Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Review: The Next President by Kate Messner

THE NEXT PRESIDENT

by Kate Messner
Illustrated by Adam Rex
Chronicle Books
Picture Book / Non-Fiction
48 pages
ages 8 to 12



An inspiring and informative book for kids about the past and future of America's presidents.

Who will be the NEXT president? Could it be you? When George Washington became the first president of the United States, there were nine future presidents already alive in America, doing things like practicing law or studying medicine.

When JFK became the thirty-fifth president, there were 10 future presidents already alive in America, doing things like hosting TV shows and learning the saxophone.

And right now—today!—there are at least 10 future presidents alive in America. They could be playing basketball, like Barack Obama, or helping in the garden, like Dwight D. Eisenhower. They could be solving math problems or reading books. They could be making art—or already making change.

• A breezy, kid-friendly survey of American history and American presidents
• Great for teachers, librarians, and other educators
• Kate Messner's nonfiction picture books have been lauded by critics and received a variety of awards.

For young readers and students who loved The New Big Book of PresidentsLincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, and Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America's Presidents.

A helpful addition to curriculums of 5th- to 8th-grade students studying U.S. History and civics and the federal government.


      



MY TIDBITS

Presidents weren't born as being presidents, and this book slides through all sorts of interesting facts about each president's life before they took office...and demonstrates that any American citizen has the possibility of being elected someday.

This book encourages young readers to dream, and that how it starts out. But right after that, the first president is introduced. Instead of concentrating on each president's accomplishments, this book gives one or two interesting tidbits, but then mentions how many presidents were born and growing up at the same time, and even hits at some of the things they were up to. And most of these were definitely not 'presidential'.  It is interesting to see all of the normal and not so usual hobbies and jobs these future presidents were doing years before they were actually elected.

While the book is placed in chronological order, time flows a bit back and forth. This breaks up the usual mundane atmosphere and adds as much life as the interesting facts. The illustrations are nicely done and reinforce the point—presidents were not raised to be presidents, but rather had diverse lives like every other normal human being. Some moments are humorous, others inspirations, and a few simply surprising.

At the end of the book, there's a map, which displays where presidents were born, a summary of the requirements to become president, a few 'changing face' facts, and a list of possible reads to learn more about the presidents.

It's an entertaining way to learn about the presidents...and that with a new twist. It also does a lovely job at encouraging young readers to hold onto their own dreams, since even they might find themselves as president someday.


And here they are...

The Author...
Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

The Illustrator...
Adam Rex is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books and novels, including Nothing Rhymes with Orange and the New York Times bestseller Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. He has worked with the likes of Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Jeff Kinney, and Neil Gaiman. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Monday, March 30, 2020

Review: More Lunch Lines by Dan Signer


MORE LUNCH LINES
Tear-out Riddles for Lunchtime Giggles
by Dan Signer
Illustrated by Steve James
Chronicle Books
Children's Humor / Novelty
408 pages
ages 3 to 10


A fresh helping of laugh-out-loud jokes from the creator of Lunch Lines!

What is a sheep's favorite karate move?

lamb chop!


Parents can turn lunchtime into a real treat with a joke from More Lunch Lines every day! Packed with enough jokes for a whole school year and accompanied by hilarious illustrations, this clever book serves up a fresh helping of sidesplitting jokes and riddles on topics kids love, like animals, space, and sports. Just tear out a joke and drop it in a lunch for a school year of smiles—perfect for busy parents and hectic mornings!

• A perfect back-to-school gift for busy parents
• Enough hilarious jokes for an entire school year!
• Dan Singer is a comedy writer who has written for the TV shows A.N.T. FarmThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and One Day at a Time.

Joke loving kids who love Lunchbox Notes and Laugh Out Loud Jokes for Kids will laugh it up for More Lunch Lines.

       



MY TIDBITS

Adding a little something extra to that lunch box turns into smiles...or even ughs and moans...with these cute jokes.

This is a small but plump booklet, and each page is made to be torn out and shoved into the lunchbox or anywhere else where a child (or maybe even an adult) might be reaching into. The idea of 'giving' a daily joke is simply wonderful, especially since it's not just a joke but the the reminder that someone cares, which really counts. So, this entire concept already won big points in my (and my family's) book.

