Showing posts with label Independent publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Independent publishing. Show all posts

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Kid Lit Blog Hop #50


 
Kid Lit Blog Hop

Welcome to the 50th Kid Lit Blog Hop where we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! We are pleased to be welcoming a new Permanent Hostess to the Hop. Please welcome Naila from Reading Authors, a fabulous book blog. Welcome Naila! Also, please note that for the month of December, we will only be hosting one Kid Lit Blog Hop which will be open for 2 weeks, instead of one.

Today I have a wonderful new book, from an Australian Independent Author.

Digby's Moon Mission
 
By Renee Price
Illustrated by Anil Tortop
 
 
 
 
Digby Fixit awakes in the sleepiest part of the night with a fright, asking an age old question. "Why is the dark so dark?"  Peering out his window, he finds the answer in a flash. The moon is so banana thin it barely makes a glimmer.
 
Well, lucky Digby Fixit is on the case. He sets about a clever plan involving all his friends. A mighty cooking extravaganza begins with muffin treats, kiwi tarts, thausage rolls and wonton soup, to name a few. By weeks end, the gang are ready and they load the catapult in Digby's yard. With a cheer, they send their sumptuous feast towards the moon. 
 
 
 
Night after night, Digby checks the lunar phases with his trusty measuring tape. By seven sleepless nights, voila, the moon is a plump as a pie, lighting the sky. Digby lays content in his bed, as the dark is no longer so dark. But wait. "What is that noise and why is it so noisy?" Digby ponders.....

 
This was a delightful moon mission book with a twist. When I first read the title, I thought Digby would be visiting the moon.  Upon reading, we realised that the moon's well being, was actually Digby's mission.  This was a very clever way of introducing words that have dual meanings. The story is spliced with simple rhyme that kids will no doubt enjoy, as they journey with Digby and his friends in their mission to plump up the moon. I absolutely loved the illustration style and with each delicious new page, I felt my tummy rumbling.  Young children seem to be enamoured with the moon in all its phases, so I loved the premise of this book.  It gives a great talking point for all those little star gazers out there.
 
What impresses me more about his book is that the author funded the entire production through crowd funding.  It just goes to show that dreams can come true, and those of us who long to see our words in little hands, can find a way.
 
 
 
No off you hop!!!!
 
 
Welcome to the 48th Kid Lit Blog Hop where we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! We are pleased to be welcoming a new Permanent Hostess to the Hop. Please welcome Naila from Reading Authors, a fabulous book blog. Welcome Naila! Also, please note that for the month of December, we will only be hosting one Kid Lit Blog Hop which will be open for 2 weeks, instead of one.

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
 

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)
Hostesses:
2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.
* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*
* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *
* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*
* Feel free to link more than one post.*
3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you!
4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links!
5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!
Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.
Happy Hopping!
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Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Kid Lit Blog Hop #46


Welcome back to the Kid Lit Blog Hop #46
 
 



It is no secret that I have a major obsession with middle grade mysteries, so when I saw this one on Amazon, I snaffled it up
 
The Curious Disappearance of Professor Brown
by Tim Flanagan and illustrations by Dylan Gibson.
 
 
I was not disappointed. 




18 year old Lawrence Pinkley is Whitby's top private detective. Well actually he is the only private detective, complete with wardrobe of beige trenchcoats and trilby hats. When his father dies and leaves him a large inheritance, Lawrence can't touch it until he runs PIG for 5 years. ( Pinkley Investigation Group) So he sets out to follow in his father's footsteps and what follows is a laugh out loud adventure, with a cast of characters whose names often had me chortling.
 
 When Russet Brown arrives on Pinkley's door step, desperate to find her father Professor Brown, little does Lawrence know just how much of pumpkin of an investigation he has landed in. Mysterious notes begin finding their way into his office, and two thugs are watching his every move. Lawrence soon learns that this private detective gig is not as easy as he thought and he finds himself in one huge pickle, but not to worry. With a little help from some new friends, our dashing detective outsmarts the crooks and lives to investigate another day, just in time for his date with the lovely Vicky, his cafe crush.

