The Boy Who Dreamt of Fire Trucks ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Boy Who Dreamt of Fire Trucks by Alvita Mack
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  26 pages
Genre: Children's Books, Cars, Trains and Things That Go, Cars and Trucks
Publisher:  Mindstir Media
Release date:  September 26, 2016
Tour dates: May 28 to June 22, 2018
Content Rating: G

​Book Description:

This story is about a little boy who is fascinated by fire trucks. Throughout his early life, he has dreams about the adventures at the station and the exciting life of a firefighter. The little boy holds his dreams close until one day they become a reality.
​

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Watch the book trailer:

Meet the Author:

Alvita is a lover of writing, a teacher, and most importantly, a mom. Writing has always provided a creative outlet for which she finds sensible solutions. Having a son with developmental delays was very challenging for her. However, she used books and original stories to help him overcome the obstacles he faced at an early age. Alvita believes that the imagination is truly a key that unlocks the doors to an endless journey.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

BOOK SPOTLIGHT BOOK TOUR:

May 28 - Working Mommy Journal - book spotlight / giveaway

May 29 - Words And Peace - book spotlight / giveaway

May 30 - Rockin' Book Reviews -  book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 31 - Blooming with Books - book spotlight / giveaway

June 1 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / giveaway

June 4 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 5 - #redhead.with.book - book spotlight / giveaway

June 6 - Books Direct - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 7 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - book spotlight / guest post

June 8 - Laura's Interests - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 11 - Bookworm for Kids - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 11 - Cover2CoverBlog - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 12 - This and That Book Blog - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 13 - Cheryl's Book Nook  - book spotlight / giveaway

June 13 - Writers and Authors - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

June 14 - 100 Pages A Day - book spotlight / giveaway

June 14 - StoreyBook Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

June 15 - Vithyas blog - book spotlight / author interview

June 15 - The Autistic Gamer - book spotlight / giveaway

June 18 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - book spotlight

June 19 - KC Beanie Boos Collection - book spotlight / giveaway

June 20 - Paulette's Papers - book spotlight / giveaway

June 21 - Ginger Mom and the Kindle Quest - book spotlight / guest post

June 22 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends June 30, 2018

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Joey ~ Review

Joey
How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See
by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Be sure you have a box of tissues nearby before starting moving story. Opening on a scene that will touch even the hardest of hearts Joey's story is one of triumph over adversity. A story of hope, of friendship, and of overcoming.

Joey was a lost horse, one who when his career ended drifted from situation to situation until he ended up in a place where he was neglected. With his future in doubt, he was found in time. But a horse who comes from an abusive situation and is blind is hard to place. But Joey and the new Hope Reins were potentially a perfect fit but could a damaged horse help children who were equally damaged?

I have to say I fell in love with Joey and his pasture companion Speckles (another rescue). But the pain that these two suffered didn't break them. Together they formed a special bond with one another one and with their handlers.  Both Joy and Speckles needed special TLC due to the previous situations that they found themselves in. This is the story of their second chance.

This is a book that will touch the heart of anyone who has a love for animals. And the way children respond to Joey is both moving and heartbreaking. Moving that they were able to connect and heal. Heartbreaking that they had to suffer as they did. Having my own rescue pets (horses too) the synopsis of this book attracted me and the front cover was an instant draw. Who wouldn't love Joey! As I stated before have tissues ready you will need it at times but this is one book you don't want to miss. If you have a book club that leans towards true-life readings this is a perfect selection.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary review copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
The heartwarming true story of a blind horse named Joey.
At the height of his show career, this beautiful Appaloosa’s majestic stature, strength, and willingness to work made him the perfect partner. But when an injury cost Joey his show career, he moved from one owner to the next, ultimately experiencing severe abuse and neglect. A rescue group found Joey nearly dead from starvation—and blind.

Then he came to Hope Reins—a ranch dedicated to helping hurting kids who had been abused, emotionally wounded, or unwanted. By teaching these children to care for rescued animals, the Hope Reins staff were convinced they could reach kids with love and hope and show them that we are never forgotten by God.

But could the financially struggling ranch afford to take care of a blind horse that no one else wanted? Could Joey somehow learn to trust people even though the world had hurt him so badly? And what would happen—to Joey, the kids, and Hope Reins—if they failed?

