dementia”, Please Explain Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy to Me: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Child for Surgery and Please Explain Terrorism to Me: A Story for Children and P-E-A-R-L-S of Wisdom for Their Parents! Dr. Zelinger has also worked with American Girl where she wrote A Smart Girl’s Guide to Liking Herself Even On The Bad Days and is credited with being a consultant for their Bitty Baby book series, where she assisted in the development of the “For Parents” sections. In addition, Dr. Zelinger has written for Play Therapy magazine, as well as for therapeutic books, where her chapters offer strategies that can be used with fearful children. Dr. Zelinger’s additional credentials include media referral specialist for the American Psychological Association, four years as director on the executive board of the New York Association of Play Therapy and an elected position as officer in the American Academy of School Psychology. As a sought-after expert on children’s behavior, Dr. Zelinger has contributed to nearly 200 venues regarding child development. She and her psychologist husband, Dr. Fred, are both certified Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteers. They have been happily married for over 40 years, have raised four children and relish their roles as grandparents.

If you would like to see more content from this tour check out the rest of the schedule here:

Elizabeth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumgrack/
July 2nd, 2023
Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon
The Shaggy Shepherd
Blog: https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/
July 3rd, 2023
Blog, Goodreads, Amazon
Shawn
Blog: https://treatyoshelf.blog/
July 4th, 2023
Blog, Goodreads, Amazon
Adobo Queen
Blog: https://thebookwormscorner.home.blog/
July 5th, 2023
Blog, Goodreads, Amazon
Amanda
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheReadingandWritingLife
July 6th, 2023
Youtube, Goodreads, Amazon
Ashlee
Blog: https://booksare42.com/
July 6th, 2023
Blog, Goodreads, Amazon
Mel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyforbooksandcoffee/
July 7th, 2023
Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon
Mel
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDo2Yq2Y0GcmMsmnBYr9IQ
July 8th, 2023
Youtube, Goodreads, Amazon

Monthly TBRs

July TBR!

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Happy Friday bookish people! How are you all doing so far this year? I can’t believe it is July already. Over halfway through the year. I am really looking forward to the chances I have to read this month, I will be travelling a bit so lots of time for these books!

Way of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell

Arsenic for Tea by Robin Stevens

Library of the Dead

London Seance Society by Sarah Penner

Mrs Death Misses Death

Your Turn to Die

Murder of Graham Catton by Katie Lowe

People of Abandoned Character

NIghtshade by E S Thompson

The Art of the Dying by Ambrose Parry

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourne

The Good Thieves

blog tours

Book Spotlight: Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz

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Happy Thursday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. Today I am bringing you a book spotlight of Sealed Empire by Norbert Zsivicz as part of @BreakevenBooks book tour.

The cover of Sealed Empire is a stormy sky over a rough sea where a robot is chasing a small ship.

Synopsis:

First published: 01. Sept. 2021, Budapest.

English translation digital release: 22. Nov. 2022, London.

385 pages (Kindle edition)

-Norbert Zsivicz first book, the Hungarian Literary Award winner Sealed Empire now available in English by the famous translator Tamás Pétersz (Game of Thrones).

Blurb

Ser Edward, an experienced sailor, embarks on perhaps the most daring expedition of the Kingdom of Esenworth so far. His mission is to try to earn the blessing of the Reverend Sven, who is none other than his love’s father, probably the most influential man in the realm. But on his journey beset by fierce storms, he and his men encounter something that could shake to the core not only their faith, but their very concept of the world as well. Meanwhile, far from the oceans, his love, Emma, is trying to disentangle herself from the spider’s web of intrigue and scheming, into which she is being drawn ever deeper by Erick the new king.

And the dark clouds just keep gathering above – ancient beasts, stranger than ever, appear at sea, on land and even in the skies more and more frequently. They roar with a metallic screech, their eyes glow with an unnatural light, their skin hard and rigid as armor.

