Welcome to the Blog Tour for Off the Itinerary series by M. Liz Boyle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE SERIES Off the Itinerary Series 

Title: Avalanche
Series: Off the Itinerary Series #1
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 26, 2019
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

“Avalanche surprised me with its depth…a 5-star read…” -For the Love of Literature

Five friends. One moonlit summit. An unforgettable journey.

Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee and her sisters join their friends on a daring hike up a Colorado mountain – in the middle of the night. When Sawyer first proposes the idea of a moonlit summit during the two families’ annual backpacking trip, Marlee is terrified but also hooked. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking, and Sawyer is confident they’ll be back by sunrise. But when disaster strikes, their knowledge, faith, and stamina will be put to the test. Digging out of the cemented snow is the first of many challenges in the coming days, and now Marlee has to trust Sawyer, who, by the way, was the brain behind the dilemma. Will their faith and friendship survive, or will they cave under pressure?

This engaging journey, told by fifteen-year-old Marlee Stanley, captures a timeless sense of adventure. The five young adults strive to exhibit godly character throughout their escapade, but it will take immense strength to hike out of this mess.

“I know that if their journey inspired me, it will certainly inspire others…Boyle has brought YA fans an uplifting, adventurous novel.” -A Baker’s Perspective

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound

Title: Chased
Series: Off the Itinerary Series #2
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

“Chased would be a great addition to a k-12 Christian school library. Middle schoolers and up will enjoy it.” – Library Lady’s Kid Lit

It’s been a year since Marlee, her sisters, and the Miles boys survived an avalanche. Sure, it was a little embarrassing for them when all the neighbors saw them on the news, but they love being outdoors, and what are the odds that another tragedy would strike this adventurous group? Has anyone calculated the statistics of being hit with two natural disasters? It has to be low, so of course, the two families planned to backpack again this summer.

When the teens first meet Thad, a dehydrated hiker on the trail, they give him water and food and help him recover. He seems harmless until he tells them to hike a few extra miles at sunset. Then Lydie finds a hand-drawn map that Thad dropped, and they discover why he is so eager to get away from the Stanley girls and Miles boys. So eager that he starts chasing them.

Now they have to climb up unforgiving ridges, sneak through the night, and – is that thunder and lightning? To make matters worse, Marlee has a nagging worry that her older sister Ellie is preparing to move away from home.

What is God’s plan? How will they get away from Thad before it’s too late?

“…realistic, exciting, and suspenseful…Chased is the perfect sequel to Avalanche. It’s gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and, best of all, Christian.” -David M., Beta Reader

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository

Title: Ablaze
Series: Off the Itinerary Series #3
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: February 25, 2021
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

“M. Liz Boyle tackles the topic of showering difficult people with grace and forgiveness, making this a must-read for Christian teens. Adventure seekers who loved Avalanche and Chased will fall head-over-heels for the adventure that heats up in Ablaze!” – Author Allyson Kennedy

This summer the Stanley sisters and the Miles boys are excited to hike together again, and now they have the unique opportunity to help two of their ranger friends with an outdoor program in the beautiful Montana mountains.

Marlee has always considered herself a willing follower. Give her a direction and she’s happy to help. Her older sister Ellie is a natural leader, and Marlee is content in her role as assistant.

Marlee and her sisters have been assigned to help with Ranger Rose’s team, and they are savoring the adventure. But in a heartbeat, while the group is divided by a few hundred feet, fire breaks out between Ranger Rose and Marlee’s group. In this enthralling finale to the Off the Itinerary series, Marlee must face her fears with courage that only God can provide.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts on the Off the Itinerary Series!

Avalanche: 

I have to say I’ve been reading so much Young Adult fiction lately. Maybe I’m overprotective or maybe I just want my kids to not grow up too quickly, but I read all books before they do unless they’re ones I’ve already read or know that they’re okay. So books like this, I know my kids would love to read them so I read them first.

This was a good book. I enjoyed the banter of the kids and how they handled their adventure. The information on what to do and the best way to handle bad situations was spot on. I’ve never been in a situation like this but l like the thought that if my children read this book they might grasp some of the knowledge and use it if they are ever in a situation like this.

I really liked that this is a definite Christian book. The kids are great role models and really know God and rely on Him. Plus, this is a very clean book. No curse words or words meant to replace curse words in this one!

Need a book to read? How about a book for your teen? This is a great one that I can recommend and hope you give it a read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Chased:

Book one in this series is titled Avalanche. And while you won’t be forced to read it first you really should as it gives you the backstory on the teens and explains some of the dynamics between them.

In this book, Chased, we find the crew of four teens and their parents off on another adventure. This time it’s a hike. The kids are off on their own and their parents will meet them later. The problem? When the group of teens encounters a dehydrated hiker only to discover he’s a treasure seeker and now he’s out to get them because they saw his map!

Can they outwit and outrace this madman and the man he has working with him? What a great reward for their good deed of sharing and caring. Now they’re being chased and threatened and they’re not quite sure how this will end up or what their next step should be.

From hiking in the dark to flash floods this book is full of action and surprises. Plus you get to watch a bit of family drama and a relationship develop.

I have really enjoyed this series. Yes, it is young adult fiction but this adult has enjoyed it. They are short and fast reads for me. My older girls are also enjoying this series now. We highly recommend them.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Ablaze:

I loved this book! It is book three in a series called Off the Itinerary geared towards young adults and teens. You definitely have to read this series in order to get the most from it because they do reference events that have happened in the first two. And of course, because you will miss out on a lot of the story before the story that you desperately need!

When I read that this is the finale for the series it left me very sad. It’s a great series that my kids and I are loving. I’m sure you’ll love the characters as well.

In this last instalment, you get to see Marlee and her sisters as well as the Miles brothers again. Ellen is off on her own with school but back with the family for this excursion. They’ve been asked to help out with a camping hike by the Rangers. They have the knowledge to share and everyone says Marlee is a great leader.

Everyone that is except her best friend and this one girl in her hiking group.

But things go from bad to worse with Marlee not knowing about the life-threatening peanut allergy of another hiker and then a forest fire starting. Can Marlee live up to the leadership potential so many others see in her or will she just let everyone down? And what about the relationship between Ellen and Sawyer? But even more than that what about Marlee and Marshall?

I guess you’ll just have to read the series to find out because I’m surely not going to tell you!

They’re wonderful books!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR of Off the Itinerary Series

M. Liz Boyle is an author, the wife of a professional tree climber and the mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. She received her Associate’s of Arts at the University of Sioux Falls, where she received the LAR Writing Award for her essay entitled, “My Real Life Mufasa.” Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories.

She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She likes making adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone). She has thoroughly enjoyed working on the Off the Itinerary series.

Connect with Liz by visiting mlizboyle.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY for Off the Itinerary Series

(3) winners will receive one Off the Itinerary series book (winner’s choice), book swag, and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win.

The full tour schedule is linked below.

The giveaway began at midnight on August 9, 2022, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 16, 2022.

Open to the US only.

Items may vary from image.

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize.

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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