A true story of friendship destined to become a classic, Joey will touch your heart and reveal the power of finding light in the darkness.

Find Joey on Goodreads title page

Find the author on Goodreads author page

Find Joey on Amazon

A Thousand Sleepless Nights ~ Review with Giveaway

A Thousand Sleepless Nights
By Teri Harman

Please Remember Me...

Can grief change your life? When her Aunt Jetty dies Matilda White leaves everything behind - her job, her fiance, her friends, her life. The grief is too much so she leaves Silent Fields, Kansas, behind in the middle of the night to start over.

Henry Craig is a writer who can't put word to paper - the words are there but they are trapped within him unable to find release. Until he sees Matilda ~ Matilda gives his words release. Soon six years have passed and Matilda and Henry are about to leave the life they've created for themselves for a new one in Kansas City.

But when something goes terribly wrong Matilda's grief is about to change everything Henry and Matilda have had together. Henry wakes up in a Detroit library and Matilda in her home in Silent Fields. Six years have passed but neither has any memory of it. Where did those six years go? And if you don't remember something does that mean it never happened?

Silent Fields in typical small town fashion has come up with their own spins on where Matilda has been and where her unexplained scars have come from. But Matilda has no answers and her very silence adds to the speculation.

Feeling at loose ends with his life having gone on without him Henry comes upon an old advertisement one that will at least give him a starting point from which to rebuild the life he once had. The editor of a small town paper seems like the ideal way to put his writing skills to work. And Silent Fields, Kansas, awaits.

But Henry's arrival starts with chaos and a storm that finds him having to rely on the kindness of strangers. But when he has a chance glance at a stranger across the room he has a connection that sparks the creative juices that have long eluded him. Who is this woman who with a quick glance affects him so? 

And so begins a journey to discover what was lost - the only clues being a book with a personal inscription by an unknown author and an antique typewriter in the possession of both. 

This book has a thread of mystery that runs through a love story. For those who love or are at least familiar with It's a Wonderful Life and Portrait of Jennie (1948 movie with Joseph Cotton and Jennifer Jones) this book I would say is a modern (1990s) story that combines these two storylines into a uniquely powerful and moving story about the power of grief and love. 

If you could lose your grief and pain would you be willing to give up everything that went with it? How much is too much? Read A Thousand Sleepless Nights and discover what happens for yourself - you won't be sorry. This would make an excellent book club selection as there is much worth delving into and discussing.

I was provided a review copy of this book through SLB tours with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Is love stronger than grief?

After the death of her Aunt Jetty, the woman who raised her, Matilda White packs a single suitcase, leaving behind her home, her small town in Kansas, and the man she’s supposed to marry.

Henry Craig is a writer—if only he could find the right words. While sitting at a worn table in a Detroit library he sees a new librarian, Matilda, and suddenly the world erupts with words.

Six years later, Matilda and Henry load their young daughter Lucy, two antique typewriters, and a box of Henry’s love letters into the car and head off to a new life. But one snowstorm and a slippery road take it all away. In that black moment of tragedy Matilda turns to Henry and says, “I wish I’d never met you.”

The world goes dark.

Matilda wakes up in Jetty’s dilapidated house with no memory of the last six years. Beside her on the bed, a book and an antique typewriter.

Henry wakes up in his familiar spot in the library, a book and old typewriter squatting on the table beside him. He can’t remember the last six years.

Can words on a typed page, sent from one typewriter to another, push aside tar-thick pain and resurrect love?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author:

Teri Harman has believed in all things wondrous and haunting since her childhood days of sitting in the highest tree branches reading Roald Dahl and running in the rain imagining stories of danger and romance. She’s the author of three previous books: Blood Moon, Black Moon, and Storm Moon. She also writes about books for ksl.com, and contributed regular book segments to “Studio 5 with Brooke Walker,” Utah’s number one lifestyle show. She lives in Utah with her husband and three children. Visit her at teriharman.com.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Enter the giveaway 

HERE.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

May 28-Christian Bookaholic  |  cherylbbookblog

May 29-Blooming with Books  |  Heidi Reads…
May 30-Reading Is My SuperPower  |  Reading, Writing and Stitch-Metic
May 31-Singing Librarian Books  |  Edits and Reviews by Leslie  

|  Fiction Aficionado
June 1-Paulette’s Papers  |  Pause for Tales
June 2-Radiant Light  |  Why Not Because I Said So

https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/slb-tours-services.html

The Theory of Happily Ever After ~ Review

The Theory of Happily Ever After
By Kristin Billerbeck

I will start off by saying that this is the first book by Kristin Billerbeck that I have ever read, so I can't compare this work with her previous works. The premise of this story sounded interesting happiness expert dumped by her now ex-fiancé and expected to give a talk about happiness. O'kay sounds like a potential disaster in the making or one of the Hallmark movies that people seem to love watching while I read away. 

