Blog Tour: THE LOVE EQUATION by Meg Benjamin

THE LOVE EQUATION

by Meg Benjamin

 

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

They’re both unlucky in love. Can they find the equation for the perfect mate?

 

Celine Murphy has had it. Her current boyfriend has broken up with her by text. That makes three boyfriends who’ve turned out to be losers, including one who left for Antarctica. She’s decided to go for an online matchmaking service, but as a mathematician, she wants to minimize her own faulty choices and let an algorithm make the selection.

 

At the same time, musician Delaney Boone has come to Austin to mentor “the kid,” a popular actor turned musician. He’s also escaping a broken heart from a failed relationship, and he’s hoping Austin will provide some new possibilities. With those new possibilities in mind, he goes for an online dating service.

 

Fate—or math—matches these two unlikely lovers. But can they overcome their own doubts to accept another chance at romance? Maybe with the help of an unlikely cupid in the form of Celine’s grandfather, The Judge, and the matchmaking skills of some familiar faces in Konigsburg. And an unexpected dose of cedar fever. It’s Texas y’all.

 

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Excerpt Three:

 

She turned her gaze to the ceiling, where the sunlight had begun to creep across. She hadn’t really expected Delaney to stay over. At the same time, she hadn’t been upset when he had.

 

You need to think about this, about what it all means.

 

She knew she did, but she didn’t really want to think yet. Delaney was still a stranger, at least a bit. She didn’t even know where he was from before Nashville. Where had he gone to school?

 

Come off it, Celine. Worrying about what college he’d gone to after they’d had a bedroom marathon was ridiculous. Delaney had obviously spent a lot of time learning his craft, and given his profession, that was probably more important than four years in some music school somewhere.

 

But she still had the feeling he knew more about her than she did about him, and it made her a little uneasy. Was there a reason he was keeping his life story to himself?

 

“Good morning,” Delaney said, and she jumped, turning to look at him.

 

“Oh, hi.” She took a breath. “How are you?”

 

“Me?” His eyes widened slightly. “I’m fine. You?”

 

“I’m fine.”  She reached out to brush back the hair that had fallen across his forehead.

 

He gave her a slightly crooked smile. “I may want to use your shower.”

 

“Sure,” she said automatically. “Whatever you want. I can make some coffee.” She tried to remember what she had for breakfast. Except it was more like brunch.

 

Brunch!

 

“Oh, God,” she said. “It’s Sunday, isn’t it?”

 

He nodded, now more wary than amused. “Yeah.”

 

“I’m supposed to have brunch with the judge,” she blurted.

 

Delaney stared at her for a long moment. “Is that court ordered? And if so, what did you do to get that sentence?”

 

 

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Review: Celine, the mathematician, would find The One by rejecting the first 37% of her matches on a dating site and choosing the one right after it. It was all math, right? Who could go wrong with a love equation like that?

The Love Equation equaled to a musician named Delaney Boone. A mathematician and a musician. Mmm.

Celine was pretty much like a character right out of “The Big Bang Theory”—intelligent, quirky, and unique. Who would’ve thought that the musician would opt for a non-traditional activity such as bat watching? Actually, I’d want to go check out the bats, too.

Even though Celine didn’t really thing Delaney was The One, he did make her mind work and his physical attractiveness wasn’t bad either. Just like the gang on “The Big Bang Theory,” you can’t help but like these oddball characters. What I liked best was that they had a love of the minds. The math and the music lover actually had good conversation and things in common. Celine and Delaney had good chemistry—mentally and physically. You root for these characters all the way.

As they were both clearly falling for each other, Celine and Delaney each ponder and scrutinize the concept of love. What did it mean? How do you know when you find it? These characters eventually had to stop thinking and just feel what was in their hearts.

Witty, smart, and fun! A sweet and unconventional love story.

Rating: 5 stars

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Meg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance and cozy mysteries. Meg’s cozy mystery series, Luscious Delights from Wild Rose Press, concerns a jam-making sleuth based in the mythical small town of Shavano, Colorado. Her Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing and from Meg’s indie line). Along with romance and cozies, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix and the Folk trilogy from Meg’s indie line. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England  Romance Writers, the Carly Crown Jewel of Books from the Mid-America Romance Authors, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers.

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1/ (personal)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063609878239 (author)

 

Instagram: @meg_benjamin

 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@meg_benjamin

 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/meg-benjamin.bsky.social

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2869971.Meg_Benjamin

 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/meg-benjamin

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Meg-Benjamin/author/B0030F12FY?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@megbenjamin1396

 

Website: http://www.MegBenjamin.com/

 

 

 

Amazon buy link: https://bit.ly/3ZJNg4S

 

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Meg Benjamin will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

Blog Tour: EDWIN STEELSIDE by Bradford Bennett

EDWIN STEELSIDE

by Bradford Bennett

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GENRE: Literary Thriller

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BLURB:

Unsolvable murders, and innocent suspects. It's time to bring in Steelside.

