Monday, January 20, 2020

The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions Book 1) by Sunayna Prasad


Welcome to the book tour for The Frights of Fiji by Sunayna Prasad! Today she is talking about the process of revising her writing. Plus there is an excerpt from this fantasy book and a giveaway for a $25 gift card! Check out the rest of the tour for even more fun.


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It’s All About Revisions

Everyone who writes needs to revise sooner or later. Well, actually—it would be better if he or she waited until the draft was at the end. I even tried finding out ways to rewrite the last draft of my novel as soon as I completed it. I kept getting stuck.

I read pretty much every relevant article and even asked for help on a certain forum online. Everybody who responded to the thread said that I should give myself more time.

And they were right. While I successfully made a list of ideas for my next draft, I couldn’t actually start writing the next draft until recently. So, no writer had exaggerated about that. You do need to give yourself some time away from your WIP. Many writing experts suggest at least a month or two—often times, even more. But I didn’t really have several months.

I was going to submit the WIP to a certain editor, but I had to have that delayed due to just starting a new draft.

All right, maybe that’s enough backstory. I probably revise like most writers, although I often rewrite my stories long before I finish them. I try not to now, but I did before, because I was constantly getting bored with my writing. I started my current project four years ago, but for the first two years, I couldn’t finish a single draft. I would get bored by the tenth or eleventh chapter and give up. It was not until January 2018, that I discovered my actual writing process. That was when I could write an entire draft without quitting before it ended.

Now here’s a fun fact: I sometimes revise individual paragraphs. How? I wait a little, copy and paste that certain paragraph to another word doc, rewrite it there, and then copy and paste it to the main document.

Revision processes differ from person to person. So, you might revise in a way that wouldn’t necessarily work for me.




The Frights of Fiji


A world of magic and adventure awaits…

Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa McCarthy longs for the life she used to have—one filled with fun and love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the window that will change everything.

"Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere."

Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using Alyssa’s friends, to ensure he is triumphant.

Originally titled "From Frights to Flaws", this story is the exciting and enchanting first book in the "Magical Missions" series.



Free on Amazon
(affiliate link)


Read an excerpt:
The raindrops darkened into black, looking as if ink fell from the sky. Alyssa leaned closer to them. She squinted to determine the shapes they formed on the kitchen window… letters.

No! That couldn’t happen. Yet, a message spelled out as more pigments plopped onto the glass. Alyssa gasped at what it said.

Your life will never be the same again, Alyssa McCarthy, as magic will interfere.

What? Magic didn’t exist—at least that’d been what others had told her when she was little. No one on Orion Street could possess enchanted abilities.

Alyssa had lived here since she’d lost her parents in that car crash five years ago. She’d only been seven then. How would she tell her uncle, Bruce, about this? He’d consider her crazy. He’d already toughened up his attitude and rules. So he might consider it an excuse to escape this house.

Although Alyssa’s parents had designated her godfather as the first priority guardian, Uncle Bruce forbade her to try and contact him. He’d hidden the phone number and other information about him.

Since Alyssa’s aunt, Laura, had died three years ago, Uncle Bruce had required fun to be earned. And that took more effort than Alyssa could often accomplish.

Turning around, she spotted her babysitter, Mrs. Hutchinson, examining the kitchen floor. Alyssa’s eleven-year-old cousin, Hailey, watched the progress. Hailey had mopped the floor. Would she earn a break now? Ever since her uncle, Bruce, had hired Mrs. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchinson had admired the way Hailey had done her chores more than Alyssa.

“Hailey, you can take a break until your next chore,” said Mrs. Hutchinson. “Alyssa, get back to work. You’ve been staring at the rain for too long.”

“Okay.” Alyssa turned back—only to see the message gone and the rain back to its normal transparency.

“What did I say?” asked Mrs. Hutchinson.

Alyssa sighed. “Fine, I’ll finish washing the dishes.”


About Sunayna Prasad

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has also written The Frights of Fiji, formerly titled as From Frights to Flaws. She is passionate about modern life, fantasy, and world-building. Aside from her website, sunaynaprasadbooks.com, she also has a blog about different creative and entertaining topics, including fiction and writing, called “Sunayna Prasad’s Blog”.

Sunayna has graduated from college in May 2017. She lives in Long Island, NY.

Website: www.sunaynaprasadbooks.com

Blog: www.sunaynaprasadblogs.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SunaynaPrasad



Sunayna Prasad will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, January 11, 2020

January $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Ends 1/26


Have you seen all of the cool kits available now on Amazon? Plus there are tons of great new books coming out this year, as well as some new series.

What books are currently on your reading list?    

Here's your chance to either get them or get some money towards them. Just head below and enter to win! 

Giveaway is open to US &Can and ends on 1/26/2020 at 11:59pm EST. Must be 18yo+ To enter. Good luck!



Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US & CAN , must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact  Elia At Conservamom

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Review of The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee by Deborah Abela


The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee

India Wimple can spell. Brilliantly. Every Friday night, she and her family watch the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee on TV. When the Wimples suggest she enter the next Bee, India feels nothing but trepidation. She's sure she's not good enough – but with the support of her family, India finds the courage to sign up.

