Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 27
March 26, 2012
Walking Through Walls Review
Have you ever wanted something so much that you’d do almost anything to get it, even go against your father’s wishes? What if your goal turned out to be much harder to attain than you expected? Would you give up, or would you keep trying, no matter the cost?
Author Karen Cioffi’s fantasy chapter book, Walking Through Walls, taken from an ancient Chinese tale, is a story of magic, dragons, and legends. Twelve-year-old Wang wants to be an Eternal and have money and power. So one day, ignoring his father’s pleas to stay home and help in the fields, Wang sets off to find the Eternals where he hopes to become one of them. Little does he know how rough the road ahead will be. Not noted for his patience, Wang soon discovers that to become an Eternal he will need to have more patience than he can imagine, as well as have the right heart. Walking Through Walls is a story about learning what’s important in life and the path to our dreams is not always what it seems.
The author includes questions and activities, along with a little background on The Ming Dynasty, family life, and other information about the time period. Walking Through Walls would make a great addition to school classrooms, especially history classes, and libraries. I think children would enjoy following Wang on his journey to finding not only the Eternals, but himself, as well.
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Author Karen Cioffi’s fantasy chapter book, Walking Through Walls, taken from an ancient Chinese tale, is a story of magic, dragons, and legends. Twelve-year-old Wang wants to be an Eternal and have money and power. So one day, ignoring his father’s pleas to stay home and help in the fields, Wang sets off to find the Eternals where he hopes to become one of them. Little does he know how rough the road ahead will be. Not noted for his patience, Wang soon discovers that to become an Eternal he will need to have more patience than he can imagine, as well as have the right heart. Walking Through Walls is a story about learning what’s important in life and the path to our dreams is not always what it seems.
The author includes questions and activities, along with a little background on The Ming Dynasty, family life, and other information about the time period. Walking Through Walls would make a great addition to school classrooms, especially history classes, and libraries. I think children would enjoy following Wang on his journey to finding not only the Eternals, but himself, as well.
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March 21, 2012
Griffin's Fire Review
Ah, the teen years. They’re difficult enough for a “human” teen. But what if you’re a Tiro, an angel in training as a Terrae-Angelus whose job is to save people’s lives, and through no fault of your own you’re stripped of your super powers of fire and earth. Are you then a human? Are you an angel? Or are you both?
In Griffin’s Fire (Book Two: Fire), by award winning author Darby Karchut, sixteen-year-old Griffin Raine faces these questions. Deep inside, Griffin feels that he’s supposed to be a Terrae Angelus, but his life is in turmoil. He stays in trouble at home and at school. His mentor, Basil, is frustrated with Griffin’s behavior. Even his relationship with his girlfriend, Katie, is falling apart. Then something really weird happens to Griffin, something he cannot tell Basil or share with Katie, as much as he wants to.
As if keeping a secret that Griffin wants to shout out to the world isn’t difficult enough, Basil becomes mentor to Sergei, a new Tiro. Sergei and Griffin clash from the start, which makes life in the Raine household uncomfortable for all. Griffin’s Fire is full of action, teen angst, romance, and delightful characters. Griffin is far from perfect as a boy or as an angel. He doubts himself. He wonders which world he belongs in. Katie is loyal and encouraging, the kind of girlfriend a boy needs. Their romance is sweet and just right, even with the rocky moments. As for Sergei, well, I’ll let you decide about him. Each minor character, even though in the story only for a short time, is well developed and adds to the plot. Ms. Karchut’s characters are so real you’ll either love them or hope they get what they deserve.
Griffin’s Fire would make a great addition to school classrooms and libraries. I’m going to talk to local librarians about adding the books to their libraries. The author’s note at the end of the book gives additional information about angels. You also get a sneak peek at the third book in the series: Griffin’s Storm (Book Three: Water). I loved Griffin Rising and Griffin’s Fire and anxiously await the next one. I just wish Book Three wasn’t a year away.
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If you haven't read the series so far, what are you waiting for? Start with Griffin Rising, then follow with Griffin's Fire (Book Two: Fire).
