Friday, September 11, 2026

Tour Wrap Up: Summer of the Blue Jay by Mike DeMaio

 

 


Literary Fiction Novella

Date Published: March 30, 2026

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group




What would you do with the last 24 hours of your life?

For nineteen-year-old Tina, the answer is simple: live.

After receiving devastating news, Tina refuses to spend her final hours confined to a hospital bed. With time slipping away and an impossible dream still burning inside her, she convinces Jake, a fellow patient, to run. Together, they escape the hospital, steal a car, and set out for New York City—determined to squeeze an entire lifetime into one unforgettable day.

As their frantic parents race to find them, Tina and Jake chase freedom through the heart of the city. From the peaceful lawns of Central Park to the dazzling lights of Times Square, every stop becomes a stolen moment, every laugh an act of defiance, and every heartbeat a reminder that time is the one thing no one can bargain for.

But as the sun begins to set, their breathtaking adventure turns into a race toward one final, symbolic destination—one that will test their courage, their bond, and the meaning of a life fully lived.


Emotional, urgent, and deeply human, Summer of the Blue Jay is a poignant contemporary novella about friendship, love, resilience, and the power of choosing joy when the clock is running out.

Perfect for readers who enjoy heartfelt coming-of-age fiction, emotional literary stories, and thought-provoking books that ask life’s biggest questions, this unforgettable debut reminds us that tomorrow is never promised—and that one day can hold the meaning of a lifetime.

 



Currently a 4.5* Rating on Amazon






Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?

August 10 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

August 11-Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 12- Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

August 13- Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

August 18- Novel News Network - Review

August 20- Texas Book Nook - Review

August 25- Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

August 26- A Life Through Books - Interview

August 27- Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 28- My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

September 1 - The Indie Express - Review

September 2 - The Avid Reader - Interview

September 3 - My Reading Addiction - Interview

September 4 - Crossroad Reviews - Spotlight

September 7 - Tea Time and Books - Spotlight

September 8 - On a Reading Bender - Review

September 9 - Always Reading - Interview

September 10 - The Faerie Review - Spotlight

About the Author


Mike DeMaio is an author and seasoned technology professional whose career has spanned more than twenty-five years in corporate Information Technology, including leadership roles supporting global teams across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and specialty food industries.

After decades of solving complex technical challenges, Mike turned to writing as a way to explore the human stories behind pressure, change, resilience, and time. What began as humorous reflections on life in IT soon evolved into a deeper creative calling, leading him from industry commentary and tech-focused articles into fiction.

His debut novella, Summer of the Blue Jay, asks one of life’s most powerful questions: what would you do if you only had twenty-four hours left? Inspired by Mike’s own reflections on career disruption, identity, and the urgency of living intentionally, the story blends emotional depth with a fast-paced journey about friendship, courage, and the priceless value of the present moment.

Mike continues to develop a diverse range of writing projects, including humorous technology-inspired work, fiction, and thriller concepts. Through his storytelling, he hopes to remind readers that time is never guaranteed—and that the moments we choose to truly live are the ones that matter most.

 

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RABT Book Tours & PR

Tour Wrap Up: The Needs of the Heart by Phillip Anderson

 




Self-Help / Philosophy

Date Published: May 30, 2023



Living in this world is hard, no matter the point in history or the dominant culture which governs how society conducts itself.

Wars, famine, political corruption, economic depression, social injustice, civil unrest, all of which leads to the spiritual, personal unrest of the human soul.

And it makes us wonder... How do I, as a person, and we as human beings, work together individually yet collectively to make the world a better place for those who live here today and for those who will be born into this world tomorrow?

Aspiring author Phillip Anderson, author of The Needs of the Heart, provides deep insight into the human emotional spectrum as well as giving deep introspective insight into the emotions and principles he believes people of all races, religions, ethnicities, and demographic backgrounds need to not only make themselves better people, but the world a better place.




Currently a 4.7* Rating on Amazon






Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?

August 10 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

August 11- Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 12- Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

August 13- The Faerie Review - Spotlight

August 14- A Life Through Books - Interview

August 18- Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 19- On a Reading Bender - Review

August 20- Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

August 21- My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

August 25- The Indie Express - Review

August 27-My Reading Addiction - Interview

September 1 - Always Reading - Excerpt

September 2 - Texas Book Nook - Review

September 3 - Crossroad Reviews - Spotlight

September 4 - The Avid Reader - Interview

September 7 - Tea Time and Books - Spotlight

September 8 - Novel News Network - Review

September 9 - Book Junkiez- Excerpt

September 10 - Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight


About the Author


Hello, my name is Phillip Anderson. I am a young Author from New York City. My love for writing started when I was 16 years old when I was writing in my journals rather than thinking about publishing a book as a professional Author. I graduated high school in 2014 and later in that year was accepted into Morehouse College where I would graduate with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology. However, It wasn't until I was in grad school where my passion for writing truly took hold. After completing the first year of my 2 year master's program, I dropped out of the program to pursue my passion of writing. A year and a half later, I would go on to complete and publish my first book titled The needs of the Heart in 2020 with the intent to pursue writing as a full time endeavor.


