Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 89
April 10, 2016
MMGM: GREENHORN by Anna Olswanger, now a movie!
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE._____________________________
GREENHORNAnna Olswanger
New South, Inc.
Ages 10 - 14
In Anna Olswanger's Greenhorn, a young Holocaust survivor arrives at a New York yeshiva in 1946 where he will study and live. His only possession is a small box that he never lets out of his sight. Daniel, the young survivor, rarely talks, but the narrator, a stutterer who bears the taunts of the other boys, comes to consider Daniel his friend. The mystery of what's in the box propels this short work, but it's in the complex relationships of the school boys that the human story is revealed. In the end, Aaron, the stutterer, finds his voice and a friend in Daniel, and their bond offers hope for a future life of dreams realized, one in which Daniel is able to let go of his box. Greenhorn is a powerful story that gives human dimension to the Holocaust. It poignantly underscores our flawed humanity and speaks to the healing value of friendship. Families will want to read Greenhorn together. ___________________________________________
A couple years back I posted a glowing review of Anna Olswanger's book, GREENHORN, about a young Jewish refugee who attends a New York boy's school in 1946. If you haven't read it, you should. And now it's been made into into a short film, perfect for sharing with students when discussing the Holocaust or Jewish history. This story is a tender remembrance of one of the most horrific episodes in recent world history. It is also a reminder that every human life has value and that we, as a society and as the human race, must never allow such tragedies to occur again. It is vital we keep the memory of the Holocaust alive in the next generation, and Olswanger's film is the perfect vehicle to do just that.
Click HERE to read my original review of the book.
The film premiered at the Landmark NuArt Theatre in L.A. and at The Museum of Tolerance in New York. It was named the 2015 Audience Award Winner for Best Short Film Drama at the Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival in Memphis, and subsequently aired on public television in Memphis and Kentucky. Last month it was part of the Festival Internacional De Cine Judio en Mexico and will screen on March 27 at the International Children’s Film Festival at L.A.’s WonderCon.
The film could be a tie-in to Holocaust Remembrance Day in May and International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January. I’d be happy to send you a private online reviewer’s link to the 25-minute film.
Libraries and schools can purchase the DVD with public performance rights and show the film in classrooms. To obtain a copy, visit this link:
http://www.tmwmedia.com/productlisting/details/greenhorna-story-of-friendship-in-the-aftermath-of-the-holocaustOr you can purchase it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Greenhorn-Friendship-Journey-Aftermath-Holocaust/dp/B01C4UBB10/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457901089&sr=8-2&keywords=greenhorn+film
A teacher's guide is available here: http://www.tmwmedia.com/newtmw/teachers_guides/L4812DVD.pdf
April 8, 2016
MMGM: Win a copy of ONCE WAS A TIME by Leila Sales!
* Interview with Nicky Peacock, author of the BATTLE OF THE UNDEAD SERIES
* A fan letter from 7-year-old SARAH
* TWIST MY CHARM: LOVE POTION #1 Toni Gallagher
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE.
_____________________________________________________
ONCE WAS A TIME
Leila Sales
Chronicle Books
10 and up
Scroll down for an interview with the author and a chance to win a copy of the book!
In the war-ravaged England of 1940, Charlotte Bromley is sure of only one thing: Kitty McLaughlin is her best friend in the whole world. But when Charlotte's scientist father makes an astonishing discovery that the Germans will covet for themselves, Charlotte is faced with an impossible choice between danger and safety. Should she remain with her friend or journey to another time and place? Her split-second decision has huge consequences, and when she finds herself alone in the world, unsure of Kitty's fate, she knows that somehow, some way, she must find her way back to her friend. Written in the spirit of classic time-travel tales, this book is an imaginative and heartfelt tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship.
