A Dream Within A Dream

February 19, 2025

Steven F Seagull & The Missing Chips Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the STEVEN F SEAGULL & THE MISSING CHIPS by Kitty May Gruchelska Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

STEVEN F SEAGULL & THE MISSING CHIPS
Author: Kitty May Gruchelska
Release Date: June 13, 2024
Publisher: Magnetic Lion Productions
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 240
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon
Get the eBook for .99!

In Chips We Trust
The chipocalypse is the greatest mystery to hit the seaside town of Fry Cove. Join Steven F Seagull on the adventure of a lifetime in this Pencraft Best Book engaging read about courage, friendship and teamwork, which reviewers hail as ‘an unexpected delight.’

Who stole the chips? Was it the Deny the Fry colony, who want all seagulls to quit eating chips? Or was it the seagull mafia boss, Stefano Giacomo, who has concocted a dastardly plot to convert all seagulls to pizza and pasta? As part of the newly formed CIA (Chips Investigation Agency), our reluctant hero, along with Charlie, Steven Colton, the karate chopping Bart, and Steven Rhys pit their wits to solve the mystery.

Whether you’re a fan of whimsical tales or simply in need of a feel-good read, this Readers' Favourite 5 Star ‘war of the best carbohydrates’ book is sure to leave you smiling.

Reviews:

Five stars!
'...a war of the best carbohydrates!'
'...a wonderful, family-friendly story that was an absolute delight to read.'- Jamie Michele, Readers' Favourite

'...a delightful and whimsical adventure...'
'Throughout this fast-paced tale, readers will meet gannets, pasta-loving Italians, and even robots... Ultimately, "The Great Chip Hunt" is a fun tale of adventure and a heartwarming reminder of the importance of friendship...' -Authors Reading

Five stars!
'Gruchelska's storytelling is engaging, reminiscent of an animated movie... (her) ability to craft a charming world filled with memorable characters makes the book a joy for readers of all ages.' -Literary Titan

Book Trailer:

Nervous, I flew alongside my dad, wondering what to expect. Fry Cove looked so peaceful and calm from the air, hiding the chip chaos. Dad took me to a rooftop on the edge of Fry Cove, where we found a hole and squeezed inside the lair of his ex-crime fighting friend.

It was dark inside, except for the light coming through the hole. A seagull emerged from a shadowy corner, smoke surrounding him in a cloudy haze.

“Who goes there?” he grumbled.

My dad held up his wings like he was surrendering.

“It’s okay, it’s me, Steven Petronius.”

A bedraggled seagull hopped forward, a twig drooping from the corner of his beak.

“Hmph, long time no see,” he said. “How long was it since we were both in the seagull police force?”

They slapped each other on the back, and began chuckling.

“This is Steven Sherlock,” my dad said. “He’s a very old friend.”

Both of them tipped their heads back and cackled, “Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!”

“Remember the time we busted that American fries racket?” Steven Sherlock said.

“Oh yeah,” Dad said. “Our finest hour.” He beckoned to me. “This is my son, Steven Fitzgerald.”

The ex-detective’s eyes scanned me.

“A fine boy,” he commented. “What can I do for you? Is it anything to do with the chipocalypse?”

“Still as sharp as ever!” my dad said. “My boy just joined the newly formed CIA, or Chips Investigation Agency. Its mission is to solve the mystery of our missing chips, and restore order in Fry Cove.”

I gulped, my mind racing at the thought of the responsibility I had accepted.

“That’s brave of you,” said Steven Sherlock. “Pull this off, and you’ll be the hero of Fry Cove.”

I hung my head low, knowing I was far from heroic.

“Unfortunately, Steven Zeus put the Artful Dodger in charge of the CIA,” Dad said, shaking his head.

“That fool,” Steven Sherlock scoffed. “So, it means you need all the help you can get.”

He finished his twig, and stubbed it out on the floor.

My dad asked, “Have you got any old tools of the trade to get my boy started?”

Steven Sherlock lifted a wing tip in a lightbulb moment.

“I have something that could help.”

He waddled to the side of the room, which received light from the hole. Pulling out a drawer, he dipped in, lifting something out. It was shiny, but dusty. He dropped it on the floor with a clunk.

“You’ll find this useful when looking for clues,” he said. “It’s my old spy glass.”

He demonstrated by picking it up with one foot, peering through it.

“You can see many things not visible to the seagull eye. It makes tiny things bigger.”

“That’s…great,” I said, not sure how it would help.

“Hmmm,” Dad said. “What else do you have in your arsenal?”

Steven Sherlock rubbed his wings together with glee.

“Glad you asked! I have the full Chip Stealing Investigation tools here!”

He used his beak to pull a cord. A series of drawers and cupboards popped out, revealing a full range of crime fighting equipment. There was so much technology, it made my mind boggle.

“Here, we have a sophisticated tool for analysing wing tip prints.”

I stared at the equipment wide-eyed.

