Blog Tour: A Year in the Life of the Secret Garden by Valarie Budayr

                      

ABOUT THE BOOK

                                                        

Title: A Year in the Life of the Secret Garden
Author: Valarie Budayr
Illustrator: Marilyn Scott-Waters
Publication Date: November, 2014
Publisher: Audrey Press | Pages: 144
Recommended Ages: 5 to 99
Book Description: Award-winning authors Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters have co-created A Year in the Secret Garden to introduce the beloved children’s classic, The Secret Garden to a new generation of families. This guide uses over two hundred full color illustrations and photos to bring the magical story to life, with fascinating historical information, monthly gardening activities, easy-to-make recipes, and step-by-step crafts, designed to enchant readers of all ages. Each month your family will unlock the mysteries of a Secret Garden character, as well as have fun together creating the original crafts and activities based on the book.Over 140 pages, with 200 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room.

Amazon * Audrey Press * Goodreads

EXcERPTS

 

                     ABOUT THE AUTHOR: VALARIE BUDAYR

                                                              

Valarie Budayr loves reading and bringing books alive. Her popular website, www.jumpintoabook.com, inspires children and adults alike to experience their books through play, discovery, and adventure. She is founder of Audrey Press, an independent publishing house, as well as an Amazon and iTunes best-selling author. She has written The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden and The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Valarie is passionate about making kid’s books come alive and encouraging families and schools to pull books off the shelves and stories off the pages.

Book Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Pinterest | Google+ | Goodreads

                         
                         ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
                         MARILYN SCOTT-WATERS

                                                              

Marilyn Scott-Waters loves making things out of paper. Her popular website, www.thetoymaker.com, receives 2,000 to 7,000 visitors each day, who have downloaded more than six million of her easy-to-make paper toys. Her goal is to help parents and children spend time together making things. She is the creator of a paper toy craft book series The Toymaker’s Christmas: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling), and The Toymaker’s Workshop: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling). She is also the co-creator with J. H. Everett of the middle grade nonfiction series, Haunted Histories, (Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt Books for Young Readers). Ms. Scott-Waters illustrated The Search For Vile Things (Scholastic), and created paper engineering for Pop & Sniff Fruit (Piggy Toes Press).

Website | Facebook | Google+

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

$100 BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY

                                                 
Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: December 7, 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. A 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 the 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 the authors Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters 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. a Rafflecopter giveaway   

Book Blitz: The Divine One by Danielle R. Mani

                           

Book Title: The Divine One Author: Danielle R. Mani Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Release Date: June 2014 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

SYNOPSIS

Delilah Simms is an attractive high school senior who is being bullied by a cruel group of girls she calls the Imitators. As if the emotional harassment isn’t enough, she is also trying to heal from the sudden, tragic loss of her younger sister, Darcy—whom her mother believes is sending messages from beyond the grave. On the verge of a breakdown, Delilah meets River Spencer—a handsome young man who she’s instantly attracted to. Although River seems perfect, Delilah can’t ignore the gnawing feeling that River is hiding something and that he may just be the biggest imitator of all.

                                               MEEt THE AUTHOR

Danielle R. Mani is a former elementary school teacher and writer. A huge fan of speculative fiction in print and film, she wanted her first book to fall within this category. In her new young adult novel, The Divine One, Ms. Mani combines supernatural fiction with the everyday dramas of young adulthood. She loves to read and write novels that are fast-paced and full of twists and turns. Ms. Mani holds a master of science degree in education and a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications. She resides in Westchester, New York, with her husband, four young children, and two dogs.

