Cat's Review of Waiting On Life by Parker Williams @ParkerWAuthor @TTCBooksandmore

Big, bald, tattooed, and more than a little possessive, Toby Tomlinson isn’t what you’d call a lady’s man. In fact, he usually got too serious before they were ready. One day, upon returning home from work, Toby finds a young woman kneeling to pick up mail she’d apparently dropped. Taken with her red hair and slender body, he says hello as he grabs his own mail. The woman jumps and bangs her head against the open door, then lets loose with a string of expletives. She turns around and Toby discovers…the person he’s been ogling isn’t a woman at all, but a man.

Kyle Roga’s heard it all before. High school was filled with taunting classmates who could tell Kyle was far too fabulous to be straight. And now, here he was, being pawed at by a man who stole Kyle’s breath away. He ticked every box Kyle had, and a few he didn’t even know he wanted ticked. The problem? Kyle’s been burned before by straight men who think you’re good enough for sex, but not for a relationship. He’s been bitten way more than once, and he doesn’t want to go down that path again.

Two men, each with a different way of looking at love, find themselves having to reexamine what they always believed about themselves. Will it be enough to bring them together? Will each discover what they’ve been doing isn’t living, but waiting on life?

Buy links: Amazon

Cat gives this one 5 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index

I absolutely fell In love with Toby and Kyle. Especially Kyle. I love a fresh quirky character and Kyle fit perfectly. Toby isn’t having luck with women through the hours he works he doesn’t have time. Then accidentally bumping into the new woman in his apartment turns him on until… he finds out he is a man and his neighbor.

This story has a lot going on, lots of feelings and keeps you involved throughout the whole story. It makes you want more stories from these other characters like Scott and Carey!

Happily Ever After Comes With A Price tag Parker Williams began to write as a teen, but never showed his work to anyone. As he grew older, he drifted away from writing, but his love of the written word moved him to reading. A chance encounter with an author changed the course of his life as she encouraged him to never give up on a dream. With the help of some amazing friends, he rediscovered the joy of writing, thanks to a community of writers who have become his family. Parker firmly believes in love, but is also of the opinion that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (plus a little hurt and angst, too). The course of love is never a smooth one, and Happily Ever After always has a price tag.

 Twitter  https://twitter.com/ParkerWAuthor

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Cat's Review of Clean Approach (A Spy Like Me Book 2) by Patricia Logan @PatriciaLogan1 @TTCBooksandmore

Damon Thorne, former CIA operative, is now living with Jude Chenoweth, his new boyfriend. The sexy graphic designer is handsome as hell and Damon can’t get enough of him. Unfortunately, his life as a “cleaner” always seems to get in the way. At least Jude is at his side these days, helping out on an odd job here or there.

 Jude finds his new life with Damon thrilling. If it’s not rescuing a teen from child traffickers, it’s stealing adult toys from a notorious sex club. While Jude struggles to stay out of the limelight, Damon battles with his own demons, trying to reconcile a heartbreaking past.

 A mandatory trip to New York turns into a weekend on the Harlem blues scene and a party with New York high society, ending in near disaster. To top it all off, a deliberate poisoning, a pissed off “force of nature” in stilettos, and a half-blind money launderer confirm there’s trouble brewing and only the beginning of their problems.

 When an old acquaintance turns up with a tale of betrayal and a warning of imminent danger, Jude and Damon go on the offense. Fortunately for the two men, they unexpectedly have a team of warriors at their backs.

Join Damon and Jude for one thrill ride after another in the sequel to Clean Up on Aisle Mine.

Buy link: Amazon

Cat gives this one 5 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...

First of all, this is a book two and you do need to read Clean Up on Isle Mine first. Clean Approach begins where the other left off with Jude and Damon still together. Damon is still watching over Jude to make sure he stays out of the limelight during his father’s campaign, but they are now in a relationship. Jude has been helping Damon with some of his smaller jobs.  The first part of the book is funny with some of the jobs and messes they get into. Then towards the end is a big twist, things get messy, and wow was I floored with the ending.

With all of Patricia Logan's books you get lots of well—defined, interesting, unique characters, a good plot, lots of action, and plenty of heat. In this series, there is also quite a bit of humor which really was a nice touch to the series. Plus at the end, we get to see some of our favorite characters from other books ( don’t worry it won't throw you off if you haven’t read any Logan’s books, but it is a treat for us that have…and warning it will make you want to go grab those series too!)

