Category Archives: Beverly Stowe McClure

Sunshine Blogger Award Nominee

sunshine blogger award

Sunshine Blogger Award

I’m thrilled to be selected for a Sunshine Blogger award by fellow author, Jo Lambert.

This Award allows bloggers to celebrate other bloggers who are creative and bring positivity to the blogging community.

Part One of the challenge is to answer the questions Jo has sent me.

Part Two is to nominate a further 11  bloggers and send them my own set of 11 questions. My questions for them are at the end of this post.

Jo’s questions for me

What makes me happy?

I love curling up with a blanket and a book on a cold day. Add a mug of hot chocolate, and it’s absolute heaven.

What is my favourite holiday destination, and why?

Scotland hands down, but with my many trips to Vieux Québec, it’s running a close second.

If I could ask one question of a historical figure, who would I choose, and what would that question be?

Bram Stoker. Finally, put it to rest was it Cruden Bay or Whitby that inspired him to write Dracula. Both places claim it was them. I prefer to think it’s Cruden Bay and the ruins of Slains Castle on the north-east coast of Scotland.

Sweet or savoury – what’s my favourite dish?

Savoury, definitely. I don’t eat a lot of sweets. Anything Indian as long as it’s not too spicy, or a Sunday roast with all the trimmings works for me.

If I could live anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?

Somewhere in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, close to where my father was born. I was twelve when he died and, at that age, not interested in my roots. When I got old enough to embrace my heritage, I regretted not doing it sooner.

What is my favourite colour?

Blue, although if you looked at the history of the colour of cars I’ve owned over the years, you would think red. Blue in all of its shades is my favourite of all. It reminds me of clear skies, the rivers and oceans and being outdoors.

What is my all-time favourite movie, and why?

The Guns of Navarone. Yup, a war movie. I think it’s because my Dad served in WWII, and I love to read books set in that era.

How would I prefer to spend your weekend? Trekking in the Brecon Beacons or a relaxing spa break?

Trekking. If I’m wandering about in the Brecon Beacons, I’m not far from Scotland, where I can do more hillwalking.

If I could go back in time, would I have chosen a different career, and if so, what would that be?

I think it would still be something in the financial field, although after having done payroll for over thirty years, I’m not sure what area. Maybe something completely different so I wouldn’t have “auditors” periodically. 😉

Are you happy with the name your parents gave you? If not, what would you have chosen?

I got my name from my mother’s favourite character in the movie Gone with the Wind. Back when I was born, there weren’t many girls around with that name. I think that’s cool. My father wanted to name me Heather, but I’ve never seen myself as a Heather. So at the end of the day, I’m Melanie Heather Ann Robertson (happily married to a King) and love it.

Who is my favourite actor/actress, and why?

I love Maureen O’Hara. I should say loved since she passed away in 2015. The characters she played were larger than life, spunky, yet could be tender and loving. My two favourite movies she starred in are The Quiet Man and McLintock!

There are my eleven questions answered, now to move on to the next part.

The eleven bloggers I nominate are:

  1. Joan Y Edwards
  2. Chris Longmuir
  3. Beverly Stowe McClure
  4. Maggie Wheeler
  5. Rosemary Gemmell
  6. Ali Bacon
  7. Sandra J Jackson
  8. Jennifer C Wilson
  9. Suzy Turner
  10. Dr. Bob Rich
  11. Lizzie Lamb

My eleven questions:

  1. If you won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings?
  2. Are you a night owl or a morning person?
  3. PC or Mac. Which camp are you in?
  4. Which is your favourite blogging platform? WordPress, Blogspot, etc.
  5. What is your favourite summer past-time and why?
  6. Do you prefer print or ebook and why?
  7. What is your favourite food and why?
  8. Are you a fitness freak, couch potato or somewhere in between?
  9. Share a single photograph that depicts who you are (adventurous, laid back, etc.)
  10. You have the chance to take a once in a lifetime train trip. Which one would you choose and why?
  11. When you’re watching TV, do you prefer sitcoms or dramas and why?

