Book Title: The Girl in the Gold Dress by Christine Paik Genre: Children's Fiction (Ages 6-10), 34 pages Categories: Children's Social Themes, Children's Picture Book | Family Multi-Generational Publisher: Imagilore Publishing Release date: April 23, 2021 Content Rating: G.
Book Description:
Hannah's Korean name literally means "Gold Dress," so why doesn't she want to be seen wearing her gold hanbok dress?
10-year-old Hannah is facing a big performance for her school's talent show. The trouble is, she's ashamed of her dress, the dance, even the music - they're too different, too Korean! What if everyone makes fun of her? Will Hannah be brave enough to perform, or will she run off stage like she did at rehearsal? First, she must learn about the gold dress she's wearing and its mysterious connection to her name and her family's past in Korea: starting with a desperate escape from war and a secret wish hidden for decades in an envelope. Can Hannah make that wish finally come true?
In this touching children's story that spans four generations, a Korean American girl overcomes her embarrassment of her
heritage to step forward with pride and share her culture with others.
Christine still remembers the butterflies in the pit of her stomach as she performed traditional Korean fan dances as a 12-year-old growing up in Southern California. She never dreamed that over 30 years later, she would be channeling her inner fan dancer to write Hannah’s story. Christine is a second generation Korean American wife and mother of two, living in San Diego.
Christine loves telling stories for a living, which started with a 15-year career in TV news and continues today in public relations. She is the winner of six news Emmys and multiple PR awards. Christine was always an avid reader, but wished there were more Asian American book characters she could relate to (besides Claudia Kishi from The Babysitter’s Club). So she decided to
create her own! Christine also enjoys singing karaoke, photography, and baking.
An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that brings a unique mix of psychotherapy and sign language and Coda culture. Just when you think you have it figured out, think again! Dr. Alicia Reese takes on a new patient. Lucas Ferro suffers with crippling anxiety, and as sessions progress, he begins to share the reasons why he's struggling. As Ferro's narrative becomes more menacing, Reese finds herself wedged between the cold hard frame of professional ethics and the integrity of personal truth. And, finally, when Ferro reveals his secrets, Reese learns how far she's willing to go, and how much she's willing to risk and willing to lose to do the right thing.
HALL
WAYS REVIEW: Audio book review: Because I always go there, I’m going to start
by saying I love the cover of The Ninth Session because it pairs so
nicely with a psychological-themed story, and both the cover and premise are
attention-grabbing. Also, because time for even reading with my ears is so hard
to come by these days, I love that this audio book has a running time of under
seven hours (less than 200 pages in print). Before I even read a word, I
already loved three things about the book.
Happily,
the book lovin’ continued as I listened to The Ninth Session unfold.
Reading/listening is akin to unpeeling an onion, layer by layer, but finding
out that the core could be rotten. Main character Alicia is a psychologist, and
author Deborah Serani uses the vehicle of Alicia’s therapy notes for readers to
not only get a great summary of events with patient Lucas Ferro, but we get
real insight and connection to Alicia. We are hearing her thoughts,
reflections, and feelings fresh off the sessions with Luke, but Alicia
integrates her patient observations and ones of herself. It’s clinical, but it’s
fascinating.
Readers
may be impatient with the humdrum details, but these are important because they underscore Alicia’s humdrum life. I kept looking at how much time was left in
the story because I knew something was coming and then BAM! It does. The
pace and plot escalate quickly from humdrum to HOLY COW level.
As much
as the novella-length book is perfect for my reading needs right now, I would
have liked more fleshed-out characters, some fine-tuning on plot, and a bit
more out of the ending. But don’t get me wrong: The Ninth Session is a
really satisfying story as it is. I just want more!
If you’re paying attention to loose threads,
you might figure out a major component of the big reveal – but there’s no way
you’ll predict the details of it. WOW! The Ninth Session has some unexpected
and delicious twists. I absolutely recommend it and look forward to this author’s
next book.
ABOUT
THE NARRATION: The author narrates her book, and she does it admirably. While
there aren’t truly distinct voices (she uses different pitches to voice the characters,
though), there is never any confusion between characters due to the writing in
the dialogue scenes. I really enjoyed the sound effects added in the scratching
of pen on paper as Alicia is taking notes in her office. I did bump up the
listening speed to 1.5x, but Serano’s pacing is steady, her diction clear. And
the quality of the recording was excellent. Without hesitation, I would listen
to her narrate another book.
Thank
you to the author and Audiobookworm Promotions for providing me an audio code
in exchange for my honest review – the only kind I give.
I received this audio book as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Deborah Serani. The gifting of this audio book did not affect my opinion of it.
Deborah Serani is an award-winning author, writing about psychological topics in many genres. She is a psychologist in practice over 30 years and a senior professor at Adelphi University. Dr. Serani has worked as a technical advisor for the NBC television show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - where a recurring character, Judge D. Serani, was named for her.
Publication Date: April 30th, 2021
Pages: 275
Categories: Sexy Romance
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for Giveaway!
Hollywood actress Ginger Lynn Harding is broke, unemployed,
and stuck in the glaring spotlight of a sex-tape scandal thanks to her lousy
ex-boyfriend. Changing her coveted ginger-colored hair to brown, Ginger heads
to small-town Magnolia, Texas, where she plans to hide out and wait tables at
the Cupcake Diner and Dive.
As a Magnolia constable and possible candidate for mayor,
Roland Karr prides himself on protecting the community. When he nabs a Lauren
Bacall look-alike for speeding, Roland is surprised that he lets the sassy
beauty off the hook, but he can’t help it. She looks like she could use a
break.
As Ginger settles into life in Magnolia, she can't stop
thinking about the handsome and debonair cop, but can she risk losing her heart
when she's lost everything else?
Ginger
Lynn Harding pressed the accelerator and opened the sunroof of the sporty red
car. The guy at the rental counter hadn’t recognized her as the star of Seducing Saturn, but he said he wanted to give her a free
upgrade because of her perfect smile. She didn’t have a lot to smile about, and
she sure didn’t feel glamorous any more since coloring her golden copper hair a
dull chestnut brown. Her symmetrical features and bright green eyes were still
the trademarks of Dallas Derringer, but her new look felt drab. She missed her
signature flame-colored hair that her mother named her for, but she didn’t miss
the name on her birth certificate. It sounded too much like a porn star. It was
unfortunate that some Olympic ice-skating chick back in the ‘90s had also attached
scandal to the name. So, for now, she preferred to go simply by Ginger.
Smiling as she
took the curves of the winding backroads that led to Magnolia, Ginger turned up
the jazzy Christmas music and let her hair down. It was only shoulder length
now since she had cut off a good twelve inches after she was fired from the
set. Seducing Saturn was axed after season two, and
it was all because of her. She cringed at the memory of the director’s harsh
words. He’d actually called her a “stupid bitch” in front of everyone. And
though his disrespect humiliated her and pissed her off, she felt like one. Why
had she ever trusted her ex-boyfriend, Kirk McNeil, who had gotten her into
this mess? He was a loser and a jerk, and even though she dumped him over a year
ago, he was still haunting her like the evil demon he’d played in Seducing Saturn’s pilot episode.
Ginger blew out a
sigh, trying to let go of her thoughts, but images of Kirk and the video that
leaked to the media wouldn’t release her. Thoughts of what could have been,
should have been, and “what ifs” made her miss the turn.
“In a quarter of a
mile, make a U-turn,” the navigation app nagged.
Ginger tapped her
phone, trying to silence it. “Maybe I wanted to take the scenic route,” she
complained out loud. Great, now she was talking to herself. It wouldn’t be the
first sign of her losing it. She’d been having a bad month. First, she lost her
acting career, then her new condo. Plus, she had to sell her car for less than
she owed to get out of the payments, which left her flat broke.
It was nice of her
cousin, Cecilia, to suggest a place to hide out until things cooled off and the
media forgot about the scandal. She really couldn’t face any more rag-magazine
reporters sitting on her doorstep and asking questions she didn’t want to hear,
let alone answer.