Imagine my surprise when the happiness expert Dr. Maggie Maguire is a Hallmark movie addict - nothing like wallowing in your grief and disillusionment while binging out on the Hallmark Channel. Well, at least that seems to be the foreseeable future for Maggie until her 2 bffs crash in on her fantasy reality and spring a cruise on her. Worse than the cruise is the fact that it is a singles cruise and one that she is FEATURED GUEST SPEAKER! Where is the nearest exit????

How anyone just dumped can be expected to help anyone find their own happiness is beyond Maggie's comprehension. But Haley and Kathleen are sure she just needed to get out of her apartment and find a new interest in life.

But the cruise is anything but relaxing and Maggie is making first impressions that won't soon be forgotten - unfortunately. With one disaster after another, she is soon at her breaking point. And the secret she has been keeping for years is weighing her down even further. 

Can Maggie find a new her with the New Year, New You cruise she finds herself on? Or will she allow her data and her life to be at odds with one another? 

I have to admit I had trouble getting into this book - don't ask me why because I honestly don't know. The first few chapters just seemed to drag for me but the writing and the characters weren't the problem as I was able to eventually get into the story and then the pages seemed to slip by faster. Maggie is a mess but as the story unfolds one can understand why she finds herself as broken over her breakup as she is. And then there is a little episode with a zip line which I can say with absolute certainty I would never do - nope, no way, nada, not happening. But it did add an interesting visual moment to the story that was unexpected. Overall this was an enjoyable story that fans of contemporary romance will want to add to their summer to-be-read list. This isn't a light read as there are a few serious moments but it isn't heavy reading in any way. 

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell through their blogger program and no expectations of a positive review were expected. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
According to Dr. Maggie Maguire, happiness is serious--serious science, that is. But science can't always account for life's anomalies, like why her fiancé dumped her for a silk-scarf acrobat and how the breakup sent Maggie spiraling into an extended ice cream-fueled chick flick binge.

Concerned that she might never pull herself out of this nosedive, Maggie's friends book her as a speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie wonders if she's qualified to teach others about happiness when she can't muster up any for herself. But when a handsome stranger on board insists that smart women can't ever be happy, Maggie sets out to prove him wrong. Along the way she may discover that happiness has far less to do with the head than with the heart.

Filled with unforgettable characters, snappy dialogue, and touching romance, The Theory of Happily Ever After shows that the search for happiness may be futile--because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you.

Dissociate ~ Review and Giveaway

Dissociate
The Allegiance Series #3
By Sarah Addison-Fox

Charles Smyth former head of the Etraean Intelligence Agency has been arrested. His years of abuse have him facing trial and sentencing. But the loss of power hasn't erased the damage he has done to those in whom he was in command of or to his son.

As those left scarred both physically and emotionally come to terms with what was done they have a choice before them. Embrace the freedom offered to them or hold firm to the lies that have left them enslaved and blinded to the truth that is before them.

Torrance Kyle has spent his whole life under Smyth belittled for any perceived weakness, such as compassion. His father refused to acknowledge their relationship unless he could use it as a tool to bend his son to his will.  And with his own possible fatherhood looming Torrance fears that he will become the man his father always tried to force him to be. And belief in Etra in Torrance's opinion it is just a bunch of stuff and nonsense.

Celeste knows she can't truly be free and the care that Mick and the rest of the Haynes family offers her won't last. As a former slave who was forced to work under Smyth she knows she will never be worthy of anyone's care or their love. And then there is Mick who wants to marry her but is she willing to give up the freedom she has just begun to taste for the first time ever?

As those closest to them work to undo the damages done and offer them the love they so deeply need they are offered a truth Etra is there for them and offers them a love that is freely given not based on merit or deed.  Can Celeste and Torrance find the peace and safety they both so desperately need?

