Blog Archives

STEAM Ahead

12/28/2016

About the Book:
Children’s Learning and Education
Date Published: 12 December, 2016
Publisher: Sumita Mukherjee

STEAM AHEAD! DIY FOR KIDS is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step instruction book for parents and children. It introduces kids between the ages of four and ten to the magic of electronics, game and toy designing, printing, understanding basic scientific principles and most importantly, they’ll have a blast making them. Inside this book you will find projects on LED cards, dance pads, handmade soaps, bubble blowers, Play-Doh circuits, cloud lanterns, scribbling bots and more!

Created by NASA STEM certified leader, Sumita Mukherjee, this book is jam packed with projects that will engage any bored child. The hands-on projects are broken into areas of practical implementation: Party, Build, Toys and Art. They have also been sorted according to levels of difficultly and STEAM relevance. Adding one or two experiments per week can get your child excited about science, inventions, science fair projects and overall classroom performance.

There is also a BONUS material list for STEAM DIY KIDS, to make it easier for parents to plan and prepare in advance.

Review:

STEAM ahead is an activity workbook for kids focusing on projects that bring together aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Projects are arranged in four sections, the first being projects for a party, the second focusing on building, the third on toys to make and the last on arts activities. Each project features a picture a of the final product, what materials you will needs, a difficulty rating which is explained in the introduction, approximate time the project will take, how it factors into STEAM and step-by-step instructions with pictures of the steps if necessary.

I am an informal educator and am always looking for more fun ways to integrate STEAM concepts into lessons. This workbook offers fun, hands-on activities that kids want to do! I do regularly use a few of the projects in class such as Squishy Circuits, Scribbling Bots and Absorption Art, however, the rest of the projects were new to me or things I hadn’t thought to integrate into a STEAM Lesson. So far I have tried out the LED card in class since we have all the material and it worked well with the holidays! I did this project in a lesson about electricity and circuits. The directions were easy to follow and a group of 8-10 year olds were able to understand as we went along. They had a lot of fun designing the card. One thing I do wish that the book would include is a little more information about the science behind each project, if you are not a science educator or have a strong science background, you may not be able to explain to children how exactly the circuit is working. I do look forward to trying the shoebox projector, lava pen and light up dance pad as well.

At the end of the book there is a materials checklist for every project in the book, which is handy. I do wish that there was also an index for project by concept such as which projects integrate circuitry, which projects integrate sound, properties of light, etc.

On a side note, the e-copy I received had a typo in one of the titles of a project. The Glowing Cloud project is titled Gel Notebook. The Glowing Cloud does look like a super cute Halloween costume to try out!

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About the Author:

Sumita Mukherjee is a NASA STEM certified leader and children’s book author. She has been fortunate enough to travel around the globe, explore many countries and meet different people. Mysteries and adventures have been captured from there in the form of Keiko and Kenzo’s travel adventure series. These books are to inspire young readers to know and appreciate various countries, develop a love for discovery and learn about the world around them. Her series of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) books encourages kids to invent and explore, to empower themselves and see themselves as world leaders and problem solvers. Her books celebrate diversity, spark curiosity and capture children's imaginations! Sumita currently lives in Toronto with her family.

Her website, WizKids.Club was created with a vision to raise the next generation of creative leaders. WizKids.Club offers highly engaging kids activities, educational books, experiments, hands-on projects, DIYs, travel stories and engineering books perfect for children 4-12 years to spark creativity and scientific learning.

Contact Information
Website: http://wizkids.club/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wizkidsdotclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wizkidsdotclub
Blog: http://wizkids.club/blog/
Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/wizkidsclub/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4079942.Sumita_Mukherjee

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRIRG69

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The Darkest Torment

12/26/2016

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About The Darkest Torment (Lords of the Underworld)

Print Length: 512 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (June 1, 2016)

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with her most explosive Lords of the Underworld tale to date, about a fierce warrior on the brink of sanity who will stop at nothing to claim the exquisite human with the power to soothe the beast inside him…

Driven to his death by the demon of Distrust, Baden spent centuries in purgatory. Now he’s back, but at what cost? Bound to the king of the underworld, an even darker force, he’s unable to withstand the touch of another…and he’s quickly devolving into a heartless assassin with an uncontrollable temper. Things only get worse when a mission goes awry and he finds himself saddled with a bride—just not his own.
Famed dog trainer Katarina Joelle is forced to marry a monster to protect her loved ones. When she’s taken hostage by the ruthless, beautiful Baden immediately after the ceremony, she’s plunged into a war between two evils—with a protector more dangerous than the monsters he hunts. They are meant to be enemies, but neither can resist the passion burning between them…and all too soon the biggest threat is to her heart.
But as Baden slips deeper into the abyss, she’ll have to teach him to love…or lose him forever.

“Gena Showalter is a romantic genius.” -San Francisco Book Review
“Showalter writes fun, sexy characters you fall in love with!” -Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“The Showalter name on a book means guaranteed entertainment.” -RT Book Reviews
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Purchase Links
Amazon | Books a Million | Barnes & Noble

About Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over fifty books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, and the White Rabbit Chronicles. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs. Visit her at GenaShowalter.com.

