Rebellion by Stephanie Diaz

REBELLION

by Stephanie Diaz

St. Martin's Griffin

YA Science Fiction

336 pages

It's been seven days since Clementine, Logan, and their allies retreated into hiding on the Surface. Clementine feels almost safe in their company, but she knows it won't last. The rebels may have won one fight against Commander Charlie, but the fight is far from over. He will find a way to fly his Core battleship to the nearby planet, Marden, no matter how many lives are lost in the process. Unless the rebels defeat him first.

The plan is simple: they will infiltrate each sector and weaken his infrastructure from within his ranks. They will convince the underage workers in the camps to join in the uprising. They will hijack ships, enter the Core, and assassinate Charlie. But Charlie has more weapons in his possession than guns and bombs, and he will do whatever it takes to keep the rebels from ruining his plans. With every step, Clementine draws closer to losing Logan and everyone she cares about—and losing control of herself.

MY TIDBITS

After the nerve-wracking cliff hanger ending of the first novel in this series, EXTRACTION, I couldn't wait to get my hands on book 2. Clementine is just starting to digest all the events and sacrifices of the last days as she finds sanctuary in the rebellion hide-out. She has scars and lots of baggage, a fact which I found made her very realistic. But of course, the beginning quiet is only a short pause before the storm sets in again.

The characters are much more worked out in REBELLION, giving a deeper insight into their thoughts, actions and personalities. Clementine presses on as a true heroine, but the battles of book 1 have left their mark and this is brought out nicely. Honestly, I did find that by deepening the characters, REBELLION did suffer on speed. There were several times during the first half, where I found myself wondering when things would finally pick up and get going. But it wasn't enough to make me put down the pages. Nope. The story is investing, and I really wanted to see how Clementine would come through her new predicament (which just thickened and thickened and thickened).

The plot itself is fairly straight forward in the beginning, but then starts to twist and turn into an array of unexpected surprises. There were several happenings which I really didn't see coming and kept this story on it's toes. There's a little romance too, but it fits well with the peril of the situations. Sweet but realistic, and thrown into the battle as much as the rest of Clementine's world.

Summed up, I can't wait to get my hands on book 3 and fever for Clementine as she battles through to the very end.




You can find this. . .

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Indiebound

And here she is. . .

                                   STEPHANIE DIAZ!!!

Twenty-two-year-old Stephanie Diaz wrote her first novel, Extraction, while studying film at San Diego State University. When she isn't writing, she can be found singing, marveling at the night sky, or fangirling over TV shows. Extraction is the first book in a trilogy.

Dead Girl Walking by Ruth Silver

Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper) by Ruth Silver

Published: November 25, 2014

Publisher: Booktrope

  Forget everything you know about grim reapers.

Princess Ophelia Dacre sneaks out of the castle to visit her boyfriend in secret. A perfect night cut short when she’s brutally murdered.

Ophelia is given the rare chance to become a grim reaper. She must become Leila Bele, cut ties with her old life, and follow the rules of the reapers. Her greatest adventure begins with death.   Now includes the prequel Ashes to Ashes as a bonus story in the Booktrope edition. Available in eBook & Paperback.

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Licensed to Ruth Silver

ON SALE FOR JUST 99 cents!!!

Available on Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

  “Listen, kid, I don’t care what you believe in. It’s not for me to say what’s true and untrue, real or unreal. My assignment was you. You get to be one of us, if you want it. Otherwise, you move on, life is over, kaput.” Ophelia backed away from the stranger. For the first time, she realized she didn’t feel cold and wasn’t shivering. Is this what being dead was like? “One of you?” “A grim reaper.” He held out his hand to properly introduce himself. “Edon Montgomery, head reaper and old soul.”   [caption id="attachment_10212" align="aligncenter" width="541"]
Licensed to Ruth Silver

Author Interview

Do you have any plans to write a spin-off for Aberrant?
Yes! I am currently working on an untitled project that is a prequel, spin-off. I haven't spoken much about it, but I will say there is plenty of action and a world to explore that we've barely touched in the Aberrant trilogy.

What are you currently working on?
I've got several writing projects underway. Forget Me Knot (Royal Reaper 2) is in edits right now with an expected Spring 2015 release. I'm also writing steamy adult fiction under the name Ravyn Rayne, which will be available this year as well. You can find those projects on Ravyn Rayne Reads.

Do you have a full-time job? Writing and marketing my own novels is my full-time job. It involves far more than 40 hours a week, but I love it, so I don't mind.  

About the Author

Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing two series: Royal Reaper and Orenda. Her interests also include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia. Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

She can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and her book blog Write Away Bliss.