EXCERPTS

Although Delilah hated the way she was feeling, she knew that she wasn’t alone. She had read countless magazine articles about students who tried to take their own lives—and about some who succeeded—just because they couldn’t deal with the torment of high school any longer. For a moment her mind shifted to her friend, Damon. Damon and Delilah met in Spanish class when they were freshmen. They spent an entire semester passing notes to each other, which was probably why she only knew about three Spanish words. Damon was openly gay, and no one at school seemed to have a problem with it. That’s why everyone was so shocked when they heard that Damon hanged himself with a belt in his bedroom closet. Unfortunately, Damon’s parents did have a problem with him being gay, but no one knew about it until it was too late. Delilah had also gone down a bad path a few months ago. She was ashamed to think of it now. Not only was she dealing with problems at school, but she was also having her share of problems at home. She experienced a really weak moment shortly after her father moved out. Susan was going off on one of her rants about communicating with Darcy in the afterlife, and Joe just couldn’t take it anymore. Every time Delilah heard them fighting, she blamed herself. She was aware that her parents knew she was the one responsible for Darcy’s death. “D, are you all right? You look like you’re a million miles away.” Without waiting for a response, Susan continued. “Anyway, I think it’s very commendable that you want to focus on college, but please don’t let anyone take away your special high school moments. You should be thinking about fun things like your senior prom.” I can’t believe she even said the P word, Delilah thought. She had finally made peace with the idea of not going to her senior prom. Why did she have to bring that up? “I’ve told you a million times that I don’t want to go to prom and I don’t want to walk at graduation. I just want my diploma mailed to me.” “D, honey, I know how you’re feeling betrayed and hurt right now, but please don’t let these girls get the better of you. You don’t want to look back when you’re old like me and have regrets.” “Mom, let’s just drop it,” Delilah said, taking one last gulp of her iced tea. “I just worry about you. I want you to be happy.” “Then just leave this alone,” Delilah said crushing the plastic cup in her hand and walking toward the garbage can. “Are you sure that you don’t want anymore pizza?” Susan said, trying to change the subject. “No, thank you.” “Then have your doughnut. I can put on some tea and we can talk.” The thought of touching a doughnut made Delilah feel sick. “No thanks, Mom, I just want to finish my homework, take a shower, and get to bed.” “OK, I’ll finish cleaning up. I’ll wrap the rest of those slices in some foil so your father can—” she stopped herself. “Force of habit,” she said, looking up teary-eyed. “I keep thinking that he’s going to walk through that door.” “I’m sure he’ll come home again soon. He probably just needs some time alone,” Delilah said, trying to sound optimistic. As Delilah walked back to her room, she thought about how her dad better come home soon. The last time she went to visit him she noticed that he was acting strangely. It reminded her of an article she read in Cosmopolitan that said when a man was cheating he might start to exhibit certain behaviors. One of the things it mentioned was that he might start worrying about his appearance more. He may buy new clothes, start wearing a new brand of cologne, or restyle his hair, which in her father’s case wasn’t necessary because he was bald. Another thing she remembered reading was that a man may start to hide things like his cell phone from his wife, in case he receives messages, texts, or misses calls from the other woman. Note to self: if Dad starts sporting a new wardrobe, wearing different cologne, or hiding his cell phone, he’s probably messing around. Later that night, after she showered and dried her hair, Delilah thought about the mystery man she met earlier. She wondered what his name was and wished that she had someone to discuss it with. She felt so lonely. Usually Charlotte would be the first person she would call about something like this. Things were never the same between the two of them after they started high school and became friends with the Imitators. Delilah wished they had never met Rachael Nappi. She was a jealous, evil girl who would do almost anything to get her way. Delilah began to think back to when everything started to go downhill. With a tendency to replay things over and over again in her mind—an unhealthy habit that often brought on panic attacks, she ruminated over the details of her high school drama, and came to the same conclusion that she always did. The only person she had to blame for this whole situation was herself.

TEASERS

                                                                                                         

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Confessions Of A Teenage Rape Survivor by Holly Dae

Welcome to the promo event for Holly Dae's realistic YA fiction, hosted by IFB Tours. Check out the excerpt and giveaway below:

Release date: October 16th 2014

Purchase:Amazon | B&N | IBooks | Kobo

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Before she was raped, almost sixteen-year-old Allison Sommer knew exactly what she wanted and was in total control of her life. Get through high school, go to college to appease her dad, somehow stay fit, lithe, and athletic through all the stress and become a professional cheerleader. Normal teenage stuff. Simple. At least it was simple before she was raped. 

Now Allison's whole life is out of her control. She can't trust in her own choices, can't rationalize anything anymore, so she just goes through the motions, hoping that eventually she'll go back to normal, can stop pretending. That doesn't happen, especially when she's forced to reveal what happened to her family and closest friends.

