Monday, April 28, 2025

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche GIVEAWAY!


 From popular content creator Kelsey Impicciche, Voice of the Ocean follows a daring young siren who defies her people to save a human prince, unearthing ancient magic and igniting a dangerous romance amid treacherous waters.

As the youngest daughter of the siren queen, Celeste's life is tightly controlled. Desperate to prove her worth and escape her destiny--trapped in the palace as a royal figurehead--she intends to join the Chorus, an elite group of siren warriors. With the final test on the horizon, Celeste feels the pressure to finally gain control over her temperamental Song--a magic gifted by the Goddess herself. But when Celeste encounters a seemingly harmless ship in Staria's waters, helmed by the intriguing Prince Raiden Sharp, her path veers toward forbidden waters.

Believing the handsome sailor to be innocent of any wrongdoing, Celeste defies siren law to save Raiden's life--despite knowing he is the son of a king who has murdered many of her kindred. The penalty for Celeste's betrayal should be death, but the queen offers her an alternative: right her wrong by assassinating the prince. Determined to first discover the truth behind the prince's clandestine mission, Celeste agrees to become human.

But the human world is nothing like she expected, nor is the prince the charming and noble man she assumed him to be. Disguised among Raiden's ragtag crew, she searches for the truth. But as Celeste finds her place aboard the ship, friendships--and attraction--begin to grow. Will Celeste be able to do what must be done? Or will her choices unravel a kingdom, devastating sirens and humans alike?

Pick up your copy here...



Kelsey Impicciche is a professional YouTuber and Twitch streamer with over a billion minutes viewed across various platforms, which altogether means she plays video games for a living.

When Kelsey isn't making simulated characters fall in love online, she's writing about different characters falling in love in very difficult situations.

Voice of the Ocean is her first novel, with the hopes of this becoming a regular thing. In the meantime, Kelsey can be found sitting beside her dog Chewbacca or making fun videos about books and games online @kelseydangerous.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick GIVEAWAY!

 

Margaret Ryan never really meant to start a book club . . . or a feminist revolution in her buttoned-up suburb.

By 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan is living the American woman's dream. She has a husband, three children, a station wagon, and a home in Concordia--one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive and picturesque suburbs. She has a standing invitation to the neighborhood coffee klatch, and now, thanks to her husband, a new subscription to A Woman's Place--a magazine that tells housewives like Margaret exactly who to be and what to buy. On paper, she has it all. So why doesn't that feel like enough?

Margaret is thrown for a loop when she first meets Charlotte Gustafson, Concordia's newest and most intriguing resident. As an excuse to be in the mysterious Charlotte's orbit, Margaret concocts a book club get-together and invites two other neighborhood women--Bitsy and Viv--to the inaugural meeting. As the women share secrets, cocktails, and their honest reactions to the controversial bestseller The Feminine Mystique, they begin to discover that the American dream they'd been sold isn't all roses and sunshine--and that their secret longing for more is something they share. Nicknaming themselves the Bettys, after Betty Friedan, these four friends have no idea their impromptu club and the books they read together will become the glue that helps them hold fast through tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments--and what will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives.
Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     Amazon.com: The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel: 9781400344741: Bostwick, Marie: Books

Marie Bostwick is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than twenty works of uplifting contemporary and historical fiction. Translated into a dozen languages, Marie’s novels are beloved by readers across the globe. Her 2009 book, A Thread of Truth, was an “Indie Next Notable” pick. Three of her books were published as Reader's Digest “Select Editions.” Marie lives in Washington state with her husband and a beautiful but moderately spoiled Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Connect with her online at mariebostwick.com

Thursday, April 24, 2025

The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis GIVEAWAY!


 Welcome back to Sunrise Cove for this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers tale where found family, forgiveness, and love may just be the key to finding yourself, from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged.  So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to. 

Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for Lexi: for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.

Pick up your copy here...



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).

Facebook @JillShalvis

Instagram @Jillshalvis


I have yet to meet a Shalvis book that I didn't really enjoy. And I loved going back to Sunrise Cove and I devoured The Love Fix in one sitting.  Found family, and finding yourself is the best story to me.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Sheet Pan Cookbook by Hungry Girl


 One-Pan Wonders Under 400 Calories! Get sheet smart with this essential recipe collection centered around a kitchen MVP― a simple baking sheet!


With an emphasis on wholesome ingredients like fresh produce and lean proteins, these delicious, easy meals and more make healthy eating a breeze. Get ready for . . .

The Best Breakfasts: Protein-packed “Flattatas,” make-ahead pancake bars, and beyond.
Lunches & Dinners: Meatloaves, chicken entrées, low-carb pizzas & more!
Savory Snacks & Sides: Everything from party foods (bell pepper nachos and pepperoni pizza bites) to flavorful roasted veggies for every meal.
Sweet Desserts: Cool & creamy frozen yogurt bark, decadent yet light brownie crisps . . . even sheet pan apple pie!

Featuring . . . 5-ingredient recipes, 30-minute meals, vegetarian recipes, and loads of gluten-free options!

Bonus! Sheet pan basics, time-saving tips, shopping tricks, ideas for leftovers . . . What can’t this book do for you?

Grab a sheet pan and your appetite― these tasty recipes make eating smart astonishingly easy!

Pick up your copy here...

