~ BLOG TOUR STOP TWELVE WEEKS TO MIDNIGHT BLUE ~

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~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~

--  'TWELVE WEEKS TO MIDNIGHT BLUE'  --

AUTHOR STEVE SEARFOSS

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight +

Excerpt, Author Bio & Giveaway~

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Twelve Weeks To Midnight Blue by Steve Searfoss, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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ABOUT THE BOOK 

Title:  KidVenture Twelve Weeks To Midnight Blue 

Series:  KidVenture #1 

Author:  Steve Searfoss 

Publisher:  Independently Published 

Release Date:  Jan 26, 2020 

Genre:  Middle-Grade Fiction 

Chance Sterling launches a pool cleaning business over the summer. Join Chance as he looks for new customers, discovers how much to charge them, takes on a business partner, recruits an employee, deals with difficult clients, and figures out how to make a profit. He has twelve weeks to reach his goal. Will he make it? Only if he takes some chances. 

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the story. 

 

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EXCERPT: 

As I walked over, I practiced what I would say to get a new customer. May I interest you in our pool cleaning service? Do you need more than just a clean pool? Do you need reliability, promptness and peace of mind? How would you like to have a clean pool every week? There are clean pools, and then there are clean pools. Clean! Clean! Clean! And for the low, low price of $20.

When I got to the first house on the street I paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. No answer. This time I knocked more forcefully. Still no answer.

Ok, no problem. I moved on to the next house and knocked. No response. I knocked again. Still nothing. I knocked louder. Oh well, on to the next one. I knocked on the next door. Three times. No answer. Ok, so maybe this was going to be harder than I thought.

Five more doors and I finally got a response. A nice old lady opened the door and before I could get two words in she disappeared into her foyer and returned a couple minutes later and handed me some candy.

“You seem nice,” she said. “Have some candy.”
“I can clean your pool.”
“Oh you don’t need to do that,” she smiled. “I’m happy to give it to you. I keep a bowl of candy in my kitchen for guests. It’s leftover from Halloween. You’re welcome to have some.”
“I mean for $20.”
“You want me to give you $20?”
“Yes.”
She was horrified.
Oops. “No, no,” I said. “I don’t want $20. I mean, I do want $20.” I stammered. “But I don’t mean for you to just give me $20. I mean I will clean your pool for $20.”
She still looked confused.
“I’m grateful for the candy, Ma’am.”
“Oh, why didn’t you say so. I don’t have a pool.” She seemed relieved.
“Oh.” I smiled awkwardly. “Well, I’ll be going now. Thank you for the candy.” 

I sat on the curb and as I bit into one of the candy bars she gave me. I had to admit I wasn’t feeling great. They always made it look so easy in the movies. I thought for sure I’d have a new client by now. After all, I was a vendor now, not just a kid. I was offering a clean pool and peace of mind at a good price. 

After a few minutes of feeling sorry for myself I got back up and knocked on the next door. And the door after that. And the door after that one. And four more doors after that. Finally, someone answered. A pimply teenager wearing a backwards baseball cap.

I started telling him about my pool cleaning services when he said, “hold on a second”, pulled out his phone and start taking notes.
This is good, I thought. He’s really interested. I explained it’s a weekly service, he could pick the day and time and I would be there at that time to clean his pool.
“So it’s not just a clean pool, it’s peace of mind for the low, low price of $20.” The last part I sang like a jingle. Just like I’d heard on the radio.
“That’s really good,” he said.
“Awesome. So you’ll do it?”
“Oh no,” he said quickly. “I need some money this summer and this sounds like a good way to make some extra money.”
“Hey!” I shouted. “No fair! It’s my idea.”
“Cleaning pools is your idea?” he asked sarcastically.
“Yes!”
“No it’s not. Anyone can clean pools.”
“Not like this, not like I can.”
“Whatever dude.” He waved his hand dismissively.
“Yeah dude, whatever.” It was all I could think of saying and stormed off.