“While over here,” he added, “I have some special cement for making casts of footprints, chalk for drawing around dead gulls, and a poop splatter examination kit. It can also analyse ketchup, mayonnaise, and even barbeque sauce smears.”

“It’s so…hi-tech,” I said.

“You’re in the best of wings,” Dad said. Turning to Steven Sherlock, he added, “Where do you suggest my boy starts?”

He pulled the cord again, and the equipment rolled back into its secret location.

“Go to the places of previous chip sightings, and use the spy glass to find clues. Take samples of any ketchup smears or small items that you think are suspicious, then bring them back to me in these little bags.”

He passed me some empty chip bags.

“Okay,” I said, my voice quite shaky.

“You can do this,” Dad said. “I believe in you.”

It was time to show Fry Cove my capabilities, but could I live up to my dad’s expectations?

Kitty May Gruchelska loves creating fantastical worlds for her readers, full of diverse and quirky characters. In a past life, she was probably a cat because she likes tuna, dislikes water, and frequently knocks things over, but luckily, she has nine lives. Kitty May teaches in a magical desert kingdom full of sunshine, camels, and rice dishes. She loves travelling, which also inspires her to write.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

(1) winner will receive a finished copy of STEVEN F SEAGULL & THE MISSING CHIPS & A $25 Amazon Gift Card - US Only.

(4) winners will receive a finished copy of STEVEN F SEAGULL & THE MISSING CHIPS - US Only.

Ends March 4th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/17/2025	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
2/17/2025	Fire and Ice	Excerpt/IG Post
2/18/2025	Daily Waffle	Excerpt
2/18/2025	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
2/19/2025	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
2/19/2025	For the love of KidLit	Guest Post/IG Post
2/20/2025	Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
2/20/2025	YA Books Central	Interview/IG Post
2/21/2025	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
2/21/2025	Edith's Little Free Library	IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

Week Two:

2/24/2025	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
2/24/2025	@callistoscalling	IG Post/LFL Drop Pic
2/25/2025	@thepageladies	IG Review/TikTok Post
2/25/2025	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
2/26/2025	Readwithrolo	IG Review/TikTok Post
2/26/2025	Deal Sharing Aunt	Review
2/27/2025	@kimbartosch	Review/IG Post
2/27/2025	@evergirl200	IG Review/TikTok Post
2/28/2025	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
2/28/2025	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post

February 18, 2025

Of Threads and Oceans Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the OF THREADS AND OCEANS by Camilla Tracy Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

OF THREADS AND OCEANS
Author: Camilla Tracy
Release Date: August 17, 2023
Publisher: Pudel Threads Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 326

Find it: Goodreads, https://geni.us/OfThreadsandOceans

Description:

An exceptional life leads to extraordinary challenges. Especially with a tiger, dog, and snake.

In a world of ancient secrets and mystical powers, Thali, a famed merchant’s daughter conceals her true identity. After her brother’s sudden death, Thali must stay safe and navigate a new school and unfamiliar faces. As she struggles with whom to trust, strange things start to happen around her, and the animals refuse to be ignored as she’s tempted by the draw of her own magic.

Every day threatens to expose her secrets as she’s torn between embracing her magic and remaining in the shadows. Especially when she meets a mysterious boy who is a match for her in all forms. With her friends, magic, and identity at stake, Thali must confront the truth she has been avoiding.

As Thali battles her inner demons and the mysteries of an ancient world unravel around her, will Thali embrace her true self and harness her magic’s potential, or will she succumb to the evil dangers that lie ahead?

Buy the series!

Top 5 Favorite Movies

Mulan

This was the first time I saw Asian representation in main stream media. There are so many cultural things I could relate to, but I think my favorite is when Mushu presents Mulan’s breakfast of congee with eggs and bacon. I don’t think I’ve ever had bacon in my congee, but I’ve definitely had egg in it, and you can take it in many directions with all kinds of add ins.

Bride and Prejudice

I can’t explain it, I absolutely adore this movie and have watched it dozens of time. I love Pride and Predjudice (the super long BBC version with Colin Firth is my personal preference), but sometimes I don’t have the time and want my P&P hit in a shorter version and this is the playful, super fun and colorful version that is like a mug of hot tea on a cold snowy day.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

While I’m not Greek, there were so many relatable moments I found here. That moussaka scene? I literally went through the same moment with some home made cucumber rolls when I was an elementary kid.

Encanto

I could rewatch Encanto a thousand times. I love the music, the stories, the characters – I want to BE Antonio so badly. I also LOVE Luisa. It’s such a beautiful story with so many touching moments and deeper meanings.

Barbie

I honestly think that just like The Importance of Being Earnest is an exaggerated representation of life at the time, Barbie is the movie that represents the 21st century. I never liked barbies as a kid, actually I hated all dolls (they made my uncomfortable), so I was hesitant to see the movie. When I did though, I went through the gamut of emotions and I thought it was such a poignant and important film to our generation.