Celia had run into
a couple of issues herself. A few years back, she’d done some creative
accounting with the taxes for a women’s league she ran. Ginger hadn’t asked her
any questions because it was none of her business, and Ginger liked that Celia
did the same don’t-ask-don’t-tell routine for her. Celia had invited her to
hide out in Dallas at her parents’ home, but there was no way she could face
Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenda with all her baggage. The Lockwood side of the
family was uber-wealthy, and her mother’s brother was a stickler for social
standards and propriety. Besides, it would be impossible to stay under the
radar in the circles Celia ran in. People might recognize Ginger and talk about
her embarrassing past. Maybe she should amend that to embarrassing present,
since she couldn’t seem to put it behind her. When she mentioned her concerns,
Celia said she knew just the place. And now here Ginger was, stuck in Magnolia,
Texas. It looked like the middle of nowhere, but the map showed it was just
northwest of Houston. Perfect. She didn’t know a soul here, and
hopefully, no one would recognize her because of her new look.
Her cousin Hank
lived in The Heights, but he was a pompous ass. She hoped she didn’t have to
fall back on that branch of her father’s family for help.
“Continue straight
for one mile, then….” She punched at her phone again, trying to shut off the
volume. Red and blue lights flashed in her rearview mirror.
“Great, just
great,” Ginger complained as she pulled over.
Grabbing her
driver’s license from the Hertz envelope where she’d left it when picking up
the car, she rolled down the window and waited for the officer to approach.
Annoyed by the
five-minute wait and the blistering heat rolling into the vehicle, she tapped
her hands on the wheel. Without as much as a hello, she stared straight ahead
as she handed him the packet with her license visible on top.
The officer
cleared his throat. “Ma’am, are you aware why I stopped you?”
Ginger tried to
bite her tongue. She wanted to get this over with but being pulled over on top
of everything else she’d been through was the straw that broke the camel’s
back. “Driving too fast in a one-horse town?” She craned her head to the side
and arched a brow, though she realized he couldn’t see her snarky wit through
the dark-colored Tiffany sunglasses.
“Ma’am, can you
step out of the vehicle?”
Oh
shit. She
forgot she was in Texas. This guy was probably riding on a testosterone high
and didn’t like sass coming from a lady. Of course, this irked her, too. She
could say what she wanted. This was a free country, and besides going five
miles over the speed limit, she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Officer, I
object. I didn’t do anything to have to get out of the car. Should we call the
station to report this to your superior? I don’t think I feel safe with you
breathing down my neck and telling me what to do. Just give me the ticket, and
let’s get this over with.” Ginger reached for her cellphone in the console.
That earned her a
sharp, “Hands up where I can see them. Slowly remove yourself from the
vehicle.”
HALL WAYS BLOG: AUDIO BOOK REVIEW. I don’t typically read romance novels, and certainly not steamy ones, but from the cover to the setting to the premise -- not to mention all the fabulous reviews on this Lone Star Lit Book Blog Tour, I simply could not resist the pull of GINGERBREAD KISSES. When it released in audio, the deal was sealed.
But YOWZA! I had to switch from listening out loud and put on my headphones (and crank the air conditioner down) because author Minette Lauren isn't kidding when she named the series HOT IN MAGNOLIA. True story: my husband walked into my office and asked if I was listening to "that book" again, and when I asked why, he said, "Because your face is bright red."
“It was almost creepy how people waved and smiled all the time. It wasn’t that way in Dallas when she had been growing up. She guessed it was the small-town Texas thing.”
Heat level aside (did I mention it's smokin' hot? I got distracted...), this is a fun story with some great, memorable characters. I love the small-town vibe and how the women really rally around each other in times of need. And I love how the two main characters have a habit of throwing arched eyebrows at each other. And I love the bonus side stories involving animal escapades.
The dual narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke definitely added to the listening experience (and blushing factor). Each of them not only flawlessly performs their primary characters, but they also do well when they have to voice the opposite sex. And the author's choice to show the same scenes from two different perspectives worked perfectly with having the two narrators. (And made for some really amusing he says/she says interpretations of what was happening.) Absolutely no complaints.