On the MTV commercials and reality shows that emphasize that she has nothing to be ashamed of and guide viewers to some website like don't-be-a-victim.comand a support hotline, no one warns her that the aftermath is more difficult than the rape itself, that her family's efforts to be supportive make her feel more alone and confused. 

And being raped has more devastating consequences than Allison ever imagined, forcing her to make one of the most difficult decisions she's ever had to make. It should be a no-brainer, everyone says, but being raped makes Allison question everything and everyone she thought she could trust.

Either way, Allison won't let anyone force her to do anything again, not like her rapists did, even if it makes her already difficult enough circumstance more difficult. Uncensored and unflinchingly honest, these are the confessions of a teenage rape survivor.

EXCERPT

"Are those your brother's sleeping pills?" Gene asked.

Allison nodded. No use denying that.

Gene looked at her again, then at the pills, and then at Allison again. His eyes widened.

"Were you going to take all of those?" Gene asked in an incredulous tone. He didn't wait for an answer, already having assumed the worst. "How many have you taken already?"

Allison opened her mouth to reply, forgetting that one of the pills was sitting under her tongue. Gene saw it as she started to try to explain.

"Oh shit! Spit that out!"

Gene reached across the counter to squeeze her cheeks and force the pill out her mouth causing Allison to have two instantaneous reactions. First, she spit out the pill. Second, she punched Gene straight in the jaw, which caused Gene to let go of her and grab his face.

"What the—"

Allison gasped as she shook her hand out. She shouldn't have done that. She didn't mean to do that. Gene wasn't a rapist. Well, she hoped he wasn't. The guy who asked her for directions to distract her didn't look like a rapist either. Either way when Gene grabbed her so suddenly, she couldn't help it.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly.

"Are you insane? What is wrong with you?"

"I didn't mean to punch you. It was an accident. I swear."

Gene rolled his eyes, stilling rubbing his jaw. "Not the punch. I probably deserved that for scaring the hell out of you, grabbing you like that. I'm talking about those sleeping pills. That many of those things at once can kill you."

Allison blinked. He thought…

"I wasn't trying to commit suicide!"

"Could have fooled me," Gene said sliding the pills off the counter and into his hand. He threw them down the garbage disposer.

"But I wasn't," Allison said, heart racing in panic. If Gene thought she was trying to kill herself, he'd tell her brother, and her brother would tell their dad, and she'd never be left alone, and she'd have to tell the truth. Then they'd make a big deal out of it and want her to report it to the police, and the police would want a description and account of what happened, and then she'd never be able to forget. "I just wasn't thinking."

"The hell you weren't," Gene snapped as he snatched the bottle with the remaining pills off the counter and put them in his pocket.

"I was just so tired and the bottle said one pill was mild and good for four hours of sleep, so I decided to take enough to knock me out for a day," Allison tried to explain.

"Six pills would have knocked you out all right," Gene said as he began to dial a number into his phone.

"What are you doing?" she asked apprehensively.

"Calling your brother," Gene said and then cursed. "Damn it. I have his phone in my pocket. Do I have your dad's number in my phone?"

Allison lunged for the phone. In all likelihood, he probably didn't have her dad's number, but she didn't want to chance it.

"You can't call tell them," Allison said grabbing onto the phone.

Gene tried to pull it out her grasp as he said, "Sure. Not telling your brother and father that you're suicidal is a great idea."

"I'm not suicidal."

"Says the girl who was about to take six sleeping pills," Gene said getting the phone out of Allison's grip and holding it out of her reach.

Allison all but tackled him into the counter.

"I told you!" Allison screamed, exploding in anger. "I'm tired! I just wanted to go to sleep without the nightmares! You can't… You can't tell them," Allison finished, all her anger dissolving as a sob escaped her throat. She hadn't even noticed she started crying.

She stopped trying to get the phone then, falling onto the floor as her body shook with sobs of fear at what Gene would do and anger at herself. When did she get so weak?