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Tour Wrap Up: A Boy Becoming by Eddy Yang

 



A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World


Coming of Age Memoir

Date Published: May 14, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media



What if the most important lessons in life came from the ordinary moments we often overlook?


A Boy Becoming: A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World is an inspiring coming-of-age memoir that invites readers into the private journals, drawings, reflections, and life experiences of young author Eddy Yang. Compiled from diary entries written between the ages of ten and sixteen, this powerful memoir chronicles the journey of a young boy learning how to navigate family, faith, friendship, sports, responsibility, and personal growth.


Through honest reflections and meaningful life lessons, Eddy explores what it means to build character in a world that often values achievement over integrity. Along the way, he learns that becoming a better person is not about perfection—it is about practice.


As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy discovers courage, resilience, humility, discipline, and the ability to recover from failure. Through conversations with his parents, guidance from teachers and coaches, experiences with service, and moments of self-reflection, he learns that true strength comes from within and that growth happens one choice at a time.


Filled with wisdom beyond his years, A Boy Becoming explores timeless themes including:


✔ Character Development and Personal Growth

✔ Kindness, Compassion, and Empathy

✔ Family Values and Faith

✔ Self-Reflection and Emotional Growth

✔ Discipline, Responsibility, and Resilience

✔ Youth Leadership and Positive Decision-Making

✔ Sportsmanship and Life Lessons from Hockey

✔ Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Humility

✔ Identity, Purpose, and Self-Discovery


At the heart of this reflective memoir is a simple but powerful truth: character is built slowly through ordinary moments. Every mistake, every challenge, every act of kindness, every lesson learned, and every effort to improve becomes part of the process of becoming.


Perfect for teens, young adults, parents, educators, coaches, mentors, and anyone interested in personal development, A Boy Becoming offers encouragement, insight, and hope for readers navigating their own journey of growth.


Inside You'll Discover:

●      Honest diary reflections from childhood through adolescence
●      Life lessons from family, faith, sports, and service
●      Thought-provoking insights about character and self-improvement
●      Inspirational messages for young people facing challenges and uncertainty
●      Practical wisdom about becoming someone you respect


Memorable Quotes from the Book

"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."

"Forgiveness frees you more than it frees the other person."


"Possessions should not possess you."


"A distracted driver misses exits. A distracted life misses destiny."


"Remember: you are not your trophies. You are not your mistakes. You are the daily effort that nobody sees."


If you enjoy inspirational memoirs, coming-of-age stories, personal growth books, youth leadership, family-centered nonfiction, or books that encourage reflection and character development, A Boy Becoming will resonate long after the final page.


Because becoming a better person isn't a destination—it's a lifelong journey.
 
 




Currently a 5* Amazon Rating






Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?


August 10 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

August 11- Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 12- Always Reading - Excerpt

August 13- The Faerie Review - Spotlight

August 18- A Life Through Books - Interview

August 19- Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

August 20- On a Reading Bender - Review

August 24- My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

August 25- Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 26- Texas Book Nook - Review

August 27- Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

August 28- Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

September 1 - Novel News Network - Review

September 2 - Book Junkiez- Excerpt

September 3 - The Indie Express - Review

September 7 - My Reading Addiction - Interview

September 8 - Tea Time and Books - Spotlight

September 9 - The Avid Reader - Interview


About the Author

 

 Eddy Yang is a student, writer, ice hockey goalie, and young author whose work focuses on self-reflection, personal growth, family values, faith, discipline, and character development.

His passion for writing began long before he imagined becoming an author. Throughout childhood, Eddy kept journals, diary entries, drawings, comics, and reflections that documented his experiences, thoughts, challenges, and questions about life.


Over time, these personal writings evolved into something larger—a record of growth from childhood into adolescence.


The Beginning of a Writer

Eddy never started writing with the intention of publishing a book.

He wrote to understand himself.


Sometimes he wrote after difficult experiences. Other times he wrote after learning valuable lessons from parents, teachers, coaches, teammates, or faith. Writing became a way to process emotions, reflect on mistakes, and preserve important moments.