 

MC Book Tours presents PRINCESS BREEZE by Beverly Stowe McClure

Brought to you by MC Book Tours!

MC Book Tours

Princess Breeze on Tour {+ Giveaway}

You’re never too young to begin reading and it’s always fun to find a delightful story that you can follow. Today author Beverly Stowe McClure stops by as part of her PRINCESS BREEZE Blog Tour through MC Book Tours.

As part of the celebration you can enter the tour-wide giveaway (courtesy of the author) for one of two paperback copies of the book (U.S. only) being given away. Please see the end of the post for more details.

◊ PRINCESS BREEZE

◊ By Beverly Stowe McClure

◊ Series: Breeze (Book 2)

◊ Paperback: 236 pages

◊ Publisher: 4RV Young Adult (June 11, 2017)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1940310555

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1940310558

MC Book Tours

For months, Breeze Brannigan has heard nothing from Cam, the prince she met at school and who disappeared one night, without telling her goodbye. On the night, she graduates from middle school, however, he contacts her and invites her to visit Isla del Fuego, his home. Who could refuse such an invitation?

          Breeze along with her whole family and best friends, Amy and Allison, soon sail to the island, where she and Cam renew their friendship. But danger lurks; a legend comes to life; and Breeze finds herself in the middle of a battle that can have one winner.

PRINCESS BREEZE is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and 4RV Publishing.

MC Book Tours

*****

Excerpt

We spun our bicycles to a stop maybe half a football field away from the volcano. My aching legs thanked me when I climbed off the seat and propped the bicycle on the kickstand. Bicycling on city streets was one thing; riding over bumpy trails that zigzagged through bushes and trees and potholes was another. I slurped down a long drink from the water bottle Cam handed me. The warm temperature plus the humidity caused curls to pop up on top of curls, until my head closely resembled a poodle before a trimming. My hair no longer bothered me the way it once did, however, since Cam convinced me it was just hair, not who I was. Besides, more important matters held my attention, namely, the mountain rising to the heavens in front of me.

A thin stream of smoke circled the top of the volcano. In the grayish mist, eyes appeared. Huh? Eyes? No way. The smoke only resembled eyes. I scrubbed a fist over my face and looked again. Smoke twirled in an odd sort of dance. The eyes had vanished. The sun evidently addled my brain. Other voices chattered softly: Amy’s, Allison’s, Cam’s. All was normal; no one mentioned seeing eyes.

*****

MC Book Tours

Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds. She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.

Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.

For more on Beverly and her writing visit her at her:

Blog: https://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

Website: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com

Twitter: @beverlymcclure

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beverlysmcclure

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/author/show/11462.Beverly_Stowe_McClure

The first book in the series is JUST BREEZE.

◊ Paperback: 196 pages

◊ Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (August 31, 2009)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0984070826

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0984070824

Eighth grade starts out the same as every other year for Breeze Brannigan. She’s still the tallest student, boy or girl, in her class, wears shoes that would fit an elephant, and her smile reveals dazzling braces that blind everyone within ten feet. Then she meets Cam, the new boy in school who speaks with an accent and must be from another planet, for none of the earthling boys she knows are so polite. He also has a secret, a secret that could mean life or death for Cam and his mother and that Breeze must help him keep.

