Book Review: Pumpkins and Party Themes: 50 DIY Designs to Bring Your Halloween Extravaganza to Life by Roxanne Rhoads + giveaway

Pumpkins and Party Themes: 50 DIY Designs to Bring Your Halloween Extravaganza to Life
by Roxanne Rhoads
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Skyhorse
August 11, 2020
ISBN-10: 1510751165
ISBN-13: 978-1510751163
Bring your Halloween party theme to life with these quick tips and tricks!

Pumpkins and Party Themes features ten unique party themes with five do-it-yourself pumpkin designs for each theme. The pumpkin projects have a variety of decorating ideas that include carving, painting, and mixed media craftiness and easy-to-follow steps on each creation. Author Roxanne Rhoads also includes quick ideas on how to bring the theme to life through décor, costumes, and activities. These fun party themes range from gothic elegance to Edgar Allan Poe, under the sea, let's get literary, and more!

With beautiful full-color images to illustrate the tools needed, steps to follow, and final products, this book makes for the perfect gift for Halloween enthusiasts and party hosts alike!

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I consider myself a Halloween fanatic. I love Halloween anything and everything to do with Halloween. 

I enjoyed this book I think it offers so many ideas for somebody who is trying to figure out how to do a DIY Halloween party with some step by step guides to help. Gives you several Ideas on themed party ideas to decorate for, even game ideas for each theme with costumes down to the simple invitations ideas. Everything you need to know with DIY directions on how do some of the Decor yourself. I think it’s a great idea for someone that doesn’t know how to go about doing crafty things and always wanted to try themself it’s all right here done for you. Some ideas on where to get some of the supplies best ideas for individual projects depending on what you’re going to use them for and includes some stencils for the pumpkins all in one book.

Also enjoyed the story on The Legend Of Jack-O’-Lantern. “It’s dark how will I find my way. Jack asked while munching on a turnip. The devil threw him a glowing coal which Jack placed in the turnip he had been eating. He became Jack of the Lantern, Doomed to wander the earth alone for eternity.”

I would definitely recommend this book for someone who was thinking about doing a Halloween party and didn’t know where to get started easy fun and breaks it all down for you I think you’ll really enjoy yourself.

5 sheep

SusieR

About the Author:
Roxanne Rhoads is an author, book publicist, mixed media crafter, and lover of all things spooky.

Her books include the Amazon Bestseller Haunted Flint and Pumpkins and Party Themes : 50 DIY Designs to Bring Your Halloween Extravaganza to Life.

She is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours, a virtual book tour and social media marketing company. She operates a Halloween blog- A Bewitching Guide to Halloween and sells handcrafted jewelry, art, and home decor through her Etsy store- The Bewitching Cauldron.

When not reading or writing, Roxanne loves to craft, plan Halloween adventures, and search for unique vintage finds.

Amazon Author Page

https://www.amazon.com/Roxanne-Rhoads/e/B002FQ5566

A Bewitching Guide to Halloween

https://www.abewitchingguidetohalloween.com/

Etsy Store 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BewitchingCauldron

Author Website 

http://www.roxannerhoads.com

Book Blog 

www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

Bewitching Book Tours 

www.bewitchingbooktours.com

Twitter 

https://twitter.com/RoxanneRhoads

Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/roxannerhoads

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RoxanneRhoadsAuthor/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ABewitchingGuidetoHalloween

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/BewitchingCauldron/

Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/roxannerhoads/

Pinterest 

https://www.pinterest.com/roxannerhoads/

Tour Giveaway

1 signed copy of Pumpkins and Party Themes

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Haunted Halloween Spooktacular: Downtown Flint’s Five Most Haunted Locations + giveaway

Downtown Flint’s Five Most Haunted Locations

Home to ancient Native American battle sites and burial grounds, the Sit Down Strike of 1936-37, unsolved murders, economic depression, social injustice, and a water crisis - Flint’s unholy brew of energy has led to macabre tales of ghostly encounters and stories of demonic possession.

Is there something sinister lurking in Flint’s history to blame for all the hauntings? Do the souls of Flint’s murdered linger, craving justice by haunting the land until they get their vengeance? Whatever the reason, Flint is filled with frightful sites and terrifying tales.

From ghostly graveyard apparitions in Glenwood and Sunset Hills to spooky specters spotted in downtown Flint’s Capital Theatre and The Whiting, Flint is filled with ghosts.

Here are downtown Flint’s Five Most Haunted Locations.

