Leila Tualla: Mama, Author, & Advocate
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            News & Bookshelf

Book blitz Winner Takes All by Laurie Winter

1/26/2019

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This is my stop during the book blitz for Winner Takes All by Laurie Winter. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 21 till 27 January. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-winner-takes-all-by-laurie-winter

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Winner Takes All (Warriors of the Heart #4)

By Laurie Winter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 21 January 2019

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Blurb:
Storm Thompson wants to be anywhere but Liberty Ridge. Especially since his hometown also contains his childhood nemesis, Colleen Gardner. With a young daughter and mentally ill mother to care for, he struggles to simply make ends meet. Every day, his goal of owning an organic farm slips further out of reach.

Psychiatrist Colleen Gardner has her sights set on starting a retreat to help veterans suffering from PTSD. She's done well but her small town fundraisers just aren't enough.

"The Great American Scavenger Hunt" TV show offers a million-dollar prize, and Colleen and Storm are selected as competitors. Both resolve to do whatever is needed to win, even using the other to get ahead. Storm and Colleen compete to fund their dreams, but their already tattered relationship becomes more strained. Only one will win the money. But will love prove the ultimate prize?
​​

You can find Winner Takes All on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41210093-winner-takes-all

You can buy Winner Takes All here:
- Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6453-winner-takes-all.html
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Winner-Takes-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07L7FXVW1/

Previous books in the series:
- Home Field (Warriors of the Heart #1): https://www.amazon.com/Field-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B0719DXJL6/
- True Horizon (Warriors of the Heart #2): https://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Warriors-Heart-Laurie-Winter-ebook/dp/B076GZ4WVK/
- After All (Warriors of the Heart #3): https://www.amazon.com/After-All-Warriors-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B07BST4T8G/  ​

About the Author

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Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she's enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.





​You can find and contact Laurie Winter here:
- Website: https://lauriewinter.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieWinterAuthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriew_author
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3467635.Laurie_Winter
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Winter/e/B0719P553X
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LWinterauthor/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriewinter_author/


**GIVEAWAY**

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There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Winner Takes All. One winner will win a prize package (US Only). The prize package includes: a Tea, Books, Magic mug, a Romance Trope scented soy candle, and a $25 Amazon gift card.

​​For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

1/12/2019

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I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. 

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. 

"Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. 

~My Review~

I have so much to say and I still don't think it'll do this book justice. I got this from my local library and I will be purchasing this for my 6 year old to read in the future. Such a lovely read. I cried and laughed my way through this and ahh, just beautiful. 

My Rating: 5/5


About the Author:

​R. J. Palacio was born and raised in New York City. She attended the High School of Art and Design and the Parsons School of Design, where she majored in illustration with the hopes of someday following in the footsteps of her favorite childhood author-illustrators, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Maurice Sendak, and the D’Aulaires. She was a graphic designer and art director for many years before writing Wonder. We’re All Wonders, which is based conceptually on the themes of her novel, represents the fulfillment of her dream to write and illustrate her own picture book. R.J. is also the author of Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories and 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts. She lives in Brooklyn, where she is surrounded by magical water towers, with her husband, their two sons, and their two dogs, Bear and Beau. Learn more about her at rjpalacio.com or on Twitter at @RJPalacio.
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Review: The Witch doesn't burn in this one by Amanda Lovelace

1/8/2019

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The witch: supernaturally powerful, inscrutably independent, and now—indestructible. These moving, relatable poems encourage resilience and embolden women to take control of their own stories. Enemies try to judge, oppress, and marginalize her, but the witch doesn’t burn in this one.

~My Review~

I wasn't feeling this one, honestly. I loved her debut, "the princess saves herself in this one," and I was expecting the same level of slow build up into something like a powerful anthem mid-book, but it never got there, for me. This was almost rushed and jotted down thoughts that got turned into a book. I will say there were some poems that I was like, "ahh this one!" but those turned out to be few and far between. I still love her style and zeal but overall, this was a quick disheartening read. 

My Rating: 3/5


About the Author

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growing up a word-devourer & avid fairy tale lover, it was only natural that amanda lovelace began writing books of her own, & so she did. when she isn't reading or writing, she can be found waiting for pumpkin spice coffee to come back into season & binge-watching gilmore girls. (before you ask: team jess all the way). the lifelong poetess & storyteller currently lives in new jersey with her fiancé, their moody cat, & a combined book collection so large it will soon need its own home. she has her B.A. in english literature with a minor in sociology. the princess saves herself in this one is her debut poetry collection & the first book in the women are some kind of magic series. the second book in the series, the witch doesn't burn in this one, will be published in 2018.

her official website is amandalovelace.com.

you can also find her as ladybookmad on twitter, instagram, 

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    Book Pick:


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     I use Goodread's rating scale

    1 star – didn’t like it
     2 stars – it was OK
     3 stars – liked it
     4 stars – really liked it
     5 stars – it was so amazing, it's on my reread pile!

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Hi there! Here's a quick bio

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Leila Tualla is a Filipino-American poet and author based in Houston, Tx. Leila’s books include a YA contemporary romance called Letters to Lenora and a memoir/poetry collection called Storm of Hope: God, Preeclampsia, Depression and me. Her poetry is featured in several mental health anthologies and she is currently working on a poetry collection based on Asian American stereotypes and identifies. Her chapbook “pmdd & me,” will be out this Spring 2022. ​

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  • HOME
  • about me
  • Blog
  • News & bookshelf
    • Media
    • Books >
      • Letters to Lenora
      • Love, Defined
    • Poetry >
      • PMDD & me (poetry chapbook)
      • Storm of Hope
    • Anthologies >
      • The Sacred Feminine II
      • The Poetry Marathon 2021
      • Remnants of Home
      • Poetica II
  • ADVOCACY
    • RESOURCES for PMDD warriors >
      • IAPMD
    • Community resources for moms >
      • Pregnancy and Postpartum Support
      • 2020 Mom
      • Preeclampsia
      • Momma's Voices
      • Shades of Blue Project
  • Contact