Weekly Update #258, in which it's Easter...


Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week!
I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

I just cannot believe that we are already beginning April! The year is going super fast!! My kids begin testing this next week at school and then will have a month left before it's summer break. We're really ready by hen for a break. Homework and crazy schedules get old by the end of the year.


We also had a heat wave come through, but next week should be back to normal temps. I'm not looking forward to the heat of summer, but I do love playing in the water with the kids. I also like being able read more because we have less responsibilities with more lazy days. In the meantime though, I'll keep reading when I can. :)

I hope you all are enjoying Easter! It's my excuse every year to eat some Peeps and Cad-bury Eggs. It's the only time I have them. We also try to spend time with family and think more about Christ. I hope it's a fabulous day for you!

But back to why you're here... here's what you'll be seeing on the blog:

This Week

The Forgotten Girl
The Queens of Innis LearMy Freshman Year of Fabulous (School Dayz Book 4)

Giveaways

I have a monthly giveaway up that is super fun, so check that out:

Other Things of Note

I signed up to participate in a Mini Blog Ahead. So far I'm way behind at one post scheduled, so hopefully this week will go better with that.

I've been hosting a meme this year called Can't-Wait Wednesday that is taking over for my Waiting on Wednesday posts since the host, Jill over at Breaking the Spine, went inactive in August 2016. You're welcome to join in or link up your Waiting on Wednesday posts each week. Find out more here.

Last Week

In case you missed any of these over the past week...

Let me know how you're spending your Easter.

Win a "I love books" USB Flash Drive! (Monthly #Giveaway)


This month my giveaway is something fun... I'm giving away 10 "I love books" USB flash drives! They're super cute and they came from usb memory direct (who was nice enough to send me complimentary drives to give away). They have decent memory too at 8 GB (about 7.5 available). I'll be throwing in some bookmarks and such too. Due to shipping this is open to continental US residents only.


They have a bunch of fun designs and I absolutely love these little book ones. They are fairly good size, so not easy to lose. You can view the info page and size for these here.

Open to continental US entrants only. Must be at least 13 years old to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.


To Right the Wrongs by Sheryl Scarborough (Review & #Giveaway)



Welcome to my tour stop! Follow the tour here, and check out my review and the giveaway below...

To Right the Wrongs
(Erin Blake #2)
by Sheryl Scarborough
YA Contemporary Suspense
Hardcover & ebook, 320 Pages
February 27th 2018 by Tor Teen

Summary

Barely three weeks after catching the killer of Erin's mother and their biology teacher, Erin and her crew are back, up to their elbows in forensics projects. But this time it's with the full approval of their parents.

With Uncle Victor at the helm, Erin and her best friends, Spam and Lysa, are prepping a new classroom for CSI summer camp, where they will serve as camp counselors. Meanwhile, Erin's super-hot new boyfriend, Journey, is graduating, just in time for him to take a position as Victor's intern in the new CSI lab on campus. Journey and Victor are going to take another look at the evidence in the murder trial that sent Journey's father to prison. The girls are under strict orders not to meddle with the murder case, but that's easier said than done...

Praise for the Series

“Scarborough has written an intense, engrossing debut. Readers will root for Erin to find answers, laugh at her friends’ antics as they play detective, and struggle to identify the killer in a plot full of red herrings and multiple suspects. This solid mystery will easily grab the attention of fans of the genre.” ―Booklist

To Catch a Killer is a tense, storming heartbeat of a thriller. Scarborough’s tightly woven story merges forensic intrigue with friendship, romance, and family, nailing the dynamic stylings of Veronica Mars and the playful spirit of Bones. I could not put it down.” ―Cori McCarthy, author of Breaking Sky

"The fast-paced plot and Veronica Mars-esque protagonist make this book a good fit for avid mystery readers." ―School Library Journal

