Faery Swap Book Blast

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 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 *

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

Skycastle, The Demon, And Me Book Blast

 

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 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 *

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

Noah Zark Book Blast

 

About the Noah Zarc Books

Book 1

Title: Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble (Book #1) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 214 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth… for the second time.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible

 

Book 2

Title: Noah Zarc: Cataclysm (Book #2) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: July 22, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing (2nd Edition) Number of pages: 234 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: Noah becomes embroiled in a mission that could cause the greatest cataclysm in the history of the solar system. Will his name, Noah Zarc, be forever linked to the most devastating crime in humanity’s existence, all because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (AudioBook) | Audible

   

Book 3

Title: Noah Zarc: Declaration (Book #3) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 1, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 226 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: As battles rage across the solar system, Noah must work to join together a rag-tag bunch of miners, farmers, and scientists who would rather just live in peace. With only a time-traveling ship full of animals and a general from the history books, the Zarc family has to stand against the full might of the Poligarchy. Will the truth about what really happened a thousand years in the past be enough to stop total war, or will Noah and his friends need to find another way to bring down a dictator?

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

   

Special Omnibus Edition

Title: Noah Zarc: Omnibus (Special Edition) Author: D. Robert Pease Publication Date: November 2, 2013 Publisher: Evolved Publishing Number of pages: 630 Recommended age: 9+ Summary: FEATURES ALL 3 BOOKS IN 1 SPECIAL EDITION & INCLUDES 22 PENCIL ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR In a future where Earth has been wiped clean of all life, and humanity has moved on to other worlds, twelve-year-old Noah Zarc and his family have embarked on a quest, in a time-traveling spaceship called the ARC, to retrieve two of every animal and repopulate a dead world.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

 

The Buzz About the Noah Zarc Books

Book 1: "Pease's strength as a storyteller lies in his ability to connect multiple time periods imaginatively, as well as Noah's excited, fast-paced narration." ~ Publishers Weekly

Book 1: "If I had read this book at age 10, I think it would have made me love SF just as much as reading Asimov did. If you like the non-stop action and humor of Rick Riordan's Olympians books, I think you'll also like Noah Zarc." ~ Sher A. Hart, book blogger and author

Book 2: "This is another great mind-bender. The wild time jump details are fabulously thought out and cause some unexpected results." ~ Michelle Isenhoff, Children's Author

Book 2: "A well-written, adventurous read for young readers and even adults, Noah Zarc blasts through space and into your imagination." ~ TKristufek, Amazon Reviewer

Book 3: "I was completely captured by the characters, the action and the issues and questions: set in fantasy but integrating concepts and engaging readers with a fun tale that teaches as it entertains." ~ Gaele, Amazon Reviewer

 

About the Author: D. Robert Pease

D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn't been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer's Sirens. It's not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters he brings to life.

Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 20, 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, D. Robert Pease 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

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

 



http://amzn.com/B00F4VLFFE

 

 

 

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.”

 

www.indicated.com.au

Kid Lit Blog Hop #37

Welcome back to the Kid Lit Blog Hop #37

Today, I don't have any reviews, just a fun slide show of Supanova 2 day Conference Melbourne.

 

Once upon a time, there was an elf named

 

Caramel ( aka Julie)

 

 

 

She journeyed long and far to the Melbourne show grounds,

To showcase some of her books.

 

 

 



Not without her trusty side kick Blake ( aka Jess)

 

 

 

Who certainly stole the show

 

 

Along the way, they found a strange blue box

 

 

A wookie

 

 

An Elf King

 

 

A very big tank

 

A steampunk lady

 

The Melbourne Quidditch Society

And a few Transformers, just hanging around



 

On the second day we were joined by one very cute Catbug

 

 

 

And Beth ( aka Jess)

 

Who once again stole the show...

 

A fun time was had by all.

 

And the best part, I got to meet one of my Melbourne fans.

She was awesome, and I got to sign her tablet cover.

I hope you enjoyed my slide show, and happy hopping folks.

 



 

 

 

The Kid Lit Blog Hop hostesses are super-excited to unveil our new Kid Lit Blog Hop button. Tada!!!

