Sunday, June 30, 2019

~ MMGM NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY S.T.E.A.M. BIOGRAPHY FEATURE ~
--  'NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM'  --
AUTHOR RINDA BEACH
ILLUSTRATOR COLE ROBERTS
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, Author &
Illustrator Bios, My Thoughts & Giveaway~


ABOUT THE BOOK:
Most people know that Neil Alden Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon, but very few know how it all started . . . with a dream to build his own wind tunnel.


Read how Neil’s love of planes took him from the Cleveland air races at age two to the Wright Brothers’ wind tunnel at age sixteen. Discover how Neil made his wind tunnel dream come true.

Read the back matter to find the facts behind this story. Continue on to build your own wind tunnel and conduct your own experiments so you can study the wind, just like Neil did.

FIND THE BOOK AT:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Rinda never planned to write. She was a second-grade teacher who read and told stories, till the night a bat visited her. The bat inspired her to write. She learned how to edit, thanks to SCBWI, writing classes, and critique partners. Rinda substitute teaches to stay connected to today’s kids. She uses her knowledge and imagination to write stories for them. Her website features a weekly blog and book review for kids. She is also the owner of Beach Girl Press.

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Website: http://www.rindabeach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinda.beach
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeachRinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rindajbeach/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rindabeach/

 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Cole Roberts is an Illustrator based in Nashville, Tennessee who loves creating artwork for children's publications. You can find more of his work by visiting www.coleswork.com
 

MY THOUGHTS:
I thought I knew a lot about Neil Armstrong from the other biographies I had read, movies I had seen, and the documentaries I had viewed -- but I didn't really know this brilliant American space pioneer at all until I read this biography by debut children's author, Rinda Beach!

The book opens with two-year-old Neil sitting on his father's shoulders at a 1932 airplane race in Cleveland, Ohio. That was the moment when Neil Armstrong's fascination with flying began, and his fascination never diminished.

In the summer before his senior year in high school Neil began designing his final project for his upcoming high school physics class. It was a wind tunnel. The book documents Neil's journey throughout the summer and the next school year as he works on designing, testing, adjusting, and fine-tuning his wind tunnel.

There is a lot of humorous dialogue between Neil and his younger brother, Dean, and their mother as Neil blows fuse after fuse in the Armstrong house while testing various versions of his wind tunnel. The witty banter and quick-pacing of this book were two things I really enjoyed as a reader.

At age eighteen, Neil became a Navy fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy. He flew seventy-eight missions in Korea during the Korean War. In 1952 he resigned from active duty, but remained in the Navy Reserves. He eventually graduated from Purdue University in 1955, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering.

In 1962, he was chosen for as a pilot engineer for NASA's space program. In March, 1966, Neil Armstrong was assigned to the Gemini 8 mission. Their objective was to orbit Earth for seventy-five hours. Eleven hours into the mission, the ship was spinning out of control. Able to keep his wits about him in this extremely stressful situation, Neil figured out how to get the ship back under control and returned to Earth safely.

In December, 1968, Neil Armstrong was named the Apollo 11 mission commander. He would be the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. The author includes many interesting facts about this mission.

The back matter in this book is extensive and is equally as interesting as the text. The author includes a detailed Author's Note and a section entitled, 'What's True', that gives a chapter-by-chapter rundown of each point in the text based on fact.

Ms. Beach includes instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Tunnel for Wind, Primary Version'. Instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Wind Tunnel, Advanced Version' follows. This version shows the author's wind tunnel. Lastly, is a section titled, 'Let's Use Your Wind Tunnel' wherein the author encourages students to make a prediction and record results for their own wind tunnels.

The back matter ends with a detailed Bibliography and list of Other Resources along with Acknowledgments and About the Author pages.

Highly-recommended for teachers; libraries; fans of US history, famous Americans, NASA and space history, engineering, S.T.E.A.M. education, biographies, twentieth century history, and astronomy.

I was granted access to a digital copy of this book for my own use. I was not compensated in any way for posting my thoughts here or on any other site.



