Anita Loughrey's blog. This is my journal about my experiences and thoughts on writing. As well as news about me and my books, it includes writing tips, book reviews, author interviews and blog tours.
For more information about me and my books see my website: www.anitaloughrey.com. Follow me on Twitter @amloughrey, Facebook @anitaloughrey.author and on Instagram @anitaloughrey
I write children's fiction, non-fiction and teacher resources for a wide range of publishers. I had two monthly columns in Writers’ Forum, one on writing for children and the other about authors and their research before the magazine shut down. I do school visits and run creative writing workshops . I also review children's books and do blog tours and have special guest authors on my blog. I am passionate about stationery, growing bonsai trees and walking my bearded collies.
Another brilliant adventure by Cath Howe in the Call the Puffin series. This time our brave puffins Muffin and Tiny have to save a new recruit, Forti, when he wanders off and gets stuck in the rigging of a shipwreck.
The thing I particularly like about the Call the Puffin books is that each of the characters is easily identified by their little quirks, such as Tiny’s glasses and awkwardness, Muffins feet and quick-thinking, level headedness and even a new character to the team has the visual characteristic of a tuft of feathers that stick up on his head and a behavioural characteristic of being a thrill seeker who is easily distracted.
Again the third book in the series is an exciting read for young children and the reading level is gauged well as usual. It is pitched with just the right amount of danger to keep the children turning the pages but not to scare them.
It includes themes of friendship, comradery, teamwork and cooperation. Call the Puffins! Muffin and the Shipwreck has an underlying message of if they are told they can’t do something it is not to ruin their fun but because there is real danger. I also liked how it reinforced that they have to not only think of the safety of themselves but also the safety of their friends and colleagues.
Great example of how things are easier to achieve if they work together.
My Heart is Hurting by S. E. Reed, is a contemporary young adult novel and was the 14th place finalist in BBNYA 2024.
About BBNYA
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (16 in 2024) and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
My stop on the BBNYA blog tour to help celebrate the success of S. E. Reed takes the form of a book review:
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Title: My Heart is Hurting
Written by: S. E. Reed
Blurb
Jinny Buffett is lonely…
She’s never had the comfort of a white picket fence with a loving family. Her subsidized apartment in Hollywood Florida echoes with the void of her dead Daddy, and the nights drag long into twilight while her Mama works the block outside the Margaritaville resort.
It’s idealistic Ms. Fleming, who’s brave enough to come knocking first. She wants to see Jinny rise up and use her ace scores to escape the wheel of poverty, convincing Jinny to start a school book club, where she finds the friends and boyfriend she never knew she needed.
But when her Mama spirals out of control and threatens her entire existence, it’s Jinny’s Everglade ancestors who arrive in a mist of magic, bringing the swamp and hope with them.
Review
My Heart is Hurting is a compelling and fast-paced novel that immediately drew me in. The action starts from the very first page, and the book is well-written and well-edited, free from any distracting grammar or typo issues. The descriptions of the setting and supporting characters felt authentic and truly reflected the perspective of a young teenager.
One of the novel’s strengths is the engaging way it tells the story. The inclusion of different forms of communication, such as messages between friends, kept the pace lively and immersive. From the very start, we were inside Jinny’s head, experiencing her thoughts and emotions firsthand, which makes her a very vivid and relatable protagonist.
I found the chapter one heading particularly intriguing, immediately sparking my curiosity about what Jinny was being asked to do. I appreciated the question posed in the heading was clearly answered by the end of the chapter. While the plot initially seemed simple in that Jinny was asked by her teacher to start a club, it was engaging, with clear hints of the challenges ahead due to her circumstances and strong-willed personality. This set-up created a strong foundation for the story.
The introduction of mysterious spirit figures and Jinny’s dream added an intriguing supernatural element that kept me turning the pages. Jinny’s reactions and emotions felt authentic for her age, and I sympathized with her difficult family situation. However, by the halfway point, I found myself unsure whether her main goal was truly to communicate with her father, or if a deeper purpose would emerge. The idea of talking to her deceased father, which initially seemed important, faded into the background rather than remaining her clear driving force.
Jinny herself is a well-developed character, and her strong personality is instantly clear. The novel does an excellent job of showing how her family background has shaped her. She is both tough and vulnerable, making her a believable and emotionally engaging protagonist. Her struggles with accepting help felt particularly realistic, as I found myself both sympathizing with her and feeling frustrated in the same way an adult might when dealing with a headstrong teenager.