Stockton Center at Spring Grove

The Stockton Center at Spring Grove is a haunting example of Italianate architecture. The house first belonged to Colonel Thomas Baylis Whitmarsh Stockton and his family before becoming a hospital and then a nursing home. Considered to be Flint's most haunted location countless ghostly encounters have occurred in this building. Some believe the Stockton Family still reside in the home, Colonel Stockton himself watching over it for eternity.

The Masonic Temple

Officially dedicated in 1911, the Flint Masonic Temple is located in the heart of downtown. Shadowy figures, strange noises and the distant haunting sound of organ music fill this old building. Many who have worked in the building have experienced strange encounters and ghostly apparitions.

Whaley House

The Whaley House started life in 1859 as an Italianate but Robert Whaley hired an architect to transform it into a Victorian. In 1885 the Whaley family moved into the newly remodeled home. Levitating tarps, moving toys, ringing bells, curtains blowing with no wind, and shadowy figures fill this haunted mansion. In the basement, you may feel an unearthly chill and a sense of being watched.

The Capitol Theatre

The Capitol first opened its doors at 140 E 2nd St on January 19, 1928. Rumors of hauntings have swirled about The Capitol Theatre for decades. Strange knocking sounds, disembodied singing, shadowy figures…The Capitol’s recent renovations returned the building to its original glory. Did this calm the restless spirits or make them more active?

The Cornwall Building 

Construction began on the house in the early 1870s by Royal Ripley who lived on premised from 1874 to 1881. In 1881 Er Milner purchased the home and completed construction on it in 1883. The ghost of Jennie Milner Cornwall is said to haunt the premises. Sometimes you can see her looking out the window.

Haunted Flint (Haunted America Series)

by Roxanne Rhoads and Joe Schipani 
September 2, 2019
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN-10: 1467143049
ISBN-13: 978-1467143042
Sinister Secrets in Flint’s History

Home to ancient burial grounds, unsolved murders, economic depression, and a water crisis, Flint emits an unholy energy rife with ghostly encounters.

Colonel Thomas Stockton’s ever vigilant ghost keeps a watchful eye over his family home at Spring Grove, where guests occasionally hear the thump of his heavy boots.

Restless spirits long separated from their graves lurk among the ancient stones in Avondale Cemetery.

Carriage maker W.A. Paterson’s spirit continuously wanders the halls of the Dryden Building, and something sinister and unnamed resides in a Knob Hill mansion waiting to prey on impressionable young men.

Join authors Roxanne Rhoads and Joe Schipani on a chilling tour of Flint’s most haunted locations.

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About the Authors:
https://www.haunted-flint.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HauntedFlint/ 

https://www.facebook.com/AllThingsHalloweenGuide/ 

https://allthingshalloweenguide.blogspot.com/ 

Roxanne Rhoads is an author, book publicist, mixed media crafter, and lover of all things spooky.

Roxanne is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours, a virtual book tour and social media marketing company, she operates Fang-tastic Books, a book blog dedicated to paranormal and urban fantasy books, and she runs the blog, A Bewitching Guide to All Things Halloween, which is dedicated to everything Halloween related. Roxanne’s sells handcrafted jewelry, art, and home decor through The Bewitching Cauldron.

When not reading or writing, Roxanne loves to craft, plan Halloween adventures, and search for unique vintage finds.

Joe Schipani is an integral part of Flint’s Art Community with ties to local artists, galleries, book stores, and the Flint Cultural Center. He is the Executive Director of the Flint Public Art Project and the FFAR Project Assistant at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.

He has a weekly column on All Things Halloween titled Freaky Flint History showcasing true crime and weird but true tales of Flint deaths.

Giveaway

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guest post: Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours Quick Tips for Authors Guide by Roxanne Rhoads + excerpt

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours Quick Tips for Authors Guide
by Roxanne Rhoads
December 21, 2015

46 pages

Are you considering a virtual book tour?

Not sure where to start or exactly what an online tour will entail?

Roxanne Rhoads, book publicist and owner of Bewitching Book Tours, shares her virtual tour expertise in this Quick Tips for Authors Guide.

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours will guide you in utilizing the best marketing tool available- a virtual book tour, which can create online exposure for your book, jumpstart your book sales, help build your author brand, and expand your network.

In this guide you’ll learn:
· what you should do before a tour
· the components of a great author website
· the best social media outlets for authors to utilize
· tips for building your author brand
· how to write great guest blogs
· what to expect from an online book tour
· the secrets of successful book tours
· how to schedule your own virtual book tour

And you’ll receive in-depth details about what to do during a virtual book tour to guarantee success.

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What Readers Are Saying About Secrets of Successful Book Tours

“As a book blogger, I am often surprised by the number of new authors I meet that do not really promote their books. There are a lot of inexpensive and free ways for them to do so. Roxanne Rhoads does an excellent job of laying these ideas out. The book is well-organized and easy to follow. She points out author mistakes and faux pas. She speaks from her past experiences. I have a background in marketing. Roxanne Rhoads has a strong understanding of marketing and does a great job of explaining her suggestions and ideas. I highly suggest this book to all authors. There are many great ideas in this book that can help brand you as an author as well as get your books noticed. There are so many books out there. It is absolutely necessary for an author to promote themselves.” ~ Diane Lynch, Book Blogger

“Jam-packed with useful tips that had be scrambling for my calendar. And the conciseness is frankly another selling point for a busy authorpreneur. Who has time to wade through a bunch of fluff? Not me. And Roxanne doesn't waste our time with that -- she gets straight to the business of book tours. Want to run your own tour? No problem. The book provides advice on DIY'ers as well. From lists of blog ideas to the legal in's and out's of using images, Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours has something for novices and old hands like myself. And I believe her branding advice was spot on.” ~ Kirsten Weiss, Author

“This is a must have for any author planning to do a virtual book tour. Most of us wouldn't even think of half this stuff. Roxanne's advice is golden.” ~ Serena Synn, Author

“This book is packed with information on how to not only promote your book but also promote yourself as an author.” ~ Bonnie Amazon Review

I have been doing blog tours with Roxanne for quite some time now and I can say her organization and skills are without a doubt top notch. If I ever actually get around to writing my novel I can assure you that I will use this as a guide. She covers everything from building your brand to what to expect on a blog tour.

Her knowledge is well shared and I think every author that wants to build their brand should read this guy. Simply put this is a must read for any author that wants to exposure that can come with a blog tour. ~Jen Brooks The Cubicle Escapee

In this era of self-publishing, an author needs to do as much as they can to get themselves noticed. Enter the virtual book tour, a tour of blogs on the Internet - as opposed to visiting book stores - with the aim of increasing an author's online presence and ultimately increasing book sales. Roxanne Rhoads guides you through the dos and don'ts of virtual book tours, with great advice on providing fresh material for each tour stop. She covers both tours run by established tour companies and tours you plan yourself, and she includes a list of sites where you can find book bloggers to contact. She also gives you some great advice about setting up your online and social media presence, as well as social media mistakes to avoid.

Roxanne Rhoads is the guru behind Bewitching Book Tours, the first book tour company I ever signed up with. If you're interested in a well-organized blog tour, be sure to check out Bewitching Book Tours. As Roxanne states, "Publication is only the beginning of the process ... promotion is the road to success."

An excellent quick guide for all authors. ~ Lynda Dickson - Books Direct

Recommended reading for anyone considering a blog tour. There is information here that I didn't know and have never come across before. If you want to do-it-yourself, there is a section to help with that as well. How to write a good guest blog, do's and don'ts, even copyright information. It changed the way I think about blog tours and I will be doing things differently the next time around. ~ kmontemayor Amazon Review

This little gem was borne out of Ms. Rhoads' experiences and speaks for itself. It is a must-have reference for authors old and new. ~ AoBibliophile

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours is fantastic compilation of tips, tricks, and learning tools for ensuring your book tour is to your liking. The guide is filled with do's and don'ts as you navigate your tour whether it's your first or your 10th. Learn what a book tour is all about, how to market your author brand, write guest posts, and much, much more. Highly recommended for authors and bloggers, alike. ~Amber Marr Saph’s Book Blog

 

Excerpt:

The world of publishing is continuously evolving thanks to technology and the Internet. It is now easier than ever to publish a book. But with the growing number of new books being released every day it is also harder than ever to get your book noticed in the crowd.
If your line of thinking includes- “If I publish it, people will buy it,” think again.
Indie publishing requires a dedication to self-promotion. Gone are the days an author hermits them self away to write, then hands the book to the publisher who does all the leg work for promotion. Even NYT Bestselling authors and those with contracts through the big publishers still have to do a certain amount of self-promotion.
There are many ways to promote: social media, advertising on popular websites and blogs, print advertising in trade magazines, attending reader oriented conventions and events…but one of the best ways to get your book out there and build name recognition as an author is through a virtual book tour.
In this Quick Tips for Authors Guide, you will learn why a virtual book tour can be an author’s most effective marketing tool.