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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I wrote my first KidVenture book after years of making up stories to teach my kids about business and economics. Whenever they'd ask how something works or why things were a certain way, I would say, "Let's pretend you have a business that sells..." and off we'd go. What would start as a simple hypothetical to explain a concept would become an adventure spanning several days as my kids would come back with new questions which would spawn more plot twists. Rather than give them quick answers, I tried to create cliffhangers to get them to really think through an idea and make the experience as interactive as possible.

I try to bring that same spirit of fun, curiosity and challenge to each KidVenture book. That’s why every chapter ends with a dilemma and a set of questions. KidVenture books are fun for kids to read alone, and even more fun to read together and discuss. There are plenty of books where kids learn about being doctors and astronauts and firefighters. There are hardly any where they learn what it’s like to run small business. KidVenture is different. The companies the kids start are modest and simple, but the themes are serious and important. 

I’m an entrepreneur who has started a half dozen or so businesses and have had my share of failures. My dad was an entrepreneur and as a kid I used to love asking him about his business and learning the ins and outs of what to do and not do. Mistakes make the best stories — and the best lessons. I wanted to write a business book that was realistic, where you get to see the characters stumble and wander and reset, the way entrepreneurs do in real life. Unlike most books and movies where business is portrayed as easy, where all you need is one good idea and the desire to be successful, the characters in KidVenture find that every day brings new problems to solve. 

 

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CONNECT WITH STEVE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift card! (10) winners will receive a paperback copy of Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 25, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 1, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN/UK/AUSTRALIA only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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~ NEW RELEASE 'VALENTINE'S DAY TREAT BAGS & PARTY FAVORS FOR KIDS' ~

 ~  NEW SEWING PATTERN RELEASE FOR

'VALENTINE'S DAY TREAT BAGS & PARTY FAVORS FOR KIDS' ~

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🐧🐞🐻💟 ~ 'Valentine's Day Treat Bags & Party Favors for Kids' features 9 colorful and lovable Valentine's Day projects to make for children!

 

 🐧🐞🐻💟 ~ The nine different sewing projects include:

--Three different Treat Bags

--Bear Beanbag

 

--Puzzle Heart Beanbag

 

--Penguin Stuffed Animal

--Ladybug Stuffed Animal

--Two different Heart Balloon Bookmarks

 

🐧🐞🐻💟 ~ All of the patterns include the measurements in Imperial and Metric. Tips on how to work with felt are provided along with detailed cutting and sewing instructions.

 

🐧🐞🐻💟 ~ The book is now available on Amazon at:

https://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Treat-Favors-Sewing-Patterns-ebook/dp/B09R6TVL91/

All of my books are always free with Kindle Unlimited!

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Thank you!  😊

~ MMGM MAKING & TINKERING WITH STEM ~

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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY STEM FEATURE ~

--  'MAKING & TINKERING WITH STEM: 

SOLVING DESIGN CHALLENGES

WITH YOUNG CHILDREN'  --

AUTHOR CATE HEROMAN

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, 

Author Bio & Review~

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ABOUT THE BOOK {from Amazon}:

Tinker, make, engineer—solving problems from picture books . . . 

Can you build a sturdy house that is safe from the big, bad wolf?

Imagine your dream car. What special features does it have? What can you use to create it?

Teaching and learning STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is more accessible than ever before! Children will be inspired, delighted, and challenged as they use everyday materials and STEM concepts to design and build solutions to problems faced by characters in their favorite books. This practical, hands-on resource includes:

• 25 engineering design challenges appropriate for children ages 3–8;

 
• Suggestions for creating a makerspace environment where children can tinker with materials, use tools to make creations, and improve on their ideas;

• A list of 100 picture books that encourage STEM-rich exploration and learning;

 
• Questions and ideas for expanding children’s understanding of STEM concepts;

• A planning template so you can create your own design challenges;

 

Use engaging children’s books together with the guidance and ideas in this book to extend children’s problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from the Publisher's Website}:

Cate Heroman is an author, early childhood consultant, and volunteer education chair at Knock Knock Children’s Museum, a museum designed for children birth to age 8.