The first thing you need to know this is the 3rd book in the series and I would recommend reading the previous books first. This is my first glimpse into the Allegiance series and I will admit I was a bit lost at the beginning. But overall I was able to follow the story it was just the backstory references that gave me pauses. The story has me intrigued so now I need to get the previous books in the series so that I can get caught up. And there is a 4th coming soon so don't expect a tightly tied ribbon at the end of this one. There is a possible hint of what is to come in the future for these characters and if true could prove most interesting. The story style reminds me of Morgan Busse's Follower of the Word series so fans of her work should enjoy this series.

I was proved a review copy of this book by the author with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Freedom begins with finding the truth.

Amidst the turmoil caused by Smyth’s arrest, Celeste is stuck in limbo, stripped of her citizenship, with no choice but to flee to a peaceful Kyraenean hideaway with the tumultuous Amaya Mason.

When bounty hunters threaten the local orphanage, Celeste and Amaya must work together and fight. Even if it means risking what they cherish the most.

His plans in tatters, his career in jeopardy, Mick Haynes is forced to leave Kyraenea with the enigmatic Torrance Kyle, the agent he still can’t trust.

Torrance is good at lying, and even better at hiding his pain, but is he strong enough to deal with the consequences of betraying his own father?

Can Celeste accept the truth, accept her place in the Haynes family or will lies chain her to the past and destroy her chance at a new life?

Dissociate is available for sale on Amazon here.

The first two books in the series Disowned and Dissemble are also available on Amazon.

About the Author:

Sarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed fantasy with strong heroines. She has an astonishing amount of nail polish, has all her creative writing credentials shoved in a drawer somewhere, and has a husband who, after 27 years, can still make her blush. When she’s not working on her Christian YA fantasy series', she can be found fangirling on Goodreads or sending GIFs on Twitter.

Connect with Sarah online at:

Instagram: sarahaddisonfox/

Facebook: sarahaddisonfoxfantasyauthor/

Website: www.sarahaddisonfox.com

Twitter: @Saddisonfox

Goodreads: Sarah Addison-Fox

Be sure to check out my interview with Tricia Mingerink and Sarah Addison-Fox 

Sarah Addison-Fox is giving away a paperback set of the first three books

in the Allegiance Series. The giveaway is open internationally where such giveaways 

are permitted and where Createspace ships. The books may or may not be signed depending on where the winner lives.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday – May 22

Laura Grace – Author Interview

Reading Anyone – Book Review

Jaye L Knight – Book Spotlight

Quirky Faith – Book Reviews and Author Interview

Wednesday – May 23

Allyson Kennedy – Author Interview

Sam H. – Book Review

Addyson Huneke - Book Review and Author Interview

Ivie Brooks - Book Reviews

Thursday – May 24

Shantelle Mary - Book Review and Book Spotlight

Brie Donning - Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Blooming with Books - Book Review and Author Interview (You're Here)

Julian Daventry - Book Review and Author Interview

Friday – May 25

Faith Thompson - Book Reviews and Author Interview

Hannah Gaudette - Author Interview

CM Williams - Book Review

Chloe Parker - Book Reviews

Saturday – May 26

JM Christian - Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Abigail McKenna - Book Reviews

Liv Fisher - Author Interview

Book Wolf - Book Reviews and Author Interview

Liz Koetsier – Book Spotlight

Monday – May 28

Jessica Dowell - Book Review and Author Interview

Lila Kims - Book Reviews

Marie Elrich - Book Reviews

Faith Potts - Book Review and Book Spotlight

Facebook Festival – begins 5pm EST May 24th through 9pm EST May 25th with
special guest Serena Chase

Dagger's Sleep ~ Review and Giveaway

Dagger's Sleep
Beyond the Tales #1
By Tricia Mingerink

For almost one hundred years the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia have been divided as High Prince Alexander of the kingdoms sleeps a cursed sleep within the walls of Castle Eyota. But the way to the seventh kingdom Kanawhee is not easily traveled as the kingdoms of Tuckawassee and Pohatomie war against any who seek this path. Legends surround the prince - promising a princess who will with love's true kiss break the curse and awaken the prince. But one hundred years will soon be upon them and the curse has yet to broken. Any thought to be the promised cursebreaker are all too soon targeted by those who want the sleep to be endless and unto death.

