I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SAGA OF THE SELENIXIES: COLLAPSE OF THE CRYSTAL FORTRESS by Kristie Ferrugiaro Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: SAGA OF THE SELENIXIES: COLLAPSE OF THE CRYSTAL FORTRESS

Author: Kristie Ferrugiaro

Pub. Date: March 11, 2024

Publisher: Inspired Girl Storybooks

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 192

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/SAGA-OF-THE-SELENIXIES 

With the Destruction of the ancient Crystal Fortress, the Selenixies were sent hurling through different worlds, losing their power and connection to one another. Dark forces are holding them back as they must complete seven trials to recharge themselves, reunite with each other, and regain trust in the Universe before it’s too late.

A fantastical tale about teamwork, friendship, resilience, and the trials we all go through to see if what we want is really worth fighting for, Saga of the Selenixies illustrates that we are most powerful when we empower each other.

 

 

Excerpt:

With the destruction of the ancient Crystal Fortress,  the Selenixies were sent hurling through different worlds,  losing their power and connection to one another.  Dark forces are holding them back as they must complete  seven trials to recharge themselves, reunite with each other,  and regain trust in the Universe before it’s too late. 

Prologue

 

The sun crests over the majestic mountains that protect the land of the Mystics. The sky shines  with symphonic shades of pink and purple with a  glowing orange ball in the center. It is the most magnificent morning Mystic Neoma has enjoyed in a long time.  She stretches her arms to the air in a deep V, lifting her  head to invite the sunrise to envelop her completely. Her  platinum blonde hair cascades down her back like waves  whispering to the wind that’s gently swirling through her  long locks. She takes deep breaths in through her nose  and out through the mouth as she appreciates the beauty  of the day that is unfolding before her. She reaches up to  

touch the sky, dancing her fingertips in the air. This is the most perfect time for her daily affirmations, and with this glorious daybreak she feels her day is  going to be just as spectacular. She sets her intentions for  a magnificent day, blows kisses to the sky, and bows her  head in thanks to the Universe.  

Mystic Neoma affirms, “I am ready to take on a new  day. I am full of love. Everything that is meant to be, will be. My heart is open. I attract beautiful things. I will be  present in every moment. I am safe and secure. The Uni verse is full of endless possibilities. I am grateful for my  

blessings. I am at peace with the Universe.” Still reeling from her amazing morning routine, Mys tic Neoma sits down with her optical lens in front of  her. To the ordinary person, the optical lens looks like a  crystal ball. But to the Mystics, it is the eye of the seer.  They can see what is going on in other lands.  Mystic Neoma’s optical lens is a glowing, perfectly  round orb set on top of a sculpted base, purple in color  with shimmering specs of gold. She closes her piercingly  purple eyes and takes a deep breath. With her left hand,  she swirls across the top of the crystal ball. The Mystics  are the only ones able to harness the power of the extraordinary lens. Others have tried, but anyone who is  not a Mystic sees only a clear glass sphere.  

Every morning, each of the five Mystics takes her turn  peering in the lens to check on her designated world. The  Mystics are able to see complete visions of those worlds:  the good, the bad, and the ugly. But unfortunately, the  lens has its limits too. It can see the present perfectly, but  the future can be cloudy because the future depends on  choices that are made in the present.  

Mystic Neoma recites over the lens: 

Spin, swirl  

Star shine twirl 

Moonlight, sunrays 

Clear eye, bright days  

Glittery sparkles and purple stardust swirl in the lens. 

Slowly, Lumina comes into focus.  

Mystic Neoma smiles softly. Lumina is the land of her  beloved Selenixies. She loves the Selenixies dearly. Every  one of the Mystics does. The Selenixies are the most special and protected throughout the Universe.  

Mystic Neoma considers herself the luckiest of all  the Mystics as the guardian of the Selenixies. She enjoys  peering into their world to check on them and their daily activities. Each one of the Selenixies is very special to  her. Each of them has unique qualities and characteristics that make them so interesting.  

