Goodreads Blurb– July 1, 2020 Release Day

The story of two engaging Christmas tree ornaments: Nicholas Nutcracker, a retired toy-soldier from a small village in Germany, and Brittany Ballerina, a world-renowned ornament ballet dancer, are both in search of their true love. “I will find my true love with ‘word-of-mouth marketing!'” exclaims Nicholas determined to find his true love this Christmas. Or, maybe they will meet at the annual “Meet and Mingle of the Christmas Ornaments?” Nicholas and Brittany are both more than ready to find their true love before they go back into their boxes in the attic for another year.

One might ask, “Why a Christmas Love story for kids?” But really, who doesn’t love a story about finding true love, whether it is between two people or two engaging Christmas ornaments? We all want to love and be loved! Does it really matter whether you are seven years old or eighty-seven years old? Deep in mankind’s DNA, love is the ingredient that has given life meaning and made the world go around since the beginning of time.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A magical love story of love at first sight during Christmas. Nicholas Nutcracker and Brittany Ballerina are both in search of true love. What they don’t know is that this Christmas, that wish will come true. What makes this story so much more magical is how location on the Christmas is very important.

The magic of the Christmas tree will create a spark between Nicholas and Brittany, that they will never forget. Ornaments have magic just like the Christmas season. They brighten our days when we light our trees awaiting for Saint Nick to arrive with gifts for all. The cover and illustrations are perfect to make this story of love magical for Christmas. Children are seriously going to enjoy the magic of Christmas and finding happiness.

Author Biography

This past year, after watching Hallmark Christmas movies more times than she cares to admit, Maureen reached maximum “Christmas Spirit” saturation by the end of December. Said “Christmas Spirit” saturation led her to write: “A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina.” While putting her beloved ornaments away, McCabe felt inspired by the cute Christmas art of a nutcracker and ballerina ornament hanging from a branch. Maureen’s first foray into writing a children’s book about these two ornaments was a fun, creative writing project which she hopes children and their read-aloud parents will enjoy for many years to come.

Historical entertainment history has also been of interest to Maureen. In-the-works, McCabe teamed up with Clyde Adams to write the fascinating tale of “Murray Korman’s Vintage Babes of Broadway,” which features stories and never-before-seen photographs of many well-known entertainers from the 1930s to 1961. The book scheduled for release in early 2021 should attract history and photography buffs. In 2011, McCabe published “Moon Over Vaudeville,” which took a nostalgic look at her father’s show business career as a tap dancer.

Maureen and her husband, Rich, love life in beautiful Spokane, WA, with their adorable miniature Australian Shepard. 

I received these surprise ARC’s and tote that I won when they were doing a book festival. Thank you @wednesdaybooks.

Goodreads Blurb

New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty returns to her roots with this YA coming of age story set in a New Jersey mall.

The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans…

Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

Goodreads Blurb

A YA feminist mash up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft.

It’s 1987 and unfortunately it’s not all Madonna and cherry lip balm. Mayhem Brayburn has always known there was something off about her and her mother, Roxy. Maybe it has to do with Roxy’s constant physical pain, or maybe with Mayhem’s own irresistible pull to water. Either way, she knows they aren’t like everyone else. But when May’s stepfather finally goes too far, Roxy and Mayhem flee to Santa Maria, California, the coastal beach town that holds the answers to all of Mayhem’s questions about who her mother is, her estranged family, and the mysteries of her own self. There she meets the kids who live with her aunt, and it opens the door to the magic that runs through the female lineage in her family, the very magic Mayhem is next in line to inherit and which will change her life for good. But when she gets wrapped up in the search for the man who has been kidnapping girls from the beach, her life takes another dangerous turn and she is forced to face the price of vigilante justice and to ask herself whether revenge is worth the cost.

From the acclaimed author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back, Estelle Laure offers a riveting and complex story with magical elements about a a family of women contending with what appears to be an irreversible destiny, taking control and saying when enough is enough.

