Afterlife by Sandy Goldsworthy

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

Clean Teen Publishing is excited to announce that AFTERLIFE, the second book in the AFTERWORLD SAGA by Sandy Goldsworthy is now available in PRINT! If you haven't started reading this exciting young adult - new adult paranormal romance, now is the time to start. You can grab your digital copy of AFTERMATH for free for a limited time. We do highly recommend the touch and feel version as well since these beautiful print covers make a great addition to any bookshelf.

"This book is an exciting murder mystery with a love story at its center. VERDICT A fun addition to paranormal romance collections." ~SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"This book is an epic love story that transcends even life and death. It will hold you suspended in time from the first page until its conclusion." ~NERD GIRL REVIEWS

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT:

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

AFTERLIFE is the highly anticipated sequel to AFTERMATH by Sandy Goldsworthy. This exciting Young Adult mystery romance is a must-read.

Everything seems perfect for Emma Bennett―she has a new set of friends she adores and a boyfriend she is crazy about. But when Emma sees a picture of her hunky boyfriend kissing another girl, she begins to question if his love for her is real. As she searches for the truth, will Emma be exposed to the dangers of another world?

Ben Parker enjoys the role of high school student and boyfriend to the love of his existence. Juggling his social life with his job in the Afterworld's Bureau of Investigation is supposed to be easy for the decorated undercover agent. But when some kid captures a photo of him in a precarious position, he's faced with lying to his girlfriend or erasing her memory. Instead, Ben makes the worst decision of his career. Now, forced to face the consequences, he loses the only thing that matters to him―Emma.

When seemingly insurmountable obstacles separate the lovers, will the two soul mates be able find their way back to each other?

READ AFTERMATH FOR FREE TODAY!

AMAZON / NOOK / iBOOKS

After losing her father, Emma Bennett moves to her aunt’s small town of Westport to finish out her senior year of high school. Emma wants to forget the pain and loss of the past few weeks, finding relief in the company of Ben Parker—a local boy who she has an instant attraction and uncanny connection with. When Ben seems a little too preoccupied with other responsibilities and has no time for her, Emma turns to the town’s hottest flirt—Lucas Crandon—for affection. Unfortunately, she realizes a little too late that, sometimes, bad boys really can be bad for you.

Life as an undercover agent for the Afterworld’s Bureau of Investigation isn’t an easy job. When Ben Parker finds his soul mate, Emma Bennett, in a small town, he finds himself forced to choose between doing his job or rekindling a relationship with the love of his existence. After Ben is notified that a notorious immortal is loose somewhere near Westport, he realizes that his love life will just have to wait. There is a criminal to apprehend before he can have his girl. When lives are at stake and immortals are on the loose, can two soul mates find their happy ever after?

ABOUT SANDY GOLDSWORTHY!!!

www.sandygoldsworthy.com

Sandy Goldsworthy was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Her passion for putting pen to paper began when her high school English teacher inspired her to be more descriptive in her work. Ever since, Sandy has dabbled in creative writing, searching for that perfect shade of red.

Sandy’s first novel, Aftermath, was signed by Clean Teen Publishing, in 2014

When not writing, Sandy enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and hanging out with friends and family. She resides in southeastern Wisconsin with her husband, Mike, two children, Brittany and Kyle, and their English Mastiff, Miles.

Review: Puddle's Wondrous Worry Dolls by Andrea Kaczmarek

PUDDLE'S WONDROUS WORRY DOLLS

by Andrea Kaczmarek

dpdotcom digital publishing

Chapter Book

ages 7+

46 pages

Jemima - Puddle to her friends - helps out in her Mum’s shop and discovers Worry Dolls, pretty paper dolls in bright cotton pouches.

Puddle has never heard of Worry Dolls and her Mum explains that they make your worries fly away. While they are talking, a box of Worry Dolls spookily falls off the table and Puddle scrabbles around picking them all up – when Puddle gets home she finds that one of those bags had fallen into her pocket. But these Worry Dolls are nothing like the shop ones –these are very very different - cool funky Worry dolls in a rainbow pouch. Puddle is pretty puzzled, did her Mum slip them into her pocket? But she gives them a worry to solve just for fun – what happens next makes Puddle even more puzzled.

Puddle and her best friend Ally have plenty of problems at school -with three bullies who make everyone’s life a misery. Like all bullies they pick on the younger kids who can’t stand up for themselves. Their unkind names are a pain, but one day they go too far, so Puddle and Ally decide that it is time to teach them a lesson – together with her wondrous new friends - those Funky Worry Dolls, Puddle and Ally come up with some wonderful, but naughty, ideas.

Not only the school bullies get a taste of their own medicine – other crazy things happen,

Puddle and Ally save some bedraggled kittens. Puddle succeeds in a maths test, now that is a miracle! Puddle’s project group is a big success…..why not read it and find out?

