It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers by Claudine Wolk Blog Tour!

 

Claudine Wolk's

 

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

 

OF

 

It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers

 

Tour Begins January 16

Every new mom learns pretty quickly how difficult new motherhood is but also that nobody tells the truth about it. Author and narrator Claudine Wolk learned the same lesson after her son was born but decided to speak the truth about motherhood with humorous insight and reality-based suggestions. A few crucial tips can make motherhood a bit more controllable and a lot more enjoyable.

Publisher: AMACOM

ISBN-10: 978-0840711151

ISBN-13: 0840711151

Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins

Purchase a copy of the audiobook on Libro.fm, Audible or Audiobooks.com. You can also add the book to your reading list on GoodReads.com.

Claudine Wolk is a writer, radio talk show host, podcast host, and book marketing consultant. Her first book, It Gets Easier and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers has affectionately become “the perfect baby shower gift.” Claudine is working on her second non-fiction book aimed at helping writers who want to publish and market a book in the same fun, practical way as her first book. Claudine lives with her husband, Joe, in Bucks County, PA and has three grown children and a baby grandson. More at www.ClaudineWolk.com

Other places you can find the author online:

https://ClaudineWolk.Substack.com

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

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

Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/help4newmoms

Stories and Strategies for Woman Podcast: https://storiesandstrategiesforwomen.buzzsprout.com

Blog Tour Calendar

January 16th @ The Muffin

Join us at WOW! as we celebrate the launch of Claudine Wolk's audiobook version of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

January 16th @ Just Katherine

Join Katherine as she reviews the audiobook version of It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

January 17th @ Liberate and Lather

Join Angela as she reviews the audiobook version of  It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://liberateandlather.com

January 19th @ Jill Sheets Blog

Join Jill as she interviews the author about her book It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

January 20th @ The Mommies Review

Join Glenda as she reviews It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You'll also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!

https://themommiesreviews.com/

January 20th @ Confessions of An Overworked Mom

Visit Ellen's blog and read Claudine's guest post about going from self-published to traditionally published. It can be done!

https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/

January 21st World of My Imagination

Nicole features Claudine Wolk on her weekly featured three things on a Saturday night. She also gives away a copy of the audiobook It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://worldofmyimagination.com

January 22nd @ Just Katherine

Join Katherine again as she shares a guest post by Claudine Wolk about the eight lies we tell new mothers.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

January 25th @ Chapter Break

Join Julie's blog as she features a spotlight of the audiobook It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. 

https://chapterbreak.net/

January 26th @ A Storybook world

Deirdra shares a guest post by Claudine Wolk about the five mom mantras that will keep you sane.

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

January 27th @ What Is That Book About

Join Michelle as she reviews the audiobook It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. 

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com

January 30th @ Michelle Cornish' blog

Join Michelle as she features a guest post by Claudine Wolk about message, hook, and audience: the starting point to successfully market your book.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

January 31st @ Bring on Lemons

Crystal rewards us with her review of It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

February 1st @ World of My Imagination

Nicole features Michelle's guest review of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://worldofmyimagination.com

February 3rd @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy's blog for her insights about It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

February 3rd @ Lady Unemployed

Visit Nicole's blog and read Claudine's guest post about how to get started on a voice acting career.

https://ladyunemployed.com

February 5th @ Strength 4 Spouses

Join Wendi as she reviews It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You also have the chance to win a copy of the audiobook!

https://strength4spouses.blog

February 5th @ Celticlady's Reviews

Join Kathleen's blog as she spotlights It Gets Easier!....And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

February 6th @ Celticlady's Reviews

Visit Kathleen's blog again as she features a guest post by Claudine Wolk featuring uncensored advice for new mothers.

https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

February 7th @ Strength 4 Spouses

Visit Wendi's blog again as features Claudine's guest post about power shifts in your relationship with your partner and how to get it back.

https://strength4spouses.blog

February 10th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Read an interview with Claudine Wolk at Lisa Haselton's blog.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

February 11th @ Rockin Book Reviews

Join Lu Ann as she features a guest post by Claudine about reasonably cost-effective ways to promote your book. She'll also be giving away a copy of the audiobook as well!

https://rockinbookreviews.com/

February 13th @ Bookshine and Readbows

Join Steph's blog for her insightful reviews of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.

https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/blog/

February 15th @ Word Magic

Fiona shares a guest post from Claudine about where to start with book marketing.