The pages are thin and made to fold, making them form about an inch and a half square (rough estimate). In other words, these slide easily into even the most stuffed lunchboxes. On one side is a quick, one-lined joke, and on the other is the answer. That's it. Simple and easy and quick.

The jokes are clean and very children friendly. Some are quite clever, while others grabbed everything from 'huh' to eye rolls to 'really?' There are bad jokes, there are obscure jokes and there are simply good jokes. It's a great mixture which doesn't follow a pattern or theme. And there are tons of them to make sure that lunchbox will have one every day for months.

This is a great way to make someone smile (or groan) and to let them know that someone is thinking of them.


And here he is...

Dan Signer is a comedy writer who has written for TV shows including A.N.T. FarmThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and One Day at a Time. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.

Sneak Peek: Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze by Veronica Elle Butler

Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze banner


Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze

Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze

by Veronica Elle Butler
Middle Grade Fantasy
25 March, 2019








Twelve-year-old Chloe Rose lives a quiet, happy life in her hometown Wilmoton, but she’s haunted by the same nightmare night after night—one with guns and swords and lost fathers. When another brewing battle has her town preparing for war, Chloe’s fears are made into a reality. Promises are left unfulfilled, her family is torn apart, and she must leave her comfy life in Wilmoton behind when she and her mother move into the King’s palace. Living in a castle seems like a dream come true, like the new beginning they need, but Chloe’s not convinced. After a series of altercations, Chloe Rose is kicked out, more desperate for hope than ever. To restore what she’s lost, Chloe travels to an enchanted maze where wishes come true and fairies rule. But with evil forces working against her and her new friends, can Chloe complete the trials of the maze or will her heart’s desires be left unfulfilled?

Chloe Rose and The Enchanted Maze is a powerful story of bravery, friendship, grief, and love.


You can find Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze on Goodreads

You can buy Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Smashwords

Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze is a perfect story for children in military families, mixed race families, or for readers looking for more #ownvoices stories. Discussion questions and teaching materials are available.


SNEAK PEEK

The wind sang through the meadow under the open bright skies of Wilmoton, the land advanced confidently with warmth. Each new day, the promise of spring drew near as wildflowers rose from the earth. The Langerfield battle had ended two years ago, and peace had once again returned to Wilmoton. So, Chloe Rose spent some time alone in her special place. 
This was where she felt lighter and happier; its warmth spread to her heart. Here, Chloe’s favorite spot was on a little hill in the middle of a meadow that overlooked Wilmoton. It was one of the most beautiful views that her hometown had to offer. 
Surrounded by gentle whispers of nature, it was also Chloe’s special place to draw flowers and pick them for her mother. The sun glared down at her from the sky, and the breeze brushed her sun-kissed skin while she let her curly brown locks down. She smiled with every twirl on her dress on the soft-bedded grass. For a moment, everything was peaceful and her heart had a steady, calm beat. Here, she was not afraid of what haunted her thoughts, that which caused her to squeeze her eyes shut to make go away. Nor did she worry about the nightmares that came every night after those thoughts. Everything is brighter and calm here, Chloe thought now.
As time crept up on her, Chloe finished her drawing and brushed the pencil shavings and eraser crumbs from her dress. She walked down the slope of the Meadow and back home to her mother, Catherine. She picked some rosebuds for her mother—Mom likes to watch the petals expand slowly as they bloom. She also grabbed the sketch of her view of the meadow, which she made for her father, Michael. 
Chloe’s affection and admiration for her parents were unfathomable. She liked to believe her father had superpowers. Her father was the captain of the Wilmoton’s army. The ongoing dispute between Wilmoton and Cottondale was as old as time. A dispute over land and who owns what and who was the first one on the more fertile land. 
Cottondale’s features ranged from cracked sidewalks and deteriorated houses that either had weathered paints along their walls or were in ruins from previous conflicts. Remnants of broken swords and shields littered its fields. The people of Cottondale showed no inclination to repair these damages. Instead, they carried on with their lives in the only way they could, with the hope of reusing the broken swords and broken shields, whenever the situation would inevitably call for it again. 
Wilmoton was a quaint town with unsurpassed colorful cottages and a huge bell tower named “Armstrong” at the heart of its harmonious infrastructure. The women learned to sew and weave every day in workshops. The people of Wilmoton were hardworking, and it showed. It was the type of place where almost everyone knew each other and people greeted each other with a smile. Wilmoton was ruled by King Francis II, a kind king who protected his people. 
Apart from the never-ceasing war between Wilmoton and Cottondale, Chloe loved living in her hometown. As she skipped along the sidewalk, her pink gown flared up and down in the wind with every bounce. She soon spotted Mr. Andrews with the evening newspaper— a worried look on his face.  
   The Andrews family lived a couple of cottages away from the Roses, and their two daughters Chloe Rose and Thyra Andrews were best friends. Like Chloe’s father, Albert Andrews was in the army, too. 
During one of the many conflicts between the two towns, someone abandoned a baby in a wicker basket on the boundaries of Wilmoton. Disturbed by this little bundle of joy’s being abandoned, Mr. Andrews hurried back to his home with the baby, showing her to his wife, Ava, who had no child of her own. Ava Andrews was overjoyed, so they adopted the baby and named her Thyra.
Upon seeing his worry, Chloe waved her hand to say, “Hello, Mr. Andrews!” Her broad smile revealed her glittering brown eyes, which could cheer up any sad face on a normal day. This time, it did not. 