“Rewarding and uplifting.” — Kirkus Reviews “Will delight those who revel in the vast mysteries of time and coincidence.” —The Horn Book Magazine “Shines in its portrayal of friendship.” —School Library Journal “The bond between Lottie and Kitty-proves to be both tender and unstoppable.” —Booklist "An imaginative and heartfelt tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship."— Middle Shelf Magazine
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LEILA SALES:
I always wanted to be an author. I wrote my first middle-grade novel and started submitting it to publishers when I was 11. It got rejected everywhere, which was disappointing at the time, but I now realize is DEFINITELY for the best. It was well-written for someone who had never written a book before, but I had a ways to go before I would be writing at a professional level.
When I was 12 I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as an online listserv of other writers of kids’ books, most of whom were adults, all of whom were at various stages in their publication journey. It was great having these other people to turn to who were pursuing the same dream as me—people who didn’t know I was a kid and therefore took me seriously. I attended my first SCBWI conference a month before my middle-school graduation, which I remember because I got one fancy grow-up looking outfit to wear to both events!
Throughout middle school, high school, and college, I went on to write another five unpublished middle-grade and YA novels. I submitted all of them for publication, but never had any success. I was getting better, but still not quite there.
After graduating from high school, I got a job at a children’s book publisher. I didn’t know if I would ever manage to make a living as an author—after all, I’d already spent half my life trying to sell a novel, so who knew how long it could take. But I did know that I loved children’s books and wanted a career that allowed me to work with them in some capacity.
Even though I had a job now—a job that I found enormously fulfilling—I made time for writing. Around the time I was 25, I met a literary agent at a party through mutual publishing industry friends. I told him about the YA novel I was working on at the time, a comedy told in vignettes about two best friends at an exclusive all-girls prep school. (If you read ONCE WAS A TIME, you’ll realize that girls’ friendship is one of the most important themes in my books.) This agent asked if he could take a look, so after I’d revised the manuscript a ton, I sent it to him, and he offered to represent me. A couple months later, I had a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster, and that comedy became my first published novel, entitled MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS.
The experience of selling my first book is one of the most intense things that has ever happened to me. In a way it didn’t change much: I kept working at the publisher (and indeed, I still do). I didn’t suddenly become rich and famous; I didn’t move into a fancy house or start drinking champagne with Beyonce. My day-to-day existence did not change very much at all. But this life-defining dream had come true. The main thing I wanted to achieve with my life, I had now achieved.
Of course, it’s not like I achieved this goal and then was just done forever. A year after MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS came out, Simon & Schuster published my second YA, PAST PERFECT. After that, I moved over to Macmillan to publish THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. Then I sold another two YA novels to Macmillan, as well as my first-ever middle grade novel, ONCE WAS A TIME, which is just out now with Chronicle.
I should be clear that it’s not like you sell one book, and then you know how to write successful books every time thereafter. For each novel I’ve published, I’ve written the first few chapters of many, many other books that didn’t quite work and eventually fizzled out. And for each publisher who’s wanted to acquire a book that I’d written, there were always, every single time, other publishers who said “this one doesn’t work for us.” Writing is sort of like playing basketball. It’s not as if once you make one basket, then every other shot you take after that is guaranteed to go in. You’re still going to miss a lot of the time. But the more you practice, the more likely you are to score.
ONCE WAS A TIME is really exciting for me, because it’s the book I’ve published that’s most like those stories I was writing in middle school: a bit younger than my YA novels, with some magical elements (specifically time travel!). It’s geared at a different audience than any of my previous books—nine to twelve year olds rather than teens. It’s less intense than the very first time I published a book, but every time is amazing and eye-opening, and every time feels like a gift.
** Leila Sales is the author of many critically acclaimed young adult novels, including Tonight the Streets Are Ours and This Song Will Save Your Life. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at leilasales.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway
* A fan letter from 7-year-old SARAH
* TWIST MY CHARM: LOVE POTION #1 Toni Gallagher
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE._____________________________________________________
ONCE WAS A TIMELeila Sales
Chronicle Books
10 and up
Scroll down for an interview with the author and a chance to win a copy of the book!