“A relatable cast and well thought-out plot make this mystery a Sherlockian puzzle sure to impress the most hardened crime-procedural fanatic. Don your deer-stalker caps, gumshoes, you’re in for a twisty ride.” ―Mary Elizabeth Summer, author of Trust Me, I’m Lying

"Scarborough brings Erin to life as a teenager with a damaged past...there are enough red herrings and forensic activity to keep everyone entertained all the way through the climatic end." ―VOYA

“A compulsive read. Scarborough has created a thrilling book brimming with life, murder, and adventure.” —Carrie JonesNew York Times bestselling author of Flying

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

TO RIGHT THE WRONGS is another enjoyable suspenseful story from this author and series. For readers who enjoyed the first book, be ready for more sleuthing, puzzle pieces, familiar characters with a few new faces, and another climatic ending.

After reading the first book and absolutely loving it, I was ready to jump back in with this group of characters and enjoy some crime-fighting skills. I enjoyed much of the same things as in the first book: a great set of characters, lots of forensic nuggets of wisdom and facts (for CSI geeks, this is great stuff!), another case of who-done-it, a little romance, and some surprising twists. I also enjoyed getting to know these characters better, especially seeing more into Erin's friends' lives.

Unlike the first book, this one didn't always work logically for me in how things played out and in some of the characters' behaviors. I felt like I knew these characters fairly well after book one and then would get thrown for a loop or something would just feel really unrealistic. That kind of was jarring on occasion. There wasn't the same constant feeling of suspense - at least not as much as the first book, which I missed. I also thought the ending was too perfectly tied up. Not everything little thing needed to be explained or ironed out or sweetly resolved in the end. In suspense sometimes its nice to have a few loose ends if they're minor things that don't end up coming into play.

I had really high expectations as I began this second book, so I think that was part of my feeling of being miffed here and there. Having said all that, I still really enjoyed reading this story. I'm hoping there will be another coming soon. Lysa does need to find a love interest next. I'm also curious if Victor will find someone. He's such a great character. Then the next year with Journey being in college, I think there will be a whole new dynamic to this group. Obviously I'm curious to see what new puzzle and threat they'll be facing next.

In the end, was it what I wished for? An enjoyable suspense overall with great characters, sweet romance, some cool gadgets, and lots of amateur forensics. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

Content: Mild swearing and some violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Jean Book Nerd Tours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books in the Series

To Catch a Killer
(Erin Blake #1)
by Sheryl Scarborough
YA Contemporary Suspense
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
February 7th 2017 by Tor Teen

Summary

Erin Blake has one of those names. A name that, like Natalee Holloway or Elizabeth Smart, is inextricably linked to a grisly crime. As a toddler, Erin survived for three days alongside the corpse of her murdered mother, and the case—which remains unsolved—fascinated a nation. Her father's identity unknown, Erin was taken in by her mother's best friend and has become a relatively normal teen in spite of the looming questions about her past.

Fourteen years later, Erin is once again at the center of a brutal homicide when she finds the body of her biology teacher. When questioned by the police, Erin tells almost the whole truth, but never voices her suspicions that her mother's killer has struck again in order to protect the casework she's secretly doing on her own.

Inspired by her uncle, an FBI agent, Erin has ramped up her forensic hobby into a full-blown cold-case investigation. This new murder makes her certain she's close to the truth, but when all the evidence starts to point the authorities straight to Erin, she turns to her longtime crush (and fellow suspect) Journey Michaels to help her crack the case before it's too late.

READ MY REVIEW HERE.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

About the Author

Photo Content from Sheryl Scarborough

SHERYL SCARBOROUGH is an award-winning writer for children’s television. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, lives in Washington state, and has always had an obsession with forensics. When she was twelve, her home was the target of a Peeping Tom. Sheryl diligently photographed his footprints and collected the candy wrappers he left behind. Unfortunately, he was never caught. But the desire to use evidence to solve a great mystery was sparked inside Scarborough all the same. To Catch a Killer is her debut.