However, as the book progressed, the tone shifted quite dramatically. About three-quarters of the way through, the story took a much darker turn, which for me made it feel almost like a completely different book. While this unexpected change could be engaging for some readers, I found it a little jarring. Additionally, the ending required a significant amount of exposition to explain the twists, which left me feeling disconnected. Rather than allowing readers to piece things together through earlier clues, a lot of the explanation arrives all at once, which made the conclusion less satisfying.
While Jinny’s character remained strong throughout, her mother’s actions, especially moments like attempting to harm Jinny at the hospital, felt sudden and difficult to understand. At times, Jinny seemed to have little control over her circumstances, with events happening to her rather than her being the driving force behind the resolution.
I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of My Heart is Hurting, particularly the way it establishes Jinny’s character and her struggles. However, the latter half of the book left me feeling frustrated at times, which may have been the author’s intention. The ending, in particular, left me with lingering questions, as I didn’t feel a true sense of closure, or safety for Jinny.
Overall, My Heart is Hurting is an engaging and well-crafted novel with a strong protagonist and a compelling premise. While the tonal shift and ending left me wanting more clarity, it remains a thought-provoking read that explores deep emotions and complex relationships.
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You can read more reviews of My Heart is Hurting by S. E. Reed at:
The first in a brand new chapter book series, Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno by Tracy Curran and Steven Wood promises to be a dazzling premier, complete with a full cast of lovable characters. Fun, educational and action-packed, this is sure to be a family favourite.
My stop on the tour is a review:
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Title: Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno
Written by: Tracy Curran
Illustrated by: Steven wood
Published by:UClan Publishing
Blurb
When two young dragons accidentally set fire to The Witchy Wood, firefighting unicorn, Blaze, and her emergency vehicle, Quench, race to the scene. As they struggle to get everyone to safety and stop the flames from spreading, a witch called Jinx decides her magical abilities are exactly the help they need to stop the inferno. But Jinx’s magic only spells one thing…DISASTER. And soon the flames are raging towards a treehouse full of powerful potions. Can Blaze and Quench get everyone out before the whole of Witchy Wood goes up in smoke?
Review
Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno is an action-packed adventure perfect for young readers aged 5+. This is the first book in a magical new series set in The Sunshine Realm. Each story explores a different profession through the eyes of engaging, heroic characters.
In Dragon Inferno, we meet Blaze, a brave firefighting unicorn who leads a daring rescue mission when two playful dragons, Flare and Glimmer, accidentally set fire to The Witchy Wood. With the help of her sassy yet astute fire engine, Quench, Blaze races to save the witches and magical creatures trapped by the flames. However, not everything goes smoothly – especially when a well-meaning but clumsy witch named Jinx attempts to help, with chaotic results.
The book introduces a diverse and dynamic team, including an honorary unicorn – a zebra paramedic – and even a narwhal, because, after all, it has a horn too! Each character has their own unique strengths and flaws. Blaze, for instance, is kind and courageous but struggles with a fiery temper. Through their adventure, the characters demonstrate teamwork, quick thinking, and determination, all while teaching valuable lessons about safety, camaraderie, and inclusivity.
Young readers will also enjoy the fun extras in this book. A picture gallery at the start of the book introduces the unicorn crew and their vehicles, while a lively ‘Unicorn Rap’ helps bring their personalities to life. At the end, fascinating fire engine facts reinforce the educational aspects of the story.
Steve Wood’s exciting, full-colour illustrations bring The Sunshine Realm and its magical inhabitants to life, making this an engaging read for children who love adventure, fantasy, and firefighting heroes.
An enjoyable mix of action, humour, and learning, Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno is an inspiring read that encourages children to dream big while also teaching them important safety lessons. A fantastic start to what promises to be an exhilarating series.
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About the Author
Tracy Curran writes picture books, young fiction and funny middle-grade. She was a primary school teacher for sixteen years and is now a carer for her autistic daughter. At around the age of three, Tracy fell into a storybook and discovered a world of magic! As a result, you’ll now find her immersed in the pages of another imagined world or running along the beach, conjuring up her own stories.