She's not a nutritionist; she's just hungry! Lisa Lillien is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the beloved Hungry Girl brand. Millions of fans eagerly await her healthy recipes, smart food finds, and tips & tricks each day, via her free daily emails, podcast, and social media platforms. She is a self-proclaimed "foodologist" and an expert in smart-eating solutions. Sign up for the free daily emails on the Hungry Girl website.

Fast easy recipes that use easy to find ingredients. this is a must in everyone's kitchen.
I love Hungry Girls cookbooks and the make the best gifts too.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.


Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Bless the Earth by June Cotner


 A beautifully illustrated collection of poems and prayers to help children develop an appreciation for the natural world


WINNER OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AWARD

Bless the Earth, our faithful friend,
her mountain range and river bend,
her forest green and canopy,
the hidden world of bended trees.

Bless the Earth shows the miracle of our planet Earth through beautiful imagery and delightful poetry, calling all people, young and old, to care for our wonderful world. This sweet and welcoming anthology for children ages 3-7 knits together our common humanity and the natural world in an engaging way that is simple for young readers to understand.

Bless the Earth contains approximately sixty selections of original as well as classic poems, divided into five chapters each:
  • Dreams for My World
  • Earth and Sky
  • All Creatures, Big and Small
  • Seasons
  • Caring for Our World

Bless the Earth calls us again and again to understand how important it is to care for our world, respect our neighbors—humans, plants, and animals alike—and reimagine a world that is healthy and whole.

Pick up your copy here....


Nancy Tupper Ling is the winner of the prestigious Writer’s Digest Grand Prize and the Pat Parnell Poetry Award. She draws her inspiration from the multicultural background of her family and the interwoven fabric of familial culture which is, on the surface, seemingly every day. Her latest books are Hearts In My Pocket (Union Square Kids), Bless the Earth with coauthor, June Cotner (Penguin/Convergent) and One Perfect Plan: The Bible's Big Story in Tiny Poems (Penguin/Waterbrook). For Every Little Thing: Poems and Prayers to Celebrate the Day (Eerdmans) was a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and winner of the Northern Lights Mindfulness Award. Her other books include The Yin-Yang Sisters and the Dragon Frightful (Penguin), Family Celebrations (Andrews McMeel), My Sister, Alicia May (Pleasant Street Press), Double Happiness (Chronicle Books), The Story I’ll Tell (Lee & Low Books). Ling is the founder of Fine Line Poets and she loves to bring poetry into the classroom.


June Cotner is a publishing consultant and the author of 37 books, including the bestselling GRACES and HOUSE BLESSINGS. Collectively, her books have sold more than one million copies and have earned praise in many national publications including USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, and Family Circle. June has appeared on national television and radio programs as well as local television including "New Day Northwest" and "AM Northwest." June is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. Through Book Proposal Services, she evaluates nonfiction book proposals and analyzes concepts for books. See "Consulting" at www.JuneCotner.com. Her books have been published by major houses including Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette. She has also enjoyed working with mid-size publishers such as Andrews McMeel and Chronicle Books. Her newest book is HEY! IT'S YOUR DAY: Inspirational Quotes and Affirmations to Live By (Jan 2021).

Quotation: "Creativity, for me, involves connections. As an anthologist, I love finding the perfect quote for a specific book. As a publishing consultant, I greatly enjoy helping clients create the best possible proposals to secure excellent advances."

Fun tidbit: June has always loved playing with creative ideas, including starting the first "dormie" powder puff football game at U.C. Berkeley, I ETA PI, that competed against sorority teams and went on to become "a football dynasty," as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Visit her website at www.JuneCotner.com

Monday, April 21, 2025

Magic In a Drop of Water by Julie Winterbottom

 

An entertaining and gorgeous picture book biography of scientist and environmental hero Ruth Patrick, one of the first to warn about the dangers of pollution.

A brilliant scientist and intrepid explorer, the ecologist Ruth Patrick taught the world how to care for the environment. She studied water pollution long before it became a public concern and gave other scientists the tools to do something about it. Born in 1907, Ruth Patrick was one of the only women in her field when she made her breakthrough discovery about biodiversity and the ecosystem of rivers, forever changing how ecologists understand pollution.

Lyrically, joyfully written, exquisitely illustrated, and full of fascinating details and a rich afterword and timeline, this STEM biography will inspire readers who love the environment to follow their passion and curiosity.

Pick up your copy here...


Julie Winterbottom is the author of Magic in a Drop Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution and two humor books for middle-grade kids, Pranklopedia and What a Blast! She lives in Beacon, New York.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Spring's Miracles by Kaitlin Curtice


 A vibrantly illustrated children's book about an Indigenous girl who discovers the miracles that blossom each spring and learns how Creator's gift of courage can transform the way we see the world and ourselves.


It’s time to welcome a new season, and this spring is going to be extra special. Dani, a Potawatomi girl, and her family prepare to celebrate the new year, which the Potawatomi and other Anishinaabe people observe at the beginning of spring with a camping and climbing trip. Dani is excited for the adventure, but also nervous. The rocks are so big. Will she make it to the top of her climb? As Dani explores the awakening woods and makes memories with her family, she learns to draw on the courage Creator gives while finding inspiration in the miraculous new life Mother Earth brings forth each spring.

Pick up your copy here...


Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing.

As an interspiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of interfaith relationships.

Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, Oprah Daily and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes at The Liminality Journal.

Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.