Tour-Wide Giveaway


- 12 Winners will receive a Copy of TO RIGHT THE WRONGS by Sheryl Scarborough.
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends April 14th 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you read either of these? Will you be?

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough (Review)

To Catch a Killer
(Erin Blake #1)
by Sheryl Scarborough
YA Contemporary Suspense
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 320 Pages
February 7th 2017 by Tor Teen

Summary

Erin Blake has one of those names. A name that, like Natalee Holloway or Elizabeth Smart, is inextricably linked to a grisly crime. As a toddler, Erin survived for three days alongside the corpse of her murdered mother, and the case—which remains unsolved—fascinated a nation. Her father's identity unknown, Erin was taken in by her mother's best friend and has become a relatively normal teen in spite of the looming questions about her past.

Fourteen years later, Erin is once again at the center of a brutal homicide when she finds the body of her biology teacher. When questioned by the police, Erin tells almost the whole truth, but never voices her suspicions that her mother's killer has struck again in order to protect the casework she's secretly doing on her own.

Inspired by her uncle, an FBI agent, Erin has ramped up her forensic hobby into a full-blown cold-case investigation. This new murder makes her certain she's close to the truth, but when all the evidence starts to point the authorities straight to Erin, she turns to her longtime crush (and fellow suspect) Journey Michaels to help her crack the case before it's too late.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

TO CATCH A KILLER is one of those suspenseful stories that grabs you at the beginning and never lets go. It's easy to like the protagonist and become engaged in her story as she tries to piece together her past and prevent her future from following the same pattern. There is a constant feel of suspense throughout that builds to the climatic ending, making for a thrilling read! A perfect read for young adult suspense fans!

I loved jumping into this story! I literally could not put it down and stayed up late into the night to keep reading. I loved the dynamics that played out between the various characters and through the various puzzle pieces of the plot. I also enjoyed the vulnerabilities of these characters and how well the author let those weave through the story and play out. I also loved that I wasn't completely sure who the villain was. I had some guesses, but I could never quite be completely sure. It was also fun to learn a little more about scientific facts and crime scene investigation throughout the story.

I only have two minor pieces of criticism. The romance aspect was a little too fast and insta-love-like. I would have liked that a lot more drawn out from them meeting to it developing. The other criticism is I thought Erin's uncle was duped a little too easily. Maybe not the right word... possibly physically blindsided is better (without trying to spoil anything). With his experience I just expected him to not be so easily overtaken. These, as I said, were very minor and didn't really affect my enjoyment of reading this story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was such a fantastically fun read, sleuthing along with these characters. I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series and from this author!

Content: Mild swearing and some violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Jean Book Nerd Tours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books in the Series

To Right the Wrongs
(Erin Blake #2)
by Sheryl Scarborough
YA Contemporary Suspense
Hardcover & ebook, 320 Pages
February 27th 2018 by Tor Teen

Summary

Barely three weeks after catching the killer of Erin's mother and their biology teacher, Erin and her crew are back, up to their elbows in forensics projects. But this time it's with the full approval of their parents.

With Uncle Victor at the helm, Erin and her best friends, Spam and Lysa, are prepping a new classroom for CSI summer camp, where they will serve as camp counselors. Meanwhile, Erin's super-hot new boyfriend, Journey, is graduating, just in time for him to take a position as Victor's intern in the new CSI lab on campus. Journey and Victor are going to take another look at the evidence in the murder trial that sent Journey's father to prison. The girls are under strict orders not to meddle with the murder case, but that's easier said than done...

