Review & Giveaway: Hitchin’ Post by Julie Barker

HITCHIN’ POST

by

Julie Barker

 Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Rhyming / K-3

Publisher: LifeRich Publishing

Date of Publication: July 14, 2016

Number of Pages: 46

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Hard work and the cowboy life on the 6Bs Ranch is nothing new to old jackrabbit Hitchin’ Post.  Hitchin’ Post is a picture book written in rhyme describing old Hitch’s life on the 6Bs Ranch and his journey in finding what it truly means to be thankful.  His beloved ranch goes through a terrible drought, but Hitch decides that despite challenges, there is always something to be thankful for. He discovers that it is relationships with his friends and his beloved ranch that makes him feel rich. 

 

 

PRAISE FOR HITCHIN’ POST:

**2017 North Texas Book Festival Honorable Mention award*

Wonderfully told with beautiful, rustic illustrations. — Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers’ Favorite 

I can’t wait to share this book with my granddaughters! –- Amy, Goodreads Review

Hitchin’ Post is the most adorable story with the best illustrations! We love, love, love it!!! – Cory, Amazon Verified Customer

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON   WEBSITE   BARNES & NOBLE

My son is a little younger than the intended audience (he is 4 and in pre-kindergarten), but I read this book to him during my first read through. He asked me why Hitch’s hair was so long. He didn’t realize that the cowboy was actually a rabbit! I was also surprised that my son’s attention was drawn to the more realistic illustrations in the book: a herd of horses running, a windmill, and a spider inside of a jar. I could feel his attention wander at times, so I would say that the K-3 recommendation is right on the nose.

In a world of psychedelic colored children’s books, Hitchin’ Post is a nice, soothing story to flip through. I really admire Altman’s steady hand with the pen and her use of watercolors. I also found her choice of mixing realistic and cartoonish illustrations refreshing. I think I agree with my son, I found the realistic illustrations especially great.

I don’t read poetry often, so I had difficulty finding a comfortable rhythm as I read this book to my son the first time. I’m not a poet, but I think that the rhyming scheme changes throughout. That means you might need to read this aloud a few times to feel the rhythm as well. Which you will anyway because the story is adorable and reminds us that life is good and to be thankful for our friends.

I think this book is great for school aged kids. I think it would be especially inspiring for teachers to read this during Rodeo Art time in school.

 

Julie Barker was born and raised in west Texas, and currently resides in Quanah, Texas, with her husband and three children.  She maintained her west Texas roots into college when she attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, receiving a degree in social work.  Julie has grown up surrounded by the ranching heritage, and felt drawn to share this way of life through the adventures of the little cowboy jackrabbit, Hitchin’ Post.  Hitchin’ Post marks Julie’s debut into the world of children’s literature.  She was fortunate to have her mother, artist Carolyn Altman, provide the cute, whimsical illustrations of old Hitch and the 6Bs, making this project extra special.

WEBSITE    FACEBOOK    GOODREADS

TWITTER    INSTAGRAM

——————————————– 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize:

1^st Place Winner receives an eBook AND a Signed Print Copy

4 Runners-Up each have a choice of eBook OR Signed Print Copy

June 26-July 6, 2017

(U.S. Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

6/26	Review	Hall Ways Blog
6/27	Sneak Peek	The Librarian Talks
6/28	Excerpt	Reading by Moonlight
6/29	Review	Missus Gonzo
6/30	Character Interview	CGB Blog Tours
7/1	Scrapbook Page	My Book Fix Blog
7/2	Promo	Momma on The Rocks
7/3	Review	The Page Unbound
7/4	Cover Reveal	Forgotten Winds
7/5	Review	Books and Broomsticks

   

blog tour services provided by

Review & Giveaway: The Heart of a Texas Cowboy by Linda Broday

THE HEART OF A

TEXAS COWBOY

Men of Legend, Book 2

by

LINDA BRODAY

  Genre: Western / Historical / Romance

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Date of Publication: May 2, 2017

Number of Pages: 384

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Three Brothers. One Oath.

No Compromises.

The MEN of LEGEND

One bullet is all it takes to shatter Houston Legend’s world. He swore he’d never love again, but with the future of the Lone Star Ranch on the line, he finds himself at the altar promising to love and cherish a woman he’s never met—a woman whose vulnerable beauty touches his heart.