The Final Scene

Two talented performers take center stage for a heart-wrenching love song. Their soaring voices deliver a dramatic aria for a scene that will never be surpassed. Or will it?

The Marathon Murder

Great human sports achievements fill our history books with superhuman feats. Then comes one runner to break all the records, plus anyone else in his way.

The Pharmacy Incident

Advancing the science of medicine gives us miracle cures for life-saving treatments. Now Ed is hired to look into their dark closets and finds—do we trust them too much?

There's Death in Texas

A deadly killer stalks the state of Texas, and no one knows he's coming except for fate and a crack detective. Now, Ed must find the path to stop one of the most deadly killers in North American history.

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Excerpt Two:

THE MARATHON MURDER

Andre was late. He rushed into the house, grabbed his TV remote, and clicked it on. A runner on a track appeared. “He’s on the final straightaway,” a frantic announcer shouted. “Only a hundred yards to the finish…sixty yards…forty yards…twenty yards… He’s crossed the tape!” 

The runner staggered to a stop, hands on his knees, gasping to catch his breath. A loud, cheering crowd soon drowned out the broadcast. 

“Attention, ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer returned, his voice echoing throughout the stadium. “I now have the official results.” The crowd finally quieted. 

“Hermando Montregalo has just broken the world’s marathon record by six minutes, forty-eight seconds!” A roar burst out from the stadium. The exhausted runner raised his arms in victory— cheering fans on the field swarmed around him in a frenzy of admiration. 

The camera cut to the announcer in the booth. “Still yet to appear on this final straightaway,” he went on, “is the now ex-world champion, Nigerian Ligajah Lambafa. He won’t reach this finish for another incredible six minutes!” The reporter removed his glasses and addressed the camera. 

“Sports fans!” he announced. “This astonishing record will shock the track and field world into disbelief. Today, we just witnessed an unbelievable human achievement.” 

Andre switched off the broadcast, threw the remote down, and stormed from the room.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Brad lives with his wife, Norrie, in Oliver, BC, Canada's wine capital in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Norrie loves visiting all the many grape wineries there. Alas, Brad can't drink wine; he's allergic to sulphates. "I don't like the damn stuff anyway," Brad says. "Just give me a good dark ale." He is a retired art director and designer, now writer. He has published three short stories, which have won placement in a book of short stories three years in a row. 

Brad was born in Oregon and grew up in the Willamette Valley. Later, as an adult, after art training, he spent fifteen years working in his own studio in Dallas, Texas. Brad then moved to Canada and worked for two major Canadian ad agencies as a creative art director. There, he ventured into working on TV ads—it was gruelling but fun. His client was Alberta's CP hotels, then he worked for a dairy, producing ice cream. A dream job for sure. Later, Brad opened his own freelance design studio. But he always wanted to write fiction stories. So, on retirement, he has written three books. 

This one, based on Ed Steelside, is his favourite. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50929359.Bradford_Bennett

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Bradford Bennett will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

Blog Tour: RJ'S ADVENTURES IN TEMECULA by Eva Legre-Zigre

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eva Legre Zigre will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

If you've had a chance to visit Temecula, California, you'd be one of many who have had the privilege of watching hot air balloons take flight during sunrise and descend at sunset, walking the grounds of one of the most beautiful rose gardens in California, and visiting a rare and noble tree that looks to have stood the test of time. You will find some of the most popular and heavily visited sights in Temecula, beautifully illustrated and captured in child-like conversation.

RJ’s Adventures in Temecula is a vibrantly colored board book featuring thirteen of Temecula’s most visited attractions. The illustrations jump off the page, offering children fun images to look at while learning more about Temecula, California’s historic sights.

Beware. Your child may ask to visit some of the attractions presented in this 20-page book, such as Professor Pennypickles' Workshop or the Sugarplum Zoo and Chocolates. Come visit for a week, but first, do your research and take this adventure around Temecula, California with RJ.

Read an Excerpt

Hello Friend!

My name is RJ.

Welcome to the beautiful and sunny city of Temecula. Today is a great day to show you around!

Are you ready for an exciting tour?

Review: Follow RJ as he visits all around Temecula. See the lake, the library, and the museum. The illustrations were so vibrant and lovely! On some, I felt like I was looking at pastel paintings. This book gives you a nice visit of Temecula. A good read!

Rating: 4 stars

About the Author

Eva Legre-Zigre is a children's book author passionate about writing stories that reflect the beauty of communities. Inspired by years of experience as a nanny and a volunteer teacher, she crafts engaging stories that encourage creativity and wonderment in children. Her passion for community, culture, and finding beautiful differences in various states throughout the country gives her the desire to share those unique and exciting places with children.

A resident of Temecula, California, known for its wineries, Mrs. Legre-Zigre was inspired by her own child to find and highlight family- and child-friendly attractions in her city. Some of these attractions are featured in her debut book.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorevalegre
Website: http://www.rjsadventures.com

Blog Tour: WHEN JUNE HAUNTS MAY by Celaine Charles

One visible spirit.

