Monday, August 10, 2026

Book Blast: The Tale of the Prince and the Spider



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sasha Hopkins will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Prince Alexander is a boy filled with courage, laughter, and light, until a chance encounter with a mysterious new "friend" changes everything. Trapped in a web of fear and silence, he must find the strength to fight back against a dark trickster who wants to steal his voice, his joy, and his future.

The Tale of the Prince and the Spider is a modern fairytale for children, parents, and anyone who has faced fear in silence. Told with warmth, honesty, and hope, it reveals how secrets can poison, how love protects, and how even the smallest voice can grow into a roar.

Through Alexander's journey, readers discover that pain does not define us—courage does. His story is both a thrilling adventure and a gentle reminder that you are stronger than your fears, your voice matters, and you are never alone.

This is more than a tale of princes and monsters. It is a story for every family who longs for healing, resilience, and light in dark times. Beautifully written to spark conversations between children and adults, it invites readers to talk openly about bravery, truth, and the power of standing tall.


Read an Excerpt

One sunny morning, Alexander started an adventure. The sun shone bright like a golden bell, lighting up hills covered in green grass, and wildflowers—yellow, purple, red—spread out like a painter’s canvas. The wind carried scents of dirt and sweet clover, tickling his nose as he rode Menace, his brown horse, whose fur coat gleamed like a soldier’s sword. Menace’s hooves thumped the dirt road, kicking up dust that sparkled. Alexander held the reins tight, feeling them rub his hands, the breeze messing up his hair as his saddle creaked along with the swaying trees above.

Bushes shook—a rabbit darted past; a hawk’s shadow soared overhead. The road stretched on, but where trees grew thick, shadows moved, hinting at a forest full of secrets. Menace huffed, ears twitching, and Alexander patted his warm, scratchy neck. “Keep going, boy,” he said quietly, his heart beating with excitement.

Through the kingdom he went, past roads busy with familiar smiling people who stopped to cheer, their voices lifting him up. But farther out, it got quiet, the land wide and free. With a lion’s bravery, a fire’s strength, and a heart full of love, he rode into the unknown.

About the Author

Sasha Hopkins is a father of five and a storyteller from Melbourne, Australia. His journey has been shaped by both love and hardship. As a child, Sasha endured trauma that left deep scars, yet he chose not to remain silent or let those experiences define him. Instead, he transformed his pain into a story of courage, resilience, and hope.

He wrote The Tale of the Prince and the Spider during a period of recovery in Western Australia, creating it as a gift for his children, Winter, Hunter, Hudson, Navy, and Orion. What began as a father's offering of love became a timeless fairytale for families everywhere: a reminder that even in life's darkest moments, light can be found, voices can be heard, and healing is always possible.

Through his writing, Sasha shares a powerful message: your past does not diminish you, and speaking out is an act of bravery that can inspire others. When he isn't writing, Sasha is adventuring with his kids, encouraging them to embrace adventure, laughter, and the strength within themselves.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/0228892406
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251865138-the-tale-of-the-prince-and-the-spider



Sunday, August 9, 2026

Book Tour: A Murder’s Guide To Mardi Gras



A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries)
by Ellen Byron

About A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras



A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting - Louisiana
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448320011
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448320011
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H3TD242P

It's cozy. It's culinary. It's Mardi Gras madness! It's the fifth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today-bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

Step 1: join a killer krewe

It’s carnival season in New Orleans, and Ricki James-Diaz and her friends from Bon Vee are dressing up for Mardi Gras. They’ve joined the notorious krewe of Chew to support Ricki’s chef boyfriend, Virgil, who is to be crowned this year’s king. It’s all fun, throws, and over-the-top outfits until the krewe’s captain is found strangled with his own medallion.

Step 2: survive the festivities

The prime suspect is Ricki’s friend, the deceased’s wife who discovered he was cheating on her. It seems a straightforward case, but Ricki isn’t so sure. The krewe’s leader had many enemies including his mistress, his krewe co-founder who he ousted, and his college friend whose girlfriend he stole. One thing’s clear, Ricki’s at the center of yet another murder investigation. And if she’s not careful, her first Mardi Gras could also be her last . . .

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, these delightful mysteries bring New Orleans to life with fun characters and delicious recipes. This series is a must-read for culinary cozy lovers!


About Ellen Byron



Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries,  Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like WingsJust Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/.