This was one fun mystery, that had me laughing all the way to the end. I absolutely loved the colour illustrations by Dylan Gibson and found myself taking extra time to study each one, with their intricate and often hilarious details. I would recommend this to upper middle grade 12+ due to some of the events included and I am certainly looking forward to the next Lawrence Pinkley mystery.
 


Happy Hopping folks


Welcome to the 46th Kid Lit Blog Hop where we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! We are pleased to be welcoming a few co-hosts this week: Stanley & Katrina, who have just released their latest book, The Observations of the Obstreperous Animals (Stanley & Katrina Book 2) and Rebecca, the author behind the book blog, A Book Long Enough. Welcome to Stanley & Katrina and Rebecca!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
 

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)
Hostesses:
Co-Hosts:
2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.
* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*
* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *
* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*
* Feel free to link more than one post.*
3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you!
4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links!
5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!
Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.
Happy Hopping!
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Thursday, 21 August 2014

Karmac: Book Blast

Karmack by J.C. Whyte
Title: Karmack | Author: J.C. Whyte | Publication Date: June 6, 2013 | Publisher: Muse it Up Publishing | Pages: 140 | Recommended Age: 7+
Summary: A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts! Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails, “dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all. Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!

"Karmack" won First Place in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books (e-Books).

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards - logo

Purchase the Book

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Muse It Up Publishing

Barnes and Noble * Omnilit * Bookstrand

 

The Buzz About the Book

"Karmack is a well-written, middle grade book tackling the difficult topic of bullying from the perspective of the bully. The character development is absolutely brilliant as the reader witnesses the transformation of Sully from an aggressive, angry bully to a positive role model and respected leader among his peers. While the concept of karma is not for everyone, I found myself agreeing with the main message of how our actions have consequences, intended or otherwise. I would recommend this book to middle grade classrooms as a great book to generate discussion around bullying." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
 
"A wonderful story about growing up and treating others with respect, Karmack is well paced, funny, and manages to teach important lessons without coming off preachy." ~ Jess W., Amazon
 
"A fun read with important lessons for us all about Karma, and why bullies have more to balance than most people. Great for ages 9 up, child centered, non-preachy, action packed, great classroom read aloud." ~ Carolyn W., Amazon
 
"What an AMAZINGLY FUN story! EVERYONE needs to read it! Full of FUN, FANTASY, and FANTASTIC REVENGE on a bully! Fun for ALL ages!" ~ Shauna W., Amazon
 
"Karmack is a captivating pre-teen fantasy and author J.C. Whyte has created a strong cast of characters that are well developed and quite likable. As the story progresses, the suspense builds to a delightful outcome that is sure to keep readers anticipating Whyte's next round of literary treasures. We look forward to seeing more from this author." ~ Literary Classics Book Review, Amazon
 

About The Author: J.C. Whyte

J.C. White Author of KarmackWhen J.C. Whyte was eleven, her 6th grade teacher gave a class assignment to write a poem about a sport. Realizing her classmates would probably choose popular American sports like baseball or football, J.C. decided to write about something different: golf. And to her complete surprise, the teacher found it comical; she was thereby encouraged to keep writing. Then over summer break, students were told to choose 26 books from a reading list and write a book report on each. J.C. was horrified! She wanted to enjoy her summer, not spend it reading! You see, J.C. was a very slow reader and didn’t much enjoy the experience. Plus, kids back then didn’t have all the fun books to choose from today. But that same teacher who had assigned the sports poem told J.C.’s mother she could write 26 stories instead of reading them. That was absolute genius! Although she didn’t actually write 26 stories (perhaps six?), J.C. submitted one which made her teacher laugh out loud in class. And she got an “A” on her summer reading assignment. J.C. has never forgotten that wise teacher who let her play to her strengths. So from the age of eleven, J.C. knew she wanted to be a writer. Yet by the time she reached college, she understood that writing stories seldom paid the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications Management. Then for many years she channeled her creative energies in the field of Public Relations. Marriage, kids, and several more degrees and occupations later (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J.C. entered law school – mostly for the challenge of writing creative arguments for the court. But while in law school, she became a columnist for the student newsletter, writing humorous pieces on the strange and quirky life of a law student. She was absolutely thrilled when one of these articles was chosen for publication in The National Jurist, a magazine distributed to law students throughout the US. But after graduating and passing the Bar, J.C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she’s returned to writing. And with publication of her middle grade novel Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey began.