About the Author

Holly Dae is a recent college grad with a B.A. in English who, instead of putting on a suit to work at a desk 9-5 for five figures and a lifetime of misery and crushed dreams, decided to write YA novels about the taboos concerning contemporary issues like rape, abortion, drugs, teen pregnancy, and sometimes sex with the hopes that someone will pat her on the back and say she touched their life.

www.hollydae.com | @Holly_Dae_

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Promo Blitz: MORE THAN FOREVER By Jay McLean

                                       

More Than Forever

(More Than Series, Book 4)

Title: More Than Forever

Author: Jay McLean

Genre: New Adult

More Than Forever is book four in the More Than series and may be read as a standalone,

though it is recommended to read in series order.

Series reading order:
More Than This (Book one)
More Than Her (Book two)
More Than Him (Book three)

-LUCY-
There is a love so fierce it cannot be measured.
A heart so strong it will never slow.
There is a promise so sure it can never lie.
He promised me that love forever.
Even when it wasn’t enough.

-CAMERON-
Forever. Everlasting. Eternal.
There is no measure of time.
No sounds of the ticking of a clock.
Just the rising and falling of the sun.
And our own sense of forever.

But our forever isn’t always.

Buy Links:

Amazon US > http://amzn.to/1jkMfZy

iBooks > http://bit.ly/1qrKsUO

B&N > http://bit.ly/1qrKxrB

Kobo > http://bit.ly/1qrK8p3

MORE THAN THIS

(More Than Series, Book 1)

BUY LINKS

US -> http://amzn.to/KcGT1y

UK -> http://amzn.to/1eiDy9g

MORE THAN HIM

(More Than Series, Book 3)

BUY LINKS

US -> http://amzn.to/1frSC6N

UK -> http://amzn.to/1fs0hSo

---

Excerpts

I see her wobble on her feet before she slowly tumbles to the ground. Her knees give out first, then the rest of her. It feels like I should’ve gotten to her earlier, but seconds of panic took place before my mind kicked into gear. And the rest is a blur.

Her friend’s standing over us while I rest her head on my lap. “Lucy,” I say. And it’s the first time I’ve said her name out loud. It’d been over three weeks since I’d learned it.

“What happened?” Logan asks her friend.

“I don’t know.” She’s as panicked as I am, if not worse.

“Is she dehydrated?” Logan picks up what looks like an uneaten sandwich. “Is this hers? Has she eaten?” I don’t know why it annoys me that Logan is asking all the right questions and all I can do is stare down at her. She’s breathing, so I guess that’s something.

He drops down on his knees on the other side of her and pours water from his bottle into his hand, and then he runs it across her forehead and into her hairline.

“Is she alright, mate?” Jake asks. He’s new and has a weird accent but Logan seems to think he’s cool so we keep him around.

Logan does the water thing again, and this time her eyes slowly flutter open.

And I release the breath I was holding.

“It’s okay,” Logan says to her, “you just passed out.”

He’s in her face now, and I want to punch him for being the first thing she sees when she comes to. I was here first; I was the one watching her when she fell.

It should have been me.

“I hate that guy,” Logan jerks his head toward Jake and a new kid.

“The new kid? Dylan?”

He nods. “He thinks he owns the school.”

“Really?” I glare over at them. “Apparently he kills it on the basketball court, but I dunno.” I shrug. “He hasn’t said two words to me. He seems quiet.”

“Those are the ones you have to worry about, Cam. The quiet broody assholes get all the girls. Better watch him around that new girl of yours.”

I play dumb. “What new girl?”

“Shut up, asshole. You don’t think I notice you watching her all the fucking time?”

I lift my chin. “I think if there’s an asshole in this entire school to watch out for, it’s you.”

He laughs and adjusts his cap. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not into stealing my friend’s girls.” He shoves his hand in his catcher’s glove and smacks my arm with it. “Say the word. Claim her. I promise to stay away and I’ll make sure she’s untouchable to everyone else.”

“I’m not an asshole and she isn’t property. I can’t own her.”

“If that’s what you want.” He raises an eyebrow. “She’s cute. In a couple years she’ll be hot. Guys will be all over her. I’m just trying to help out.”

I think about what he’s saying, and he makes a good point. Only he’s wrong—she’s hot now. “Fine. I claim her. She’s mine.”

His smirk is instant. “You can’t own someone, you pig. She isn’t property.”

I laugh. “Fuck you.”

Jake struts over to us. “Ya reckon that new kid Dylan can hang out with us this arvo? He seems like a top bloke.”