In the war-ravaged England of 1940, Charlotte Bromley is sure of only one thing: Kitty McLaughlin is her best friend in the whole world. But when Charlotte's scientist father makes an astonishing discovery that the Germans will covet for themselves, Charlotte is faced with an impossible choice between danger and safety. Should she remain with her friend or journey to another time and place? Her split-second decision has huge consequences, and when she finds herself alone in the world, unsure of Kitty's fate, she knows that somehow, some way, she must find her way back to her friend. Written in the spirit of classic time-travel tales, this book is an imaginative and heartfelt tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship.
“Rewarding and uplifting.” — Kirkus Reviews “Will delight those who revel in the vast mysteries of time and coincidence.” —The Horn Book Magazine “Shines in its portrayal of friendship.” —School Library Journal “The bond between Lottie and Kitty-proves to be both tender and unstoppable.” —Booklist "An imaginative and heartfelt tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship."— Middle Shelf Magazine
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LEILA SALES:
I always wanted to be an author. I wrote my first middle-grade novel and started submitting it to publishers when I was 11. It got rejected everywhere, which was disappointing at the time, but I now realize is DEFINITELY for the best. It was well-written for someone who had never written a book before, but I had a ways to go before I would be writing at a professional level.
When I was 12 I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as an online listserv of other writers of kids’ books, most of whom were adults, all of whom were at various stages in their publication journey. It was great having these other people to turn to who were pursuing the same dream as me—people who didn’t know I was a kid and therefore took me seriously. I attended my first SCBWI conference a month before my middle-school graduation, which I remember because I got one fancy grow-up looking outfit to wear to both events!
Throughout middle school, high school, and college, I went on to write another five unpublished middle-grade and YA novels. I submitted all of them for publication, but never had any success. I was getting better, but still not quite there.
After graduating from high school, I got a job at a children’s book publisher. I didn’t know if I would ever manage to make a living as an author—after all, I’d already spent half my life trying to sell a novel, so who knew how long it could take. But I did know that I loved children’s books and wanted a career that allowed me to work with them in some capacity.
Even though I had a job now—a job that I found enormously fulfilling—I made time for writing. Around the time I was 25, I met a literary agent at a party through mutual publishing industry friends. I told him about the YA novel I was working on at the time, a comedy told in vignettes about two best friends at an exclusive all-girls prep school. (If you read ONCE WAS A TIME, you’ll realize that girls’ friendship is one of the most important themes in my books.) This agent asked if he could take a look, so after I’d revised the manuscript a ton, I sent it to him, and he offered to represent me. A couple months later, I had a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster, and that comedy became my first published novel, entitled MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS.
The experience of selling my first book is one of the most intense things that has ever happened to me. In a way it didn’t change much: I kept working at the publisher (and indeed, I still do). I didn’t suddenly become rich and famous; I didn’t move into a fancy house or start drinking champagne with Beyonce. My day-to-day existence did not change very much at all. But this life-defining dream had come true. The main thing I wanted to achieve with my life, I had now achieved.
Of course, it’s not like I achieved this goal and then was just done forever. A year after MOSTLY GOOD GIRLS came out, Simon & Schuster published my second YA, PAST PERFECT. After that, I moved over to Macmillan to publish THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. Then I sold another two YA novels to Macmillan, as well as my first-ever middle grade novel, ONCE WAS A TIME, which is just out now with Chronicle.
I should be clear that it’s not like you sell one book, and then you know how to write successful books every time thereafter. For each novel I’ve published, I’ve written the first few chapters of many, many other books that didn’t quite work and eventually fizzled out. And for each publisher who’s wanted to acquire a book that I’d written, there were always, every single time, other publishers who said “this one doesn’t work for us.” Writing is sort of like playing basketball. It’s not as if once you make one basket, then every other shot you take after that is guaranteed to go in. You’re still going to miss a lot of the time. But the more you practice, the more likely you are to score.
ONCE WAS A TIME is really exciting for me, because it’s the book I’ve published that’s most like those stories I was writing in middle school: a bit younger than my YA novels, with some magical elements (specifically time travel!). It’s geared at a different audience than any of my previous books—nine to twelve year olds rather than teens. It’s less intense than the very first time I published a book, but every time is amazing and eye-opening, and every time feels like a gift.
** Leila Sales is the author of many critically acclaimed young adult novels, including Tonight the Streets Are Ours and This Song Will Save Your Life. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at leilasales.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 1, 2016
INTERVIEW with NICKY PEACOCK, author of BATTLE OF THE UNDEAD series
BAD BLOOD: BATTLE OF THE UNDEAD, Book INicky PeacokEvernight TeenAges 14 + “I am Britannia. I am your protector. I will fend off the hungry hordes of undead hands that reach toward you. I am your steadfast defender. I will stand between you and the zombie masses as they try to taste your flesh. I am strong, unyielding, and dedicated to your survival. All I ask from you… is your blood.” A 500 year bloody game of vengeance will need to be put on hold if vampires are to survive the zombie uprising. Bitter enemies, Britannia and Nicholas must work together to save un-infected humans, delivering them to a stronghold in Scotland.
Unable to drink the zombie blood, vampires need humans to stay alive. But will they tell the survivors who they are, and what they want from them? Will Britannia be able to hold back her vengeance? Is survivor Josh the reincarnation of Britannia’s murdered true love? And can she bring herself to deliver him to the safe hold?
Survival instincts run deep, but bad blood can run deeper.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Tell us about your publishing journey... I did what most wannabe authors do, tried and failed several times. I then find out about the anthology market for short stories. Being shorter, they were easier and quicker to write and by checking publisher call-outs and giving them want they want, you're more likely to get accepted. Next thing I knew I had over 35 stories published and decided to start writing novels. I now have two book series with Evernight Teen.
What do you love about being an author? I love the freedom of being able to write anywhere and that people enjoy reading my work. As an avid reader myself, I love nothing more than getting lost in a good book, having a brief escape from the dull ordinary world - if I can do that for others then that's an awesome achievement.
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?
Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games - I'd take her to an all you can eat buffet. I think she deserves it.If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads? I always mentally cast my books - this keeps me consistent in character and appearance. I've always seen Emma Watson as Britannia and Andrew Garfield as Nicholas.
Vampires - do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters? Actually, I'm more in the monster camp. Reading Richard Matheson's I Am Legend I think that vampires make for a rather scary threat. Intelligent, can blend in, array of worrying supernatural skills - hmmm, now where's my crucifix?
If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why? I'd love to visit the 1920s. Great fashion and parties - I'm definitely a secret Flapper.
What life advice do you wish you'd been given sooner? You can't please everyone. It really is a one way ticket to insanity if you try. The best advice I can give is to look after yourself and do what you want to do. You can't really go wrong then - unless of course you're a sadistic serial killer, then I'd advise a little restraint!
If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why? I think a witch would be great - spells can cover a multitude of powers. Although I kind of like faeries too - but you'd never know whether you'd be full grown or a tiny Tinkerbell. I'd hate to be the size of a pencil!
Where do you write best? I write best in a local stately hotel that's a five minute drive from me. It's old and beautiful and I can sit undisturbed for hours with a pot of tea and home-made biscuits and write away.
What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it? I read Scarred Souls by Tillie Cole. It was a departure from my usual paranormal tastes, but I still really enjoyed it. A tense romantic thriller with a lot of violence and a bit of sauciness.
If you didn't write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why? I'd love the research of historical fiction. Fortunately with urban fantasy and horror you can incorporate historical within them. I'd really enjoy trying steampunk too.
Where can fans find you online? Blog: Twitter: Y A Facebook Page: UK Amazon Author Page: US Amazon Author page: Good Reads: Tumblr: Authorgraph:
March 28, 2016
BLOG TOUR: Lisa Marie Schinski's Books
[image error]
About the Books[image error]
Title: The Sore Prickly Bear
Author: Lisa Marie Schinski
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Number of Pages: 30
Summary: Fuzzy has a very bad day that keeps getting worse. He is faced with many challenges and doesn't understand why these things are happening to him. Everyone has had a bad day, week, month or even years. He will make you laugh because everyone can relate to Fuzzy in some way. Things always have a way of working out in the end and sometimes even better than it was before!