“Hello, Chloe,” Mr. Andrews replied in haste, his whole face lit up with worry and confusion. Chloe did not know how to interpret the look on his face, so she continued home.


And here she is...

Veronica Elle Butler

Veronica Elle Butler is a Middle-Grade Author. Growing up, her childhood dream job is to become a doctor like most children but her life path leads her to a different role; wife, mom, twin daughters in a nutshell . She conceives the idea of an Enchanted Maze one night after reading bedtime stories to her twin daughters. She wants to create a world she could share with her daughters and other children as well, so, she begins to map out her story on a notebook every night when it’s quiet without distractions. Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze pulls the reader into a world of mystery that overlaps our mortal world all consisting of grief, pains of rejection, a curious twist of fate, heart of courage, and forming lasting friendships, she delivers an unforgettable adventure to her readers. She’s an avid scrabble player, enjoys documentaries and, learns along side of her husband the roles of a Military Man when she’s not writing. She enjoys spending time with her daughters and being a Mom. Her twins absolutely love Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze and she hopes every child would fall in love with it as much as they have. To find out more you can follow her on Twitter @MazeEnchanted. Her debut novel Chloe Rose and the Enchanted Maze will be available in Spring 2020.

You can find and contact Veronica Elle Butler here
- Website
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Instagram


This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 25 till 31 March. See the tour schedule here.

Sneak Peek: Poor Florida Cracker by Chelsea Falin with Giveaway!



Poor Florida Cracker 
by Chelsea Falin 
YA Coming of Age 











Sissy Collet and her siblings have grown up with neglectful parents, impoverished, and bullied by their small town. When they finally get their chance to break free, they take it - despite having the odds stacked against their favor. With nothing except a half-cooked scheme and an old beater, they set off without a set destination in the hopes they will finally be free of the baggage holding them back. Will Sissy get her happily ever after? Or will she never be anything more than a Poor Florida Cracker? 



SNEAK PEEK






Chelsea Falin is the 25 year old independent author of well over ten titles. She began writing with intents to publish in 2006, at age 16, and finally published in 2009, at age 19. Chelsea writes in a variety of genres, including but not limited to: romance, young adult, comedy, cooking, poetry, and dramatic fiction. Professionally, Chelsea is also a freelance blog/article writer, web designer, and book blogger. 

In her personal life, Chelsea is the mother of a six year old daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, fishing, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her friends or family. 






$10 Amazon Gift Card 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!