Two phantom thieves.

Three courageous friends.

When June Haunts May

The Haunting of Pinedale High #10

by Celaine Charles

Genre: Cozy YA Paranormal Ghost Story

June Brookes has haunted the library at Pinedale High for decades, without attention. Until one day, new sophomore, May Blakely, notices. Could this be June’s chance to cross over to the hereafter? If only she knew what needed to be finished from her old life.

Angsty May prefers solitude. Her deadbeat dad may have ditched her in this small town, but she has no interest befriending this strange girl, or the cute boy across the street.

June’s hereafter hustle goes haywire when two phantom soldiers plot to hijack her passage to peace, at the expense of hurting fellow students. June saves May’s life, igniting their joint efforts to protect the school. Can May help June to her happily ever afterlife?

  

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads

“Have you ever seen her in a class?”

What was he getting at? “We don’t have any classes together. But I don’t have any classes with you either.”

“Okay, so how about the fact that she was cold as ice when I touched her shoulder?”

The chills she’d sensed from June had felt like relief in the blazing sun, but she had noticed them. “What are you saying?”

Reid pulled her underneath a yellowing oak in an empty yard. Ignoring her look of annoyance, he glanced over his shoulders before whispering low and close to her ear. “Did you know Pinedale High is haunted?”

First the woods and now the whole school? May stepped back, hands up in feigned surrender. “Okay-okay, I get it. Prank the new kid. You know, I’m sorry I even thought about checking in on you. I don’t have time for this.” She about-faced and strode down the sidewalk without him.

“Wait, what? I’m not pranking you.” He caught up in only a few strides, his long legs veering her off to the side. “Please, hear me out.”

May’s mind flipped through any example of a high school boy wanting her to hear him out. This had to be a trick. “No, you listen to me. I’ve been the new girl far too many times than I care to count. And I get it. I’m easy prey…perhaps even a challenge.” She thumped him in his too-close-to-her chest. “But I’m not playing.”

“I think June’s a ghost. I’m not kidding or pranking you. And I need you to listen.”

Flashes of her strange interactions with her new friend…if she could even call her that…flickered through May’s mind. They’d only known each other for a couple of days, but she had sensed something off.

She turned away from him, trying to put everything together. Bouts of June’s chilliness, yes. But earlier, it had been strange how fast she’d flown down the spectator stands. Before that, she struggled to push open the main school doors.

May had attributed June’s glossy hollow eyes to the lighting, but maybe it was because of something else. She closed her own eyes for clarity, kicking her foot into the grass. Maybe allergies?

She tucked her hair behind her ear, running the strands between her fingers as more details registered. June’s peculiar way of speaking was odd, and her clothes that first day, like a blast from the past. She was still wearing her penny loafers…with pennies inside.

May dropped her backpack, shook her head at Reid, who was waiting for her to process. But her brain wasn’t cooperating. “Ghosts?” The word spat off her tongue like she’d swallowed a flick of her cat’s tail.

“I know I sound insane. I’m not. I promise.” He glimpsed her with creamy brown eyes. They were the color of Great-Grandma’s sweet tea, and she was overheating inside and out, ready for a tall glass.

“Is this why you’ve been crying at the pond during lunch?”

“What?” His face scrunched, cheeks burning past the eighty-degree temperature outside to a brighter shade of full-blown embarrassment. “No. I mean—I’m not crying at the pond. What are you talking about?”

“What are you talking about?”

They stood at an impasse, shock etching along both their eyebrows and drawn lips. Her mind raced for something to say, and if she had to guess, he was in the same boat.

Don’t miss the rest of the Haunting of Pinedale High books!

Find them on Amazon

Celaine Charles lives in the enchanted Pacific Northwest, teaching elementary school by day and writing by the stars at night. She’s an award-winning, multi-genre author who balances her dual life creating poetry, fantasy, and contemporary romance shorts, while blogging about her journey on Steps in Between. In addition, she’s embarking on the world of children’s picture books.

She’s published collections of poetry through Egret Lake Books and Palmetto Publishing Group, and fiction through The Wild Rose Press and Eliza Storm Books.

Celaine is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Storyteller Academy, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and reads poetry regularly with the Museum of Northwest Art, Writing’s on the Wall series.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter the When June Haunts May Giveaway Here

Review: GOOSEBUMPS: GHOST CAMP by R.L. Stine

 

Welcome to camp! Well, there was nobody at camp to welcome you. An empty camp? It was almost like a ghost camp. And the other kids were even weirder. Who sticks their hand in the fire?

 

At first, it all seemed like the kids were playing tricks on the newcomers with the howling, stabbing, and falling heads. Turns out though that the kids really were ghosts—dead spirits. Yikes!

 

Will Harry and his brother make it out of camp alive? A great read by the master of horror.

 

Rating: 4 stars