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
[image error]Title: That'th what I thaid!: R's and S's
Author: Lisa Marie Schinski
Illustrator: Lauren Panco
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Number of Pages: 32
Summary: Stitchie is a happy bunny that is having a hard time saying her R's and S's. She thinks her friends are making fun of her but they just laugh because they think it sounds funny. They love Stitchie, and in the end, Stitchie practices and meets the best teacher who helps her says her R's and S's perfectly. She runs into the woods to share with her friends how far she has come!!
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
About the Author: Lisa Marie Schinski[image error]
I was born and raised in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. I currently reside in King of Prussia. I wrote the story about the Sore Prickly Bear when I was 8 years old. My teacher, Mrs. Ulrich encouraged me to write and also gave me the young author's award. I found this book after my mom passed away last year. I had a great childhood but when I wrote this book, my parents got divorced, we moved and I changed schools. A lot of changes for an 8 year old. So I guess I felt like Fuzzy.
Around October 2015, I took the book into work to show my friends because this past year and a half has been very hard for me and my family. I knew when I showed my friends, they would laugh and cry because my life was again Fuzzy's. My friends, Denice, Dee, Candace, Rick, Gina, Tara, Nancy, Tamara and Gina encouraged me to publish this book. So here I am!
I am now 46 years old. I have a great job, great friends, and great family. But there are still days that feel very bad and very unfair.
My goal for publishing this book is to help children understand that bad things happen and bad days happen. But when we have friends and family in our life to help us laugh at ourselves, we can heal and move forward. Everyone has a bad day, week, month or even years. My dream is to share this story for children to know they are not alone and everyone has a bad day.
I am so grateful for my family and friends.
"That'th what I thaid" was published in February 2016. Lauren Panco inspired me to write this story. It is for children who have a hard time with their R's and S's. I think many of us have! I want children to know it's ok to sound different and with practice, it changes. Don't let anyone make fun of you. We are all perfect the way we are!
Website ~ Twitter ~ Etsy ~ LinkedIn
[image error]a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 27, 2016
Picture Book for Little Budding Businessmen (and women)
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE. ________________________________________________
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?Rana DiOrio and Emma D. Dryen
Little Pickle Press
Ages 4 - 8 years
When Rae witnesses an ice cream-and-doggie mishap, she’s inspired to create a big-scale solution to help get dogs clean. Rae draws on her determination, resilience, and courage until she—and everyone else in her community—learns just what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Book six in the award-winning What Does It Mean To Be …?® series, What Does It Mean To Be An Entrepreneur?
“This book takes a big ‘adult’ concept and unpacks it for young children with a punchy story and bright attractive illustrations…. Rae, the young protagonist, displays characteristics and skills that any teacher would want to promote in her classroom. Who wouldn’t want to encourage kids in, ‘working harder than you ever imagined—all while feeling joy,’ or ‘having the humility to learn from your mistakes?’” —Joanna Marple, Miss Marple’s Musings
March 25, 2016
A FAN LETTER FROM 7-YEAR-OLD SARAH
I receive emails from time to time from children or their parents who like my books. But an email I got the other day was just too precious not to share. I had visited this young lady's school, and her mom bought two of my books for her. I asked her to contact me once she had read them (which she did in three days) to tell me what she thought of them.
Here's the kicker: she's 7 years old! Her mother gave me permission to post the letter and her picture. My response is at the end.
It's moments like these that make writing for kids worth while:
Dear Laurisa Reyes,
I REALLY like your books! I think Xerxes should become friends with the gryphon. We should also find out what the gryphon's name is. A good suggestion is Martha to go with Marcus. Or, Jay to go with Jayson or, Leia to go with Lael. One more thing: I think Lael and Marcus should get married.