If you like unique stories, spies, humor, twists, and some heat you will love this! I highly recommend it!

International bestselling author Patricia Logan, resides in Los Angeles, California. The author of several #1 bestselling erotic romances in English, Italian, French, and Spanish lives in a small house with a large family. When she’s not writing her next thriller romance, she’s watching her grandchildren grow up way too soon, and raising kids who make her proud every day. One of her favorite tasks is coaxing nose kisses from cats who insist on flopping on her keyboard while she types. Married to a wonderful gentleman for 30 years, she counts herself lucky to be surrounded by people who love her and give her stories to tell every day.

 Become a fan of Patricia Twitter: @PatriciaLogan1

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STRONGMAN: THE RISE OF FIVE DICTATORS AND THE FALL OF DEMOCRACY by Kenneth C. Davis NERD BLAST & #giveaway @JeanBookNerd @kennethcdavis @TTCBooksandmore

 

Grade Level : 5 - 9

Hardcover : 272 pages

ISBN-10 : 1250205646

ISBN-13 : 978-1250205643

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); Illustrated Edition (October 6, 2020)

Reading level : 12 - 18 years

Language: : English 

Praise for STRONGMAN: THE RISE OF FIVE DICTATORS AND THE FALL OF DEMOCRACY

* "History’s warnings reverberate in this gripping read about five dictatorial strongmen. A pitch-perfect balance of nuanced reflection and dire warning." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Strongman is a book that is both deeply researched and deeply felt, both an alarming warning and a galvanizing call to action, both daunting and necessary to read and discuss." ―Cynthia Levinson, author of Fault Lines in the Constitution

"A wake-up call to democracies like ours: we are not immune to despots . . . Strongman demonstrates that democracy is not permanent, unless it is collectively upheld. This book shakes that immortality narrative." ―Jessica Ellison, President of the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies

"Rarely does a history book take such an unflinching look at our common future, where the very presence of democracy is less than certain; even rarer is a history book in which the author’s moral convictions incite young readers to civic engagement; rarest of all, a history book as urgent, as impassioned, and as timely as Kenneth C. Davis’ Strongman." ―Eugene Yelchin, author of the Newbery Honor book Breaking Stalin’s Nose

"[I] . . . found myself engrossed in it from beginning to end. I could not help admiring [Davis's] ability to explain complex ideas in readable prose . . . very much a book for our time." ―Sam Wineburg, author of Why Learn History (When It's Already on Your Phone)

"At a time when dictators are rampant in such countries as North Korea, Turkey, China, Russia, and others, Davis’ deep dive into the lives of five of history’s most notorious dictators (or strongmen as he calls them)―Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Hussein―is apposite and timely." ―Booklist

From the bestselling author of the Don’t Know Much About® books comes a dramatic account of the origins of democracy, the history of authoritarianism, and the reigns of five of history's deadliest dictators.

What makes a country fall to a dictator? How do authoritarian leaders—strongmen—capable of killing millions acquire their power? How are they able to defeat the ideal of democracy? And what can we do to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

By profiling five of the most notoriously ruthless dictators in history—Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Saddam Hussein—Kenneth C. Davis seeks to answer these questions, examining the forces in these strongmen’s personal lives and historical periods that shaped the leaders they’d become. Meticulously researched and complete with photographs, Strongman provides insight into the lives of five leaders who callously transformed the world and serves as an invaluable resource in an era when democracy itself seems in peril.

You can purchase Strongman: The Rise of Five Dictators and the Fall of Democracy at the following Retailers:

  

Photo Credit: Nina Subin

Kenneth C. Davis is the New York Times–bestselling author of America’s Hidden History and Don’t Know Much About® History, which gave rise to the Don’t Know Much About® series of books for adults and children. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed In the Shadow of Liberty, which was an ALA Notable Book and a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, as well as More Deadly Than War, which was named a Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Month. A frequent guest on national television and radio and a Ted-Ed Educator, Davis lives in New York City.