The Kid Lit Blog Hop began roughly 1 1/2 years ago and the original design for the button was drawn by my then 9 year old daughter, who complained that she could have drawn something much better if I hadn't insisted on stick figures. While the old logo is certainly recognizable, we felt it was time to breathe new life into the Hop. Please feel free to grab the code for the button (below) and pop it up into your sidebar or elsewhere on your site. Big thank you to designbox1, who we found through Fiverr, for working closely with us in creating our beautiful new button.  

Children's Book Week ~ Kid Lit Giveaway Hop 2014

We also want to invite you to participate in the Children's Book Week Kid Lit Giveaway Hop 2014 (May 12 to 18). Are you a children's book or teen literature blogger, an author, a publisher, or a publicist looking to share copies of a fabulous book? Mother Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews are joining forces to provide you with the opportunity to take part in a Blog Hop featuring links to giveaways for fabulous children/teen's books, gift cards, cash, or other prizes. What better way to celebrate Children's Book Week?

SIGN UP NOW!

 

On to the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 37th Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) 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 welcome Divina from Beauty of the Picture Book as co-host this week. Please pop on over and give her a quick hello and welcome and be sure to follow her as specified below. Welcome Divina!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/category/kid-lit-blog-hops/" title="Kid Lit Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/KLBH-Button-FINAL.jpg" alt="Kid Lit Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

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:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Facebook * Twitter

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Reshama @ Stacking Books Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

Destiny @ Reading and Sharing Twitter * Facebook

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Twitter * Facebook

Lina @ Best 4 Future: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual Twitter * Facebook

Co-Host:

Beauty of the Picture Book Email * Facebook

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!

Billy And The Monster Who Ate All The Easter Eggs: Book Blast

About the Book

Title: Billy and The Monster Who Ate All The Easter Eggs | Author: David Chuka | Publication Date: March 23, 2013 | Publisher: Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 Summary: Join Billy and Monster in this third episode of the series titled Billy and the Monster who Ate All the Easter Eggs. Billy and Monster love all the holidays as they get to spend quality time together. However, their best holiday is Easter as they get to eat their favorite food...CHOCOLATE!

This year, they're spending Easter with Grandma Chocalicious who loves Chocolate even more than Billy. She's an expert at making chocolate cake, chocolate waffles and even chocolate pasta. This year Grandma Chocalicious has made a pyramid of Easter eggs for her party on Easter Sunday. Billy and Monster want one of the Easter eggs but Grandma says they have to wait till Easter Sunday.

What happens when Billy and Monster tip toe downstairs and the pyramid of Easter eggs comes falling down? Get your copy of this funny book for kids of all ages that is not only full of laughs but also has a lesson weaved in that you'll love sharing with your loved ones.  

Book Video

Purchase

* Print copy includes FREE coloring book inside *

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle)

 

The Buzz

"Experience is the best teacher as Billy and his "purple shadow" learn a sweet lesson in Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs. Beautifully illustrated, nicely formatted, this quick, easy story will be read over and over again." ~ 5 Star Review, Julia B., Amazon

"My daughter has really been enjoying David Chuka's Billy and Monster books. This is another fun addition to the "family." As always, the story has a lovely moral (this time teaching the value of moderation - definitely the biggest word in the book)! It's based on the very realistic theme of overindulging in chocolate/sweets, which virtually anyone can relate to and which kids find a lot of fun. And, awesome pictures as always. Definitely recommend it." ~ 5 Star Review, Renee B., Amazon

"I really like the little monster in this book and how they get into trouble together. What child hasn't snuck into the cache of candies that their parents have hidden? Cute story with a lesson for the little ones in your family!" ~ 5 Star Review, Patricia T., Amazon

"This is a cute story about a little boy Billy and his funny friend Monster. They love chocolate so much that they forget about obeying to older. At night, they sneaked to the chocolate egg pyramid, started eating the chocolate eggs and made a big mess. On the morning, they not only got in a big trouble, but they also got a bad stomach pain. They both had to learn a lessons about MODERATION. Nice illustrations, book well written." ~ 5 Star Review, OPV, Amazon

