Blog Tour with Giveaway: Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things by Betsy Aldredge and Carrie DuBois-Shaw

Book info:

-->

Title: SASQUATCH, LOVE, AND OTHER IMAGINARY THINGS

Author: Betsy Aldredge and Carrie DuBois-Shaw

Pub. Date: August 8, 2017

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 272

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads  

Synopsis:

-->

Pride and Prejudice meets Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot in this humorous and heartfelt debut about a loving, quirky family on the hunt for the mythical Sasquatch.

                  
Hunting for monsters was never so awkward. 

It’s bad enough that Samantha’s parents, charter members of the Northern Ohio Bigfoot Society, have dragged their daughter around forever, hunting for yetis. But now they’re doing it on national TV, and worse, in front of an aristocratic prep-school crew including a boy who disdains Samantha’s family.

But when he scorns her humble Ohio roots, she becomes determined to take him down. As they go to war, their friction and attraction almost distract them from the hint that Sasquatch may actually be out there somewhere…  

Excerpt:

-->

Chapter One

“Sasquatch: a hairy human-like creature, most often spotted in the northwestern United States and Canada. The animal, which can be up to 10 feet tall, is also called Bigfoot.”

—The Big Guide to Bigfoot, published by the International Association of Sasquatch Enthusiasts

On a good day, my parents were just mildly embarrassing. The day the camera crew came to our house was not a good day.

I squinted at the bright lights illuminating our dingy living room, and turned to my older sister, Sophie. “Hunting Bigfoot in private isn’t bad enough?” I whispered. “Now Mom and Dad have to humiliate us on national television?”

Sophie shrugged. “You’ve been complaining for weeks. It’s time to suck it up.”

Colin, the producer of a new TV show called Myth Gnomers, stood behind our scratched-up coffee table shooting pre-interviews with my parents, me, and my two sisters. The awful title of this lousy reality show should’ve served as an obvious warning we were about to do something ridiculous, but nope, it sure didn’t.

Instead of running like hell, all five of us were squished together on our stained, saggy brown couch, smiles frozen in place. At least our butts hid the holes in the upholstery.

“Checking. Checking one, two. Your mics should all be on now.” Colin peered over the camera at my parents’ matching neon green shirts that read “Ohio is Bigfoot Country.”

My mom’s smile tightened. She glared and gestured at me until I put on a Northern Ohio Bigfoot Society hat like my sisters. Each Sasquatch club designed their own logo. My tacky-ass trucker cap had a cartoon footprint and a motto on it in Latin—which probably translated to “We have nothing better to do.”

I pulled the brim over my eyes and slumped down, wishing I could join the pennies and crumbs hiding in the dark crevices of the sofa.  

About the Authors:

--> Betsy is a former magazine editor turned communications professional who avoids math at all costs. Therefore, she’s held a series of artsy jobs at Opera News, Museums Magazine, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, where she tried to remember everything she learned in Hebrew school. She now works at Purchase College, SUNY, where she is inspired daily by the cool and creative students and professors. She lives and works in New York.  

-->

Carrie is an arts administrator and has worked for world-renowned organizations such as San Francisco Ballet, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the New Victory Theater. She is a passionate advocate for high quality performing arts for children and has written two plays for young audiences, which were produced and performed throughout

New York City. She currently lives in San Francisco.

 








Website | Betsy’s Twitter | Carrie’s Twitter  

Giveaway:

--> 1 winner will receive a finished copy of SASQUATCH, LOVE, AND OTHER IMAGINARY THINGS and swag. US only.      a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/31/2017- Swoony Boys Podcast- Interview

8/1/2017- Book Princess Reviews- Review

8/2/2017- Wandering Bark Books- Guest Post

8/3/2017- Savings in Seconds- Review

8/4/2017- Such a Novel Idea- Interview

Week Two:

8/7/2017- YA and Wine- Review

8/8/2017- Novel Novice- Guest Post

8/9/2017- Nerdophiles- Review

8/10/2017- Lisa Loves Literature- Excerpt

8/11/2017- Bibliobakes- Review   

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Characters Who I Would Totally Want To Be For Halloween

Top Ten Tuesday is sponsored by The Broke and The Bookish.  This should be a fun week.  I'm going to post a picture of the book and what I think the character would look like or did look like in a movie/tv show if available.

