Fiona Ingram's Blog, page 44

Book Review: Only the Dead

In Only the Dead, author Hamilton Wende brings together his journalistic experience of covering war-torn zones, and his interest and research into ancient mythology in a compelling tale. The story has a number of threads running through it to create a fascinating tapestry. Again, as in his previous book House of War, Sebastian Burke reappears; this time he is invited to assist psychologist Tania Burke as she tries to help children traumatised by a war in Uganda, a terrifying army of children led by the megalomaniac General Faustin, assisted by his mysterious shaman figure, Papa Mephisto, and his blood-seeking machete Chonge. If this sounds like a weird mix, it is not. Child armies are a sad truth of Africa and the tragedy of these children ripped from their homes, forced to fight, brainwashed into mindless violence by a mesmerising and charismatic leader who fulfils the role of father figure in their lives is all too familiar to readers who have some idea of politics and war in Africa. Papa Mephisto introduces his benefactor General Faustin to the mysterious lion cult, claiming powers that would make the general and his young army invincible. Sebastian Burke’s interest in lion mythology weaves into this dark, tangled web of atavistic beliefs and fears. At the same time, Islamic terrorist activities and the American interest in protecting the USA and the world from a nuclear threat also underpins this tragic scenario.
Despite the horror of this bleak wasteland of the soul, faint glimmers of hope appear, namely in the main character of one of the child-soldiers, Okuto. He has suffered the same fate as his fellow soldiers, his parents perhaps killed, his village burned. Scarred emotionally and physically by his experiences, only the general and Papa Mephisto mean anything to him. That is, until Victoria, a fellow conscript makes an impact in his life. His love for Victoria is the only thing, ultimately, that has any meaning, and it is his redemption. Between these threads the reader will also learn about the Islamic terrorist, whose love for his daughter, killed accidently by a US drone attack meant for him, drives him to perpetrate a horrific vengeance. A sad but necessary character is the man who pushed the button, a man we don’t really get to know, but his tragic story resonates throughout the book. Love, loss of love, and redemption form a strong element here, and one that lifts the book out of a dark resignation. War is an inevitable part of human society, and the collateral damage is also inescapable. The pace of the book drives the reader on to keep turning pages. The author also intersperses references to the lion culture and myths and legend throughout in little tantalising snippets. There are subtle references that the keen-eyed reader will pick up and not so subtle ones, such as the story of Faust (General Faustin) and his pact with the devil (Papa Mephisto). The conclusion is open-ended, and one wonders if there will be more books. A great read from a talented author who manages to draw you into the hearts and souls of both the characters and the land they inhabit. Five Stars!

Book Review: House of War

House of War by Hamilton Wende has a number of story threads running through it: British academic Sebastian Burke’s life-long quest to find the lost Royal Diaries of Alexander the Great, detailing his life with Roxane, slave bride and love of his life; Claire Finch, an independent American documentary producer, who has her own dark secrets to resolve; the murder of two American servicemen by terrorists in a hotel bar in Tashkent. Add to that the various goals and ambitions of lesser characters involved with Sebastian’s quest. The setting is Afghanistan, the ultimate destination being the city of Ay Khanoum, specifically the Temple of Ares now in ruins and guarded by a militant warlord, hoping to claim his place in history. Woven into this story is Sebastian’s anguish over the death of his brother in Rhodesia, when Sebastian was just a boy.
I’m a sucker for anything to do with ancient history and archaeology. Alexander the Great is also one of my favourite characters. A quest, both internal and external, an archaeological dig, politics, romance, what could any reader want more than this exciting mix? Author Hamilton Wende has created a compelling, spell-binding read, and the main question that will possibly rear in readers’ minds is: do the Royal Diaries actually exist, and will Sebastian find them? Apart from this overriding theme is another, darker theme underpinning the entire book. The theme of obsession, coupled with that of war. Characters, both modern and historical, are beset with obsessions and surrounded by war. Alexander’s obsession to conquer took him on a path of rampant war and destruction. His inner insecurity and turmoil within his soul turned him at times into a monster. Sebastian wrestles with the demons of his past, the background of the war in Rhodesia, and his inability to accept things about himself. Claire, too, has issues that will not go away. Their background is war-torn Afghanistan and the physical dangers surrounding their journey.
Alexander fighting King Darius III of Persia at the battle of Issus. The characters are interesting but, in many places, overshadowed by Alexander. He looms large over everything. The author cleverly intersperses snippets from Sebastian’s manuscript about the Royal Diaries into the text, following the path of the modern-day protagonists as they get nearer the dig site. Such tiny teasers told me so much about Alexander, a giant among men, prone to violent rages, overweening pride, and terrible cruelty, and yet capable of great compassion, tenderness, kindness, and generosity. A compelling, charismatic leader whose personal magnetism drew people to his side and kept them there. In fact, I was delighted when, at the end of the book, the author indicates the full manuscript is available on his website. I urge readers to take the time to hop over there. It is well worth it.
Alexander is the subject of the book and, whether by accident or design, he tends to cast the others into the shade. Sebastian comes across many times as weak, indecisive, and filled with self-pity; Claire starts out with an abrasive domineering attitude that is often annoying. The other players in the game of war engineer some interesting plot twists, and of course several are not who they appear to be. Political enthusiasts will have plenty to chew over regarding the 2002 Iraqi invasion, an added angle that has its place here. There is a wonderful shoot-out ending that was the only possible resolution to this fascinating story. The only part I did not really like was the romance between Sebastian and Claire. For me it was as if two broken people had drifted together out of desperation. And yet, real people are imperfect, indecisive, torn with unresolved issues, and perhaps this is what makes these characters work well within the context of this story. This is a fascinating read and I am busy with the author’s next book about Sebastian Burke.