Connect with Gena
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Read An Excerpt:

“—friends are looking for you,” an unfamiliar voice said, breaking into her awareness. It belonged to a male. Was deep and raspy, with the same cocky and perpetually amused timbre as William. “I think they want your head on a platter.”
“Thanks to you, Baden brought trouble to Buda,” William replied, utterly unconcerned by the threat. “Gillian needs peace and quiet right now.”
“I told you not to befriend her. She’s human.”
“And I told you to go fuck yourself. More than once!”
“Is that any way to speak to your dear father?”
“Adopted father,” William grumbled. “And I’m tempted to say worse. Let’s take this conversation outside.”
So. He was speaking with Hades, she realized, sweat beading on her brow. The bad boy of the underworld. And that was saying something!
William didn’t know it, but Hades had appeared to her one night. He’d warned her: Stay away from my son. You aren’t the one for him. Don’t make me prove it.
He’d scared her, but she hadn’t heeded him. William was too important to her.
“Not being blood related to me is an embarrassing secret you’d do well to hide,” Hades remarked now.
Gillian cracked open her eyes…caught sight of two towering shadows on the balcony.
“She’s deathly ill. She’s going to die if you fail to make her immortal,” William snapped. “So, make her immortal.”
“I have the power to change her, yes. But in her condition, she’ll die before she’s turned.”
“Then you’re useless to me. Leave.”
“Tsk-tsk. So rude. You might want to be nice to me, my son. I’m the only thing standing between you and scores of angry husbands you’ve cuckolded over the centuries.”
“As if a legion of them would be any match for me.”
“True. I trained you well. But the girl…they’d hurt her without a qualm.”
William unleashed a storm of curses. “Anyone touches her, and I’ll spend the rest of eternity ensuring they and everyone they love suffer unending torments.”
“What’s so special about her?” Hades asked.
Yes, Liam. What’s so special about me? She’d always wondered.
“I’m not discussing her with you.”
“I’m discussing her with you, then. You can’t be with her. You can’t be with anyone. You know as well as I that your happiness walks hand-in-hand with your doom.”
Gillian had heard a little about William’s doom. Aka, his curse. The woman he loved was destined to destroy him.
Did Gillian believe in curses? Yes and no. She’d lived with demon-possessed immortals for three years now. She’d seen things. Supernatural things. Wild things. Impossible things. But curses…good luck versus bad luck? No. Bad things happened because bad decisions were made. End of story.
“I’m searching for a way to break—” William began.
“You’ve been searching,” Hades interjected. “For centuries.”
“My book—”
“Is nonsense. A trick to make you hope for what can never be so that your demise will be that much sweeter. If the book could be decoded, it would have been decoded by now.”
Another tense pause. Then William spat, “Did you come here to piss me off?”
“Pissing you off is a bonus. I came to warn you.”
“Well, you’ve done both.”
“No, son, I haven’t.” Hades’s voice hardened. “The warning is this: if I think you’re falling for the girl, I’ll kill her myself.”

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The Shattered Crown

12/22/2016

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About the Book:
'You ride into peril, Corin an Fol!'

Those are the words of the witch at the ford. Corin an Fol, mercenary, brawler, womaniser and drinker, ignores them and thus finds himself caught in a tangled web of sorcery, intrigue and dark prophesy.

When the High King is murdered and his broken crown goes missing, Queen Ariane suspects the wily hand of Caswallon the sorcerer. She forms a secret council and rides out to find the Oracle of her Goddess, to see if her worries are proved right. But Caswallon is onto her and the noose tightens fast around the young queen.

Corin an Fol returns to his village seeking solace in drink. Instead he finds an old contact waiting for him who persuades him to join Queen Ariane in her fight against Caswallon. And so, like the queen, Corin an Fol is snared by the sorcerer. Our boy has a big sword and bad attitude, but is that enough to survive the hordes Caswallon sends against them?

Review:
Corin al Fol is a mercenary, a longswordsman with a varied past. He would like nothing more than to settle down once more in his home land, but fate intervenes and gives him a quest that will change his fate. The High King has been murdered and his ancient crown forged with magical powers, the Tekara, has been shattered and Prince Tarin, the heir, captured. Now, Corin has been hired to help Queen Ariane find the Prince and the Crown. However, it is not just humans that the group is up against. Caswallon, the King's adviser has been mastering sorcery and has enlisted the help of dark beings in order to gain power.

A fast-paced, high fantasy with magical creatures, unlikely heroes, epic battles and plenty of adventure. I wish I knew that this was the second book in a series! Oh, well. When I began reading I didn't feel like I was missing any big chunks of information. Anyway, the characters grabbed me right from the start. Corin's personality is gruff yet fair, tough yet heartfelt and intelligent but wary. I also loved Ariane, a young Queen, tough and determined. Their quest took me through well-formed worlds. I especially loved the Forest of Dreams. The creative creatures and mythical people are another great aspect of the story. I enjoyed seeing what weird thing would turn up next. Overall, an exciting fantasy with many other aspects to enjoy.

About the Author:
I was born near Doncaster England in the early sixties but later moved south to Sussex, where I lived for many years. One of my (several schools) was at Battle, a small town named after that historic conflict in 1066. You know the one, it culminated with poor Harold getting that arrow in his eye and those rude Normans invading our green and pleasant land. Growing up so close to that scene of ancient carnage awarded me a fascination for all things Dark Age. I'd fallen victim to a weird and random imagination, resulting in a love of epic stories and epic story telling. This affliction prompted me to delve deep into the worlds of Tolkien, Peake, Eddison and Moorcock. Also about this time I commenced drawing imaginary maps and inventing stories about wonderfully nasty folk, doing wonderfully nasty things, whilst pent up in gloomy unpleasant places.