Praise for the Series

“Scarborough has written an intense, engrossing debut. Readers will root for Erin to find answers, laugh at her friends’ antics as they play detective, and struggle to identify the killer in a plot full of red herrings and multiple suspects. This solid mystery will easily grab the attention of fans of the genre.” ―Booklist

To Catch a Killer is a tense, storming heartbeat of a thriller. Scarborough’s tightly woven story merges forensic intrigue with friendship, romance, and family, nailing the dynamic stylings of Veronica Mars and the playful spirit of Bones. I could not put it down.” ―Cori McCarthy, author of Breaking Sky

"The fast-paced plot and Veronica Mars-esque protagonist make this book a good fit for avid mystery readers." ―School Library Journal

“A relatable cast and well thought-out plot make this mystery a Sherlockian puzzle sure to impress the most hardened crime-procedural fanatic. Don your deer-stalker caps, gumshoes, you’re in for a twisty ride.” ―Mary Elizabeth Summer, author of Trust Me, I’m Lying

"Scarborough brings Erin to life as a teenager with a damaged past...there are enough red herrings and forensic activity to keep everyone entertained all the way through the climatic end." ―VOYA

“A compulsive read. Scarborough has created a thrilling book brimming with life, murder, and adventure.” —Carrie JonesNew York Times bestselling author of Flying


(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Have you read this one? You can check out my review of the second book and enter the tour giveaway here.

Prince of Granola by L.A. Sartor (Grand Finale & #Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Prince of Granola
By L.A. Sartor

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

That an adverse past event doesn’t have to always color your future in a negative way. That love is a great healer and that love eventually wins, if you let it. That’s why we read romances. For that emotionally satisfying Happily Ever After scene.

Because I truly believe an HEA is what we all want. And I believe people can change for the better. That hanging on to old anger, hurts, and slights aren’t helping you move into a healthier place where you be open to finding happiness and love. Wow, that was a bit deep, but that’s what I think. What about you? Too much moonbeams and sunshine?

Guess what character says that?


“I think you’re making a mistake. There is nothing wrong with the chocolate. We’re in a crowded market—it’ll take some time to build a following. This isn’t a problem like last year’s issue.”

The issue Melissa so coyly referred to was the launch of their new soy milk flavor that had garnered scathing reviews. A first for Prince Organics. And the last. He’d admitted publicly that the fault was his, and it was. He’d been too busy and allowed the sourcing of the flavoring to be less than consistent.

He’d delegated.

Melissa Fontaine, his director of marketing, had objected to the coconut-soy launch, and she’d been right.

This time she was wrong.


“So, as you make your way in the world, don’t be a part of the status quo …”

Drew Hopkins tuned out the commencement speaker’s voice as a flock of swallows flew overhead at Stanford’s stadium.

She envied their freedom on this warm June morning, wishing she had the ability to fly away from all the responsibilities that kept her mired in the morass of financial statements and sales charts that had been her life for the past fourteen years at HH Chocolate. She was part of the speaker’s status quo, and not by her own choosing.


"I love visiting other places by reading a great story with an awesome setting such as this one. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down...

I highly recommend this book to other readers. It has a great story line, romance and plenty of drama to keep you interested."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

It has to. Maria must come back to me. She must understand that this is my way of saying I was a fool. I’m giving up my life’s work to get my family back again. It will be worth the loss to regain the love. Señor Cam turned away from the view of his harvest’s bounty to look at his sister, wishing she’d forgive him as well. At fifty years of age, only the smallest of lines graced the corners of her eyes. Her profile was strong, her nose straight, her teeth even and white. As she turned toward him, obviously feeling his stare, her brow knitted together over her deep brown eyes.

Isabelle was a lovely if somewhat matriarchal woman who deserved love and a family of her own. Perhaps at her age a family was too much to ask for, although she cared deeply for little Armando. But she wasn’t too old for love.

She’d lost one love but surely there was another man she could love as much as she’d loved her Paolo.


“Here for surfing?”

She glanced down at her linen capris, then back up to him with what she knew was a wry expression twisting her lips. She didn’t look like she was here for surfing, did she? Her pants, a once-crisp black big shirt and her favorite espadrilles didn’t feel like surfer attire to her. But then she’d never really been around surfers except those seen at the cinema, so what did she know?