Questions:1. How do you pronounce Kaie's name?2. Does the gryphon have a name?
Hope the third book comes out soon!
(On the way to Hestoria, Xerxes should get LESS annoying. He makes a lot of rude comments, in both forms! I still like him, though.)-Sarah[image error] Here is my response to Sarah's letter:Dear Sarah & Margaret,
Your review of The Rock of Ivanore & The Last Enchanter was perfect and really made my day. I love your suggestions, especially the one about Lael and Marcus getting married. They are a little too young for that in these books, but in my imagination, someday they do get married. To answer your questions, Kaie is pronounced like 'pie' or 'sky' but with a K. Also, the gryphon does have a name, but Marcus doesn't know what it is. The gryphon was owned by his mother (in The Crystal Keeper books), and so maybe Marcus will learn the gryphon's name in book 3.
You're spot on about Xerxes being rude. That's his personality. I kind of like him that way. :)
I am hoping to finish the first draft of the Seer of the Guilde over the summer. Once the book is ready for publication, I will announce it on my blog and via my newsletter. It'll still be a while, but stay tuned. It'll happen eventually.
Thank you so much for writing. May I have your permission to post your letter & photo on my blog/website? If not, I completely understand, but I think it would be fun for others to read.
Take care!
Sincerely,Laurisa
Here's the kicker: she's 7 years old! Her mother gave me permission to post the letter and her picture. My response is at the end.
It's moments like these that make writing for kids worth while:
Dear Laurisa Reyes,
I REALLY like your books! I think Xerxes should become friends with the gryphon. We should also find out what the gryphon's name is. A good suggestion is Martha to go with Marcus. Or, Jay to go with Jayson or, Leia to go with Lael. One more thing: I think Lael and Marcus should get married.
Questions:1. How do you pronounce Kaie's name?2. Does the gryphon have a name?
Hope the third book comes out soon!
(On the way to Hestoria, Xerxes should get LESS annoying. He makes a lot of rude comments, in both forms! I still like him, though.)-Sarah[image error] Here is my response to Sarah's letter:Dear Sarah & Margaret,
Your review of The Rock of Ivanore & The Last Enchanter was perfect and really made my day. I love your suggestions, especially the one about Lael and Marcus getting married. They are a little too young for that in these books, but in my imagination, someday they do get married. To answer your questions, Kaie is pronounced like 'pie' or 'sky' but with a K. Also, the gryphon does have a name, but Marcus doesn't know what it is. The gryphon was owned by his mother (in The Crystal Keeper books), and so maybe Marcus will learn the gryphon's name in book 3.
You're spot on about Xerxes being rude. That's his personality. I kind of like him that way. :)
I am hoping to finish the first draft of the Seer of the Guilde over the summer. Once the book is ready for publication, I will announce it on my blog and via my newsletter. It'll still be a while, but stay tuned. It'll happen eventually.
Thank you so much for writing. May I have your permission to post your letter & photo on my blog/website? If not, I completely understand, but I think it would be fun for others to read.
Take care!
Sincerely,Laurisa
March 20, 2016
TWIST MY CHARM: LOVE POTION #1 by Toni Gallagher
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE.____________________________________________________
TWIST MY CHARM: LOVE POTION #1Toni Gallagher
Random House Children's Books
Ages 8 - 12
Middle school crushes are WAY more complicated when you have a love potion.
Everyone knows love potions don’t really work. But Cleo got one as a gift. And it would be crazy not to at least try it . . . right? The plan is simple: make Cleo’s ex–best friend Samantha and her (secret) crush Larry fall in love. If it works, Sam will be so happy, she’ll want to be Cleo’s friend again! But when Sam gets suspicious, only Larry drinks the love potion. And now suddenly Larry is in love with . . . Cleo?
And then it gets worse. Cleo’s dad drank the other glass of punch, and suddenly he’s in love with Samantha’s mom. Which would have been really cool when Cleo and Sam were still friends . . . but now that they’re frenemies? Disaster! Is there a potion to make everything go back to normal?