As he revisited years of journals and drawings, he recognized a story unfolding: the story of becoming.


Hockey and Character

As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy has learned lessons that extend far beyond the rink.


Goaltending taught him courage, resilience, humility, patience, and discipline. It taught him how to handle pressure, recover from failure, and continue improving after setbacks.


These experiences became a powerful influence on his understanding of personal growth and are woven throughout his writing.


Why He Wrote A Boy Becoming

Eddy wrote A Boy Becoming because he believes growth happens through ordinary moments.

Character is not built overnight.


It develops through repeated choices, honest reflection, mistakes, perseverance, gratitude, forgiveness, and love.


His hope is that readers—especially young people—will recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that becoming a better person is a lifelong journey worth embracing.


Mission

Through his writing, Eddy hopes to inspire readers to:


● Practice kindness
● Develop discipline
● Embrace humility
● Learn from mistakes
● Strengthen character
● Value family and faith
● Continue growing every day


"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."
 

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Saturday, September 5, 2026

Week Blast: Everything That’s Left Behind by Kelly Lydick #fiction #scifi #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 




Fiction/Science Fiction

Date Published: June 28, 2026

Publisher: Sapphire Stories

 


When Nichola Rodale stumbles upon information suggesting her father—a renowned scientist and brilliant puzzle maker—may not have died during The Great Drought, she embarks on a perilous journey across the desolate American Southwest to discover the truth.


 


About the Author

 

 Kelly Lydick’s writing has appeared in Natural Awakenings, Co Yoga + Life, True Blue Spirit, American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, and many others. She has been featured on NPR’s The Writers’ Block and the Word podcast, and on iHeart radio. She is the author of the experimental Mastering the Dream, a contributing author to the anthology Dreams That Change Our Lives, and the author of Dream Incubation for Greater Self-Awareness: A Handbook. Everything That’s Left Behind is her first novel.


Contact Links

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Instagram


Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/EverythingLeftBehind

Amazon

Barnes and Noble



RABT Book Tours & PR

Friday, September 4, 2026

Tour Wrap Up: No Straight Lines to the Stars by Ken Kisco

 



An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad

 

Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational

Date Published: August 4th, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing


No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.

On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of reaching the stars.

Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.

Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.




Currently a 5* Rating on Amazon





Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?


August 3 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

August 4 - The Faerie Review - Spotlight

August 5 - Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 6 - Lisa's Reading - Excerpt

August 10- Book Junkiez- Excerpt

August 11- Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 12- Always Reading - Guest Post

August 13- Novel News Network - Review

August 14- The Avid Reader - Interview

August 17- My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

August 19- Texas Book Nook - Review

August 20- Chapters Through Life - Spotlight

August 21-My Reading Addiction - Interview

August 24 - Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

August 25- On a Reading Bender - Review

August 26- Sapphyria's Books - Spotlight

August 27- Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

August 28- Tea Time and Books - Spotlight

August 31- A Life Through Books - Interview

September 2 - The Indie Express - Review

September 3 - Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

About the Author


At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.

As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing, he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.

Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's beaches, where they live.


Contact Links

Website

Instagram: @Kennasaman


 



RABT Book Tours & PR

Tour Wrap Up: Burned Out by Iris Waichler

 



Non-Fiction, Self-help

Date Published: May 29, 2026

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group 


       


Burned Out evolved from conversations I had with a friend who had been a firefighter for 30 years. He shared stories about traumas he and his fellow firefighters experienced while on the job. We discussed universal challenges that first responders face in terms of not knowing what to do with this trauma, recognizing its symptoms,  and the impact it had on family members and loved ones. I interviewed male and female paramedics, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) around the country to get their candid personal stories and experiences.  I also interviewed family members. We all shared the goal of wanting to. help fellow first responders and family members understand the dynamics of trauma, its impact, and how they can get support to cope with its consequences with renewed understanding and resilience.
 

Key themes of book:
  1. What types of trauma do first responders experience on the job?

  2. How does it impact them physically and emotionally?

  3. How does it affect their relationships with family members and loved ones?

  4. How can first responders and family members understand and  cope with these traumas?

  5. What ways can they effectively communicate and understand the ramifications of trauma?

  6. Where can they go for help to deal with the trauma and learn to heal from it?

 
Message for readers: My hope for those who read this book is that you will have a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices our first responders and their families make in the service of others. I believe reading these personal accounts in combination with the information, support, and resources provided will be invaluable to all who take the time to read Burned Out. I hope you will share it with others you believe might find it beneficial.





Currently a 5* Rating on Amazon





Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?