Happy Reading
In Griffin’s Fire (Book Two: Fire), by award winning author Darby Karchut, sixteen-year-old Griffin Raine faces these questions. Deep inside, Griffin feels that he’s supposed to be a Terrae Angelus, but his life is in turmoil. He stays in trouble at home and at school. His mentor, Basil, is frustrated with Griffin’s behavior. Even his relationship with his girlfriend, Katie, is falling apart. Then something really weird happens to Griffin, something he cannot tell Basil or share with Katie, as much as he wants to.
As if keeping a secret that Griffin wants to shout out to the world isn’t difficult enough, Basil becomes mentor to Sergei, a new Tiro. Sergei and Griffin clash from the start, which makes life in the Raine household uncomfortable for all. Griffin’s Fire is full of action, teen angst, romance, and delightful characters. Griffin is far from perfect as a boy or as an angel. He doubts himself. He wonders which world he belongs in. Katie is loyal and encouraging, the kind of girlfriend a boy needs. Their romance is sweet and just right, even with the rocky moments. As for Sergei, well, I’ll let you decide about him. Each minor character, even though in the story only for a short time, is well developed and adds to the plot. Ms. Karchut’s characters are so real you’ll either love them or hope they get what they deserve.
Griffin’s Fire would make a great addition to school classrooms and libraries. I’m going to talk to local librarians about adding the books to their libraries. The author’s note at the end of the book gives additional information about angels. You also get a sneak peek at the third book in the series: Griffin’s Storm (Book Three: Water). I loved Griffin Rising and Griffin’s Fire and anxiously await the next one. I just wish Book Three wasn’t a year away.
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If you haven't read the series so far, what are you waiting for? Start with Griffin Rising, then follow with Griffin's Fire (Book Two: Fire).
Happy Reading
December 17, 2011
The End
The tour is over. It's been a fun two weeks. Some wonderful reviews. Some great interviews. And meeting new friends. I'll post the winners of the contest later today. Now, I want to share some of the exciting parts of the tour.
For a link to the video of Kaitlyn and Dakota, a teen and her younger sister, who reviewed Tumbleweed Christmas go to my blog: http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com It is so cute. Enjoy.
Also, Renee Hand interviewed me on her Blog Talk Radio show Friday. She asked some very interesting questions.You can hear it here: http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromu...
(Sorry I don't know how to post them here.)
Have a nice weekend, everyone.
Happy Reading
For a link to the video of Kaitlyn and Dakota, a teen and her younger sister, who reviewed Tumbleweed Christmas go to my blog: http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com It is so cute. Enjoy.
Also, Renee Hand interviewed me on her Blog Talk Radio show Friday. She asked some very interesting questions.You can hear it here: http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromu...
(Sorry I don't know how to post them here.)
Have a nice weekend, everyone.
Happy Reading
December 12, 2011
For the Birds Review
FOR THE BIRDS Review
By Aaron Paul Lazar
What do you do when your parakeet starts talking like your mother? A white pickup with two shaggy men inside turns up everywhere you go? Your house is broken into while you‘re at a hotel for a bird contest? Your mother is kidnapped? And that’s just the beginning.
Author Aaron Paul Lazar’s novel For the Birds is the first book in the Tall Pines Mystery Series. From the opening paragraph to the final sentence, Mr. Lazar takes the reader on a roller coaster ride with more twists and turns than a country road. It starts out simple enough. Marcella and her husband, Quinn, along with Marcella’s mother, Thelma, are on their way to a bird show with their parakeet, Ruby, who by the way is my favorite character in the story. But who is Earl Tiramisu and why does he ask so many questions about Thelma who almost drowned in the hotel pool and ended up in the hospital. (It’s too complicated to explain. You’ll have to read the story.) Enter FBI agents, secrets revealed, and Marcella and Quinn are soon on a dangerous mission to find the answers to all the questions, as well as where Thelma, who has been kidnapped, is, who kidnapped her, and why. One thing’s for sure, this story will keep you guessing, for nothing is what it seems and the people are not always who you think they are.
Even with the fatalities that occur with some bloodshed, For the Birds is a fun read, especially for mystery lovers that like to solve the mystery before the characters do. The ending to this one may surprise you. It did me. The quirky yet realistic characters and the setting in the Adirondacks make this book an enjoyable read. I can only imagine what the characters will encounter in the next book in the series.
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By Aaron Paul Lazar
What do you do when your parakeet starts talking like your mother? A white pickup with two shaggy men inside turns up everywhere you go? Your house is broken into while you‘re at a hotel for a bird contest? Your mother is kidnapped? And that’s just the beginning.
Author Aaron Paul Lazar’s novel For the Birds is the first book in the Tall Pines Mystery Series. From the opening paragraph to the final sentence, Mr. Lazar takes the reader on a roller coaster ride with more twists and turns than a country road. It starts out simple enough. Marcella and her husband, Quinn, along with Marcella’s mother, Thelma, are on their way to a bird show with their parakeet, Ruby, who by the way is my favorite character in the story. But who is Earl Tiramisu and why does he ask so many questions about Thelma who almost drowned in the hotel pool and ended up in the hospital. (It’s too complicated to explain. You’ll have to read the story.) Enter FBI agents, secrets revealed, and Marcella and Quinn are soon on a dangerous mission to find the answers to all the questions, as well as where Thelma, who has been kidnapped, is, who kidnapped her, and why. One thing’s for sure, this story will keep you guessing, for nothing is what it seems and the people are not always who you think they are.
Even with the fatalities that occur with some bloodshed, For the Birds is a fun read, especially for mystery lovers that like to solve the mystery before the characters do. The ending to this one may surprise you. It did me. The quirky yet realistic characters and the setting in the Adirondacks make this book an enjoyable read. I can only imagine what the characters will encounter in the next book in the series.
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November 30, 2011
Contest
Lee Chambers is having a contest. He's the author of THE PINEVILLE HEIST, an exciting read that I reviewed awhile back. Here are the details:
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Aaron Stevens got away with $5 million and went on the run in The Pineville Heist. Now you have a chance to get away with $100 by taking in this cracking new thriller that's on the way to becoming a movie!
Check out THE PINEVILLE HEIST and you can win a $50 for Amazon.com and a $50 VISA gift card courtesy of author Lee Chambers and www.thesimpledude.com.
Entering the contest is simple. All you need to do is:
1. Purchase the thriller The Pineville Heist in e-book format for JUST 99 cents, yes, it's LESS than one dollar!
2. Review the book on Amazon.
3. And LIKE The Pineville Heist on Facebook.
Five lucky people will be chosen at random to receive an autographed copy of The Pineville Heist. And one grand prize winner will get a $50 VISA gift card AND a $50 Amazon gift card.The prize drawings won't take place until New Years Eve, so you have time to read it. But don't wait too long!
http://www.pinevilleheist.com/
I'm entered. How about you?
Happy reading.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Aaron Stevens got away with $5 million and went on the run in The Pineville Heist. Now you have a chance to get away with $100 by taking in this cracking new thriller that's on the way to becoming a movie!
Check out THE PINEVILLE HEIST and you can win a $50 for Amazon.com and a $50 VISA gift card courtesy of author Lee Chambers and www.thesimpledude.com.
Entering the contest is simple. All you need to do is:
1. Purchase the thriller The Pineville Heist in e-book format for JUST 99 cents, yes, it's LESS than one dollar!
2. Review the book on Amazon.
3. And LIKE The Pineville Heist on Facebook.
Five lucky people will be chosen at random to receive an autographed copy of The Pineville Heist. And one grand prize winner will get a $50 VISA gift card AND a $50 Amazon gift card.The prize drawings won't take place until New Years Eve, so you have time to read it. But don't wait too long!
http://www.pinevilleheist.com/
I'm entered. How about you?
Happy reading.
November 29, 2011
Interview
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I'd let you know that Chris Henderson's interview with "yours truly" is up at her blog. She asked some great questions. If you have time stop by for a spell. Thanks.