"Billy and his monster friend enjoy lots of fun in this book, filled with great pictures and a cute story. It shares a lot about celebrating holidays, and intertwines humor and family love throughout the story. Hidden in the story is a nice message about eating in moderation, a well needed lesson in our culture of over-eating. Billy ends up being proud of himself and makes good decisions by the end of the book, while all the while sharing some adventures with his cute monster friend. Great read to share with your children or grandchildren year round, not just for the Easter holiday." ~ 5 Star Review, Katie W., Amazon

 

About the Author: David Chuka

David Chuka lives in London with his lovely wife and two adorable children. His family are usually the first people to hear his funny and quirky tales. He was inspired to write his first book, 'If You See a Doctor' after he struggled to find a book for his daughter who was a beginner reader.

He's gone on to write more books including the popular 'Billy and Monster' series, a funny set of books about a little boy and his Monster who get into all sorts of funny situations and learn about moderation, friendship, self control, bravery etc. Young children can relate to Billy and you'll love sharing his adventures with your children, grandchildren and loved ones. As a father himself, he has parents at heart when he writes. He recognizes that bedtime has to be one of the best parts of the day for parents and grandparents as it gives them the opportunity to bond with their little ones. He believes you'll enjoy sharing his stories with your loved ones at bedtime. In David Chuka's books, you can stay rest assured that quality and captivating images will always complement the story to ensure your loved ones are spell-bound as you read to them. Beginner readers will also enjoy discovering new words as they read his books. He has so many stories to tell and can't wait to share them with you and your loved ones.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Google+ | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page

 

Want to win a copy of Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs?

Enter for your chance to win 1 of 2 print copies of Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs by David Chuka in a Goodreads giveaway (Open U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia; Ends April 17, 2014).

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Billy and the Monster Who Ate All the Easter Eggs

by David Chuka

Giveaway ends April 17, 2014. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 13, 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, David Chuka 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

Mrs. D Book Blast

About the Books

Title: Carlo the Mouse Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse | Author: Mrs. D | Illustrator: Chanoa | Publication Date: October 21, 2013 | Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing | Number of pages: 33 | Recommended age: 4+ Summary: Grab your boots and hold on to your hat, because you are in for an exciting trip! The new series of Carlo the Mouse has been born. Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse is the first in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. Each book will give readers an entertaining look into the life of a little mouse born inside a hospital’s walls. Clever, curious, and very impatient, Carlo the mouse dreams of the world outside the hospital. His parents teach him how to follow the rules and how to survive on his own, but Carlo’s insatiable desire for adventure constantly gets him in trouble. Will the little adventurer manage to survive when he leaves home? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next books on Carlo the mouse. Let your imagination soar in this full series of Carlo’s adventures!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

  Title: Good Morning, World! | Author: Mrs. D | Illustrator: Eladziem | Publication Date: November 21, 2013 | Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing | Number of pages: 50 | Recommended age: 5+ Summary: Glide gently into the beautiful morning with Baby Thomas and his grandpa. The sun is shining brightly through the wide window and the flowers, trees, birds, and other creatures have already started their day. Brilliant colors of the dawning day wake up the park, and Baby Thomas is ready for a walk. While walking in the park Thomas and his grandpa see the same things but from a different perspective. Baby Thomas wants to hug the wonderful world around him, but his grandpa has a different opinion. Young readers will easily connect to the wonders of nature and unforgettable characters, playfully interacting with each other. Join happy Baby Thomas and his grandpa for a walk and have a delightful, uplifting morning!

* Winner of a Mom's Choice Award, Honoring Excellence *

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

The Buzz

Carlo the Mouse: "My son chose this book to read and really liked it. He rated it 5* and said it was "awesome". He's almost five. So that's a good fit. If I could make one recommendation, it would be to watch out for repeating the same sentence structure over and over. It's a minor thing but could improve overall flow. The pictures were adorable. Well done Mrs. D." ~ 5 Star Review, Simone B., Amazon