Then at 18 years daft, I found myself thrust deep into the Queen's Household Cavalry. How I arrived there I cannot quite recall. The result was a sharp dose of reality. But not a cure – the affliction ran deep. I left the regiment, and for a time wandered hazy through life hitting nails with hammers, sailing brigantines through southern waters, drinking venomous concoctions with venomous companions, and yes, reading lots more ghastly fantasy books. At 27 years I became to a degree sensible. I married my beloved Rae, a watercolour artist and passionate Celt, and got a sensible career hauling trucks around the British countryside. The trouble with hauling trucks around the British countryside is that it lets the mind ramble willy nilly, when not being tortured by local radio. The result of that rambling was more stories flittering around inside this errant trucker's dizzy head.

Then, during one dark winter night back in 1993, whilst parked forlorn outside a dreary inn, something profound happened. I stumbled into Corin an Fol: a moody, rather difficult individual, mooching about in a deep tangled wood (my imagination). That wood grew into a world (not as hard as it sounds when you write fantasy stuff). The world became Ansu, home to all manner of mismatched mortals and grumpy gods. Late 2001 a plot appeared through the murky trees. It found Corin lost and wandering and introduced him to some other unruly types, resulting in The Shattered Crown. This epic debut was scrawled out with biro ink on paper and still lurks somewhere close. I'm too scared to read it. But The Shattered Crown couldn't contain its characters. These were (and still are) a very rough lot. They demanded a sequel. Instead (just to show who the boss was,) I focussed on a prequel, Fall of Gol being the result. But still the characters would not leave me alone. And so started The Legends of Ansu a forthcoming series of otherworldly tales, mostly involving Corin and his friends.

In late 2012 Rae lost her battle with cancer. I had always promised her a Cornish ghost story based on one of her evocative paintings. And so was born a novella called The Haven. A spooky yarn blending mystery and suspense with past and present. I hope that she likes it. We both loved Cornwall where we lived for many years. During our time there I met with Roger Garland the Tolkien Illustrator, who kindly consented to creating some fabulous images and illustrations for my work. And also designing this superb website! During 2013 I left the world of big wheels behind and focussed instead on writing full time. I moved to Georgia, married my gorgeous former shipmate Joanne, who I've known for 30 years. Since then I have rewritten Fall of Gol shortening it's title to Gol and finally (with substantial assistance from my erudite and excellent editor, Catherine Romano) re-shaped The Shattered Crown into a rivetingly nasty read. Now after twenty-one years in the woods, I am more than ready to unleash these first two offerings in the Ansu series along with The Haven. The third legend: The Lost Prince will be available later (less)

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Holiday Hop!

12/19/2016

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About the Book:
Janet “The Kid” Fogg and Dave “Gusto”Jackson - Misfortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper
Middle Grade
When Annabelle Fortune, the fastest gunslinger in the wild west, inadvertently stops a stranger from attacking a train -- and he wears a suit that enables him to fly! -- the government believes she's the only one to have witnessed the Locomotive Reaper and survived to tell the tale.

Promising to find out what he can about her missing father, the Director of the Secret Service persuades Annie to swear in. Too soon, her detested nickname re-stakes its claim.

Partnered with Beau Slokam, whose penchant for gambling leads them straight to the Doom Gang, Misfortune Annie guides the smooth-talking Southerner in a chase through the Rockies, with her Cheyenne friend, Wontoa, rounding out their unlikely trio.

When Annie again meets the Locomotive Reaper, his gadgetry proves far more advanced -- and deadly -- than even top scientists could have imagined.
Find Janet, Dave and Misfortune Annie online:
Official Website
Janet’s Website
Dave’s Website
Janet on Goodreads
Dave on Goodreads
Janet on YouTube
Janet on Facebook
Dave on Facebook
Amazon

Review:
Annabelle Fortune, known as Misfortune Annie is one of the fastest gunslingers in the west, despite being 15 years old. When Annie gets tangled up in a guide job gone wrong, she inadvertently stops the mysterious man known as the Locomotive Reaper from robbing and murdering an entire train full of people. Since she is the only person to have ever seen the Locomotive Reaper and tell the tale, the Secret Service asks Annie to sign up and help catch him. Annie is reluctant, but with the promise to find information about her father, she is swayed. Annie is paired with agent Beau Slokam who brings more trouble to the table than what they are chasing. Now Annie and Beau, with the help of Annie’s friend Wontoa must fend off the Doom Gang while tracking down the Locomotive Reaper.

A fast-paced, action filled adventure in the Wild West with a wonderful heroine. Misfortune Annie’s bravery and determination leap off the page from the first scene. She uses quick wits, intelligence and a little bit of luck to get out of sticky situations. I do wish that we got to know a little more of her past and backstory, there is definitely a mystery there that the Secret Service director begins to hint at, but in such a short story, we don’t get into anything like that. Also, I was definitely interested in the Locomotive Reaper himself, much like Annie was and I wanted to dig a little deeper into his character. A flying man in a huge suit added a little element of Steampunk to the mix, but it wasn’t out of place at all. With a fifteen year old heroine, this is an appropriate read for young adults, but has plenty of elements to keep adults interested as well.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Annie's Favorite Christmas Gifts
by Janet Fogg
co/author of Misfortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper

December 10, 1880

It was mighty nice of Stephanie to ask me to drop by to share my favorite Christmas gifts, what with them being so old-fashioned and all — Thank you, Stephanie!