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

February 15th @ Amy's Booket List

Join Amy for her review of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. You'll also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!

https://www.instagram.com/amysbooketlist/

The Sister's We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin Book Review!

 

Format

400 pages, Paperback

Published

January 17, 2023

ISBN

9781728258188 (ISBN10: 1728258189)

Language

English

Pearl and Ruby's choices drove them apart.

Finding their way back to each other might be the only way forward.

The weight of their family secrets could not have shaped Pearl and Ruby Crenshaw any differently. Ruby's a runner, living in Dallas and only reluctantly talking to their mother, Birdie, when she calls from prison. Pearl is still living in her mother's fixer-upper and finds herself facing a line in the sand: her weight is threatening to kill her. She's hundreds of pounds beyond the point where she can celebrate her curves or benefit from the body positivity movement, and unless she takes drastic action, the future looks dire.

But when Ruby's buried rage explodes in a hilariously viral way, the mistake has life-altering consequences. Now the sisters are back living under the same roof and forced to put the pieces of their separate lives together again. Funny, cinematic, and bursting with heart, this is a story of hope and redemption that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Author and freelance writer Wendy Willis Baldwin is a natural born storyteller. Her communications background includes broadcasting, marketing, talk radio, and sales. A native of Texas and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Wendy is a recent empty nester now living on a farm in New England, with one husband, three dogs, and thousands of honeybees. She is the co-host of the Life After Fat Pants Podcast. Her novel, The Sisters We Were, is available for pre-order now and debuts 

January 17, 2023. 

https://wendywillisbaldwin.com/

My Thoughts 

The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin is the story of two sisters Ruby and Pearl. Mostly about Pearl and how she overcomes weighing 531 pounds. Pear and her sister are not as close as they once were, and Pearl would love to be in a better relationship.

The reader learns about the early life of Ruby and Pearl. Their upbringing, the tragic loss of their father, their mother's remarriage to a man who was not what they thought he was. Pearl has always had a weight problem, but it seemed to get worse after her father died. She has felt guilt about this as it happened on the day that she did not want to ride her bike to school, and her father was supposed to pick her up. He died in a car accident on his way to the school.

Pearl works at a care home of which she loves, she adores the residents and has a great relationship with her boss. One day she has had enough with her weight but can't seem to control the binges. She decides to sign up for bariatric surgery. It is rigorous and she doesn't know if she can go through with it. She figures it has to be better than what she has now. A body that keeps her from doing things she used to enjoy.

Ruby on the other hand, seems pretty well put together, but looks can be deceiving. One day she loses it in the park she runs in when a man, who lets his dog do his duty and doesn't clean it up gets what is coming to him from Ruby. Of course, with social media being what it is, it was bound to happen that someone recorded it and put it all over social media. 

When Pearl schedules her surgery, she asks her sister if she could come help her with the pre surgery stuff and in the recovery process. Ruby reluctantly agrees but it turns out to be the best thing that she could do. I have to mention that their mother, is in prison for killing her second husband. The reason explains Pearl's eating disorder and weight gain.

I have always had a weight problem, until recently, and I could sympathize with Pearl and so wanted her weight loss to be a success and that she and her sister could have the relationship that they so deserve. I loved the story and hoped that it would have a happy ending.

The reader learns that abuse and trauma can really affect a person. Getting over those abuses takes time, patience and the right support system. Pearl was able finally to take back her body and learn to get over her past abuse. Ruby also was able to grow as a person as she helped Pearl on her journey. 

This book touched me in so many ways, it is a great women's fiction novel and should be read, it is a must! I loved it and gave it 5 stars!

I received the book for review purposes only.

