Sneak Peek: Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer by Lily Mae Waters with Giveaway

JOSIE JAMES AND THE TEARDROPS OF SUMMER

by Lily Mae Waters

Crimson Cloak Publishing

June 10, 2018

Upper Middle Grade Fantasy

Josie James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays. 
Whilst staying at her great grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter. 
Her new friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will lift the curse but there are more pressing matters. 
The Teardrops of Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent catastrophe for their world. 

The Josie James books is a series of 5 books with Josie aging a year each time. She starts at 13 and will be 18 by the end of the last one. They will all have a similar feel about them, with Josie's end goal of freeing Suncroft from the curse. 

Cover by Mia Romano. 

Look for book 2: 'Josie James and The Velvet Knife'. 
Here Josie has returned to Suncroft for the summer to solve the riddles that are being left by The Velvet Knife (a hooded figure who has mysteriously appeared in the village).

SNEAK PEEK

While in Suncroft, Josie stays at Filan Flynn’s house, a half elf who will help her in her quest over the five books.  This is a piece where she discovers the benefits of having an elf as a friend.

The room was about the size of one of her classrooms at school. Its walls were fully panelled in a light wood with a few portraits hung here and there. Lamps and candles shone brightly on every wall and were placed on the mantelpiece above the fireplace, where yet again a huge fire roared in the hearth, only this time a black iron fireguard was placed in front of it. Against one wall was an ornately-carved wooden dressing table with a high-backed chair. She could see a gold mirror along with her hairbrush and toiletries. The sight of her modern-day cosmetics looked so out of place in the old-fashioned surroundings that she smiled to herself.

She walked over to the plush, red velvet curtains that covered an entire wall from ceiling to floor. Pulling them apart a little in the middle, she poked her head through and peeked out into the night. She must have been facing the back of the house because she could make out a small garden even if it was covered in snow. She could see walls and a gate, snow-filled planters and a metal bench with icicles dangling from it. A three-tiered fountain stood in the middle, its water frozen solid in an icy cascade.

She closed the curtains and made her way over to the four-poster bed. It also had red velvet curtains to three of its sides. These were tied back to each post with long golden tassels. The bed itself was the biggest bed Josie had ever seen. Red and gold pillows and a red and gold cover lay neatly on the top. Josie couldn’t help herself and, after taking off her boots, leapt onto the bed. She lay there for a few minutes, savouring the softness and the warmth before making herself get into her pyjamas. She opened what she thought was a wardrobe and found a small marbled bathroom instead. She placed her bare foot onto the floor tentatively, only to find it wasn’t cold but toasty warm. “These are the advantages of living in an elf’s house,” she said to herself.

There were no taps on the bath, and the sink was a porcelain bowl and pitcher. She dipped her finger into the pitcher expecting cold water and yet again thanked her lucky stars for elf magic as she poured the hot water into the bowl and began washing her face. After brushing her teeth, she walked back into the bedroom and got into bed, pulling the covers right up under her chin. Glider jumped onto the end of the bed, curled up, and was soon asleep. Josie thought there was no way she would get to sleep, the day too full of wonders and excitement, but before she knew it, she was fast asleep herself. 

And here she is...

Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also stare in the Josie James series.

She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.

Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local  places and even her old school in her stories.

Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series.

Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/josiejames100/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lilymaewalters/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/LilyMaeWalters1

GIVEAWAY!!!

Giveaway  to Win a Signed copy of Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer  (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Review: Ferryl Shayde by Vance Huxley

FERRYL SHAYDE

by Vance Huxley

Entrada Publishing

Upper Middle Grade Fantasy

ages 10 and up

313 pages

How many people have a tattoo that teaches them magic? 
While trying to outrun the local bully, Abel trips over a stone slab and something wakes up. 
Looking back - he must have been concussed or enchanted - because after it helps him escape, Abel breaks the binding seals and lets it out, finding himself apprenticed to Ferryl Shayde. 
When she moves into a tattoo on his arm, Abel can see the magical creatures that live alongside us every day. Not the ones of folk tales, but their scruffy, slimy, fanged cousins. Worse, he finds that the pact that should keep them under some sort of control has failed. 

Magic is easy, controlling it can be lethal, and by letting Ferryl Shayde out Abel has aroused the unwanted interest of others. 

If only it was just a board game, like the one he is creating with his friends. Unfortunately, it turns out the other way round and the players begin to discover real magic. 

MY TIDBITS

From the very first page, the adventure shoots off into a world of magic and action.

All Abel wants is to escape getting clobbered, but when the only retreat leads him through the town's creepiest property, he wonders if he should be more afraid of monsters and ghosts. The last thing he expects to run across is a sorcerer, who's been trapped for over a hundred years. She wants to be freed, but by doing so, life gets a whole lot more interesting than he bargained for.

Abel is a character on the end of the food chain, and the first scene shows just how horrible he's bullied. It's not a gentle beginning, and the violence hits hard. A lot happens quickly, making this a very fast paced read. There were a couple spots, where I had to go back and read through again to make sure I didn't miss anything. So no boredom in these pages!

Imagination takes flight in this tale, and it was exciting to see all of the different creatures cursing the town. The mythical monsters peer out of the most unexpected corners, and keep the tale on its toes. 

The sorcerer has quite a bit of personality, and having her placed in a tattoo in the form of a girl in a cat costume is humorously unique. The interactions between Ferryl and Abel make both easy to like, although their personalities are so different. The building of trust and teamwork was evident and added a nice touch to the story. There's also a great character development in Abel as he turns from a fearful, uncertain child into a self-assured magic wielder, who saves the town. This alone is a great message for the intended audience.

Summed up, this is an entertaining read which will keep kids ages 10 and up (due to the level of violence) on the edge of their seats. 

Review: Brink of Dawn by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

We are pleased to be coordinating a Book Review Blitz for the young adult fantasy thriller "Brink of Dawn", the sequel to "Wind Catcher" by Jeff Altabef and his daughter, Erynn Altabef. If you'll recall,"Wind Catcher" was recently featured in a Book Review Blitz hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews. The blitz ends December 1, 2015.

Brink of Dawn 

(Chosen, Book 2)

by Jeff Altabef & Erynn Altabef  

Evolved Publishing, LLC 

Pages: 324

Recommended Ages: 10+

Amazon

Brink of Dawn, the second book in the Chosen series, picks up where the multiple-award-winning Wind Catcher left off. If you haven’t read Wind Catcher, have no worries. Brink of Dawn was written so it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

MY TIDBITS

Brink of Dawn is the second book in the Chosen series. Although a reader can grab this book without reading Wind Catcher and still get the general gist of what's going on, I wouldn't recommend it. There are quite a few characters chasing a general goal, but the meaning of this goal and the importance of the task aren't really clear without the background of book one.

That said, this is a book running on full tilt. There's actions - tons of action -, mystery and a sense of tension, which radiates off the pages. The Chosen collect for their destiny from all parts of the globe, not sure who the others are or what their task will entail. I really enjoyed the diversity in all of this and still find the Indian undertones fantastic, especially since the merging of cultures and races doesn't feel forced, but melds into a wonderful balance with the plot.

The characters each come to life, every single one with it's own background, problemsd and personality. The chapters bounce around between the characters, but I had no trouble keeping track of what was going on. This isn't only about the characters finding each other, but weaves around each of them finding themselves. It makes for an exciting mixture of coming of age, self-discovery, friendship, and, of course, saving the world.

With so much happening, it's hard to put this book down and easy to fly through the pages. There are moments where the momentum hiccups, and it felt as if one or two sentences surrounding the scene or explanations were simply left out, but in general, the writing is solid and draws in.

I can recommend this for the younger YA audience, especially those who love fight scenes, chases and the ever-shadowing knowledge of approaching danger. This is a fun read, one that shouldn't be overlooked.



Awards for Wind Catcher:

2015 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal for YA – Coming-of-Age,

2015 Beverly Hill Book Award – Best YA Fiction

Mom’s Choice Award

Awesome Indies Seal Of Approval

About "Brink of Dawn":

They walk among us as if they are gods. Only the Chosen know what they are. Only the Chosen know to fear them. And only the Chosen can defeat them.

~~~~~ Juliet Wildfire Stone and her best friend, Troy Buckhorn, barely escaped their sleepy Arizona town alive. Now they’re speeding to New York City to find the three other Chosen. They must band together to face an ancient foe that threatens all humanity. Yet Juliet doesn’t know whom to trust, and strange things are happening in the City. The Chosen will be tested, their resolve questioned, and their flaws exposed. Each must decide whetherhe or she will fulfill their destiny—or run. To defeat the enemy, they must stop battling among themselves and overcome their owns struggles. Only one can lead them. Will Juliet embrace her powers in time?  

The Buzz About "Wind Catcher"

"Overall I thought the book was really entertaining and cool." ~ Danielle, 12, Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"This is an enjoyable read for all ages that goes by as fast as the authors can unspool it. " ~ Kirkus Reviews

"This very unique and refreshingly original contemporary fantasy has elements of high epic fantasy woven throughout it, and it will surprise and delight even the most jaded fantasy readers." ~ Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite Book Reviews

"Wind Catcher stands out from the crowd. It's... a powerful young adultadventure steeped in Native American legend and tradition." ~ Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"A treat to read." ~ Awesome Indies

 

About the Authors: Jeff Altabef & Erynn Altabef

Brink of Dawn is a joint project between the father/daughter team of Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef. Jeff is an award-winning author with two published thrillers in addition to Wind Catcher and Brink of Dawn. He has a column on the Examiner focused on writing and volunteers at the local community college. Erynn is an avid reader, dancer, and community activist who has recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. When she's not in high school, she loves reading performingin school musicals, baking, and watching movies with her friends.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

Review: Dragons of the Dark Rift by Kevin Gerard

Diego's Dragon, Book 2: Dragons of the Dark Rift

 by Kevin Gerard 

Crying Cougar Press

 214 pages

For ages 10+

 A Prophecy, an Ancient Calendar, and a Battle for Earth’s Survival The turning of the 26,000 year cycle is approaching. The fifth sun promises a time of peace for all creatures. Magnifico, Estrella, and the Sol Dragones eagerly await the new age. Vipero hopes to alter the ancientprophecy. He orders the Dragons of the Dark Rift to find and eliminate the Sol Dragones. If they succeed, nothing will stop him from destroying Diego’s world and claiming ownership of Sol, a star with unlimited spiritual power. Diego and Racquel travel with their dragons to the Dark Rift, the entrance to the magical realm known as the Xibalba. Together with the Sol Dragones, they battle Vipero’s immense army in a fight to save or shift the Mayan prediction. The fate of earth depends on victory or defeat, and Diego is the key. His choice – to betray Magnifico or stay true to the Sol Dragones – will determine the outcome of the conflict.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords * Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

This is a gripping, fast-paced story, which slides in perfectly behind the first book in the series. The main focus here is dragons, powerful and majestic ones. The descriptions are lovely, allowing the reader to experience these wondrous beasts as if they were solid reality. The dragons are an intricate part of Earth's destiny, and in this book, have good vs. evil battling in the realm of the stars. 

Diego is a twelve-year-old, Hispanic boy, who generally doesn't cause trouble, but being a Guide, finds himself wrapped up in exciting adventures. However, this isn't only a story about him as much it is about the battle around him. The scenes shift from him, to Magnifico, to the other dragons, as a story enfolds, which holds enough tension and intrigue.

I love the dash of Spanish thrown into this book, and enjoy the well described scenes. The friendships and loyalties between characters are inspiring, and make it easy to cheer the main characters on. And there's a lot to cheer for. The danger and action hits from one page to the next, refusing to let go.

Others Buzz About the Series

"Diego’s Dragon: Spirits of the Sun is a gripping, intrigue-filled adventure featuring a young Hispanic boy as the main protagonist, a beautiful statue that transforms into a real dragon, and a cast of secondary characters who all play a role in helping Diego fulfill his destiny as the Guide who delivers his ancestors into the spirit world. Tweens and teens will enjoy this magical and mystical journey..." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Kevin, you are an amazing writer. You have inspired me to make a book of my own. It is about a kid who can jump through space and time just by jumping. The next few paragraphs are what I have so far from the book. Please read them and give me feedback." ~ Your #1 fan - Ryan

"Another fun little book by Kevin Gerard in the Diego's Dragon series... My daughter (who is in the 4th grade, but reads at the middle school level) read this book right after she read the first in this series 'Diego's Dragon: Spirits of the Sun. She can't wait for the next one to come out." ~ Tjasinto, Amazon, 5 Stars

"I love your fantasy fiction books so much!" ~ Tanner - Palm Desert Charter School

 

And here he is. . .

KEVIN GERARD!!!

Kevin Gerard lives in San Diego, California, with two feline friends, Jesse the WonderCat and Little Man. When not writing or teaching statistics at Cal State San Marcos, he enjoys walking the grounds at the San Diego Zoo, hitting the waves at Cardiff State Beach, and hanging with his brother, nieces and nephews at the local Pizza Port. He also enjoys playing Halo on the internet; look for him in the rocket games as one of the characters from Diego’s Dragon or Conor and the Crossworlds.  

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