He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?
Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.
When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.
If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.
Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls… The Seaside Hunters novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere.
Each book is a standalone.
Author Stacy Claflin
I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time. I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real. When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.
Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
“But Aren’t I Lucky That…” is a
fantastically illustrated children’s book that helps kids learn to find and
celebrate the positive as they work through everyday challenges. By using
evidence-based concepts from Positive Psychology, Dr. Beech weaves an enjoyable
story that guides readers through easy to apply tools that foster happiness,
optimistic thinking and resiliency.
Spread the Christmas cheer with this
whimsical retelling of Clement C. Moore’s cherished poem, “A Visit from St.
Nicholas.” This new edition of the classic features the text of Moore’s
original poem, illustrated with beautifully detailed LEGO brick scenes and
characters.
See the
colorful stockings hung by the chimney in the fanciful brick house, and look on
at the visions of dancing brick sugarplums. Turn the pages to reveal Saint
Nicholas with his bundle of toys and his eight trusty reindeer, and watch as he
magically slides down the chimney to bring presents to the good little girls
and boys before shouting, “Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!” This
treasured Christmas poem in brick will quickly become the highlight of your
holiday storybooks and a great new tradition for the whole family!
Do you believe that some souls are destined to be together, even through hardship and deceit?
After 9-11, Declan’s heart is torn between wanting to stay with Morgan and needing to fight for his beloved country. Knowing that the future may be uncertain, he kisses his fiancée goodbye and focuses on his mission until that dark day from which he will never fully recover. Injured in Afghanistan, Declan has lost more than part of his leg; he’s lost part of himself, now plagued in grief and guilt. How could he possibly ask Morgan to take care of him for the rest of his life, being nothing but a burden to her? Which would be more heartbreaking, feigning his own death or bringing her unhappiness every day? If only he could eradicate her from his mind and be at peace with his decision.
Morgan prays day and night for Declan’s safe return, but when his letters stop coming, Morgan knows in her heart that she has lost him forever. Morgan has a hard time believing in fate and destiny after her fiancé is taken from her. With Declan gone, Morgan’s hope for true love is destroyed, but eventually she finds comfort in the arms of another, even though Morgan’s new love knows that her heart belongs to Declan.
Will Morgan eventually be able to move on, or will Declan haunt her dreams forever?
Her face was the only thing that had kept him sane during his deployment. At this moment, however, thoughts of Morgan had been pushed to the side for reasons of pure survival. Declan wiped the mud from his eye with a swift movement of his hand, just quick enough so that he could see again. Booming thunder went off near and far.
Swearing under his breath, Declan closed one eye and squinted the other shut as he spied his target. Breathe. One, two, three… he could do this. The first time he’d had to shoot another man he had faltered, hesitated only the briefest of seconds, during which time the man escaped his line of sight and shot a fellow soldier in the leg, causing serious injury.
This time, Declan concentrated, aimed his M4 rifle, and fired. The distinct thud of a man dropping to the ground confirmed the target had been hit. Swiping at the sweat in his eyes from the sweltering mid-day heat, Declan gulped and struggled to his knees. Lining up his rifle again, his neck and shoulders ached with fatigue. He bit down and gritted his teeth, tasting dirt while fighting off the pain.
It seemed as if hours had gone by, when in fact, it had probably only been minutes when finally the haunting sound of gunfire ceased. Not one to trust silence in any setting, Declan mentally counted upward until he reached near fifty.
“All clear,” his buddy, Sean, called out. “All clear.”
Declan, always cautious, still maintained his position until he heard his fellow soldiers from his platoon begin to speak. Peeking up from his ravine, Declan rose slowly to his feet as the rifle was pressed to his side.
Surveying the damage, it appeared that several of their enemies were lying still on the ground. The man he had shot lay still, appearing lifeless. Another man lay several feet away. It seemed the enemies had taken off, deserting the boundaries of the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. His platoon mates fell silent, all business as they quickly gathered their belongings to head back to base.
Declan clutched his rifle, drawing closer to his victim. Curiosity had gotten the best of him. Fully aware of his previous actions, Declan stepped even closer. He had never killed a man before — injured, yes, but never killed. This man did not appear to be alive.
His heart sped up as sweat caused his fatigues to cling to his body. For God’s sake, the man looked to have been only in his early twenties at best. What have I done? What are we doing here? Waves of nausea rose and Declan swallowed hard.