You might be interested to learn that the weather has been temperate this winter, which is lucky for city folks in particular, since there's not much coal to be bought along the Front Range. Not sure when we've seen so little snow in Colorado, which makes it easy enough to cut firewood. When I ride into Manitou from the ranch, you can hear timber crashing down all around town.

Oh, and some of you folks down near Salida, we heard tell that the Palace Restaurant is setting up a free supper for Christmas night, and a cordial invitation was extended to all friends and patrons. Uncle John says that's what Christmas is all about, and I do agree with him.

As for me and my favorite gifts? It must have been ten years back when Uncle John gave me Pa's Union cap. I've worn it ever since. I know folks like Beau Slokam, who fought for the South, took umbrage the first time we met, but I reminded him we are all one nation now. Once he got to know me and I saved his life a couple of times when we were chasing the Locomotive Reaper, he settled down some.

Then there was the year we were given some of those fancy Necco Wafers by Miss Lacey, the schoolmarm in Manitou. I think those candies were really for Uncle John, as I never did see him blush before! Miss Lacey said in 1847 some man named Oliver Chase invented a machine for cutting lozenges, and then had a hand in making those Wafers. They sure were tasty, though I can do without thinking about machines for a spell, what with that wild locomotive ride and all the Reaper's gadgets.

I still have the bow and most of the arrows Wontoa made for me when I was eight. I think Chief Tocala mighta leant a hand making them, what with him half-raising Wontoa. Anyway, the bow and arrows are way too little for me to use now, but I have them hanging on the wall in my bedroom, 'cept for the arrow that hit the rock and broke, and the one I lost in the river. Never shoulda shot at that muskrat.

The year I turned ten, Wyatt took an interest in my shooting, and he spent two whole days teaching me all his good habits with the Colt .45. I've never forgotten the lessons he shared. That was also the year he gave me my first book. I hadn't been reading much, and didn't particularly want to, then he gave me Alice's Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. What an adventure she had! Not sure I understood all of it, but I would be proud to call Alice my friend, and her story made me want to read as often as I could.

'Course there's the one gift I secretly pray for each year, and that's to find my Pa. I'm gonna go looking for him next year, what with learning that the Regulators and Billy the Kid might know something about what happened to him. Wontoa and Beau said they'd lend a hand, and I reckon that's the best gift of all — that my two friends will drop what they're doing to ride off and search for the Regulators and Pa with me.

Well, it's time for me to see to my chores, so I'll say goodbye. Here's hoping you and yours have a fine Christmas, and that you too, are blessed with great friends.

Annabelle Fortune (aka Misfortune Annie)

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Marlene

12/18/2016

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Marlene: A Novel of Marlene Dietrich by C.W. Gortner

Paperback Release Date: December 13, 2016

William Morrow, Harper Collins

ISBN: 9780062406071; 432 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Contemporary Women/Biographical

Marlene Dietrich’s femme fatale persona defined her, but behind the glitz of 1930s Hollywood was a remarkably modern woman, determined to live by her own terms. A rebellious girl, Marlene’s genteel family expectations curtail her until Germany's defeat in the Great War gives rise to the decadence of Weimar Berlin. Here, Marlene finds her niche as a cabaret actress. With her sultry beauty, smoky voice, and androgynous tuxedo, she performs to packed houses and has a series of stormy love affairs that push the boundaries of social convention until she finds overnight success in the scandalous movie The Blue Angel. As Hitler seizes power, Marlene sets sail for America to become one of Hollywood’s top leading ladies, starring opposite Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Cary Grant. When Hitler tries to entice her back to Germany, Marlene defiantly declares her stance, risking her life to perform for Allied troops. And upon the war's savage end, she finally returns to Germany to discover a heartbreaking secret amidst the war’s devastation. MARLENE is out in paperback on December 13 and features exclusive extra content. A perfect gift for lovers of old Hollywood and strong dames! To find out more, please visit: www.cwgortner.com/Marlene.html.

Synopsis

From the gender-bending cabarets of Weimar Berlin to the tyrannical movie studios of Los Angeles, this sweeping story of passion, glamour, art, and war is a lush, dramatic novel of one of the most alluring legends of Hollywood’s golden age: Marlene Dietrich.

Raised in genteel poverty after the First World War, Maria Magdalena Dietrich dreams of a life on the stage. When her budding career as a violinist is cut short, she vows to become an actress, trading her family’s proper, middle-class society for the free-spirited, louche world of Berlin’s cabarets and drag balls. With her sultry beauty, smoky voice, and androgynous tailored suits, Marlene performs to packed houses and conducts a series of stormy love affairs that push the boundaries of social convention until she finds overnight success in the scandalous movie The Blue Angel. For Marlene, neither fame nor marriage and motherhood can cure her wanderlust. As Hitler rises to power, she sets sail for America to become a rival to MGM’s queen, Greta Garbo. As one of Hollywood’s top leading ladies, she stars with such legends as Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Cary Grant. Desperate for her return, Hitler tries to lure her with dazzling promises. Defiant in her stance against the Nazis, Marlene chooses instead to become an American citizen, and after her new nation is forced into World War II, she tours with the USO, performing for Allied troops in Europe and Africa. But one day, she must return to Germany, where she will discover a heartbreaking secret amidst the war’s devastation that transformed her homeland and the family she loved. An enthralling account of this extraordinary legend, MARLENE reveals the inner life of a woman of grit and ambition who defied convention, seduced the world, and forged her own path.