Website | Goodreads

 

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize Contest ends: September 18, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. One winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, J.C. Whyte and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway   MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Tuesday, 12 August 2014

The Kings Ransom Book Blast

Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello  

About the Book

Title: Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom | Author: Cheryl Carpinello | Year published: April 17, 2013 | Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing | Number of pages: 120 | Recommended age: 9+
Summary: Three Friends. Three Quests. Three Mysterious Predictions.
At Pembroke Castle in medieval Wales,11-year-old Prince Gavin, 13-year-old orphan Philip, and 15-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan, brought together in friendship by the one they call The Wild Man, embark upon a quest to save The Wild Man's life when he is accused of murder and robbery. If they have any hope of succeeding, the three will have to confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. But it is the arrival of King Arthur and what he reveals that surprises characters and readers.  

Awards

2013 EVVY Finalist and EVVY Merit Award for Juvenile/Young Adult from Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc.
2013 Ariana Cover Finalist
2012 Silver Award Recipient for YA Fiction from Children's Literary Classics and the CLC's 2012 Seal of Approval.
2012 Finalist E-Book Children from USA 2012 Best Book Awards
 

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBookstore

Smashwords * MuseItUp Publishing

 

Free Educational Supplement

Visit the Wise Owl Factory for a FREE study guide. Click on the image below.
Young Knights Teaching Supplement - Wise Owl Factory  

The Buzz About the Book

"Young Knights of the Round Table is a short, fast-paced adventure set in Arthurian times which features great character development, an intriguing and engaging plot, and a surprise ending (in more ways than one!). I would highly recommend this book to tween and teen boys and girls who love mysteries or stories set in the time of King Arthur." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
 
"I so enjoyed the factual information about weapons, clothing, daily life, and places, cleverly interspersed in the text and dialogue to inform without overwhelming young readers. The author has a gift for delving into the depths of each young hero’s psyche. The way each one of the trio faces their fears, learns to believe in themselves, and finds their true meaning and path in life is moving. This is a superb coming-of-age story, set in a time of chivalry and pageantry, and harking back to an age when a hero was truly a hero. Five stars! " ~ Fiona Ingram, Author
 
"There is much to rave about this book, and I don’t want to give anything away because it’s a quick paced, thrilling, new classic about the knights. Witches, white stags, and a Wild Man make the plot exciting, along with cheering along the young knights. There are quite a few surprises at the end that really make the book a great read. We highly recommend this book for any young reader; sure, boys might convinced by the action and title, but I’m positive all young readers will enjoy the mystery and chivalry of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom! " ~ Tales of a Bookworm
 
"I absolutely loved this book... [T]his book has just enough Arthurian legend to tie it to and draw from that period of history while being jam-packed with fantastic new characters and fresh plot twists. I am rarely surprised by things in books, but this book really surprised me with a few events I totally did not see coming! I highly recommend this book for young readers! It would be an excellent tie-in to a unit study about King Arthur." ~ Mommynificent
 
"This is a fast-paced story that children and adults will both enjoy! It's well-written and exciting as we read about the fears each boy faces and how they are able to triumph. It's a great story about loyalty, friendship and overcoming obstacles. Because of the length, it doesn't drag or slow down at all, so it's fun to read and hard to put down. And the ending is full of surprises! I highly recommend reading this book! " ~ Mel's Shelves
 

About the Author: Cheryl Carpinello

Cheryl Carpinello, Author I love the Ancient and Medieval Worlds! As a retired English teacher, I hope to inspire young readers to read more andto reach reluctant readers with my Arthurian Tales and soon a series of stories from ancient lands and legends that will take readers on adventurous quests throughout history.

Author Website * Author Blog * Facebook

Goodreads * Twitter * Google+

Book Buzzer * Amazon Author Page

Pinterest

 

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon $50 Gift CardPrize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: September 9, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Cheryl Carpinello and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Friday, 2 May 2014

Four Fiends Blog Tour

Four Fiends Blog Tour Button FINAL  

About the Book

Four Fiends Cover FINAL

Title: Four Fiends (The Countdown), 2nd Edition Author: Nikki Bennett Publication Date: February 16, 2014 (2nd Edition) Publisher: Independent: Firedrake Books LLC Pages: 215

Recommended Ages: 8+ Summary:
The Four Guardians of the world have gone missing. They’ve been kidnapped by some of the most diabolical fiends that ever existed. Now, four misfit kids from different parts of the world must band together to save the Guardians. Along the way, they learn to work together, as they confront and conquer their deepest fears.  