Champ Interviews Pawthor Byron Tinker

Since Champ has become a Pawthor, he is keen to review books by other Pawthors, and also conduct interviews. Champ was so captivated by Byron Tinker's book, Tortoise Soup, that he couldn't wait to interview this amazing tortie. I couldn't wait to share the amazing interaction between these two animals on my blog. I hope you enjoy it. Over to Champ! Hi Byron and welcome. I just loved your book Tortoise Soup. It was such an incredible adventure that I’m sure readers are as curious as I am about you and your amazing life. If anyone missed my review, here it is. How did you come to live with Pawthor Nick Holland and has he been very helpful in getting your book written and out there for readers?

Hi Champ! It's a big honour for me to speak to such a famous dog! My human, the Pawthor Nick Holland, read your story to me and it was very moving! He bought me from a tortoise breeder called Brian. Us torties and turtles make great pets, but it's better to get us from specialist tortoise & turtle breeders, because some people try to sell torties that have been snatched from the wild! My mum and dad were from Russia! They were being illegally smuggled into England. The airport people spotted them and passed them onto Brian, who takes really good care of them.Phew! Your Mum and Dad were lucky they got rescued. What made you decide to write Tortoise Soup?

I love books, but there weren't enough about us tortoises.  People think we are slow, but we can do lots and lots! I decided to write a book myself, though I had to get my pet human to type it all up for me.This is a secret question – is everythingthat happened in the book true?

It all happened! Or was it a dream? After all, having adventures in our mind is almost as much fun as having them in real life. Don't tell anyone though, Champ, but it was all true!I knew it must be all true! Did you feel sick when you were flying with the wild crane, trying to get back to Ruby? I ask this question because in my book, when I had to fly with the pigeons, my stomach kept going round and round.I did feel sick at first, and it was very cold up there. But I was so excited that I soon forgot how sick I felt.

Byron eating his annual strawberry!I noticed in your book you had a hard time getting exactly the kind of food you like and are accustomed to eating. So, what’s your very favourite food in the whole world?Definitely strawberries! But too many would make me feel sick, so I only get two a year. One at Christmas and one on my birthday (July 20th!). It's a very special treat. I also love big yellow dandelion flowers!

Hmm, strawberries? I've never tasted one but they sound interesting. You were very brave during your adventure, even when that Miss Scratbakk nearly got you with the big machine. Truthfully, were you ever so scared you thought you couldn’t go on?I was! I was so scared I could have put my head in my shell and never come out again. But sometimes you have to hide how scared you are. It doesn't matter how little you are, if you have a big heart then you can achieve big things!

Do you believe in the Anjil for Aminals (that’s who helped save me from abuse)?I definitely believe in the Anjil for Aminals! I think somebody up there in the sky is looking out for us all. That's why we should all say a prayer for our anipals who need her help.

Has being a world-famous Pawthor changed you in any way? Has it changed your life? Do you feel you still have all four paws on the ground?I get fan emails from across the world, which I love! But I try not to get too big headed, or I wouldn't fit in my shell any more. I got my picture in the local paper as well, but it wasn't on the front page where I should have been. Oops, my head is getting bigger again!

What’s a typical day for you? Byron charging around the garden!I wake up and exercise, up down, up down, twenty times. And then my other eyelid. It's hard work keeping in top shell condition. Then I have a bath in a plastic tub with warm water in it. When I come out my human has put my food out. I gobble it up and then snooze under my sun lamp. While I snooze, I'm thinking up ideas for new books. At midday, my human lets me out of my home (my tortoise table) and I stomp around the house and watch television. Then it's back to snoozing until supper time, lots of nice weeds for me to eat, with a bit of lettuce. If it's summer time, I go outside and charge around the garden – I like that! But I can't stand the cold, so I spend my winters indoors. I love climbing over things, knocking things over and digging in my soul. Maybe I should be a tortoise marine? Then when it gets dark, I go to sleep. Another fun filled day will be waiting in the morning.