Saturday, March 28, 2020

Review: Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun


PIPPA PARK RAISES HER GAME
by Erin Yun
Fabled Film Press
Middle Grade Contemporary
288 pages
ages 9 to 12








A Contemporary Reimagining of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens for Middle Graders

Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the other kids at school, has a plan for how her life should look. So when Pippa gets a mysterious basketball scholarship to Lakeview Private, she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself by following the “Rules of Cool.”

At Lakeview, Pippa juggles old and new friends, an unrequited crush, and the pressure to perform academically and athletically while keeping her past and her family’s laundromat a secret from her elite new classmates. But when Pippa begins to receive a string of hateful, anonymous messages via social media, her carefully built persona is threatened.

As things begin to spiral out of control, Pippa discovers the real reason she was admitted to Lakeview and wonders if she can keep her old and new lives separate, or if she should even try.

Bonus Content
Discussion Questions, Author Q&A, and Korean Language Glossary and Pronunciation Guide

   



MY TIDBITS

Pippa Park's spunk, determination and heart make her a character to love as she dribbles through all sorts of unexpected troubles.

Pippa Park might be great at basketball, but math is not her thing, and that causes some major troubles. Being raised by her older sister and her husband—since their mother had to return to Korea due to a lack of a green card—life wouldn't be too bad, but her older sister is strict. That means no basketball until Pippa gets her grades back up. When she's suddenly informed that she's been given a scholarship to the private school with expectations that she'll improve their basketball team, she not only can't believer her luck, she has no clue where it came from. She might be thrilled, but she's also knows that going to a rich school won't be easy. And it's even worse than she suspected.

What a engaging read! Pippa has the perfect balance of problems, humor, drama, determination and a little suspense. While it appears at times to hit cliche moments from a poor-kid-hits-rich-kid drama, these usually swing into completely different and unexpected directions, making it hard to know what Pippa's really up against and who she can depend on. Every scene adds something new to the story, making it a read, which isn't easily put down as she tries to find her spot in life and figure out how she can juggle everything.

Not only is this a school drama, but the author hits upon other topics. Pippa is Korean, and her family has been divided thanks to her mother's inability to remain in the US. Yet, she wants the best for her kids and leaves them behind...but the love and connections are still there. Aspects of the Korean culture flows in with ease, offering insight without becoming forced or overpowering. Even the other characters deal with their own problems, ranging from jealousy to dealing with family loss. And yet all of this never comes across as too serious thanks to the author's ability to sprinkle in just the right amount of humor and ease at just the right time. It's definitely a read to recommend.

Review: Cave Dada by Brandon Reese


CAVE DADA
by Brandon Reese
Chronicle Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 3 to 5




A hilarious book for new dads and their little loved ones to share and enjoy!

It's bedtime for Dada's little cave baby. But Baba wants a bedtime story, and not just from any book. Baba wants just the right book—and the right book means the biggest book! Poor Dada! The delaying tactics of his Stone Age darling may not speed up bedtime ... but they just might change the course of human history.

• Full of parenting moments that new or expecting dads will love
• Sweet, silly, and boldly illustrated—ideal read-aloud book to share with the family
• Perfect Father's Day gift

Fans of Your Baby's First Word Will Be DadaBecause I'm Your Dad, and Dad By My Side will love Cave Dada's positive, loving message.


      



MY TIDBITS

With tons of Stone Age humor, this book proves that being a Dada isn't easy, even for big, strong, caveman dads.

It's baby's bedtime, and Dada is more than happy to add in a last bedtime read for the bundle of cuteness. Baba, the baby, has a certain book in mind—the big book. But it isn't clear to Dada exactly which big book Baba means.

This is a cliche dive into the caveman world...and it's so cute! Dada is Mr. Caveman pure with his furry garment, kept on with a simple bone. Young listeners will get a kick out of the baby's innocent...and yet, irritating demands for a read, especially since the entire dialogue is in pure, silly, caveman style. Add the stone tablets (because who had paper) and a mammoth, and it's such a fun, humorous read.

The illustrations make this book and bring across the caveman style similar to many scenes observed in cartoons. The illustrations guide the tale much more than the text, so it's easy to follow the plot just by flipping through the pages (a plus, for those who like to explore books on their own). The text sticks in dialogue, and that with pure, rough, caveman style. Which makes it a bit quirky too. Dads will definitely get the bigger enjoyment, but young listeners will smile too.


