Review: Spy School Secret Service by Stuart Gibbs

SPY SCHOOL
SECRET SERVICE

by Stuart Gibbs

Simon & Schuster

Middle Grade Fiction

304 pages

Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: C.I.A. or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate math skills, Ben isn't surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior C.I.A. academy. Could the C.I.A. really want him?

Actually, no. There’s been a case of mistaken identity—but that doesn’t stop Ben from trying to morph into a super cool undercover agent, the kind that always gets the girl. And through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he might actually be a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life! 

MY TIDBITS

Little spies, spy want-to-bes, and simply those who love a great adventure are sure to love this exciting tale.

Ben's dream is to become a super spy, and he's on his best way to achieve that goal. Although he's only in spy school, he's already helped to thwart the evil SPYDER groups plans once. Now, SPYDER plans to assassinate the president of the US, and it's Ben's job to stop them. Too bad, things aren't that easy.

This is a spy book perfect for kids ages eight to twelve. Ben is a super spy, but he's still normal enough for readers to relate to and understand. He isn't a super fighter—in fact, he's rather clumsy. And super gadgets or ultra amazing gear aren't really involved. But Ben's got brains and a knack for math. Combine this with a group of friends he can count on, and even an evil group like SPYDER has got to watch their backs.

The opening scene grabs right away and draws into the characters without going over the top. It starts at school, a very familiar setting, but drops in tidbits like bomb exercises and secretly placed listening devices, which unleash the fantastical world of super spies as well. Each characters' personality comes off smoothly and believable. It easy to see them sitting at the neighboring table in a cafeteria, and still, at the same time, to dive into a spy adventure with all of the action and thrills.

Quick paced is key in these pages as well as the carefully laid layers of intrigue. There are spies everywhere, and it's hard to determine who the moles might be. As the action really gets going, Ben isn't alone but has friends to help out. There are humorous moments, tense moments and tons of surprises. And all of this stays at a level just right for the intended age group.

Summed up, this is a fun read middle grade audiences are sure to love.





And here he is. . .

Stuart Gibbs is the author of the FunJungle series, as well as the New York Times bestselling Spy School and Moon Base Alpha series. He has written the screenplays for movies like See Spot Run and Repli-Kate , worked on a whole bunch of animated films, developed TV shows for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC, and Fox. Stuart lives with his wife and children in Los Angeles. You can learn more about what he's up to at StuartGibbs.com

Forsaken Prince by Andrea Pearson with Giveaway

This is my stop during the book blitz for Forsaken Prince by Andrea Pearson. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 8 till 10 November. See the tour schedule here

Forsaken Prince

 Kilenya Chronicles #1

by Andrea Pearson

YA Fantasy

1 November, 2017

Jacob refuses the role of Forsaken Prince. Until his father and little sister are kidnapped...

When an attractive girl tells Jacob he's the Forsaken Prince and that an entirely different planet needs his help, he calls her crazy and sends her on her way. But then he discovers dead demons in his house, his mother beaten, and his father and sister kidnapped, and he's forced to begin a dangerous journey.

Now Jacob must team up with Aloren to find a magical key and stage a rescue with a tight deadline, all while making decisions that affect not only himself but hundreds of thousands of his subjects in this new world. Can he figure out his new magical powers fast enough and will he and Aloren reach Jacob's father and sister before time runs out?

Forsaken Prince, Kilenya Chronicles Book One is an edge-of-your-seat story of fantasy, adventure, and exciting twists and turns. Grab your copy now to begin the magical journey!

You can find Forsaken Prince on Goodreads

You can buy Forsaken Prince here on Amazon

All books in the Kilenya Chronicles series:

And here she is. . .


Andrea Pearson is an avid reader and outdoor enthusiast who plays several instruments, not including the banjo, and loves putting together musical arrangements. Her favorite sports are basketball and football, though several knee surgeries and incurably awful coordination prevent her from playing them.

Andrea graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science degree in Communications Disorders. She is the author of many full-length novels (the Kilenya Series and Mosaic Chronicles) and several novellas. Writing is the chocolate of her life - it is, in fact, the only thing she ever craves. Being with her family and close friends is where she's happiest, and she loves thunderstorms, the ocean, hiking, public speaking, painting, and traveling.

You can find and contact Andrea here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook page
- Facebook profile
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Pinterest
- Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!!!

There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Forsaken Prince. One winner will win a $50 Amazon Gift card. US Only.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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Cover Reveal: Stolen Enchantress by Amber Argyle

Stolen Enchantress

Forbidden Forest #1

By Amber Argyle

YA Fairytale Adaptation/ Epic Fantasy

Cover designed by Melissa Williams Design

organized by Lola's Blog Tours

COMING. . .

APRIL 9, 2018!!!

Any girl who goes into the Forbidden Forest never comes out again. Except the one who did.

Larkin should have been watching her little sister. Should have paid more attention to the trees looming over her family’s fields. Now Sela is gone. Knowing full well the danger of the forest and its beast, Larkin goes after her anyway. With her sister clutched in her arms, she manages to escape, but not before discovering the truth lurking beneath the wicked boughs.

She may have evaded the beast once, but with the full force of his magic now fixated on her, she isn’t sure how much longer she can resist . . .

You can find Stolen Enchantress on Goodreads

You can pre-order Stolen Enchantress on iBooks


And here she is. . .


Bestselling author Amber Argyle writes young-adult fantasies where the main characters save the world (with varying degrees of success) and fall in love (with the enemy). Her award-winning books have been translated into numerous languages and praised by such authors as NYT bestsellers David Farland and Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Amber grew up on a cattle ranch and spent her formative years in the rodeo circuit and on the basketball court. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in English and physical education, a husband, and a two-year-old. Since then, she and her husband have added two more children, which they are actively trying to transform from crazy small people into less-crazy larger people. She's fluent in all forms of sarcasm, loves hiking and traveling, and believes spiders should be relegated to horror novels where they belong.

To receive her starter library of four free books, simply tell her where to send it: www.amberargyle.com

You can find and contact Amber here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Pinterest
- Goodreads
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Amazon
- Newsletter

Mom's Morning! Sneak Peek: Night of the Hunter by Susan Harris with Giveaway

Night of the Hunter 

by Susan Harris

The Ever Chace Chronicles, #4

Crimson Tree Publishing

Paranormal, Romance

COMING. . .

November 13th 2017!!!

Caitlyn Hardi is on a mission. . .a suicide mission. Driven by the pain of the past, she sets out to confront the monster deep in the Catacombs of Paris—the one who took everything from her. Caitlyn doesn’t care if she survives Paris. Her only concern is that the vampire who made her does not take another family from her. If dying means keeping everyone she loves safe—especially Donnie—then Caitlyn can accept that…as long as she can take her maker to Hell with her.

Donnie O’Carroll began to live the moment Caitlyn made him a vampire. Caitlyn gave him a family, a purpose, and he’ll be damned if he’s going to allow the darkness to overwhelm the woman he loves. He will fight to the end to prove to Caitlyn that love can conquer all—even if he has to die to do it.
Sacrifice, a supernatural assassin, and immortal love are on a cosmic collision course in this powerful fourth installment of the Ever Chace Chronicles.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Previous books in the series:

Grab book 1 – Skin and Bones – for FREE!

SNEAK PEEK

“Oh, my dear, what have those vampires done?”
Kenzie spun round and laid eyes on the most beautiful man she had ever seen. A tumble of dark hair caressed his shoulders. When he stepped into the light, it was a rich brown, almost with an undertone of red beneath the dark. His eyes were of the same reddish-brown tint, with an expression that sent warnings of danger throughout Kenzie’s entire body. He was imposing, standing in the doorway, a leather duster coat dipping into the blood-soaked carpet that made Kenzie want to tell him to lift it up so it wouldn’t get damaged.
“Who are you?” she asked as the stranger’s full lips curved into a small smile.
“Someone who can help you exact revenge on those who slaughtered your family.”
Kenzie lurched forward. “You know who killed them? Tell me!”
The stranger stepped forward and cupped her cheek in his hand. Kenzie flinched, the coldness of his touch unexpected.
“You are not ready yet, Kenzie Blake. But you could be. Would you leave all you know, all you could have been, in order to seek vengeance on those who did this to little Kaleb?”
His questions had Kenzie’s heart pounding in her chest. “What killed them?”
The stranger ran his thumb over a streak of blood on her face and brought it to his lips. “Evil vampires killed your family. Those who do not abide by the rules of the council. I hunt those who do not follow the rules and slay them.”
As he licked the blood from his finger, Kenzie saw a flash of fang and stumbled back.
“You’re a vampire.”
“I am. But you have nothing to fear from me, Kenzie. I only wish to help you rid yourself of the pain this will cause. I can train you to be what I am, a slayer of the evil vampires. And when you are ready, we will track down the monsters who did all of this and kill them.”
Something told her to run. Instinct screamed inside her mind. But as Kenzie glanced back at the body of her little brother, anger and hatred seeped into her marrow, and Kenzie Blake ceased to exist, replaced by a bringer of death and vengeance.
The handsome man held out a hand, which she took, the sound of sirens wailing from outside as Kenzie left her old life behind. They slipped out the back door and hurried away from the estate.
“What’s your name?” Kenzie asked the man who offered her vengeance.
He gave her a cunning grin, one of great smugness.
“My name is not important. But you, dear Kenzie, you can call me Father. Many do.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers before pulling away. “I have waited a lifetime to find you, Kenzie Blake. And they will not see you coming.”
He pulled her into an alleyway as police cars whizzed by. “But first things first.”
Kenzie shrank back against the wall in horror as the man snarled, his fangs elongating and ripping into his wrist. Kenzie knew she had made a mistake, and there would be no going back now. Quick as lightning, he clasped the back of her head and shoved her lips against his wound. His other hand wrapped wound her neck and worked her throat so she had little choice but to swallow, her eyes wide in fear.
Stepping back, her new acquaintance stared at her as if he were waiting for her to react. Fire erupted in the pit of her stomach and Kenzie screamed as the pain intensified until she buckled under the weight of it. The last thing Kenzie remembered before she sank into the pitch black was cool lips on her forehead as the stranger murmured another woman’s name—a name that would haunt her for years to come.
Caitlyn.

And here she is. . .

 

Susan Harris is a writer from Cork in Ireland.
An avid reader, she quickly grew to love books in the supernatural/fantasy and Dystopian genre. She writes books for young adults and adults alike.
When she is not writing or reading, she loves music, oriental cultures, tattoos, creepy snow globes, DC shoes, stationary, anything Disney, Marvel movies, psychology and far too many TV shows. If she wasn't a writer, she would love to be a FBI profiler or a PA for Dave Grohl or Jared Leto.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Review: Inky's Great Escape by Casey Lyall

INKY'S GREAT ESCAPE

by Casey Lyall 

Illustrated by Sebastia Serra

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 and up

COMING TOMORROW. . .

NOVEMBER 7th!!!

Inky’s Incredible Idea for an Ingenious Escape .
Based on a true story, this tale follows a daring, Houdini-esque octopus as he performs his greatest escape act yet.

In April 2016, The New York Times published an article about an octopus named Inky who escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand through a drainpipe and into the sea. In this charming fictionalized account, Inky, worn out from his exciting life in the ocean, has retired to the aquarium. There he quietly plays cards, makes faces at the visitors, and regales his tankmate Blotchy with tales of his past adventures. Then Blotchy dares Inky to make one more great escape: out of their tank. Will Inky succeed? 

MY TIDBITS

Inky was once a great octopus escape artist, but decided to take a rest and live in the aquarium, where he tells his best friend Blotchy about his adventurous tales. But after listening to the stories time and again, Blotchy wonders how many are really true—if any of them. Inky will prove that he is indeed the greatest escape artist and plan the biggest escape of all time.

Inky is an octopus to love. Pride and joy radiate off of him on every page, and even when Blotchy admits that he doesn't believe all tales, Inky doesn't splash a wave of negativity. Instead, his adventurous spirit breaks free and his determination becomes contagious. He's an octopus to cheer for from beginning to end, and proves that everything is possible. It only takes a few things: patience, determination and some laid out work (through plans, in this case).

The illustrations are bright and bold, allowing the ocean life in its vibrant variety to come across with tons of glory. Inky, with his lovely orange, is hard to miss and demands attention. The illustrations allow the story to come to life, and there are little details young listeners are sure to want to discover time and again.

Text mixes with the illustrations, allowing the story to sink in and yet, remain easy to read. There are a few guaranteed giggles here and there,and a couple higher level vocabulary terms dot the text, just the right amount to not throw readers off but to allow them to learn a word or two. It's a fun, active story which rolls along nicely. While being warm and encouraging, the ending does leave with a hint of melancholy, which will have readers wondering a little but also lead their imaginations to spin about the outcome.


And here they are. . .

All about the author. . .

Casey Lyall is a writer from southwestern Ontario. She works at her local library where she runs a number of teen groups and waits for management to discover they're actually paying her to have fun. She is the author of Howard Wallace P.I. and Shadow of a Pug: Howard Wallace P.I. 2 (both Sterling).

All about the Illustrator. . .

Sebastia Serra hails from Barcelona, Spain, where he studied fine arts at the Universitat de Barcelona. He is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in magazines and on television. Sebastia has illustrated a number of picture books in Spain and in the US, including A Pirate's Night Before Christmas and A Pirate's Twelve Days of Christmas by Philip Yates. His work has also been displayed in exhibitions all over the world, including the US, Italy, Japan, China, and Korea.