WEBSITE: https://dontknowmuch.com/

TWITTER:  @kennethcdavis  

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13264.Kenneth_C_Davis

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kendavisdontknowmuch

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

- 5 Winners will receive a Copy of STRONGMAN: THE RISE OF FIVE DICTATORS AND THE FALL OF DEMOCRACY by Kenneth C. Davis

- Winner will receive a $20 Dollar PayPal/Amazon Gift Card.

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A Time for Monsters by Gareth Worthington Nerd Blast & #giveaway @JeanBookNerd @DrGWorthington @TTCBooksandmore

 

Paperback: 332 pages

ISBN-10: 1645480690

ISBN-13: 978-1645480693

Publisher: Vesuvian Books (May 11, 2021)

Praise for A TIME FOR MONSTERS

"A hell-raising revenge tale for fans of Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larsson and Karen Slaughter that forces readers down a dark road with an unexpected twist." ―Monique Snyman, Bram Stoker Awards Nominee

Only a monster can do the wrong things for the right reasons. 

Do you remember the first tape or CD you ever bought? Perhaps you waited for the local station to play the top forty songs on a Sunday so you could record your favorite band. Maybe you downloaded a certain track that reminded you of your wedding day or a graduation. 

Reyna Blackburn remembers. Every single song for every horrific event in her life. She remembers what song was playing on the radio the first time he hurt her. And she remembers what was playing through her headphones the first time she killed.

You can purchase A Time For Monsters at the following Retailers:

  

Photo Content from Gareth Worthington

Gareth Worthington is a trained marine biologist and also holds a doctorate in comparative endocrinology. Currently, Gareth works full time for the Pharmaceutical industry helping to educate the World's doctors on new cancer therapies. In his spare time Gareth has a number of passions, including: martial arts - he trained in Muay Thai at the prestigious EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and currently trains in MMA at Phoenix Sportkampf, Switzerland; playing acoustic guitar; studying ancient history; drawing; and most of all writing fiction.

An award winning author, he hopes to one day hang up the pharma hat and write full time.

WEBSITE: http://www.garethworthington.com/

TWITTER:  @DrGWorthington  

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5976521.Gareth_Worthington

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/garethworthingtonauthor

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/garethworthington/

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

- 1 Winner will receive a Copy of A TIME FOR MONSTER by Gareth Worthington.

- 1 Winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

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Cat's Audiobook Review of Fire and Snow (Carlisle Cops book 4) Written By Andrew Grey Narrated by Randy Fuller @andrewgreybooks @TTCBooksandmore

• By: Andrew Grey
• Narrated by: Randy Fuller
• Series: Carlisle Cops, Book 4
• Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
• Release date: 07-15-16

Fisher Moreland has been cast out of his family because they can no longer deal with his issues. Fisher is bipolar and living day to day, trying to manage his condition, but he hasn't always had much control over his life and has self-medicated with whatever he could find.

 JD Burnside has been cut off from his family because of a scandal back home. He moved to Carlisle, but brought his Southern charm and warmth along with him. When he sees Fisher on a park bench on a winter's night, he invites Fisher to join him and his friends for a late-night meal.

 At first Fisher doesn't know what to make of JD, but he slowly comes out of his shell. And when Fisher's job is threatened because of a fire, JD's support and care is more than Fisher ever thought he could expect. But when people from Fisher's past turn up in town at the center of a resurgent drug epidemic, Fisher knows they could very well sabotage his budding relationship with JD.

 ©2016 Andrew Grey (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

Buy links: Audible Amazon

Cat gives this one 5 Meows Overall with a 1 Purr heat index...

This is Carlisle Cops, Book 4 but they stand alone pretty well. You just have a better understanding of the recurring characters if you’ve read them in order.

As with all Andrew Grey books the story has great characters and there is a bit of a suspense in this. I really liked that Fisher is different and his bipolar issues are a big part of the story.  I loved the romance between him and J.D. and how J.D seemed to understand and was so patient with Fisher.  It is an allover good romantic suspense.

I listened to the audio and liked Randy Fuller’s narration. His voice is appealing and easy to listen too and he makes the story smooth and intriguing. 

Andrew Grey is the author of over 100 works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 

Visit Andrew's web site and follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks

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Rough Contact by Beth Bolden Release blitz with Cat's 5 Star review & #giveaway @GayBookPromo @beth_bolden @TTCBooksandmore

Their romance is forbidden. Their love is a secret.