And here he is...
Brandon Reese is the illustrator of numerous books for children. His own adventures in fatherhood provided ample inspiration for this book. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. 






Thursday, March 26, 2020

Review: Morning, Sunshine! by Keely Parrack


MORNING, SUNSHINE!
by Keely Parrack
Illustrated by John Bajet
North Atlantic Books
Picture Book / Non-Fiction
32 pages 
ages 4 to 8




From predawn to sunrise, environments everywhere bustle with life. From the hop of a robin, to the scurry of a beetle, and the hum of a bee, nature is all around. A series of haiku take the reader on a close-up, observational look at the abundance of nature, right outside our rural, suburban, and urban homes. Each stanza focuses on an aspect of the natural world or a creature going about their daily business as the world wakes up. Alongside, informative text goes into more depth on each subject.

Instructions to help kids create their own haiku poems are included, as is a glossary and a resource list.

   



MY TIDBITS

Haiku mixes with all sorts of fun facts about nature to create a book which is not only informative but beautiful, too.

Every page holds a part of nature (mostly creatures), presents a haiku surrounding the theme, and then dives into a larger paragraph, which describes the habits and special aspects. The information is brought across in a lovely worded way, allowing facts to come to life. More difficult terms are highlighted, and then more closely defined in a glossary at the end of the book. There is also a page at the end dedicated solely to explaining haiku and encouraging young readers to create their own.

This books is a fresh breath of nature. Each creature comes across sweet and full of life. The haiku sets a warm, inviting and comforting atmosphere, which draws in. The descriptions bring across information without becoming harsh and preachy...thanks to the playful and natural wording. It's a nice way to introduce kids to various creatures and aspects of nature, while bringing across facts they didn't know before. The informative paragraphs are a bit long and won't hold the interest of younger listeners unless being read only a few at a time. Even the older end of the age group probably won't be able to read this in one setting. There's too much to digest. Since there aren't any headers, divides, or theme headers, it's difficult to locate a certain animal for information's sake or easily start where a reader left off. It makes for a lovely but thick read.

The illustrations start out dark and slowly slide into the crisp energy of day. Each aspect of nature comes across with a lively nature and fits well with the haiku and description.

This is a great book for introducing not only haiku but also gives facts and introductions to many aspects and creatures found in nature. Even homeschoolers and classrooms can use this one.




And here they are...

The Author...
Keely Parrack came to the USA from the UK twenty years ago and liked it so much that she's still here, doing what she loves best: writing poetry, picture books, and young adult novels, and motivating kids to love reading and to be confident creative writers. She has an extensive background in elementary education and is the Co-Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, San Francisco North & East Bay. Parrack now fills her time working for her local indie bookstore, tutoring kids in creative writing, and designing haiku cards for her friends and family.

The Illustrator...
John Bajet is currently a designer on the Cartoon Network show Tom & Jerry, and Art Director at Renegade Animation.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Review: ISAN by Mary Ting


ISAN
International Sensory Assassin Network
by Mary Ting
Vesuvian Books
Young Adult Science Fiction
330 pages






Meteors devastated the Earth. World Governments developed plans to help surviving citizens. The United States disbanded and salvageable land was divided into four quadrants—North, South, East, and West—governed by The Remnant Council.

Struggling to survive, seventeen-year-old Ava ends up in juvenile detention, until she is selected for a new life—with a catch. She must be injected with an experimental serum. The results will be life changing. The serum will make her better. To receive the serum Ava agrees to join a program controlled by ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network.

While on a mission, she is abducted by a rebel group led by Rhett and told that not only does she have a history with him, but her entire past is a lie perpetuated by ISAN to ensure her compliance. Unsure of who to trust, Ava must decide if her strangely familiar and handsome captor is her enemy or her savior—and time is running out.

    

 


MY TIDBITS

Reminding a bit of Nakita, action and intrigue hit high-speed to great an exciting read.