Anyway, surfing wasn’t her adrenaline fix. Scuba and skydiving were her choices for physical and mental challenges. “Ah, no.”

He raised his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “High-end clothes don’t automatically rule you out of wanting to ride the waves. We get all types of people in all sorts of clothes. You come here one kind of person and leave another. Promise.”


Drew knew she wasn’t the only CEO invited to the sale of the plantation. But seeing Robert Prince dressed so casually in shorts and a dark green polo shirt, looking for all the world like he belonged here, created an anxious knot in her throat.

The fact that his jaw appeared to be tightly clenched and his brown eyes burned with competitiveness only increased her heartburn.

Drew fought to keep her nerves under control as she extended her hand to the señor, a man she’d guess to be in his midsixties, shorter than either herself or Robert. A wide smile creased his deeply tanned and weathered face. Yet his brown eyes startled her as she glimpsed a quickly hidden sadness deep within his gaze.


Robert had planned well, arriving in San Jose yesterday and driving over the old highway today, taking his time, getting the feel of the area. But the older compact car had no air conditioning and the humidity must be a hundred and ten percent, far greater than the thirty percent he was used to in Boulder, Colorado.

Now, nearing the noon deadline, sitting in the deep shade on Señor Camerillo’s covered veranda, Robert gratefully accepted the cold coffee the señor’s sister handed him. The glass sweated, sending rivulets of moisture down its sides. It took all of Robert’s self-control not to press the glass against his temple and cool off a bit more, but as his host looked totally unaffected by the weather, Robert took his cue from him.

He tried to smile his thanks at Isabelle Camerillo, but she turned to go back inside the villa as soon as she’d handed him the glass. It didn’t take a genius to realize that for some reason the woman disapproved of his being here.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

“Come out to the terraza when you’re ready,” the older woman suggested and left the room.

Unable to wait another minute to shed the sweltering jumpsuit, Drew entered the bathroom, automatically closing the adjoining door.

Adjoining? No way.

She reopened the door a crack, wide enough to glimpse an opened suitcase on the bed. It had to be RP’s.

Her day just got considerably worse.


Robert watched as Drew, garbed in that ridiculous jumpsuit, followed Isabelle up the steps to the hacienda. Just before disappearing into the house, his nemesis hesitated, turned, and gave him a brief, provoking smile.

The furrows on his brow deepened. If this continued for four days, he’d have a permanent set of ridges.

How was it that the one person he avoided whenever possible was here now, after the same plantation?

It was ridiculous that Señor Camerillo would think of selling his rare cacao beans to HH Chocolate. They weren’t in the same league as Prince Organics. Or for that matter, any other gourmet chocolate company.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Prince of Granola
(Plantation of White Treasure #1)
by L.A. Sartor
Contemporary Romance
ebook, 229 pages
March 25th 2018

Cacao – long a symbol of wealth, love, and power – now the center of a powerful rivalry.

The fabled Costa Rican Plantation of White Treasure, source of the rarest form of the cacao bean, is up for sale. Though two fierce competitors have been invited to bid on it, only one can win.

For Drew Hopkins, purchasing the plantation is the perfect solution to escape a life she never wanted.

For Robert Prince, it’s the perfect route to revenge.

Drew, the founder’s daughter and now CEO of HH Chocolate, heads a company whose sales are waning. Robert, CEO of Prince Organics, a man driven by excellence, despises everything and everyone labeled Hopkins.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Will their forced proximity at the lush and exotic plantation rekindle old flames or will it fan the fires of antagonism?


About the Author

I started writing as a child, really. A few things happened on the way to becoming a published author … a junior high school teacher who told me I couldn’t write because I didn’t want to study … urk … grammar. I went to college, moved a few times, came home and found the love of my life (that is another novel worthy story, but for later), and got married.