Two books in one here!Now that you’re a Pawthor with two books (Shellebration and Tortoise Soup), what’s next on the writing agenda?I think I should be the first tortoise in space. I'm planning on stowing away on a rocket and blasting into space with my special human friend Ruby! I want to find out if the moon is made of cheese or lettuce? When I get back, I will write all about it.

If you had One Big Wish that was guaranteed to come true, what would you wish for?I would wish that all anipals would be happy and healthy, and there would be no more cruelty out there. Because we all have a lot of love to give, and we only want a little love in return.

I totally agree with you, Byron! What’s your message for other aspiring Pawthors out there?Don't let anyone stop you writing your story! People might try to put you off, but they're just jealous because you can write a book and they can't. Once you've done it, then you'll be a Pawthor for life, and nobody can ever take that away from you. And maybe your book will make people happy, and that's the bestest gift of all!

Thanks so much for sharing details of your life and career with us today. I am sure this will inspire many Pawthors to put paw to paper and get their stories out to eager readers.Thank you Champ! I loved talking to you, I hope I wasn't too slow!

Not at all! I’m reading Shellebration right now and hope to post a review very soon.

Byron on a dandelion hunt!For new readers, Byron lives in the United Kingdom which is a long way from where Champ lives in California. His guardian is Nick Holland, who is also a Pawthor. I think he helped Byron with some big words and spelling. You can follow Byron on Twitter @ByronTinker. You can also buy his books on Amazon, and don’t forget to leave a review.

Please share this post and spread Champ's message to stand up against animal abuse, and to teach people to love animals worldwide.

Book Review: Nobody's Poodle by Gizmo

 Gizmo looking cute!Since I became Champ's biodographer (Champ: My Story of Survival) , I've been helping Champ review books by other Pawthors. It has been an enlightening experience, to say the least. Champ's latest foray into book reviews led me to read Nobody's Poodle by Gizmo. What a story, and what an adventure. Gizmo was abandoned in Tenerife when he was just a year old and spent some time in a refuge. Gizmo was found by Nikki and Richard Attree (looking to fill the big sad gap left when their beloved Basil went to the Rainbow Bridge) and his life went from rags to riches. Gizmo is such a clever dog that it wasn’t long before the Attrees and Gizmo had penned his experiences and produced a book.
The story starts with a great adventure—Gizmo and his people (Sharon, Trev and young Tracey) move from England to Tenerife, which is an island in the Atlantic. It sounded great: sun, sea, sand, a new Woof lingo, new places to explore, and new faces to meet. But things didn’t turn out so well when Gizmo’s family ran out of money. He was abandoned when Trev didn’t come back for him on the day they left the apartment. Gizmo had to fend for himself on the mean streets, and he soon learned that life in Tenerife is very harsh for an abandoned pooch. He made friends with other dogs in similar situations and wondered if he would ever find a Fur-ever Family again. Then the most terrible thing happened. Gizmo was caught by horrible people that make dogs fight each other. He was shoved into a dreadful dark place, given hardly any food, and met other suffering dogs with sad tales to tell. His one consolation was meeting a dog that had been on the same plane ride with him from England to Tenerife: Rambo the Rottweiler who is all soft inside of a fierce outside. Luckily, when they were taken to a dog fight, the police arrived, and in the confusion of all those people being arrested, Rambo and Gizmo escaped. Somehow they ended up at the same rescue shelter, where kind people looked after them. Some of Gizmo’s street friends and acquaintances also ended up there, and soon found loving homes. Gizmo waited … and waited … and then one day Nikki and Richard walked into the shelter, and Gizmo’s life changed overnight!

What I Think: I actually wept when I read this book and I think Gizmo was very brave to survive all his real-life traumas. It is so sad that many dogs are abandoned in Tenerife because their owners can’t afford them any longer, or don’t want them. The dog fighting was also very distressing. I can just imagine how all those poor dogs felt, locked in cages, and thinking there was no way out for them. A lovely message in the book was when Gizmo spoke about love and communication between dogs and humans, and how much dogs understand humans, even more than humans could ever know. Another very nice ending to Gizmo’s sad tale is that Gizmo’s terrible experiences also ended up helping other pooches in a strange way.  His new Fur-ever Family are dedicated to helping stray and abandoned dogs in Tenerife. Gizmo’s writing expertise also attracted attention and before you could say, “give a dog a bone,” Island Connections newspaper signed him up to be their intrepid news hound, doggedly sniffing out the breaking news and giving the pooch perspective in his regular column: ‘Life According to Gizmo (It’s a Dog’s Life).’ If you love dogs (and any animals) you will really enjoy Nobody’s Poodle. Gizmo is hilarious and his sayings made me laugh. He is also quite philosophical about life and has some wise words for humans and canines. There are also very cute drawings by a talented artist called Annie Chapman. Hop over to Amazon and get a copy. Just purchasing the book will help other needy dogs because some of the profits from Nobody’s Poodle will be donated to help the animal rescue shelters in Tenerife.
Gizmo doing a bit of swotting on dog stuff.About the Pawthors: Nikki’s website is dedicated to finding homes for the island’s abandoned dogs, as well as being a mine of information and an insight into the canine world. Gizmo is the Spokes-Mutt for Tenerife Dogs, following in the paw steps of the late, great Basil, who was the first ambassador for Tenerife Dogs. One of Gizmo’s first tasks was to be the poster pooch for Accion-del-Sol’s educational program. This is the refuge that took Gizmo in and cared for him. Gizmo’s role involves visiting local schools, telling the children about the plight of stray mutts in Tenerife, and teaching them how to look after their pets properly. You can read more about Nobody’s Poodle here.  Besides his many other accomplishments Gizmo is an expert in woofing, sniffing, digging, chasing cats, siestas, and looking cute.

