Blog Tour and Giveaway: In My Mind

The first day of school… just the thought of it sends some nervous energy running through my veins. It’s a tough day for most kids: they wonder what their teacher will be like, whether the other children will be nice, and they juggle all the racing thoughts that go through their heads. I especially appreciate picture books that address universal experiences like the first day of school, because so many students can relate to them. These stories help normalize big feelings and make kids feel less alone. That’s exactly what the new picture book In My Mind by Carmen Hernández, who has a background in education, sets out to do.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

 

In My Mind

Written by Carmen Hernández

Illustrated by HV Helmut

Ages: 3-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2026) | ISBN: 979-8891382909

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Starting school is both terrifying and exciting for Camilo. He wonders what his new teacher and classmates will think of him. But, as the day unfolds, Camilo has a hard time fitting in. The classroom feels overwhelming, and he battles nerves that make it hard to focus or speak up. He gets distracted, daydreaming about far-away places, and sometimes he forgets that he is in school altogether. But as the day goes on, Camilo discovers unexpected joys.

This heartwarming story captures the challenges of a child with ADHD who has to navigate a busy first day at school."

You can purchase your own copy of In My Mind at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Bookshop. Also, you can learn more about Carmen Hernández by connecting with her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.  

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Carmen Hernández to host a giveaway for In My Mind. Enter for the chance to win one of three hardcover copies of In My Mind by Carmen Hernández, a thoughtful story that captures the ups and downs of a child’s first day of school. Good luck! 

 

In My Mind: Book Giveaway

 

Audiobook Review: The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audiobook

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Pub. Date: September 30, 2025

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all home together at their family’s beloved house on the eastern shore of Long Island. Two decades ago, their lives were upended by an accident on their brother Topher’s boat, a friend’s brother was killed, the lawsuit nearly bankrupted their parents, and Topher spiraled into a depression, eventually taking his life. Now the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, eager to reconnect, but each carrying a heavy secret. The eldest, Cait, still holding guilt for the role no one knows she played in the boat accident, rekindles a flame with her high school crush, Topher’s best friend and the brother of the boy who died. Middle sister Alice’s been thrown a curveball threatening the career she’s restarting and faces a difficult decision that may doom her marriage. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk to bring the woman she loves home to her devoutly Catholic mother. Infusing everything is the grief for Topher that none of the Ryans have figured out how to carry together.

When Cait invites a guest to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface, nearly overpowering the flickering light of their family bond. Far more than a family holiday will be ruined unless the sisters can find a way to forgive themselves—and one another."

 

Twenty-five years after a family tragedy, the Ryan family returns to their beloved Long Island home for Thanksgiving. There's Nora, the matriarch and a devout Catholic who grew up in an Irish orphanage, and her husband, Robert, who is trying desperately to keep up on the upkeep of the Folly, their sprawling home on the coast. Their three daughters and their families will be coming to Thanksgiving, starting with Alice, who never left the small Long Island town. She is the dutiful daughter who takes care of her parents' needs, her children, and tries to do it all. Cait is returning home from London along with her twins; she is newly divorced. Then there's Maggie, who is dealing with a lot personally and at work, but is bringing home her new girlfriend for the holiday weekend. The only Ryan they are missing is Topher, who died tragically in a boating accident twenty five years ago, and the grief over his death is still weighing heavily on the Ryan family. Each Ryan sibling is dealing with something over Thanksgiving - some kind of heavy secret that is waiting to be exposed. Throw in some usual family dynamics over the holiday, and you've got yourself a pressure cooker waiting to bubble over. The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill is a debut novel with a lot of heart and is perfect for fans of contemporary family dramas.
 
The nice thing about the Ryan family is that you can find at least one family member to relate to in The Irish Goodbye. Each sister is dealing with their own personal struggles, and O'Neill dives into their stories as the points of view alternate between chapters. Alice is dealing with the struggles of midlife as she tries to reinvent herself after focusing on her own family for years. However, something happens to derail her plans. Cait is newly divorced and struggling to "single" parent her rambunctious twins and is wondering about her former crush, Luke, who is back home as well for the holiday. This is complicated because Luke was Topher's best friend, so having him around brings a lot of issues back to the surface. Maggie has a secret she is keeping from her girlfriend she brought home for the holiday - so throw that into the mix with the loud and nosy Ryan family, readers are in for a Thanksgiving that is anything but perfect.
 
I really enjoy family novels, so I enjoyed that aspect of The Irish Goodbye, but I felt that O'Neill really only scratched the surface of the characters. I felt like I could care about them more if she dived into what makes them tick and peeled back some layers. I did enjoy the flashbacks to their childhood as that helped paint a better picture, but overall, I enjoyed the Ryan family and all of their struggles, trauma, and quirks. 
 
The Irish Goodbye is a family story about grief, forgiveness, secrets, and moving on from family trauma. It's about forgiving and accepting people for who they are. I look forward to reading more of O'Neill's novels in the future. Have you read The Irish Goodbye? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Spotlight on the "I Survived" Graphic Novels

 

Lauren Tarshis's I Survived series is very popular with upper elementary students. I know that personally, my son has many copies of these engaging historical fiction novels. When we heard that Scholastic published graphic novels of this beloved series, we were very excited. Thanks to Scholastic for sending me a copy of the latest graphic novel in this series, I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018, which just came out this month. Immediately, my son quickly read it; he was glued to the pages!