Her pile of books is taller than she is! Tracy lives on the Cornish coast with her husband, three children, five rabbits, four chickens and one dog. Or visit her blog here: https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/
Steven Wood lives in North London and works from a little studio in his house. While most of his time is spent spying on the neighbourhood cats and trying to lure them into his house, he does love to doodle. When drawing, Steve’s main focus is always the cast of characters that brings life and movement to the picture.
He loves to emphasise subtle humour, taking influence from the adventure stories he loved as a child. Whether that’s tales of pirates and sunken treasure, cowboys, knights and dragons, or classic murder mystery stories, they all shape the pictures he loves to draw. When not working, Steve’s favourite hobby is stealing biscuits from his girlfriend and blaming the ‘house mouse’.
Careful What You Hear by Helen Dunlap Newton is a science fiction action-adventure, middle grade novel, aimed at the 10-15 age range and it is the sequel of Do You Hear What I Hear?Careful What You Hear is due for release next week, Tuesday 18th February 2025.
Blurb
After a surgical mix-up gave 13-year-old Noah Baker mind reading powers, he becomes a spy tasked with stopping the bad guys.
Ever since he accidentally got an experimental cochlear implant, Noah and his secret agent partner, Lena, have been going on secret missions for the government. Now, they’re in for a reward for all their hard work—Space Camp!
But all is not as it seems. When Noah accidentally overhears thoughts that reveal a plot to steal top secret plans from nearby Redstone Arsenal, he must make a choice.
My stop on the tour is an author interview with prize giveaway to win a $15 IndieBound e-book card, which is open to the United States only. To enter please read the Term and Conditions after the interview and then follow the Rafflecopter link below.
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Tell us a little about yourself and the inspiration for Careful What you Hear.
While working on the craft of writing through the years, I’ve heard hundreds of authors, editors, and agents speak at writing workshops and conferences. In the last fifteen years or so, there has been more and more discussion about writing stories with diverse characters. I realized there are all kinds of diversity. I wrote in the margin of my notes at one of those workshops—deaf boy with a cochlear implant. That was the beginning of the first book in the series, Do You Hear What I Hear?
At the end of the first book, I realized Noah and Lena’s adventures were just beginning and there needed to be a sequel – Careful What You Hear.
Talk us through your writing process.
I usually begin with a character and a situation. I give that character a name and age. From there, I build the plot by focusing on what my character’s problem is and how I want them to solve it or at least grow by the end of the book.
The setting is crucial in my writing process. As a veteran sixth grade teacher, I know kids. I know that their emotions and challenges are similar. Very simply, they want friends, their parents to be proud of them, and a place to belong. The setting of a story won’t change that, but it does change the situations they find themselves.
Then I START. Usually, I find where I started is not the best place to begin but that is easy to change. The important part is to START.
What are the underlying themes of Careful What you Hear?
Is there an aspect of writing for children you wish someone had told you when you started out?
Because of the years it has taken to learn the craft of writing for kids, I know there were things presented about the publishing world that I wasn’t ready to learn. The amount of marketing it takes to make a book successful has been a surprise to me. I knew I would need to speak and do author signings but there’s so much more than that. I heard speakers talk about this but it’s the kind of thing that didn’t soak in while I was still writing and trying to find a publisher who would give me a chance.
How did you develop your characters and develop their voices so children can identify with them?
Most of the time, my characters are not based on people I know but rather bits and pieces of everyone from my past and present. I am an empathetic person, and I work hard to identify with my character. How would I feel in the situation? Voice is a tricky thing but so important. A good writer makes the voices of their characters distinctive from one another. Those distinctions include word choice, attitudes, speech patterns, internal thoughts, and so
much more. I spend hours of thinking and writing to provide characters whose voices are unique from one another.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Yes, when I’m in the first draft and editing process of writing a book, I work best early in the morning. I only read what I worked on the day before, then work on from there.
Is there a particular place you like to write?
99% of my writing occurs on my laptop at the dining room table.
Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about your books and writing for children?
I love books and I love kids. Writing for kids is a great privilege. The only thing better than writing the books is talking to kids and adults about the books I’ve written and books by other authors. Kids ask the best questions.
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E-book Card Prize Giveaway Terms and Conditions
US entries welcome ONLY.
Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.
The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email.
If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner.
Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.
Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.
I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Award-winning author Helen Dunlap Newton is a veteran middle grade language arts teacher and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Both Night of the Amber Moon and Do You Hear What I Hear? were finalists for the Oklahoma Book Award and received the Creative Women of Oklahoma Award.