After Ava's mother died, she entered the world of foster care but soon ran away and landed on the streets. ISAN found her there, and discovering that she had a rare yet valuable gene mutation, pulled her into their secret society and trained her to be an assassin. Here, she knows she can fulfill her mother's wishes and change the world for the better. But when a strange text pops up on her screen with a person claiming to be from her past, her world is about to be swung around on its head.

I'm a fan of several of this author's books, and ISAN ranks as one of my favorites from her. It starts with a bang and jumps right into the action. This beginning did leave some questions...I like a little more background to get a better grip on the characters...but by the third chapter, the story pulled in and kept me reading until the last page. There are no lulls as the action rolls and secrets unfold. Ava's got her hands full at ISAN with a group of colleagues, who hold as many secrets and sharp edges as those who control her strings. Everybody wears a mask, and everyone has one goal—survive and succeed.

While the writing did feel a bit loose at times, the plot and Ava's character caught me up and created an enjoyable read. It was hard to guess what would happen next...or who to trust. Even when it came to the more romantic direction, which offered all sorts of sharp stumbles along the way. Friendship is even harsher, but that's exactly what this world of intrigue needs. I'm looking forward to seeing where all of this goes next.


And here she is...

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres and her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.
Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.
Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry



Sneak Peek: The Mixtape to My Life by Jake Martinez with Giveaway

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Happy Book Birthday, Mabel: A Mermaid Fable by Rowboat Watkins!


MABEL
A MERMAID FABLE
by Rowboat Watkins
Chronicle Books
Picture Book 
32 pages





Mabel isn't like the other mermaids. Lucky isn't like the other octopuses. But when they find each other, they discover that true friendship isn't about how you look, and that sometimes what we are searching for is right under our noses.

       



MY TIDBITS

With a quirky twist on mermaids, this is a cute story of friendship and learning to love one's self.

Mabel is not a happy mermaid. While her entire mermaid family shares a similar trait, she isn't quite the same. The other fish call her names, and although she isn't sure what the word even means, she knows it can't be good. Deciding that the only thing left for her to do is hide, she slides into a hole at the bottom of the ocean. There, she meets someone else who is hiding, and together, they might just be able to find a way to be happy again.

Mabel is hard not to like...and the difference she has to the other mermaids definitely will draw young listeners'/readers' attentions. Possibly, a gasp and some giggles. Mabel is a determined little mermaid, and her attempts to fit in touch the heart. When she wants to hide, young listeners will easily relate to her feelings and probably see themselves in her. The message, while clear, slides in smoothly with the tale, and makes for a wonderful read-aloud, which will hold listeners' attention.

The illustrations are sweet, fitting and fun to flip through. Mabel is well done...not glamorous like mermaids often are but rather more easy to relate to. It's a treat to join her in her underwater world and hard not to have the wish to join her. Because Mabel and her new found friend would be exactly the kind of friends most kids would love to have.


And here he is...

Rowboat Watkins is mostly a dad who likes to tell stories and draw. Nobody knows why his wife started calling him Rowboat...but she does. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York. (taken from Goodreads)

Sneak Peek: The Four - Destruction of Honor by Zola Blue with Giveaway




The Four 
Destruction of Honor 
The Mejuarian Chronicles Book 1 
by Zola Blue 
Middle Grade Fantasy 






The Ercutians, an ancient race of spell casters that abandoned Earth long ago, have abandoned the ways of their elders. Their powerful magic they once used for good has been replaced with destructive spells and incantations, and their once thriving, wonderous lands have turned against them. The destruction of the Ercutian race is imminent. 

To heal their lands, and prolong their heritage, a sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, and wizardess combine their mystical powers to become the Great One, known to all as Thire-los. But not all is well within the Great One, for conflicting personalities brood within the single entity, and what was once Great threatens to become tainted, throwing all of Ercutia back into chaos once again. 



SNEAK PEEK

Don’t break the circle”, Thie told them. Neither magic user was exactly sure what was about to occur. Nervously they waited in anticipation for Thie to finish his incantations. 
Roj ixeal cd’aozro epo,” he commanded loudly in the old tongue.

Let four become one.”