“Hey! Step back!” Sean called out. “Move out! I repeat, move out!”
Hearing his friend call out to him, Declan turned toward the sound of his voice, realizing his mistake seconds too late. He should have known better; he should have. But no amount of training can prepare you for taking another man’s life.
Glancing swiftly at Sean through tear-stained eyes, he saw the movement in his peripheral vision. Sean raced to the open dirt road. They were sitting ducks, in plain sight. The man that Declan had presumed dead, the one he had shot, raised his own rifle and fired at Sean, who dropped instantly to ground.
“No! No!” Declan spun his head back to the imminent threat, a moment too late. The force of the explosion knocked him to the ground in an instant. Morgan’s face was the last thing that registered in his mind as another shot fired, leaving his world black.
****
Clouds scattered overhead, cries of gulls bringing back another time, a different memory, sitting here with Declan by her side. Morgan squeezed her jaw, fighting back the pain.
Months later, there was still no word from Declan. On the Internet, she had searched out his name relentlessly but there was no mention of Declan, no death certificates and his name couldn’t be found on any list of casualties of the war. It was as if he had simply disappeared, but that wasn’t possible and she feared the worst. He was gone and there was no closure for Morgan, as his only living relatives were his mom and some family living on the west coast, whom Declan hadn’t seen in years. Even she and Declan’s old friend, Stephen seemed to be losing touch.
She could sit on this beach and watch the water forever; it was a place Declan had cherished, a place she felt close to him. Never again would her life be the same without Declan Blake. How was she going to make it without him?
The world was quiet and without joy for Morgan. Even Morgan’s mother nagged her to speak with a therapist. She didn’t see the purpose of smiling or laughing when it was all forced. Constant thoughts of Declan plagued her day and night.
Morgan nearly jumped when her cell rang. First instincts were to let the call go to voicemail, but she knew the person calling would only persist. That’s how it had been lately; she would ignore phone calls only to find tons of messages waiting.
It was Elle, calling for the second time that day. “Hi, Elle.”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for hours,” Elle exclaimed.
“I don’t know, I’m just hanging out.”
“Down by the river again?” Elle inquired.
“Yup,” Morgan responded as she moved her foot around in the sand.
“Figured as much.”
Elle’s voice sounded odd, almost as if she were hearing her close by. Morgan turned to see her friend walking toward her on the grassy path leading to the small beach.
Rising to her feet, Morgan felt tears escape. Elle was by her side, arms wrapped around her within moments. Morgan released Elle and took a small step back.
“Oh, Elle, what am I going to do?” she sobbed.
“You’re going to live, dammit. Declan would want you to be happy.”
“How? How can I forget about him, just move on?” It wasn’t possible, she had tried, and it just wasn’t working. Even when she was at work, she was just going through the motions; she did her job, but her heart wasn’t the same.
“I think it’s time for you to see someone to talk about all of this. You’ve waited long enough.”
She was right and so was her mother, believe it or not. “I will, Elle. I will because I don’t know what else to do.”
“Morgan, you’re the strongest person I know. You have so much happiness and love to share. I have full confidence in you. You’re going to make it and come out stronger in the end.” Elle spoke through her own tears.
“Thanks, Elle. I love you.” Morgan felt better knowing there was someone on her side rooting for her.
Mya O'Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer, Destiny and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.
Mya's passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her eighth novel.
$50 Blast Giveaway Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/16/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Combining the classic charms of Agatha Christie with the delightful humor of M. C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin novels, Mark Reutlinger’s Mrs. Kaplan mystery series returns as a notorious crank meets an untimely fate. Yom Kippur is a day of reflection and soul searching. But at the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors, Vera Gold misses this opportunity to atone for her many sins when she up and dies. Indeed, Vera was such a pain in thetuchisto all those around her that when her sister claims Vera was deliberately poisoned, the tough question isn’t who would want to kill her—but who wouldn’t? Having already solved one murder with her dear friend Ida, Rose Kaplan has a sleuthing reputation that precedes her. It’s only natural that Vera’s sister turns to Mrs. K for help. So do the police, but when her conclusions conflict with theirs, they tell her to butt out! This case has more twists than a loaf ofchallah. And with a homicidal scoundrel on the loose, Mrs. K has to act fast—or she might be the guest of honor at the Home’s next memorial service.