About the Author:
Author Website 
Bewitching Website 
Blog -twitter
Author FB Page-Bewitching FB  
Newsletter
Roxanne Rhoads has been working in the world of online book promotion since 2005. She has worked as a freelance writer, author, book reviewer, book blogger, editor, self-publisher and book publicist. She has a unique advantage of knowing how multiple sides of book publishing and promotion operate.

Roxanne understands how book bloggers work and what they want to make their jobs easier while also understanding that authors need promotion to be streamlined, easy, and less time consuming.

Roxanne shares some of her knowledge in Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours.

Guest Post: Ten Reasons Authors Should Go On A Virtual Book Tour By Roxanne Rhoads + giveaway

$.99 special pricing 

Ten Reasons Authors Should Go On A Virtual Book Tour

By Roxanne Rhoads

1. Going on a virtual tour can help you network with bloggers, readers, reviewers, other authors and publishing professionals. You can build a professional network of contacts through a tour.

2. A virtual book tour can help build your author brand and platform.

3. An online tour can vastly expand your online presence and visibility as an author. The more you and your book are mentioned online, the more hits readers will find when they Google you.

4. You can target niche reader markets. Does your book feature food, crafts, or secondary topic that can be built upon for marketing purposes? Make sure that in addition to the normal book blogs and genre blogs that several of your tour stops are on targeted blogs for food, recipes, crafts or a side market that fits your niche. For instance, Juliette Blackwell’s Witchcraft Mysteries could be featured on sites that cater to vintage clothing or San Francisco because both of those feature heavily in her cozy mystery series. Melissa Bourbon’s Dressmaking Mystery Series could be featured on a sewing blog. Find your niche and target it.

5. A tour can build your mailing list and increase your social media following. Include links to your newsletter sign up page and all of your social media profiles so readers can easily follow you.

6. A virtual tour can direct traffic to your website. Make sure your website is up to date and full of content for readers to explore.

7. Expose your book to readers around the world. Many tour companies have book bloggers in numerous countries. Your book can be showcased around the world 24/7.

8. You will have the chance to interact directly with readers via live chats, Facebook events, and comments on blogs and websites.

9. Most blogs archive their content; this means it does not get deleted. Your tour stop will remain online indefinitely for readers to find.

10. A virtual book tour can increase book sales.

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours Quick Tips for Authors Guide
by Roxanne Rhoads
Are you considering a virtual book tour?

Not sure where to start or exactly what an online tour will entail?

Roxanne Rhoads, book publicist and owner of Bewitching Book Tours, shares her virtual tour expertise in this Quick Tips for Authors Guide.

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours will guide you in utilizing the best marketing tool available- a virtual book tour, which can create online exposure for your book, jumpstart your book sales, help build your author brand, and expand your network.

In this guide you’ll learn:
· what you should do before a tour
· the components of a great author website
· the best social media outlets for authors to utilize
· tips for building your author brand
· how to write great guest blogs
· what to expect from an online book tour
· the secrets of successful book tours
· how to schedule your own virtual book tour

And you’ll receive in-depth details about what to do during a virtual book tour to guarantee success. 

Amazon BN Kobo Scribd iBooks

Smashwords Inktera Createspace

About the Author:

Website-FB-twitter

Bewitching Book Tours 

Bewitching Blog

Roxanne Rhoads has been working in the world of online book promotion since 2005. She has worked as a freelance writer, author, book reviewer, book blogger, editor, self-publisher and book publicist. She has a unique advantage of knowing how multiple sides of book publishing and promotion operate. 

Roxanne understands how book bloggers work and what they want to make their jobs easier while also understanding that authors need promotion to be streamlined, easy, and less time consuming. 

Roxanne shares some of her knowledge in her latest release, Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours.

Tour Giveaway:

Bewitching Book Tours' Release Day Blitz or Cover Reveal (winner's choice)

ebook copy of Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tour

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours

by Roxanne Rhoads

Giveaway ends March 28, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Creep Show Winners!!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered our Creep Show Halloween costume contest. We got some VERY unique entries and loved every second of it! The winners are announced below:

1. Killer (no really it could kill you!) Costume- Winner: Haley Johnson

2. Pimped out pet- Winner: Rox Lobster

3. Cutest Goblin Child- Winner: Roxanne Rhoads little ones. Roxanne Rhoads is also a Publicist for Entangled Publishing a Romance Author and Book Blogger! You can found more about her HERE.

All winners have been notified by email and will soon receive their Spooky Prizes in the mail. Some honorable mentions to the following folks for having some pretty amazing photos: Author Mike Lynch, Keira from LoveRomancePassion, Alaina, and Sullivan McPig!

Happy Halloween everyone!