Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions Written by Anthony J. Rapino and Anthony D. Grate Hosted by Children's Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Written by Anthony J. Rapino and Anthony D. Grate

Ages 10+ | 392 Pages

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 9781626349667

Publisher’s Book Summary: Sometimes our greatest moments of enlightenment come from our worst mistakes.

When life supplies eleven-year-old Tommy Grant with some unfavorable circumstances intruding on his otherwise tranquil life in rural 1980s Ohio, he retreats into the spell-binding Order of Cosmic Champions. When he discovers that the largely successful animated program and toy line is holding a nationwide ”Create-A-Character” contest where applicants submit their action figure designs, Tommy knows he has to enter as surely as he knows his own name.

But when Tommy’s character design fails to win the contest, he finds his world crumbling from all sides. And there is only one way he knows to fix it. What follows is a whirlwind coming-of-age adventure of righting wrongs, overcoming perilous obstacles, confronting our inner demons, and challenging the limits of reality. In this waxing nostalgic and imaginative fantasy, readers will discover what excitement lies waiting when you take risks and conquer your fears.

Only one question remains: In the final hour when you heed the call, the courage to give your all, will you stand or fall?

PURCHASE LINK

Amazo https://amzn.to/3A9mV4p n

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Anthony J. Rapino resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his cats Luna and Poe. When he’s not writing speculative fiction, Anthony can be found in the classroom teaching English or crouched in dark alleyways sculpting horrific autumnal creatures out of clay. His work has appeared in On Spec, Acapella Zoo, Black Ink Horror, Madhouse, Liminal Spaces, and others. His novel, Soundtrack to the End of the World, and the story collection, Greetings from Moon Hill, are both available now.

Anthony D. Grate lived through the ’80s, from ages six to sixteen, by surviving on steady doses of Masters of the Universe, Kool-Aid that he put way too much sugar in, and BarNones. Occasionally he put pencil to paper and created comic strips to entertain his friends. He dreamed of one day working for Marvel or DC. Once out of college, however, he found himself selling furniture. Life sure is funny.

After a few failed attempts to use a new thing called ”the internet” to find a nice lady to share life with, a nice lady found him. They married and soon found themselves raising four children together. Meanwhile, in his spare time, Anthony tried desperately to appease the creative spirit dwelling within him. Comic strips, websites, books, board games, interactive online games . . . you name it, he probably gave it a shot.

Nowadays, Anthony juggles the responsibilities of a husband, father, business owner, and creator pretty well—or at least he thinks so. He lives in the same quiet corner of Ohio that he always has, with no plans of changing that. The guy’s not much for change, which is probably why he still watches Masters of the Universe and eats too many BarNones. He did ditch the Kool-Aid, however.

OFFICIAL LINKS

https://www.orderofcosmicchampions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OOCCSocial

MY THOUGHTS

Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions is written by Anthony J. Rapino and Anthony D. Grate. This book is recommended for readers age 10 and up. My 11 year old son and I read this book and we both really enjoyed it. This book came at a perfect time, because my 11 year old started middle school this year. I loved the fact that this book was set in the 80's. It brought back some really great memories. (I mean, I turned 40 this year)

We meet Tommy. He finishes elementary school and is looking forward to summer and hanging out with his best friend, Evan. However, it seems that Evan is not as good as a friend as Tommy thought. Not only does Tommy lose his best friend, he is going thorugh a lot at home.

Then middle school starts. Tommy unfortunately does not get a clean break. We see bullying and hazing happen. My son and I had a nice long talk about this situation. He has been bullied and this brought up some memories for him. Tommy seems to use his comic friends and games to cope with life.

Overall, I thought the book was well written. Tommy is a realisitc character that middle grade readers can relate too. My son and I had some good conversation with this book. I loved that it was set back in the 80's. My son felt that was "foreign".

Thank you to the author, publisher and Children's book Review for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, Anthony J. Rapino, and Anthony D. Grate.

Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions
Virtual Book Tour Dates

Saturday, August 13, 2022
The Children’s Book Review
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Monday, August 15, 2022
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
An article by author Anthony J. Rapino

Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Life Is What It’s Called
An interview with author Anthony D. Grate

Wednesday, August 17, 2022
The Momma Spot
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Thursday, August 18, 2022
icefairy’s Treasure Chest
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Friday, August 19, 2022
Lisa’s Reading
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Monday, August 22, 2022
The Fairview Review
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Because I Said So
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
J.R.s Book Reviews
A book review of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

Thursday, August 25, 2022
The Children’s Book Review
An interview with author Anthony D. Grate

Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions
Book Giveaway

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Saturday, August 20, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway -Hidden Danger Author: Jerusha Agen On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Hidden Danger

Author: Jerusha Agen

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)

Release date: November 8, 2021

The greatest threat to this K-9 team is the one they don’t see coming.

Cora Isaksson’s guilt has shadowed her life ever since drugs ensnared her brother and he disappeared. When Bradley suddenly returns, Cora and her narcotics detection K-9 are thrust into a battle against the drug cartel that wants him back.