JUST BREEZE is available on Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by today during Beverly’s visit. Do you enjoy finding books to share with youngsters in your life?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This is a tour-wide giveaway (courtesy of the author) for one of two paperback copies of the book (U.S. only). The giveaway ends at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, July 25.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below (if it shows up) and follow the instructions. If the widget doesn’t appear, just click HERE and it will take you to the Rafflecopter page where you can enter. Be sure to make a comment here before clicking on the link above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MC Book Tours

PRINCESS BREEZE by Beverly Stowe McClure #CoverReveal

Woo hoo! I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of Beverly Stowe McClure’s novel, Princess Breeze – the sequel to Just Breeze!

princess breeze

I love this cover! Breeze looks so much more grown up here…

princess breeze

compared to how she looked when we first met her …princess breeze

So what’s the latest news with Breeze? Well, get a look at this…

For months, Breeze Brannigan has heard nothing from Cam, the prince she met at school, who disappeared one night, without telling her goodbye. On the night she graduates from middle school, however, he contacts her and invites her to visit Isla del Fuego, his home. Who could refuse such an invitation?

Breeze along with her whole family and best friends, Amy and Allison, soon sail to the island, where she and Cam renew their friendship. But danger lurks; a legend comes to life, and Breeze finds herself in the middle of a battle that can have one winner.

About the author

princess breeze

Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears.  When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds. She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.

Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.

You can find Beverly here at her WordPress blog: beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com

or on Blogger at beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

L is for Life on Hold #AtoZChallenge

Life on Hold

L is for Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure

 

Life on Hold

Blurb (from amazon.com): A paper found. A secret revealed. A girl’s life changed forever. Myra Gibson’s life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the summerhouse tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.

 

Under a Purple Moon by Beverly Stowe McClure ~ COVER REVEAL

No Love in the Garden of Eden…

Eden Rose has learned to deal with her mother’s criticism that she can do nothing right. What she can’t deal with are the arguments between her parents. To escape their angry words, she finds refuge in an old abandoned house. She always returns home, hoping her mother will love her one day, even though Eden’s not sure what the word love means.

Three other teens with problems also hang out at the Old House. Meeting Murphy, Toby, and Josh changes Eden’s world, and she begins to have faith in herself. Perhaps she can do something right, after all.

Thanks to the boys, she begins to understand the meaning of love. But will it be enough to save her broken home life?

And now for the cover… are you ready?