We were super busy with our respective careers, mine a custom jewelry business with my mom, who was also teaching metalsmithing at the time, and my husband a crazy law career. We had two fur babies, Fudge (and briefly her brother Smudge, but sadly he didn’t live very long) and Two. Our cats would sleep with us and when they’d stretch out to their full length, we’d end up sleeping on the edge of the mattress.

I have always been a voracious reader and one night after throwing a particularly bad book at the wall (even putting a small ding in said wall), I realized that I could do better. I told my husband, and he said go for it. I called Mom and she revealed the junior high teacher story and she told I’d been writing all the time up to that point.

That blew me away. I didn’t remember any of it. But I started writing again, nearly the next day, pen and paper, learning, making mistakes, winning contests, nearly getting an agent, becoming disenchanted with the publishing industry and moving away from novel writing to screenwriting, getting a contract for a script and doing really well in screenwriting contests.

But none of that was making me much money. After numerous scary robbery drills I wanted to move away from my bank job (yes, this is many years later and a lot of stuff in between) and write full time for the green stuff.

My husband told me repeatedly that independent publishing was becoming a valid way to publish a novel and people were making big dollars. I didn’t believe him even after he showed me several Wall Street Journal articles. I thought indie meant vanity press.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I started pursuing this direction seriously, retired from the bank and hit the keyboard, learned a litany of new things and published my first novel. My second book became a bestseller, and while I’m not rolling in dough, I’m absolutely on the right course in my life.

So if you have a dream, pursue it as hard as you can. Life can get in the way, but never give up.

Please come visit me at www.lasartor.com, see my books, some pictures, some screenplays and sign up for my mailing list. I have a gift I’ve specifically created for my new email subscribers. And remember, you can email me at Leslie@LeslieSartor.com.


US PRIZE PACK: $25 Amazon Gift Card and book one in the Star Light, Star Bright Series, BE MINE THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT (winner has choice of print or ebook)
INT PRIZE PACK: $25 Amazon eGift Card and an ebook of book one in the Star Light, Star Bright Series, BE MINE THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT
- Ends April 4th

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 26th - April 1st #BookSale


Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.
Readers please free to add your own finds.
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!
Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Easter: Children's Edition by Emily Belle Freeman & David Butler (Review)


Celebrating A Christ-Centered Easter:
Children's Edition
by Emily Belle Freeman & David Butler
Illustrated by Ryan Jeppesen
Children's Picture Book, Christian, Easter
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 32 Pages
February 13th 2018 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

Summary

Discover how the people around Jesus during the week of His Crucifixion and Resurrection can lead your family closer to Christ this Easter season. This children's edition of Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter will guide you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the people closest to the Savior during His holy week. These simple experiences are not meant to add chores or stress to a reverent holiday season but to offer something different. They will give your family an opportunity to slow down from the candy and egg hunts and instead spend time reflecting on the Savior's ultimate sacrifice and triumphant Resurrection.

This interactive book invites children to get to know various people in Christ's life during those sacred days and to discover the lessons they learned in the encounters with Him. It encourages children to ask what they might have done if they had been there on the days when Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Seven colorful Easter ornaments have been created to accompany the lesson each person teaches. Displaying the ornaments throughout the Easter holiday will remind your children of the lessons they are learning from Christ's magnificent act.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

CELEBRATING A CHRIST-CENTERED EASTER: CHILDREN'S EDITION is a perfect way to help families place more importance on the spiritual meaning of Easter. It's a colorful and engaging book with scriptures and activity ideas. It's also easy to read and understand, while also including enough depth to work for children of all ages. A great way to being a new tradition to use the week before Easter each year, as it has a scripture, simplified story, and activity for seven days to prepare for the holiday. A book that should earn a prized placed on families' bookshelves.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books in the Series

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas:
Children's Edition
A Family Nativity Tradition
by Emily Belle Freeman & David Butler
Illustrated by Ryan Jeppesen
Children's Picture Book, Christmas, Christian
Hardcover, 32 Pages
September 26th 2017 by Shadow Mountain Publishing

Summary

This is a children's picture book edition of the best-selling adult book of the same title. Using illustrations and age-appropriate text, this children's edition features passages of scripture along with original text to tell the story of the birth of Jesus and provides ideas for family traditions that young children can understand to make the holiday more Christ-centered. Each spread uses one person from the nativity story to illustrate a theme and suggests one activity a child can do to remember the lesson learned from that character.