Can order be upheld in this age blind to divine prophecy, in the largest kingdom of the North, where the monarch’s mind is coming undone just like reality itself?

Our heroes must struggle ceaselessly to understand the hidden secrets of their world and their own origins. But what are they going to do once they have the answers?

Author Bio:

The book you will be reading is the fruit of many years of work and was, strangely enough, finished during the pandemic. Let me offer you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into my Sealed Empire so that you can get to know me a little bit better.

My name is Norbert Zsivicz, I was born in 1992, Szeged, Hungary. Now I live in London.

Ever since childhood, fantasy/science-fiction literature has had a huge impact on me. I used to pore over various comics in my parents’ grocery shop even before I could read. Thanks to my father, during my primary school years I probably saw more science fiction films than all my group mates combined. Add to this, there was a video rental shop next door, where I loved passing the time.

As soon as I learned to read, I started devouring books indiscriminately – fantasy, western, history but also romantic novels. I could perhaps be best described as a geek, since I keep up with the latest video games and films as much as I enjoy retreating with a good book. On the other hand, I love the outdoors and socializing, getting to know new people, places, cultures and flavours.

The concept of the Sealed Empire was born in my head about six years ago, shortly after I moved to London. I had experimented with several versions before finding the ideal style and the appropriate age for the novel. In the next five years expanded this mysterious world of mine with many characters and subplots.

I am determined to finish each of the five planned volumes of this series as soon as possible, while also aiming to keep them all equally compelling. Even a film adaptation is not inconceivable in the future. For all this, I will need your opinion, help and inspiring power. So, jump in, enjoy reading, and have fun in the World of Sealed Empire!

If you would like to see more content about this book check out this schedule:

B.A. Bellec Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGTeYZEBPBWScWXkqBnZrQQ June 25th, 2023
Shawn Blog: https://treatyoshelf.blog/ June 26th, 2023
Infinity’s Bookshelf Blog: https://infinitysbookshelf.wordpress.com/ June 27th, 2023
Elizabeth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumgrack/ June 28th, 2023
The Blind Scribe Blog: https://theblindscribe.com/ June 29th, 2023
The Shaggy Sheppard Blog: https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/ June 30th, 2023
Amanda Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheReadingandWritingLife June 30th, 2023
Mel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyforbooksandcoffee/ July 1st, 2023
S.Anny Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_obstinate_owlbear/ July 1st, 2023

blog tours, Uncategorized

The Dreams That Bind Us Book Spotlight

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Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. I am here today doing a book spotlight for The Dreams That Bind Us by Maximillian Lopez as part of @BreakevenBooks book tour.

Synopsis:

This sci-fi thriller explores the possibility that when we dream, we’re merely glimpsing into an alternate reality. Three strangers bound together by a shared dream fight against the current of fate. Can they come to terms with the truth? Are we the only versions of ourselves? Are you the best version of you to exist? They must find each other without losing themselves. Two universes hang in the balance as external forces vie for control of their ability to peer into an alternate reality. Will Corey, Selene, and Joseph find answers to the mystery placed before them? Or will the search for an answer lead them toward a darker fate?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-That-Bind-Us-Etherium-ebook/dp/B09PGTPRHB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1660245232&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dreams-that-bind-us-maximilian-lopez/1140832794?ean=9798201820398

Apple store: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1602841625

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=DCVXEAAAQBAJ

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dreams-That-Bind-Us-Audiobook/B0B8476YN8?asin=B0B8476YN8

Author Bio:

Maximilian Lopez

Max grew up dreaming impossible dreams of an alternate life other than the one he had in a small town outside of San Antonio, Texas. Shortly after high school, he joined the Marine Corps where he traveled to Foreign Lands. Throughout his budding Marine Corps career, he studied military radar technology and decided to leave the Marine Corps after a memorable eight years to work in the civilian Radar Technical Community at Saab Defense Inc. in Syracuse, NY. During the following eight years, he met his beautiful and intelligent wife, Shirley. Eventually, Max and his growing family wanted to move away from the snow so he accepted a position working as a Government civilian for the US Navy specifying in emerging naval radar technology. Currently, Max resides with his wife, two handsome boys, and a small white Lhasa Apso named Tesla in Virginia Beach, Va.