One winner will win both books. Please follow my blog and leave a comment below. Giveaway for USA only.

BOOK DETAILS:
The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy
by Olivia Spring
(The Middle-Aged Virgin, #2)
Publication date: July 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Synopsis:

Can a holiday romance lead to long-term love?

When Sophia moves to Tuscany to join the hot Italian-stallion she’s fallen head over heels in love with, she dreams of an idyllic life filled with passion, pasta, sunshine and her favourite gelato.

But will the reality live up to the fairy-tale?

The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy is a fun, sexy sequel about stepping out of your comfort zone and keeping the spark alive in a relationship. If you like Sophie Kinsella and Sophie Ranald, you’ll love the latest novel in Olivia Spring’s page-turning, romantic comedy series.

Pre-order today and get ready to join Sophia on her Italian adventures!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53408311-the-middle-aged-virgin-in-italy
Pre-order: https://amzn.to/35Wp5Dt

Author Biography

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel ‘The Middle-Aged Virgin’, which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

Olivia published three novels in 2019: ‘Only When It’s Love’, ‘Losing My Inhibitions’ and ‘Love Offline’.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found making regular trips to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

To get FREE books and exclusive updates, join the Olivia Spring VIP club by visiting: www.oliviaspring.com
Author links:

https://www.instagram.com/ospringauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/ospringauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18210898.Olivia_Spring

https://twitter.com/ospringauthor

http://www.oliviaspring.com/

Goodreads Blurb

Legendary actor Val Kilmer shares the stories behind his most beloved roles, reminisces about his star-studded career and love life, and reveals the truth behind his recent health struggles in a remarkably candid autobiography.

Val Kilmer has played many iconic roles over his nearly four-decade film career. A table-dancing Cold War agent in Top Secret! A troublemaking science prodigy in Real Genius. A brash fighter pilot in Top Gun. A swashbuckling knight in Willow. A lovelorn bank robber in Heat. A charming master of disguise in The Saint. A wise-cracking detective in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Of course, Batman, Jim Morrison and the sharp-shooting Doc Holliday.

But who is the real Val Kilmer? With I’m Your Huckleberry—published ahead of next summer’s highly anticipated sequel Top Gun: Maverick, in which Kilmer returns to the big screen as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky—the enigmatic actor at last steps out of character and reveals his true self.

In this uniquely assembled memoir—featuring vivid prose, snippets of poetry and rarely-seen photos—Kilmer reflects on his acclaimed career, including becoming the youngest actor ever admitted to the Juilliard School’s famed drama department, determinedly campaigning to win the lead part in The Doors, and realizing a years-long dream of performing a one-man show as his hero Mark Twain. He shares candid stories of working with screen legends Marlon Brando, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Robert De Niro, and recounts high-profile romances with Cher, Cindy Crawford, Daryl Hannah, and former wife Joanne Whalley. He chronicles his spiritual journey and lifelong belief in Christian Science, and describes travels to far-flung locales such as a scarcely inhabited island in the Indian Ocean where he suffered from delirium and was cared for by the resident tribe. And he reveals details of his recent throat cancer diagnosis and recovery—about which he has disclosed little until now.

While containing plenty of tantalizing celebrity anecdotes, I’m Your Huckleberry—taken from the famous line Kilmer delivers as Holliday in Tombstone—is ultimately a singularly written and deeply moving reflection on mortality and the mysteries of life.

Goodreads Blurb

Inspired by the eagerly awaited birth of her daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union pens a festive and universal love letter from parents to little ones, perfect for welcoming a baby to the party of life!

Don’t miss this audiobook edition, read by the author herself!

Reminiscent of favorites such as The Wonderful Things You’ll Be by Emily Winfield Martin, I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb, and Take Heart, My Child by Ainsley Earhardt, Welcome to the Party is an upbeat celebration of new life that you’ll want to enjoy with your tiny guest of honor over and over again.