 

Zoe and Zak and the Tiger Temple Blog Tour

About the Book Title: Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #3)Author: Lars GuignardPublisher: Fantastic PressPublication Date: January 1, 2014Number of Pages: 267Recommended Age: 8+Summary Last semester, Zoe and Zak returned the first lost Noble Truth to its rightful home. Now, Zoe and Zak are back in India for their second semester at Moonstock Himalayan Academy. School kicks off with the Activity Week Challenge in the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan where the students must deliver medical supplies. Things, however, take a turn for the worse, when Zak becomes deathly ill after an encounter with a strange floating bubble. On returning to Moonstock, Zoe and Zak discover that a creature has come through the lava hole far below their dormitory. When Zoe and Zak follow the creature, they soon discover what they must do. They have been tasked with finding the second lost Noble Truth -- the Tiger Eye of Justice. Finding the Tiger Eye sounds like an impossible mission, and it's only made more confusing when Zak discovers that he has been given a supernatural power to help them with their task-- a power which Zak, for the life of him, just can't control. But he's going to have to learn how to use his new ability, because if Zoe and Zak can't find the Tiger Eye quickly, Zak's time will run out.
 
My Review: We’re back at Moonstock, the unique boarding school in the Himalayas that Zoe and Zak attend. Readers familiar with the duo’s daring adventures will ease right into the story as Zoe and Zak’s new mission unfolds: the search for the second Noble Truth—the Tiger Eye of Justice. However, the story actually starts in Bhutan (a tiny mountain country north of India) where the kids are delivering medical supplies to villagers as part of Activity Week. Zak is distracted by a strange floating bubble and chases it … with dire consequences. He becomes deathly ill and weird tiger stripes begin to appear on his body. They learn that their mission to retrieve the second Noble Truth involves saving the Tiger People. Zak’s illness intensifies because he is now linked to the fate of the Tiger People. Time is running out for them, as well as Zak. To compound their problems, Zoe’s yogi powers are oftentimes erratic, and Zak has actually been given a power, which also creates complications at times. While their close friends at the school, Jill and Tuk, are supportive, a new boy arrives and a whole lot of trouble starts. This includes Zak being accused of stealing other kids’ stuff. Armed with their trusty companions Stryker and Doormat, Zoe and Zak have to get to the Tiger Temple, apparently located in the most dangerous part of the world, with vicious crocodiles, a giant snake, and (they say) man-eating tigers.Put on your water-shoes, folks, and join this daring duo as they embark on possibly the most dangerous mission of all. The magic and fantasy of old Indian legends truly come to life as new villains emerge, and treachery abounds. The tiger is an iconic creature, both in Indian fables and in reality. The kids’ task is dangerous, and even their companions Stryker and Doormat cannot cope with the perilous situations. Stryker is bested by a giant snake that swallows Doormat whole. Zak is his usual ebullient self (the Zak Attack VLOG still going strong) but gradually his confidence verges on recklessness, especially when he experiments with his new power. A new character, Open Sesame the parrot, joins this motley crew and is so hilarious that he upstages the other players in every scene in which he appears. Once again, just the unique geographic locations (India, Bhutan, and the Andaman Islands), the lush beauty, and exotic elements will have kids scrambling for their world atlases to see where this adventure takes our young heroes. I enjoyed the fact that the school’s Activity Week involves a humanitarian mission, a good example for young readers. Zak and Zoe do a huge amount of growing up in the third adventure and much of it involves trust. They learn to trust themselves, their abilities, and each other. Loads of interesting facts, cultural references, and subtle life lessons pepper this latest adventure and no doubt young (and older) readers will appreciate this roller-coaster trip into a world of magic, fantasy, and legend.Buzz About the Zoe & Zak SeriesBook 1: "Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. " ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon Book 1: "This was a fun read. This book was like a kid's version of Indiana Jones. It's also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read. " ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon Book 1: "I'm sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35 year old loved this book! It had action, adventure and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of." ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon Book 2: "I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon Book 2: "I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon Book 2: "Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon  
Purchase
Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (CAN) | Amazon (AUS) 
About The Author: Lars Guignard Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard , Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse , and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple . He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list by contacting the author: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 
Tiger Temple Blog Tour Schedule (2014)January 15
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)January 16
Jump Into a Book (Review)January 17
Brooke Blogs (Review)January 19
Nik's Picks Book Reviews (Review)January 20
Houseful of Chaos (Review) January 21
Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review)January 22
For the Love of Books (Review) January 23
Fiona Ingram (Review) January 24
Stitch Says (Review) January 25
Just Thinking (Review) January 27
Bound 4 Escape (Review) January 28
Fantasy Fun With Kirstin Pulioff (Review) January 29
We are the DinoFamily (Review) Cheryl Carpinello's Writing Pages (Review)January 30
Pragmatic Mom (Review) January 31
Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review) February 1
The Dragyn's Lair (Review) February 2
Kids Book Group (Review) February 3
Bookworm for Kids (Review) February 4
The World of ContestPatti (Review) February 5
BeachBoundBooks (Review) February 6
Best Kids' Reads (Review) Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)February 7
InkSpired: A Blog (Review) February 8
Jemima Pett, Author (Review) February 9
The Omnibus Publishing (Review)February 10
Geo Librarian (Review) February 11
Books, Reviews, Etc. (Review)February 12
Victoria Simcox (Review) February 13
Heart of a Philanthropist (Review) February 14
Dalene's Book Reviews (Review)Cassandra Lost in Books (Review) 
* Tiger Temple Blog Tour Giveaway *Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash). Contest runs: January 15 to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Worldwide How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Princess Madeline Blog Tour: Interview with Author Kirstin Pulioff