Cate Heroman devotes most of her time volunteering as the education chair of the Knock Knock Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A member of NAEYC since the 1980s, Cate loves helping children become successful learners. The current buzz surrounding Maker education is something that excites Cate, as she grew up in a household passionate about making and tinkering. She hopes to use this passion to bring making activities to the Knock Knock Children’s Museum. Cate’s proudest accomplishment is raising two amazing children who have grown up to be warm, nurturing parents to her four grandchildren.

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MY REVIEW:

This awesome book blends STEM activities and fine literature to inspire young learners to invent amazing things using their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Many of the children pictured in the book are young—like four or five years old. I was astonished by their knowledge at this young age.

Each challenge is built around a piece of literature. The chapter guides a teacher or parent through the process by listing elements of the challenge in order:  Let's Look at the Problem, Materials, Tinker with the Materials, STEM Concepts, The Design Challenge, Questions and Comments, Back to the Problem in the Book, Going Deeper, and Other Books to Use.

The photography is well-done—detailed, colorful, and enriching to the lesson. The Appendix includes a Design Challenge Planning Template, a list of Books and Materials for Design Challenges, and a Book List.

I wish this book had been available to educators during my long career in the classroom! I found this book to be inspiring and exciting.

Highly-recommended!

I borrowed this book from the local public library.

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Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.

 

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~ BLOG TOUR STOP AN ORPHAN'S HOPE ~

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 ~ TAKEOVER TOUR ~

--  'AN ORPHAN'S HOPE'  --

AUTHOR CHRISTINA MILLER

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight + Excerpt,

Author Bio & Giveaway~

  

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Welcome to the Takeover + Review Tour for An Orphan's Hope by Christina Miller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title:  An Orphan's Hope 

Series:  Natchez #2 

Author:  Christina Miller 

Publisher:  Love Inspired 

Release Date:  January 25, 2022 

Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christian 

He trusts her with his new daughter. 

But his wounded heart is another matter… 

Twice left at the altar, preacher Jase Armstrong avoids commitment at all costs—until he inherits his cousin’s three-day-old baby. Pushing him further out of his comfort zone is Erin Tucker, the nurse for his live-in octogenarian boss, and her lessons on caring for an infant. But can Jase open his heart enough to see the family forming around him? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub

 

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EXCERPT:

Sometimes, in the darkest nights when sleep wouldn’t come, Erin questioned her desire to run farther and farther from her childhood home in New York City, first to the Hamptons and then seeking adventure in faraway places. Would she never settle down? Would she merely drift from place to place for the rest of her life?

Most important at this moment, how did this sweet old home appeal to her more than the exciting life she’d lived the past three years? Maybe Rosewood’s atmosphere made her wish for permanence, with its historic house and century-old herbs and slightly quirky owner who’d probably been alive during the Second World War.

Did it do the same for Jase? As he handed her the lid for her tumbler, she wondered for the first time at his choice of a home. Sure, he managed the estate, and he performed weddings for Miss Fannie’s venue and looked after her. But that didn’t mean he had to live here.

Maybe he felt the same way about it as she did. Or had one of his secrets driven him here? She took a good look at Jase as he sipped his lemonade, suddenly wishing she understood him better. Did he plan to live at Rosewood indefinitely? Maybe he was Miss Fannie’s heir and would someday raise a family here.

She couldn’t guess his feelings about this home or his reasons for immersing himself in it. She knew only that she loved this old estate. And at that moment, if Erin didn’t know her wandering lifestyle kept her heart safe, she might never want to leave Rosewood.

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MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editor and author Christina Miller’s idea of a perfect day involves a white-sand beach, a stack of books, and a glass of sweet tea. Ten years ago, she decided to leave her job as an RN and become a writer and editor so she could read for a living—and sometimes even work on the beach.

Christina is a Bethany Global University graduate, pastor’s wife, worship leader, and author for Love Inspired, the Christian imprint of Harlequin. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her toes in the sand, you might catch her visiting an antebellum mansion, exploring a museum, or teaching at a women’s conference. Christina lives on her family farm with her husband of thirty-three years. 

 

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CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA: Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of An Orphan's Hope and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 19, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 26, 2021. 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. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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