 A great gift for all occasions, especially Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, baby showers, and birthdays.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

An adorable story of a beautiful baby girls arrival to her own party. A party with family and friends that await her arrival, to finally join the family. Her party includes hugs, playtime, laughs, bath-time and snuggle-time before bed. The illustrations are super cute. The love Gabrielle has for her beautiful daughter Kaavia are seen throughout the book. This is a great book for children that will be having a new brother or sister. A babies arrival is such a beautiful moment for the whole family.

Author Biography

Gabrielle Monique Union-Wade (born October 29, 1972) is an American actress, activist, and author. She began her career in the 1990s, appearing on television sitcoms, before landing supporting roles in teenage comedic films She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You (1999).

Wishing all the beautiful mom’s a wonderful Mother’s Day! I spent my day with my mom and cooked a delicious seafood mixture, see below. My mom loves seafood.

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Goodreads Blurb

A candid, thrilling memoir from one of the most recognizable, influential, and beloved cinematic personalities in the world.

Everyone knows Jackie Chan. Whether it’s from Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, The Karate Kid, or Kung Fu Panda, Jackie is admired by generations of moviegoers for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and mind-bending stunts. In 2016—after fifty-six years in the industry, over 200 films, and many broken bones—he received an honorary Academy Award for his lifetime achievement in film. But at 64 years-old, Jackie is just getting started.

Now, in Never Grow Up, the global superstar reflects on his early life, including his childhood years at the China Drama Academy (in which he was enrolled at the age of six), his big breaks (and setbacks) in Hong Kong and Hollywood, his numerous brushes with death (both on and off film sets), and his life as a husband and father (which has been, admittedly and regrettably, imperfect).

Jackie has never shied away from his mistakes. Since The Young Master in 1980, Jackie’s films have ended with a bloopers reel in which he stumbles over his lines, misses his mark, or crashes to the ground in a stunt gone south. In Never Grow Up, Jackie applies the same spirit of openness to his life, proving time and time again why he’s beloved the world over: he’s honest, funny, kind, brave beyond reckoning and—after all this time—still young at heart. 

My Review: Rates 5 out of 5 stars

This was such an amazing memoir of a brilliant man with many stories to share. Jackie is truly the best friend we all wish to have. He is very caring and supportive. When he was younger his family didn’t have much in material things, but they had each other. Now he has plenty of money but he shares it with charities, friends, history, movies and what ever his obsession is at the time. I really enjoyed his stories of his obsession with buying wine, sun glasses and teacups, watches and etc. I can relate his love of unique things.

Fear is what most of us feel when thinking of doing any stunt that Jackie does with no complaint. He told us in the book he was scared in many occasions, but went on and did the stunt regardless of eminent danger. He is like a super hero who might fall but will get right back up even if he is injured. The strength and dedication Jackie has in completing a stunt is truly amazing. I love that Jackie gives newbies a chance to do what they love just like he was given a chance to be a stuntman, director, singer and producer. He started from the lowest job possible, but was always ready to do whatever was needed in order for him to make a career of what he truly enjoyed.

This book shared Jackie’s life from his early days learning martial arts, his days as a dead extra (which he was the best dead man they could ever have), to being a stuntman to becoming an amazing actor, director and producer. He was a man no one knew, but now he is famous. He is admired for his work ethics, his very own stunts with nothing to save him from a wrong move.

I waited hours in below zero weather to meet Jackie at one of his book tours and I am glad to have met such a caring person. I hope he continues to bring us amazing movies with awesome fights and crazy stunts. He has been preserving his Chinese heritage by saving very old Chinese homes with amazing architecture. I hope he finds a location to share the homes he purchased and preserved. He wants history to not be forgotten. I also hope all the Chinese Zodiac heads are returned to the rightful owner. His legacy will live on.

Author Biography

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Jackie Chan is a martial artist, actor, film director, producer, stuntman, and philanthropist. He has appeared in more than 150 films, including Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, Kung Fu Panda, and The Foreigner.

BOOK DETAILS:
Break You Hard
by Michelle Hercules
(Rebel Hearts Duet, #1)
Publication date: November 3rd 2020
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Cover Design: Michelle Hercules
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster (@lanefotograf)
Model: Luke Eisner (@lukeeisnerofficial)

Synopsis:

BREAK YOU HARD (Rebel Hearts Duet – Book One)

He came into my life like a thunderstorm.
Furious.
Devastating.
Loud.
I was lost in the dark until his lightning struck the sky, brightening everything for a split second, but long enough for me to find a way out.
I’m a single mom, trying my best to survive. There’s no room in my life for anything else. Or so I thought. The more time I spend with Jessie, the more I realize he’s not a bad boy who needs saving, he’s the man who has captured my heart.

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She came into my life like a summer breeze.
Soft.
Warm.
Gentle.
I was spiraling out of control, headed straight for destruction until her kindness removed the barbed wire around my heart.
I was the lost cause, the black sheep in my family. I wanted to hurt everyone to forget my pain. But Riley saw past all my bullshit. She tried to help me even though her own life was in shambles. Now all I want is to prove that I can be the man that she needs even if it could break us hard.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53244467-break-you-hard
Pre-order: Amazon: https://readerlinks.com/l/1143647
iBooks: https://readerlinks.com/l/1143651
Kobo: https://readerlinks.com/l/1143655

Author Biography

USA Today bestselling author Michelle Hercules always knew creative arts were her calling but not in a million years did she think she would write a novel. With a background in fashion design she thought she would follow that path. But one day, out of the blue, she had an idea for a book. One page turned into ten pages, ten pages turned into a hundred, and before she knew, her first book, The Prophecy of Arcadia, was born.


Michelle Hercules resides in The Netherlands with her husband and daughter. She is currently working on the Legends of Gattica series.
Author links:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michelleherculesauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleherculesauthor/
Facebook Readers’ Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mhsoars/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Hercules/e/B075652M8M
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michelle-hercules

BOOK DETAILS:
Fool for Him
by R.C. Martin
(Foolish at Heart, #1)
Publication date: June 17th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Haunted by a history she can’t rewrite, her heart is cracked and fragile—wrapped in the lies she’s certain are true.

Teddy has played it safe for the last four years, avoiding romantic entanglements altogether. She spends her days working with her best friend at Mountain Time Art and hides behind her camera in her spare time. She’s convinced the boundaries around her heart are necessary, and her life is fulfilling enough.

The day Judah St. Michaels enters the gallery, she’s reminded her life could be more. Though, as gorgeous as the tall, handsome man in a suit may be, she’s sure he’s far from safe.

When the pull of the seductive man becomes all consuming, Teddy finds herself falling into temptation. But the deeper she gets, the louder her past demons become.

She’s irreparable, and no good man deserves that.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52257256-fool-for-him
Pre-order:Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YxK79Z

Author Biography

There’s a place where your mind can escape, your body can find rest, and your heart can soar – and R.C. Martin wants to take you there.

R.C.’s journey into the world of indie-publishing began like so many of her peers – with a big dream and a basket full of rejection. Confident that she’d one day pen a book someone would say yes to, she spent years crafting stories which became the foundation of her craft. When she’d finally written “the one,” she just knew – and there was no rejection strong enough to stop her from sharing her novel with the world. In 2015 she published her debut, and the rest, as they say, is history – only far more romantic.

In a voice all her own, she strives to capture the magic of a kiss, the passion in a lovers’ embrace, and even sometimes the breathtaking ache of a broken heart. A true believer in the power of love and the grace found in redemption, you can trust this hopeless romantic to take you on an emotional ride that leaves you forever changed.
Author links:

https://www.rcmartinbooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rcmartinbooks

https://www.instagram.com/author_r.c.martin/

https://twitter.com/AuthorRCMartin

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RCsBookBroads

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13621456.R_C_Martin