Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs with JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: RES-Q Tyler Stop
Series: Tyler Stop, Book 1
Author: June McCrary Jacobs
Publisher: JMJ Story Stitcher Books
Release Date: April 22, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
It's the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County, California, and eleven-year-old Weston Gregg and his nine-year-old sister, Wendy, are looking for fun things to do during their summer break from school. When they discover some abandoned rabbits, they hatch an idea to make a positive difference for animals and people in their small town of Tyler Stop.
They decide to form 'Rescue Each Species-Quickly', or RES-Q Tyler Stop.
There are challenges to face as they move forward into their new venture, including standing up to someone who is targeting Weston's friends for being different and a painfully bad decision.
Will Weston have to handle these issues on his own or will he learn to accept the advice and wisdom shared by some important people in his life? Join Weston and his family and friends as they share some adventures and learn and grow together in RES-Q Tyler Stop.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"Adventure has no end in this tale, where a heart for animals inspires and surprises await around every bend. . . . The characters and the situations they face come across realistic, and the scenes develop naturally. Not only does the author keep a nice paced plot rolling along but adds interesting and practical information about animals and ways to handle certain situations along the way. It makes for a fun mix of fiction and fact.
This appears to be the first book in the series, and I’m eager to see where the RES-Q Tyler Stop adventures will head to next." ~ Tonja Drecker, Author of Music Boxes
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Q & A WITH JUNE
JUNE: Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog
today, Leslie. I'm excited to chat with you and your readers.
LESLIE: You're very welcome! I'm happy to have you here. Can you tell us the "story behind the story"? (What led you to write
this book?)
JUNE: A few years ago I began seeing bumper
stickers on cars in our city with a large paw print and the saying, 'Who
Rescued Who?' It got me to thinking about what kind of story I could write
about a grass roots style, small-scale animal rescue. The manuscript idea went
through several incarnations from a contemporary family story then to a
contemporary inspirational romance then to a historical inspirational romance.
None of those seemed quite right, so I set aside the story for a few years.
Once it occurred to me that as a former teacher and literacy mentor I had
something to offer as a children's author, I wrote the story as a middle-grade
historical adventure which eventually evolved into this book.
LESLIE: What message do you hope readers takeaway from RES-Q Tyler Stop?
JUNE: This story is set in the summer of 1968 in
Northern California. One of the authors who read the book commented to me she
was glad I set the story in 'simpler times'. The 1960s were filled with turmoil
and tragedy in our nation, but I agree with her about those times being simpler
in that kids made their own fun back then. They did not rely upon technology,
electronic devices, and video games to keep themselves occupied. There were
television and feature films, but children relied on their own imagination and
books, art supplies, dolls, toys, and sports equipment to learn new things,
create, and enrich their lives.
With all of that said, I hope
readers will enjoy taking a peek into the past to see what the previous generations
did for childhood fun. More importantly, I hope readers will learn some
valuable lessons from the history of the native peoples of Northern California I
presented in the book. I would also be pleased if young readers learned about
kindness and compassion toward animals and people from the examples set by the
main characters in RES-Q Tyler Stop. Finally,
I hope they will learn to appreciate and respect nature, wildlife, and our
earth.
LESLIE: What can you tell us about your next project?
JUNE: I am currently working on Book Two of this
Tyler Stop series. I do not have a title yet, but readers can expect to see the
main characters enjoying some new adventures and challenges in the next
installment!
LESLIE: What's something about you that might surprise your readers?
JUNE: Middle-grade readers may be surprised to
learn how much I still enjoy reading children's literature at my age! I read at
least as many children's fiction and non-fiction books each month as I do adult
literature—usually more. When I attended a library book sale earlier this month
I ended up buying copies of some of my old childhood favorites which had worn
out or had been given away without my knowledge. I purchased new copies of
treasured books such as Heidi, Black
Beauty, and The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer at the sale. I can't wait to read them all over again with my
'adult' eyes.
It's interesting to me that sometimes
when I am checking out middle-grade books at the library or someone in a
waiting room sees me reading a children's book they'll comment, "It's
weird that you're an adult and you read kid's books." I just smile and
tell them I love children's literature, so I read it. If they only knew that I
write, review, and blog about children's books, too!
LESLIE: What advice do you have for aspiring MG authors?
JUNE: This is a good question, Leslie. I would
start off by telling aspiring middle-grade authors to READ, READ, and READ some more middle-grade books. Specifically,
read in the particular genre in which you are interested in writing. For
example, I love historical fiction and always have, so I spend my time reading
awesome historical middle-grade books such as Wolf Hollow and Beyond the
Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk, Dash and
Code Word Courage by Kirby Larson, Winnie's Great War by Lindsay Mattick, Strongheart by Candace Fleming, and Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban. I also
reread a lot of books which were originally written in the 1940s, 1950s, and
1960s such as the Beverly Cleary books, The
Boxcar Children series, Trixie Belden
and the Hardy Boys mysteries.
Reading books written during your chosen time period will get an author in the
proper frame of mind for writing historical fiction.
Secondly, and this is the most
difficult even for a veteran author, never
give up. The publishing business is extremely competitive and there are a
lot of obstacles to overcome to become a success by whatever means you use to
gauge your success as an author. Set reachable goals for yourself and
persevere.
Finally, try to meet some other
authors who write or aspire to write in your chosen genre. I belong to some
online groups with warm and welcoming individuals who are graciously willing to
listen and offer advice to their peers. We share ideas and bounce thoughts off
of each other. This community atmosphere has been helpful in my transition from
'inspirational romance writer for adults' to 'middle-grade author'.
LESLIE: What sort of adventure would you have participated in when you were
Weston's age (11)?
JUNE: I belonged to the Girl Scouts from age seven
up through junior high. I was fortunate to be able to go on many adventures
with my various troops from camping, to visiting the Oakland Museum, attending
an Oakland Athletics baseball game, to taking a bus trip to Disneyland. I still
enjoy visiting new places—touring historic homes and museums, walking around
botanical gardens and parks, exploring the Pacific Coast. I consider an
adventure to be anytime you venture out of your home base, or comfort zone, to
see or learn something new!
Thanks so much, June, for taking the time to share a bit with my readers. All the best with your book!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In addition to writing inspirational romance books and stories for adults {A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom, 2013; Robin's Reward, 2015; Handmade Hearts, 2019}, June's original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and on sewing industry blogs in the past decade.
When she's not writing, reading, blogging, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, visiting art and history museums, and touring historic homes and gardens.
One of her most memorable and thrilling childhood adventures was her ride in the Goodyear blimp as it floated over Long Beach, California. She can still remember the people on the beach waving to her as she zoomed past them.
LOOK FOR MORE TYLER STOP BOOKS COMING SOON!
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win
- $20 Amazon gift card (US/International)
- Signed Paperback Copy of RES-Q Tyler Stop (US only) or Digital Copy (International)
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Title: Handmade Hearts 