There is much to love in this story, and only some minor "HUH?" moments with plot and character actions took me out of giving it a full five stars. I would recommend it for anyone who likes a steamy story, and I intend to go back and read the prior books in the series. (But I have a feeling, my husband will still be able to tell when I'm reading a HOT IN MAGNOLIA book. Red cheeks tell no lies.)
Minette Lauren is an award-winning author who loves animals and writes humorous romance in a small Texas town.
THREE WINNERS First place: Signed copies
of the Hot in Magnolia series books (prequel included) + $25 Amazon gift card Second place: Signed copies of all four books in the series Third place: Signed copy of Gingerbread Kisses
(Continental US residents only. Ends midnight, CDT, June 4, 2021)
Born the second of premature twins, Ilana knew she was different from a young age, but for all the wrong reasons. Part memoir, part motivational guide, this is Ilana's open and honest journey, from an angry confused child, knowing something was wrong, but not knowing what, to the 'real' her - a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, positivity, resilience and change.
I know what I deal with now and understand
my disability. Without the book I could never have had that.
Initially, I never thought about my book in
that way. I wanted and needed to know what was wrong with me and for me to be able
to piece my symptoms together for the first time. I knew I struggled with
certain elements of a disability. Having completed the book now, I have come
face to face with my disability for the first time, and that feels good. I also
have closure. Without the book and with my blog, I could never have achieved that
either.
So overall, writing the book has been a
cathartic experience, it has brought a knowing and understanding where I previously
had none. It has empowered me to want to do better and be better. I would like
my readers to take away the overriding message of positivity and that we very
much have the tools to change our lives where we think it is necessary.
More About Ilana Estelle:
Living with cerebral palsy is enormously difficult. But what if you never knew you had it? This is the incredible story of Ilana Estelle. Born the second of premature twins, an hour apart, from a young age Ilana knew she was different, but for all the wrong reasons.
A child of the '60s,
Ilana experienced first-hand the way that disability was: so often brushed under the carpet, not spoken about. Her constant physical and mental struggles made her feel isolated, alone, frustrated, and misunderstood… and it took 46 years for her to find out why. Part memoir, part motivational guide, Cerebral Palsy: A Story: Finding the Calm After The Storm is Ilana’s open and honest journey from an angry, confused child -- knowing something was wrong, not knowing what was wrong, what her disability was, or that there was a diagnosis -- to the real her: a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, positivity, resilience and change.
Publisher: Book Liftoff Publication Date: April 14th, 2021 Pages: 318 Pages Categories:
Sword & Sorcery / Magical Realism / Fantasy / Paranormal
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Intent on defeating the Dark Queen and destroying the Veil, Prince Tal and Alexandria arrive at Markingham to discover a city on the verge of collapse, its people starving, and children vanishing without a trace. Hopes of launching attacks from the city against the Dark Queen evaporate. To make matters worse, the tiny breach in the Veil allows only a trickle of soldiers and supplies to pass through.
Before the city’s defenses can be restored, the Baleful, a vast army composed of melded humans and animals led by a giant centaur, sweeps across the land like locusts, leaving nothing behind.
In the midst of turmoil and conflict, the love between Tal and Alex reaches white-hot intensity. But the leader of a ragtag militia group wants Tal for herself and will do anything to get him…even strike a bargain with a child-killing witch for a potion to make her irresistible.
Multi Award-Winning Author Michael Scott Clifton, a longtime public educator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, his books contain facets of all the genres he enjoys—action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch, The Open Portal (Book I in theConquest of the Veilseries), and Escape from Wheel (Book II), all received 5-Star reviews from the prestigious Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. The Open Portal has also been honored with a Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award. In addition, Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator earned a 2021 Feathered Quill Book Award Bronze Medal in the Teen Readers category. Two of his short stories have won Gold Medals, with Edges of Gray winning the Texas Authors Contest, and The End Game, winning the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary EducationMagazine.
Grand Prize: Signed copies of all three books in the Conquest of the Veil series + $15 Amazon Gift Card 2nd & 3rd Winners: eBooks of A Witch’s Brew. Ends midnight, CDT, May 28, 2021.
