*The Scavenger Hunt does not start until August 30 at noon EST. We are testing the links to make sure we are ready for you tomorrow.*

Welcome to the inaugural Back to School Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. We hope that throughout this hunt you discover some new books and get to know a little more about us.

A few things before you begin:

This hunt is a blog hop. Collect the “clues” (pieces to the longer phrase) at each stop. Enter the individual giveaways along the way, then click on the link to the next stop and repeat until you reach #28, where you will input the full phrase as your entry to the grand prize drawing.

The hunt begins August 30, 2023, at noon EST and ends September 4, 2023, so you have plenty of time to visit each stop. If you need to step away and come back later, make a note of the last stop you visited, and go to this post with the list of all stops on the hunt.

If you are having trouble viewing the posts, you may need to switch browsers. Chrome and Firefox sometimes work better than Microsoft Explorer or Edge.

Welcome to my blog! I hope you’ve enjoyed collecting all the clues so far on our Blog Hunt!

Today, I want to talk about a subject that isn’t always top-of-mind when we think of “back to school”.

Back to school memories are bittersweet for me. I’m old enough to remember when school yard bullies stole your lunch money and gave you black eyes. And going to the principal’s office for “fighting” got you a phone call to your parent’s office and then a meeting with the principal.

In middle school, I was a skinny-minny kid and prone to being bullied. I was in the “accelerated” class, which means I was a grade ahead of my age, and some older kids who were a lot bigger than I was took exception to it. I spent a couple of years getting “beat up” on my way home from school. My parents expected me to stand up for myself and fight back. I was furious with them because I thought they didn’t care about my bruises and scrapes. Eventually, I learned to physically fight back. No more scratches or stolen lunches.

That’s an unheard of proposition these days. When my own children were in grade school, people thought that bullies had disappeared by magic, fighting wasn’t allowed, and everyone had to get along. There was (ha-ha) zero tolerance for bullying, even though any kid with a brain knew bullies lurked outside at recess.

My children have Down Syndrome so were supposed to be in a different part of the school yard under supervision. However, I had always told them that if any kid hit them, they were to hit back. One day at lunch hour, a “regular” boy decked my son. My son, who was about 9 yrs. old, got up and hit him back, except the other boy ran away. The teacher couldn’t catch him, so only my son was dragged into the principal’s office. I was called to the school and asked to explain my stance on allowing “bullying” behavior.

When the principal said he might have to suspend my son for a day, I shrugged my shoulders and said I’d take him home right then, along with his sister. I had already stated that if someone hit my kids first, they would hit back and explained why I thought it was beneficial for special needs children to know how to defend themselves. I suggested he might want to question the teacher about her lack of supervising skills, and he backed down on the one-day suspension.

I’m grateful that despite how scared I was of the bullies who terrorized me in middle school, my parents taught me how to stand up to them, and to stand up for myself. However, bullying has taken a much darker turn nowadays than simply stealing lunch money or your backpack.

Bullying now includes cyber-stalking/bullying/extortion. It’s not true that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.

If your own child, regardless of age because high school is a dangerous place for bullies to lurk about, shows signs of anxiety, withdrawal, unexplained headaches, injuries they can’t explain, etc. please speak to them about being bullied.

Don’t let the symptoms go by or shrug them off. Cyber-bullying can lead to self-harm and suicides. Let them know that they can tell you *anything*, even if they’ve been conned into sending compromising photos of themselves to someone via their cell phones.

Here are some resources to read and share with your child/teen:

https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat

https://www.cyberbullying.ca

https://www.cybertip.ca

https://www.crisistextline.org/topic/bullying

I hope these are helpful for your school year.

Here is my book, NORTHERN DECEPTION (Heroes of the Tundra Book 1) which is part of the Grand Prize package:

Reunions can be deadly.