There are plenty of obstacles to reaching the finals, like Summer Millicent Ernestine Beauregard-Champion, a spoiled rich girl who isn't afraid to step on anyone who gets in her way of winning.

The whole thing seems rather calamitous to India. But with hope, hard work, and a little bit of heart, something splendiferous might be on the horizon...


Book Links


**My thoughts**
India is a girl after my own heart. She loves words and spelling and dreams of a winning a spelling bee. But she also has horrid stagefright. But she finally decides to take a chance and enters the spelling bee that she and her family regularly watch.

India has amazing support from her family, the Whimples, and all of Yungabilla. And she is fiercely devoted to them, willing to sacrifice her dreams for her brother Boo's health and her family's financial status. It shows how she has a big heart and how doing good for others can lead to others doing good for you.

The book also gives a peek into how parents can be completely overbearing in the name of winning and how much pain they cause when spoiling and ignoring their kids. India is one who is able to step up and be a friend to these kids, in spite of their treatment. It's a great lesson for kids on kindness. And parents should take note of the horrible behavior of these other parents and what they do their kids' self esteem.

Each chapter is headed by a vocabulary word with definition and sentence example. It's a great not-so-subtle unconscious way to impart some new vocabulary on readers. I got a kick out of that part.

Overall, a fun read for elementary kids that they could enjoy on their own or that could lead to some good classroom discussions.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Preorder Derek Hyde Knows Spooky When He Sees It by E. Michael Lunsford

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Derek Hyde Series, Book 1
Middle-Grade Paranormal
Date Published: 12-21-2019
Publisher: INtense Publications LLC

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Twelve-year-old Derek Hyde isn’t thrilled that the spookiest old mansion in town is about to become the Hyde Funeral Home & Used Coffin Outlet. Especially since he has to live there with his mortician parents, Jack and Formalda.

Of course, being driven in the family hearse to his first day at middle school doesn’t exactly add whipped cream to his broccoli.

As if things couldn't get more horrific, an evil classmate named Nussbaum attacks him in the cafeteria with a plate of beef stroganoff. Seems this kid used to love living in the old mansion himself, but got yanked out after accidentally blowing up his own mom and dad. With his chemistry set. Now his dead parents are stuck as ghosts and Nussbaum is a foster kid stuck on revenge, vowing to get even with Derek’s family for taking over his haunted home.

Derek desperately craves a nice place to live, but a couple of minor details stand in his way—just some blood-curdling apparitions that scare the pants off him and a classmate bent on landing him in his parents’ embalming room. As a client.


Purchase Links


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About the Author

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E. Michael Lunsford is the author of an award-winning play, Scary, Scary Night, and a book of wacky kid’s poems, Sometimes I Get My Shoes on Backwards, winner of the Readers’ Favorite International Book Award. His debut novel is the first of the funny Derek Hyde series of spooky middle grade books published by INtense Publications. Michael is also a musician, composer, inventor, entrepreneur and chief cook & bottle washer who works and lives with his wife and love of his life in San Carlos, California.


Contact Links




RABT Book Tours & PR

Monday, November 11, 2019

Our Military Family by Suzan Johnson



Our Military Family

Many families miss loved ones when they are away serving in the military. Sometimes the service men and women are away from moms, dads, brothers, and sisters. In this story Dad and the kids, Harmony and Dominic, are home missing mom. Mom is in the United States Army, and during her deployment, she is sometimes gone for up to 12 months. Throughout the book, you experience what the family has to do to cope without mom, all the while missing her. I hope this book is a testament to those families who make many sacrifices at home and abroad so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.



(affiliate link included)

About Suzan Johnson

Suzan Johnson has been the Media Specialist at an elementary school for over ten years. She is a voracious reader of books of all genres. Growing up, she loved and enjoyed participating in sporting activities such as cheerleading and softball. As a teacher she encourages her students to read a variety of books and participate in sports. Suzan has been a member of South Florida Writer’s Association, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Johnson currently lives in the South Florida area.

Email: shjstories@gmail.com
Website: https://www.shjstories.com/


I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this book. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Day the Grapefruits Took Over the World by Sandi Smith


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Children's Humor
Children's Chapter Books (Books)
Publisher: 102nd Place, LLC
Date Published: June 6, 2019



Mayor Pinkie Grapefruit smiled slightly, "Well . . . well . . . well . . . look who we have here. Nathaniel Joseph Parker! I don't really care what you think Nathaniel Joseph Parker, and, yes, we know your name. You are one of the biggest offenders of them all. You are ruining everything for us, but you won't be doing that much longer. You will be changing the way you think, whether you want to or not. We have very persuasive methods to change people's minds. We have decided to take over the world, and we will be number one in the kitchen, in restaurants, and, well, everywhere!"

Grapefruits rule!


Purchase Link
Amazon
Should you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites! 


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About the Author

Sandi Smith spent her time as a young girl combing the shelves of the public library. She has always enjoyed the magic that books have to offer and was inspired by her high school English teacher, Mr. Coolidge to embrace the arts. The author found her calling as a writer early one morning as her first story came to her in the form of a poem. Since then she has written more than 15 children’s books, with her most popular series about the adventures of an adorable spider in the A.R. Achnid series. Sandi is happily married to her inspiration and husband of 40 years, John. She continues to write for her two precious grandchildren. When she’s not penning a new story, Sandi and John like to camp, kayak and to enjoy the simple life in their home in Pembroke, NH. To learn more about Sandi go to: www.authorsandismith.com



Contact Links

Twitter  




RABT Book Tours & PR

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Halloween $25 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway Ends 10/27



Halloween makes me flash back to favorite childhood books like Bunnicula and The Dollhouse Murders. Those eventually led to books by RL Stine and Christopher Pike. What did you read back then? What would you buy with $25 to Amazon?

Head below to enter to win! Giveaway is open to US &CAN and ends on on 10/27 at 11:59pmEST. Must be 18yo to enter.

Good luck!

Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US & CAN , must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact  Elia At Conservamom

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

$50 Visa Gift Card and The Fire Keeper Book Giveaway Ends 9/23

Gotta love it when great new middle grade books are available for readers! Check out the latest one from Rick Riordan Presents. Enter to win a copy, as well as a $50 Visa Gift Card to buy even more books, or whatever you want!


THE FIRE KEEPER is the exciting sequel to last year’s middle-grade bestsellerThe Storm Runner, by J.C. Cervantes!


In this fiery and fast-paced follow-up, Zane Obispo is faced with an impossible decision: save the god-born children like him from the wrath of angry Maya gods, or rescue his father from his eternal prison.

About the Series

A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents! In Book 1, The Storm Runner, a lonely boy in New Mexico has a physical disability that makes middle school feel even more like everyone is watching him. But as he soon learns, his physical differences are merely the first clue to a family history that connects him to the Maya gods—and puts him in mortal danger.


About The Fire Keeper

Zane Obispo’s new life on a beautiful secluded tropical island, complete with his family and closest friends, should be perfect. But he can’t control his newfound fire skills yet (inherited from his father, the Maya god Hurakan); there’s a painful rift between him and his dog ever since she became a hell hound; and he doesn’t know what to do with his feelings for Brooks.

One day he discovers that by writing the book about his misadventures with the Maya gods, he unintentionally put other godborn children at risk. Unless Zane can find the godborns before the gods do, they will be killed. To make matters worse, Zane learns that Hurakan is scheduled to be executed. Zane knows he must rescue him, no matter the cost. Can he accomplish both tasks without the gods detecting him, or will he end up a permanent resident of the underworld?

In this cleverly plotted sequel to The Storm Runner, the gang's back together again with spirited new characters, sneaky gods, Aztec royalty, unlikely alliances, and secrets darker than Zane could ever have imagined. Secrets that will change him forever.

 

About the Author

J.C. Cervantes is theNew York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner, which Booklist called “a rip-roaring adventure” in a starred review. Her first novel, Tortilla Sun, was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and was named to Bank Street's 2011 Best Book List. Jen grew up in San Diego and was fascinated by stories about Maya gods and magic.

 

About Rick Riordan Presents

The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is dedicated to providing entertaining middle grade fiction based on various world mythologies. Rick Riordan is involved in the selection, editing, and promotion of these books, working with great authors to tell exciting stories inspired by the mythologies of their own heritages. Learn more about the imprint and its current and upcoming titles on their official site.

This new book is now available. Head over to here to Learn more about the book on the official Rick Riordan Presents site.
 
Make sure and stay connected with Rick Riordian & J.C Cervantes on Social Media

#TheFireKeeperRRP

Follow Rick Riordan Presents on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Follow J.C. Cervantes on Twitter | Instagram | Official Site



Now for the best part! One lucky winner have the chance to enter to win a this fantastic prize pack:
  • a copy of The Fire Keeper,
  • branded baseball cap & bumper sticker,
  • plus a $50 Visa gift card to stock up on a fresh wardrobe.
Head below to enter! Giveaway is open to US only and ends on 9/23/2019 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!


Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US &  must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact  Elia At Conservamom  

Review of Sophie Washington: Mismatch by Tonya Duncan Ellis


Yay! It's another Sophie Washington book! Find out what I thought about the latest installment, Mismatch, and check out an excerpt from the book. Let the author know what you think in the comments! And then follow the tour to find out what others have to say about it. Plus there's a giveaway at the end!

Thursday, August 22, 2019

$25 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway 2 Winners Ends 9/8



Do you have a book lover who is excited about being back at school, learning about new books and authors? Do they have a new wishlist of books to check out? Why not add to their library at home so that they can embrace that love of reading?


To enter: Just head below! Giveaway is open to US &CAN and ends on 9/8 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!


Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to US & CAN , must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact  Elia At Conservamom