Each book in The Super Spies Series is on sale for $.99! Check it out!

 

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you! I’m back today to let you know that each book in the Super Spies series is on sale for $.99! So, if your tween is bored with the quarantine, buy them a book!  Here are the covers and blurbs!

 

 

In a small town in Michigan, fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman and what’s worse? One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death. Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own investigation. The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the investigation. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer. Or die trying…

Click here to buy from Amazon

 

 

This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes suspicious. She decides to investigate. The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?

Click to buy from Amazon

 

Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are at it once again when they learn their missing parents’ cell phone has been traced to Alden, Michigan. When the FBI declines to continue the investigation, Sarah takes matters into her own hands. She calls upon the Super Spies and they delve into the situation. Suddenly, the teens find themselves immersed in small town intrigue and mystery involving a menacing stranger, who Sarah dubs “The Stalker.” But when Sarah learns he’s connected to her parents’ disappearance, she’s determined to find out what that connection is. The Super Spies embark on a journey that leads them into a web of corporate corruption at its highest level that leaves innocent victims in its wake. Can they find the proof they need to stop the greedy corporation before it’s too late?

Click to buy from Amazon

 

What readers are saying about the Super Spies!

Reader #1:

My 12 year old daughter says:

I loved this book so much because it was so exciting. All the cool moments in the house were really creepy. It made it feel like the girls were going to come to the end of their road. It was super suspenseful. Please keep writing more books like this!

I say:
My reluctant-reader daughter inhaled this book–twice! She came rushing into the room at least three times an hour with breathless updates on the adventure. Definitely an engaging read for kids who like a little mystery.

Reader #2:

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is a great mystery not only for the middle-grade, but for all ages. After a dare of walking up on her porch and knocking, the girls discover the old lady lying on the floor. They go inside to investigate. While inside, the police arrive. The girls are found and blamed for the murder.

Sarah, Jackie, and the rest of the gang decide to come together and help solve the murder of the creepy cat lady. Without giving anything else away, I will stop and say this is a wonderful read. The story has twists and turns. You will want to turn to the next page to see what the girls get into next!

Reader #3:

Lisa Orchard’s debut novel, The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is a great read for Adults and Young Adults alike. I found the writing style to flow very well through out the book. The author is very descriptive in her character development allowing the reader to easily imagine a character’s traits. Her depiction of a murder mystery set in a small town keeps the reader interested in putting the puzzle pieces together along with the young detectives. Even though the young adult characters are dealing with heavier life lessons such as murder, they are learning and growing in their own morals and ethics which is refreshing. I really enjoyed the metaphors and explanations of life in a small Great Lakes town. I highly recommend this book for the young adult age group and above.

 

For more reviews, click the links above. You’ll find reading is a great way to pass time during this quarantine. I don’t know about everyone else, but we’ve just been told our quarantine has been extended to May 15. So pick up a book and stay safe reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please welcome Chelsea Ichaso and her debut novel!

 

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. Today, I thought I’d give you a break and share some exciting news! A colleague of mine is getting published! Her debut novel is up for pre-order and I thought this would be a great time to share it with all of you! So, without further ado, here’s my interview with up and coming author Chelsea Ichaso. Take it away Chelsea!

 

• What inspired you to write this story?

I used to teach high school English, and one of the books in our curriculum was A Separate Peace by John Knowles. It’s about two prep school boys whose friendship is torn apart by jealousy. It’s such a painful story, but also one that I feel like everyone can relate to on some level. One day, I thought about what it might look like if a close friendship were destroyed by a crime, rather than jealousy. Eventually, this idea developed into Little Creeping Things.

 

• Why did you choose this genre?

 

YA mystery-thriller was the genre that really lent itself to the type of story I wanted to tell. It started off as more of a suspense idea that took on twists and turns and a cast of suspects. At that point, I knew I had a full-fledged mystery on my hands. Luckily, mystery-thriller is one of my favorite genres to read and watch. Now, it’s also my favorite genre to write.