They’re the Romeo and Juliet of football.

Neal Fisher knows heartbreak. It's the clock ticking down in the Super Bowl. It's missing the most important field goal of his life. It's losing everything: his thirteen year career as an NFL kicker, his future, and his pride.

Jamie Wright knows love. It's everything on the line as the crowd holds their breath. It's a perfect kick as the ball soars through the goal posts. It's NFL fame and glory laid out before him.

Neal is on his way out, and Jamie--if he can withstand the pressure of tryouts--is on his way in. The one person Jamie should avoid is the veteran kicker, and the last thing Neal wants is to sink Jamie’s chances. But a chance meeting and a wild and undeniable chemistry proves to be irresistible.

Neal thought he knew heartbreak. Jamie thought he knew love. 

They were both wrong.

Their romance is forbidden. Their love is a secret. 

But if they trust each other, maybe their growing relationship won't end in tragedy. It might even be the beginning of football’s greatest love story.

Goodreads 

Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link   |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK 

Cat gives this 5 Meows with a 3 Purr heat index...

Jamie has always dreamed of being a kicker and being on the Team his favorite player and crush played on is bittersweet since he will possibly be taking his job. He arrives to find 9 others trying out and that it’s a tough competition and the coaches are making it personal though Neal didn’t lose that kick on his own it had been tipped but it was one of those kicks of a lifetime and after thirteen years the team was out for blood.

Neal was having his own issues over missing that kick, losing his job and the man he thought he loved and loved him back. After hiding out six months his niece decided time for intervention and insisted he go to Dam’s party. Sitting out front hiding yet more he meets a beautiful young man he was drawn to and they begin talking. Then he finds out Jamie is the young kicker trying out for his spot and what the coaching team is doing so he offers to help.

This is such a sweet story. I wouldn’t call it enemies to lovers since Neal and Jamie were never enemies or even rivals.  They do become friends and Jamie does help Neal overcome his loss and move on so maybe hurt/ comfort. 

There is some drama as Jamie faces many obstacles, the worse could be having to choose Neal or the dream job.  Now, I’m not huge on sports romance but do read some; that being said, I love Beth Bolden and this story didn’t disappoint! 

Excerpt

It felt surreal to be surrounded by so many people he’d only watched on TV. There was Bran Phillips, the famous center for the Riptide, just over there, a small girl balanced on his shoulders, and they were both laughing. Rashad Green, the best running back in the league, was sitting on a chaise lounge, sipping something fruity and frozen from a plastic margarita glass. And then there was Heath, making sure he got something to eat, and introducing him to everyone who they met. “The new kicker,” Heath said several times, even though it was hardly like he’d won the job. But then Heath would know that better than anyone, because he was on the coaching staff and he knew how many kickers they’d brought in to try out. But every single time he said it, Jamie felt like giving an addendum of not quite yet, but maybe, hopefully? If everything works out.

But Jamie didn’t, because even though Heath was more relaxed than Jamie had ever seen him, he was still Heath Harris, and he contained so much goddamn confident certainty that after meeting most of the people at the party, it was hard not to think of himself as the Riptide’s new kicker.

You’re getting ahead of yourself; you still gotta make it happen, he reminded himself. Tomorrow is the day you’re gonna have to prove yourself, again. And then you’re gonna have to do it over and over again, and then probably a couple hundred more times, for good measure.

Maybe then Coach R and Coach Toby might be satisfied.

He was sitting on the edge of the pool when suddenly he felt a body drop down next to him. He was half-expecting it to be Heath or maybe even Sam—which was surreal because he’d never imagined he’d be in the kind of position to be sought out by either of those guys—but then when he glanced over, he nearly fell into the pool.

It was Neal Fisher, and he was just in a pair of navy blue trunks, with little green palm trees scattered across the fabric. He was pale, like he’d spent too long inside this summer, but he was still undeniably handsome, his green eyes glowing in his gorgeous face, offset by his dark hair. It fell into his eyes a bit, probably because it needed a trim.

Jamie’s hands tightened on the edge of the pool and he prayed he didn’t make a fucking fool out of himself. He was just meeting his idol, that was all, and a guy he’d probably spent way too much time fantasizing about over the years.

Do not tell him you’ve jerked off to him about a thousand times. Do not even think about it.