And here she is...


Born in Florida, I am a resident of the US, but now I reside on a lovely island in British Columbia Canada. During the early years of my life, I worked in the business industry, thus reaching my goal of obtaining my degree in Business Management. 

I love to read, and over my lifetime, I have probably read hundreds of books. Now that life has given a bit more time to concentrate on my personal life, I am following God and writing fun, fanciful fiction stories, which blend over into the fantasy realm. 

My first amazing middle-grade fantasy series is now out, "The Four." There are very little violence and no wars. This is my attempt to provide lovely fanciful readings to the young to stimulate their imaginations. 

God is the mentor of my life, and to Him, I give thanks for all things. 





$10 Amazon – 1 winner, ebook of The Four – 3 winners 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!




Monday, March 23, 2020

Mommy And Daddy's Day with a review: The Demons of Wall Street by Laurence Raphael Brothers with Giveaway!

Every so often on Bookworm for Kids, I have a Mommy and Daddy's Day. After all, parents like to read, too. When I read the surmise on this one, I was so intrigued that I had to pick it up. And it was quite a fun...and not overly long...read. It does have some more suggestive moments, but these are not graphic or drawn-out. They definitely aren't any worse than many novels for young adults. There is also a bit of swearing, but again, not overwhelmingly so. 






Nora Simeon hates demons.

But as an investigator for the secretive Commission, the organization that regulates financial sorcery in New York City, she deals with the creatures a lot more than she'd like. Her latest case has her on the track of a rogue demon, escaped from magical bondage as an analyst for a leading investment bank.

On the demon's trail, Nora crosses paths with a beautiful young man named Eyre. He's too pretty and complaisant to be human, and too kind to be a demon in human form, but what else could he be? Together they become embroiled in the secret corruption at the heart of the financial industry. But before Nora can untangle a twisted skein of sorcerous murder and intrigue, she has to untangle her feelings for Eyre. And before she can do that, she has to find out who and what he really is.

Publisher Website:  


Purchase Links:

Amazon e-book
Amazon paperback

Please visit the tour hosts and share their post and/or leave a comment!


Take a sharp-tongued detective, an extremely wealthy company, and a room full of demons, and this is a recipe rich with excitement and even more tense than it sounds.

Nora is a detective and a good one, or so she wishes she was. She might have her own tiny office but is under contract of the Commission wishes they'd give her more work than they do. It doesn't help that her mother is a strong ranking member of their board, and Nora would like nothing better than to get out from under her mother's thumb. But being one of the only detectives handling demons...and even being aware of their existence...places her in a special niche. When her latest contract takes an unexpected twist, she finds herself in a dangerous web of power, money and lies.

The idea of having demons working on Wall Street and a detective trying to locate one gone astray, grabbed my attention right away. And I was not disappointed. 

Nora has a bit of the classic detective atmosphere to her. She sits in a dinghy office, waits for cases which rarely come, and wallows a bit in dissatisfaction. She has quite a few flaws, and yet, she has a softer heart than her tongue would ever suggest. Half the time, she's battling her own self-esteem, which makes her that much more 'human'. Other times, she comes across as cold as ice, but melts at the truth beyond prejudice and outer appearances. She's prickly but easy to like and cheer for.

While the demons and magic add a fun twist in a world of rich bankers and even more powerful conglomerates, this mystery relies on a careful weave of unexpected twists and turns. The mystery isn't easy to solve, and the intrigue spins in unexpected ways. Even the romance offers unexpected secrets and makes it hard to put the book down, since every page seems to offer a new surprise. 

While the tale does start with holes in Nora's background, it becomes clear that this to is a mystery that will probably reveal itself as the series continues. And I'm definitely looking forward to where this one will go next.



And here he is...



Laurence Raphael Brothers is a writer and a technologist. He has published over 25 short stories in such magazines as Nature, the New Haven Review, PodCastle, and Galaxy's Edge. His WWI-era historical fantasy novel Twilight Patrol was just released by Alban Lake. For more of his stories, visit https://laurencebrothers.com/bibliography, or follow him on twitter: @lbrothers.




GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway