The Giving Back Tree by Tarky Lee (Review & Giveaway)

For those who always knew the rest of the story of the selfless giving tree was left unwritten, author Tarky Lee has brought the story full circle with The Giving Back Tree.

Inspired by The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Lee creates a story of how the lonely stump, long ago forgotten, is found by a girl who loves and appreciates her, allowing the tree to heal and bring forth a new beginning.

The Giving Back Tree is one of the most inspiring stories of the healing power of love that you’ll ever read. The artwork harkens back to the original story, making this a story all ages can enjoy. A feeling of nostalgia will wash over readers familiar with the original, while this modernized story speaks volumes to the magic of love and joy and the importance of appreciating the world around us.

Touching and inspiring, you will want to read The Giving Back Tree over and again.

To purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Back-Tree-Tarky-Lee-ebook/dp/B0BQRD8GCK/

To purchase on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-giving-back-tree-tarky-lee/1142866984

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Tarky Lee will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQZGZVH9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gullet Publications (April 11, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 42 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985870909

I received a copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

The Not so True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adam by Barry M. Fellinger (Giveaway)

Join Brandon and Josh as they work to bring Adam home from the Strataderks and the Intergalactic Council on Obedience to Parents.

The Not So True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adam by Barry M. Fellinger is a funny sci-fi adventure story with zany happenings, strange aliens, and intergalactic hijinks. Having escaped the Council, Brandon and Josh are astonished to discover that their cousin Adam has disappeared. Knowing his misbehavior led him to being abducted by the Strataderks, they must devise a plan to bring him home. Of course, that also means they must find a way to get back to outer space first.

This is such a funny story. As a parent, I might have hoped there was an Intergalactic Council on Obedience to Parents that abducted naughty kids to teach them a lesson. Kids will enjoy following along as Brandon and Josh, with the help of some doubles from a different dimension, plot and plan to bring Adam home. Of course, their nosy sister might just get in their way. Think of this like Spaceballs meets Phineas and Ferb.

Readers who enjoy humor, sci-fi adventures, and outlandish antics will appreciate The Not so True Adventures or Brandon, Josh, and Adam.

EXCERPT!

Double Trouble OR WHICH COUSIN COUSIN IS WHICH?

Oh, this is making my head hurt! Brandon is up there, but it’s not me. But it’s the right Brandon who will know what to do. But Josh is up there, but it’s not the right one, and he will be lost, and why doesn’t this Josh . . .

Brandon #2’s thoughts jumbled together as he tried to think everything through. He was fast losing his appetite.

His mind wandered as he began to pick away at his food. I mean, the one who should be with me is not, cuz this Josh is down here. But the wrong Josh, though he certainly knows what’s about to happen, which means he will refuse to eat the broccoli. But if Brandon up there doesn’t realize he has the wrong Josh, that Josh will be kidnapped with him, but it won’t be the right Josh. Then I will be stuck with the Josh, who lived through this, and he will understand everything, so maybe that’s not so bad . . . By now Brandon’s head throbbed so much from trying to sort this all out in his mind that he couldn’t concentrate on food anymore and put his head in his hands. Then he looked up at Josh.

“Josh,” Brandon spoke very low. “I understand. You’re not the right one.”

“What, dear?” asked Brandon’s mom, as Brittany complained, ‘Mom, Brandon’s whispering secrets about me to Josh.”

“Am not,” snapped back Brandon.

“Um, Mom, I think Josh might be sick. I think he should go to my room and lie down.”

“But I’m fine.” Josh was now panicking, understanding Brandon knew, but neither of them knew if the other Brandon hiding with Josh’s double understood yet. They were waiting for this Josh to come up, after all. Brandon needed the right Josh with him soon, but because he had not been through this before, he wasn’t thinking about one super important thing.

“What about the tantrum?” Josh asked Brandon softly. “If I don’t act up, they won’t come and then Adam is . . .”

He stopped mid-sentence when he felt an unusual bump like someone was trying to push him off his chair, strong enough that he nearly fell off it and had to grab the table to keep his balance.

“Brandon,” Josh whispered again. “Did you feel that?”

“Feel wh—” Brandon started to say and then the phone rang. Josh thought the last time that happened, they had been rounding the corner to the kitchen when his Aunt Beth answered the phone, not seated at the table. That’s different, he thought to himself. Aunt Beth is sitting at the table this time, but I guess we definitely did take longer upstairs. Still, something strange is going on, though.

Brandon’s mom turned to speak to the three children with a concerned look on her face. “That was your Aunt Patty,” she said, catching her breath. “It’s about your cousin Adam. He got into some big argument with his parents at the dinner table, and then he stomped off to his room.”

GIVEAWAY!!!