After a savage attack in university, Kira Summers fled to the safety of northern Canada and her work as a polar bear scientist. But when her whistleblower brother dies in a mysterious car crash, she must return home to bury him and pack his belongings. Unaware she’s carrying explosive evidence someone’s willing to kill for, she has no choice but to rely on the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Lukas Tanner, a widowed single father of a special needs toddler, moved to Churchill five years ago. As the proud owner of Guiding Star Enterprises, a wilderness tour company, he and his daughter lead a simple life. But when Kira comes crashing back into his world, he realizes God has other plans. Now, Lukas and Kira must confront a merciless killer as their past and present collide in a deadly race – a race they must win if they have any hope of a future together.

If you can’t wait to see if you win, you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/3Iq6EsT

NORTHERN HEARTS (Heroes of the Tundra Book 2) is here: https://amzn.to/33CFJeE

NORTHERN PROTECTOR (Heroes of the Tundra Book 3) is here: https://amzn.to/32qDKK4

AND the next book in the series, NORTHERN REDEMPTION (Heroes of the Tundra Book 4) is coming out October 10, 2023! Here is the blurb:

Runaway bride Lise Dumont has escaped back to Churchill, Manitoba to reclaim her job as a Conservation Officer. She’d rather face down polar bears than marry her abusive ex-fiancé. Once she’s back home in the small town, the peace of the tundra soothes her spirit.

Northern Lights Helicopter Tour owner, Rory Gallagher, isn’t looking for any relationship deeper than the one he has with his pet cat. He enjoys being single and footloose, despite his family’s desire for him to settle down and produce grandchildren. Scarred by memories of not being able to save his father from drowning seven years ago, Rory’s fine with being alone.

Until Lise blazes back into town and helps talk him down from a helicopter crash. When two hardened escaped convicts take them hostage just as a blizzard closes in, it forces the two to rely on each other to survive. They each must face their past before they can have a future.

Can a relationship born out of life and death stakes be enough to last for a lifetime?

I have a Canadiana Gift Giveaway especially for you! Here is a photo of your Prize Package, available only from me.** This is open to US and Canadian readers:

INCLUDES:

Polar Bear Unisex Socks (because all of my books have a polar bear in them!)

Canvas Book Tote Bag, 14.5″ high, 12.5″ wide

Book Journal for those of you who love to record your book reading! 8.5″ x 11″ soft cover

Genuine Canadian Tim Horton’s Maple Flavoured Coffee 300 gm bag

A print copy of NORTHERN DECEPTION

**Book cover may be the original green cover.

Please fill out the Rafflecopter at: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/38979fb2342/

Thank you SO much for being here today!

Here is your next clue: SOMEONE ELSE,

Next stop: 

https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/2023/08/29/back-to-school-christian-fiction-scavenger-hunt/

The post BACK TO SCHOOL CHRISTIAN FICTION SCAVENGER HUNT appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Julie, welcome to the Blog today! Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m Julie Arduini (Are-due-we-knee) and I write contemporary inspirational romance, but recently completed a YA/Women’s Fiction series that I co-wrote with my teen daughter. My writing features a surrender journey and a chocolate mention. I live in Ohio with my husband and our two children, 22 and 17. I also gained two children when I married. They are adults who are both married with children of their own. When I’m not writing/reading, I’m watching shows with Hannah or helping out with youth group.

Describe your new book, You’re Brilliant, briefly please.

Amazing things happen to a mentoring group of girls and women when they discover they’re more than capable. In this final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series, You’re Brilliant, Bethany Tuttle starts in a new high school and finds herself in trouble. KJ Curry comes to her rescue, and Bethany realizes it might be KJ that needs the most help of all. Pastor’s Wife and mentor Cheri begins a second job to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding, only to make a mess of every task given to her.

What is the inspiration behind your story?

Our daughter Hannah has slight special needs because of chronic health issues. Middle school is hard for anyone, but it was extra challenging for her. We took time to process it and she expressed the desire to encourage girls younger than her so they wouldn’t struggle. As she talked, I realized she was telling a story.  I encouraged her to continue, and if she’d work with me, I’d make sure the work was published. She plotted a three-book story around a mentoring ministry, Linked, and the lies the girls and their mentors were all believing about themselves. We released You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, and finally, You’re Brilliant.

Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

I like to go to a movie alone, and pray that I’m the only one there. I’ve come close!

