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!
About The Book:
Title: STEVEN F SEAGULL & THE MISSING CHIPS
Author: Kitty May Gruchelska
Pub. Date: June 13, 2024
Publisher: Magnetic Lion Productions
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 240
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:
Excerpt 1
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?
Author Chat With YABC:
- What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
The original spark ignited way back during the COVID pandemic, a time most of us would rather forget! I was walking on a beach in Wales, UK, with my husband and we joked about seagulls. We laughed about how they were wondering where all the chips had gone due to the lack of people. The original plot focused on the pandemic, although I knew it would date the story too quickly, so I turned it into a tale of mystery and adventure, using a different culprit.
- Who is your favorite character in the book?
I always find these questions difficult to answer because I love them all equally. Although I root for Fitzy in the adventure because he has to build up his self-esteem (and I wasn’t particularly confident as a child), Charlie emerges as a strong yet supportive sidekick. I also find the annoying characters endearing in their own way, such as the vain but cowardly Artful Dodger, who’ll have his own story later this year.
- Which came first, the title or the novel?
Definitely the concept, but the title came with ease. All male seagulls are called Steven, while the females are Stephanie, although they each have a unique middle name to give them individuality. Fitzy’s name was part of the title from the beginning.
- What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I think the climax of the book, which drew together all the different elements of the story. It was reasonably easy to write because it was just bang, bang, bang… A close second would be the finale in Stefano Giacomo’s factory. It had the right balance of tension and action, along with fun elements and some teamwork from the characters.
- Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I’m divided between mastering social media and time management. The first one is a work in progress, and I’m still building my Instagram profile with engaging content. Time management is probably the toughest to handle because there are always things happening that are outside of your control. I have a new full-time job as the coordinator of a writing centre at university, so I have to maximise my free time and priortise effectively.
- What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I like the font, how it’s used creatively, which adds to the fun element of the cover. The vignette style works well too, and I’ll probably keep that as a running theme for my books.
- What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2025?
I have little time for reading fiction because I read and review essays at university. When I was a child, I was a real bookaholic and devoured a lot of fiction, although at some point in the future, I hope to pick up books I can read for enjoyment.
- What was your favorite book in 2024?
I didn’t read fiction last year, just academic articles! In my childhood, there were some classics that I loved, such as the Narnia books. Another memorable book was ‘The Phantom Tollbooth.’ I loved all the puns and how the writer crafted a whole world around words and language. Another favourite was the now discontinued Tim and Tobias series, featuring a spooky black cat and supernatural characters.
- What’s up next for you?
My writing is split between two genres and associated pen names. As Kitty May Gruchelska, my latest work is a shorter story featuring Stefano Giacomo Seagull, although readers can expect two books about cats, plus another Fry Cove tale in 2025. This will feature the back story of a particularly annoying supporting character.
- Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
Some of the scenes based on the Deny the Fry colony were the most difficult, and I rewrote them so they’re more dynamic. The idea was to feature more alliance building and bring in the final character for the CIA team, while keeping the pace and showcasing some action scenes.
- Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Certainly, characters in kid lit are much easier to create, although they have to be relatable too. I needed Fitzy to feel useless and lack self-esteem, although the challenge was to give him enough spark and enthusiasm to carry the burden of his mission.
- Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
I’d have to say the second draft because a blank page is the hardest part. Some scenes flesh out well from the beginning, while others take a lot more work to perfect. I feel the story really takes shape in the second draft, and I don’t need as much coffee to get started!
- What would you say is your superpower?
Maybe working with big ideas, building them into a tight and well-developed plot.
- Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
While I don’t want to be too political at the moment, I feel passionate about looking out for street cats. In the Middle East, you find a lot of ordinary people try to feed them, and that’s the case where I live now in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Some street cats are in terrible condition, but there’s a wonderful organization based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The founder assists with health certificates and export permits so the cats can find loving homes abroad.
About Kitty May Gruchelska:
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.
Sign up for
Kitty’s newsletter
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Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
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.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
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2/17/2025 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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2/17/2025 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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2/18/2025 |
Excerpt |
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2/18/2025 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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2/19/2025 |
Excerpt |
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2/19/2025 |
Guest Post/IG Post |
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2/20/2025 |
Excerpt |
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2/20/2025 |
Interview/IG Post |
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2/21/2025 |
Excerpt |
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2/21/2025 |
IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
Week Two:
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2/24/2025 |
IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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2/24/2025 |
IG Post/LFL Drop Pic |
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2/25/2025 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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2/25/2025 |
IG Review |
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2/26/2025 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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2/26/2025 |
Review |
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2/27/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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2/27/2025 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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2/28/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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2/28/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