“Skillfully evokes the cross-dressing, sexually fluid atmosphere of the seedy nightclubs that helped Marlene define her unique appeal. Well-detailed and truly moving; an ambitious account of the German-American star. ” —Kirkus Reviews

“Full of the sizzle and decadence of Weimar Berlin, and the scandal and soirees of Hollywood’s golden era, this is a gloriously entertaining read. CW Gortner’s Marlene is utterly beguiling, the kind of woman who only comes along once in a century. Reader, you can’t take your eyes off her!” —Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author

"From the ribald cabarets of Weimer-era Berlin to the glamour of golden-era Hollywood, beguilingly androgynous and fiercely passionate Marlene Dietrich . . . fairly leaps off every page." —Booklist, starred review

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | HarperCollins | iBooks | IndieBound

About the Author

C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. After an eleven year-long career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels. In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard at Hampton Court, learned about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding. Half-Spanish by birth and raised in southern Spain, C.W. now lives in Northern California with his partner and two very spoiled rescue cats. For more information visit C.W. Gortner’s website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twittter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and YouTube. Sign up for C.W. Gortner’s Newsletter for updates.

Book Blast Schedule

Tuesday, December 13 Kinx's Book Nook A Bookaholic Swede To Read, Or Not to Read So Many Books, So Little Time Wednesday, December 14 The Lit Bitch Unabridged Chick The Never-Ending Book Caryn, the Book Whisperer Thursday, December 15 Impressions In Ink CelticLady's Reviews Please Pass The Books What Is That Book About Friday, December 16 Broken Teepee Books, Dreams, Life Saturday, December 17 SJ2B House of Books Ageless Pages Reviews Beth's Book Nook Blog First Impression Reviews Sunday, December 18 T's Stuff 100 Pages a Day Passages to the Past Monday, December 19 Book Nerd A Literary Vacation Tuesday, December 20 I Heart Reading Creating Herstory Just One More Chapter

Giveaway

To win a paperback copy of Marlene: A Novel of Marlene Dietrich by C.W. Gortner, please enter via the Gleam form below. Two copies are up for grabs! Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

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Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving

12/16/2016

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About the Book:

Title: MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR THANKSGIVING
Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Pages: 16

Genre: Children’s Picture BookTen-year-old Macy is waiting for her grandparents to arrive on Thanksgiving. When the front door swings open, Grandma and Grandpa are covered with hugs and kisses. Crash! Everyone rushes in to find the dog gnawing a meaty turkey leg. Can Macy’s quick thinking save dinner?

Buy the Book:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review:

Macy's family is busy preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Just as Macy's grandparents arrive, Dino the dog sees an opportunity to get a Thanksgiving dinner of his own. With the turkey ruined, Macy's mom thinks Thanksgiving is also ruined. Macy's quick thinking may be able to get everyone back on track once again.

A perfect read for busy families around Thanksgiving, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving portrays a completely relatable family attempting to have a nice Thanksgiving. Complete with sibling rivalry and an exhausted mother, everyone should be able to relate. The best part, however, is the message of the story. Macy is able to bring the family together and remind everyone of what Thanksgiving is really about. Even after the Turkey disaster, Macy is quick thinking to find a compromise meal, have everyone work together to get it ready and remind her family of what the first Thanksgiving might have really been like. Gentle watercolor illustrations round out this fun Thanksgiving story. This is a great story for families to read together to remind everyone of the true nature of the holiday.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About the Author:

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd and A Christmas Kindness. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married.

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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Say Goodbye For Now

12/14/2016

3 Comments

About the Book:
Paperback: 364 pages

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (December 13, 2016)

On an isolated Texas ranch, Dr. Lucy cares for abandoned animals. The solitude allows her to avoid the people and places that remind her of the past. Not that any of the townsfolk care. In 1959, no one is interested in a woman doctor. Nor are they welcoming Calvin and Justin Bell, a newly arrived African American father and son.
When Pete Solomon, a neglected twelve-year-old boy, and Justin bring a wounded wolf-dog hybrid to Dr. Lucy, the outcasts soon find refuge in one another. Lucy never thought she’d make connections again, never mind fall in love. Pete never imagined he’d find friends as loyal as Justin and the dog. But these four people aren’t allowed to be friends, much less a family, when the whole town turns violently against them.
With heavy hearts, Dr. Lucy and Pete say goodbye to Calvin and Justin. But through the years they keep hope alive…waiting for the world to catch up with them.

