Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 4

Three Girls and a Mystery

The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Three girls, best friends. They’ll do most anything for each other. It turns out they may have to do more than they imagined. Like every girl born in Cottonwood Hollow in the last century, Rome, Lux, and Mercy each have a special talent. Then mysterious events begin to happen that challenge the girls and their friendship. And this is only the beginning of a fascinating story, with magical happenings, about these girls and the Kansas town where they live.

In the novel THE DEEPEST ROOTS, author Miranda Asebedo has created characters that could be your friends in school. They worry about their schoolwork. They’re interested in boys. They have family problems. They also have a mystery to solve, a mystery that threatens their friendship and might even cause the death of the girls.

THE DEEPEST ROOTS is a story of family, life, and friendship, with a touch of fantasy. The problems the girls face touched my heart. I wanted to help them as I followed their journey through the good times and the bad, hoping their story had a happy ending. This novel would make a nice addition to high school libraries as well as your own library.




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An Enchanting Adventure

Shadows of Aizai by Mary-Jean Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Time travel has always fascinated me. What would it be like to travel to the past? To the future? Or how about visiting different worlds. It would be even more exciting, I think, to know that you were to be one of the founders of a new world. If you can’t do this in real life, how about reading a book that takes you to places you can only imagine.
SHADOWS OF AIZAI, By Mary-Jean Harris will do just that. In addition to countries and worlds you’ve only imagined, you’ll find yourself caught up in the magic of unusual lands and people. You’ll meet characters that are good and that are bad. Two ingredients that make for an exciting novel.
Our heroes are eighteen-year-old lads, Wolfdon and Toulouse, who live in 17th century Spain. They will become founders of a future paradise called Aizai. It’s not going to be easy. Magicians known as the Magi threaten them, along with other troubles they run into. Different chapters are told from the different characters’ points of view.
Mary-Jean Harris has created a lot of characters in her novel to keep track of, and I sometimes got lost. But each character has a role to play in the events of the story. If you love adventure, magic, and men and women that make a world, whether it is present, past, or future a good place to live, SHADOWS OF AIZAI has it all. I was cheering for Wolfdon and Toulouse to succeed in founding a new city. Did they, or was it all a dream?
What do you think?




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The Land of Yesterday

The Land of Yesterday by K.A. Reynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


From the lovely cover of THE LAND OF YESTERDAY to the final pages, K. A. Reynolds has written a magical story of a family and a house, a house like you’ve never before seen. The Land of Yesterday is where all souls go when they die. It, too, is a land like you’ve never before seen. This is a story about the death of a young boy and the effect it has on the mother, father, and sister, as well as on their most unusual house.

It took me a while to get into what was happening to the characters, but when I finally did, I understood Cecelia Dahl and what she had to do. This is a sad story about life and death, love and forgiveness. And for those that have lost family members, especially young ones, they most likely will understand Cecelia’s emotions and reasons for attempting to bring her brother home again.

I think middle grade, tween, and teen readers, as well as adults will enjoy reading K. A. Reynolds stories. It would be a nice addition for school libraries, public libraries, and your personal library. Happy Reading




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The Christmas Spirit

Mistletoe & Magic: A YA Books Central Holiday Anthology by Melissa A. Craven

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Spending Christmas Eve alone at the airport is not the best way to start the holiday. But, through no fault of her own, that is what Tiffany Lake is doing. In Author Kim Baccellia’s short story, A SHOT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC, one of the delightful tales in MISTLETOE & MAGIC: A YA BOOKS CENTRAL HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY, the worst storm of the century has hit Southern California, delaying air flights and stranding people. Tiffany’s family is skiing in Utah, and she is supposed to join them, which is impossible. She has no choice but to wait.

Kim Baccellia has written a story that will bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your lips. Tiffany is disappointed, yes. It’s the holiday break from college, and she’s stuck. Even Christmas music cannot cheer her up. Then life takes an unexpected twist in the form of Cooper, six-foot plus tall, athletic, and a smile like no other. Sometimes when life seems the darkest, a sparkle of light shines through.

The author has created characters that seem so real I could feel Tiffany’s pain and disappointment for not being with her family at Christmas. And Cooper is just the kind of guy that I’d like to meet if I was having a crisis. There is a lot more to him than his magnetic smile. I believe that A SHOT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC is a magical story that will bring a good dose of the spirit of Christmas and love of family to you, not only on Christmas, but for the whole year. This is a beautiful story to share with others, even those who may not believe in magic. After reading Ms. Baccellia’s work, they may change their mind.

I’m now reading the other stories in the anthology and discovering that each of them is special, with its own magical touch. A lovely way to celebrate the holiday. I recommend this book for a nice, quiet evening of meeting some interesting characters in each story. Happy Reading.




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A Fun Story About Sisters

The Rowdy Sisters by Carole "Lisa Lynn" Gilbert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Do you have sisters or brothers? If so, do you like to do the same things they do, or do you prefer to do something different? In THE ROWDY SISTERS by Author Carole “Lisa Lynn” Gilbert four sisters like to do different things. May likes o read. Her sisters prefer to play. So what’s a girl to do to find a quiet place away from her noisy sisters?

With delightful illustrations, the author shows us how May tries to get away from her sisters and have some peace and quiet. It’s impossible. They just will not let her read. Then one day she finds the solution to her problem, or so she hopes. What happens next is clever and fun and a great solution to her problem.

What does May do? You’ll find out when you read THE ROWDY SISTERS.

The expressions on the girls’ faces are perfect as they make an exciting discovery from their sister May. I recommend THE ROWDY SISTERS for school libraries and classrooms, and public libraries as well as your own private library. Happy Reading.
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Dig a Hole to China

Have you ever wanted to dig a hole to China? If so, what did you expect to find? Gold? Jewels? A treasure chest? Bones? Did you follow your dream and discover what you expected or something even better? In BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S BIG DIG TO CHINA, an adventure story by Author Sherry Ellis, Squirt tells her brother Bubba that he can’t dig a hole to China. He says he can, so they take the magic shovel that Grandpa bought at t garage sale and set off to see if he’s right.
The digging doesn’t go quite the way they had expected and they soon find themselves in a new world. Where are they? Could it be China? Maybe. But they haven’t a clue how to get home.
Sherry Ellis has written a story that will have you turning pages to see what happens next. Bubba and Squirt have a mystery to solve and on the way they meet some very interesting characters. The big question is will they find their way home or will the never see their parents again?
BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S BIG DIG TO CHINA is a fascinating story of bravery, discovery, and fun that should appeal to middle-grade and even older readers that enjoy and adventure while learning some history along the way. The author has added a Glossary with Chinese words which is very helpful in reading the story. She also shows the correct way to pronounce the words and character names. A recipe for Chinese Dumplings sounds delicious.
I recommend this story for school libraries and classes, public libraries and your own library. And if you plan to dig a hole to China, be very careful. You never know who might be waiting for you. Happy reading.
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Dig a

Music Boxes

Music boxes are lovely. One can picture a ballerina twirling and spinning on her toes to a beautiful tune. It’s enchanting. Many girls aspire to being ballerinas, even though it’s a lot of work and no guarantee they’ll succeed. In Author Tonja Drecker’s new novel MUSIC BOXES, Lindsey McKay’s dream is to be a star like the ballerina in her music box. Things look promising for a while. Lindsey and her family move from Nebraska to Manhattan to give her the opportunity. Madame Destinee says she is talented and will be a star. But weird things start happening, and her dreams are threatened.
Tonja Drecker has woven a fascinating tale of mystery and suspense. I cheered throughout the story for Lindsey to succeed in her quest to be the best. She’s a likeable character, willing to work to reach her goal. Then, when things start falling apart, she learns what the important things in her life are.
This is a story that will touch the hearts of young and old. Young readers who are striving to reach their own dreams. Older readers who remember their dreams. MUSIC BOXES would make a great addition to school libraries and public libraries, as well as your own library. Recommended.

Help For Writers

Write With Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication by Chrys Fey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Perhaps hundreds of books to help writers on their journeys to publication have been written. Each one I’ve read has given me valuable information that I’ve used through the years. I just finished reading Author Chrys Fey’s new book WRITE WITH FEY-10 SPARKS TO GUIDE YOU FROM IDEA TO PUBLICATION, and, in my humble opinion, it is one of the best. The author has covered just about every topic a writer wants and needs to know. Whether you’re starting out in your writing career or have been around for years, like me, you most likely will find exciting new information to guide you down that crazy path called publication. Or if you’re published and looking for ways to promote your work, you’ll find that, along with other valuable information, here, too.

For example, the author talks about story essentials, a book’s steps from beginning to end, how to bring your characters to life, and so much more. She discusses “Editing a Book,” and I’ve marked some of those comments to help me with my work. Another thing I’ve done is create a “Style Sheet” that the author suggests. With my terrible memory it will be a life saver I’m sure.

I could go on and on about how Chrys Fey’s book is helping me discover new ways to promote my work and to create interesting characters, but you’ll get all the great details when you read the book. She has inspired me to try new ideas. Why not? We’re never too old or too young to learn.

I highly recommend this book if you are an author or hope to be an author someday. It may have the answers to your questions. Happy Reading.




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A Delightful Story of Unexpected Love

It Happened on Dufferin Terrace (It Happened #1 by Melanie Robertson-King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In Author Melanie Robertson-King’s latest novel, IT HAPPENED ON DUFFERIN TERRACE, I met a cast of characters that I will not soon forget. Each one has special needs that touched my heart and had me hoping that life would turn out right for them.

First, there’s Serenity Layne, a business lady, whose boss gives her a new assignment to visit the department store chain, Jonathans, and study each store. She is to see which ones are doing well and which ones are not. If she does a good job, she might get a raise, a promotion, or even a partnership. Who could refuse a deal like that?

Enter a dog, a man, and a boy and her whole life changes, even more so than just the possibility of a better job.

The author has created delightful characters that are so real, they might be your next-door neighbors. I found myself crossing my fingers that all would work out for Serenity and also for her new friends. I cannot resist an adorable dog. Or a ten-year-old boy. You have to love them.

IT HAPPENED ON DUFFERIN TERRACE is a gentle story, with what I had hoped was a happy ending. And then…Melanie Robertson-King throws in a big, big, question that changes everything. At least in my mind. Now, when does the next book come out?




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An Adventure You'll Remember for a Long Time

Del Toro Moon by Darby Karchut

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What do you do when you read a book that you don’t want to end, but it does, of course? I’ll tell you what I just did. I was enjoying the story so much, I was not ready to let go of it. So, I did the logical thing and read it again. I’m happy, happy I did because I grew even closer to the characters and their lives and the way each of them faced a situation in his or her own way. What am I talking about? Multi-award-winning author Darby Karchut’s latest novel, DEL TORO MOON, a story that took me on an adventure I shall always remember.

As I followed the Del Toro family through their good times and bad, I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love. The author has a magic touch when it comes to creating characters so real I can imagine them as my neighbors. The Del Toro family would make for an exciting neighborhood for sure.

Twelve-year-old Matt is my favorite character. Javier, his father, is doing a good job of raising Matt and his older brother, Ben, after their mother’s death in a car accident, years earlier. They have disagreements as in most families, but they are solved. Their father knows how to deal with his sons. Matt also has a lot of questions about life and girls, which he will learn a little at a time. But one thing he knows is horses.

Here again, Darby Karchut shows her knowledge of an animal that fascinates me. I know a little about horses: quarter horses and thoroughbreds. In DEL TORO MOON, I met a breed of Andalusian War Horses. Wow! The description of them makes me want to see a live one. There’s El Cid and Turk and Izzie, who all play important roles in the novel and in some ways are the stars. At least to me. They also have a special talent, but I’m not telling what. Surprise.

I must not forget the creatures known as skinners. They mean death to whomever they bite. If you have a weak stomach maybe don’t read about them while you’re eating. The author describes them very vividly, and it’s not a pretty picture. I hope to never meet such a creature.

Thank you, Darby Karchut for taking me on this wild adventure. Does Matt have any more plans for the future? Hint, hint. I highly recommend this story.
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