All Lara Boone wants is a name for her baby. The best she can hope for is kindness and acceptance. She never expected to fall in love with her own husband—or any man—after the heartache she’s endured.

In an effort to save the Lone Star Ranch, Houston decides to drive two thousand longhorns up the Great Western Trail to Dodge City. The day before he leaves, the cook quits. When he can’t find another on such short notice, Lara offers to go along and fill in. Over his best judgement, he lets her. Three days out, he notices riders trailing them. Things go from bad to worse and it’s an all-out fight to try to save themselves and the herd.

And when Lara’s troubled past catches up with them, Houston will move heaven and earth to protect his bride…and discover depths to a marriage of convenience neither realized could be theirs to claim.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon   Barnes & Noble   iBOOKS

Praise for The Heart of a Texas Cowboy:

“Broday brilliantly captures Lara and Houston’s hesitations and growing love. The exciting plot, rich setting, and superb writing will delight fans of historical romances.” ~~Publisher’s Weekly *Starred Review

“This compassionate, poignant marriage-of-convenience love story demonstrates Broday’s ability to bring a wide range of emotions to her characters in a fast-paced plotline without losing a bit of the powerful love story. Add this to your Western romance collection!” ~~Romantic Times

“Ms. Broday’s conclusion of this phenomenal book is heart gripping, blood pounding drama at its finest. This one will keep readers revisiting again and again in years to come.” ~~ Tonya Lucas- Goodreads Review

“One of the best historical Western authors.” ~~ Fresh Fiction

“Broday will appeal to fans of such authors as Georgina Gentry, Leigh Greenwood, and Jodi Thomas.” ~~Booklist

A bullet pierces the beautiful moment of a blushing bride about to wed a tall and handsome cowboy. My breath caught in my throat at the violence that came from out of nowhere. Main character Houston’s brothers have their own brand of justice for the shooter, but the truth behind the crime causes even more pain to the cowboy groom.

Time doesn’t heal or open Houston’s heart to love again, but when his father confesses he’s made a huge mistake, an arranged marriage between Houston and single mother Lara Boone is the only way to fix the situation. But there is much more to Lara’s story, and once she and Houston are thrown together to live — and survive — the dangers of the Great Western Trail, their perspectives change.

The two newlyweds begin an awkward life together, finding common ground on their affection for baby Gracie. Houston is overwhelmed with the feelings he has for a child that is not his own. Author Linda Broday genuinely painted each and every moment between the cowboy and the baby, and the way the author progresses the relationship between Houston and Lara is beautifully done.

I imagine that some people might think that a month is not long enough for people to truly fall in love. But Broday’s whirlwind of danger sweeps everyone up in its path and forces the characters to focus on what is important. In the old west, tomorrow is never certain. Broday drives home the message that if you love someone, don’t wait to tell them. A secondary message is be honest and always communicate; some harrowing events turn around for the better because of that second nugget of truth.

I highly recommend this book to those who love a slow, simmering and sensual romance. I plan to read book one and every other installment Broday pens about the Legend men.

Linda Broday, Historical Western Romance Author

I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 8 full length historical western romance novels, with another set to release 2017, and 10 short stories. Watching TV westerns during my youth fed my love of cowboys and the old West and they still do. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and Comancheros once roamed. At times, I can feel their ghosts lurking around every corner. Texas’ rich history is one reason I set all my stories here. I love research and looking for little known tidbits to add realism to my stories. When I’m not writing, I collect old coins and I confess to being a rock hound. I’ve been accused (and quite unfairly I might add) of making a nuisance of myself at museums, libraries, and historical places. I’m also a movie buff and love sitting in a dark theater, watching the magic on the screen. As long as I’m confessing…chocolate is my best friend. It just soothes my soul.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK     PINTEREST

TWITTER    GOODREADS

 ————————————— 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

THREE SIGNED COPIES!

(US ONLY)

  May 15-24, 2017 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

5/15	Guest Post 1	Hall Ways Blog
5/16	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/17	Character Interview	Books in the Garden
5/18	Guest Post 2	Books and Broomsticks
5/19	Review	Margie’s Must Reads
5/20	Excerpt	Reading By Moonlight
5/21	Author Interview	The Page Unbound
5/22	Review	CGB Blog Tours
5/23	Bonus Short	StoreyBook Reviews
5/24	Review	Missus Gonzo

blog tour services provided by