Review: If There Never Was a You by Amanda Rowe

IF THERE NEVER WAS A YOU

by Amanda Rowe

Illustrated by Olga Skomorokhova

Familius

Board Book

20 pages

ages 2 to 5

If there never was a you, how empty life would be! Who would make me smile and laugh and keep me company?

Filled with heartwarming messages of love, belonging, and togetherness, If There Never Was a You gently reassures children that the place they hold in their parents' hearts can never be filled with anything else.

AMAZON / GOODREADS / B&N / BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Love, warmth and security radiate from this book, making it a perfect read to cuddle up with and read.

This is a lovely board book, which has only one purpose—to tell a child how important they are and how wonderful it is to have them around. It's told from a mother's point of view and goes through different examples of how the child makes this mother's life better. The situations will be mostly familiar to young listeners. I find it especially nice that this book shows how a child's presence...no matter what they do...is simply a joy for the parent. It's up-lifting and makes it clear that the child is loved for just being there and living.

The illustrations are bright and full of little details. The pair used is a mother rabbit and her child rabbit. Both are cheerful and created with warmth and love. There's quite a few things for young listeners to gaze at in these pictures. Some things are even a little funny (in a cute way), which is sure to make them smile. It definitely gives opportunities to discover something new with every read. And there is sure to be more than one read through on this one.

The text is a little large for the youngest, but then, this isn't a book to help kids learn to read. Rather, it's a read aloud, and one especially great for moms and their children. It's guaranteed to end with a big hug and have both with all sorts of warm fuzzy feelings.

And here she is...

Amanda Rowe is a freelance writer, an academic administrator, an amateur chef, a travel enthusiast, a blogger, and a book hoarder. If There Never Was a You is her first children’s book. Visit her at www.amandarowewrites.com.

Review: Brother Soul Comix by Kount Kracula and Tony Watt

 

BROTHER SOUL COMIX

by Kount Kracula / Tony Watt

Comics

47 pages

Continuing from Issue #0 (Zero)...the zany gang of Brother Soul Comix characters are back by Popular Demand (Melvin Popular, from Cleveland, Ohio, demanded it)! All said, this is the 3rd picture book, for the (fictional) team of "What's Inside Your Gut, Shmut?": Illustrator/co-plotter: Mr. Anthony ('Tony' ) Watt (aka: the kooky, benevolent author/artist/storyteller & TV Horror Host: ' Kount Kracula'; who lives in [and lurks] Hollyweird, Canada )! This 'Brother Soul Comix' picture-book #1, is the second, in a sanguine, satirical series of upcoming sardonic stries; in the cacophonic "Kount Kracula Picture-Book" concatenation. Along with the return of Brother Soul & General Wizzard-- this issue also has the first phantasmagorical physical appearance of Tabby Cat & the nebbish Agent Ron!) The 'Brother Soul Comix ' ( fantasy/sci-fi, weird fiction-based) picture-book series -- . is based on characters, from Anthony Watt's : 'BROTHER SOUL'S Vintage Radio Variety Theater' podcast series ( about 'Brother Soul', a mellow-ish, fun-lovin', equable, part-time, super-heroic, mercenary, crooner & gambling millionaire priest with wings, who, with his co-opted, multi-funded Soul Mansion/Fortress of Soul-itude -based motely crew of quirky peace-keepers & quirky adventurers [Anastasia Huckleberry, Tabby Cat, General Wizzard, Freckles, Queen Shadoobi, Agent Ron ..etc.]), fighting against homicidal kaiju MONSTERS & invading bug-eyed ALIEN forces; for the clandestine, multi-national, North America-based L.O.V.E. (Labour Ops for Volunteer Enforcers) Agency. This issue brings back the L.O.V.E. Squad's mysterious Brother Soul (aka: the’ "Winged Crusader") -- a Weird Hero.. for Weird Times! In this super-groovy Weird Fiction Funnybook! This publication's Creator(s) & the wild bunch of drunken, medicated, overfed, long-haired, leaping gnome & sparkly pixie nun assistants ( at our office in : the 'TWI Studios Mudhole'), hope you cultured comix readers enjoy this funky, fun-filled picture book!

AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

I've read Kount Kracula's work before and was excited to pick up this one. Warning: do not expect anything 'normal' when diving into these pages. Because you won't find that.

This reminds me a bit of the Mad Magazines but only a bit. With un-pardoned zest, these pages take off in a very distinct and original adventure...it's truly an adventure. The tale heads in the science fiction direction and includes a vast and imaginative set of characters. Very varied as in stretching the limits of what you might expect. While there is a story and plot line, it's far reaching and packed fuller than full with quirks, unexpected directions, and pure...ummm...craziness? It's definitely a delight for anyone ready to leave logical reality, toss in a huge amount of sarcasm, and spring off into the wild end of humor and fun.

The illustrations are very well done. It's in graphic novel/comic book style and holds tons of action. There's never, ever a boring moment, and a lot happens in each frame. The author/artist loves to incorporate noise and sound effects, which made my son raise both eyebrows, and had me laughing. 

This is simply refreshing in it's wackiness and strolls down a different road than most are probably accustom to. Young adults will enjoy this one quite a bit.

Sneak Peek: Our Friendship Matters by Kimberley B. Jones

Our Friendship Matters

by Kimberley B. Jones

YA Contemporary

 

Leah and Sasha are 17-year-old friends who had been close to one another since elementary school, but as the summer approaches they find their friendship tested in ways they never anticipated.

Following graduation, Sasha’s privileged life and perception of the world around her is suddenly altered when an old childhood friend persuades her to join in a campaign against an injustice after his best friend is killed by a cop.

But joining the protest has unforeseen consequences for Sasha, distancing her from Leah, who becomes jealous of Sasha’s new friends and finds herself on the opposing side, protesting alongside her group of new white friends.

As the tension mounts between the two bitterly opposed factions, a tragedy strikes and threatens to make Sasha and Leah enemies. Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other’s viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

SNEAK PEEK

As we pulled out of the driveway, Dad waved goodbye. I could picture the smile on his face once he walked into the house and noticed Mom was cooking lasagna.

“So, how is the public-school life at Eastview High?” I asked Ricardo. “Other than Chester beating your guys in sports.”

“Ya’ll just have better resources than us,” Ricardo said.

“How come we couldn’t just be good at what we do?”

“What! Anyway . . . Eastview is great, I guess, but we are dealing with some issues. It’s our senior year and I am just thinking about leaving this place.”

“Why would you want to leave?”

“Because I feel trapped in a box. Everywhere I go, I feel like a suspect.”

“A suspect, what makes you think that? You shouldn’t feel like that,” I said as my brow lifted from his response.

“Yeah, I know you wouldn’t understand because you go to this perfect private school and stay in this big, beautiful house.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sorry. Just drop me off at the next block. I got it from there.”

I pulled to the curb and, as Ricardo got out of the car, he leaned against the closed door—with half his body leaning over the window—and said, “Wake up and find out who you really are.”

I squinted my eyes, “Okay.” I drove off. Why would he say such a thing to me?

And here she is...

 

Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters.

​
When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
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Sneak Peek: Ocean Heart by Ally Aldridge with Giveaway!

Ocean Heart

by Ally Aldridge

The Soul Heart Series, #1

YA Fantasy

COMING...

DECEMBER 1st, 2020!!!

Being a mermaid brings a new depth to ‘it’s complicated.’

High school teen Mariah’s life is anything but simple. Between a crush on her best friend and a rivalry brewing with the swim team star, her powers awaken early.

When Mariah’s guardian meddles in her life with magic, she causes more harm than good. The soul reapers are coming and there’s a werewolf hungry for merblood. All secrets wash ashore sooner or later, and Mariah’s about to discover hers.

Mixing a messy love life with deadly powers will whip up a storm of trouble. Can Mariah contain it or will she be swept up in its wake?

A gripping story about a mermaid, self acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

SNEAK PEEK

My blood began to boil… except the bubbling felt more like a tingling. Didn’t he have any compassion for what he was doing to Jace and I? The angry current coursed through my veins. So charged, I felt a need to defuse. I threw my hands in the air and screamed.

“Mariah-,” Mum began but stopped.

Dramatically, the sky lit up like a stormy backdrop to my anger. Lightning pitched down from the sky and hit the lorry, cutting the engine out. The black cloud moved in to darken the before clear sky. The first plop of rain sent a chill through my cotton t-shirt. In no time, the sky was emptying buckets of rain.

“Temper, temper,” Jace teased.

“Quick!” Mum yelled over the rumbling sky as it began to chuck it down, “Everyone inside.”

We ran in. Denny invited the removal men to take shelter in our home with the promise of sampling their famous Sparkle Cakes and a brew.

As Jace and I were about to run up the stairs, Mum pulled me to one side.

“Are you okay, Mariah?”

“What do you think?” I snapped at her stupid question.

She tugged on my sleeve. “You must stay in control of your emotions.”

I shrugged her off me and hurried up the stairs with Jace. In my room, we revelled in the storm’s blessing of extra time together. I grinned, pleased with myself as if I had caused the storm.

And here she is...

Ally was born in London but grew up in Suffolk which is where most of her YA Fantasy novels are based.

She is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising two cats, their son and daughter.

When Ally is not writing (or at her day job), she loves spending time with her family at the local beach, in the forest or watching way too much Netflix.

Ally loves a cup of tea and has been known to order one on a night out.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Soul Heart Readers FB Group / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

To thank everyone who orders Ocean Heart between 1 Oct and 30 Nov, they author would like to offer them the chance to win a bookish prize of goodies.

There is a UK prize and an International prize. The winner will be announced live on 1 Dec at 8pm GMT, during her launch party on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ho6J-PQTvvI

Full details and entry here!

—

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Review: The Dragon's Song by Binh Pham and R.M. Clark

 

THE DRAGON'S SONG

by Bihn Pham and 

R.M. Clark

Middle Grade Historical

188 pages

ages 8 to 12

Eleven-year-old Bao Dang remembers watching in horror four years earlier as Communist soldiers dragged his parents from their home. Now an orphan, he begins a journey to escape the oppressive government of South Vietnam. The owner of a small boat, paid in gold, smuggles Bao and his cousin, Binh Pham, down the Saigon River at night to the South China Sea, where he and over one hundred other "boat people" pack into a trawler designed to hold fewer than thirty. For six days, they face danger from the police, weather, and pirates, not to mention the constant threat of capsizing as they take on water while living only on dry, rationed rice.

Bao, Binh and the others hope a refugee camp in Indonesia accepts them, but there's no guarantee. Word has it they may be turned away and even towed back out to sea to starve. Eventually finding a safe haven, Bao harnesses the power of music to heal and help endure months of harsh and dangerous living while he and Binh await word from relatives in the United States, hoping they'll obtain the ultimate gift: freedom.

BOOK DEPOSITORY / GOODREADS / AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

I can't remember ever running across a book for middle graders, which tells the tale of a boy and his journey from South Vietnam to the United States as a refugee shortly after the fall of this country. That alone already struck my interest, but this one goes a step farther in so far that one of the co-authors lived this journey.

Bao's family's fears come to life when his parents are dragged off by the Communist police before his very eyes. He manages to escape to his uncle's home, where he lives for a few years before they're able to arrange for his escape (and that of his cousin's) to relatives in the United States. The journey not only places him in great danger, but he travels under the worst conditions, stuffed into 'hidden area's of cargo holds with many other refugees like him. During this journey, however, he also discovers a new talent of  his own.

Based on one of the authors' own experiences, this tale definitely will have young readers learning about the troubles people around the world face—in this case, a refugee trying to find a new home in another country, while escaping from the government of his own country. It's eye-opening and will definitely surprise readers at the circumstances and situations some refugees have faced to escape oppression. There isn't too much around the history of South Vietnam nor the more exact problems the people faced, which I did miss a little more about, but this definitely brings an important situation across that many readers of this age group will know little to nothing about.

This book isn't only about Baos difficult journey, although it is definitely powerful on this front. The authors keep descriptions appropriate for the intended age group, but that doesn't mean that the harshness of the experience is erased. The cramped conditions, fear, hunger, thirst, dirtiness, and danger are brought across very distinctly and will leave readers with more than a little food for thought. But this book also offers hope. Bao discovers his own talent for music, and this aspect adds a wonderful depth and emotional balance. It adds so much heart.

The writing is well done and allows every stage of Bao's escape to hit home. Still, I had trouble connecting to Bao. While the book starts with the horrid scene of him watching his parents being beaten and then dragged away, the reader is never given time to get to know Bao as a person first or even later before his 'escape' starts. While describing South Vietnam and the situation would be too much, at least a little about life would have helped: what the town looked like, what he played (he is a kid), what they wore or what was normal in their lives. Not getting to know Bao personally kept him at an arm length for most of the book. 

Still, this is a powerful read in many ways and one that opens up readers to experiences they may not even know exist. It will open up discussions and will probably leave readers seeing the world in a slightly different way.