1.  Clary from The Mortal Instruments Series

My hair is more the color of the movie star, minus the very heavy eyebrows. But I'd want more the book cover color of hair, I love that red!

2.  Katniss  from The Hunger Games


Especially that awesome girl on fire dress!!

3.  America from The Selection series, in either the blue dress on the cover of the first book, or her wedding dress on the 3rd book cover.


Maybe not practical for a Halloween costume, but so beautiful!

4.  Alyssa from Splintered

#39 by sueycide featuring a straw hat

I've included an outfit posted by the author on her Pinterest page for the character.

5.  Katerina from the Katerina series by Robin Bridges

-->

I love the fancy dress on the 2nd book, but the outfit on the first book, while kind of vague looking in the picture, does have a hat which helps show that she is from Russia.

6.  Bella from Twilight

-->

I loved the dress that she wore to her birthday party in the New Moon movie.  And they sold it at Hot Topic that year!  So I did actually wear that one year, although not for Halloween, for a wedding I think.  :-)

7.  Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice

-->

First, because who doesn't want their own Mr. Darcy?  Although he is kind of an ass.  But the dresses would be fun to wear!  For a costume that is.

8.  Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind

-->

 So hard to pick just one, as they were all so beautiful!  But I'll go with this one.

9.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer

-->

Buffy the Vampire Slayer by tizzy-potts featuring a black cotton top

Technically the movie and tv series came before any books, but that's okay, there are a ton of books for the show now.  And I'd go with her red leather pants and black top.  Well, if I wouldn't look like someone had stuffed two sausages into some pants. 

10.  Sookie Stackhouse from Dead Until Dark or True Blood TV series

I completely forgot that I had this t-shirt from when I visited the HBO store in NYC my very first time I visited my sister there.  Hmm.  Now I just have to find the apron, and figure out what kind of shorts to wear.  And what to do about blond hair?  A wig?  Make a quick appointment with my hair dresser? 

If the Sookie outfit doesn't work, I'll go back to my Star Trek uniform for my costume this Friday night.  So, what about you, what characters would you, or are you maybe going to dress up like for Halloween this year, or maybe you have in the past?

My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White

I was so pleased to get to be a part of the blog tour for this book, so thanks to I Am a Reader for allowing me to participate.  I hadn't read many of what I call "chick lit" books in awhile, and this seemed like a cute one to read.
The main character is Elizabeth.  And she fell in love with Mr. Darcy when she saw Pride and Prejudice when she was in high school.  Ever since then she has been searching for her own Mr. Darcy.  And in this book it isn't just how he behaves, she actual is looking for someone who looks like the actor who plays him in the 2005 movie.  See below:

Of course thinking that she was in high school in that year, while I was in my 30's, let's just skip over that part.  We get to learn about each of the guys she did date, or have a crush on, etc. throughout the book.  But we do learn that she hasn't really dated much since she really and truly began judging all guys based on this.  She never gave guys more than one date because she didn't want to string them along when she knew they weren't the one because of these qualifications.  This continues until one day her best friend makes her promise to give the latest guy, Chad, a chance.  He's a teacher, and he makes her laugh, and she feels very comfortable with him.  So she promises to go on at least 10 dates with him.  She feels bad because she is sure he can't be the one, but doesn't back out of the deal.  Until, well, until she meets Matt.  Matt is the owner of a local bookstore, and not only does he look like Elizabeth, Lizzie's Mr. Darcy, but he acts a lot like him as well.  Very aloof, plus he comes from a wealthy family, so he is not sure his mother will approve of her.  For awhile Elizabeth continues dating both.  Until the day one of them says he loves her, then she knows that is who she should be with.
But honestly?  Will she choose correctly?  Will her "Mr. Darcy" turn out to be like the one in the book, the one that does really love Lizzie?  Or is Chad, a normal, down to earth guy, more what will fit in her life?