August 3 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

August 4 - Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

August 5 - Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 6 - Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 7- Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

August 11- On a Reading Bender - Review

August 13- Texas Book Nook - Review

August 14- My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

August 17- A Life Through Books - Interview

August 18- Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

August 19- Novel News Network - Review

August 20- Sapphyria's Books - Spotlight

August 21- Book Junkiez- Excerpt

August 25- Always Reading - Review

August 27- The Indie Express - Review

August 31- My Reading Addiction - Interview

September 1 - The Faerie Review - Spotlight

September 2 - Tea Time and Books - Spotlight

September 3 - The Avid Reader - Interview

September 4 - Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - Review


About the Author


Iris Waichler has been a well known patient advocate and licensed clinical social worker for the last 40 years. She began her career working with geriatric patients who experienced catastrophic illness and counseled them and their families about adapting to these medical problems. She helped them understand their medical condition helping them to cope with the disease and its impact on their lives.

She is an award winning author. In addition she is a prominent speaker presenting on topics related to infertility and caregiving. She has been featured in Redbook, Parade, MindBodygreen.com., Forbes Magazine and Next Avenue Magazine. She also has done many radio shows and podcasts.

Iris has taught and supervised social work students, medical students, interns, residents, and nurses about patient rights, ethics.

Ms. Waichler found herself in the role of a patient when she battled infertility for many years. The feelings of loss and helplessness she personally experienced were profound. She promised herself if she was successful in having a child she would do everything she could to help other people fighting infertility.


She authored a second award winning book, RIDING THE INFERTILITY ROLLER COASTER, A GUIDE TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE. This book won 4 awards including 2 best book of the year awards. The response was so great she began doing individual and group counseling with people who had infertility. She volunteered for RESOLVE, a national infertility group, and went on to do a series of radio interviews, magazine articles, workshops, and speeches on infertility topics.

Her book, ROLE REVERSAL, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR AGING PARENTS, has won 8 major book awards. Her experience in caring for her beloved father, who died at age 97, triggered her passion in reaching out to others who suddenly find themselves in a caregiver role and are uncertain about what to do or where to go for help. In this book she shares her father’s inspiring story and her personal and professional experience in assuming the challenges that come with being a caregiver for an aging loved one.

Iris has been doing freelance writing for the last 18 years. The focus of her work has been on health related topics. She also does workshops and speeches offering caregiving tips for caregiver family members and educating healthcare professionals.

Ms. Waichler lives in Chicago with her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Grace and her mini golden doodle Brandi. She loves to travel whenever she can and to spend time with friends and family.

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RABT Book Tours & PR

Tour Wrap Up: The Closing Window by Gregg Roman

 




Espionage Thriller, Political Thriller, Literary Thriller

Date Published: July 1, 2026



A thirty-nine-day war between the United States and Iran ends the way modern wars end now: not in surrender, but in a memorandum. The guns go silent. The money is promised. The world exhales.

Buried within the language of the peace are nineteen words that quietly abandon the people who believed the bombing meant deliverance.

In Washington, a small policy institute that has spent its life describing the world decides, for the first time, to act on it, and learns that the line between analysis and operation, once crossed, cannot be uncrossed.

In Tehran, an air-defense colonel runs the only arithmetic that has ever governed his life, weighing the family the regime holds against a door that may not be real. In a blacked-out city, a nurse keeps a count the state intends to erase, while an organizer discovers that the most dangerous thing a broken country can do is begin to hope.

As a sixty-day clock counts down to the vote that will make the peace permanent, three lives on opposite sides of a sealed border move toward a single decision and toward a question no government can answer for them: What is owed to the people you cannot save?

 

The Closing Window is a literary espionage thriller of statecraft, intelligence, political consequence, and moral responsibility. A novel about power, responsibility, and the narrowing distance between describing a catastrophe and becoming part of it.

 



Currently a 4.4* Rating on Amazon







Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?

August 24 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Of

August 24 - Mystic Wanders Journey - Excerpt

August 25- Sarandipity's - Spotlight

August 26- The Faerie Review - Spotlight

August 27- Texas Book Nook - Review

August 28- A Life Through Books - Interview

August 29- Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 30- Books 1987 - Spotlight

August 31- Always Reading - Excerpt

September 1 - On a Reading Bender - Review

September 2 - Novel News Network - Review

September 3 - Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

 

About the Author


Gregg Roman is a Middle East policy and security analyst who has spent more than a decade at the center of American debates over Iran, counterterrorism, and the politics of the region. He serves as Executive Director of the Middle East Forum, has testified before Congress, and writes and comments widely on national security and foreign policy. He divides his time between the United States and Israel. The Closing Window is his first novel.

 

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