Top 5 Favorite Board Games

It is a GREAT time to get into board games. There are so many types and kinds and artwork associated with them, there’s something for everyone. If the last one you played was monopoly, scrabble, or Life, (not that there’s anything wrong with them), it’s time to dive back in because it’s a HUGE world!

Skyrise

Not only was I a lucky duck and won this beautiful edition of this game, but I love how different it is as it’s kind of an auction game, but even if you lose all the auctions, you still have a chance to win the game as a whole! Also, the pieces for the edition are beautiful and fun to handle.

Settlers of Catan

This is the gateway game that got me back into board games and the wide world it is. I love a good long term strategy, where you can’t mess with each other too much.

Dog Park

Remember when I said that there are all kinds and types with all kinds of artwork? This is a great game with beautiful artwork done of various dog breeds and it’s fun to play with fun little bone pieces to play with. You get to collect, walk, and show dogs.

Clank

I love this game because it’s cuter than the usual dungeon crawling. You’ve got to go down into the dungeons to grab some fancy artifacts without waking the dragon – but you’re all a little clumsy. And then when someone makes it out, it’s a rush to make sure you don’t get buried alive underground!

Scout

Scout is a new card game I’ve just started playing and I’ll admit the first round was confusing, but the more I play it, the more complex the strategy is and since it’s kind of chance what you get to work with, I feel like it’s low stakes pressure.

Top 5 Writer Must Haves

Mood music: Lately, I’ve been into Imagine Dragons while I edit and get business stuff done. I’m finding it energizing and motivating to get my tasks moving. But, I can’t write with lyrics playing. So while I’m writing, it’s always instrumental, and lately, it’s been this fantasy instrumental list that helps me get my words in.

Beverages: At least two drinks, maybe three. Water to hydrate, something fun like tea or coffee, and a protein drink for nutrition to keep yourself going through your those writing sprints. I believe it’s known as being a drink goblin and I am definitely that.

A favorite pen: My favorite pen is the Sarasa zebra gel pen in blue. Whether it’s to make notes, write something down to remember later (like the color of a dress in a scene), a pen you love using makes it all the more lovely to do.

Favorite notebook: Now I know I can’t be the only one who collects notebooks and is usually too afraid to use them. But just like it can be a pleasure to write with your favorite pen, it’s also a pleasure to write ON your favorite paper – the smoothness, the thickness, please tell me I’m not the only one.

Furry friend: please don’t get a furry friend if you don’t already have one, or weren’t planning on getting one. Or maybe get a stuffed animal friend. I’m an animal person through and through, but I do think they make the best office co-habitators. My doggos remind me to get up and empty my bladder, stretch, and move around. I also love to grab a few treats for a quick training session for a mental break. And there’s nothing better than doggie snuggles!

Many of us readers/writers have pets and while they make great snuggle buddies and reading companions, if you’ve ever wanted something quick to do with your dog (or cat), I’ve put on my other hat as a pet professional to give you a few things to try below:

Five quick games to play with your dog:

Treat hunt: put your dog in another room, put three-five treats in little piles around your space – the easiest is in the middle of an open space, the more difficult being near furniture corners. Let your dog use their sniffer to find and eat the treats!

What do you know: Does your dog know the hand signal, or the verbal cue? Try asking for a sit – both verbally first, and then with your hand signal and see which your dog listens to fastest. This one gives you homework to know which you need more practice with.

Random tricks: Write each of the behaviors your dog knows on a cue card, shuffle them up and pull each out at random to see which you should practice. Or make it fancy by seeing how many you can do in a row!

Nose boop: Put a treat in your hand. Close your hand around it and place your hand right in front of your dog’s nose. When they move to investigate and touch your hand – open your hand and let them eat the treat! Once your dog practices this a few times, make it harder by moving your hand further away, or to the left/right, or up/down.

Good dog: Dogs don’t usually like to be pet, especially a hand touching the top of their head. But you can teach them it’s awesome! Pat your dog’s head and then give them a treat. You’re creating a positive association with touching the top of their head! You can do this with touching their collar too. Because usually, when we grab our dog’s collar, we take them away from the fun thing, so many dogs learn to shy away when a hand moves in.

Bonus: Recall: The power of your dog’s name comes from all the previous instances – and what happened after. Grab ten treats, call your dog to you, give them one from your hand and toss the second treat away from you. Takes seconds and you’ve just put five great coins into the ‘come when I call your name’ account.

Camilla is a lover of many mediums of storytelling. She loves to write YA fantasy with strong heroines who can kick butt, find love, and adventure with their animals sidekicks. She always has projects on the go and loves to consume stories of all kinds – books, shows, movies, plays, amongst many others.

When she is not writing, Camilla is often found exploring animal behavior, crafting, drinking a hot beverage, and clicker training her animals.

(2) winners will receive a book box with a finished copy of OF THREADS AND OCEANS & swag - US & Canada Only.