Purple Moon
Under a Purple Moon
Release date – March 15, 2016
$17.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback, 270 pages
Freedom Fox Press – Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Fiction/Young Adult – General (JUV000000) / Girls & Women (JUV014000)
Print ISBN 9781939844132 eBook ISBN 9781939844149
$4.99 E-Book available in all formats

~~~~~~~~~~

About Beverly Stowe McClure

purple moon

When Beverly Stowe McClure was a child she hated to read. Even though her eighth-grade English teacher sent her poem “Stars” to the National High School Poetry Association, and it was published in Young America Sings, an anthology of Texas high school poetry, she hated to write. Nevertheless, she managed to squeak through high school, where she played the clarinet in the band, was a majorette and graduated. She attended Midwestern State University, which meant reading a lot of books. She surprised everyone, including herself, by graduating Cum Laude with a degree in education.

For twenty-two years Beverly taught children to read and write. They taught her patience. And along the way, she made an amazing discovery: reading was fun and writing was even more exciting. She gives her fifth-grade students the credit for showing her the magic in books.

Today, she lives in the country with her two fur-babies. She takes long walks and snaps pictures of wildlife, flowers and clouds. To relax, she plays the piano. The cats do not appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.

She also writes stories for children and teens: everything from contemporary to historical to fantasy. She has twelve books published and three more under contract. Her short stories have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, as well as leading children’s magazines.

Links:

Blog:   http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

Website: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beverlysmcclure

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beverlymcclure

WEIRD NOISES IN THE NIGHT by Beverly Stowe McClure ~ COVER REVEAL

weird noises in the nightBlurb:

Weird noises in the night send the imaginations of three young girls soaring. Is it the rain, a dragon, an alien from outer space, or a ghost? As Olivia and her best friends seek the source of the sound, they discover that the truth is not as scary as their imaginations.
~~~~~~~~~~
Title: WEIRD NOISES IN THE NIGHT
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Illustrator: Eugene Ruble
Print ISBN: 9781616336066;1616336064
eBook ISBN: 9781616336073;1616336072
Ages: 6-9
~~~~~~~~~~
Links:
~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author:
weird noises in the night
Most of the time, you’ll find Beverly in front of her computer, writing the stories little voices whisper in her ear. When she’s not writing, she takes long walks and snaps pictures of clouds, wild flowers, birds and deer. To some of her friends, she is affectionately known as the “Bug Lady” because she rescues butterflies, moths, walking sticks, and praying mantis from her cats.

For twenty-two years Beverly taught children in grades two through five how to read and write. They taught her patience. Now, she teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church. To relax she plays the piano. Her cats don’t appreciate good music and run and hide when she tickles the ivories.

For a chance to win a PDF or Paperback copy of the book answer the question: What do you think the weird noise is that the girls hear? 

 

I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE ~ Spotlight

I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE by Beverly Stowe McClure

doghouseEleven-year-old Nick Cassidy’s stepsister delights in calling him gross names. His half-sister loves for Nick to push her in the stroller, to his embarrassment. What if the guys from school see him? All Nick wants is his father to come back and take him away from this crazy family. Is it any wonder he sometimes lives in the doghouse?
I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE is the story of a boy’s struggles to accept his new family while he longs for the old. When his father finally returns, will Nick’s dreams come true? Or will he discover that memories sometimes are faulty, and it’s best to forget the past and treasure the present?
###
Can be purchased at:
MuseItUp Publishing:  http://bit.ly/1wPCYNc
Barnes and Noble:  http://bit.ly/1pNgxaM
###

star of the teamMost of the time, you’ll find Beverly in front of her computer, writing the stories little voices whisper in her ear. When she’s not writing, she takes long walks and snaps pictures of clouds, wild flowers, birds and deer. To some of her friends, she is affectionately known as the “Bug Lady” because she rescues butterflies, moths, walking sticks, and praying mantis from her cats.

For twenty-two years Beverly taught children in grades two through five how to read and write. They taught her patience. Now, she teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church. To relax she plays the piano. Her cats don’t appreciate good music and run and hide when she tickles the ivories.

 

Book spotlight ~ STAR OF THE TEAM by Beverly Stowe McClure

star of the teamSTAR OF THE TEAM

MG contemporary

Blurb:

A girl.

A dream.

An accident.

A dream shattered.

Eleven-year-old Kate Taylor dreams of being the star of her basketball team, Angels. When Kate’s tooth is knocked out at one of the games and her mother, who is also her coach, says she can’t play until the tooth the dentist replants heals, Kate’s dreams are in jeopardy. Add Emily, the new girl at school who claims she’s the best, and Kate faces a challenge to prove that she is the star.

Will Kate succeed? Or will Emily ruin Kate’s plans?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review:

A great read at any age!

I loved this book. The characters are well developed, the action in the basketball scenes is authentic and the plot is strong. Shattered dreams, pre-teen angst and jealousy are portrayed in a way that the reader is pulled deeper into the story.

As an adult, I found the book short but for the middle grade audience it’s targeted, the length is perfect. Perhaps this could be the beginning of a series that follows Kate, Emily and the others through school, sports and beyond.

I can’t wait to read more of Beverly’s work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Links:

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/k5y1mky

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/18r6ox4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

star of the teamAbout Beverly:

Most of the time, you’ll find Beverly in front of her computer, writing the stories little voices whisper in her ear. When she’s not writing, she takes long walks and snaps pictures of clouds, wild flowers, birds and deer. To some of her friends, she is affectionately known as the “Bug Lady” because she rescues butterflies, moths, walking sticks, and praying mantis from her cats.

For twenty-two years Beverly taught children in grades two through five how to read and write. They taught her patience. Now, she teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church. To relax she plays the piano. Her cats don’t appreciate good music and run and hide when she tickles the ivories.

You can follow Beverly here:

http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com