Oliver and Jumpy, Stories 28-30 (Oliver and Jumpy, the Cat
Series, Book 10)
By Werner Stejskal
Publisher: Werner Stejskal
Published: Oct. 28, 2014
ASIN: B00PV9Y7VS
Amazon Synopsis:
These illustrated cat stories are all about “Oliver and Jumpy”, who are best of friends and experience many adventures together. Oliver is an elegant black tomcat, who is full of himself. As a matter of fact he says: “I love myself!”, quite often. Naughty, isn’t he? But his best friend Jumpy, a kangaroo lady, is aware that he has a soft heart and will always want to help others. The great thing is Jumpy’s pouch, which Oliver loves to ride in! He calls her his kangaroo taxi!
These little bedtime stories with their lovely illustrations are great for small kids. A parent can read the text and tell the child in his own words. These animal stories have sufficient text to keep early readers happy and provide some educational value. Depending on your device, there is pop-up text available. Love you all! Meow!
Check out the Free INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES to see how beautiful the illustrations are!
Story 28: Letter in a Bottle - Joey wants to free a prisoner.
Story 29: Oliver meeting Jumpy - This is how Oliver first met Jumpy!
Story 30: Enchanted Forest - Oliver and friends are fighting the witch.
Someone is going to get the treasure – but who’s going to lose their heart?
Jenny has memories of a happy childhood, of love and laughter. Then her mother’s death took everything away and created a monster in the man Jenny called dad. Her father turned out to be one of the worst outlaws Montana has ever seen. On the run for most of her life, Jenny comes full circle.
Now there’s a treasure to be found and sisters she didn’t know about to save.
And a man that’s hell-bent on getting to them all first.
Alone, Jenny can’t survive. She’s taken on too much with very little payoff and she’s been running for years.
Jason is suddenly there – the boy from her past, the good and bad. With so much at stake, she needs him more than she’ll admit. And Jason… well, Jason aches to have Jenny but he can’t turn away from the opportunity to save his name and hers. With Jason, maybe, just maybe Jenny can find everything she’s been searching for.
Reframe: From the God We've Made . . . to God with Us
By Brian Hardin
Publisher: NavPress
Published: Sept. 17, 2015
ASIN: B00UCENSAS
Amazon Synopsis:
Accomplished recording producer Brian Hardin experienced a mediocre Christian faith until one day, he purposed to read the Bible daily. His resolve led to the start of theDaily Audio Bible, which after eight years has had more than 55 million downloads and feeds hundreds of thousands of listeners each day.
In the process of reading the Bible to his growing audience every day without fail, he has made a true, real friend in Jesus. Not a “Hey God, I know You’re up there somewhere” type of relationship, but one that contains the emotions, dialogue, and intimate moments that we long for from our closest of comrades. Brian found it necessary to entirely reframe his perception of God into a relationship as real as any experienced here on earth.
Reframechallenges you to change your paradigm about your relationship and connection with God, because in truth, you are engineered so that life will not work without Him.Reframeinvites you to reconsider life and what it might look like if you were ruined for anything else but a life-giving connection to the almighty God.
PIECES ON EARTH: A Christian Fiction Christmas Novella
By Cathy Bryant
Publisher: Cathy Bryant
Published: Nov. 17, 2015
ASIN: B017FV5AAG
Amazon Synopsis:
As the wife of a naval aviator in sunny Pensacola, Florida, Liv Tulley eagerly anticipates the first Christmas in several years with her husband, daughter, and extended family. Then her husband is unexpectedly deployed for an undetermined amount of time, smashing her white Christmas dreams to pieces. Can she find God's peace in the midst of life's pieces?
A prequel novella to the POWER OF THE
MATCHMAKER Series Mystical
. . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .
Read the
matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .
Mae Li
has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the
matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl
for Chen.
Heartbroken,
Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village
with the clothes on her back and her only possession—a pearl embedded comb,
given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.
Some people bomb auditions. Sadie Ramirez throws up during her tryouts on TV show America's Top Talent. Her performance is so bad, it earns her a fairy godmother through the Magical Alliance's Pitiful Damsel Outreach Program. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar: a gum-chewing, cell phone-carrying, high heel wearing fairy godmother in training. She misinterprets Sadie's wishes and sends her back in time to be a part of The Little Mermaid story and then makes her one of the twelve dancing princesses. Wishes are permanent, and if Sadie wants to get back to her home, she'll have to strike a magical bargain--one that involves stealing a goblet from a powerful fairy queen. With a little help from a handsome and talented thief, she might be able to pull it off.