Purchase

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

 My Review

We begin with four children who are highly unlikely to ever meet. Each stumble upon a creature that is invisible to anyone but themselves. When their new pets grow big enough to encompass their entire bodies, the four children find themselves being whisked away on important adventure.  To save the world from the Four Fiends who have captured the Four Guardians of the world.   First we have Jinjing from Hong Kong. A girl tall in statue, but who is afraid of her own shadow. Pietro from Italy, who specialises in bending the truth into larger than life stories.  Kate from the USA, who is confident but never very good at asking for help.  Finally Saburo, who just wants to be like every other kid, not a child with troublesome legs that pain him. The children are given a magical item to help them along the way. They must defeat the Four Fiends, in order to free the Guardians. At times they band together, and at times they must journey alone, but each one must face their fears in order to battle the Fiends.
  This was a fun adventure and a coming of age tale of sorts. Each of the children have their own journey to take.  It was great to watch them grow and mature and find their unique courage along the way. I think this will appeal to kids aged 9-12, with its rich elements of mythology and fantasy and the unlikely friendships that develop along their quest.

The Buzz
"This was one of the most entertaining reads for the whole family we have found in a long time. The characters are very believable, and I am always a sucker for heroes that have to find their way. The reading is very fluid and easily understood by the little kids when read aloud (sounds silly but anyone trying to do this will tell you it's not as easy a thing to achieve as it sounds) and the kids all seem to enjoy the story. The history is easily accessible even without a lot of research or background knowledge. The kids are very motivated to research and learn more on their own because this story has captured their interest. I already have many home learning lessons in mind using this book and have begun developing them with my kids. I think this is a book that will be found in classrooms very soon! Great job! I'm looking forward to more soon!!!" ~ 5 Star Review, Mariah W., Amazon
"Excellent read in and of itself, and provides excellent, character-building source material for reading to youngsters. The characters are well written and realistic, and the storyline is cleverly written and intelligent." ~ 5 Star Review, Alia K., Amazon
"Fantastic read. I loved the characters in this book so much that I re-read to my 9 year old after finishing it. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes stories about adventure and believing in yourself." ~ 5 Star Review, Keith, Amazon
 

About the Author: Nikki Bennett

Nikki BennettNikki Bennett is an author and world traveler currently living in Japan. She loves traveling, and incorporates all the culture and folklore she can from the countries she visits into her stories. Nikki has two books out right now. Her first book, FOUR FIENDS is a MG fantasy adventure and her newest book, MUKADE ISLAND is a YA adventure/fantasy (think Lord of the Flies meets LOST, it it was set on a different world!) Find out all about Nikki's books at www.worldofnikki.com

Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Four Fiends Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

May 1
May 2
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
 

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Amazon $50 Gift Card Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 31, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Nikki Bennett and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Faery Swap Book Blast

Faery Swap by Susan Kaye Quinn

About the Book

Title: Faery Swap | Author: Susan Kaye Quinn | Publication Date: December 19, 2013 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 281 | Recommended Ages: 10+ Summary: Warrior faery princes can be very stubborn. Especially when they possess your body. Fourteen-year-old Finn just wants to keep his little sister out of Child Protective Services--an epic challenge with their parentally-missing-in-action dad moving them to England, near the famous Stonehenge rocks. Warrior faery Prince Zaneyr just wants to escape his father's reckless plan to repair the Rift--a catastrophe that ripped the faery realm from Earth 4,000 years ago and set it adrift in an alternate, timeless dimension. When Zaneyr tricks Finn into swapping places, Finn becomes a bodiless soul stuck in the Otherworld, and Zaneyr uses Finn's body to fight off his father's seekers on Earth. Between them, they have two souls and only one body... and both worlds to save before the dimensional window between them slams shut. Faery Swap is an action and druid-magic filled portal fantasy, told by both a runaway faery prince and the boy he's tricked into taking his place.