DEA Special Agent Kent Thomson has his own personal reasons for bringing justice to the cartel. Cora and her drug-sniffing K-9 will only get in his way. Or are they assets that will enable him to right the wrongs of the past?

When the cartel targets Cora, she and Kent join forces with her teammates at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency to end the cartel before it ends her. They’re prepared for danger, but when more lives than their own hang in the balance, can they trust God for the rescue that’s out of their reach?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner, but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

More from Jerusha

Hi, readers! Have you ever noticed how dog owners and their canines can seem to look alike? This tendency was illustrated hilariously in 101 Dalmations, the original animated movie. I had fun creating a similar match in my romantic suspense novel, Hidden Danger.

Hidden Danger features Cora Isaksson and her narcotics detection K-9 Jana who partner with a handsome DEA agent to take on a drug cartel targeting the Twin Cities and her brother’s life.

As the securities technologies specialist at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency, Cora is known by her teammates as the sweetest of them all. Her Christian witness comes through loud and clear as she lives it out daily. But she also has an uncanny ability to understand others and show empathy—a gift that enables her to persuade and influence even hardened criminals, at times.

Cora’s perfect match is Jana. A beautiful golden retriever, Jana matches her blonde human partner’s angelic appearance and personality. Whether searching for narcotics or meeting new people, Jana exhibits an obvious joy and gentle spirit. The sweet golden retriever also seems to share Cora’s intuition and can sense the emotional needs of people. Jana doesn’t hesitate to offer a soft head to stroke or just her calming, gentle presence whenever someone needs comfort.

While Cora came to my imagination for Hidden Danger mostly from scratch, Jana was inspired by a real-life model. Before I was born, my parents got their first dog as a newly-married couple—a golden retriever puppy they named Jana.

From day one, Jana was the most perfect dog imaginable. She instantly housetrained herself and was, according to my parents’ stories, a perfectly obedient and trainable pup. The only thing she ever did that was less than desirable was chew a hole in a wall. But considering that was prompted by fear when lightning struck a radio in the room where Jana was alone, one could hardly blame her for wanting to escape.

When my parents started having children, Jana remained the ideal dog. Gentle and sweet with everyone, including a passel of babies and toddlers, Jana was a calm and comforting presence in the lives of those who knew her.

I can’t recall any memories of Jana myself, as I was very young when she passed away. But I love looking at a photo my parents have, of Jana next to me when I was a baby in a cradle. Though I don’t remember her, she left a legacy that has deeply impacted my life.

Because of how wonderful she was, my parents continued to have golden retrievers, giving me the blessing of growing up with one of the best breeds in the world. These goldens showed me how special dogs are and the incredible gift it is to love and be loved by a dog. I thank God for bringing Jana into our lives because of the legacy she left. And I’m grateful for the chance to honor her in Hidden Danger.

My Thoughts

I have recently discovered Jerusha Agen through my network of book blogging. I read the first book in the series, and was thrilled to get to read the 2nd. Cora and Kent are amazing main characters of the story. Cora, an employee of the Phoenix K-9 Unit and her drug sniffing dog, Jana are at the airport looking for drug smugglers. When they are off duty, Jana alerts to a suitcase and before Cora can react, they are kidnapped by a member of the drug cartel. Kent a member of the DEA senses something is not right and has been investigating the cartel. Kent comes to Cora's rescue.

Kent is worried that all of this has compromised the investigation he has done into the cartel. He convinces Phoenix, Cora's boss to allow Cora and Jana to assist in some of the investigation. Kent wants to make sure that the cartel goes down. Cora has to learn to be brave, to be understanding and to be firm. Especially when it comes up that her brother, Bradley. Kent discovers that Bradley used to be part of the same cartel that is terrifying his sister.

The author will start this book out with action and suspense and she will not stop through the entire book. I stayed up way to late reading this book. I could not put it down. Cora and Jana are great characters. Jana is such a loyal K-9. Cora grows throughout the book. She sharpens her skills and it was enjoyable to see her grow. Kent who prefers to work alone, learns to work with a partner. I enjoyed seeing the Phoenix K9 women and I can't wait to read all of their stories.

I received a copy of this book through the author. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 20

Hallie Reads, August 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 22

Betti Mace, August 22

lakesidelivingsite, August 23

deb’s Book Review, August 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 26

For Him and My Family, August 27

Blogging With Carol, August 28

Mary Hake, August 28

Simple Harvest Reads, August 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Texas Book-aholic, August 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31

Inkwell Inspirations, August 31

CarpeDiem, September 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, one signed copy of Hidden Danger, and book swag!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/20e0b/hidden-danger-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway -Endangered Refuge Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Endangered Refuge

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release date: August 2, 2022

He wants to protect her. She wants to protect him. A powerful man with dark secrets may kill them both.

Undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Dallas Heath has infiltrated one of the largest big cat illegal trading rings in the States. Now he must unearth vital evidence to bring down kingpin Mitchell Avery before the next litter of cubs crosses state lines. Multiple failed attempts have cost Dallas time and progress, and now he’s threatened with being pulled off the case. The clock is ticking for this seasoned officer. It doesn’t help that a life which includes deception and being apart from the only woman he’s ever loved makes him doubt if undercover work is for him.