 

• Tell us about your writing process.

Once I have a new concept, I take a clean notebook and scribble down all my thoughts in streams of consciousness fashion. I end up with anywhere between ten and thirty handwritten pages. Then I try to hone in on the valuable sections of those notes by making a more condensed version. It’s a complete mess, but it works for me. If there’s an evident piece of the puzzle that isn’t fitting, I find a clean page and list any and every solution until something sticks.

When I have a mostly fleshed-out plot, I get on the computer and type a chapter-by-chapter outline. I don’t use formal beat sheets, but my outline will hit on all of the important elements of story structure. I find it easier to add and rearrange parts as I go when the outline is a Word doc rather than handwritten. Once I’m happy with the outline, I save it as a new document and draft right on top of it, deleting sections as they go from bullet points to complete chapters. When the outline has completely disappeared, the novel is done.

 

• Do you have a favorite place to write?

I love coffee shops for a change of scenery. My desk at home is nice, but sometimes being out of the house allows my brain to recharge because the normal distractions of home aren’t there. And good coffee certainly doesn’t hurt the writing process.

 

• How do you handle writer’s block?

I have to be in the right state of mind to come up with an idea. If not, I just get frustrated and waste a lot of time trying to force it. When I feel ready, my process for attacking writer’s block is similar to how I begin a book. I sit and scribble in a notebook for hours until I land on something that excites me. There are also plenty of times that I’ve come up with ideas while traveling. Sitting in a car or on a plane is the perfect time to brainstorm. My husband is not a writer, but he and I will take turns pitching story ideas, the more bizarre the better. Sometimes, the tiniest grain of an idea will come out of those sessions and evolve into workable concept.

 

• What are your hobbies?

I love to read (probably not a huge surprise). I also play soccer. My husband and I are on a co-ed team together, and all three of our kids play. Watching the little ones on the weekends is one of my favorite pastimes.

 

• What are you working on next?

I’m in the editing stages of my second YA thriller. I can’t say much about it yet, but there will be plenty of secrets and lies. I’m also working on a few projects in different genres and age categories because I like to juggle manuscripts. When one draft goes off to my critique partners, I do a round of revisions or begin to draft something else.

 

• Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m definitely a plotter. I find it very difficult to write thrillers without any plotting. My outlines aren’t extremely detailed, but I know the basic shape of my books ahead of time. I know the major twists. That said, I love it when a new character development or level to the story arises as I’m drafting, and I always allow myself room to improvise. Some of my favorite scenes and twists originated in the spur of the moment.

 

• What is your favorite book?

It’s impossible to choose, so I’ll list a few. Bird Box by Josh Mallerman is my favorite horror novel. I’m hard to scare, but this one had me genuinely creeped out. I love The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and Shadow and Bone (the entire Grisha trilogy, really) by Leigh Bardugo. A fantastic mystery I read recently was In the Woods by Tana French.

 

10) What is your favorite food?

In and Out Burger. I’ve heard this is a west coast thing, so if you don’t live out here and you get a chance to visit, you absolutely must try it.

Thanks, Chelsea! Now a here’s the cover and blurb of her debut novel and I must say, I’m going to be reading this one very soon!

 

Blurb/Praise:

PRAISE FOR LITTLE CREEPING THINGS
“Everyone’s a suspect, and no one is safe, in this twisty debut from a compelling new voice in YA, Chelsea Ichaso. Don’t miss it!”–Kit Frick, author of See All the Stars, All Eyes on Us, and I Killed Zoe Spanos

“Little Creeping Things is a stunning debut in every sense of the word. From the chilling opening pages to the jaw-dropping final reveal, the pacing is relentless, the twists dizzying. Cass is the best kind of unreliable narrator, delightfully acerbic and hopelessly sincere even when she isn’t telling the truth. Chelsea Ichaso has without a doubt written the breakout thriller of the year.”–Dana Mele, author of People Like Us

“Little Creeping Things, with its cast of creepy and untrustworthy characters, will satisfy the appetites of all manner of mystery fans.”–Booklist

“The reveal…is both well earned and eerie.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Ichaso’s debut is a riveting whodunnit… a psychological thriller worthy of mystery aficionados.”–School Library Journal 

When she was a child, Cassidy Pratt accidentally started a fire that killed her neighbor. She’s pretty sure she didn’t mean to do it, and she’d give anything to forget that awful day. But her town’s bullies, particularly the cruel and beautiful Melody Davenport, have never let her live it down. In Melody’s eyes, Cassidy is a murderer and always will be.

Then Melody goes missing, and Cassidy thinks she may have information about what happened. She knows she should go to the cops, but she recently joked about how much she’d like to get rid of Melody. She even planned the perfect way to do it. And then she gets a chilling text from an unknown number: I’m so glad we’re in this together.

Now it’s up to Cassidy to figure out what’s really going on before the truth behind Melody’s disappearance sets the whole town ablaze.

To order Chelsea’s book, click on one of the links below.

 

Chelseaichaso.com

 

Amazon Link

 

Thanks Cheslea for being a guest today! I’m looking forward to reading your book!

 

 

You Might Be Addicted to NETFLIX IF…

 

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. Today, I thought I’d write a post about addiction. Now, this isn’t any kind of normal addiction like a drug or alcohol addiction. This addiction is what we call a NETFLIX addiction. It’s hard to tell if a loved one has this addiction so, I thought I’d post some symptoms and that way, you’d be able to help those loved ones who can’t help themselves.  So, without further ado, here we go.

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you’ve developed carpel tunnel syndrome from operating the remote and you’ve gained ten pounds.

Photo on Visualhunt.com

 

You might be addicted to Netflix if you can reenact whole scenes from “The Office” with the TV off.

 

You may be addicted to NETFLIX if you’ve watched “The Tiger King” in its entirety.

 

You may be addicted to NETFLIX if you believe Dwight Schrute is a real person.

Photo credit: @dino on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you think a mullet is a current fashion statement.

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if moving to the Ozarks and laundering money for the drug cartel is a viable career choice.

 

Photo on VisualHunt

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you have the sudden urge to buy tigers and open your very own petting zoo.

Photo credit: Chica Inglesa on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you want to dress up for Halloween as Joe Exotic.

 

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you want to introduce your neighbor who mows his lawn at seven in the morning wearing his black knee socks to Carol Baskin.

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you’re considering cooking meth in an RV in your underwear as a way to make some extra cash.

Photo credit: dave_7 on VisualHunt.com / CC BY

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you end another person’s sentence with “that’s what she said.”

 

You might be addicted to NETFLIX if you believe Michael Scarn Threat Level Midnight is a real movie.

You may be addicted to NETFLIX if you’re considering changing your last name to Heisenberg.

 

Photo credit: alazaat on Visual Hunt / CC BY

 

Thanks for stopping by and reading my addiction to NETFLIX post. Do you have any symptoms to add? Leave them in the comments! I’d love to hear from you!

Please Welcome Iris Blobel and her New Release!

 

Welcome to ALINTA BAY
I’m happy to share with you the second book in Iris Blobel’s series,
which is set at the Great Ocean Road in Australia.
If you love small town romance, be sure to get your copy today!

About Book Two

TELL IT TO MY HEART

Confronted with the choice to care for his friend’s family on the other side of the world or to return to Alinta Bay to be with his own newfound family, how will Noah choose?

Following the death of his grandmother, Noah Fielding returns to Alinta Bay and the first thing — or person — he finds is the next-door neighbour in his nan’s bathroom — naked no less. Still jetlagged, he doesn’t hit it off with Molly at first. Yet, over the next few weeks, as his past uncovers itself bit by bit, she becomes is anchor, his friend, and his lover.

Molly Reid had the world at her feet, happily married with a young son … until a tragic car accident took everything away from her. With her heart broken, she moves to Alinta Bay to escape the memories of the past. Her peaceful existence, however, is interrupted after a heavy storm floods her house and she temporarily moves into her recently deceased neighbour’s house next door.

When Noah’s friend and partner goes missing during a routine flight, Noah returns to Alaska to help, but will he come back for Molly?

Add TELL IT TO MY HEART to your Goodreads TBR !

Get your copy of TELL IT TO MY HEART today!
Amazon

Book One in the Series

DEFYING RULES

Sometimes one has to break rules in order to find happiness…

Widower Logan Hendrix is puzzled by the recent series of small crimes against his son’s new teacher. It’s a mystery to him, and he offers her his help. There’s an instant attraction, and Logan wants to take their parent/teacher relationship to a more personal level.

It doesn’t take Addison Ryker long to fall in love with Alinta Bay, the small town she’s moved to for her new teaching position at the local primary school. Her newfound haven is threatened, however, when her house is broken into and she is relying on the unbelievably stubborn but very sexy Logan for help. Although captivated by him, Addison worries her career could be compromised, because there are rules about dating a parent.

Add DEFYING RULES to your Goodreads TBR !

Get your copy of DEFYING RULES today!
Amazon

Where to find Iris:
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bQ68rL
Website http://www.irisblobel.com/
Blog http://www.irisblobel.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/_iris_b
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IrisBlobel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4067254.Iris_Blobel
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Iris-Blobel/e/B00FNFP3LI/

 

Happy Easter!!

 

 

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I just thought I’d stop by and wish everyone a Happy Easter. It’s definitely going to be a different kind of holiday than it has been in the past, but still one worth celebrating.

Enjoy your time with your immediate family and celebrate as you see fit. Please practice social distancing and stay safe, so we can all see our extended families sooner rather than later.

Take care and God Bless, I will be back soon. Enjoy your Holiday. 😊

Quarantine Week Three and a Book Review!

 

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after week three of our quarantine and there have been some developments. My boys’ school has closed for the rest of the year and my hubby’s office has extended their lockdown to the end of April. I’m still working from home, but I’ve taken a few days off to regroup and work on my story. Sometimes you just need a break, right?

I took the whole weekend and worked on my story. I’m finally putting the scenes together and I’m getting excited. We’ll see how it all works out. 😊

 

While I’ve been doing a lot of writing, I’ve also been reading. The two seem to go hand in hand. I thought I’d share with you the book I just finished because it was so good. I loved the characters in it and the storyline. I’m a big fan of WWII stories and this one did not disappoint. So, without further ado, here it is!

 

 

 

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLER

#1 GLOBE AND MAIL HISTORICAL FICTION BESTSELLER

One of NPR’s Best Books of the Year!

One of Bookbub’s Biggest Historical Fiction Books of the Year!

Reese Witherspoon Book Club Summer Reading Pick!

The Girly Book Club Book of the Year!

A Summer Book Pick from Good Housekeeping, Parade, Library Journal, Goodreads, Liz and Lisa, and BookBub

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth…no matter where it leads.

“Both funny and heartbreaking, this epic journey of two courageous women is an unforgettable tale of little-known wartime glory and sacrifice. Quinn knocks it out of the park with this spectacular book!”—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter

 

My Thoughts:

I have to say my favorite character was Eve. She was so mysterious and I wanted to keep reading just to find out her story. I’m a big fan of stories where the underdog wins in the end and this is that kind of story. I also love stories where people stand up against the Nazi Regime and this is that kind of story, too.  It has everything, spies, betrayal, and redemption. A great read during a Quarantine!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. Do you have any good books to read during the quarantine? Leave the title in the comments! I’m always looking for a good read!