This Prince and the Pauper meets Warrior Faeries tale is suitable for all ages. NOTE TO TEACHERS: A 2 minute book trailer and a 9 minute Virtual Author Visit video brings Author and Rocket Scientist Susan Kaye Quinn (Ph.D. Engineering) into your classroom, sharing her background in science and engineering and talking about her book, Faery Swap. A downloadable Teacher's Guide includes discussion questions, activities, and a Knowledge Seekers card-based game designed to be played in the classroom - all aligned to Common Core reading, writing, and college readiness standards for Grades 3-6. (Virtual Author Visit can be found at Susan's website: www (dot) susankayequinn (dot)com/p/virtual-author-visit.html)  

Book Video

 

Purchase

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes and Noble

 

The Buzz

"I've seen and enjoyed this theme before, but never in a book for this age group and Ms. Quinn carries it out beautifully. The kids were fun and acted like kids, which makes them believable for all ages. The pace and action will keep readers flipping pages greedily. Also, telling the story from the two viewpoints greatly added to my overall enjoyment. Highly recommend for ages 9 and up." ~ 5 Star Review, Alan T., Amazon

"I am a 10 year old boy. My mom recommended this awesome book to me because she knows Kai Strand, who knows Susan Quinn. I was hooked from the first paragraph! This is a wonderful ( and quite thrilling) story! Good for all ages and I wish I could rate it 100 stars! ... I can definitely recommended this to almost anyone! Good job to Susan Quinn. The story is balanced neatly between Zaneyr and Finn, by Finn's perspective in the first chapter, Zaneyr's perspective in the the next, then Finn again, and so on. Great book and is a must read." ~ 5 Star Review, Red Rose, Amazon

"I LOVED this book. This is one of those books that grabs you and doesnt let you go. Susan Kaye Quinn is an awesome writer! Feary Swap is funny, well paced, and filled with adventure. It's a book no kid will want to miss. I especially loved the witty humor that kept me laughing page after page. The world building was vivid and phenomenal. I could just see this as a movie in my head. I liked how the author sneaks those educational moments in there without you even knowing it. A delightful book for old and young readers alike. Get it!" ~ 5 Star Review, Daddy's Girls Book Reviews, Amazon
 

About the Author: Susan Kaye Quinn

Susan Kay Quinn Author   Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, which is young adult science fiction. Faery Swap is her foray into middle grade, which is her first writing love. Her business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist" and she always has more speculative fiction fun in the works. You can subscribe to her newsletter (BONUS: new subscribers get a free short story!) or stop by her blog to see what she's up to.

Website | Virtual Author Visit Page | Facebook

Twitter | Goodreads

   

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 29, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Kaye Quinn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Sunday, 27 April 2014

Skycastle, The Demon, And Me Book Blast

  Skycastle, the Demon, and Me by Andy Mulberry

About the Book

Title: Skycastle, the Demon, and Me | Author: Andy Mulberry | Publication Date: February 22, 2014 | Publisher: Paw! Print Press | Pages: 107 | Recommended Ages: 7+
Summary: Skycastle, the Demon, and Me is the first in a series of middle grade books for fearless, adventure loving kids. WARNING...this book contains a scowling demon, bad decisions, a skeleton key, not foul but hellish language, an ordinary boy and an extraordinary castle. You've been warned. Skycastle, the Demon, and Me: An unlikely friendship, a hellish adventure and cliffhangers aplenty to make reluctant readers turn the pages.  

Purchase

* Available as a 99 cent e-book through Amazon*

Amazon

 

The Buzz

"I bought this book to read with my younger brother and we both loved it. I always try to encourage him to keep up with his reading but he's usually not that big of a fan of books most of the time. To my surprise, he quickly became immersed into the story and I could tell that he was having just as much fun as I was reading it together. The story keeps up at a smooth and fast pace, which is of course very important in children's books, and it's adventurous and written really well. To say that I am satisfied with 'Skycastle, the Demon, and Me' would be an understatement, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more releases by the author" ~ 5 Star Review, Jane L., Amazon
 
"The characters are well created and the story is exceptionally good. My great granddaughter just started reading it this morning and she is already pretty engrossed in the story. Great book. I definitely recommend." ~ 5 Star Review, Beverly C., Amazon
 