Barry Fellinger will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tellwell Talent (January 25, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 022887923X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0228879237

I received a digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Boss Women by Gwen Richardson (Review & Giveaway)

Boss Women by Gwen Richardson is a rhyming story celebrating the accomplishments of seven African-American women who built their businesses from the ground up.

What a fabulous way to draw attention to women of color who are empowering young women to believe in themselves and their ideas and to create a better world. These amazing women have forged ahead in a variety of fields and built successful businesses. It was great getting to know more about these business leaders.

I found it interesting that the author decided to write in rhyme. Typically, biographies are written in prose. That sets it apart from other books on the shelf.

Staci Creekmore provided the illustrations for Boss Women. With a use of vibrant colors, the women who filled these pages come alive. A neat artistic feature is Creekmore’s illustrations of each boss woman alongside a photograph of that person. Underneath the photo and drawing that sits side-by-side on the page, is the name of the woman’s company, its location, and the company’s website.

If you’re looking for a book to empower your young woman, I recommend Boss Women by Gwen Richardson.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cushcity Communications (June 29, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1737449609
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737449607

I received a copy of this book from the publicist. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Elanora and the Salt Marsh Mystery by Kathleen Jae (Giveaway)

Readers who enjoy stories with inspiring, strong characters will want to pick up a copy of Elanora and the Salt Marsh Mystery by Kathleen Jae.

After a series of terrifying events, Elanora finds herself separated from the life she has known. Now, she is in a place where she can only travel by water and the only food is the grasses of the marsh. Not everyone is accepting of this stranger in their midst, and Elanora struggles to fit in. When she discovers the water level in the marsh is falling, she must devise a plan to save the creatures who live there.

Adventure, conflict, and a race against time blend together in this inspiring story of a young animal who is put to the test from beginning to end. With support from Beathas and the sea cow, Elanora proves herself to be helpful to her new community and a strong future leader. From first page to last, readers will enjoy coming along with Elanora on her journey. I’m hoping we see more of Elanora and her friends in the future.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher : Twenty Paws Publishing (March 20, 2021)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 232 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0578744406
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0578744407

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Click here to get your FREE DOWNLOADABLE Elanora and the Salt Marsh Mystery Coloring Page!

GIVEAWAY!

Kathleen Jae is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card

&

One Printed Canvas Bag

(Canvas Bag Includes one plushie muskrat (Beathas, Lachi and the rest of the colony); one plushie chipmunk (Elanora); one plushie gray squirrel (Nara); one roseate spoonbill photo transfer hanging by Etsy shop owner FeelinGroovyPhotos (Moira and Muirreal); one framed manatee art print by Etsy shop owner SammWehmanArt (sea cow); one cormorant printed tea towel by Etsy shop owner HearthandHarrow (Pelles); one yellow-crowned night heron signed printed note card by Etsy shop owner BlueHenCraft (Morven); one set of 5 vintage bobcat postage stamps by Etsy shop owner AxmxZ (bullycat); one red-tailed hawk applique iron-on patch by Etsy shop owner PatchParlor (defyer); one reusable shopping bag adorned with assorted forest animals including red fox (oppect), white tailed deer (Damhan), rabbit (quidge) and owl (maurauder); one bird-watching notebook with blue jay (Jae) on front; two signed copies of Elanora and the Salt Marsh Mystery and two Elanora bookmarks.)

Terms & Conditions:

  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive $50 Amazon Gift Card & one winner will be chosen to win tote bag.
  • This giveaway ends midnight April 30.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on May 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Emotion Thesaurus, 2nd Edition by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

New resource for all my writing friends…and a chance to win a great prize too!


As writers, we all have our favorite writing methods. For instance, some swear by Scrivener, while others write in Word or Google docs. Some prefer to draft longhand, using colorful gel pens and notebooks.

Most of us have a favorite writing book (or ten), too. These books have helped us understand storytelling better, demystifying certain aspects of writing. Well, today I’m taking part in welcoming a new writing guide into the world: The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition).

You may have heard of The Emotion Thesaurus before, or even have a copy. The original’s lists of body language, thoughts, and visceral sensations for 75 unique emotions made brainstorming character expressions and reactions so much easier. It quickly became a bestseller.

Now, there’s a bigger, better second edition. Angela and Becca have added 55 NEW emotions such as Euphoria, Vindicated, and Schadenfreude. (And that’s not all that’s new, either…the book is almost twice the size as the original.)

Anyway, if you’re interested in checking it out, you can read some of the reviews on Goodreads or find information here.

One more thing to tell you about…are you ready for this?

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Wish you could attend a free writing retreat, go to a conference, snag a seat at a workshop, or have your professional membership to a writing organization paid for? Of course you do!

Well, at Writers Helping Writers, one lucky winner will get one of the above, up to a $500 US value.

This is the giveaway of a lifetime, so hurry over to enter!