Cool and just a bit creepy – those Wondrous Worry Dolls fell into Puddle’s life and shake things up!

MY TIDBITS

This is a lovely story, which addresses a topic kids will easily relate to while throwing an interesting bit from a foreign culture in as well.

When Puddle (aka Jemima) runs across a set of paper dolls known as Worry Dolls, her life takes a sudden turn. With her best friend Ally, she deals with bullies and other problems...and it seems as if the Worry Dolls might be helping out in their own way.

Years ago, I was introduced to Worry Dolls and found the idea of casting your worries onto little paper dolls sweet in it's own way. So when I received the chance to dive into a story about them, there was no way I could refuse.

This book aims for beginning readers before they slide into full fledged chapter books. The writing is fairly easy to follow, while keeping the plot up at a great pace. The chapters are relatively short, offering many possibilities to stop and take a break before continuing on, so that this age bracket doesn't risk feeling over-whelmed by a 'bigger' book. There are illustrations scattered between the text, which help break things up--something I'm always glad to see.

Puddle is an interesting, young girl who's as normal as any other kid. Her actions and decisions are completely understandable, and it's no problem to see her as a good friend. The problems she has are ones that kids can easily relate to and her ways of approaching them will make readers think and smile.

Although the story is set in reality, the Worry Dolls offer a lovely pinch of magic while introducing an idea from another culture, which kids are sure to enjoy. The reasoning/story behind these Worry Dolls doesn't appear until after the first pages, which made for a bit of a rough beginning. But when they are explained, it's done nicely. There are a few messages mixed in with the adventure, but these sink in well with the story and never feel preachy.

In other words, there are many things to enjoy in this story. Especially readers between the ages of 7 to 10 will sympathize with Puddle and will probably want to have a set of Worry Dolls of their own.


And here she is. . .

ANDREA KACZMAREK!!!

Now a retired teacher and enjoying myself writing middle grade stories...

I was born in Wales and did my teacher training in Weymouth - married with two grown up children - and now grandmother to three amazing and clever kids.

I was a Town Councillor for many years in Hamm for the Green Party, with a great interest in integration and education. Today I still work on the Committee for Special Needs and I am the Chair of the World of Reading - Lese Welt Hamm – a charity bringing books and stories to children!

I still organize art and English projects at my old school -it is great fun working with children from many different backgrounds. I get a lot of my story ideas from school life!

My motto has always been - children who enjoy stories and reading have a good start in life!

Release Day:An Ache in my Veins by J.A. Howell

Sunday was MOMMY'S DAY here on Bookworm for Kids...and since the book is being released today, I'm giving it a special shout-out!!!
(But for Mommy's only!)

An Ache in my Veins

Love & Ink # 4

by J.A. Howell

Publication Date- November 3rd

Darren never loved anyone like he did, Ash. But Ash was ancient history after she disappeared without a trace. At least that was what he thought until she shows up one day at The Knotted Kneedle.

Suddenly, those old feelings from before... before he was a Dom, before he was anything, come rushing back. The only problem. Ash is engaged and has no interest in rehashing their past and bringing up all the old, painful memories that come along with it.

Unfortunately for her, Darren has never been one to take no for an answer. Not when it comes to the only woman he ever saw a future with. He still loves her and wants her back despite the pain of the past and everything her disappearance caused.

But will Darren's persistence come with reward? a second chance at love? Or will it end the same way it did before... and leave him with an ache he can't ever fulfill?

 

Review: Noodles' and Albie's Birthday Surprise by Eric Bennett

NOODLES' AND ALBIE'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

by Eric Bennett

Illustrated by Milanka Reardon

Penguin Place

Picture Book

ages 3+

COMING SOON!!!

Noodles' & Albie's Birthday Surprise is the continuing adventures of Noodles (a penguin) and Albie (his fish friend). The story takes place on the day of Noodles birthday, which happens to be December 24th. While waiting for his party to start, Noodles and his friends play on the ice while a group of red jacket wearing tourists from a nearby cruise ship take the penguins pictures. Meawhile, his friend Albie is under the sea searching for the perfect birthday gift for Noodles. She eventually comes across an old compass from a sunken treasure chest, which is perfect for Noodles as in the first Noodles & Albie story (2014), he had some major sense of direction issues. After giving Noodles his comapss, the two friends head off for a day at Polar Kingdom, the world's greatest undersea amusement park. After a fun day, the pair begin their journey home, but soon notice a red glow up ahead on the oceans surface. The glow it turns out is coming from the nose of one of the strange animals they come across stranded on an ice floe, along with a mysterious red jacket wearing "tourist" with a white beard, and a sled full of boxes. It turns out the mysterious tourist is lost because his assistants insisted he try a GPS devise to help guide him. Now the chubby, old man is hopelessly lost. Not only is he lost, but he's on a deadline, and he's in Antarctica. He can't find his way back on track because it's always daylight in Antarctica in December, and the poor tourist can't even see the North Star to navigate. He needs to get North and fast. Will Noodles help the lost tourist by giving him his compass? 

MY TIDBITS

This is a cute story of penguins, friendship and a dash of Christmas magic, which is sure to warm even the most frozen mood.

It's Noodles birthday, and in perfect penguin style,he spends the day frolicking with his polar friends. When his best friend Albie invites him under the sea for a birthday gift and a trip to the Polar Kingdom, an unexpected adventure begins.

My favorite thing about this book are the illustrations. They are lovingly drawn with just the right amount of detail to demand attention again and again. The youngest 'readers' will enjoy glancing through and able to see their own story come through every time.

Friendship plays a key role as Noodles and Albie enter an exciting adventure, one which is perfect for the intended audience. Even when facing trouble, the two stick together as true friends should.

The writing fluctuates between quite a bit of text on some pages to barely any on others as the pace of the story demands. This creates a lovely balance between the illustrations and written word, especially when handled as a read-aloud.

The Kris Kringle bonus toward the end of the adventure makes this a lovely read for Christmas. There's a bit of a modern twist and the explanation surrounding the mishap was a bit long, but it adds a cute twist to Noodles' and Albie's day, and is sure to draw some comments from the listeners.

Review: The Spectacular World of Waldorf by Barbara Terry and Beth Ann Stifflemire

Happy Release Day!!!

MR. WALDORF TRAVELS TO THE MYSTERIOUS CHINA

The Spectacular World of Waldorf

by Barbara Terry, Beth Ann Stifflemire 

Illustrated by Vladimir Kirichenko

Waldorf Publishing

Picture Book 

32 pages 

ages 3+

On this adventure, Mr. Waldorf discovers the mysterious China. The curious canine encounters fun new friends and places while visiting Beijing, discovering the Great Wall of China, climbing Mount Everest and traveling the Yangtze River.

Silly Mr. Waldorf has a tendency to misplace his favorite reading spectacles and can’t seem to find them while discovering The Peoples Republic of China. Mr. Waldorf will learn all about China, while seeking his missing spectacles. Will you help him find them and learn all about the ancient and beautiful country?

MY TIDBITS

Mr. Waldorf travels all over the place, and this time, he's exploring China.

The wonderful Mr. Waldorf portrays more of a favorite uncle type of roll as he invites kids to visit China with him. He's a fun character to follow as he visits the different sites and creatures which are found in this vast country. After addressing the readers/listeners directly in the first pages, he embarks on the journey, but not without losing his reading spectacles. Now, the kids are on a mission to help Mr. Waldorf locate them again.

This is a lovely series, which introduces young children to the rich variety of China. Different sites and animals are introduced, never with too much detail, but enough for kids to get a glimpse of what they can find there. All the while, Mr. Waldorf converses with the different creatures, keeping it light hearted and with a dash of humor. 

The illustrations give a general impression of the sites, enough that kids will find them intriguing. The colors are bright, the animals friendly and the pages invite to been flipped through again and again. 

As an extra bonus, Mr. Waldorf must search for his glasses, but unlike other books in this series, the spectacles are not hidden within the pages--something I was disappointed to see. 

Still, this is a nice way to let young readers learn a little more about the world and the differences between the countries.

MR. WALDORF TRAVELS TO THE HUGE RUSSIA

The Spectacular World of Waldorf

by Barbara Terry and Beth Ann Stifflemire

Illustrated by Vladimir Kirichenko

Waldorf Publishing

Picture Book

ages 3+

32 pages

On this adventure, Mr. Waldorf discovers the huge Russia. The curious canine encounters fun new friends and places while visiting Saint Petersburg, the Ural Mountains, Lake Baikai, Russian State Library & more.

Silly Mr. Waldorf has a tendency to misplace his favorite reading spectacles and can’t seem to find them while discovering the largest country in the world. Mr. Waldorf will learn all about Russia, while seeking his missing spectacles. Will you help him find them and learn all about this historical and enormous country? 

MY TIDBITS

Mr. Waldorf is off again--this time to Russia. 

Mr. Waldorf is an more mature dog, who invites young kids to join him on a trip to Russia. There, he adorns himself in the traditional clothing (which is cute), and with an extra bounce in his step, takes off to the different sites and creatures.

Although Mr. Waldorf visits some of the more well-known places of Russia, he also pops in on several less spoken of. Each place/creature is hit upon rather quickly, keeping the site seeing tour at a perfect glimpse for young readers. It gives them an impression of the variety Russia has to offer without ever weighing down with too many facts or details. The exchanges Mr. Waldorf has with the readers and the creatures are always kept light and simple, making it perfect for kids ages 3 and up.

As an extra bonus, Mr. Waldorf asks the kids to help keep an eye open for his lost reading spectacles. 

This is a sweet, simple way to introduce young readers to Russia without bogging them down.