About the Books Title: The Escape of Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #1) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: November 4, 2012 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 138 Recommended age: 10+ Summary: The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom... a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms. Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture; her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure full of twists and turns as she tries to find her freedom and answers to her questions about life and love.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords Title: The Battle for Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #2) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: May 21, 2013 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 159 Recommended age: 10+ Summary: The Kingdom of Soron bustled with activity as preparations for the Fall Festival began. Lively merchants, hardworking farmers, and musicians eagerly awaited this event of harvest and joy. This year’s festival was even more important, as they celebrated Princess Madeline’s betrothal to her knight champion, Daniel. Celebration quickly turns to disaster as Prince Paulsen returns with curious demands, either Princess Madeline will be his, or no ones. Rejection turns to obsession and battle is declared. In a tense struggle to decide her future, Princess Madeline must choose where to put her trust… in the king’s tried and true plan, the wizard’s cryptic messages and maps, or her own sense of bravery. Follow Princess Madeline on this adventure as she battles evil in an attempt to create a future of love and magic.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords Title: Princess Madeline and the Dragon (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #3) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: November 26, 2013 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 135 Recommended age: 10+ Summary: After a season of battle and rebuilding, the Kingdom of Soron is exhausted. With the return of the exiled wizards, the Spring Faire, and her upcoming wedding, Princess Madeline is looking forward to a peaceful season of celebration. When the mysterious green dragon reappears, threatening the kingdom and the king, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden won’t rest for long. Faced with this incredible new danger, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden must find a way to lead their kingdom and secure their future. Can they find the answers hidden within their mother’s cryptic messages from the past, or will the dragon destroy everything they hold dear? Follow Princess Madeline as she embarks on a dangerous new adventure to save her kingdom and her family.
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The BuzzBook 1: "Well-written, fast-paced, and entirely appropriate for its target audience (middle grade fantasy), this short but succinct novel (novella? It was maybe a little between a novella and a novel) tells a delightful tale of a naive princess who learns the real meaning of freedom. Kirsten gives her characters a sufficient amount of depth to make them genuinely likeable, and she leaves room for much, much more to come." ~ 5 Star Review, Ally, AmazonBook 1: "An inspiring thought provoking, and wonderfully written fairy tale by an author who transports us to a time in our imagination where everything is magical and possibilities are real." ~ 5 Star Review, kathyls, AmazonBook 2: "Fairy tales are filled with knights and princesses and castles and a special magical feel that takes the reader far, far, away into another world, another place, another time. The Battle for Princess Madeline fits the bill to a tee! Author Kirstin Pulioff has created a special feel to the tale of Princess Madeline with her own special talent for using words to paint pictures in our minds." ~ 5 Star Review, Dii, AmazonBook 2: "The story is well developed and easy to follow. The vivid scenes will transport young readers into the magical world of fairy tales with thrilling characters that have come to life. Another splendid read for young readers! I can hardly wait for a new book, Princess Madeline and the Dragon. " ~ 5 Star Review, Mrs. D., AmazonBook 3: "The story is engaging on many levels, as is Pulioff's writing, but on this occasion I was mostly drawn into the action and the mystery as how to prevent the worst from happening. This is great entertainment and should do well across a wider age range." ~ 5 Star Review,ChristophFischerBooks, AmazonBook 3: "Kirstin Pulioff has saved the best for last. 'Princess Madeline and the Dragon' is the final instalment in the 'Princess Madeline Trilogy'. I thought the first two books were finely wrought stories, but this novel surpasses its predecessors. Prophesies, family tragedies, magic and - of course - dragons, combine to produce a tale that is an instant classic. Written with a great deal of charm, 'Princess Madeline and the Dragon' will not disappoint Ms Pulioff's young fans. I look forward to seeing where next her imagination will take this natural storyteller. " ~ 5 Star Review, Diogenes, Amazon 
About the Author: Kirstin Pulioff Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom. When she’s not writing, she is busy with her kids and church.
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I'm happy to welcome this wonderfully creative author today so we can find out how the whole story started.