"Very well written story. Witty and charming for both myself and my son who is in 3rd grade. A great creative adventure about a demon and a boy. Looking forward to more in this series. I would highly recommend this book for kids around the 3rd grade. It's action packed and holds my sons interest. Filled with the stuff he loves. Thanks!" ~ 5 Star Review, M. Harbin, Amazon
 

About the Author: Andy Mulberry

Andy Mulberry AvatarAndy Mulberry loves to write stories filled with strange adventures, odd characters and mysterious circumstances. To say she was born holding a book in her hand reading would be a gross hyperbole. She lives in Southern California with her scowling teenager, a chubby blue cat-beast, an imaginary dog and one leaky roof.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

   

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 23, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Andy Mulberry and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Saturday, 19 April 2014

Writing Process Blog Tour


Writing Process Blog Tour
 
Recently I have been tagged twice in a Writing Process Blog Tour.
 
The first was by the 100% adorable, Felicia Maziarz, author of The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets,  http://www.stanleyandkatrina.com/2014/04/writing-process-blog-tour.html

Felicia was one of the lucky kids who had the opportunity to interview Mr. Rick Riordan on HuffPost Live’s Tell Me Why Program, with her friend, Erik of This Kid Reviews Books.  These kids are absolutely awesome, so hop on over to check out their writing process.

The second was by another extremely awesome gal  (also 100% adorable) who writes Middle Grade, and Young Adult fiction.  Give it up for Ilana Waters http://www.ilanawaters.com/my-writing-process-or-lack-thereof/

What am I working on?
 
At the moment I have a middle grade mystery with illustrations that I am about to independently release, hurrah.
I also have the third book in my Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy written and ready for editing.
I also write picture books and I have several manuscripts I am shopping around at the moment.



How does my work differ from others of its genre?
 
I write middle grade sci fi with a female protagonist.  That isn't so common it seems, so hopefully that sets my books apart and will get both girls and boys interested in the sci fi genre.

My picture books are quirky, I just hope one day a publisher will take a chance on them....
 
 
Why do I write what I do?
 
I hope to inspire kids to read, to write and to explore their world through the written pages of books.
 
 
How does my writing process work?
 
Early morning, I try to dictate using Dragon Dictate.  That is the only time I get without a very small elf bossing me around.  I also find I am most alert in the morning.

I try to do some form of writing every day, be it answering emails, writing blog posts, reviewing books, editing my manuscripts or conjuring new ones.  Some days I may only get an hour to do these things, but it all counts towards my writing routine.
When I am editing, I read it out loud. It is very painstaking, and my throat takes a beating but it helps to hear it out loud.
When I am revising, I am ruthless. If it doesn't move the story forward or diverts from the main characters point of view, CUT IT OUT, he he.
 
For picture books, I get the whole thing down, and then I trim it to below 500 words, every time.  No exceptions. Publishers will not take you on above 500 words unless you are already on their list.  
 
 
Next up we have Louisa Clarkson.  
 

Author of
 

 
 
 
Here's a few words from Louisa:
 
 
Things have changed in the publishing industry over the past decade, and today most authors must promote themselves to get their books noticed by readers. But promoting a book is never easy, especially for self-published authors or small press authors. They don’t have the backing of a big publisher; they compete against hundreds of thousands of books published every year, and many readers are hesitant to try new authors and stick with authors they know. So how do authors attract readers?
These are the issues Louisa Clarkson faced when researching ways to promote her children's fantasy novel, The Silver Strand, and that’s why she created the concept of Indicated, a place where authors help promote each other. "Authors are readers too,” she says, “when they find a good book, they tell their family, friends and colleagues, thus promoting a book to new readers.”
 
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Thursday, 10 April 2014

Finding Your Powerup


Today, I was reading about an author that wrote a picture book. That particular book catapulted her onto the picture book scene I so desperately wish I could break into.
In this article she talked about how she wrote it and it did really well, then her editor suggested a follow on book and, voila, a series was born….


I started thinking to myself, I wish I had that kind of interaction. Where an editor or a publishing house, was actually suggesting things to me, collaborating with me and spurring me on to produce something that they want to publish…. I wish I could find my Power-Up book, like this author did.