For example, the story introduces Mary and talks about the search for an inn where she could stay with Joseph and give birth to her baby. The book then presents a question for the child to ponder--"How could you make room for the baby Jesus as part of your Christmas celebration this year?"--and an activity to do--"Place an empty stable somewhere in your home where you can see it every day until Christmas."

Combining the biblical version told by Luke and Matthew with a beautiful story line and wonderfully charming, full-color illustrations, this book will help make Christ the focus of your celebrations this year.

Read my review here.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

We have really loved using this book this week as Easter approaches and to help my kids and I think more each day on how we can celebrate the holiday. Do you have any traditions for Easter?

Free LDS Temples Coloring Page & NEW Coloring Book from Brittnee Conlin!

Latter-Day Temples Coloring Book
by Brittnee Conlin
Coloring Book, LDS
Spiral-Bound Paperback, 112 Pages
March 5th 2018 by Deseret Book Company
Summary

From the iconic spires of the Salt Lake Temple to the Aztec and Maya-inspired motifs of the Mexico City Mexico Temple, inspiration can be found in the design of each latter-day temple. With more than 50 individual temples represented, each page brings to life the beauty and serenity of the house of the Lord. One-sided pages make it easy to tear out your artwork and hang pictures up or give them to friends and family. Be inspired by the architecture and the many small details that artist Britnee Conlin has captured in this Latter-Day Temples Coloring Book.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Sample Coloring Pages
About the Author

Brittnee Conlin has always loved creating things. She minored in visual arts at Brigham Young University, where she received a degree in business management. She then followed her dream of becoming a pastry chef by studying at Le Cordon Bleu Boston. She considers anything sweet her best medium for creation. Along with cake decorating and chocolate making, she enjoys sketching, painting, henna art, drumming, wood burning, doing handstands, and traveling. Growing up in Utah, Brittnee appreciated being surrounded by the beauty of the temples.

I thought this book was released at the perfect time for the upcoming General Conference. I plan on keeping my kids busy and engaged with this.

Dragon Raider by Ava Richardson (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


Dragon Raider
(Sea Dragons Trilogy #1)
by Ava Richardson
YA Fantasy
ebook, 262 Pages
March 28th 2018

Summary

Will adapting to a changing world make one young woman lose touch with where she came from?

Far from the kingdom of Torvald, on the Western Isles near the coast, Sea Dragons rule the skies. Lila is the daughter of the Raider leader, destined to take his place one day aboard their plundering ships. Her people value only what shiny trinkets they can get their hands on, but she aspires to much more than that: Lila wants the Raiders to become Dragon Mercenaries, dragon riders who help protect merchant fleets and navies from attack. Her father Kasian is skeptical, but a young monk named Danu—with a quest of his own—comes bearing a prophecy claiming that Lila is the lost heir of Roskilde, a born Dragon Rider.