1. When did the writing bug bite?That is a great question to start. I was bitten by the muse at an early age. Writing has always been my creative expression. From short stories as a child, to my first fantasy books in middle school and high school, I have always been writing down adventures and dreams. I didn’t think about pursuing it as a career though until the past couple of years.

2. Where did the whole Princess Madeline story come from – influences, Eureka moments, inspiration? (books in childhood, favourite characters, movies, games etc.)When I began writing this series, it was strictly as something to do during my lunch breaks at work. It gave me a creative escape from my office job. At that point I had no idea what it would turn into, or how that simple activity would reignite my passion for writing. The Princess Madeline story was the first idea that popped into my mind, and the draft was complete in only a matter of a couple of months. I have always gravitated towards fantasy as my preferred genre, and so when it came time for me to write, it was naturally full of those traditional elements. I chose the middle grade reading level because that is where I began my love for reading, and it holds a special part in my heart. Princess Madeline is similar to princesses in other stories, and Disney, but I wanted to make sure there was a layer of realism.

3. Did you conceive of each book as a separate entity, or did you decide to break it into three parts?The original story for Princess Madeline came about as an individual book, but as I finished the first story, the idea for the second appeared, and then the third.
4. Clearly you love magic/fantasy/dragons – what has been the best part of the whole series for you?Oh boy… do I have to pick just one? There are so many things I have loved about creating this series, but my favorite was living in Princess Madeline’s head and heart. For the past few years my writing has focused on growing with her, looking at the world from her perspective and finding her next path. The biggest reward is seeing this story completed, and knowing that I have told the story I was meant to write.

5. Madeline starts off as a bit of a spoiled brat, then whammo, she gets all the nonsense knocked out of her when reality bites after her selfish runaway antics – did you mean for this to happen so suddenly? Her life changes rapidly and from doing nothing but wear fancy clothes and look gorgeous, she is suddenly all grown up and getting married.Ha ha, yes, I wanted a hard dose of reality to fall onto Princess Madeline’s shoulders. I wanted to take the traditional princess angle of running away and avoiding responsibility, and strip the romanticism of it. There were three main points I wanted to get across.

* Running away (both literally and from problems) is not the solution and comes with consequences.
* I wanted to make sure that she was not rescued by her knight, that she was helped, but not rescued in the traditional sense.
* Most importantly, I wanted to make sure that she took responsibility for her actions.
With these books directed towards the middle grade and tween readers, I felt a responsibility to show these three points… and once those lessons were learned, making sure there was a happily ever after.
6. There are many life lessons contained in the books: what are the most significant ones you hope young readers will absorb?In each book, I wanted to focus on a couple of lessons, with a clear undertone carried throughout the series. The Escape of Princess Madeline focused on parent/child conflicts, taking responsibility for your actions, and first love. The Battle for Princess Madeline focused on believing in yourself, bravery, and doing the right thing. In Princess Madeline and the Dragon, the story revolves around the power of love. Overall though, I wanted to drive home the struggles of growing up and finding your inner strength… I know, that is a lot to pack full in three books. Ha!

7. Her relationships with various people/family/Daniel are well defined – would you like to expand on this?There are so many different relationships, and I wanted to explore the dynamics between them all, from the complications between parent and child, sibling rivalry, childhood friendships, and first love. Family dynamics were the foundation of the story. So much of Princess Madeline’s adventures were based on miscommunication and misunderstanding with her family.  Even with the best of intentions, King Theodore fumbles raising Madeline. I enjoyed writing from the different perspectives and showing both sides to the story. I think that everyone rises to the occasion and to the expectations that are put on them. In the Princess Madeline series, different opportunities and struggles are presented in her relationships, offering the change for growth, reflection, and understanding.

8. For me, Madeline's charm and innate sense of integrity make her very appealing. She is a good person, without being boring – your thoughts?I’m glad you thought so. :) I really wanted to make her a relatable and enjoyable character. I tried to balance her qualities so that she reflected both the hard and soft - strength with vulnerability, stubbornness with creativity, and defiance with intelligence. She is a good person, just struggling to find her place in the world and how to take control of her life… and I’m glad she didn’t bore you. Ha ha. Bandits, wizards, and a dragon will definitely keep things interesting.

