Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 24

A BAD MAD SAD Day FOR MAMA BEAR

A Bad Mad Sad Day for Mama Bear by Mayra Calvani

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever had one of those days where everything that can go wrong does go wrong? If not, you’re very lucky. If so, you’ll be able to sympathize with Mama Bear as she faces such a day.

In Author Mayra Calvani’s new picture book, A BAD MAD SAD DAY FOR MAMA BEAR, the reader follows along with Mama Bear, who faces one disaster after another. From household accidents to a stubborn car to unexpected visitors and more, Mama Bear is so busy fixing things and bringing order back to her life that she doesn’t see Little Bear in his attempts to brighten her day. Will Mama Bear ever notice what Little Bear is offering her?

The author has written a beautiful story about family and love. Sometimes, we’re so wrapped up in our own troubles, we miss seeing the treasure under our very nose. And sometimes, it takes a child’s unselfish love to help us through the storm. K. C. Snider’s delightful illustrations complete this sweet story. The expressions on Mama Bear’s face, as well as on Little Bear’s and the other characters are just right to show the characters’ feelings. This is a must have book for school libraries, public libraries, and your own personal library. So pick up a copy for all the little ones you know and watch the expressions on their faces as they read about Mama Bear and Little Bear.
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A Prince, a Princess, and a Dragon

Darinel Dragonhunter by Antje Hergt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Take an exiled prince and a good-hearted dragon, add a princess whose father has promised her hand in marriage to any man that kills the dragon, stir, and you have a delightful fantasy story about good and bad and misunderstandings.

DARINEL DRAGONHUNTER, Author Antje Hergt’s debut novel for young readers, takes the reader on an adventure with Prince Darinel, who disagrees with his father, King Odomere, in the way he rules the kingdom and so leaves home to search for a new place to live. After wandering for a while, he discovers a kingdom that seems to be exactly what he’s looking for. All is not perfect, however. Soon Prince Darinel is torn between his friendship with the dragon, Idunal, and his love for the Princess Tuskja. To marry her, Darinel must kill the dragon. How does a young prince kill his best friend, even for the girl he loves?

The author keeps the action going with the conflict of an invading army, the people’s fear of the dragon, and Darinel’s desire to protect the dragon and also marry the princess. Antje Hergt describes the land, the snow, and the dragon so vividly the reader can visualize what’s going on in each scene. The characters’ personalities are well developed. You like some; others you hope get what they deserve. I have to admit that Idunal is my favorite character. He’s so … Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. DARINEL DRAGONHUNTER is a great read for the young and for older readers too. The book would make a nice addition to school libraries and classrooms that have e Readers. You’ll also want a copy for your personal reader. This is a nice beginning to a series. I’m looking forward to seeing what dangers and adventures await Darinel, Tuskja, and Idunal in the next edition.
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The Tender Story of a Princess

A child whose mother dies at her birth, a stepmother who cares nothing for the child, and a father that turns up missing and is assumed dead is more than any child should have to bare. This is eleven-year-old Cerys’ life, however. In addition to her family problems, Cerys is simple-minded, and she lives in a dark world of torment with the doll her father gave her before he disappeared. What is to become of a girl, a princess that is the rightful heir to the throne, but that no one understands?

The Forgotten Princess of Môna, a fantasy novel by Author Guy Donovan, set in a historical past, is a story of family, loyalty, betrayal, and trust. The characters are well developed, each one having his/her own agenda, especially Queen Lucia, ruler of Môna after her husband’s supposed death. Her son, Elian, Cerys’ younger half-brother, will be the future king, instead of Cerys taking the throne. Cerys is my favorite character. She tries so hard to speak, to be “normal” to please Owena, the young servant girl who has taken Cerys under her wing because she sees potential in the girl. Cerys also adores Domelch, the old priest of the Earth Mother, who has cared for Cerys most of her life. I love the way Cerys and Elian are friends, enjoying each other’s company, even though the queen is none too happy about their relationship. Power and greed also play an important part in the novel, as well as does religion.

Told from alternating points of view characters, the author adds a lot of unexpected twists and surprises to the novel, at least for this reader. I would not recommend this book for young readers because of a couple of violent scenes. But for readers that enjoy stories set in another time and place, in a fantasy world with mysterious caves that may be hiding secrets, I think you’ll enjoy The Forgotten Princess of Môna. So why not download a copy for your eReader and enjoy an evening in a world that’s sometimes happy, sometimes scary, but always entertaining?
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A Pirate, a Blockade Runner, and a Cat Virtual Tour

A Pirate, a Blockade Runner, and a Cat VBT Schedule

I'd love for you to visit some of the great blogs on my book tour. To find where the ghosts, teens, and I will be in October, please stop by my blog for the schedule.

http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

Thanks so much. Comments and questions are welcome. I'll do my best to answer them.

See you.

An Inspiring Story

Undaunted: Daring to Do What God Calls You to Do by Christine Caine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Some of the stuff that goes on in our world today is shocking. It’s difficult to imagine teen girls involved in human trafficking, abused, sex slaves, facing their lives with no escape, beatings, and even death. I was amazed when I read about such cases. In my little world, such happenings are impossible. Or are they?

In her book UNDAUNTED, Author Christine Caine begins the story at a safe house in Greece, run by The A21 Campaign, the rescue ministry that she and her husband, Nick, started. She’s talking with fourteen young women, from European countries, who had been rescued from sex trafficking. The stories the author hears are heartbreaking. The question the girls ask her is even more so. “Why didn’t you come sooner?” As she considered the question from the teens, she also thought of her own story.

The discovery of the secrets about her life, along with Nick’s love and understanding, helped Christine Caine to heal and to forgive as God asks us to do. She gives examples from Scripture to show others that have forgiven: Joseph, for example, who forgave his brothers, saying God intended what happened to him for the good. Dealing with her struggles opened her eyes to what God had done for her and wanted her to do for others.

Christine Caine’s reflections about her life as she followed God’s will for her, along with quotes from the Bible make UNDAUNTED an inspiring story that will lift your heart and give you courage to face whatever obstacles you encounter. I know the book has encouraged me to reach out to others, knowing God will show me the way. It will help teens who are dealing with their own situations find the answers they need. With God, all things are possible.
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THE CURSE GIVER Review

The Curse Giver by Dora Machado

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever felt as though your life has been cursed, that whatever can go wrong will? Perhaps you’re right. What if there is such a thing/person/whatever that casts curses on a person or even a whole nation? A scary thought, right? It may just be possible.

Award Winning Author Dora Machado’s latest fantasy novel, THE CURSE GIVER, deals with curses, betrayal, trust, family loyalty, and love. Lusielle, on the brink of death by being burned alive because her husband turned her in as a practitioner of forbidden arts, is rescued by Lord Brennus, a highborn. He has ulterior motives for saving her life, however. Lord Bren (Brennus) has been cursed to die a horrible death. To save himself and his people he must find the woman with a special birthmark and kill her. Lusielle has that mark, and she also may be the only one who can defeat the curse giver and give Bren hope.

The author has created characters with good points and bad, like real people. They seem realistic for the time period they live in. Lusielle faces her uncertain future with bravery and cunning, surprising Bren more than once. I found myself hoping that Bren would change his mind about killing her. No, I’m not saying what happens between them. You’ll find out when you read the book. Minor characters, and there are a lot of them, add to the suspense and conflict of the story, making the reader, this reader anyway, anticipate their next actions. Thankfully, the author provides a glossary at the end to help keep track of the characters.

THE CURSE GIVER should appeal to fantasy lovers and to readers that enjoy a battle or two with swords swishing. And for those that like a good romance, you might just find it here. Dora Machado has written another winner, so pick up a copy or add one to your eReader and spend the evening, lost in another world.
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END OF THE LINE Review

End of the Line by Ottilie Weber

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What if the world as you knew it suddenly came to an end? What if your parents and most everyone you knew were killed, leaving only you, your brother and a few friends alive, along with possibly others out there somewhere? This is seventeen-year-old Lauren’s world on that horrible Labor Day when the neighborhood is celebrating the holiday.

Author Ottilie Weber’s YA novel END OF THE LINE is a story about facing an uncertain future with courage and determination. When asteroids destroy Lauren’s home and neighborhood, she teams up with Aaron, a boy she knows slightly from school, and with her brother and friends that survived, they set off to find other people that might still be alive. Told from alternating point-of-view characters, Lauren and Aaron, we follow the young people as they scrounge for food, seek shelter, and sometimes have to hide from other survivors in what has turned into a lawless world.

I love how gentle Lauren is with her six-year-old brother Sean and his friend Paige, as well as the other children with them. The author shows their emotions nicely, from hunger, to fear, and even how the very young can still find humor in almost any situation. The tension between Aaron and Cole, another teen that resents Aaron’s leadership, is portrayed realistically.

The END OF THE LINE is a story of survival and trust as two teens discover love and respect, and struggle to make the best of their new lives for the children and for themselves. Ottilie Weber has written a tender novel of the best in people and also the worst.
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No More Goddesses Review

No More Goddesses by Kim Baccellia

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



You’ve heard the old saying “Be careful what you wish for. You may get it.” I’d like to add that you may get something entirely unexpected, also, something you wish you hadn’t wished for, especially when goddesses are involved.

In Author Kim Baccellia’s latest novel, NO MORE GODDESSESS, fantasy for MG/Tween readers, Jordan Lake dreams of Ethan Taylor, basketball star at McKnight High, inviting her to the Valentine’s Day dance, which is highly doubtful since she’s not a member of the “popular” crowd. The discovery of a bracelet at her grandma’s house, similar to the one Audrey Hepburn (her idol) wears in the movie Tessa’s Treasure, a diary, and Jordan’s sudden ability to see visions of what’s about to happen give Jordan hope. Maybe her wishes will come true, after all. The Egyptian Goddess Hathor and a cat called Bass may have other plans for Jordan, however. Only they know the truth.

NO MORE GODDESSES is a fun read about friendship, school rivalries between the popular kids and the regular kids, and wanting what we don’t have when what we really want is right in front of us. A little history about the actress Audrey Hepburn brought back memories for me and ought to interest the younger generation too. I enjoyed the bit of history about Egyptian goddesses. The action is fast paced, with seldom a dull moment. My favorite character is Andrew, who’s always there for Jordan, though she has her eyes set elsewhere. Isn’t that the way true life works?

Kim Baccellia has written a novel that should appeal to tween readers and adults, as well. The book would make a good addition to school libraries and classrooms for the historical aspect of Audrey Hepburn and Egypt. Fantasy, where characters are not always who/what they seem and keep the reader guessing the way NO MORE GODDESSES does, is always fun to read. So pick up a copy, relax, and enjoy.

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JOSHUA'S TREE REVIEW

Joshua's Tree by N.W. Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Most teens don’t celebrate their seventeenth birthday by having a skate boarding accident that sends them to a strange forest in a future time. Oh, and being stalked by eight-foot-tall creatures that smell like road kill isn’t exactly the sort of gift Joshua had in mind either.

In JOSHUA’S TREE, Author N. W. Harris’ debut YA Novel, Joshua Tyler finds himself not only in the future but in a fight for his life against sweepers, that kill their victims and then eat them. The author’s description of these creatures assure the reader you don’t want to meet one. Nadia, a brave and strong warrior whose village has been destroyed by the sweepers, saves Josh from the creatures. She believes he was sent to save the world, and her job is to protect him so he can fulfill his destiny and kill the Father, the creator.

The relationship between Josh and Nadia is rocky at the beginning, but as they face one danger after another in their quest to find the Father and destroy him, they know they must depend on each other to survive. The story contains plenty of action and fighting for adventure lovers. I wouldn’t recommend the book for readers under fourteen because of the violent scenes. Romance lovers will root for Josh and Nadia to realize that they’re perfect for one another, even though the teens would likely disagree, most of the time, anyhow. There are a few occasions … Well, I’ll let you read the book to see how their relationship develops.

JOSHUA’S TREE will keep you reading to see what trouble the teens get into next. There’s never a dull moment. The author keeps the characters and the reader guessing as to who to trust and who are the bad guys. An enjoyable story with more to come in the next book in the series. So pick up a copy for your eReader and take a journey to the future with Joshua and Nadia.

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SUZANNE DE MONTIGNY AND HER DREAMS

Today I’d like to welcome award winning author Suzanne de Montigny to my blog. Suzanne's tween novel, The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, recently won a Gold Global E-Book Award for Best Fantasy/Alternate History. The same novel is also a finalist in the Orangeberry Hall of Fame for Best Fantasy. And readers, if you leave a comment below, you might just win a copy of her e-book. Like most young girls, she dreamed of what she'd do when she grew up. Suzanne, please tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

To learn more about Suzanne, see my blog: http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com

Looking forward to your comments. Thanks.