Gerrie Ferris Finger is my special guest today on Shelf Full of Books. She is the author of Running with Wild Blood, a mystery novel published this past January. Gerrie is here today with her guest post. Welcome Gerrie. It’s good to have you.
After Hadley’s best friend moves away and she gets on the bad side of some girls at school, she goes to spend the summer with her grandparents in the Lake Michigan resort town of Grand Haven. Her next door neighbor is none other than teen TV star Simone Hendrickson, who is everything Hadley longs to be—pretty, popular, and famous—and she’s thrilled when Simone treats her like a friend.
Being popular is a lot harder than it looks.
It’s fun and flattering when Simone includes her in her circle, though Hadley is puzzled about why her new friend refuses to discuss her former Hollywood life. Caught up with Simone, Hadley finds herself ignoring her quiet, steadfast friend, Charlotte.
To make things even more complicated, along comes Nick Jenkins…
He’s sweet, good-looking, and Hadley can be herself around him without all the fake drama. However, the mean girls have other ideas and they fill Nick’s head with lies about Hadley, sending him running back to his ex-girlfriend and leaving Hadley heartbroken.
So when her parents decide to relocate to Grand Haven, Hadley hopes things will change when school starts…only to be disappointed once again.
Under the System everyone is assigned a numerical Score that decides their worth to society and whether they live or die.
Charley has escaped from Meritropolis...
but in his quest to take down the System that has taken his brother from him, he must go through Meritorium, a city where gladiatorial games of life or death combat are waged between High Scores and Low Scores, man and beast.
Charley and Sandy must face man-eating plants, religious zealots, slave traders, and the ever present mutant animal combinations that roam a dystopian Coliseum presided over by Emperor Titus, the one man standing between Charley and the answers he seeks. Man is not an animal, but if they are to make it through Meritorium, will they even be able to tell the difference?
The lines between man and beast, friend and foe, will blur in Meritorium, the riveting sequel to the bestselling Meritropolis.
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?
Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible – even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is the first instalment in the three-part “Nirvana” series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.Are you ready to enter Nirvana?
Since inheriting her mother’s sandwich shop, Nora Charles is more about hot grilled paninis than cold-blooded murder—until her sister Lacey is arrested. The victim, an esteemed art collector and Lacey’s bullying professor, was stabbed in the heart. Apparently, all over a lousy grade. Off campus, things were just as dicey. The prof had an ex with secrets, a trophy wife set to inherit a fortune in masterworks, and a scorned student mistress. Going undercover, Nora realizes that investigating this crime is the biggest test of her sleuthing career. Because if she fails, even Nick’s animal instinct won’t be enough to rescue Lacey from a perfectly executed framing.
When Commander Rocky is dog-napped by a ghost and disappears in a puff of smoke there is only one thing Astro can do. Summon the team together and go to the USA to save him. However, things don’t go to plan and our valiant heroes become locked in a room without a door.
Then they come face to face with five ghosts in a haunted house and have to save a group of celebrity dogs. Still, all in a day’s work for our intrepid heroes but why then does the American Government beg them to leave?!
In Astro’s Adventures, Major Dakota’s Ghost, we meet again a tunnel digging terrier who carries a diamond encrusted nail file. A large dog for which the complexities of door handles are a complete mystery and who, instead, opens everything with his head. As well as, a commando, khaki wearing Blue heeler who is armed with a hunting bone and a smell grenade.
All are part of a team of dogs who work for a mysterious organisation. This organisation exists without detection and operates right under our very noses. Its sole purpose is to save dogs from neglect and to save each other too!
Spy links Included!! These are special web addresses where you can find puzzles and games that are not available anywhere else in the world!!
If you and your family love dogs you are going to love this fun children’s story. The characters are all based on real dogs and cats and, just like your pet at home, they will warm your heart. They are unique and a bit flawed but you’ll love them all the same.
This is the fourth book in the Astro Adventure’s series and it will delight and entertain your family with its fast moving plots and funny storylines.
As the Black Kingdom spreads, Lilika attempts to save the land from destruction. But is it too late?
With the golden forsythia in hand, Lilika and Talon must work together to plant it before powerful Cyperus and his mallow close in on Summer Harvest and Spring Bloom. Transformed by her recent discoveries, Lilika puts her own safety at risk in hopes of taking down the Black Kingdom. She is their only hope at redemption and the only one with the knowledge to defeat them.