And Lumina, all the creatures in all the lands in all  the worlds of the Universe love Lumina: the Mystics, the  Selenixies, the Mermaids, the Goblins, the Pirate Pixies,  the Giants, and the Helios. Lumina is the most beautiful  landscape you have ever seen. It used to be a barren land,  but ever since the Goddess Selene gifted the Crystal For 

tress to Lumina, flowers bloom all year round. The colors are spectacular, with the most vivid blooms of pinks,  purples, and reds all dancing together. The kelly green  trees reach for and unfold toward the sky, their branches  endless and their brilliant leaves lush. The mountains are  sharp and regal. The river runs ever so softly and stays  crystal clear. Birds sing the most glorious of songs. The  bees create the sweetest honey. All the woodland creatures live in the most perfect balance. Everything in this  world is in perfect harmony.  

Lumina is powered by an ancient power source,  which is a grid of crystals. There are two of each crystal.  Two Moonstones, two Sunstones, two Goldstones, two  Bloodstones, and two large Selenite veins that keep everything charged. The ancient power source is part of the  spectacular Crystal Fortress, which houses the most rare  and beautiful crystals. The fortress is a place where all the  Selenixies gather to celebrate every full moon. It is the  best place in the realm to enjoy the fullness of the moon,  and the Selenixies are total moon lovers.  

The fortress serves many purposes. It houses the Ancient Scrolls that are filled with the history of the realm,  offering the Selenixies detailed information of the past.  The Scrolls discuss things that worked in the past as well  as things that were disastrous. They are almost as important as the power source.  

The Selenixies have lived in Lumina for their entire  lives. In Lumina, there is no time. They work and play  simultaneously. They emerged from the rubble as what  humans would call “teenagers” and have never aged.  There is no stress and aside from some personality differences, very little to worry about. They feel completely  safe. They don’t even realize they can leave the realm if  they want to. But why would they leave? Nothing out  there is as amazingly beautiful as Lumina. They spend  their days picking flowers and herbs, collecting nuts and  honey, and preparing for their full moon celebrations.  Each has a job that complements the others, and they all  work happily.  

The Selenixies are completely unaware, however, that  there are always others trying to get into the land of Lu mina and that there are beings out there who are jealous of their beautiful existence. They want to take it for  themselves. There are constant threats, but the Selenixies  continue to live their best lives. The ancient crystal power source has always been so strong that it is almost impenetrable, though many have tried and failed. All of the Selenixies are living in perfect harmony in this beautiful  dimension.  

But today is different.

 

 

About Kristie Ferrugiaro:

Kristie Ferrugiaro, author of Saga of the Selenixies is a teacher, a fundraiser, and an entrepreneur. She has been teaching for the better part of 20 years, at multiple grade levels primarily in elementary through middle grade. Her creative side has led her to several business endeavors all rooted in celebrating life, from balloons and party planning to gourmet and custom gift baskets to now penning books that take readers on fun and fantastical journeys! However, her most important job is being a mom to her three boys as she coined herself a certified “chaos coordinator”.

You can always find Kristie at a football or lacrosse field cheering on her boys. She enjoys creating things to make people smile and loves to be surrounded by craft supplies, especially glitter. Her love of creativity inspired her to write about a world created through her overactive imagination. She has always enjoyed writing and has participated in several creative writing classes, and she has taught creative writing as well. She always encourages students to use their imagination.

The concept for Selenixies was created out of her love of all things girly and being the mom of three rough-and-tumble boys, there are very few things that are girlie in her house. Much of the story and characters are based on real-life events and people, including her student and her boys. The good, the bad and the ugly. many of the themes associated with the Saga of the Selenixies come straight from things that the boys have faced.

Kristie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication TV and Radio from Monmouth University. She is working on her Master’s in Education as well. She resides in sunny Florida with her family.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of SAGA OF THE SELENIXIES: COLLAPSE OF THE CRYSTAL FORTRESS, US Only.