With Danu’s guidance, Lila finds the unruly dragon she’s destined to bond with—but the mismatched pair soon learn that much more than just their futures is at stake.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)



Excerpt

Churning seas, bright with blood. Fire billowing over the water, and dark skies heavy with thunder…
“Aii!” The old woman awakes with a start to find herself in her simple round room in her simple round hut. The inner walls are dark, though she knows with the dawn the plaster will gleam white. The floor is yet the solid, deep mahogany planks she has trod for decades. The roof is still the weathered, bone-white but also bone-strong giant supports of giant driftwood, with heavy, warm thatch over that. Here are not the churning and frothing waters of her dreams. Not the billows of fire, not the dark storm skies.
The old woman sighs deeply, patting her frail chest as if to quiet the night terrors that had so recently fluttered there.
To say that this woman is old is an understatement. Chabon Kaidence is beyond ancient. Her pale skin is deeply lined as if cracked, and her eyes are sunken – but there is still a spark of vitality within their depths, like hidden stars. Even the folds and wrinkles of her skin still glows despite its age.
The Matriarch of the West Witches has been alive for a long time, long enough to know when a dream has stopped being just that, and has instead, become a prophecy.
A pale hand moves unsteadily to the wicker table, where a silver bell sits on piece of rough-woven, colorful fabric. She rings it, once, for the silver chime to cut through the night like a shooting star.
“Mother?” A voice sounds almost immediately at the heavy purple curtains that hang over her door, and, for a moment Chabon blinks from the glare of brighter light outside.
“You fool!” snaps another voice behind the first, and into her room step two women: one is tall and lean, with skin the color of rich, warm earth, and the other is as pale as Chabon lying before them. The first has braids of black hair falling behind her back like tree roots, whereas the pale woman has fields of golden hair streaming behind her like sunshine. It is this fair and pale woman who snaps at her darker colleague.
“Afar, you’ll blind the Mother. Turn off that light!” she says angrily, pushing her way into the room to cross the mahogany floor and stand at Chabon’s bedside.
Afar scowls for a moment, but she does as she is advised, turning the notches on the lantern until it only emits a dulled, yellowish glow as she steps into the room. Behind her, the Matriarch catches a glimpse of the wooden walkways that stretch from one hut to the next, crisscrossing the island of Sebol like vines.
“I am blinded by the darkness, Ohotto, not the light,” Chabon breathes to her two most-trusted sisters amongst the witches.
“Yes, Mother.” Ohotto hangs her pale head in shame, as Afar steps to her bedside bringing with her a pouch of rich and nourishing purple berry juice.
“Are you thirsty, Mother? Do your aches pain you?” Afar says in her heavy voice. She is not a native to these Western Islands, but she has spent many years here, under Chabon’s tutelage.
“No time to drink. I will repeat a dream for you, a nightmare – and I want you both to remember it, and to set it down on paper as soon as you can,” Chabon says. “It is a nightmare that I have had many times over the years, but now it comes frequently, every moon! Every week!”
“A prophecy.” Afar nods her head in awe. This will not be the first such prophecy that has fallen from the oldest witch’s lips. Afar Nguoa just hopes that it is also not the last.
“The seas are churning, bright with blood, and atop the waves there are flames,” Chabon intones, her voice carrying in the still airs of her hut. “There is a darkness to the skies, a darkness that is more than thunder, but a darkness as if the sun is blocked by great wings….” The old woman wets her lips, remembering the other parts of the nightmare that she has had throughout her life. Like the stationary stars in the sky can suddenly coalesce into a constellation when one squints at them right, so the nightmares fall into place, one after another.
“There is a child, born from the waters. A girl, rising from the north-east sea, under a dragon’s angry call and upon her head is a crown made of leaping waves.”

About the Author

Ava Richardson writes epic page-turning Young Adult Fantasy books. She creates lovable characters and drops them into intricate worlds that are barely contained within your eReader. Her current work is the ‘Return of the Darkening Series’, which features Seb, Thea and their shared dragon, Kalax.

She grew up on a steady diet of fantasy and science fiction books handed down from her two big brothers – and despite being dog-eared and missing pages, she loved escaping into the magical worlds that those authors created. Her favorites were the ones about dragons; where they’d swoop, dive and soar through the skies of these enchanted lands.


Blitz Giveaway


Enter to win a Dragon Trinket Box HERE!


What do you think? Will you be reading this one?