9. I just loved the back history and the whole build up to the actual story – where did all that come from. I wished there had been more.One of the things I love about reading a series is that in each book you learn a bit more and can tie more pieces together. It was fun for me adding those layers as each book developed, and creating new links that I hadn’t even thought about. My favorite was writing the prologue in the second book. Queen Eleanor was a character only briefly described, but who had a big impact on all three stories. This was the first point in which I could show the similarities between Madeline and her mother, and really add that layer of complexity and prophesy to the story.

10. What’s next? Any chance of Braden getting his own books?To be honest, I never even thought about going in that angle, but it could be interesting. For now the Princess Madeline series is complete, but I won’t say that it is done forever. I believe in keeping all the options open, and go where the muse takes me. I currently have a couple projects planned for 2014, a YA Fantasy, and a MG adventure for boys.

 Thanks for joining us today, Kirstin, and I am sure many readers will be eagerly awaiting your next venture. You can find my reviews on my blog (a few posts down) or on Amazon. 
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *Prize: $25Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest runs: December 18, 2013 to January 16, 2014, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Kirstin Pulioff and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Windows vs Ford

 For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
 At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If Ford had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, Ford issued a press release stating:
If Ford had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash.........twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
 
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
 
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.
 
7. The airbag system would ask,"Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

PS - I'd like to add that when all else fails, you could call "customer service" in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!

Please share this with your friends who love - but sometimes hate - their computer!

Book Review: Princess Madeline and the Dragon

All is well in the Kingdom of Soron; at least, that’s what everyone thinks. The village has been rebuilt since Prince Paulsen’s disastrous attack the previous autumn, and preparations are under way for the Spring Faire – a very important occasion. Princess Madeline is also preparing for her upcoming wedding to Daniel, and the prospect of establishing a new home in the North. The wizards, now welcomed back after their timely assistance during the previous troubles, have a new role to play. Madeline has been having strange dreams, and the Elder Wizard, in fact her Uncle Elias, is trying to teach her to harness her magical powers, inherited from her mother. Then things turn horribly upside-down, as we have been warned via the prologue, where Lord Hawthorne (hunting for dragons’ eggs) stumbles upon a rare clutch of these magical eggs. Amazingly, a green dragon appears and begins to ravage the kingdom. The fiery attack ends with King Theodore being badly burned to the point where he insists on Madeline’s marriage to Daniel right away; and he appoints Madeline’s twin brother Braden as King of Soron. The dragon is fast becoming a huge and dangerous problem. Will Madeline and Braden be able to decipher the clues left by their mother that spoke of the Age of Dragons? And why is the dragon suddenly attacking the kingdom?
Kirstin Pulioff has cleverly sown the clues to the final book in the first and second books, where seemingly innocuous items hold the key to solving the mystery of the green dragon. Braden, somewhat neglected in books one and two, comes into his own and pulls the readers’ focus as he takes charge of the kingdom, and finds the path of love not as smooth as he had hoped. Madeline has really grown up here, and her thoughts on resolving the kingdom’s dilemma differ greatly from her brother’s. Her way is based on love, reason, reconciliation, and truth. The wizard Elias also has a lot to teach both the characters and young readers and his words of wisdom are beautifully woven into this rich fantasy tapestry. Again the author’s gift for description stands her in good stead as the dragon, in all its flaming fury, is brought vividly to life in the pages of this magical fairy tale. Princess Madeline and the Dragon is well worth the wait as there is something for everyone: romance, love, enchantment, magicality, wizards, action, adventure, and of course … here be dragons! Five StarsAvailable from Amazon

