Think Outside the Box Blog Tour, Review, Author Interview and Giveaway

Wednesday, June 17, 2020



ABOUT THE BOOK


THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX


Written by Justine Avery
Illustrated by Liuba Syrotiuk

Publisher’s Synopsis: For the artist, the free thinker, the uniquely inventive individual in each of us, Think Outside the Box unlocks the key to applying creativity to daily life and turning any problem or worry inside out.

Designed to define out-of-the-box thinking for the youngest of us, this fun and unique illustrative journey reminds us all how simple and practical it can be to apply a new perspective to even the most daunting challenges.

Think Outside the Box is an at-home library must-have for any future idealist, instigator, activist, maverick, or mover and shaker—and every individual.

The book is available to purchase here.

For more information, visit www.justineavery.com, Twitter, and GoodReads.

Ages 4+ | Publisher: Suteki Creative | July 14, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1948124577


REVIEW

This book is extremely creative and unique. The illustrations are extremely eye-catching and engaging. I liked how the way that the book was illustrated coincided with the message of the book. The message helps kids realize the importance of thinking creatively, that it's okay to think differently and to use their imagination. This is a great book to help kids learn to be okay with using their imaginations, developing STEM skills and trying something new and different. I could see this book used in a classroom or home setting.



AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope children will gain the most from this story?

 

Justine Avery - I wanted to write Think Outside the Box to help explain creative thinking to the youngest audience possible. With the side benefit of being a reminder for all of us, at any age, of just how simple and easy it can be to think a bit more creatively, to consider options beyond the limitations we first see in front of us. "Thinking outside the box" seems to be a solution to so many things in daily life. Whether big or small situations, I want to encourage younger minds to adapt more creative thinking as a natural habit that would help preserve their original ideas and thinking well into adulthood.

 

Life Is What It's Called - Is the advice in the book reflective of your childhood? And if so, how?

 

Justine Avery - Unfortunately, no! I may have been "creative" in relying on my imagination to invent new games to entertain my younger brother and myself, but I didn't grow confident in "out of the box" thinking until much later in life! I wish I'd been encouraged to let my imagination run wild with problem-solving or voice differences of opinion and perspective much, much earlier. 

 

Life Is What It's Called - Can you give an example of a time when you thought outside of the box?

 

Justine Avery - The most significant leap of thinking outside the box for me was in realizing, in my late 20s, that I didn't have to remain on the standard corporate career track I was on. My dream of traveling the world and writing about my experiences didn't have to wait until "later." To make the realization become a reality, I had to make many creative decisions, take many jumps away from everything I was familiar and comfortable with and imagine a new career path and meaning for the word "work." 

 

Life Is What It's Called - How do you think this book can be applied in different settings, i.e., home, school, community?

 

Justine Avery - Think Outside the Box works from the inside (of the reader) out. It first describes what original, creative, imaginative thinking is in words and images. The ideas are introduced as simply as possible to make them feel as easy as possible, as doable as possible, for anyone. That ease helps develop comfort and confidence, instilling self-confidence in individual thinking. The book's ideas are purposely general and ambiguous, showing how any situation or decision can be solved by thinking outside the box, whether you're at home, in school, etc. They're fun, brilliantly illustrated examples sure to stick in kids' minds!  

 

Life Is What It's Called - What age readers do you see benefiting from this the most?

 

Justine Avery - As early as age four, young listeners and beginning readers will understand the concepts and how they're a bit different than the standard way of thinking. Through age 12, kids will appreciate the imaginative scenarios and clever illustrations and how the concept can be applied to the situations they encounter in daily life.

 

Life Is What It's Called - What's the most exciting and creative thing that you've done in your life?

 

Justine Avery - Hands down, my most exciting event was my most creative: leaving a job and financial security and a planned future for the complete unknown. I sold everything I owned and left my home country to travel the world solo, committed to finally allowing myself to pursue my dream "job" of writing while doing my favorite pastime: traveling.


GIVEAWAY


Enter for a chance to win a Think Outside the Box prize pack!


One (1) grand prize winner receives:

Ten (10) winners receive:

  • A hardcover copy of Think Outside the Box.

Ten (10) winners receive:

  • A paperback copy of Think Outside the Box.

Giveaway begins June 15, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends July 15, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.





Please note that I received a free pdf of the book to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review.

Flying in Love Blog Tour and Giveaway

Tuesday, June 16, 2020



Paige Hall’s happy ending may just be in sight. She has been dating her boyfriend for months and feels confident their relationship is going in the right direction—until she catches him kissing another woman. Humiliated and hurt, Paige retreats from the dating scene and pledges to never fall hard again as she throws herself into her work as a speech therapist. Her vow is upended in a grocery store parking lot when she is nearly run over by a handsome and very apologetic air force pilot.

Captain Jake Summers is everything a girl could dream of: charming, considerate, and hardworking. Despite Paige’s determination to avoid falling into another relationship, her resolve is no match for the whirlwind romance that ensues. When Jake is not flying, he and Paige are inseparable, and Paige begins to believe in happily ever afters again. But when the couple faces a heartrending loss, they must find strength in each other and in their faith or risk losing a once-in-a-lifetime love.

About the Author: Chalon Linton was first introduced to Jane Austen by a dear friend and now she can’t get enough of handsome men in tailcoats. Her intrigue in the genre stems from a nostalgic longing for manners, wit, and true love. Fortunately, Chalon found her dashing gentleman, married him, and now lives happily ever after in Southern California. Learn more here.