In this breathtaking fantasy sequel to Winter in the Soul, Lilika finds herself trapped in the grip of the Black Kingdom where one mistake could cost her everything, but the right move just might save everyone she loves.
Are you on the hunt for that special Christmas book, the one that will get you into the holiday spirit, bring back memories of your own family traditions, and inspire you to revel in this Christmas season like no other? (What about $200 in Christmas cash to go along with it?) Every year, I search for stories that will fill my Christmas reading list--romance is always a fun read, but I want them to be clean and wholesome too. That's why I'm sharing this spectacular book. Christmas Kisses is not just one story, but five romances, all clean, wholesome, and beautifully written in one anthology now on sale for .99 cents!
Let's show the world that there is a demand for clean and wholesome romances by purchasing this book today. For less than a dollar, you get a delightful read and help send a message that we want more of these kinds of books. Purchase your copy here, or your preferred vendor and then, will you please help spread the word about this book? You can like or share this Facebook post or this Twitter feed. Feel free to share any part of this post. Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveaway for $200 in Christmas cash!
I’d like to welcome Beth Vrabel to Shelf Full of Books today. Beth is the author of A Blind Guide to Stinkville which was the focus of my review on Oct. 29. Click here to read that review. Today Beth has come to tell us more about her book and her experience with visual impairment.
Welcome Beth! I’m so excited to have you visit with us on Shelf Full of Books.
Please tell us a little bit about your book.
A BLIND GUIDE TO STINKVILLE tells the story of 12-year-old Alice, who moves from Seattle, the only city she’s ever known, to a speck-sized town in South Carolina. Life in Sinkville stinks—and not just because of the putrid smoke coming from the town’s paper mill. In her hometown, everyone already knew that Alice has albinism and the blindness that often goes with it. But here in Stinkville, being blind is news. For the first time in her life, it makes her feel different—disabled, even. And Mom is too depressed to get out of bed, Alice’s brother is too bitter to help, and Dad too busy at his new job. Alice realizes she has to advocate for herself. So with her fat, farting dog Tooter and her white cane at her side, that’s just what Alice does. The funny thing is, as Alice confronts her own blindness, others seem to truly see her for the first time.
Why do you think your readers are going to enjoy your book?
I loved creating the characters in A BLIND GUIDE TO STINKVILLE, and I hope that joy comes through on the pages. For me, this story is so much more than the tale of a blind girl. In fact, I shuddered a little stringing the words together in that way. This is a story of a lonely girl who finds incredible bravery. And she happens to be blind.
I understand your daughter has albinism. Did you base Alice’s character on your daughter? How does Alice’s condition differ from your daughter’s?
I’m so glad you asked this because it’s certainly something I want to make clear. My daughter was born with a very mild form of ocular albinism, which means her eyes have a low level of pigmentation. Like anyone with albinism, she is visually impaired, but my daughter is very mildly so. In fact, most people who meet her don’t know she sees differently than them until she explains it.
Alice, on the other hand, has a severe form of albinism in both her eyes and her skin. She’s the opposite side of the spectrum than my daughter. And in so many other ways, Alice is totally different, especially personality-wise. My daughter was born with the determination and empathy that Alice fights to earn.
In the US you have more Schools for the Blind than we do in Canada. Teachers for children with visual impairment like me work with students in their home schools on an itinerant basis instead of parents sending their children to Schools for the Blind. Did you look into a School for the Blind for your daughter?
Because my daughter’s acuity falls in the low vision rather than blind range, we never did look into schools for the blind for her. That being said, she does benefit from the expertise of a vision itinerant, who visits her school monthly to provide input on how to best accommodate her condition. I was thrilled to hear your background in this, Kathryn! What an incredible service! We don’t always know what’s going to help our daughter, not being visually impaired ourselves. It makes a huge difference to know there are experts who can point out what we can do to even the playing field as much as possible.
What does your daughter think about you writing a book about a girl with her eye condition as the main character?
