Lady Hawkeye: Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ SAMANTHA SPINNER Series by Russell Ginns

Title: SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SUPER SECRET PLANS (Samantha Spinner #1)Author: Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: February 27, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Get ready for round-the-world adventure with Sam Spinner and her brother Nipper in the first book in a new hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, and here's what he left:

* Samantha's sister got a check for $2,400,000,000.

* Samantha's brother got the New York Yankees.

* And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says "Watch out for the RAIN."

Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.

After all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they've shared, how could he just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?

The answer is simple. Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it's that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.

The RAIN is coming and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.

Praise for Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans:

"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles...[that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Full of adventure and survival,...[and with] characters [that] are likable, realistic, and well rounded...[Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal

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Title: SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SPECTACULAR SPECS (Samantha Spinner #2)Author: Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: March 12, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 416

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Get ready for more round-the-world adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the second book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

When Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, he left presents for his nieces and nephew. Samantha's sister, Buffy, got $2,400,000,000. Her brother, Nipper, got the New York Yankees. Samantha got . . . a rusty old umbrella.

Wow! So unfair, Uncle Paul.

Well, it seemed unfair--until Samantha discovered that the old umbrella holds the plans for a super-secret network of transit systems that covers the globe. It's the ticket to danger and adventure beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

But Uncle Paul is still missing. And Samantha just received a new gift from him: a pair of strange purple sunglasses. Are they another powerful present? A clue to his whereabouts? Or just a bad fashion choice? Samantha and Nipper need to figure it out fast, because . . . here comes the SUN!

Praise for Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans, Book 1 in the Samantha Spinner series:

"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles . . . [that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Full of adventure and survival . . . [and with] characters [who] are likable, realistic, and well rounded . . . [Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal

Excerpt

Samantha sat across from her sister at the ornate dining room table. Together, they reviewed scripts and set designs.

“Nate’s in the kitchen,” said Buffy. “He says he wants us to get ready for a ‘Polynesian Surprise.’ ”

Samantha wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but her sister’s grouchy assistant sure was a good cook. The food would probably be delicious.

After a frustrating day, she was starting to feel better. While Samantha helped Buffy with the play, Nipper borrowed the purple sunglasses from her and snooped for clues about Uncle Paul. Samantha had to admit, she was actually looking forward to becoming a producer. Maybe she could help her sister turn the play around. And then, who knew where it could lead?

“What’s up with the monster trucks and the fog machines?” she asked Buffy.

A blueprint on the table showed a big propeller inside a cage.

“And what’s that?” she added. “A big fan?” “Horace Temple told me it was very important to

have all these things,” said Buffy.

Samantha nodded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Were these clues? Did they have something to do with watching out for the SUN? Or was Uncle Paul just pretending to think like a Broadway producer, so Buffy would keep him around?

“The bagpipes and the giraffes were my idea,” Buffy said proudly. “And the fireworks.”

“Stop,” said Samantha, gesturing with both hands.

“Never cause an explosion in a theater. That violates a dozen safety codes and regulations.”

Buffy frowned.

“I have some ideas for the opening number,” Samantha said. “But first we have to talk about the unicorns.”

“What about them?” Buffy asked quickly.

“Face it,” said Samantha. “There aren’t any unicorns. So I don’t think we should plan the whole production around them.”

“What?” Buffy asked, much louder. Nipper tapped Samantha on the shoulder.

“Hey, Sam,” he whispered. “I think I found some clues.”

“Hold on one minute,” she told Buffy, and turned to her brother.

Nipper handed her four Word Whammy! cards.

“A, L, I, and M,” he said. “They were on the floor in a hallway.”

Samantha looked at the cards.

“Did you find them in this order?” she asked. “Mmmm—maybe,” he replied.

He shrugged his shoulders and looked like he had no idea.

“Samantha . . . I’m waiting,” said Buffy.

Nipper handed the glasses back to Samantha and shrugged again.

“Are these the only letters?” she asked quickly. “Were there any other cards around?”

“I dunno. Probably.” He shrugged. “I was in a hurry and I didn’t really—”

“You didn’t really pay attention, did you,” Samantha snapped.

“Sammy!” Buffy called.

Samantha hated it when people called her “Sammy.” She turned back to the table to see Buffy scowling at her.

“Okay, okay,” said Samantha. “Let’s talk about these mermaids.”

She pointed to the drawing of a big cave. Huge letters above the entrance spelled out Hydrangea!

“I don’t think ancient Egyptians had anything that looked like—”

“You’re fired!” said Buffy. “What?” Samantha asked. “Go home. Now.”

About Russell

Russell Ginns is a writer and game designer who specializes in puzzles, songs, and smart fun. He has worked on projects for a wide variety of organizations, corporations, and publications, including Sesame Workshop, Girl Scouts of America, Nintendo, and Scientific American. Russell lives and writes in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans and Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs. To learn more about him, visit samanthaspinner.com and follow @rginns on Twitter.