Ends August 6th, midnight EST.

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the YOU CAN THROW A PARTY! by Jan Gniffke & Rebeca J Pintos Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: YOU CAN THROW A PARTY!

Author: Jan Gniffke & Rebeca J Pintos (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: April 16, 2024

Publisher: Brown Books Kids

Formats:  Hardcover

Pages: 32

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Bookshop

You’re Worth Celebrating!

This charming and vibrant book, You Can Throw a Party! conveys the importance of believing there is value in who are you and encourages celebrating YOU each and every day. From dressing up with your cat to having a party pretending it’s on Mars, Jan Gniffke inspires children everywhere to use their imagination and creativity to celebrate with others—whether they are people from your neighborhood, teachers at your school, or people in the community you might not know yet. Love yourself and share with others that they, too, are worth celebrating just the way they are! A perfect book for social and emotional learning activities, You Can Throw a Party! includes self-esteem-building questions that encourage creativity, inclusivity, and exploring what makes each of us special.

 

 

About Jan Gniffke:

Jan Gniffke is an artist and author who, like Peter Pan, has chosen to never grow up. She can often be found amongst her children’s book collection writing, painting or creating. Her furry companion Maggie, a Labradoodle rescue, is always by her side. She is known for her irresistible Monster Cookies that are highly coveted by friends and family. Jan is a wife and a mother of two grown children. Her faith and family are her foundation. She lives in Minnesota and has a heart for volunteering with nonprofit youth organizations in her community.

Website | Instagram | TikTok

 

About Rebeca J Pintos:

As a child, Rebeca J. Pintos used to paint the walls of her grandmother’s house and dreamed of traveling to fantastic worlds. Since then she has not stopped painting or traveling. Since 2010, she has been working for publishers and magazines as a freelance illustrator specializing in children’s literature. She also uses her drawings to collaborate with the campaigns of NGOs and international organizations. You can find her works published in various countries, mainly the United States. In order to preserve the white of the walls of her house, her grandmother taught her to sew. When she’s not drawing, she sews.

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a signed finished copy of YOU CAN THROW A PARTY!, US Only.

Ends August 6th, midnight EST.

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I am so excited that the paperback of THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book courtesy of A.Y. & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

About The Book:

Title: THE LEGENDARY MO SETO

Author: A.Y. Chan

Pub. Date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats:  Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-LEGENDARY-MO-SETO 

A fast-paced, high-kicking debut that’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung as a young taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help save her dreams—and her father.

Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter. Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately.

When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter her size. Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book of Joy.

The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother. Armed with these secret moves and an unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father, save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.

Reviews:

“Action-packed prose mimics the cinematic high-intensity atmosphere of a classic martial arts film, while Mo’s desire to connect with her father acts as a driving force in this adrenaline pumping series opener.” ― Publishers Weekly

“Chan has created a brave, athletic girl whose realistic struggles with her identity and what she’s capable of will resonate. Readers will find themselves rooting for Mo’s success and enthralled with the relatable characterization that fills the pages. An exciting mystery-adventure story that packs a punch.” ― Kirkus Reviews

 

Excerpt:

Book excerpt:

Chapter 1

I Am Fierce

 

I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over again. Fierce.

“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.

I snap my arms to my sides.

“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.

I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our heads.

I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.

It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or anything. I’m not.

“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a hailstorm.

Well, maybe I’m a little worried.

Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in the elbow.

Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking.

What would Cody Kwok do? My martial arts hero would never show any sign of weakness. And neither will I.

I quickly rearrange my face to neutral.

I kick and punch, and strike and shift. We volley back and forth, each landing some blows, blocking others. Dax’s heel smashes into my elbow, and I let out an involuntary shriek.

The whistle blows, twice this time. Finally Dax falls back. If I were refereeing, I’d give him a penalty. But all this ref says is, “Excessive force warning, Mr. Washington. Remember to use control.”

At least he gives Dax a You should know better look.