“Hey,” Neal said casually. So casually that Jamie had a feeling that he didn’t know who Jamie really was. “You told me to come find you.” He smiled then, and though it was only a shadow of his former smile, which Jamie was embarrassed to admit he was intimately familiar enough with to tell the difference, it was still a smile. He poked Jamie in the shoulder. “Found you.”      

About the Author 

  A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty novels and six novellas.  

Author Links

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |   BookBub 

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RURAL VOICES Edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter Official Blog tour with Guest Post & #giveaway @JeanBookNerd @norawritesbooks @TTCBooksandmore

 

Hardcover : 336 pages

ISBN-10 : 1536212105

ISBN-13 : 978-1536212105

Publisher : Candlewick (October 13, 2020)

Language: : English

Praise for RURAL VOICES

The writers bring authentic voices to their work in addition to their biographies, shared at the back of the book. This collection will be a high-interest read for middle and high school students...This book is a must-purchase for libraries serving middle and high school readers. —School Library Connection

The compilation successfully meets the challenge of serving as a cohesive whole while providing readers with enough variety of tone, pace, and voice to keep the reading experience interesting. A fresh and highly accessible contribution. —Kirkus Reviews

From laughing out loud to holding back tears, readers who enjoy emotionally resonant books will not be disappointed. Those from similar geographic areas will be nodding their heads while every reader, regardless of location, will connect to the universal triumphs and tribulations of teen life. Fans of Rainbow Rowell will dive headfirst into this collection. A great addition that explores an often misrepresented portion of readers. —School Library Journal

Think you know what rural America is like? Discover a plurality of perspectives in this enlightening anthology of stories that turns preconceptions on their head.

Gracie sees a chance of fitting in at her South Carolina private school, until a "white trash"-themed Halloween party has her steering clear of the rich kids. Samuel's Tejano family has both stood up to oppression and been a source of it, but now he's ready to own his true sexual identity. A Puerto Rican teen in Utah discovers that being a rodeo queen means embracing her heritage, not shedding it. . . .

For most of America's history, rural people and culture have been casually mocked, stereotyped, and, in general, deeply misunderstood. Now an array of short stories, poetry, graphic short stories, and personal essays, along with anecdotes from the authors' real lives, dives deep into the complexity and diversity of rural America and the people who call it home. Fifteen extraordinary authors - diverse in ethnic background, sexual orientation, geographic location, and socioeconomic status - explore the challenges, beauty, and nuances of growing up in rural America. From a mountain town in New Mexico to the gorges of New York to the arctic tundra of Alaska, you'll find yourself visiting parts of this country you might not know existed - and meet characters whose lives might be surprisingly similar to your own.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

Nora Shalaway Carpenter, David Bowles, Joseph Bruchac, Veeda Bybee, Shae Carys, S.A. Cosby, Rob Costello, Randy DuBurke, David Macinnis Gill, Nasugraq Rainey Hopson, Estelle Laure, Yamile Saied Méndez, Ashley Hope Pérez, Tirzah Price and Monica Roe 

You can purchase Rural Voices at the following Retailers:

        

Guest post with Author Nora Shalaway Carpenter

A Memory of What Helped Inspire My Writing: The Night Sky by Randy DuBurke

 

1966:

  It was a  warm, muggy night and I was four years old plopped down right in front of my Grandparents brand new black and white RCA television in the living room of their house in Tignall, Georgia. Grandma was in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner dishes. Grandpa had gone out to take care of the cows.

 

I had my bowl of ice cream and my note pad and pencils with me. My new favorite show was about to begin. I had seen one episode before and thought it was great! The show was about a group of people flying through space going to different worlds and meeting strange aliens and having these fantastic adventures. I loved this show!

  

The show started and I hunkered down and took a big spoonful of ice cream in my mouth then grabbed my note pad and a pencil. I drew, as best as I could, what I saw on the T.V. screen. The Captain was talking to the guy with the pointy ears about some trouble with the boy with the super powers who had come on the ship. This was so cool. 

I drew the captain, the doctor, the boy and the starship flying through space. As the show was coming to an end I heard the back door creak open then slam shut.

 

Grandpa strode into the room. He towered over me as I drew. 'Well, Mr. DuBurke whatcha doin' here?' 