Escaping Valentine’s Day by Christi Barth Book Blitz! ⁣⁣#EscapingValentinesDay #ChristiBarth #XpressoTours @XpressoTours⁣

 

Escaping Valentine’s Day
Christi Barth

Publication date: February 2nd 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

An Italian romance is on the menu, but is she ready to order?

Content creator Rory Hibbert knows Valentine’s Day is only fun for couples and chocolatiers. For singles like her, it’s a day of disappointment. And that’s why her new marketing agency client has arranged a tour of Italy crammed full of activities to distract from the holiday. This trip is a test for Rory—if it goes well, it will jump-start her new social media career.

There’s just one snag: the ex she never got over is also on staff.

Huck Cranshaw walked away from the love of his life for a huge opportunity on a cooking competition show. At least, that’s the excuse he gave Rory at the time—and he’s regretted it for five years. Cooking for tourists was supposed to be a stopgap between restaurant positions. Now it could be much, much more: a chance to fix the past.

But when an Italian prince catches sight of Rory, Huck’s not the only one vying for her heart this time. Can Cupid still steal Rory’s heart when the truth finally comes out?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

What were the odds of, out of the blue—hell, in the middle of the wild blue yonder—running into the biggest mistake of your life?

Whatever they were, Huck Cranshaw should’ve played ’em.

Head still down, the woman muttered, “If I say no, will you keep walking?”

He hadn’t been positive what with all her gorgeous dark hair chopped off. But that attitude—he was certain.

“Rory. C’mon. Look at me.”

Eyes the color of browned butter dragged up slowly. “Hi, Huck.”

Seeing her again felt like a bowling ball had landed on his diaphragm. A total gut punch. “Wow. I can’t believe it’s you. After all this time. You changed your hair.”

“It has been five years. Also? One of the traditional steps of dealing with a breakup, after ice cream and wine and crying until your pillowcase drips, is a drastic haircut.”

Ouch. Talk about not pulling any punches.

Yes, he’d broken up with Rory.

Yes, he’d been young and an insensitive idiot about it.

Yes. He regretted it. Deeply. And had for a very long time. So Huck would stand here and take any and everything she dished out. He deserved it.

He just craved so much more from her.

Pointing at her hair, he said, “It looks great. You look, um, spunky.”

No smile popped out at his compliment. A sneer did, though. “Just what every woman longs to hear. A description usually saved for the kid who sprains his ankle but manages to hit the game-winning homer anyway.”

“Jesus, Rory. You want a better word?” Huck threw his hands up, banging his knuckles against the overhead compartment. “You look beautiful. You always look beautiful. My throat’s clogged with all the things I want to say, all the places I want to kiss you. But I didn’t think you’d want to hear those words.”

After a long moment where he couldn’t tell what was going on in her head, Rory gave a sharp nod. “Fine. I’ll take spunky after all.”

Was that a truce? He stepped forward, arms moving slowly out from his hips. With the same caution he’d use around a wild animal. “Should we hug?”

“Not unless you want me to call an air marshal on you.”

Not a truce, then. His arms dropped. But he wasn’t giving up. This was an opportunity. Maybe his only one. Rory had nowhere to go. He could finally apologize, beg for forgiveness. Now that she’d processed the shock of seeing him, Huck backpedaled into polite formality.

“How are you?”

“I’m great. Peachy keen. Why are you on my plane?”

Wow. Two lions in heat were less combative than Rory. “Your plane? Funny, I thought that was Alitalia painted on the side of the fuselage. If I’m on a private flight, why’d I get a bone-dry chicken breast last night instead of champagne and filet?”

Ignoring his sarcasm, she restated, “Why are you going to Italy?”

“New job. What about you?”

“Same,” she bit out.

That was a shock. Her overly protective parents had practically stroked out when she’d gone to college in a different state. Hard to imagine them not fighting tooth and nail if she switched countries. “Really? You’re moving to Italy for work? Talk about cutting the umbilical cord.”

“No. This is a temporary gig. I’m still in Chicago.”

Where you should be.