Special Agent Elyse Bradford has spent the last three months undercover living next door to Mitchell Avery posing as a woman of great means and vying for an invite to one of his big cat auctions, to which only the most serious and authenticated buyers are invited. If only she could confide in her best friend and fellow agent Dallas, maybe he could help her devise a plan before her cover is blown.

If they’d been assigned to work the case together, they’d have already brought Avery’s organization down. But Dallas is working undercover somewhere too. Since they can’t share the details of their missions or their locations with each other, the former partners—torn apart by assignments too many times—must find another way.

After a strange twist of events propels them together again, hope’s flame flickers…until word spreads of a mole—either in Avery’s organization or within the USFWS. And now neither one knows who to trust. Can they even trust each other when they’ve been apart for so many years?

On a backdrop of Mobile Bay on the Gulf coast, Dallas and Elyse fight to save endangered tigers, keep their covers intact and bring down an enemy whose reach is far beyond what anyone imagined. After tensions rise and tempers flare—coupled with lies and manipulation from all around—they could lose everything they’ve worked for. Including each other.

Will they succeed on their mission without ripping apart their shot at a future together?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sherri Wilson Johnson is an Inspirational Romance novelist and graphic designer. She lives in Georgia with her husband and their two dogs, and they are empty-nesters. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, curling up with a good book or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels all day and night.

Follow Sherri on Instagram and Facebook plus on Amazon and Bookbub. Find out more about her on her website: http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com

More from Sherri

For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with Bengal tigers. As a young girl, I even tried to adopt one. In actuality, the “Adopt a Tiger” call was a call to sponsor one in a zoo. Sadly, my family wasn’t financially able to do that, but my love for tigers continued until…well, I’ll let you know if it ever stops. I’ve jokingly said that I will own a captivatingly beautiful tiger with a precious pink nose when I get to heaven. It’s not at all impossible, right? I mean, if the lion and the lamb will be friends, surely my afterlife-self can own a tiger. I’ve put in a request, so we shall see. The fact that I’m allergic to cats won’t hinder me then either!

Every year when we go to the local State Fair, I always make sure I’m there at the right time to see the tiger show. For $5, you can feed them by putting a piece of meat on the end of a stick. You can’t actually pet them or anything like that, though. I became aware a few years ago of the abuse these amazing creatures go through just by being carted around from town to town, put on display, made to perform. And the “pet a cub” opportunities are more harmful to the babies than you can imagine. When they get too big for the petting zoo, what happens to them?

Out of my love for tigers, I began researching to find the answer to that question. Out of that came Endangered Refuge, a reunion romance filled with mystery and suspense. Many of you have probably heard of television shows that give you a behind-the-scenes look at big cat sanctuaries only to discover later that they are fronts for trafficking them and selling their parts on the black market.

Here is where my hero and heroine enter. Special Agents Dallas Carter and Elyse Bradford are both undercover with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services working to shut down a big cat trader. Best friends since college, their work often takes them to different places around the country, but their physical separation never seems to separate their hearts. When they run into each other on the secret mission, neither one knowing that the other has been assigned to the case, sparks fly. But they aren’t always good sparks. Because someone is killing to protect a secret, it’s up to the two agents, posing as socialite Vivian Chandler and cat handler Dakota Heath, to expose the person who exploits these amazing creatures, so all power struggles and personal opinions must be set aside.

This is book four in my Jeopardized Reunions series, which is set in the Mobile Bay area of Alabama. This particular story is set in two places on the bay, in the Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan area and on the Fish River, which separates Fairhope and Magnolia Springs (the setting of book three in the series, Unfortunate Homecoming).

I hope you will consider checking out Endangered Refuge and the other books in the series, all set on Mobile Bay and all written as standalones. The common thread? They are all reunion romances. So while my characters have a past that tore them apart, they have the promise of a future.

I’d love it of you’d follow me on social media and join my subscriber list. I’m always excited to hear from readers!

Places you can find out more about legitimate big cat sanctuaries:

Carolina Tiger Rescue: https://carolinatigerrescue.org

Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary: https://crownridgetigers.com

My Thoughts

Endangered Refuge is written by Sherri Wilson Johnson. This is a romantic suspense story. This is part of a series, I have not read the series, and I did not have any issues following along. I have read this author before. Her stories are always beautifully written. She will pull you in within the first few pages and you will not want the story to end. I also love that this is set in Mobile Bay, Alabama. I live in SE Alabama, so it was exciting to see it set close to home.

Undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Dallas Heath has infiltrated one of the largest big cat illegal trading rings in the States. He is close to getting pulled off the case since it seems like it is taking a long time to get anywhere. Special Agent Elyse Bradford has spent the last three months undercover living next door to Mitchell Avery posing as a woman of great means and vying for an invite to one of his big cat auctions. Elyse did not always seem to want to listen to her orders. She always seemed to get her self into harms way. Dallas is the opposite, he likes to stick to the rules, and do things by the book.

I thought the author did a good job researching illegal big cat trading rings. I learned a lot about them. The story had a great amount of suspense and action. I enjoyed this story. The characters are well written. Thank you the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.