The Aesir Kids by James Grant Goldin and Charlotte Goldin

THE AESIR KIDS

by James Grant Goldin and 

Charlotte Goldin

Basilisk Books

Middle Grade Fantasy

384 pages

ages 8+ 

They’re the children of the Norse gods, with incredible strength, magical weapons and monsters for pets. They’ve got problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants.

And when Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction, it’s up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder…along with some very extraordinary friends…to save it.

THE AESIR KIDS tells the story of…

THRUD, the pre-teen daughter of Thor, who has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla…
FIRE, young master of flame, the son of the three mysterious Norns and perhaps the key to saving the Nine Worlds…
MAGNI AND MODI, Thrud’s younger brothers, whose strength is matched only by their knack for getting into trouble…
ULL, the greatest skier of the gods…except for, maybe,
SKADE, the four-year-old goddess of skiing…
TJALFI, the human boy who can run like the wind…
ROSKVA, Tjalfi’s sister, who can hear something happening many miles away…
FORSETI, the level-headed son of Balder, who’s as good with a bow as he is with a written test…
NOSS, the beloved daughter of the Goddess of Love…
HELA, the sensitive little girl who hates her destiny of growing up to be the Goddess of Death…

Along with other gods, godlings, light-elves, trolls, dwarfs and creatures, these young heroes must find a way to save the universe…and find the core of courage within themselves. THE AESIR KIDS is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology. It’s the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.

MY TIDBITS

Packed with Norse mythology and adventure, THE AESIR KIDS is a book Rick Riordan and all mythology fans won't want to miss. Although all the favorites (Loki, Thor and Odin) are mentioned or present, this story goes into the next generation. With it's diverse age range of characters, readers of several ages will feel drawn into this exciting world, especially since the powerful kids of Asgard aren't really all that different than normal ones here on Earth.

Starting with a gentle, tale-telling Grandpa, the reader is already hooked by the time the adventures begin. And with a first chapter title The Frost Giant's Treasure, interested is guaranteed. I especially enjoyed the opening scenes. Although it's clear that these kids originate from powerful 'gods' (throwing around a huge boulder in a game of toss isn't easy), their sibling banter is so familiar, it's hard not to feel right at home.

The writing is great for the intended age group, never bogging down with too much description and keeping a realistic dialogue with just enough of the surroundings to allow the fantasy free run. The characters are distinct and packed full of personality. It was fun to bounce between their daily lives (which are similar to our own) and the exciting adventures, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The only thing which bothered me was the number of characters. Although all are fun and have their place, it was difficult to remember who was who until I was fairly far into the book. There is a list in the back, but honestly, the back is the last place I look for things when I want to dive into a book and start on page 1. It would have been nice to see this in the beginning. Also, I found the first pages a little difficult for 'unknowers' of the Norse mythology. One or two sentence background descriptions of what Asgard is or the Bifrost bridge or even Odin/Thor would have easily broaden the audience.

Although there's a ton of action in this story, there are also several messages buried in the pages. My personal favorite was that battles are not always won by strength and war, but friendship, kindness and loyalty also play a huge role in the scheme of things. 

In other words, I give this a huge two thumbs up!

You can find this. . .

Amazon * Kobo Books * Goodreads

And here they are. . .

James Grant Goldin

and

Charlotte Goldin!!!

James Grant Goldin is a TV writer whose work has appeared on The History Channel, The Discovery Channel and elsewhere. He first became interested in Norse mythology as a child, and was lucky enough to eventually pass that interest on to his daughter Charlotte. They would make up games based on Norse myths, and those games were the basis of their first full-length collaboration, “The Aesir Kids.”

Want to know more? Than find them at. . .

Book Website | Facebook

The Maisy File by Elizabeth Woodrum

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast (February 17 to 18, 2015) for the second book in "The Maisy Files" mystery chapter book series by Elizabeth Woodrum, "Maisy and the Money Marauder". If you haven't had a chance to check out Book 1, you can grab a Kindle copy for FREE from Amazon February 17 and 18, 2015!

About the Book

Title: Maisy and the Money Marauder (The Maisy Files, Book #2) | Author: Elizabeth Woodrum | Publication Date: February 17, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 90 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 12 Summary: Lunch money has been stolen at West Valley Elementary, and everyone's favorite fourth-grade detective in on the case. With a cherry lollipop in hand, her fedora, and her trusty notebook, Maisy steps into her black-and-white mystery world to search for clues. Join Maisy on her quest to unmask a thief in Maisy and the Money Marauder.

Book 2 Available from Amazon

PLUS, Grab a FREE Kindle Copy of Book 1, Maisy and the Missing Mice

from Amazon February 17 and 18, 2015.

Sneak Peek

 

The Buzz About Book One

"Maisy and the Missing Mice is a fun chapter book featuring a smart and sassy tween girl as the title character; a solid and interesting plot featuring age-appropriate intrigue and suspense; and some terrific writing that carries the reader on a journey as a detective uncovering clues and solving the mystery of who stole the missing mice. I highly recommend this book as a read aloud book for children between the ages of 6 and 10 or for independent readers between the ages of 7 and 12 who love to read mysteries." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Woodrum certainly knows her target audience and does a very nice job with the character development of Maisy. This is an incredibly kid-friendly story that makes a great introduction to the genre of mystery for newly independent readers. It's a quick page turning read that encourages kids to think outside of the box." ~ The Children's Book Review

"The delights from this book start with the cover art and continue with a fun story that is well-written." ~ 5 Star Review, R. Johnson, Amazon

"My name is Kat. I am 9 years old. I would rate this a five because I like everything about it, the mystery the most. It was fun to read. My favorite part was the mystery and the end. I love this book so much. I think other kids would love it too because it has mystery and most kids would like mystery books. Most mystery books have a good mystery. I would love to read the whole series." ~ 5 Star Review, Heather A., Amazon

"What an Amazing book. I totally love it. I admire the author dedication for writing an incredible book. While reading this book, it was very clear that author understand kids. I’ve always been an avid reader and this book is one of the best books I have read in 2014. This book grabs my attention from the very start of the book and couldn't put it aside till I finish it." ~ 5 Star Review, KristinT, Amazon

"I knew I would love this book simply because I knew it would remind me of the mystery books I read in my childhood. I really love how much trust the teachers and community as a whole put in Maisy. She is well deserving of their admiration as the way she finds clues and finds the mascot for the school is well thought out. This is a story any child would love to read. I hope Maisy continues to solve mysteries..." ~ 5 Star Review, Josh, Amazon

 

About the Author: Elizabeth Woodrum

[caption id="attachment_17336" align="alignleft" width="150"] Elizabeth Woodrum[/caption] Elizabeth Woodrum is an elementary teacher in Ohio. She came to love writing when she was in elementary school, but more recently began writing material for use in her classroom. From that writing, grew the desire to write books for the general population of children and adults alike. The Maisy Files, a children's series, is the first series that she has published. As a reader, Elizabeth prefers the fantasy genre, but she enjoys realistic fiction as well. Some of her favorite authors include JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and Nicholas Sparks. Originally from Indiana, Elizabeth currently resides near Dayton, Ohio with her two pets: a cat named Butterscotch and a dog named Reese Cup.  

Book Website | Author Blog | Twitter

Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: March 16, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Elizabeth Woodrum and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The Case of the Cursed Dodo by Jake G. Panda

THE CASE OF THE CURSED DODO

A Jungle Noir

The Endangered Files Volume 1

by Jake G. Panda

Woolly Family Studios

Middle Grade Mystery

180 pages

ages 8+

If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. The name's Jake G. Panda, and trouble seems to follow me wherever I go. I work in the protection racket at a flophouse for endangered critters called the Last Resort. I'm the hotel snoop. The resident fuzz. It's my job to keep these guests safe and outta harm's way. This is the first of my many misadventures. A wild and woolly mystery involving a lost suitcase, a green bird, and a bunch of double-crossing animals. I'm calling this jungle noir The Case of the Cursed Dodo. This hilarious first installment of The Endangered Files follows Jake, a hardboiled panda detective, and an unusual cast of endangered creatures on a globe-trotting adventure that will appeal to young and old alike.

MY TIDBITS

This is written in a completely different style than is usually seen in mysteries for the 8+ age group. It feels as if the reader is placed on the set of a movie, and watches the entire sequences being filmed. The setting is clever, a hotel for rare/extinct animals, and the detective is a Panda with a very solid 1940/1950's feel.

I really enjoyed the descriptions and actions in this, especially of the animals. Yep, the actors/actresses in this mystery are all animals, but they don't have the overly cute feeling that many animal stories tend to fall into. The author blends these characters into the setting so naturally (humanizes them) that it's easy to picture the scenes happening around you. And although the animals take on human characteristics, they're peppered with the familiar small habits and details which makes each creature distinct.

The mystery itself has a nice, underlying tension from page one. I think a lot of that has to do with the old-fashioned, detective feel. I had no problem picturing the Panda detective in a traditional office, with his feet up on an over-filled desk and a black, old-fashioned phone. But then, the fantastic illustrations sprinkled through the pages also support this visualisation.

Summed up, this is a wonderful mystery for kids, and something they won't have seen everyday. They'll either love it or hate it...but I'm betting on the first of these.


You can find this at:

AMAZON / GOODREADS

For a free excerpt, head on over to http://www.endangeredfiles.com/Welcome.html