Bookaholic Chicks: September 2014

Lovable Lobo is back! Join him as he travels with his friend Roxy to the beautiful Galapagos Islands as he lends a helpful hand to another animal friend.

Lobo Goes to the Galapagos by C. L. Murphy

About the Book

Summary: Lobo returns in this adventure, sweeter and a bit salty this time. This lil' wolf pup finds that there's nothing like a little sea air to bring out the best in him and his unlikely tag-alongs. Take a trip to the Galapagos with Lobo and his right-hand raven, Roxy, as they help an injured, new feathered friend return home. Lobo faces some fears and witnesses the joy that comes from helping others in this "birds of a different feather DO flock together" tale.

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The Buzz

"Who knew geography and learning about animals could be this much fun? Lobo Goes to the Galapagos is my new favorite children's book and is highly recommended. " ~ Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite

"While Ms, Murphy's uniquely whimsical and vibrant illustrative style is perfectly suited for the wild, tropical feel of this colorful book, and easily captures young readers' attention, there is also a subtle, quiet beauty to the storyline's overarching themes of friendship, trust, perseverance, and goodwill. Lobo's tenacious and giving spirit are delightfully captured in this fifth installment of puppy-fueled fun. In fact, it's sincerely so easy to fall in love with "Lovable" Lobo that I'd happily follow this well-meaning, big-hearted, wolf pup to the very ends of the earth!" ~ 5 Star Review, Indie Author Girl, Amazon

"What an adorable story! I read this to my nephew and he couldn't stop giggling at the silliness of Roxy as well as Lobo's cute friends Bobby, Sunny, Coconut and Sandra. The author was very clever in portraying a tale of friendship, adventure and excitement that is sure to enthuse young minds around the world." ~ 5 Star Review, Gina D., Amazon

About the Author: C.L. Murphy

While new to the children’s book writing and illustrating scene, C.L. Murphy (Cathy) has been doodling her way through life since she won a school wide poster contest in the third grade. She’s had the pleasure of working as an artist in residence, creating cartoons and painting murals with the children at local elementary schools. She adores the wonder and curiosity of young children.

She feels that creating picture books is something that she was destined to do, after years of filing away so many ideas, while raising her two sons. She is a member of SCBWI.

She lives amongst the wildlife in an enchanted forest in the beautiful Oregon wilderness with her husband and menagerie. She has always appreciated nature and animals have always played a major role in her life. The inspiration for the Lovable Lobo character came from a wolf that she raised for over 14 years.

Check out her book series and discover that you, too, will find Lobo lovable.

Book Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize (winner's choice)

Contest Ends: October 23, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by C.L. Murphy and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Under the Trees

Author- Ashley Maker

Genre- YA Historical Romance

-Synopsis-

Desperate to prevent an abusive arranged marriage, Princess Araya flees to a neighboring kingdom, only to land at the mercy of the impulsive Crown Prince Thoredmund, who provides refuge in a secluded forest and teaches her survival skills. Her surprise at the unexpected hold the price has on her heart mirrors his shock at falling for the one girl he can’t have.

As the young couple’s feelings for each other grow, the fragile alliance between the two kingdoms threatens to break apart. With a vengeful duke and an enraged king fast on their trail, Thor and Araya must decide how much they’re willing to risk for love.

Even if staying together means starting a war.

Excerpts:

THOR quote:

The

dark horse tore through the underbrush, bringing her close enough I could make

out a pale face and a tangle of long hair. A black cloak billowed behind her.

Men on horseback gave chase, darting through the trees, clearly in pursuit. All

those men after one girl? Who could she be?

My instincts screamed against

them catching her. She could be a decoy, and they could all be spies—but what

if she was in real danger?

wouldn’t be so difficult to apprehend her, only one rider, later …

“Let

her pass,” I ordered, staring my men down until they stepped aside.

The

girl raced past, glancing over her shoulder for a brief moment—her eyes

flashing emerald in the light of the fire—before looking ahead and leaning low

on her horse’s neck.

men gaped at me, gripping weapons with white-knuckled hands. With a jerk of my

head in the direction of the riders almost upon us, I raised the bow and nocked

an arrow.

“Hold

the line,” I commanded. “These men stop here.”

ARAYA sword:

Something

inside me snapped—boiled over—at the mocking words and spiteful tone. The

seething feeling surged upward, clouding my vision. I charged with an

infuriated shriek, all movement, shifting and striking, not retreating. He

easily deflected the first blow, but the second made him stagger. He faltered

back a step, and I lunged with a strength that did not feel like my own.

Resistance

met my blade, but it was of a soft nature that gave way. A thin ribbon of blood

blossomed through the sleeve on Wendel’s right arm. I couldn’t tear my eyes

away from the sight, grim satisfaction twisting like a living thing inside of

me.

But

I shouldn’t have looked. I shouldn’t have stopped.

Araya’s

fear:

Stone.

I became cold, hard stone. My thoughts froze and buzzed at the same time,

fingers clamping against Thor’s as if somehow he could save me.

“I

came as soon as I could. They were watching. It was difficult to get away—”

“They?”

I lost control on the word. My voice wavered and broke with my gaze as I

searched the darkness of the tree line, eyes darting from one spot to the next.

Thor squeezed my hand, a steady pressure, but he did not understand.

The

frantic search only ended when I looked up at Thor, heart lodged in my throat.

I didn’t want to ask, or face the answer, but I needed to know. “They?”

Thor

squeezed my hand again and ran a thumb over mine. “Yes, your father, brother,

their guards, and—”

“He’s

here, too, isn’t he?” He didn’t have to say it. I knew. I could feel it.

Thor’s inner conflict:

thought I would be angry with Araya when I returned to camp. A part of me

blamed her, even though it wasn’t her fault. Perhaps she should get out of the

kingdom and take her trail of problems with her so I didn’t have to cover them

up any longer. That was what she wanted anyway, wasn’t it—to go to the

districts and leave me?

Then

I saw her again.

throat constricted almost painfully and my chest ached at the sight of her

standing on the other side of the clearing. She was humming softly to Major

while pulling burrs out of his forelock. The gelding was already saddled and

bridled, as if she had just gotten back from a ride or was about to go on one.

Major turned his head in our direction and pulled at the reins in her hand,

letting out a welcoming whinny to Tosque.

Araya

glanced up. She smiled, and I knew. That’s when I was absolutely sure I would

continue to help and protect her, no matter what happened, even if it meant

risking everything.

-About the Author-

Armed with a keyboard, microphone, and an energetic imagination, Ashley Maker is a combination author/songwriter from Oklahoma with a passion for all things creative. UNDER THE TREES, a Young Adult blended historical romance, is her debut novel, releasing from Cliffhanger Press, LLC in the fall of 2014. Songs inspired by the book can be heard from Seeking Never, the recording band she sings in with her guitar-playing husband Corey. A newbie vlogger and former editor, Ashley spends much of her time writing, procrastinating on social media, and waging a revision war against pronouns. The rest of her time is spent doting on her daughter and cuddling with myriad family pets, most notably Johnny Cash, cat writing buddy extraordinaire.