As I mentioned earlier, the eye condition is not the quite same, but my daughter is excited and hopeful that Alice’s story will make more people aware of albinism. Too often characters with albinism are portrayed as creepy, cruel or mystical. People have implied that my daughter must have exceptional hearing or intuition. Nope. She’s just a girl who happens to have to get a little closer to see and pack a lot of sunscreen.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
A BLIND GUIDE TO STINKVILLE centers on the idea that everyone faces challenges. Some people, like Alice, are born with them. Others encounter them. But everyone must face them. To share this idea, I created a town full of characters, with challenges ranging from ageism to racism, depression to dyslexia. My challenge was bringing these storylines together fluidly and fully. I’m pretty proud of the result.
Will there be a sequel to A Blind Guide to Stinkville?
Thank you so much for asking that! I wish you could see the giant grin on my face just thinking of A BLIND GUIDE TO NORMAL, which releases next October. While Alice is in the story, it centers on a character introduced toward the end of STINKVILLE. Ryder, who lost an eye due to retinoblastoma, attends a school for the blind in STINKVILLE. In A BLIND GUIDE TO NORMAL, he moves in with his stuck-in-the-‘70s grandpa so he can go to eighth-grade in a “normal” school. Ryder’s sure he’ll be accepted so long as he can be first to make all the one-eyed jokes. Instead, he causes his bio teacher to faint, infuriates the town hero, falls for the tough girl next door, and is attacked by a cat named the General all on his first day. Ryder quickly discovers there is no such thing as normal. And the only thing worse than explaining a joke is being the punch line.
A Blind Guide to Stinkville
By Beth Vrabel
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Published: October 13, 2015
ASIN: B0163A8TNU
Amazon Synopsis:
Before Stinkville, Alice didn’t think albinism—or the blindness that goes with it—was a big deal. Sure, she uses a magnifier to read books. And a cane keeps her from bruising her hips on tables. Putting on sunscreen and always wearing a hat are just part of life. But life has always been like this for Alice. Until Stinkville.
For the first time in her life, Alice feels different—like she’s at a disadvantage. Back in her old neighborhood in Seattle, everyone knew Alice, and Alice knew her way around. In Stinkville, Alice finds herself floundering—she can’t even get to the library on her own. But when her parents start looking into schools for the blind, Alice takes a stand. She’s going to show them—and herself—that blindness is just a part of who she is, not all that she can be. To prove it, Alice enters the Stinkville Success Stories essay contest. No one, not even her new friend Kerica, believes she can scout out her new town’s stories and write the essay by herself. The funny thing is, as Alice confronts her own blindness, everyone else seems to see her for the first time.
This is a stirring small-town story that explores many different issues—albinism, blindness, depression, dyslexia, growing old, and more—with a light touch and lots of heart. Beth Vrabel’s characters are complicated and messy, but they come together in a story about the strength of community and friendship.
Beth Vrabel grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. She won a short-story contest in fourth grade and promptly decided writing was what she was going to do with her life. Although her other plans--becoming a Yellowstone National Park ranger, and a professional roller skater--didn't come to fruition, she stuck with the writing. Beth's backround is journalism and was editor of two regional magazines and a lifestyle columnist. Beth now writes full time.
Her books include PACK OF DORKS and A BLIND GUIDE TO STINKVILLE (releasing October by Sky Pony Press). Look for CAMP DORK in March 2016!
An audio copy of A Blind Guide to Stinkville will be given to one lucky winner who leaves a comment or question for Beth. The winner will be drawn randomly from all commenters. Contest ends Nov. 14, 2015.
Since inheriting her mother’s sandwich shop, Nora Charles is more about hot grilled paninis than cold-blooded murder—until her sister Lacey is arrested. The victim, an esteemed art collector and Lacey’s bullying professor, was stabbed in the heart. Apparently, all over a lousy grade. Off campus, things were just as dicey. The prof had an ex with secrets, a trophy wife set to inherit a fortune in masterworks, and a scorned student mistress. Going undercover, Nora realizes that investigating this crime is the biggest test of her sleuthing career. Because if she fails, even Nick’s animal instinct won’t be enough to rescue Lacey from a perfectly executed framing.
Praise for the Nick and Nora “Nick and Nora are a winning team.”—Rebecca Hale, New York Times bestselling author of How to Paint a Cat “Nick and Nora are the purrfect sleuthy duo!”—*Victoria Laurie, New York Times bestselling author of the Psychic Eye Mystery series
Author T.C. LoTempio
Born in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series. She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade. When she isn’t reporting or writing novels, she and her cat Rocco fundraise for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read.
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/30/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Author Stacy Claflin