“[A] heartwarming tale of transgression and redemption.” --Kirkus Reviews

“A moving story about patience, trust, the families we choose, and the love it takes to let somebody go.” —Booklist
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Purchase Links
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About Catherine Ryan Hyde
Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of thirty published and forthcoming books. Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward, adapted into a major Warner Bros. motion picture starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, made the American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults list and was translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in more than thirty countries. Her novels Becoming Chloe and Jumpstart the World were included on the ALA’s Rainbow List; Jumpstart the World was also a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards and won Rainbow Awards in two categories. More than fifty of her short stories have been published in many journals, including the Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, the Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train, and the Sun, and in the anthologiesSanta Barbara Stories and California Shorts and the bestselling anthology Dog Is My Co-Pilot. Her short fiction received honorable mention in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest, a second-place win for the Tobias Wolff Award, and nominations for Best American Short Stories, the O. Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize. Three have also been cited in Best American Short Stories.
Ryan Hyde is also founder and former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation. As a professional public speaker, she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with AmeriCorps members at the White House, and shared a dais with Bill Clinton.

Connect with Catherine Ryan Hyde
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Review:
Dr. Lucy Armstrong lives alone and out of the way on her Texas ranch. She is a licensed doctor, which is rare in 1959, but has long since chosen not to practice in the typical manner. Instead, she takes in animals that have been injured and abandoned. Pete Solomon is a 12 year old boy with a large heart, so when he sees an abandoned, broken dog on the side of the road, he knows he has to help him. When the regular vet refuses to look at the wolf-dog, Pete finds his way to Dr. Lucy. On the long walk with a half-wild, hurt, wolf-dog, Pete runs into Justin. Justin is new in town and the two boys click. Justin is also black, which does not sit well with Pete's abusive father or some other folks in town. When the boys show up at Dr. Lucy's, she finds herself with not only one more animal to care for, but two boys as well. When Dr. Lucy meets Justin's father, Calvin, Dr. Lucy's heart melts. However, the town is not ready for a white woman to be kind to a black man and miscegenation laws are still in place. When the town turns violent against the new little family, Dr. Lucy and Peter must say goodbye to Calvin and Justin.

Catherine Ryan Hyde always delivers so much more in a story than I could ever imagine. I originally wanted to read this story because of the wolf-dog hybrid. Prince is definitely an important part of the story as the force that brought everyone together, but there is so much more offered. Elements of historical fiction, race relations, family, friendship, hope and love are all tied together in this beautiful and unexpected story. Each of the characters is very well developed and amazing in their own way. Pete stole my heart from the very beginning with his compassion and unwavering sense of right vs. wrong. I love how he never gave up on Prince and what he later found in return. Justin and Calvin were the perfect father and son pair; they showed perseverance and grace under pressure. The real transformation is of course with Dr. Lucy. From the beginning I knew her hardness was a facade, but I still enjoyed watching it melt away with the addition of Pete, Justin and Calvin to her newly formed family.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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Aurora Publicity Holiday Hop!

12/12/2016

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My Favorite Holiday Traditions

Every holiday season my family does the traditional holiday things. My mother and I do a cookie baking exchange where a bunch of women gather together, bake way to many cookies, split up all the cookies and then take way too many cookies home to eat. It's a good thing cookies make good gifts! My family also cuts down a live Christmas tree every year. This year we actually had too many ornaments. One of the reasons for this is that every year since I was born, my mother has given me an angel ornament and now every year I give my son a moose ornament. However, my favorite tradition of the holiday season is having extra time to myself to read! Over holiday break I can usually sit down for a while and binge read with a nice cup of cocoa or tea in front of a crackling fire by the light of the Christmas Tree and Christmas villiage. It is idyllic and peaceful and always a good memory.

So, my gift to you this year is a chance to win one of the books I have been able to binge read over the holiday season! See below for reviews and how to enter.

Happy Holiday Hopping!

The Invisibles by Cecilia Galante

Turning Winds Home for Girls takes in troubled and orphaned girls. This is where four teenage friends meet and form a strong bond over their unique status of having no parents present in their lives, no visits, no contact, and no phone calls. Nora, Ozzie, Monica and Grace form The Invisibles, a family of their own, at least until graduation. Self-proclaimed ring leader of the group, Ozzie, decides that they should all forget and move on after tragic events after graduation. Ozzie, Monica and Grace move out of town and on to bigger and better, or so it seems; meanwhile Nora stays in town with the Shadow of the Turning Winds Home. Nora has a job at the library, her dog Alice Walker, her collection of favorite first lines from books, and all the pain of the secrets she has kept from her childhood. Nora desperately wishes her friends would reunite again, and with one phone call from Ozzie fifteen years later, The Invisibles rise again.

This is a heartwarming story of friendship, pain, redeeming yourself and moving on. Each of the four girls carries around an amazing load of baggage from their childhood. I loved The Invisibles group, they form as a wonderful therapy. The rules are amazing and what the girls try to do for one another shows true companionship, but as children they can only make themselves feel better at the moment and not actually solve any of the deep-rooted issues in their lives. Each of the girls was very interesting and with their own personalities, Nora was my favorite of the group quiet, reserved, observant and I loved her first line collection. It was interesting to see how each woman’s baggage and personality affected them as adults and how they came to eventually deal with it. The emotions were real and raw with issues that many women might face, abusive relationships, body insecurities, sex, postpartum depression, money and abortion.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

The Vineyard By Michael Hurley

Three college friends reunite on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Expecting a care-free summer, the reunion is really anything but. Dory, who lives on the Vineyard and come from old money. Bearing the name Delano, Dory defies many of the standards for a woman in her position, including being unmarried at age 32. Charlotte arrives at the island with an immense amount of grief. With the ashes of her dead daughter in tow, Charlotte does not plan to visit for long; but has plans of walking out into the ocean and never coming back. Turner is running from some bad decisions made on her blog, hoping a much older man with her home address won't be able to stalk her. Each of these women has a life-changing encounter with a mysterious man on the island known only as the fisherman. Outside the law, the fisherman sells mouth-watering jumbo shrimp out of the back of his truck. The fisherman also seems to have a sixth sense for knowing certain things about people.

The Vineyard was a very surprising read for me, not at all what I was expecting. Each of the women's characters were very in-depth and unique. First introduced is Charlotte. I was not very sure that I was going to like her, quite literally drowning in grief at the death of her young daughter and the Church's refusal to bury her unbaptized remains in consecrated ground, Charlotte makes the decision that if her daughter will not be going to heaven, than neither will she. Charlotte's actions soon after this quickly change my views of her, also the scene of her attempted suicide is very well written and seems honest to the experience. Dory seems very carefree at first, but after her encounter with the fisherman and a grim diagnosis, things seem to change. Turner is a very strange character, often making decisions that seem out of place, however, she uses her friends experiences with the fisherman as stories on her blog and that decision brings around more strange events. The fisherman himself is an enigma, I was wrapped up in solving the mystery around him. Without giving too much away, this was a unique story with excellent characters that went on unexpected routes.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Twain's End By Lynn Cullen

Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain was not only an amazing author, but quite the character. Throughout his life he amassed quite a number of admirers, none more than those who were close to him- including many of his female staff. In his later years, Samuel Clemens employed Isabel Lyon as a secretary for his ailing wife. Soon, Isabel became Samuel’s constant companion and his own personal secretary. It does not take much to see that the relationship between the two has grown. However, a year before Samuel’s death, he blesses the marriage of Isabel and Ralph Ashcroft, his business manager only to besmirch their reputations one month later in an elongated written rant.

I love learning more about the lives of authors that I admire. I really didn’t know much about the man behind Mark Twain other than the fact that he piloted a riverboat and that he came in and went out along with Hailey’s comet. Lynn Cullen has taken much of her account for Twain’s End from the diary of Isabel Lyon. The writing creates a tense back and forth, cat and mouse game between Samuel and Isabel. The overall feeling that is created is tense and a little uncomfortable, especially if you would prefer to keep Mark Twain in a positive light. Isabel was quite intriguing, especially as she tried to do her best to keep herself distant from the man she knew she should not get involved with. As she became more and more entwined with the family, this became more and more difficult and eventually led Samuel to believe different about her. One of the things I found most interesting was Samuel’s relationship with his wife and daughters; I really knew nothing about Olivia, Jean, Clara and Susie. Olivia is still a little of a mystery to me, she was ailing through most of her time throughout the book, but no one seemed to know why. However, the mutual love between Samuel and Olivia was still evident even through his indiscretions. One of the most colorful characters for me was Isabel’s mother, always scheming, always putting her nose in other’s business and terribly worried about Isabel’s marriage prospects, a perfect busybody. Overall, a suspenseful, surprising and insightful tale about a different view of one of America’s greatest authors.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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The Semper Sonnet

12/12/2016

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About the Book:

The Semper Sonnet by Seth Margolis
Publication Date: April 19, 2016
Diverson Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 374 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery/Thriller

READ AN EXCERPT.

In this stunning thrill ride, perfect for fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry, a long-lost manuscript, written for Elizabeth I, holds the key to unlocking the past—and to eliminating the future.
Lee Nicholson is ready to take the academic world by storm, having discovered a sonnet she believes was written by William Shakespeare. When she reads the poem on the air, the words put her life in peril and trigger a violent chase, with stakes that reach far beyond the cloistered walls of academia.
Buried in the language of the sonnet, in its allusions and wordplay, are secrets that have been hidden since Elizabethan times, secrets known only to the queen and her trusted doctor, but guessed at by men who seek the crown and others who seek the world. If the riddles are solved, it could explode what the world knows of the great Elizabeth I. And it could release a pandemic more deadly than the world has ever imagined.
Lee’s quest for the answers buried in the sonnet keeps her one step ahead of an international hunt—from the police who want her for murder, to a group of men who will stop at nothing to end her quest, to a madman who pursues the answers for destructive reasons of his own.
As this intelligent thriller moves back and forth between Tudor England and the present day, Lee begins to piece together the meaning behind Shakespeare’s words, carrying the story to its gasp-out-loud conclusion.

“Imaginative plotting and depth of character distinguish this centuries-spanning thriller…”—Publishers Weekly
“The Semper Sonnet is a wildly imaginative thriller that fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry will love.”—Phillip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author

“This provocative and knuckle-biting thriller will have you on the edge of your seat as it careens through the hallowed halls of academia into the turbulent past. Hold tight to your farthingales: this is a roller-coaster ride of a book!”—C.W. Gortner, international bestselling author of The Last Queen

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Review:
Lee Nicholson believes she has found something that will make her academic career. As an English literature grad student at Columbia, Lee believes she has found a new sonnet written by Shakespeare. After an appearance on the evening news where Lee reads a stanza of the sonnet, everything goes downhill. Lee is now a suspect in a murder; a murder over a clue in the sonnet. Lee quickly figures out that Shakespeare hid a series of clues in the wordplay of the sonnet, clues about something big enough to kill for. Now, Lee is on the run from the law chasing the clue to Henford estate in England chasing the secrets of Queen Elizabeth I.