Rory didn’t say the words out loud. She didn’t need to. He saw them in the rigid posture of her slight frame. The uplift to her pointed chin. The weight of all their years together pressed down so hard it was amazing the plane didn’t dip in the sky.

Back to the safety of formalities. “Nice town. I was in New York for a while, but now I’m back in San Francisco.”

“I know.” From the fast triple blink she gave, Rory hadn’t meant to let slip that she still had any awareness of Huck.

Interesting.

Maybe he had a chance at finagling forgiveness after all…

USA TODAY bestseller Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance. Christi lives in Maryland with her husband.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

eBook copy of Friends to Lovers by Christi Barth

a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

The Ruptured Sky by @jessicaamcminn Book Blitz! #jessicaamcminn #TheRupturedky #XpressoTours @XpressoTours

 

The Ruptured Sky
Jessica A. McMinn

(Gardens of War & Wasteland, #1)
Publication date: April 4th 2023
Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy

A dead goddess.
A broken sky.
A world wasted by magic.

Princess Amikharlia wants one thing in life: control of her own fate.

On the eve of her wedding, Amika flees her homeland, seeking the truth behind the mysterious magical abilities she’d kept hidden since childhood.

Taking up the life of a demon huntress, Amika uncovers a madman’s prophecy that would have her revive an ancient goddess—and destroy the world in the process.

Will Amika become a pawn in another man’s game or continue her fight against destiny’s shackles?

As a dark and dangerous power begins to rise, she must make her choice soon.

But is laying the world to waste truly the way to save it?

The Ruptured Sky is the gritty first installment of the dark fantasy quartet, Gardens of War & Wasteland—an epic adventure that blurs the lines between good and evil with a diverse cast of morally grey characters, perfect for fans of Anna Stephens, Mark Lawrence and Robin Hobb.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Jessica A. McMinn is a grimdark fantasy author based in regional NSW, Australia.

Since graduating from the University of Wollongong with Distinction in BCA (Creative Writing) and BA (Japanese), Jessica has spent five years in Japan teaching English, all while refining her writing. She now works as a freelance writer and 

author.

In 2023, Jessica will release her debut novel, The Ruptured Sky, the first book of the dark fantasy trilogy, Gardens of War & Wasteland.

A prequel novella, The Collector's Lost Things, is currently available for free via jessicaamcminn.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok

Readers who pre-order THE RUPTURED SKY, can send confirmation of their order to jam@jessicaamcminn.com to receive:

- the first three chapters of The Ruptured Sky (epub)
- 1 x entry into Launch Day Giveaway, which includes: 

• full set of Gardens of War & Wasteland character keychains (9 in total); 

• TRS bookmark; 

• TRS mug; 

• signed paperback copy of TRS

- +1 BONUS entry for pre-orders who also subscribe to jessicaamcminn.com mailing list

Ace (The Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition), #4 by Laramie Briscoe Release Blitz! @laramie_briscoe @buoni_amici_press #BAPpr

 

Title: Ace (The Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition), #4

Author: Laramie Briscoe

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 3, 2023

✔️ Small Town Romance

✔️ Second Chance Romance

Grab Ace, #4: Special Edition:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FRuwqQ

Apple: https://apple.co/3Yfs4BX

Nook: https://bit.ly/3HEGcPn

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3uLEaFp

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

Buy or preorder the rest of the series!

Grab Renegade, #1: Special Edition:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BygpnS

Apple: https://apple.co/3VXr4R9

Nook: https://bit.ly/3FPr9Rv

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3FPmDSR

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

Get your copy of Tank, #2: Special Edition:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FNIgDe 

Apple: https://apple.co/3j3k2vS

Nook: https://bit.ly/3FPC79q

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3HzSl88

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

Get your copy of Havoc, #3: Special Edition:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UUCeVF 

Apple: https://apple.co/3iYZt3y

Nook: https://bit.ly/3Weac8t

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3YmMPM8

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

Preorder Menace, #5: Special Edition:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HBoYlW

Apple: https://apple.co/3WxUwxl

Nook: https://bit.ly/3huY2tb

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3HvZfv2

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

Preorder Cruise, #6: Special Edition:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PpkMY5

Apple: https://apple.co/3FoHI5b

Nook: https://bit.ly/3PnPEIG

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3FQHBB1

Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Laramie Briscoe, comes the special edition of a fan favorite series.