Review: The characters, Paige Hall and Jake Summers, create a lot of drama between themselves. Paige tries to protect herself from getting more hurt and be on-guard, but it holds her back and causes miscommunication and distrust. Jake Summers suffers from his own demons that he must overcome. The distrust and drama between the characters doesn't make it a relaxing read. It felt frustrating as a reader to read some of their immaturity and insecurities, but as the characters came together and found a strength in each other the characters become better to their family, friends, each other and themselves. I think that is the subtle beauty of this book that it pulls two struggling people together as one and the effects ripple into their other relationships. It also delves into human perception. I liked that the book also has a unique setting compared to most modern romances and stands apart in it's plot and characters. It's an interesting read. To learn more, click here.

Enter to win a copy of Flying in Love below.


Please note that I received an book for free, however, this is my honest opinion. Please also note that there are affiliate links in this post. The giveaway is run by the publisher.

A Change of Fortune, Blog Tour, Author Interview and Giveaway

Thursday, June 11, 2020


Law student Brooke Sherman leads an enviable life, with an impressive education, a prestigious internship, and an ambitious boyfriend who any girl on campus would love to date. But one phone call shatters everything: her father, the optimistic man who insists on buying lottery tickets and dreaming big, has terminal cancer. Desperate to get home and predictably unable to rely on her boyfriend, Brooke finds an unlikely hero in the form of her classmate.

Jason Ramsey has had a crush on his study partner Brooke for months, but he’d never encroach on someone else’s girlfriend—even if the guy doesn’t treat her the way she deserves. But when he learns of Brooke’s father’s diagnosis, Jason steps up to help however he can. In the weeks and months following, Jason is Brooke’s rock, and after Brooke’s breakup, Jason becomes much more than just a friend. But even as they plan for a future together, things get complicated: Brooke’s father had a dying wish, that his daughter buy one last lottery ticket. She never dreamed that fulfilling that wish would jeopardize a future with the man she loves.

Author Interview
 

Life Is What It's Called - Why did you decide to write a new contemporary romance novel vs. another action/spy thriller?

Traci Hunter Abramson - When I first started writing, contemporary romance was what I read the most. This particular story has been floating around in my head for literally decades, and it finally took shape a couple years ago.

 

The first contemporary romance I wrote, Chances Are, was a complete accident. Every time I tried to write a suspense scene, my sense of humor got in the way, and it turned into a romance. At that time I discovered a secret. When I need a fun break from suspense, or when I need to get a book out quickly without dealing with the CIA’s review process, writing a romance is a refreshing change.

 

Life Is What It's Called - How does the writing process of contemporary romance vs. action/spy thriller differ?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - The biggest differences are the pacing and the complexity of the plot. The pacing for a romance develops so much slower that I often have to rewrite my romances to get the timing down right. I also love that in a romance, I don’t have to juggle so many complex subplots as I do in my thrillers. Instead, I’m able to enjoy the characters without worrying someone may try to kill them.

 

Life Is What It's Called - What have you pulled into this story from your own life?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - The idea for a A Change of Fortune stems from spending my teenage years living with my dad after my parents split up. My father started buying a lottery ticket every week, and he would talk about all the things he would do when he won. Eight years ago, he passed away after a short battle with cancer, so I drew from my emotions from that experience, as well as from my dad’s earlier dreams, to create the main character’s father. Their small farm is also reminiscent of the little farm I lived on when I was a teenager, only I lived in small town Arizona rather than Delaware.

 

Paul, the godfather in the story, is based on my real godfather, who is also named Paul. A lot of my Uncle Sam’s wisdom and life lessons have also seeped into this book, right down to the Mickey Mouse watch my uncle wore to remind him not to let life get too serious.

 

Life Is What It's Called -  Are there more contemporary romances in your future?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - Absolutely. I have one which has already been accepted for publication next year, as well as a novella that will come out in the spring of 2021. I expect going forward, I will write two suspense/thrillers each year and one contemporary romance.

 

Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope fans will gain from this story?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - I hope people will enjoy riding along with me as they explore some of the life lessons and values that the important people in my life have shared with me over the years. Helping others, working hard to make your dreams come true, and always being true to yourself top the list.

 

Life Is What It's Called - How long does it take for you to write a book?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - That’s a loaded question. It can take me anywhere from a month to six months to write a book depending on how many projects I’m working on at the same time. My average is around two to three months.

 

Life Is What It's Called - What was your favorite scene from this book to write?

 

Traci Hunter Abramson - I think my favorite scene to write was actually the one when Jason comes home to his apartment and finds his roommate packing. It was a simple glimpse of college/graduate school life, and it was the scene where I discovered who Jason was and what he wanted in life.

 

When I first started writing, contemporary romance was what I read the most. This particular story has been floating around in my head for literally decades, and it finally took shape a couple years ago.

 

The first contemporary romance I wrote, Chances Are, was a complete accident. Every time I tried to write a suspense scene, my sense of humor got in the way, and it turned into a romance. At that time I discovered a secret. When I need a fun break from suspense, or when I need to get a book out quickly without dealing with the CIA’s review process, writing a romance is a refreshing change.

 

Review
A Change of Fortune was a fun summer read. I enjoyed the characters' blossoming romance. It was interesting to see how the different characters reacted to the idea of fortunes, greed, and money. The theme seemed to run rampant in the book and you could see it from many different viewpoints. The lottery topic was well researched. It was interesting to see how Brooke reacted to her change in fortune and how she had to take most of it on by herself. The romance was light and interesting. The only part that felt like a reach for me was how easy and fast it was for the characters to get a job with a law firm. The law firm didn't ask for a record of their grades or resumes. It seemed unrealistic to me. Otherwise, the book was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to contemporary romance fans. It's a clean, wholesome read. Learn more about A Change of Fortune by clicking here.


Enter to win a copy below and/or check out Covenant Communication's Instagram for a chance to win a copy of the book and other fun prizes by clicking here.




Please note that I received an book for free, however, this is my honest opinion. Please also note that there are affiliate links in this post. The giveaway is run by the publisher.
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