'Drawin'.' I answered. I could feel grandpa looking over my shoulder. After a moment he said 'Mighty fine whatcha doin.' I beamed up at him and then continued drawing and watching fthe show. 

 

Grandpa took a seat in the chair behind me and watched the rest of the show in silence. As the end credits scrolled on the screen Grandpa asked ' You like them space shows, huh?'

 

'Yeah' I said. Grandpa came over and knelt beside me and started to look at what I had drawn. He chuckled as he saw the captain and the other characters I had drawn. He stopped when he came to my drawing of the starship in space. He stared at the image for a moment. Grandma came to the doorway and said it was time for me to get ready for bed.

 

'Hold on a minute.' said Grandpa,

 

Before Grandma could protest Grandpa said he wanted to show me something. We went out the back of the house, the balmy night air clinging to our skin. A slight breeze fanned the tree branches of the woods beyond as Grandpa said to me 'So, Mr. DuBurke what all you like about that there show?'

I shrugged and looked at the ground. “I don't know.” I mumbled. Ciccadas chirped somwhere in the deep woods.

 

'Oh.' he said. I felt Grandpa staring down at me.

 

'Wellll.'I drawled 

'I like the captain, and the guy with the pointy ears, and the space ship, and the adventures. It is so cool!'

 

 Grandpa laughed a deep throaty laugh that seemed to shake the ground.

 

'See, now I knew there was somethin' about that show that set you off.'

 

“You like the imagination of those men who created it, right?'

 

I thought for a minute. I guess when you boiled it down, I did like the imagination that could bring all these weird things into the world. 'Those men who created that show do have quite an imagination and so do you or you can.' Grandpa said softly.

 

 “Learning from those who come before you and adding to it by what you learn will help you.”

 

I stared at Grandpa puzzled. “What I learn?”

 

“From the world around you.” Grandpa spread his arms out engulfing the world. I followed the sweep of his arm and stared into the sky. A faint streak of light arced far above our heads across the night sky. I followed it and I started to wonder what strange people and worlds were out there.

ABOUT RANDY DUBURKE

Born in Washington, Georgia, Randy DuBurke has been a professional illustrator for more than twenty years. He’s done artwork for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, the New York Times, MTV Animation, and many additional entertainment companies and publishing houses. He’s the creator of the picture book The Moon Ring, which earned him a John Steptoe New Talent Award. He illustrated the graphic novels Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, which received a Once Upon a World Children’s Book Award from the Museum of Tolerance, Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography, and Emanon, a companion to Wayne Shorter’s Grammy-winning jazz album of the same name. His illustrations for The Best Shot in the West, a Junior Library Guild Selection, earned him a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. He has six reproductions of fully painted comic pages concerning civil rights across the globe on permanent display at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Photo Credit: Chip Bryan

Nora Shalaway Carpenter grew up on a mountain ridge deep in the West Virginia wilderness. A graduate of Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, she is the author of the YA novel The Edge of Anything and the picture book Yoga Frog. Before she wrote books, she worked as associate editor of Wonderful West Virginia magazine, and she has been a certified yoga teacher since 2012. She currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, three young children, and world’s most patient dog and cat.

WEBSITE: https://www.noracarpenterwrites.com/

TWITTER: @norawritesbooks  

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17086511.Nora_Shalaway_Carpenter

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/nora.s.carpenter

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/noracarpenterwrites/

WEEK ONE - EXCLUSIVE EXCERPTS

OCTOBER 12th MONDAY JeanBookNerd GUEST POST

OCTOBER 13th TUESDAY A Dream Within A Dream GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 13th TUESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

OCTOBER 14th WEDNESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW 

OCTOBER 15th THURSDAY BookHounds GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 15th THURSDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW & GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 16th FRIDAY Kait Plus Books GUEST POST

WEEK TWO - EXCLUSIVE EXCERPTS

OCTOBER 19th MONDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW & GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 20th TUESDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW & GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 21st WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

OCTOBER 21st WEDNESDAY A Bronx Latina Reads REVIEW & GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 22nd THURSDAY The Phantom Paragrapher REVIEW 

OCTOBER 22nd THURSDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 

OCTOBER 23rd FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW & GUEST POST 

OCTOBER 23rd FRIDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW

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--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

-  5 Winners will receive a Copy of RURAL VOICES Edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter.

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