Carlo the Mouse: "Another gem from Mrs. D.! This is the first in a series of several books, and the titles of those are just as intriguing as this one. The interchange between the characters goes beyond just rules and regulations. Even small children will see just how caring and loving this family is with each other. There are definitely different personalities, and conflicts, as in every family. Carlo’s is one that answers those challenges with love and firmness. The pictures are adorable! Every facial expression, every nuance of action, is so well-thought-out. The colors are appealing, and the story’s lesson is simple enough for even the youngest of readers. There is a challenge here in some of the vocabulary used in the book. I welcome that. The youngsters who get this story read to them are privileged in this regard, for they can learn new words and what they mean. A child whose vocabulary is extended beyond his or her comfort zone is a child who will learn and grow into an intelligent adult. I highly recommend this story, and hope that I will get the chance to read more of Carlo’s adventures." ~ 5 Star Review, Kitty Muse Book Reviews, Amazon

Carlo the Mouse: "As a grown-up, I fell in love with this adorable character the moment I looked at the first illustration. I had as much pleasure reading this book as my son did. Sometimes, a sample book like this one, gives more to a child then books chosen by the school experts. Now we could hardly wait what the next book will hold. Thank you so much for making our children happy. Because of books like yours, our children will grow up happier, kinder, and smarter. Great story! Wonderful artwork! Astonishing children’s book! Because of books like yours, our children will grow up happier, kinder, and smarter." ~ 5 Star Review, Olga G., Amazon

Good Morning, World!: "What a charming book of comparing generations and reminding us how children see the world! The illustrations are bright, colourful and sweet, and the story is so well written that it feels as though I am walking right beside the baby and grumpy Grandpa who clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning! Thank you for a lovely book, Mrs. D!" ~ 5 Star Review, Multi-Testing Mommy, Amazon

Good Morning, World!: "This darling story of Baby Thomas and Grandpa was like I was taking a stroll along with them. The author must have pulled some of this story from a family experience. With her very creative imagination she must have been very tuned into actions and reactions of Baby Thomas. Then there was Grandpa who was very vocal and animated so she undoubtedly knew exactly what to write about Grandpa. Too funny! This book is a must read! I highly recommend this book." ~ 5 Star Review, It's Time to Read Mamaw, Amazon

Good Morning, World!: "This was a charming book. Following the differing perspectives of the Grandpa and the child, this book is a wonderful reminder about the importance of a positive attitude. I LOVED the joyful wonder in the child's perspective, and cringed as I recognized some of the grandfather's. What I love about all of Mrs. D's books is that they share a message. They teach the adults as much as the kids. This message in particular touched me. It is a reminder about seeing from the eyes of a child. Exploring the world with an open mind, an open heart, and enthusiasm. Life is full of blessings, and sometimes we forget to notice them. Thank you Mrs. D for another 5 star children's book." ~ 5 Star Review, Kirstin P., Sunshine, Bubbles and Books

 

About the Author: Mrs. D

Mrs. D. (Olga D’Agostino), an award-winning children’s author, was born in western Ukraine. She lived in the historical city of Lviv, where she studied business in Lviv Business College and worked in the food industry. In 1992, she immigrated to the USA with her two small daughters and for years worked in her own business. In 2011, she began her career as a writer, focusing on writing children’s books that have meaning and provide valuable lessons. Two of her children’s books, The Trees Have Hearts and Good Morning, World!, won Mom’s Choice Awards in 2013. She is a member of SCBWI and speaks a few languages fluently. She lives in the famous town of Smithville, NJ, with her husband Patrick and a meticulous old cat named Nyda. Published books by Mrs. D. include Carlo the Mouse on Vacation, The Trees Have Hearts, The City Kittens and the Old House Cat, Good Morning, World!, and Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse. Coming in 2014: Runaway Clothes,The Royal Palm, Carlo the Mouse, Book 2: Now We're Talking!, and The Little Girl Praying on the Hill. The full series of Carlo the Mouse and her new books, The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet, That Is How Things Are (two connected stories): The Autumn Wind, and The Kitten and the Sparrow, and three rhyming stories in Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? will be published in the near future. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular electronic devices. For updates on Mrs. D.’s books, please visit her website: www.mrsdbooks.net.

Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

 

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) Contest ends: May 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. 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, Mrs. D 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

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/B009FXC42A

 



 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.....