 

 

I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 is not only filled with incredible, colorful visuals that engage readers, but it also offers the same level of storytelling as the original I Survived novels. The plot follows Josh and his cousin, Holly, as they navigate the life-threatening California wildfires that recently devastated the state. I always appreciate Tarshis's novels for their fast-paced plots, strong story elements, relatable characters, and a non-fiction section that provides insights into the real-life disaster, allowing kids to deepen their understanding. The graphic novel version of the story encompasses all this and more.

 

During my time teaching, I often heard parents express concern that their child was reading a graphic novel instead of a "real book." It's unfortunate that graphic novels are sometimes dismissed in this way, as they are indeed "real books" that serve a valuable purpose. Reading is reading! Both parents and educators can rely on these novels to contain all the elements found in traditional literature, such as theme, strong vocabulary, plot, character development, and story structure. These components all contribute to building reading comprehension. What is particularly heartwarming about graphic novels is their ability to engage reluctant readers. These books can help foster confidence and enjoyment in reading, allowing readers to associate the experience with fun. And isn’t that what reading is all about?

 

 

If you have a reluctant reader at home or a fan of the I Survived series, check out Lauren Tarshis's latest graphic novel, I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018, and the other thirteen novels in this graphic novel series. Teachers will also appreciate the book club resources and activities. It's a treasure trove for educators as the site includes worksheets, trivia, a read-aloud section, comprehension questions, and even more engaging activities for each book in the series. 

In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of the I Survived series and if you or your child has enjoyed the graphic novels.  

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Lionborn

Middle grade fantasy is one of my favorite genres; who doesn’t love a story filled with adventure, magical realms, loyal friendships, and a tween who must rise to a daunting challenge? I’m always on the hunt for new, captivating novels that fit the bill for middle school readers. Today, I’m excited to share a new middle grade adventure, Lionborn by Sharique Zea, a perfect pick for readers who love fast-paced, action-packed stories.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Lionborn

Written by Sharique Zea

Ages 10+ | 228 Pages

Publisher: Sharique Zea (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0682018-2-0

Publisher’s Book Summary: "A Boy with Hidden Power. An Evil Sorcerer. Three Daring Trials to Test His Courage.

Fionn Hurley feels different. Worried his nightmares might be real, the twelve-year-old has visions of strange creatures and wakes up covered in mysterious marks that heal in a flash. But when a lion cub appears beside his reflection, the curious boy travels to a mystical land… and discovers he’s a Lionborn with powerful magic.

Fionn is shocked to hear an evil sorcerer wants him to bring back a dark overlord. But after finding a clue to defeating the wicked enchanter, the brave young hero discovers three perilous trials stand between him and victory.

With everyone out to get him, can Fionn embrace his abilities and save the people he loves?

If you like friendships full of courage, jaw-dropping surprises, and worlds bursting with magic, then step into Lionborn and let the adventure roar!"

Readers can purchase a copy of Lionborn here and learn more about Sharique Zea by visiting his website. 

 

The Giveaway:

 

I have partnered with Sharique Zea to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Lionborn. Enter for a chance to win one of 10 signed paperback copies of Lionborn by Sharique Zea. A grand prize winner will also receive a signed copy plus a $50 Amazon gift card to explore even more magical reads. Good luck! 

Lionborn: Book Giveaway

 

Captivating Novels to Dive Into After Enjoying Bridgerton

With a new season of Bridgerton finally here, I can’t stop thinking about all the excellent Regency romances waiting on our shelves. If you’re curious about the Bridgerton series itself, you can find my reviews here—but if you’re craving read-alikes to binge next, you’re in the right place.

 

The Gilded Age Heiresses series by Harper St. George

"Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society--for that you need a marriage of convenience."

Miss Lattimore's Letter by Suzanne Allain

 

"The woman who never made a match of her own is making matches for everyone else in this hilarious Regency era comedy of manners."

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

"Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor."

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Brand new paperback edition featuring her sexy, funny, emotionally rich writing and one of the fiercely feminist heroines that made Entertainment Weekly crown her “the utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.”

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig

"Willig hits the ground running in a highly entertaining debut novel that romps between centuries and offers a swashbuckling mix of romance, swordplay, espionage, and historical sleuthing."

 

 

 

Last Duke Standing by Julia London

"Fans of Bridgerton will love the this sparkling, witty, and sexy new series from New York Times bestselling author Julia London! With a young future queen in the market for a husband, and the charming--and opinionated--Scottish lord tasked to introduce her to the ton's most eligible bachelors."

 

 

The Rokesby series by Julia Quinn

The first novel of the delightful Bridgerton Prequel series in a stunning new package. There were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings, and in this novel, we go back to where it all began."

 

 

  

On My TBR LIST: 

 

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

"A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford suffragists in which a fiercely independent vicar's daughter takes on a powerful duke in a fiery love story that threatens to upend the British social order."

 

 

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell

"The brooding, illegitimate son of a duke meets his match in the determined woman hired to transform him into a gentleman."

 

 

 

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

"In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention—and maybe just win each other back in the process."

 

 

 

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

"This book delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked."

 

 

 

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

"A lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation."

 

 

 

Mr. Malcom's List by Suzanne Allain

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements—deserves his comeuppance."

 

 

 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

"The first book in her beloved Wallflowers series. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes."

 

 

 

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

"When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules. It's the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series."

 

 

 

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

"Sometimes the man of your dream isn't who you think. It's the first book in the Rogue Files series."" 

 

 

 

Mad and Bad: Real Heroines from the Regency by Bea Koch

"Discover a feminist pop history that looks beyond the Ton and Jane Austen to highlight the Regency women who succeeded on their own terms and were largely lost to history -- until now."

 

Shop All Books Here:

 

What are some of your favorite Bridgerton read-alikes? Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.