In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, music, and helping her husband care for backyard chickens and an energetic Australian shepherd in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
I am delighted to welcome you to my stop on the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2024 (BBNYA 2024)blog tour to celebrate the success of the 16th place finalist, Stuart White, and his brilliant debut YA novel, The Nameless, a fast-paced dystopian, science fiction, fantasy which will enthrall readers of The Hunger Games and Maze Runner.
Blurb
IN A NAMELESS WORLD, ONE HERO RISES BY DISCOVERING THEIR IDENTITY.
In a dystopian world dominated by genetic perfection and numbered gene pools, sixteen-year-old E820927, known as Seven, yearns for an identity beyond his assigned number.
To escape a life as a Nameless Exile, and become a citizen of the Realm, he must pass a loyalty test to prove his allegiance to the totalitarian Autokratōr.
But as the truth unfolds, Seven faces a difficult choice between revenge, love and discovering his identity.
Stuart White was also 7th place finalist in the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2023 (BBNYA 2023)with his middle grade novel, Ghosts of Mars, which was also extremely well-written and exciting. It is a fantasy, science fiction novel aimed at the 9+ age range and set twenty years in the future. You can see my interview with him about the writing of Ghosts of Mars on my blog here: Blog Tour – Ghosts of Mars by Stuart White.
About BBNYA
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (16 in 2024) and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
My stop on the BBNYA 2024 (in conjunction with The Write Reads) finallist blog tour takes the form of a book review.
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Review
Title: The Nameless
Written by: Stuart White
Published by:Penobi Press
The Nameless by Stuart White is a gripping, well-paced coming-of-age thriller, which captivates from the very first page. The novel is expertly written, seamlessly blending action, dialogue, and description. This compelling debut YA novel is the first of what I assume will be a trilogy. It features a futuristic, oppressive society with a focus on a teenage protagonist driven to discover his true identity.
The futuristic world is both believable and richly detailed without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary exposition. The premise is unique and excellently executed, drawing the reader in with its intriguing concept – the characters live in what can only be described as concentration camps where they are assigned numbers. They must pass tests to earn their name and designation in the totalitarian world. Tension and mystery are woven beautifully throughout the story, keeping the pages turning with carefully crafted rising and falling action, which keeps suspense high.
Seven, the protagonist, is a well-developed, goal-driven character. His short temper and deep loyalty to his friends are effectively shown through his actions rather than just being told to the reader. His relationships with Six and the emotional scene with his foster mother, in contrast to his feelings about Twelve and Smiler, add depth to Seven’s character and provide emotional stakes that enhance the storytelling. The emotional depth packed into every page was impressive, making The Nameless a novel that was impossible for me to put down.
This novel skillfully engages all the senses, including sound and smell, which adds an extra layer of realism. Information is seamlessly integrated into the narrative rather than being dumped all at once, allowing for a natural and compelling progression. While there is violence in the novel, it is relevant to the story and never feels gratuitous.
Overall, this is a fantastic, action-packed story with strong character development and an intriguing plot. For me, Stuart White has created an unforgettable reading experience which I beleive will keep readers hooked from start to finish and make an incrediable movie.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
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About the Author
Stuart is an award-winning author and secondary school teacher. He has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing and founded, and now runs, WriteMentor. In 2020 and 2022 he was placed on the SCWBI Undiscovered Voices longlist and named as an Hononary Mention for his novels ‘Ghosts of Mars’ and ‘Astra FireStar and the Ripples of Time’. In 2023, he won the WriteBlend award for his middle grade debut, Ghosts of Mars.
Stuart was included in The Bookseller’s 2021 list of Rising Stars in the publishing industry.
To read more reviews of The Nameless by Stuart White take a look at:
Today I am joining the blog tour for The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan.
I have previously joined two other blog tours for this brilliant book. For the first tour I reviewed the book and for the second tour I was lucky enough to have been able to interviewe A. Y. Chan about the writing of The Legendary Mo Seto and her inspiration.
The Legendary Mo Seto, is a well-paced adventure with plenty of dynamic action scenes that kept me turning the pages. One of my favourite scenes was when Mo loses focus during the tournament at the beginning of the book as her dad left in the middle of her fight. This scene was a great example of showing rather than telling the protagonist’s character.
