Magical Elements of The Periodic Table, Book 2 ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Book Blitz Spotlight & Giveaway!

 

MAGICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PERIODIC TABLE

PRESENTED ALPHABETICALLY

BY THE ELEMENTAL DRAGONS

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table, Book 2

By Sybrina Durant

Children’s Picture Book / STEM / Chemistry

Publisher: Sybrina Publishing

Page Count: 44

Publication Date: March 9, 2024

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In this unique alphabet book, members of the Elemental Dragon Clan present 26 Magical Elements of the Periodic Table in alphabetical order. Each member of the clan has an element tipped tail. They also have magical powers based on the properties of their metals. There are no more perfect groups than unicorns and dragons to familiarize yourself with elements from the Periodic Table. Their theme is: "No Metal -- No Magic. . .and No Technology."

In this book, Antz starts out the book by introducing the very necessary metal, Antimony on his element page. Zora rounds out the alphabet by presenting scientific facts and other fun information about the metal, Zirconium, on her elemental page. In all, readers will get some great insight into the properties of 26 elements from the periodic table. Each page is full of amazing facts and tons of FUN. There's a Magical Elemental themed periodic table, too!

This unique book will help tweens, teens and anyone else quickly absorb the elements of the Periodic Table.

REMEMBER. . .

No Metal,

No Magic…

And No Technology.

It's Techno-Magical!

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Sybrina Durant is a unicorn author and entrepreneur. In addition to books, she offers unicorn-themed activities, t-shirts, and more. Plus, she has pulled together a collection of nearly all the unicorn books available today from hundreds of authors. They are categorized on her website by Little Kid, Middle Kid, and Teen Unicorn Books

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ONE WINNER

Signed paperback of Magical Elements of The Periodic Table, Book 2

and 24 x 36 poster of the Periodic Table

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This Familiar Heart: An Improbable Love Story ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Book Trailer & Spotlight!

THIS FAMILIAR HEART:

AN IMPROBABLE LOVE STORY

by

Babette Fraser Hale

Memoir / Relationships / Aging / Grief

Publisher: Winedale Publishing

Date of Publication: April 2, 2024

Number of Pages: 312 pages 

In this intimate rendering of a relationship, we learn how deceptive surface impressions can be.

Leon Hale, author of Bonney’s Place, was sixty years old, a “country boy” who wrote about rural Texans with humor and sensitivity in his popular column for The Houston Post and, later the Houston Chronicle. Babette Fraser at thirty-six was a child of privilege, a city girl educated abroad, struggling in her career while raising a young son. No one thought it could work.

Even Hale himself held serious doubts. But it did endure. The interior congruencies they discovered through a long and turbulent courtship knit them tightly together for the rest of his life.

And when he died during the Pandemic isolation period, searing levels of grief and doubt threatened Babette’s understanding of the partnership and marriage that had sustained her for forty years. Had he really been the person she thought he was? Had he kept secrets that would forever change her view of him?

In candid, evocative prose, she explores the distorted perceptions that often follow the death of a cherished spouse, and the loving resolution that allows life to go on.

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TAMU Press  *  Amazon  

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Babette Fraser Hale is the author of A Wall of Bright Dead Feathers, 2022 winner of the debut fiction award from the Texas Institute of Letters. Her stories have received notice from Best American Short Stories, 2015 and the Meyerson Award from Southwest Review. In addition to writing fiction, Babette has been a magazine feature writer, columnist, contributing editor, book editor, and publisher. She lives in Texas.

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A Beggar's Bargain ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Book Trailer and Giveaway!

 

A BEGGAR’S BARGAIN

The Bargainer Series, Book One

by

Jan Sikes

Historical Fiction / Literary Fiction

Publisher: Fresh Ink Group

Date of Publication: March 12, 2024

Number of Pages: 324 pages 

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A shocking proposal that changes everything

Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.

Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and for time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.

But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?

Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.

Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger.

If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.

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Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels.

Jan is an active blogger, a member of Story Empire, a devoted fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

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Two winners receive $20 Amazon gift cards;

Two winners receive eBook copies of A Beggar’s Bargain

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Shahrazad's Gift ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Notable Quotables & Giveaway!

SHAHRAZAD’S GIFT

by

Gretchen McCullough

Contemporary Fiction / Linked Short Stories / Humor

Publisher: Cune Press

Date of Publication: February 20, 2024

Number of Pages: 198 pages 

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Shahrazad’s Gift is a collection of linked short stories set in contemporary Cairo—magical, absurd and humorous. The author focuses on the off-beat, little-known stories, far from CNN news: a Swedish belly dancer who taps into the Oriental fantasies of her clientele; a Japanese woman studying Arabic, driven mad by the noise and chaos of the city; a frustrated Egyptian housewife who becomes obsessed by the activities of her Western gay neighbor; an American journalist who covered the civil war in Beirut who finds friendship with her Egyptian dentist. We also meet the two protagonists of McCullough's Confessions of a Knight Errant, before their escapades in that story.

These stories are told in the tradition of A Thousand and One Nights.

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Notable Quotables

from Shahrazad’s Gift

From the “Empty Flat Upstairs”

“I know that salacious, immoral things are happening in that flat,” Keiko told the bawab, the porter. (This was a good chance to use the old-fashioned Arabic vocabulary she was learning in her Arabic Linguistics class.)

*****

From a “Little Honey and a Little Sunlight”

Give me the skinny, doc,” I said, as if I were a real swashbuckler. Not the moment of reckoning, the last hurrah, the final goodbye, the diminishing hourglass. He was shining a slender flashlight, the size of a cigarillo, into my eyes. For a moment, I saw a wondrous rainbow. But when I blinked again, Dr. Ivanov’s violet blue eyes were scrutinizing me. Instead of my ratty blue jeans with the Grateful Dead patch over the bum, I was wearing a crinkled paper gown.

******

From “Taken Hostage by the Ugly Duck”

The day after Hoda was hit in the ear with a rotten egg thrown by her British neighbor, she adopted a blue heron. Complaining to her friends had not been enough, complaining to the landlord and the bawab had not been enough, complaining to her husband had not been enough. She had never suffered such humiliation! She had marched to the Friday bird market and bought the bird with the harshest call.

*****

From “The Charm”

With the two of us, the carpet slid out from underneath the bed. And there was Shushu. The wound from her breast operation had never healed, where she had torn out the stitches. Tiny black things were crawling all over her. “My God,” Sheri said, “Shushu is being eaten.”


*****

From “Ice”

“What I didn’t tell you. I was on Hezbollah’s Most Wanted List. Along with Robert Fisk.”

*****

From “Tiger”

I closed my eyes for a minute—I really needed to crash. My eyes felt grainy and I had a headache. When I opened them, I realized our taxi driver didn’t have any legs.

*****

From “On the Run: Part I”

I became a WANTED MAN. The Chronicle of Higher Education ran an article on me: “Professor Tanks Career over Contaminated Fish. Creates Dangerous New Water Computer Virus. Still Missing.”

*****

From “On the Run: Part II”

“The demonstration against the BIG MAN and HIS MEN has become violent,” Kharalombos said. “Anyone who disobeys the curfew will be shot.”

*****

Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey, and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories From Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli, was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. A collection of short stories about expatriate life in Cairo, Shahrazad’s Tooth, was also published by AFAQ in 2013. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo.

Website ◆ Goodreads

American University Faculty Webpage

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Two winners receive paperbacks.
One winner receives the eBook of Shahrazad’s Gift.
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Amethyst, The Shallows ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Pop-Up Blog-Hop Spotlight & Giveaway!

AMETHYST, THE 

SHALLOWS

by

Kellye Abernathy

YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Page Count: 296 pages

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

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"This is a night for being brave."

In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.

When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei's best friend, understands ocean magic but isn't free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America--all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend's lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth--a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

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Kellye Abernathy's passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

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Frowns and Gowns ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours Book Blitz, Review, & Giveaway!

 

FROWNS AND GOWNS

The Mischief Series, Book 5

By AMANDA M. THRASHER

Children’s Chapter Book / Fantasy / Fairies

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Page Count: 236

Publication Date: September 12, 2023

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Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!

Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster! Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.

Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they'll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss out on this enchanting tale!

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Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: Oh, my heart. Frowns and Gowns is the fifth book in Amanda M. Thrasher’s The Mischief Series, but it’s the first I’ve read, and I am hooked. Time spent between the pages is a perfectly sweet and magical place for young readers (and Mimis) to escape the real world for a while. Even though my oldest granddaughter is only four, I am already imagining her staying a week at Mimi’s and Granddad’s, and my reading this chapter book to her – one sparkly minute at a time.

What struck me was the respect and politeness the little fairlings show for each other and for the adult fairies and creatures in their lives. They mostly follow the rules (I’m looking at you, Boris and Jack), and they often think about the consequences of their actions and encounters with others. Reading Frowns and Gowns made me realize how much I value, and miss, thoughtfulness and consideration.

What terrific examples these young fairies set for readers. Sure, there’s mischief in the mix because that’s life, but it is fun and funny and delightfully descriptive. And the sweets! I could definitely relate to Boris and his affinity for the foods prepared for and presented to the fairies. I’ll have one (or six) of everything, please.

Jumping in so late in the series, there were definitely a few things that piqued my curiosity, so I must go back to the beginning to find out what’s so special about Lilly, why is the invisible Agent Chester assigned to her, and what kind of danger could there possibly be in this lovely mushroom patch (beyond the friendly, but stinky, moss ball attacks)?

The librarian in me appreciates that Thrasher stretches the vocabulary level so that young readers (or those absorbing the story through a read-aloud) are exposed to more robust word choices than the norm. Plus, there are so many talking points and scenes that can springboard into other activities. This series would be a great addition to any classroom or school library. (And Mimi’s library, too.) 

Award-winning author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England and moved to Texas, where she lives with her family. She writes YA, general fiction, middle grade, early reader chapter, and picture books. She is the founder and CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.

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TWO WINNERS

receive autographed, paperback sets

of all five books in The Mischief Series

+ $25 Starbucks gift card

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