Here's the link:
http://thewritechris.blogspot.com
Happy reading
Just thought I'd let you know that Chris Henderson's interview with "yours truly" is up at her blog. She asked some great questions. If you have time stop by for a spell. Thanks.
Here's the link:
http://thewritechris.blogspot.com
Happy reading
November 14, 2011
Picture Book Month
Margot Finke is celebrating Picture Book Month on her blog by listing a bunch of great picture books you might be interested in. Examples are: Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer, Stella the FireFarting Dragon by J. Aday Kennedy, and Frankie's Perfect Home by me. There are many more. What better way to do your Christmas shopping than with a good book for the little ones you know? Check them here: http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com
Enjoy
Enjoy
November 12, 2011
eBook Sale
A note from my publisher, Twilight Times Books:
We appreciate our readers. 100 critically acclaimed ebooks are on sale from Twilight Times Books. Prices discounted 50% ($1.99 to $3.50 now via the Twilight Times Books website https://www.2checkout.com/2co/buyer/o.... Also available on Kindle at Amazon. Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is reduced to $2.99. The books will also be available at our ebook distributors: B&N Nook, eReader, Fictionwise, Kindle, Kobo, OmniLit, Sony, etc. until Jan 15th.
Happy Reading.
We appreciate our readers. 100 critically acclaimed ebooks are on sale from Twilight Times Books. Prices discounted 50% ($1.99 to $3.50 now via the Twilight Times Books website https://www.2checkout.com/2co/buyer/o.... Also available on Kindle at Amazon. Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is reduced to $2.99. The books will also be available at our ebook distributors: B&N Nook, eReader, Fictionwise, Kindle, Kobo, OmniLit, Sony, etc. until Jan 15th.
Happy Reading.
October 31, 2011
Book Signings
Hi Everyone.
Christmas is the time for miracles, but they don't always happenn the way we expect them to.
I have two book signings coming up in November for my early reader, Tumbleweed Christmas. If you're in the area, please stop by and say "Hi." I'd love to meet you.
The first one:
Where: Tom Burnett Memorial Library
400 West Alameda
Iowa Park, TX 76367
When: Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
The second one:
Where: Hastings Books, Music, and Videos
2805 Southwest Parkway
Wichita Falls, TX
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Time: 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
You'll also meet Frankie, the young armadillo searching for a new home in my picture book, Frankie's Perfect Home.
Hope to see you there.
Christmas is the time for miracles, but they don't always happenn the way we expect them to.
I have two book signings coming up in November for my early reader, Tumbleweed Christmas. If you're in the area, please stop by and say "Hi." I'd love to meet you.
The first one:
Where: Tom Burnett Memorial Library
400 West Alameda
Iowa Park, TX 76367
When: Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
The second one:
Where: Hastings Books, Music, and Videos
2805 Southwest Parkway
Wichita Falls, TX
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Time: 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
You'll also meet Frankie, the young armadillo searching for a new home in my picture book, Frankie's Perfect Home.
Hope to see you there.
July 25, 2011
The Big Prize
And now for the big announcement. (I should have posted this sooner, but you know how time gets away from you. At least it does from me.)
Anyhow, do you want to win a Kindle? Do you want to win signed books and other swag? If you haven't entered already, hop on over to Young Adult Authors You've Never Heard Of and start commenting. You can enter every giveaway. It's easy and painless.
The end is near. Winner chosen July 31. Here's the link: http://obscurekidlitauthorscontest.bl...
I'd enter if I could. Good luck.
Happy Reading and Writing.
Anyhow, do you want to win a Kindle? Do you want to win signed books and other swag? If you haven't entered already, hop on over to Young Adult Authors You've Never Heard Of and start commenting. You can enter every giveaway. It's easy and painless.
The end is near. Winner chosen July 31. Here's the link: http://obscurekidlitauthorscontest.bl...
I'd enter if I could. Good luck.
Happy Reading and Writing.
Enter Beverly's World of Writing
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