The character arc has been artfully crafted in the way she learns to accept and even ‘love’ her short stature. It is believable and I would personally like to see Xiaoxi Fu in action. I hope it is as cool to watch as Martha’s dance fighting in the Jamanji (2017).
Written in first-person we are able to immediately identify with Mo from her love of Taekwondo to her hang-ups about her height. She is a fully-rounded character with a whole list of flaws, some of which I wish she’d learnt the hard-way that dishonesty does not pay. I enjoyed the friendship between Nacho and Mo but after it was pointed out to her how handsome he was, it made me cringe slightly that she started developing feelings for him. I would rather she felt jealousy about others showing an interest in her friends than start liking him more than a friend. Even so, the reader is able to empathise with Mo and appreciate her courage and loyalty. She most definitely has a stubborn determination to admire.
I also enjoyed the movie scenes with the vivid descriptions that immediately conjured up a realistic image of life on a movie set. It was good that the book highlighted the stress and drama behind the scenes as well as the gloss and glamour captured by the camera. The mystery around her father and what had happened to him was intriguing.
A great, excellently written middle-grade mystery with themes of identity and finding the best in yourself. Would be suitable for Key Stage Two and Three readers.
Today I am spotlighting How to be a Revolutionary by Lucy Ann Unwin, which was published by Uclan Publishing in November 2024.
Blurb
Find Your Passion. Build A Team. Change The World.
A General Election is looming. There’s a buzz and a tension and an exciting thrill in the air…
11-year-old Natalie knows something BIG is happening, especially in her house where people stream in and out with their glossy leaflets and red jackets – The Revolutionaries her Mum calls them. Nat wants to be a part of it, but if she can’t vote what can she do? And so starts her Revolutionary training…
It starts with a quest to the park to smile at 10 strangers and ends with chaos, 50 curious rats and a team of passionate kids inspiring their school to change the world – one small step at a time.
About the Author
Lucy Ann Unwin says of the book, “How To Be A Revolutionary is set in a local Labour Party campaign HQ during a general election, so I’m more than thrilled it’s coming out this year! I think it’s always exciting to be a young person in times of big political change — this general election will be a time they always remember. Hopefully, after the experience of the summer, readers might be ready to start launching campaigns of their own and I really hope this book can help inspire them to do that!
Lucy Ann Unwin worked as a music journalist at BBC 6 Music for 10 years, where she was privileged to interview the likes of Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Adele. Brought up in Birmingham, she lived for a year in the Chilean city of Valparaiso and for three years in San Francisco, where she tutored children and young adults in creative writing as part of the 826 Valencia writing programme, set up by Dave Eggers.
Now settled in Sussex, she divides her time between writing, editing and reading as much children’s fiction as she can. Her first Book, The Octopus, Dadu and Me, was shortlisted for multiple awards, including The Brilliant Book Award.
Praise for How To Be A Revolutionary:
‘A joyful, heartfelt story about the power of friendship and having the courage to stand up for what you believe in. Entertaining and empowering, it shows children how small changes can create waves in society’ Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries
‘Another gorgeously articulated and emotionally insightful book from Lucy Ann Unwin about real children dealing with real stuff. And the rats are super cute. Empowering and exciting, you won’t read a better guide to personal politics and elections.’ Jennifer Claessen, author of The October Witches
I LOVED this! It’s so funny, original, and different. A moving, poignant testimony to the power of sibling affection, and a gentle reminder that changing the world begins at home.’ Piu DasGupta, author of Secrets of the Snakestone
It is with great pleasure that I join the blog tour for the epic conclusion to the A Month of Magic trilogy, The December Witches, published by UClan Publishing. To celebrate the release of the final book in the trilogy author, Jennifer Cleassen, is here to tell us her winter reading suggestions .
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Jennifer’s Top Three Books For Cosying Up With This Winter
I find recommending books really hard because I massively overthink it and worry that I haven’t done the job of matching the person to the book perfectly! I’m not a librarian or bookseller and I maybe couldn’t handle the pressure!
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
I grew up on, and decided to become a writer inspired by!, the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman and there is so much of both chill and warmth in these books, they are the perfect winter read. The armoured bears of Svalbard were the coolest thing I’d ever read aged 11. I wanted to go on an icy adventure to the far north more than anything and when I went to Tromso in Norway for my 30th birthday, it was so magical, it was like something straight from the book.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
This one is the beginning of a trilogy for adults. (I do love a trilogy!) I love the folklore in this sumptuously set winter tale. There’s a slow burn romance which provides the warmth against the icy backdrop.