If you would like to see more content from other bookish people about The Dreams That Bind Us check out this timetable:

B.A. Bellec Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGTeYZEBPBWScWXkqBnZrQQ June 18th, 2023
Shawn Blog: https://treatyoshelf.blog/ June 19th, 2023
Elizabeth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumgrack/ June 20th, 2023
Infinity’s Bookshelf Blog: https://infinitysbookshelf.wordpress.com/ June 21st, 2023
The Shaggy Sheppard Blog: https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/ June 22nd, 2023
The Blind Scribe Blog: https://theblindscribe.com/ June 23rd, 2023
Amanda Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheReadingandWritingLife June 23rd, 2023
Mel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyforbooksandcoffee/ June 24th, 2023
S.Anny Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_obstinate_owlbear/ June 24th, 2023

Book Reviews

Northranger Book Review

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Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today!

Today I am bringing you a book review for Northranger, a graphic novel by Rey Terciero and illustrated by Bre Indigo. I do not usually review graphic novels so, usually I give star ratings to four categories but instead I am going to write a little bit about my overall thoughts.

First, thank you to Harper 360 for sending me a copy of this graphic novel, I enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone to read this in May. It is something I never would have bought for myself.

Northranger is a graphic novel about a young man who goes with his father to work on a farm/ranch for the summer and they realise that things might not be quite as they seem, the family there have a lot of secrets. It also has LGBTQ+ representation.

Firstly, I thought the illustrations in this graphic novel were gorgeous and captured all the expressions that were needed for the story to feel very real. In terms of the plot, I was hooked in by the mystery aspect and without saying too much and spoiling everything I will say I was overall disappointed with the way the mystery panned out, it could have been more and I just think there was something, I am not entirely sure what, missing.

Blurb/Synopsis:

In this swoony and spooky teen summer romance graphic novel set on a Texas ranch, sixteen-year-old Cade Muñoz finds himself falling for the ranch owner’s mysterious and handsome son, only to discover that he may be harboring a dangerous secret.

Cade has always loved to escape into the world of a good horror movie. After all, horror movies are scary–but to Cade, a closeted queer Latino teen growing up in rural Texas–real life can be way scarier.

When Cade is sent to spend the summer working as a ranch hand to help earn extra money for his family, he is horrified. Cade hates everything about the ranch, from the early mornings to the mountains of horse poop he has to clean up. The only silver lining is the company of the two teens who live there–in particular, the ruggedly handsome and enigmatic Henry.

But as unexpected sparks begin to fly between Cade and Henry, things get… complicated. Henry is reluctant to share the details of his mother’s death, and Cade begins to wonder what else he might be hiding. Inspired by the gothic romance of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Bloom comes a modern love story so romantic it’s scary.

Book Tags

Summer book recommendations!

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Happy Friday bookish people! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the books I have read that I would recommend that gives me the feeling of summer, let me know if you agree or disagree with this books!

Death and Croissants by Ian Moore

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Lying About Last Summer by Sue Wallman

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

The Maid by Nita Prose

Dead Man’s Folly by Agatha Christie

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson

Take A Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Book Reviews

A Pen Dipped In Poison Book Review

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Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today. Today I am bringing you a book review for A Pen Dipped In Poison by J M Hall. I hope you all enjoy it.

As usual, I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little bit about each one. WARNING: This book review will probably contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

A Pen Dipped In Poison Plot:

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

This novel is the second in a series following three women, Thelma, Pat and Liz, who get caught up in different situations. I say this because I was sold this book on the idea that the first book featured a murder and so I thought this one would too. It did not, the novel frequently hints at scenarios that could lead to murder or lead to a body, that kind of thing but then these scenarios end up being nothing at all. This annoyed me because I felt very misled by the novel, and not in the good way.