This is a historical secrets thriller, perfect for those who enjoyed Angels and Demons but thought it needed more of a Tudor twist. As a lover of all things Tudor, the historical aspect and mystery surrounding Elizabeth I was what got me interested and kept me hooked. The chapters alternate between diary entries written by Elizabeth’s physician beginning in 1555 and present day with Lee. The diary entries were the most interesting aspect to me; however, as Lee began to extract clues from the sonnet I was pulled in along with her and was trying to figure out the hidden meanings alongside her. Now, some suspension of disbelief was necessary on my part in order to believe that one historian suspected of murder could leave the US with a fake identity and travel freely around the world; that really isn’t the important part though. The intensity and suspense grows with each clue that is uncovered, and Lee is put in danger from more than one source. While I did guess some things along the way, I never would have guessed what the sonnet was actually hiding and the bigger prize that Lee finds at the end. Overall, a fast paced, multi-faceted historical thriller for any Tudor fan.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About the Author

Seth Margolis is a writer whose most recent novel, THE SEMPER SONNET, was published on April 19. He is the author of six earlier novels, including LOSING ISAIAH, which was made into a film starring Halle Berry and Jessica Lange.

Seth lives with his wife, Carole, in New York City. They have two grown children, Maggie and Jack. Seth received a BA in English from the University of Rochester and an MBA in marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business Administration. When not writing fiction, he is a branding consultant for a wide range of companies, primarily in the financial services, technology and pharmaceutical industries. He has written articles for the New York Times and other publications on travel and entertainment.

For more information, please visit Seth Margolis’ website. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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This is Not A Werewolf Story

12/9/2016

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On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

This is Not a Werewolf Story

by Sandra Evans
Middle Grade Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 352 pages
July 26th 2016 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

This is the story of Raul, a boy of few words, fewer friends, and almost no family. He is a loner—but he isn’t lonely. All week long he looks after the younger boys at One Of Our Kind Boarding School while dodging the barbs of terrible Tuffman, the jerk of a gym teacher.

Like every other kid in the world, he longs for Fridays, but not for the usual reasons. As soon as the other students go home for the weekend, Raul makes his way to a lighthouse deep in the heart of the woods. There he waits for sunset—and the mysterious, marvelous phenomenon that allows him to go home, too. But the woods have secrets . . . and so does Raul. When a new kid arrives at school, they may not stay secret for long.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Sandra Evans is a writer and teacher from the Pacific Northwest. Her forthcoming middle grade novel, This is Not a Werewolf Story (Simon & Schuster July 2016), was inspired by her favorite 12th century French tale, Bisclavret, by Marie de France. Born in Washington state, Sandra spent her childhood on U.S. Navy bases from Florida to Hawaii, and returned to the Northwest as a teenager. Since then, she has lived and traveled in France and Europe, but has never strayed far for long from the Puget Sound region.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter

Tour Schedule

November 28th: Launch

November 29th: The Silver Dagger Scriptorium

November 30th: Brooke Blogs & Katie's Clean Book Collection

December 1st: Beck Valley Books

December 2nd: Wishful Endings

December 4th: With Love for Books & Moonshine Art Spot

December 5th: Falling Leaves

December 6th: Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima & Mel's Shelves

December 7th: Life as Leels

December 8th: deal sharing aunt & Books, Books the Magical Fruit

December 9th: 100 Pages A Day

December 11th: Nish Homeschool Blog

December 12th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

A hardcover copy of THIS IS NOT A WEREWOLF STORY by Sandra Evans plus Swag
Open internationally
Ends December 16th

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Review:
Raul is a young man who attends a boarding school on an island in the Puget Sound. Raul has been there since he was a little boy when his mother disappeared and his father had a hard time raising him alone. Raul is a bit of a loner at the school and he chooses not to talk very much. This is because Raul knows that he is different. Raul has discovered the secret of White Deer Woods and every weekend he goes out to a special place in White Deer Woods and transforms. When a new kid, Vincent, arrives at the school, Raul thinks the Woods has shared the secret with Vincent as well. As Raul finally comes into his own as a young man with Vincent’s friendship, a threat comes to White Deer Woods that affects Raul deeply and will test his friendship.

This book was extremely intriguing, right from the title. Aimed for middle-grade readers, this fantasy is written in a way that will excite and engage. There are many mysteries on the island to be solved and the writing from Raul’s point of view pulled me into the story and the island. Just what is the secret of White Deer Woods, how does it work and who else is like Raul? The extreme personalities of the students and staff on the island made the people jump off the page; Mean Jack who has taken on the personality of an old-time mobster, Mary Anne who has a calming persuasiveness, Dean Swift who cares too much and shares too much, Cook Patsy who is a protective wrestler and of course Tuffman, a sadistic PE teacher who has it out for Raul. I loved how the mystery of the island and Raul’s transformative process took place and how it is loosely modeled after a twelfth century story called Bisclavret. Overall, an interesting and different middle-grade coming of age story with elements of beauty, forgiveness, magic and mystery that is anything but a werewolf story.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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