And Dax should know better. He’s been in my tae kwon do class twice a week, every week, since we were five. And now that we’re twelve and junior black belts, he really has no excuse.

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Dax smiles at the ref and bows his apology. He sounds sincere, but I know his phony voice.

And when the ref looks down to reset his scoring box, Dax pulls a Jekyll-and-Hyde, his smile turning into a sneer.

“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”

He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over me.

I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of air—hisss.

Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-nine, so I’m not holding my breath.

Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.

That’s three. Three tourneys.

Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really does matter to him. A lot.

It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Taekwondo Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll show Dax.

And—I glance at the bleachers—I’ll show Dad.

“Get him, Mouse.” Dad’s ringing voice reaches my ears. There he is in the front row, as usual, standing out in his bright red polo shirt, dancing his embarrassing dad-dance shuffle thing, hollering his nickname for me. Mouse. Short for “Mousey,” which is what I called myself back when pronouncing my name, Modesty, was impossible for a toddler. He’s been traveling a lot for work the past few months, but he promised he’d be here for my big tournament, and he is.

“Bop,” Dad yells. “Pow.” He throws what looks like an awkward boxer’s jab and nearly topples over onto my mom, sitting, prim and proper, in her flowery dress, clutching my squirming two-year-old brother, Justis. I wince, but I also can’t help smiling.

Dad’s a jokester. With his thick hair and round, clean-shaven face, he looks much younger than thirty-nine. He’s not a tall guy, but he’s broad shouldered with a bit of a belly, and he has a boomingly loud voice, so he tends to stand out.

He’s also my greatest fan.

The ref calls us to attention. “Score is tied. Next point wins. Clean strikes.” He looks pointedly at Dax. Dax scowls, but nods.

The spectators, the sounds, everything around me fades away. It’s just me and my opponent. I pound my gloves softly together like I’m giving them fist bumps. The leather is torn and indented from years of heavy use, but I would never dream of replacing them. Don’t let me down, old friends.

I need to attack first, attack fast, attack with everything I’ve got.

I’m fierce.

The ref drops his hand. Dax lunges at me straightaway, an eclipse blotting out the sun.

I leap to the side, avoiding a flurry of fists. My heart pounds into my rib cage. I launch a roundhouse combination kick, but Dax brushes it away. No points.

      Dax advances slowly and steadily, a snake stalking its prey. I stare into his eyes. A flicker to the left could give away a left axe kick a moment before it’s launched. Or a bead of sweat falling into his eye might divert attention long enough for me to attack.

      And there it is! Dax glances at something to his side.           

I’m just about to spring, when I hear it.

Frenzied music punctuated by a series of doggy yelps. I recognize it instantly. The theme song to my favorite Cody Kwok movie, Shih Tzu Ninjutsu. (What happens when the most feared ninja assassins in the world are actually a group of shih tzu puppies, and the only warrior skilled enough to outsmart them is severely allergic to dogs?)

Dad’s ringtone.

My foot freezes, and it all rushes back to me. The hundreds of people packed into the bleachers. The kiyahs from fighters in other matches. The sharp scent of sweat.

I turn slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad, phone against his ear. He says something to Mom before striding quickly to the nearest exit.

“Yaaaaaah,” Dax hollers, leaping into a push kick. The force sends me stumbling. I try to step around him, but he’s too big, too wide. He corners me, forcing me to the very edge of the ring. I have nowhere to go.

Fears.

My eyes flicker to Dad just as he walks through the gym door. He doesn’t look back.

What was that old Chinese proverb he used to say whenever I felt scared?

When backed against a wall, a tiger learns to fly.

Is Dad backed against a wall like I am now? Is that why he’s leaving? He promised he’d watch my fight. . . . Under my toes I feel the plastic tape outlining the ring.

Fly, Mo!

      But my feet remain rooted to the ground.

      The next thing I see is Dax’s fist tearing toward my face.

 

 

About A.Y. Chan:

A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

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Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads |  Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE LEGENDARY MO SETO, US Only.

Ends July 16th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway