#Review & #Giveaway: The Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester #blogtour Ends 9/1/18

Book Details

Genre: Fiction

Published by: The Story Plant 

Publication Date: June 12th, 2018 

Number of Pages: 285 

ISBN: 1611882605 (ISBN13: 9781611882605) 

Purchase Links:   Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, & Goodreads

Summary:

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect―or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac's fragile mind and it is about to drop him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner chaos but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system, and the struggles of an invisible disease, he loses everything―most importantly his family.

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father's undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

My review:

One of the things I try not to do when reading Steven Manchester's books is read the summary. This is so I can read without any clear idea what his books are about. Now, I know I already put the summary here for you to read but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

The author dug deep with this one and like many of the other books I have read, it almost seems like a personal journal but, that is the beauty of Steven Manchester's writing. PTSD is discussed in depth in the book and what it takes to overcome such a disorder. Steven Manchester once again brilliantly writes about a subject that is not only hard to digest for some but is very real in this day and time.

The main characters had everything, the life that every man or woman would ever want it seems. One magical night after a 15th wedding anniversary turns into a tragic tailspin. So much distrust, miscommunication, and mind-altering chaos turn this once loving family into a complete nightmare. His only saving grace is the love of his children.

Will they manage to ride the waves to healing? Will love conquer all through the gifts of shoeboxes? Ah, that my friends is why you have to read this excellent book!

I cannot begin to say enough here but this, pick up the book, read it, and breathe it in as only you can when reading this authors book. This is certainly a winner!

5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon

For the giveaway for this tour, see below.

About the author:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies, and Gooseberry Island, the national bestseller Ashes, and the novels Goodnight, Brian and The Changing Season. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning, and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Manchester’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Connect with Steven at: stevenmanchester.com | Twitter - @AuthorSteveM | Facebook - @AuthorStevenManchester

Giveaway This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Steven Manchester and The Story Plant. Michelle aka Naila Moon of Reading Authors is not responsible for prize shipment. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card AND 3 winners of one (1) print copy of Ashes by Steven Manchester. The giveaway begins on July 1 and runs through September 1, 2018.

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Book Blast and #Giveaway:Shadow Girl by Gerry Schmitt #Thriller #BookBlast

Shadow Girl (An Afton Tangler Thriller) Suspense/Thriller 2nd in Series Hardcover: 320 pages ISBN-13: 978-0425281789 Paperback: 320 pages (May 1, 2018) ISBN-13: 978-0425281796 

The brutal murder of a business tycoon leaves Afton Tangler and the Twin Cities reeling, but that’s just the beginning of a gruesome crime spree...

Leland Odin made his fortune launching a home shopping network, but his millions can’t save his life. On the list for a transplant, the ailing businessman sees all hope lost when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.

Now with two pilots dead and dozens injured, Afton Tangler, family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, is drawn into the case. As she and her partner investigate family members and business associates, whoever wants Leland dead strikes again—and succeeds—in a brazen hospital room attack.

The supposedly squeaky clean millionaire has crossed the wrong person—and she’s not finished exacting her revenge. The case explodes into an international conspiracy of unbridled greed and violence. And as Afton gets closer to unearthing the mastermind behind it, she gets closer to becoming collateral damage...

About The Author

Gerry Schmitt is the author of the Afton Tangler Thrillers, and, writing under the pseudonym Laura Childs, the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels, the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won TV and radio awards, and produced two reality TV shows. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, travel, and their two Shar-Pei dogs.

Author Links - Website – Facebook Purchase Links Amazon 

#Giveaway: Big Hair and Buttermilk Pie e-Book and a buttermilk pie ends June 6, 2016

a Rafflecopter giveaway Tour Participants May 31 – Classy Cheapskate – REVIEW May 31 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW May 31 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW June 1 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW June 1 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW June 1 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT June 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW June 2 – Book Babble – REVIEW June 2 – Deal sharing aunt – INTERVIEW June 3 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST June 3 – Bubble Bath Books – REVIEW June 3 – T’s Stuff – REVIEW June 4 – Babs Book Bistro – CHARACTER GUEST POST June 4 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW June 4 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT June 5 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW June 5 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, INTERVIEW June 5 – Reading Authors – SPOTLIGHT June 6 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – REVIEW June 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW June 6 – Books Direct – GUEST POST

#Review: Fatal Impression by Reba White Williams

Summary:
Coleman and Dinah Greene are making names for themselves in the art world. Coleman's magazine publishing empire is growing and Dinah's print gallery is gaining traction. In fact, Dinah has just won the contract to select, buy, and hang art in the New York office of the management consultants Davidson, Douglas, Danbury & Weeks – a major coup that will generate The Greene Gallery's first big profits. However, when Dinah goes to DDD&W to begin work, she discovers a corporate culture unlike anything she's ever encountered before. There are suggestions of improprieties everywhere, including missing art worth a fortune. And when two DDD&W staff members are discovered murdered, Dinah and Coleman find themselves swept into the heart of another mystery. Revealing the murderer will be no easy task...but first Dinah needs to clear her own name from the suspect list.

My review:
I love a good mystery so, it was with excitement to read the book Fatal Impressions.
It was interesting to me to see the author tie in a bit of art history with a mysterious storyline of murder. I felt myself feeling sorry for the main character, Dinah, as she was accused of murder which she so clearly did not do. I have met people in real life like this character and know that they would not hurt a fly.

The author showed how a business, good or bad, can be cutthroat (excuse the pun). Sometimes you have to do things you do not want to do, although murder is not one of them. In any case, Ms. Williams did a good job of weaving real life situations in to a really great book.

The author also managed to show how some people you think are for you are actually against you or vice versa. I never knew who the murderer truly was until the very end. Like any good writer Ms. Williams had me thinking it was one person and turned out to be another.

I did have a couple of issues with this book. The first of which was the on-going issues among the characters seemed to drag and bog down the murder investigation itself. I kind of got lost in the number of characters that kept popping up everywhere. I simply has a tough time keeping up with all of them.
I realize this was author's prerogative but it made for a longer story than maybe needed. Which brings me to my next point...

Sixty-seven chapters! Yikes that was a ton to read.

My final issue was it seemed too long to wrap up the book. Once the murderer had been revealed there were 4-5 more chapters of round up. I felt this could have all been put in maybe a whole chapter as an epilogue and thus the book would not have drug on.

All and all, even with the issues, I felt this was a terrific book and will get 4 stars from me.
~Naila Moon

Disclosure: I was given this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:
Amazon
Facebook
Goodreads

Giveaway: Blog Tour for GG & Mamela

 

About the Book

Title: GG and Mamela | Author: Belinda Brock | Illustrator: Avi Katz | Publication Date: April 15, 2014 | Publisher: Lamb Press | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 4 to 10 Summary: This picture book celebrates the loving relationship between Lily and her great-grandmother (GG) as her life starts to slow and wind down in hospice. GG and Mamela illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition. This book offers a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care. The talented, award-winning artist, Avi Katz, provides beautifully-rendered illustrations that perfectly complement this heartwarming story. The book concludes with GG's recipe for chicken soup and an afterword by clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Brock.  

Purchase

Amazon | Author Website

 

The Early Buzz

"...simple but emotionally resonant illustrations...a nice, true-to-life touch...The book pairs an ethereal illustration with lyrical text, which truly captures the healing, transporting power of music in this setting. A welcome addition to children's literature about death and dying." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The author takes a difficult subject and weaves a story full of life lessons. The universal themes of life, death, family, loss,and chicken soup are shared through a child's eyes and remind us that even after one dies, love remains." ~ Jamie O'Malley, President and CEO, Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter

"GG and Mamela is a large helping of Chicken Soup for the heart and soul. It helps children cope with the death of a loved one in gentle and understanding terms. Belinda Brock has done a great service for children and parents alike." ~ Rabbi Evan Moffic, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Solel and Author

"This is a WONDERFUL story for families who are grappling with loss, death and dying. This is a wonderful story about a special relationship between a girl and her great grandmother at the end of her beautiful life. Very moving story, perfect for children!!" ~ 5 Star Review, Laura, Goodreads

 

About the Author: Belinda Brock

Currently a writing coach and free-lance editor, Belinda Brock's background is in teaching and educational publishing. She loves the intersection of literature and art found in picture books and believes their appeal and benefit extend beyond childhood. She also enjoys farmers' markets, dreaming up soup recipes and Meatless Mondays. Although she didn't become a librarian as she once considered, she is the sponsor and steward of the Little Free Library in her city. She has been known to stay up past her bedtime reading. Belinda writes about literacy, children and books on her blog--grandbooking--at http://belindabrock.com and also at Highland Park Sun-Times where you can check out this great interview with Belinda.

| Facebook | Goodreads
 

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: June 6, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Belinda Brock and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Blog Tour/Review/Giveaway: Good Night, Animal World by Giselle Shardlow

 

About the Book

Title: Good Night, Animal World: A Kids Yoga Bedtime Story | Author: Giselle Shardlow | Illustrator: Emily Gedzyk | Publication Date: September 20, 2013 | Publisher: Company: Kids Yoga Stories LLC | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 2.5 to 6 years

 Summary: Say good night to the animals of the world! Calm your mind and body before bedtime by taking a journey around the world with this kids yoga storybook. Join six Kids Yoga Stories characters as you perch like a bald eagle, crouch like a tiger, and curl up like a sloth. The book includes a list of Kids Yoga Poses and a Parent Guide with tips on creating a successful bedtime experience. Learn something new, explore movement, and unwind together before bedtime!

My Review:
I was asked to do a video review for this blog tour which you can find below. (Please forgive any shakiness in the video as my 75 year old Mother was holding the camera and it was windly. She also appears in the video!) 
Overall, I felt this was a cute book but I did not think it was for the age recommended. I think under age 3 was more suited due to the scarcity of words which were quite repetitive. For older ages, I thought there needed to be much more words and possible more interaction.

I did however think the illustrations and the information for parents in the back of the book were top notch! In spite of those things, I still give the book 4 stars because of the aforementioned illustrations and informational guide.

* *

 

The Buzz

"This book has been so amazing for my 2.5 year old daughter! The illustrations are adorable! She is always so rambunctious at bedtime and this lets her get out some of that excess energy. She loves the book so much that this has been one we read every night. It helps my daughter fall asleep faster which means more time for mom in the evenings." ~ 5 Star Review, cwalt047, Amazon

"Another GREAT book!! I used this book for my kids yoga classes for ages 2-5 years old. After a very active yoga class, we read this book and did the yoga poses before the resting portion of the class. My little yogis loved the pictures and saying Good Night to all of the animals one by one. I played a calming song with some animal noises in the background and we were then able to quiet our minds and bodies for the pose of rest. I think this will become a regular pre-resting story for my classes with this age group. My 5 year old son loves to read this book again and again too! Keep the great books coming!" ~ 5 Star Review, Stacy Daniels - Kids Yoga Teacher, Amazon

"What a delightful book to get young children reading and moving in a wind-down, calming story about saying goodnight to the animals of the world. I am a k-12 Reading Certified teacher who blogs about parenting at The Educator's Spin On It. I am big fan of literacy activities that combine movement and geography in a loving parent / child interaction experience and Good night, Animal World does just that. This book would be a great addition to your book shelf." ~ 5 Star Review, Amanda at The Educators' Spin On It, Amazon

 

About the Author: Giselle Shardlow

Giselle Shardlow is the author of Kids Yoga Stories. Her yoga-inspired children’s books get children moving, learning, and having fun. Giselle draws from her experiences as a teacher, traveler, yogi, and mom to write the stories found at www.kidsyogastories.com or on Amazon (amazon.com/author/giselleshardlow) worldwide.    

Twitter | Facebook |

 

* $25 Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: April 8, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally 
 How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. 

 Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Giselle Shardlow and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. Naila Moon of Once Upon A Time received a review copy from the author but is not responsible for the giveaway.

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Giveaway for $50 Amazon Card or Paypal Cash on behalf of author Wendy Leighton-Porter

The following is a shared giveaway for a blog stop tour that I belong to on behalf of author Wendy Leighton-Porter for her book, Shadow of Atlantis. I have reviewed her book and that review will be live on October 15th. Please stop by Amazon and check out her reviews.

If you would like a chance of winning a $50 Amazon Card or Paypal cash that Wendy is so generously giving away, enter in the Rafflecopter below. Thanks, Naila Moon   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Announcement

Blog Tour Announcement

 

For more information or to sign up, go HERE