Were there any surprises that came up as you wrote your story?

The previous two books featured girls who were already involved in the Linked ministry. That was true for You’re Brilliant as it was Bethany’s story combined with her mentor, Cheri, but a secondary character, KJ, ended up being a lot more involved in the plot than we originally planned. I have a friend with a daughter the same age group who was going through an issue we knew teen girls experience. We felt it was important to incorporate that into the story.

How did you come up with the names of your hero and/or heroine?

Hannah created nearly all character names for the entire series. She considered how names would sound, she thought of names close to the friends she was using as inspiration, and names she liked. KJ Curry is a tip of the hat to my friend who shared the teen struggle with me that we used in You’re Brilliant. The family likes Steph Curry, so that’s where that came from.

What’s next for you as an author?

With Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series completed, I’m back to contemporary romance. The new series will be six books called Surrendering Opinions. It’s about a group of sextuplets who remain in the national spotlight after a tragedy. Each book features a sibling trying to find their own identity and true love just as their parents shared. The first book is Anchored with the firstborn, Jordyn Collins, an overachiever struggling with her dad’s re-marriage and her new job as morning co-anchor with the mysterious Spencer Hart.

You are one busy writer! I’m impressed with your desire to include your daughter in writing the series. That must have been such a growth experience for both of you. Precious memories. Here is the lovely cover of You’re Brilliant, along with a short excerpt:

Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent.

Bethany’s not excited to start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her suffer.

Cheri takes on an additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher belittles her work.

Can Bethany and Cheri resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re brilliant?

The final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

CHAPTER ONE

Bethany

One glimpse at the sprawling Boardman Valley High School campus and my throat starts to close up. It’s a fortress. So many windows. Multiple parking lots. More than one athletic field. There’s even an attached brick circular amphitheater to house the enormous drama and musical talent the Youngstown suburb is known for.

The morning crowd travels to the main entrance. I’m trapped in the middle of the swarm, moving with the wave of peers, my anxiety escalating with each step. Even if I wanted to yell for help, the buzz of first day chit-chat fills the lobby.

What am I doing here? Oh, right. My parents moved and this is the closest school district. Where I know no one.

A boy with a head full of curls wearing a Saturday Night Live shirt bumps into my side. “Hey, tourist. If you don’t know where you’re going, step to the side.”

“Sorry. Did my fanny pack give me away?” I smile at my attempt at humor, but no one chuckles or even looks in my direction. There’s so much movement. “Say, are we students or cattle?” My voice rises above the fray, but I sound like a squeaky kid.

“Keep mooo—ving funny girl.” The tall blonde surrounded by three girls mimicking her every move, throws her head back and laughs. Her minions follow her lead and they’re giggling with her.

I’m not as agile as my friend Jazmin, but I’ve got stealth working for me. With a few duck and weaves, I exit out of the throng of people and slam against the wall next to the office.

A slim, tall girl with shiny, straight brown hair is about to approach the receptionist when she looks my way and tilts her head. “Are you Bethany Tuttle?”

I raise my eyebrows. How does she know my name?

She gestures me forward. “C’mon. I’m KJ Curry. I’m the student council rep the vice-principal lassoed into keeping you corralled.” Her expression is sober for about a second before she breaks into a chuckle.

KJ heard my cattle joke. And thank God, she thinks I’m funny.

Thanks for sharing that with us, Julie! Readers, you can buy a copy of the book at: https://amazon.com/Youre-Brilliant-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin-ebook/dp/B0874Y5B4C/

You can find Julie online at any of these places:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JulieArduini

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini

Instagram: http://instagram.com/JulieArduini

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/JulieArduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-arduini

Monthly Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/321e32f02e17/juliearduininewsletter

One lucky commentator will receive a copy of Julie’s book – Ebook or Print – US only – today. We all remember middle school. What experience do you remember the most about your best friend from that time? Leave it in the comments to be entered for a copy of Julie’s book, and thanks for stopping by!

The post Interview with Author and Speaker Julie Arduini – and a Giveaway! appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.