                       🌑 🚀 🌟 GIVEAWAY! 🌟 🚀 🌑 
 Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon walk later this month, Author Rinda Beach is giving away one paperback copy of 'Neil Armstrong's Wind Tunnel Dream' to one lucky US resident! Enter the giveaway contest by completing the below Rafflecopter form.



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Friday, June 28, 2019

~ RES-Q TYLER STOP ON CLEAN INDIE READS WEBSITE ~


🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 
 
🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶  🐶 
 
MY MIDDLE-GRADE HISTORICAL
ADVENTURE NOVEL,
'RES-Q TYLER STOP',
HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE
CURATED LIST OF MIDDLE-GRADE
BOOKS ON THE 
'CLEAN INDIE READS' WEBSITE!


CHECK OUT THE POST AT:
RES-Q TYLER STOP ON CLEAN INDIE READS

🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱
 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢

Thank you for your interest in and support of my writing and blogging efforts! I truly appreciate all of your kind comments here and on Facebook.  
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Thursday, June 27, 2019

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE SUMMER BY THE TIDES ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
--  'SUMMER BY THE TIDES'  --
AUTHOR DENISE HUNTER 
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight,
Author Bio & Unique Guest Post
Shared by the Author~
 
 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK:



Title: Summer by the Tides
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Women's Fiction/Romance

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe's love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram's maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven--nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy's heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they've become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.


GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
 

*Eight little-known facts about this book:

1. Summer by the Tides is a stand alone story. Simply pick up the novel and get swept away to a small coastal town in North Carolina. No catching up, no cliffhangers, no waiting for the sequel. Just a satisfying all-in-one read. In fact, if you’ve never read one of my novels, this is a great place to start. 


2. Summer by the Tides is a beach read. It was named one of Southern Living‘s “25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer”. This story has all the necessary ingredients for a summer escape: coastal setting, swoonworthy romance, and long-buried secrets. So whether you’re enjoying a warm, sunny vacation or just curling up on your sofa, this story is sure to get you in the mood for summer.

3. Summer by the Tides pairs a restaurateur with the owner of a marina. Connor has lost his beloved wife, and Maddy has recently weathered a bitter betrayal. But sometimes love strikes when you least expect it. And though sparks fly between the pair, they each need to decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.

4. Summer by the Tides combines romance and woman’s fiction. NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods said, “Hunter writes with a deep understanding of complex family dynamics. A perfect blend of romance and women's fiction." When you read Summer by the Tides, you’ll get the best of both worlds, all while immersing yourself in an environment filled with lapping water and salt-laden breezes.

5. Summer by the Tides explores the complex relationship of sisterhood. An event that happened twenty years ago splintered the Monroe family and caused a rift between the three sisters. This is a heartwarming tale that explores the devastating consequences of family secrets and the healing power of forgiveness.

6. The original idea for Summer by the Tides came from my agent. When we were brainstorming for my next novel my agent suggested a beach story with sisters, and I loved the idea. Before I knew it there was a painful past that led to a years-long estrangement, a current family crisis, and a handsome next-door neighbor.

7. The town is Seahaven was inspired by Southport, NC. If you’ve seen “Safe Haven”, you’ve seen Southport. My husband and I travelled to the town to research my novel, and we fell in love with the little harbor town. I hope to go back someday.

8. Summer by the Harbor went through six drafts. And that’s before it was even turned in. After that it went through an editor, a line editor, three more author drafts, and subsequent proof readers. If there are still mistakes hanging around, it wasn’t for lack of effort! 


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


 


Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
 

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.

CONNECT WITH DENISE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

~ BLOG TOUR STOP CUPPA TROUBLE ~

~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
--  'A CUPPA TROUBLE'  --
AUTHOR ANGELA RUTH STRONG
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, Author
Bio, Excerpt & Giveaway~ 
 
 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Cuppa Trouble by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: A Cuppa Trouble 
Series: The CafFUNated Mysteries #2 
Author: Angela Ruth Strong  
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink 
Release Date: July 1, 2019  
Genre: Inspirational Cozy Mystery

Can a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drinks?

Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed.

An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.

Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.

EXCERPT -- THE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE SCENE:


“You kidnapped my business partner.”

Vic crossed his arms. “You do business with car thieves?”

“What? No. She sells tea. As bad as that may be, it’s hardly criminal.”

Metal smashed, glass cracked, and a taillight burst from the corner of Vic's vehicle. An ugly brown boot took its place.

“Tandy?” The muffled voice sounded like Marissa’s, but that couldn’t be her foot in the ugly brown boot.

“Oh fantastic.” Vic pointed the direction of the mess. “I caught her trying to steal a Jeep, and I made a citizen’s arrest to help the police. I didn’t realize she’d damage my car.”

What had Vic expected? He certainly couldn’t expect Tandy to believe his excuse. 

“She owns a Jeep. Maybe she got locked out and had to break in.” Tandy raised her voice so Marissa could hear. 

“Marissa, did you lock your keys in the Jeep again?”

The boot disappeared, and part of Marissa’s face filled the hole. “No!” Her response came with enough force that Tandy was a little scared of releasing her from the trunk.

Tandy shook her head at Vic. “There has to be a logical explanation for why she was breaking into a Jeep. You should have at least asked her what was going on rather than resort to kidnapping. That’s not how you make a citizen’s arrest.”

“Police lock criminals in the back of their cars. I was doing the same.” Vic lifted a shoulder, as if no responsibility rested there. “As soon as I let her out, you’ll see that she wasn’t using a coat hanger to get into her own vehicle. She has what’s known as a Relay Attack Unit designed to unlock cars without a key. Only a car thief would own such a thing.”

Now he was overtly lying. And Tandy would be able to prove it. Good thing he’d broken up with her last year. Otherwise she’d be dating a liar.

Sheriff Griffin sauntered from the police department. “What’s going on here, Tandy?”

Marissa banged against the inside of the trunk in response. “Griffin, get me out of here!”

Griffin’s hand rose to his holster.

Vic sidestepped farther behind his car as if he might need to duck from bullets.

Griffin pointed with his free hand at Marissa’s face in the hole. “Is someone in your trunk, sir?
“It’s me. Marissa.”

Griffin’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Let her out right now.”



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.  

CONNECT WITH ANGELA:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a "Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes" mug, "Drink Coffee & Do Good" sign (painted with coffee by author's cover designer), $25 Starbucks Gift Card & "Drink Coffee, and Read Books & Be Happy" tote.


Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 24, 2019, and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


 
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Monday, June 24, 2019

~ BLOG TOUR STOP CROSS MY HEART ~

~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
--  'CROSS MY HEART'  --
AUTHOR ROBIN LEE HATCHER
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, Author
Bio, Unique Guest Post & Giveaway~




Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Cross My Heart  
Series: Legacy of Faith #2 
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher  
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Release Date: June 25, 2019  
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Split Timeline

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Lee Hatcher 

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love.

Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®.

When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.


GUEST POST: 

Please share with us what types of research you performed regarding equine care and horse rescue organizations/facilities as you wrote or prepared to write this novel:

FROM THE AUTHOR: While I have always loved horses and have owned quite a few in my life, equine therapy and equine rescue were new topics for me to explore.


I read a number of wonderful books about equine therapy, in addition to doing lots of Internet research on various rescue organizations around the country. But my favorite research came from in-person visits. I spent a couple of hours at a local area equine therapy barn called Ride for Joy, a wonderful facility that provides riding programs for those with disabilities, including one specifically for veterans. And because my granddaughter has been involved in equine rescues, providing temporary housing to rescued horses before they find a forever home, I also went to see her and peppered her with lots of questions.

CONNECT WITH ROBIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive Book 1 & 2 of Robin Lee Hatcher's LEGACY OF FAITH series (US only) - Who I Am With You & Cross My Heart

Copy the following phrase to claim your bonus entries for this stop:

John 1:1 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Giveaway_CrossMyHeart_JR

Each host on the tour (excluding the launch pages) has a "timeless" verse or phrase for you to enter on the Rafflecopter form for bonus entries!

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 21, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

 

 
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~

~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~