Logan’s gaze moves to me, confusion clear on his face. I shrug. He lets out a chuckle before gripping both of Jake’s shoulders and shaking him gently. He looks him right in the eye, speaking slowly and clearly. “I have no idea what the fuck you just said.

---

TEASERS

---

AUTHOR BIO

Follow Jay McLean on Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – FB Fan Page – Blog – Newsletter

             RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

   

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Book Blasty Tour & $25 Giveaway: The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals by Stanley and Katrina

Celebrating 

Stanley and Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge are celebrating the release of their second book, The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals, by hosting their very own "Book Blasty Tour". Thank you for taking the time to visit this special stop along their tour and be sure to enter the giveaway! 

About the Book

Title: The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals

Authors: Stanley & Katrina, Pet Authors

Year published:  2014

Number of pages: 106

Recommended ages: 10+ Independent Readers; 5+ Read-Aloud

Summary (Amazon): Cat and dog. It is a love/hate relationship. Stanley and Katrina are back to share more humorous glimpses into their exciting lives in their second book via short stories. Yes, the pets are at it again but this time compete in a slam poetry contest, visit a pet psychic, and much more.This cat and dog writing team makes you stop and wonder what happens at your house when you're not there.

Book Preview Video

Amazon U.S. * Amazon U.K. * Amazon Canada 

 Barnes & Noble 

The Buzz

"All the animal snippets are very funny. If you like animals and a good laugh, this is the book for you." ~Carly K., Age 10

"Hilarious! Instantly became my favorite book!" ~Stephen E., Age 12

"You did it again! I loved reading about your crazy adventures!" ~Rachael S., Age 13

"Another one? How do they do this?" ~Stanley & Katrina's owners

About the Authors: Stanley & Katrina

Stanley and Katrina are the pet authors of The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals.

Stanley is a three-year-old black Labrador/Rottweiler mix who does his best to ignore Katrina. Stanley enjoys snow, attention and turkey.

Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge is an eight-year-old grey tabby cat who loves her toy mouse.She enjoys treats, naps and bossing the dog around.

Neighbor Girl (Felicia) is the human who knows us (Stanley& Katrina) the best and helps us with everything. She loves writing, reading, acting, singing, reading gymnastics, doodling, reading, ice skating, painting, reading, doing computer stuff, oh... did we mention reading? She is the co-creator and co-host of "The Write Chat."

You may visit the entire gang online at www.StanleyAndKatrina.com.

Twitter * Facebook  * Google+ 

 Pinterest  * Goodreads * YouTube

* Free Printables For This Book! *

Kid Lit Printables has created fun and FREE printables for The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals and will be adding more in the future. Click here to view all available printables now. 

Get the First Book in the Series Free 

10/6 & 10/7/2014

The pets are offering their first book for free, via Amazon Kindle, the first two days of the Blog Tour. Click here to download Book 1 in the Stanley & Katrina series now. 

Stanley & Katrina's 

Book Blasty Tour Stops(2014)

*Denotes Book Review Stops

October 6

Meg Dendler's Site*

Mother Daughter Book Reviews*

Michigan Saving and More

October 7

The Book Lovers' Lounge*

October 8

BeachBoundBooks*

Writer Side UP!

October 9

Amanda's Books and More*

October 10

Spark and Pook*

October 11

The Squishable Baby*

October 12

Bookaholic Chicks



October 13

Education is Special*

Kid Lit Reviews*

October 14

Adalinc To Life*

October 15

Stitch Says*

We are the DinoFamily*

October 17

Talking Animal Addicts*

October 18

Jemima Pett, Author*

October 19

The Sassy Schnauzer*

October 20

Lobo's Follies*

October 21

Hey, Miss Adventures!*

October 22

Bookworm for Kids

October 24

My Devotional Thoughts*

* $25 Book Blasty Tour Giveaway *

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner's choice)

Contest runs:October 6 to October 31, 11:59 pm, 2014 

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget above or by clicking here.

Terms and Conditions: A randomly drawn winner will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest or any other entity unless otherwise specified. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send us an email at stanleyandkatrina (at) gmail (dot) com.

* This giveaway is sponsored by the authors, Stanley & Katrina.*