This was a pretty quick, predictable story.  Easy to read, and fun to read.  My disappointment only came in something I can't tell you because it would be a spoiler.  I definitely recommend this for a fun read.  If you're a fan of Austenland, or even the actual Austen books, you will probably have fun with this book.

While you're here, make sure to sign up below for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Own Mr. Darcy Book Blast

My Own Mr. Darcy After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough. Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Amazon Kindle

Author Karey White Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.  

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Tour Schedule

    BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 10/4/13   Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Austenland by Shannon Hale

So I guess I'm glad my sister in NYC ran out of things to read and called or texted and asked me for some ideas of books to get, because she bought Austenland and so I got to read her copy and loved it!  I'd wanted to read it for awhile.  Especially since I saw the ads for the movie.

After having read the book, I would say that the part of Miss Charming must have been written with actress Jennifer Coolidge in mind, because she fits exactly what the character is in the book, based on seeing her in other shows, not to mention her looks.  I'm not sure that Keri Russell fits my image of the main character Jane.  According to the book I imagine someone not skinny or with no figure, which to me is Keri Russell.  The guys can look like however, I'm good with that.

So basically the story is about Jane Hayes who is obsessed with Jane Austen stories, Pride and Prejudice especially.  She is looking for her own Mr. Darcy.  A very old great aunt sees Jane's obsession and when she dies, she leaves something for Jane in her will.  What it turns out to be is a trip to Austenland.  Austenland is a theme park?  More like a resort, in England of course.  Where women can go and have their own Austen story experience.  And it is an experience!  You have to wear the clothing, you have to give up your modern day technology, etc.  And you have to act according to the rules, which includes how you talk to others, including the opposite sex.  Jane arrives and finds that she is not the normal kind of client.  Normally they are rich women who are there, and will return.  The lady in charge, Mrs. Wattlesbrook, lets Jane know right away that she is not who they normally have, and that she is just looking for anything to kick her out for.  At first Jane finds it hard to get into the spirit.  The clothes aren't comfortable, and the men, eh.  There are enough for everyone at first, until Miss Heartwright shows up.  As nice as she is, now Jane ends up on her own.  Until, Captain East shows up.  It seems Captain East and Miss Heartwright must have a past.  And then soon Miss Charming begins complaining that she is not getting her money's worth, and soon Colonel Andrews begins to make a play for her.  Now early on in the trip, Jane notices one of the gardeners, Martin.  She is careful about going to his cabin/apartment in the "staff" ground area so that she won't get herself in trouble, or him.  But soon she realizes that he isn't real either, and decides to immerse herself in the experience.  Mr. Nobley is pretty much playing Mr. Darcy.  Now, Jane doesn't seem to see this, at least not to me, while it is so obvious that is exactly what his part is.  Soon, Mr. Nobley begins showing interest in Jane, and while it is exciting, Jane is sure it is all just part of the experience, and tries to keep herself from getting her hopes up.
The book is very good, humorous, romantic, etc.  While there are things Jane does that I'm like, STOP!  Give him a chance!  Don't be stupid!  I guess if you're in that type of situation and not sure what is real, I can see doing that.  Of course Jane has to sneak her cell phone in, and of course it almost gets her kicked out, except she is saved by Miss Heartwright unexpectedly.  The ending is pretty much what you'd expect.  Now, I will admit I've only ever read one Jane Austen story, Sense and Sensibility.  I chose to read that during my phase of reading classics instead of Pride and Prejudice, because I'd seen that movie.  I wasn't a fan of Sense and Sensibility, so I think I'll stick to the movies which will get me past the hard to read books themselves.  And that's okay.  Now, I'm really excited to see the movie!