Book Review: The Unconquered

TheUnconquered by Scott Wallace is his account of an expedition into the deepest recesses of the Amazon, on assignment for National Geographic, to confirm the existence of ‘The Arrow People’ (or ‘les flecheiros’) so that their territory may be preserved and protected. Wallace joins Sydney Possuelo; a larger-than-life figure in the history of Brazil’s endangered indigenous people, and a man who has devoted his life to saving and protecting the last of the uncontacted tribes.
‘Uncontacted’ is a bit of a misnomer because the remaining elusive tribes have fled from contact, diving deeper in the vast Amazon to escape what they know (from bitter experience) will happen: death from disease, despoliation of their territory, and the loss of their culture from ‘contamination’ by modern artifacts and an increasing dependency on them – this fate has befallen many tribes who now straddle the uncomfortable divide between totally indigenous and self-sufficient, and those who no longer can fend for themselves because they have forgotten the old ways of hunting, fishing, and making their own weapons. Brazil’s past and indeed much of the South Americas is steeped in blood, both historically and in today’s times. The devastation of the forests, the outright plundering of wildlife and natural resources of yesteryear has been tamed but not to the extent that uncontacted tribes can rest in peace and go about heir daily lives. Ever watchful, often times violent (and with good cause), they find their existence is precarious. Amazingly, drug dealers have turned to the Amazon to find passages through; entrepreneurs (in the worst sense of the word) prey on Indians  and their territory for precious woods, rare fish and animals, and gold, despite the best efforts of FUNAI (National Indian Foundation), the agency set up to protect the Indians’ rights.
I found this book hard to read for several reasons. I thought I was prepared for the tragedy unfolding between the pages, having subscribed to newsletters such as Survival International, where a dedicated organisation highlights the plight of indigenous people worldwide.  I wasn’t prepared for the litany of bloodshed and tragedy that taints Brazil’s history. The details of the horrors perpetrated by the architects of Brazil’s rubber boom verges on genocide. Colonialism in its worst form still prevails, but this time there is no outside invader: the threat comes from the vilest of Brazil’s population, those who don’t care a damn about the trail of destruction in their wake. Indigenous Indians are considered a nuisance, and expendable at that. They battle death threats, being shot at, being evicted, being hunted by people who want what is theirs by right; the invaders’ reasoning being how can a tiny percent of the country’s inhabitants (less than 1%) need so much land (11%)? We have learned very little from history when colonial invaders destroyed indigenous cultures outright and reduced their people to the horrors of dependency and/or death in the name of civilisation. People like Sydney Possuelo and the teams of dedicated ‘rangers’ deserve better support than they have received. It is an ongoing, thankless task, and one that seems doomed unless the government gets its act together.
I also found the book hard going because the actual journey is hard going. From the idyllic start of a river-borne expedition, to the utterly hellish conditions whereby the team members had to toil up inclines and down slopes, drenched and slipping in mud, plagued by ferocious insects, under threat from dangerous wildlife, having to make camp each night by hacking their way through thick foliage, facing dwindling supplies; not to mention food theft, food hoarding, and the kind of weird mentality that takes over a group ‘trapped’ in an endless round of daily trudging. One is reminded of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness in many ways as a grim madness prevails. Ironically, the team was only minutes away from civilization, had a plane been able to land, but months away from it by foot or boat.
At first I thought author Wallace was something of a moaner; he complained endlessly about everything. Then, as I wearily took up the book each night, I began to appreciate exactly what they went through, and the hideous discomforts associated with such a journey. Things such as satellite phones and the like are useless in the dense jungle, so increasingly they had to rely on themselves. Apart from the Indians amongst them who could cope, many did not. No wonder they emerged three months later wild-eyed, exhausted, and much thinner. I ultimately appreciated the mindset and thoughts the author expressed; from saying a special prayer each night, to totally doubting they would ever emerge from the impenetrable jungle. There is so much more in the book than one review can ever tell. The most significant message for me was that we have reached a tipping point where there is very little left that has not been explored, exploited, and ultimately destroyed by civilization’s need, greed, and depredation. Where will it end, one wonders? How much more can be stripped from our natural environment before we are left with the bleak, barren, infertile remnants of a once-beautiful planet? The inhospitable dystopian future so fondly depicted by movie makers and writers does not seem either far-fetched or very far away. A must-read at five stars.

Book Review: The Battle for Princess Madeline

In book two of the Princess Madeline series we’re back in the Kingdom of Soron, in the midst of the Fall Festival. Apart from the fun and activity of this festive event, there is a special significance: Princess Madeline’s betrothal to her Champion Knight Daniel, who saved her during her previous escapade. Princess Madeline is starting to grow up as well, and apart from making her tutor’s life a misery with her questions, is taking a great interest in the kinds of things necessary for running a kingdom and being responsible for people. It seems that nothing will spoil this idyllic time, except the reappearance of the sly Prince Paulsen, making outrageous demands on King Theodore. Paulsen demands Madeline’s hand in marriage and when the king reminds the prince that although he rid the country of brigands, he did not actually save the princess himself, this leads to terrible events. War ensues, and at the same time Madeline must decide how she can help save the kingdom. The banished wizards risk the wrath of the king by appearing, with messages, clues, and advice. While Theodore and Daniel face Paulsen’s ravaging troops, Madeline makes her own decisions.

Kudos to author Kirstin Pulioff for introducing more entrancing back story regarding magical choices that Madeline and her twin brother made without knowing it. Fragments of their mother’s story come through, adding to the wizards’ role in this book, and indeed in the prehistory of Soron. I loved the element of magic and mystery that the wizards bring, with suggestions of building onto forthcoming events, when the Age of Dragons looms over Soron. Madeline develops a sense of maturity about life, and her relationship with Daniel. She also uses her wits and embarks upon a daring plan, so courage is part of her nature. The battle scenes and the grim results of Paulsen’s invasion are brought to life by the author’s gift for description. In fact, description is part of what makes the series so appealing. One can hear the clash of swords, the shouts of the soldiers or (on a more peaceful note) almost rub shoulders with Madeline as she gazes at a beautiful view. There is much to entice young readers in this tale of the Princess: action, adventure, a charming romance, magic, and of course, the promise of dragons to come. Adventure and enchantment make this a strong second book in the series. I am looking forward to book three. Available on Amazon. Five Stars.