The Pages Between Us by Lindsey Leavitt & Robin Mellom

Told in letters, posters, blog posts, homework assignments, and more, The Pages Between Us is a totally fun, totally earnest snapshot of middle grade friendship—and what it truly means to be there for someone during the ups, downs, and everything in between.

Piper and Olivia have been best friends since…well, forever. But they’re distressed to find that their new middle school schedules aren’t giving them enough together-time. Luckily, an idea sparks when Piper finds a cute, sparkly notebook to disguise as her “French Class” homework. It’s genius—now the two BFFs can stick together all the time. And document their adventures—you know, for anthropology’s sake.

But as the two navigate the tricky new world of sixth grade, they realize that they may need to branch out more than they originally thought. Their notebook, once a life raft, begins to feel like a big responsibility. Can they grow up, without growing apart?

“Leavitt and Mellom’s humorous and perceptive tale deftly explores the quandary of how to sustain a cherished friendship while nurturing individual growth.” –KIRKUS

“A cousin to Rachel Renée Russell’s “Dork Diaries”… this is a gentler version of middle school, as the girls support each other through familiar trials… will be enjoyed by strong readers eager to devour realistic fiction with a multimedia slant.” ~School Library Journal

Author Lindsey Leavitt

Lindsey Leavitt is a former elementary school teacher and present-day writer/mom/party animal (not to be confused with her spirit animal, which is a lion). She lives with her family in the Utah mountains.

Website

Author Robin Mellom

Robin has taught grades 5 through 8 and has a master’s degree in education. She lives with her husband and son on the Central Coast of California.

Website

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/28/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson

Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment.

But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar.

As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her.

***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***

Author Rachael Anderson

A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Website

Blog Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/25/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Alissia Roswell Series has a Pinterest board for each of the books. Check out quotes, clothing, and landscaping pictures, along with music videos selected for each novel. They’re a great addition to the stories and help you to go deeper into Alissia’s adventure. Just as each book is different, the Pinterest boards vary in their content. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Follow Author Tianna’s board Unexpected Metamorphosis on Pinterest.

Follow Author Tianna’s board Unexpected Entrapment on Pinterest.

Follow Author Tianna’s board Unexpected Peril on Pinterest.

Try to imagine it with me. Two exhausted mothers meeting up for a weekend in the mountains. No shows in town, except for a few live bands. We both had already visited the Biltmore Estate and were not in the mood for museums. Too cold for this southern girl to go hiking or paddle boarding, what were we to do?

Well, we savored lots of good food, indulged in a chocolate shop, and we visited Dobra Tea every day, where we sat in contented peace while downing pots of hot tea. We visited local book stores and shops, and we stocked up on homemade apple butter and fresh, stone ground grits. We went to bed late and slept in, just because we could. No commitments or distractions–we did whatever our hearts desired.

I even went to a sports bar and watched a football game for the first time. Well, I actually didn’t watch any of the game, but I didn’t complain or mention my hate for football that much. It seems my friend has taken a recent liking to the Panthers team and could not miss their game. All seats were taken, but they soon opened a reserved table and sat us with complete strangers. While my friend screamed at the many televisions–along with the rest of the bar–I read a book. I brought a large book about health food and pulled out my highlighter hoping people would think I was studying for school or something. (I was trying to blend.) It didn’t work, though. The waiter told me I was the only person he’s ever seen bring something to do during a football game.

This was a last-minute getaway. I don’t get to see my friend often, and we just seemed content spending time together. We could have easily just stayed in our hotel room reading books, and we’d still be happy. Although, as an author, I’d be content having a weekend alone in a hotel room just to write. It really doesn’t take much to make me happy. Hmm… hot tea, fair trade dark chocolate, and books. That’s called perfection 🙂

I always think of my third novel, Unexpected Peril, when I’m asked if I’ve ever suffered from writer’s block. Although the story was mostly in my head, I could not start writing it. I needed creatures to do certain things, but I had a problem designing those creatures. By designing, I mean coming up with where they lived, how they dressed, what they ate, and pretty much everything that makes a society.

The plot had been in my head for over a year before it came time to sit down and write it out. After a couple of weeks in the planning stage during summer break with my children at home, I finally took a hot bath and looked at art on Pinterest. One picture took me to another, and another, and another . . . By the time I stepped out of the tub, I had a private Pinterest board filled with swamp pictures and a fresh desire to start writing. Just like that, the block disappeared. I just needed to get my brain to start visualizing, and Pinterest is filled with pictures of almost everything.

Need research on a swamp? How about an ocean? Pinterest saved me and got my writing juices flowing again. I suggest keeping at least one private board and fill it with pictures that inspire your writing. Once your novel is out, you can move the pins to a public board to represent the book. You can check out my Unexpected Peril Pinterest board if you want.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and you’re settling into 2016. I’m back at my desk each morning and will be ending many of my days writing. Spring will soon be here, and I’m feeling the pressure with Unexpected Beginning. I’m waiting until I type out a certain scene before the designer begins on the cover. The cover reveal is tentatively scheduled for the beginning of March.

As for the second release of Unexpected Metamorphosis, I’m still waiting on feedback from my beta readers. I recently sent it to fourteen more readers and hope to hear from them soon. Most of my readers entertained guests over the holidays and have not had much time to read.

I’ve pulled back on marketing and social media and will continue to do so until the second release of Unexpected Metamorphosis. Right now, my focus is on finishing Unexpected Beginning and getting it ready for a June release.

Stay tuned for more updates, and you may want to check out my Facebook page. I often give hints into my day’s writing, and I always respond to my readers’ comments.