Do you know what I mean by Power-Up? Have you ever played Mario Cart? You know that moment, when you drive into a coloured box and the prize wheel turns and it lands on black rocket.

The next thing you know, you are sailing through the course at super top speed, passing all the other vehicles, dropping you right up there in first place, where you then sail onto victory….
Yeah, if only I could find my Power-Up book. A book that would catapult me into the hearts of a publisher, editor, reader…..



News flash, everyone who ever seems to be talking about writing kid’s books says avoid writing for the market, write what you love.


Truth is, I have loved all my manuscripts to date. I am not writing them for the market, but for me.

Are any of these manuscripts my Power-Up book, at this point, 10 April 2014. Not so far.

So, I go back to doing what I am doing.
 

What is it that I am doing? Time to take stock. Turns out what I am doing, is quite a lot actually.

1. I wrote an independent MG book series, started a blog, had a website made. www.julieannegrassobooks.com
 

 http://amzn.com/B00DTD9YQ6

2. I joined in the Kid Lit Blog Hop, where a great group of Kid Lit Lovers join together to review and recommend kid’s books. http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/category/kid-lit-blog-hops/

3. I joined SCBWI, to become involved in this community of kid lit authors that I so desperately want to join and impress with my writing.

4. I joined in Tara Lazar’s Piboidmo, in Nov 2013, all of my current picture books bar 1 came from this think tank. http://taralazar.com/piboidmo/

5. I joined the 12x12 challenge http://www.juliehedlund.com/12-x-12/
I am writing lots, revising, editing, critiquing, reviewing

6. During the first few weeks of 12x12, I connected with my mega awesome critique partner. I have a few awesome friends and family who critique my work, and they are awesome, this new addition, helped me take my manuscripts to the next level.

7. I joined sub it club, where I can learn about competitions coming up and places to pitch. http://subitclub.wordpress.com/

8. I have submitted a couple of stories to RYS, got invaluable feedback. http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com.au/



9. I have entered my writing into a couple of competitions, on KBR and CYA http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2014/02/the-kbr-unpublished-picture-book.html
http://www.cyaconference.com/program/competition/unpublished/



10. I have submitted to several publishers that take unsolicited manuscripts all over the UK, US, Au.


11. I read a lot and sign on for blog tours for other authors through www.motherdaughterbookreviews.com

12. I saw a call on Facebook from Creative Kids Tales, looking for reviewers. (Awesome Aussie site.) I joined and began receiving kid’s books by Australian publishers for review. This gives me a dedicated and motivated time to read Australian kids literature to continually assess, review and understand the books that are gaining editor’s attention. http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/

13. I sent my resume to two kids educational publishers in the hope that one day I could gain some work for hire.

14. I co-started a little service with my favourite blogger friends who reviews books called, Thelma and Louise Beta reading services. In our service, we don’t claim to be editors, but avid readers of kid’s books and if you are willing, we will read your book for a small fee and give you our opinions. http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/thelma-and-louise-beta-reading-services/

15. I entered my middle grade books into the Wishing Shelf Independent Book Award and became a finalist for both my books. http://www.thewsa.co.uk/finalists2013/

16. I signed on to do Book Expo Australia in August 2014 also to sell some of my independent books. http://www.bookexpoaustralia.com/


17. I continue to read everything there is to know about writing kid’s books…..



18. I signed on to attend Super Nova Melbourne in April 2014, to sell some of my independent books. http://www.supanova.com.au/show-information/melbourne/



So today, I have rallied my spirits, and decided, there is no such thing as a Power-Up book

Maybe, if I could rename it, I would call it a Perseverance Pill. I have to take it every day, and surprise, surprise, I am the only one that can, I have to rely on me, pushing me everyday.


One of my favourite TV shows is Fringe. In an episode, one of the characters feels like they are drowning in a sea of despair, and their partner gives them a pen that has inscribed on it “Find The Crack” If you find the crack it is where the light will be able to get in.

So, I am no longer looking for my Power-Up book, but every day, in every way, in all that I do, I am searching for a tiny crack that will take me to the next level with my books that I want to be….

Catch you next week when I blog about Supanova.
The Aftermath.....

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