Author Links

Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico

Goodreads:  Ellen Byron (Author of Plantation Shudders) | Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico


Purchase Links – Amazon –Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books – 



TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 3 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 

August 3 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

August 4 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  

August 4 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT 

August 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

August 5 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT 

August 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT 

August 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW 

August 7 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW 

August 7 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT 

August 8 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 

August 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

August 9 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT 

August 9 – StoreyBook Reviews -REVIEW

August 10 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW  

August 10 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT 

August 11 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW 

August 11 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT 

August 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 

August 12 – Novels Alive – REVIEW 

August 13 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – RECIPE 

August 13 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT 

August 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 

August 14 – From the TBR Pile – SPOTLIGHT 

August 15 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

August 15 – Because I said so - adventures in parenting – REVIEW 

August 16 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT 


Giveaway: 


There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour. Prize - 1 -PRINT COPY of BAYOU BOOK THIEF ( A Vintage Cookbook Mystery) by Ellen Byron ~ US ONLY 

 https://kingsumo.com/g/m7gpkxm/a-     murderers-guide-to-mardi-gras-vintage-cookbook-mysteries-by-ellen-byron




Release: Flag On The Play


✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for FLAG ON THE PLAY by @tlakermannauthor! Grab it in KU!

 

#OneClickNow

https://a.co/d/028mSUsn

 

Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…

Why you will love this book:

🩵Forced Proximity

🏈Dislike to Lovers

🩵Roommates to Lovers

🏈Football Romance

🩵He Falls First and Harder

🏈Grumpy x Sunshine

🩵Brother's Best Friend

 

 

After a messy breakup upends her carefully planned future, Odelia Miller moves in with her twin brother and his three college football roommates—trading quiet nights for chaos and way too much testosterone.

Her life is now one surprise after another. The biggest surprise at all? Griffin Halstead. The grumpy, brooding tight end who speaks in grunts, never smiles, and seems determined to hate her on principle alone.

Forced into close quarters, Odelia and Griffin clash over everything… until they don’t. Somehow not being able to stand each other quickly turns into late-night conversations, stolen glances, and accidental touches. What starts as an uneasy coexistence turns into something that’s impossible to ignore, something that feels an awful lot like love.

In a house full of craziness, laughter, and unexpected family, Odelia might just find that the one who challenges her the most is also the one who makes her feel like she’s home.

Perfect for readers who are fans of New Girl, Friends, and the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy—this book is guaranteed to make you laugh!

 

#newbookalert #tlakermann #footballromance #kindleunlimited @theauthor.agency

 


Release: Hate Me Take Me


Hate Me Take Me by @laurabishopauthor is now LIVE!

Download today! 


Amazon US: https://amzn.to/48LYrPV

Apple: https://bit.ly/3LKkKgg

Nook: https://bit.ly/45oQNcb

Kobo: https://bit.ly/49MNLji

Google Play: https://bit.ly/4jTeZJC

Audible: https://bit.ly/4qAMm6q       


Goodreads:
 https://bit.ly/4r56IVr


#DarkRomance #RomanticComedy #RomanticSuspense #SecondChanceRomance @greyspromo            

Release: Silver Sweet


Silver Sweet by @authorkbritchie is now LIVE!

Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

https://amzn.to/3ToSZxb


Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4c9oyBr

Narrated by: @alexanderkydd , @thevoiceoftimpaige & @brooke_bloomingdale


Deluxe Edition Paperback: https://bit.ly/4xubHCr

Standard Edition Paperback: https://bit.ly/4vWvw44


Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4piQJlA


#CobaltEmpire #KristaandBeccaRitchie #NewAdultRomance #RockstarRomance #Valentineprlm @read_bloom @valentine_pr_


Sale: The One I Left Behind


The One I Left Behind by @authorpiperrayne is FREE for a limited time!

Download today on Amazon!

https://geni.us/toilb-amazon


#PiperRayne #PlainDaisyRanch #SmallTownRomance #SecondChance #Valentineprlm


Sale: The Wildcat


The Wildcat by Bella Matthews is $2.49 for a limited time!

Download today on Amazon US & CA!

https://a.co/d/02dvo7ZU


#BellaMatthews #HockeyRomance #SingleDadRomance #OneNightStand #Valentineprlm

Book Blast: The Tale of the Prince and the Spider

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions . Sasha Hopkins will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to...