Little Spruce by Sital Gorasia Chapman and illustrated by Vicky Lommatzsch
This sparkly and inclusive picture book about belonging is ideal for early readers. My family have a tradition of doing ‘book advent’ every year. I made little brown paper packets for 25 books (so that we can reuse them every year too!) and put one under the Christmas tree for my children each day of advent. Some are classics which come out every year and sometimes I swap a few in so Little Spruce is the one I’m adding this year. I’m in awe of the art of picture book writing with so much story in so few words
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I would like to thank Jennifer for our fantastic suggestions. do you have any books you would like to read this winter? if so, please let me know in the comments below.
For more information about The December Witches by Jennifer Claessen here is the blurb:
Blurb
December is Clemmie Merlyn’s favourite month as it usually begins with birthday cake and gifts. But as she turns thirteen, it begins with a bang: Clemmie, and Clemmie alone amongst all witches, is full of magic. So full of magic she might not make it to the end of the month. As the snow spirals down, anxious Clemmie and the young hags will have to find some way to stop her exploding.
Because someone, or something, has chosen Clemmie and made her their One True Witch. But magic is meant to be shared and no-one can survive being filled to the brim with starry power. Can the Merlyn and Morgan covens finally take on the ancient twisted magic of their ancestors? And can they do it in time for Christmas?
I would like to thank Graeme and Uclan Publsihing for inviting me on this tour. Thank you.
To follow the rest of the tour please take a look at the schedule below:
My Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) 2024 semi-finalist spotlight for today is Time’s Orphan by Hayley Reese Chow.
About BBNYA and the Spotlight Tours
The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it to the semi-finals with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title.
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 16 finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
Time’s Orphan by Hayley Reese Chow is a 196 Page, young adult fantasy romance, publishedFebruary 8th, 2023.
Blurb
Speak of pain, and I’ll tell you of the Time who stole it away…
Besieged by war, ravaged by monsters, and crawling with the undead, the land of Okarria is dying. Seventeen-year-old Emara survives by using her modest healing gift to save as many as she can while eluding the invaders who thirst for her enchanted blood.
So when a cursed cat saves her life and reveals Emara is the legendary Time Heir the necromancer king’s been searching for, she agrees to act as bait in a plot to destroy him. But when the plan goes horrifically awry, Emara must discover how deep her powers go, what she can change…
And what she cannot.
About the Author
Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel’s Heirs and Into the Churn series. When not writing, her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All American fencer, ex-ultramarathoner, avid traveler, book inhaler, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.
To find Hayley’s other stories and see what she’s working on next, check out hayleyreesechow.com.
Another Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) 2024 semi-finalist and another spotlight tour. Today my potlight is for The Pretender by Katie Ward.
About BBNYA and the Spotlight Tours
The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is celebrating the books that made it to the semi-finals with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title.
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 16 finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.
The Pretender by Katie Ward is a 232 Page, Young Adult contemporary fiction, romance, whcih was published August 18th 2018.
Blurb
France, 2000: Two babies are born on the same day just two hours apart – but to very different lives. Isabella is a Princess and heir to the French throne, while Sophia is born into a life of poverty and abuse.
At the age of 18, Sophia runs away from home. That same night, Isabella is also fleeing from the burden of her royal life when she finds Sophia slumped at the Palace gates. Amazed by how alike they look, Isabella proposes a daring plot – to exchange their lives for one week.
The Pretender is an emotionally intense and compelling story of friendship, love and the strange power of destiny.
About the Author
Katie Ward always knew that she wanted to write for a living. After completing a degree in Journalism at the University for the Creative Arts, she moved to Dublin. While there, she had a short story published in an anthology titled ‘Do the Write Thing’ which was part of a competition being run by Irish TV show Seoige and O’Shea (the Irish equivalent of Richard and Judy!). The anthology reached the top 20 in the Irish Bestsellers List in 2007. Shortly after this, Katie was also shortlisted for a competition judged by Man Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle with an excerpt of her second novel Red Roses.
Katie returned to Devon where she continued to focus on her writing and in 2015 she began writing her debut novel, The Pretender, which became a top 30 bestseller on the Amazon Young Adult chart and was also awarded a BRAG medallion. Katie lives in Devon and aside from writing, she also loves to sing, dance and travel.
Much To Do About Writing 