Nobody writes blue collar romance like Laramie Briscoe, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition Series.

This edition includes a never-before-released short story, as well as all the slices of life scenes and text messages I've written for this couple.

Ace is saving lives and mending hearts...

Anthony “Ace” Bailey

I’m not a rules kinda guy

Department Policy? Kinda sucks, but I do what I have to for the job that I love.

Playing it safe? Not my thing.

Married? No big deal when I know she’s unhappy and scared.

I’m one of those guys – a sniper in the military, a little bit of an adrenaline junkie, and a member of the Moonshine Task Force. I’ve lived through some shit.

My gut has never failed me. It’s my sixth-sense. Warning me of a gunshot coming my way, of a traffic stop being potentially deadly, or the tingling in the back of my neck when I go to sleep telling me I’ll be woken up by a call in the middle of the night. My gut has always kept me honest.

Like the day I walked into The Café and saw the new waitress. There was a ring on her left hand, but I didn’t care. One look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. Her marriage wasn’t one made of love and respect. It was one made of fear and doubt.

It’s why I ignored that ring, why I arrested her husband, and the reason I’m willing to take my time. Patience is a virtue, and with this woman, I have it in spades.

Violet Miller

Meeting Anthony Bailey changed my life. He did things that no one else has ever done for me.

Feeling safe? Never happened before.

Feeling wanted? It’s been years.

Being independent? I’m learning.

It’s foreign, not having someone question my every move, being able to eat what I want for dinner, and sitting out on my front porch talking to Anthony every night while we share a couple beers.

I try to tell myself he’s just being nice; that he’s doing his job and working within the community. The problem? The night he takes the kiss we both want, everything changes, and I can no longer deny what I feel. But it doesn’t stop me from trying – and I learn quickly that Ace knows me better than anyone else ever has – including myself.

All I can do is hang on, as he takes me on the scariest journey of my life. The one that bends us until we almost break, and ends with a happily ever after I never thought I would get.

ACE includes the wedding of a beloved couple, an appearance by Reaper, and the continuation of EVERYONE falling in love with Caleb!

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.

Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.

Website: https://laramiebriscoe.net/

Store: https://www.laramiebriscoe.com/

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaramieBriscoe

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laramie-briscoe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7058694.Laramie_Briscoe

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3iZ73Lx

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3iZ6RvN

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3BCeQFx

Silk Malice by @evedangerfield Book Blitz! ⁣⁣#evedangerfield #SilkMalice #XpressoTours @XpressoTours⁣

 

Silk Malice
Eve Dangerfield

(Snow White, #2)
Publication date: January 31st 2023
Genres: Adult, Fairy Tales, Retelling, Romance

Once upon a time I was left with nothing. Betrayed by my stepmother and stolen by my ex-fiancé. Now I’m battered but intact, just like my prized innocence.

My heart tells me I don’t want to belong to one man. I belong to four.

But the criminals I love are proud. Too proud.

Their brotherhood is in tatters.

They fight for me. And they possess me, even as the enemies close in. Even as the foundation of our twisted family crumbles. Even as the dark legacy threatens to consume us all.

Book two in the SNOW WHITE trilogy. This is a scorching romance between a woman and four beautifully dangerous men in which she never has to choose.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Eve Dangerfield has loved romance novels ever since she first swiped her grandmother’s paperbacks. Now she writes her own stories about complicated women and gorgeous-but-slightly-tortured men. Her work has been described as 'genre-defying,' 'insanely hot' and ‘the defibrillator contemporary romance needs right now'...and not just by herself or those who might need bone marrow...OTHER PEOPLE! She lives in Melbourne with her boy and a bunch of semi-dead plants. She can generally be found making a mess.

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

2x print copies of Silk Malice

1x ebook copy of Silk Malice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

—