Fans of Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Wendy Mass will love this fresh contemporary story with just a touch of magic.
PRE-ORDER HERE (Barnes & Noble)
MY THOUGHTS:
Toni Gallagher's first book, TWIST MY CHARM, was the perfect fit for pre-teen girls looking for a smart, funny, entertaining story to keep them turning pages! Book two promises to be just as delightful!
March 17, 2016
BLOG TOUR: EDGE by 20 NY Times Bestselling Authors!
Limited Edition Paranormal Boxed Set20 New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors.20 of today’s most magical, sought-after titles.Yours for only $0.99.Twenty Edgy Young Adult & New Adult Paranormal TalesTwenty of today's favorite young adult and new adult authors have come together to bring you a collection packed with full-length, spellbinding reads sure to keep you keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime! But reader beware: These novels take everything to the edge--and not just the edge of your seat. With authors who aren't afraid to push the boundaries, you get stories that take everything to limit, creating whimsical reads that teens can actually relate to and that adults can enjoy, too. Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes Pre-Order it today to save over fifty dollars from the cost of purchasing each book individually!
What's Inside?
New York Times Bestselling AuthorRiley J Ford, INTO YOU - What if you could know exactly what your friends are thinking? High school student Winter Reynolds can, but there's a catch... She can only read people's thoughts when she's kissing them.USA Today Bestselling Authors Rebecca Hamilton, THE FOREVER GIRL - When a spell Sophia casts goes wrong, her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.JC Andrijeski, THE CULLING - Jet grew up free, hiding out on Earth after it was conquered by an alien species, but now she might learn about her alien overlords the hard way.Apryl Baker, THE PROMISE - Armed with kick-ass shoes, can CJ save the town from a maniacal coven leader, still get Mr. Melt In Your Mouth Gorgeous, and somehow survive the darkness?Angela Fristoe, WAKEN - If Janie hopes to survive the people of Everod, she'll need to confront who and what she really is.April Aasheim, THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO BECOMING A DEMON - What's a nice girl to do when she develops horns...and a hunger?Angel Lawson, WRAITH - Classmates think Jane Watt's is a freak, but she knows her best friend, Evan is real and needs her, even if he's dead.Katie Salidas, PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF - This little werewolf is looking for her fur-ever home.International Bestselling Authors Sarah Dalton, MARY HADES - Mary has a special relationship with the spirit world -- a connection that brings her face to face with her worst nightmares...Debbie Herbert, CHANGELING - A wannabe witch who sucks at spells must find her inner magic to nab a pixie serial killer. Shalini Boland, HIDDEN - When Maddy inherits a mansion, she also inherits something sinister in the basement. Falling in love has never been so dangerous.Eva Chase, CAUGHT IN THE GLOW - Assigned to protect a hot indie rocker from demons, the secret he's keeping puts Avery's heart and his soul on the line.Rachel McClellan, FRACTURED LIGHT - Discovering the strength of her power may cost Llona her life.Kimberly Loth, KISSED - Three Boys. Two Kisses. One Devastating Choice.Shannon Eckrich, OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER - Forever is only a portal away.H.D. Gordon, SHOOTING STARS - A tale of star-crossed lovers and magic.Stacy Claflin, SAVED BY A VAMPIRE - A new vampire must face something more ancient, powerful, and deadly than she ever imagined...Marissa Farrar, TWISTED DREAMS - Upon starting college, half-vampire Elizabeth hadn't expected to happen upon a travelling carnival, or sexy, dare-devil biker.Cindy Thomas, BECKON ME - Her heart...and her soul are on the line.
Award Winning AuthorLaxmi Hariharan, THE MANY LIVES OF RUBY IYER - To become herself, Ruby must turn her back on everything she ever knew.
Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 3/31/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The bestselling Edge young adult box set includes my very own novel Fractured Light! This is just one of 20 page-turning, full length novels for only $.99! Order your copy today!
Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.