The first half of the novel, where members of the school staff start receiving poison pen letters I enjoyed, it built itself up very well but unfortunately I feel that the second half just deflated, there was barely any mystery to solve and overall I felt it was very underwhelming.

A Pen Dipped in Poison Characters:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Contrary to what I thought of the plot, I enjoyed the characters this novel revolves around. They each had their own stories outside of the mystery and I liked how this was shown to intertwine with each other. Particularly I liked how they were shown to be such good friends yet they keep so much from each other. I would read another of the books in this series, just to read some more of these characters.

A Pen Dipped In Poison Writing and Dialogue:

Rating: 3 out of 5.

For me, the writing in this novel was fine. It didn’t stand out to me in a good or a bad way. The only thing that stood out was the anger coming through the words about the way schools are being turned into, and run as, businesses.

A Pen Dipped In Poison Overall:

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Blurb/Synopsis:

Signed. Sealed. Dead?

Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice.

But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light.

With the potential for deadly consequences.

It won’t be long until the three friends are out on a case yet again…

The second totally addictive and page-turning cosy mystery featuring these very unlikely sleuths. Fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders will be hooked.

Book Tags

Fae book tag!

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Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today.

today I am doing the Fae book tag that I found on metaphors and moonlight.com but was created by Jordan Reads.

A faerie bargain: pick a book in which a character makes a bad deal or is blackmailed – I instantly thought of Throne of Glass for this answer, the competition is definitely a bad deal.

changeling: pick a book in which a character is dropped into a new world- pages and co by Anna James, I would love to be dropped into a bookish world like the characters in this series.

Wings or magic: pick one or the other and lost three books with that trait – wings! Just so I could choose Good Omens and Crescent city.

animal companions: pick a book in which there is a talking animal – spellslinger by Sebastian de castell

fated mates: pick a book in which there is a mating bind or true love – once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber

the spring court: pick a book in which plants feature in a large role – the stardust series by Tanya landman

the summer court: pick a book in which the ocean features a large role – a fatal crossing by Tom hindle

the autumn court: pick a book in which fire plays a large role- set fire to the gods

the winter court: pick a book in which a character almost freezes to death- what an interesting question, I literally can’t think of any book I have read that features this.

that’s it for this book tag, I hope you all enjoyed it, what would you have answered for the questions?

Monthly TBRs

June TBR

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Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day today. Today I am bringing you the books that I hope to read in June.

Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd Robinson

The Hemlock Cure

Murder at the House on the Hill by Victoria Walters

Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb

In the Shadow of Queens by Alison Weir

How to Kill men and get away with it by Katy brent

The double clue by Agatha christie

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey

Taste for poison

Anatomy by Dana Schwartz

what are you all looking forward to reading in June?

Monthly Wrap Ups

May Wrap Up!

theblindscribe

Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you’re all doing good today. I am actually writing this post a lot earlier than usual, it’s actually the 21st May as I’m writing this, so I’ve still got time to read more books – two in particular that I am taking on holiday with me.

But for now, here are the books I have read so far in May!

First I read Northranger, a graphic novel that I am grateful to have been sent by publishers, and I thought it was okay, considering I don’t love graphic novels.

Next, I started Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles- I won’t be writing a review for this book because I DNFd it after 100 pages, I got the feeling that the book was trying to sound too clever and the murder took way too long to happen, I found it boring.

Then I read A pen Dipped In Poison which I will be reviewing here this month so make sure to come back and see what I thought of this book.

Finally, I read Vera Wang’s unsolicited advice for Murderers which has been my favourite read for the month of May so far.

So, I have read four books this month definitely which is not bad at all and I still plan on reading the london seance society and I hope you’re listening this month.

what have you been reading in May?