Princess Roseanna has always enjoyed hearing the tales told of the High King and the High Prince. The tales of old have filled her dreams with sights she's never beheld. With the current state of warring among the kingdoms she knows she'll never see these distant lands. But when a raiding party is found within the Kingdom of Neskahana she is set on a path she never sought or expected. Daemyn Rand has been pursued by Tuckawassee raiders deep into Neskahana because he has news he needs to share with those within Castle Deeling. And he has even more important news for Princess Roseanna ~ she is the promised cursebreaker and he is bound to bring her to Castle Eyota and High Prince Alexander.

But who is this prince that she is to awaken?

High Prince Alexander has been blessed with superior intelligence and in true princely fashion, he is amazed at his own superior abilities. But Alexander is living under a curse ~ on his 21st birthday he will be pricked by his own dagger and fall into a sleep from which he will never wake. Determined to prevent this curse from being fulfilled the prince sets out on a mission with his manservant Jadon Rand. Alexander is on a mission to seeking out a Loyal Fae whom he hopes to convince to lift his curse. But Alex's mission doesn't go quite how he planned it. In fact, traveling his kingdom in disguise opens his eyes to the true state of Tallahatchia.

Dagger's Sleep seems at first glance of the story summary to be a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but this is so much more than that. There is a spiritual element that runs throughout that adds an extra depth to this story. And then there is Daemyn Rand who seems to know more than he is willing to share and yet seems resigned to what he must do. There is a thread of mystery that runs through the story that one gets little glimpses of. This was a delightful read that one just doesn't want to put down. The story is told from both Rosanna and Alexander's perspectives as it unfolds before the reader. The story comes to a satisfying ending and can be considered complete so I'm interested to read what comes next in book 2 of the Beyond the Tales series. This is one book you don't want to miss out on. Fans of both Fairy Tale retellings and Speculative Fiction will love this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good book.

I was provided a digital ARC copy of this book by the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expected are my own.

Be sure to check out my interview with Tricia Mingerink and Sarah Addison-Fox

About the Book:

A prince cursed to sleep. 

A princess destined to wake him. 

A kingdom determined to stop them. 

High Prince Alexander has been cursed to a sleep-like unto death, a curse that will end the line of the high kings and send the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia into chaos. With his manservant to carry his luggage and his own superior intelligence to aid him, Alex sets off to find one of the Fae and end his curse one way or another.

A hundred years later, Princess Rosanna learns she is the princess destined by the Highest King to wake the legendary sleeping prince. With the help of the mysterious Daemyn Rand, can she find the courage to finish the quest as Tallahatchia wavers on the edge of war?

One curse connects them. A hundred years separate them. From the rushing rivers of Tallahatchia’s mountains to the hall of the Highest King himself, their quests will demand sacrifices neither of them could imagine.

Dagger’s Sleep is available for preorder on Amazon Kindle.

About the Author

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with her on
Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

Tricia Mingerink is giving away a paperback of Dagger’s Sleep.

The giveaway is open internationally where such giveaways are permitted and where Createspace or the Book Depository ships. The book may or may not be signed depending on where the winner lives.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday – May 22

Laura Grace – Author Interview

Reading Anyone – Book Review

Jaye L Knight – Book Spotlight

Quirky Faith – Book Reviews and Author Interview

Wednesday – May 23

Allyson Kennedy – Author Interview

Sam H. – Book Review

Addyson Huneke - Book Review and Author Interview

Ivie Brooks - Book Reviews

Thursday – May 24

Shantelle Mary - Book Review and Book Spotlight

Brie Donning - Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Blooming with Books - Book Review and Author Interview (You're Here)

Julian Daventry - Book Review and Author Interview

Friday – May 25

Faith Thompson - Book Reviews and Author Interview

Hannah Gaudette - Author Interview

CM Williams - Book Review

Chloe Parker - Book Reviews

Saturday – May 26

JM Christian - Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Abigail McKenna - Book Reviews

Liv Fisher - Author Interview

Book Wolf - Book Reviews and Author Interview

Liz Koetsier – Book Spotlight

Monday – May 28

Jessica Dowell - Book Review and Author Interview

Lila Kims - Book Reviews

Marie Elrich - Book Reviews

Faith Potts - Book Review and Book Spotlight

Facebook Festival – begins 5pm EST May 24th through 9pm EST May 25th with
special guest Serena Chase.