EDITORIAL REVIEW"This is seriously addictive reading. Believe me, if you like YA paranormal romance, you'll be hooked. Fractured Light offers a new take on vampire-like creatures and introduces some fresh and imaginative paranormal ethnicities while allowing the characters to struggle against the dangers of power lust and societal bigotry." -- Serena Chase, USA Today --USA Today
AUTHOR BIORachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon
March 16, 2016
MY JOURNEY: REDISCOVERING MY "WHY"
It's been a long time since I've posted about my personal journey as a writer. In truth, over the past few months, I hit a real low in my writing career. I'd been so busy, I hadn't had time to write. The rejection letters kept piling up, despite the money and effort that I'd poured into my projects. And the future just kept looking more and more dismal for me. I actually wrote in my journal two weeks ago that it was time to quit trying.
The good news is I've turned my attitude around. It isn't like me to give up. And it isn't in my nature to stay depressed for too long. But several things have occurred recently that 1) reminded me why I write, and 2) renewed my hope for the future.
The truth is, I lost sight of why I write. The WHY is extremely important to writers. I originally started writing because I LOVE IT! Writing is fun, and for me it is also cathartic and relaxing. It helps me fight stress and feel happy.
I also write because there are stories inside me that I need to tell. These stories are persistent; they demand attention.
Finally, I write for my children. Even when I was a teenager, long before I became a mom, I knew I wanted to leave a legacy for my kids, a piece of me that would last longer on this earth than I would. Stories are my legacy.
But somewhere over the past few years, I lost sight of all that. I started fretting over trying to find an agent or publisher. Then when I did get some books published, I fretted that I wasn't earning any money. My dream of being an author morphed into something dark and foreboding, and it told me that unless I landed the perfect agent and got a multi-book, six-digit contract with a major publisher, I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
I wasn't good enough. This sentence ate at me, devouring my self-esteem and my passion for writing, until finally I believed it, and I didn't want to do it anymore.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a parent telling me that his daughter loves my books, and when could she expect the third book in the series to come out? I've actually gotten a lot of emails like that. I didn't have the heart to tell him that my publisher doesn't want to publish book #3 because the sales for books 1 and 2 were dismal. Without the prospect of getting professionally published (of making any money) I lost interest in writing book 3. The Seer of the Guilde has remained half-done on my computer for two years now. But then a week ago, my 8-year-old son asked me the same question. "Mommy, when will you finish book 3 so I can read it?"Suddenly, it mattered again . I remembered why I began writing these stories. They began as bedtime stories for my now 19-year-old son (he was 8 at the time, same age as my youngest now). I created these stories for HIM! For all my kids. I realized it didn't matter if the story ever got published (I can publish it myself!) or if it ever makes any money. Who cares! I'll write it for my son and for all my young fans who are patiently waiting for it.
But I still had the problem of NO TIME TO WRITE.
A week ago I received an email from my boss at Shelf Media Group informing me that Middle Shelf Magazine was being cancelled. In other words, I had just lost the best job ever! Not only was it a huge hit on my budget, but I also just loved working for the magazine. I was depressed about it until my husband said, "Well, now you'll have more time to write." And he was right. I immediately started writing The Seer of the Guilde again.But I still believed I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
Then, the very same day I lost my job, I received an email from The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators informing me that I had won the 2015 Spark Award for best non-traditionally published book of the year! I was jumping up and down and screaming, I was so flabbergasted at receiving this great honor. The funny thing is, I received it for a book I believed no one would want to read. I was even told by an agent in a rejection letter, "Why would kids today care about something that happened in the 1990s?" But the story mattered to ME. It had to be told. It was persistent, nagging at me for more than 20 years. It took me ten years to write. I hired a team of professionals to help me produce the best quality book I possibly could. But I did it FOR THE STORY, not because I wanted to sell it. So getting the Spark Award was validating. It told me that my story did matter, and that I am good enough .
To add a cherry on top, I recently attended the SCBWI Writers Day in Los Angeles. They announced me as the Spark Award winner (yea!) but then I also won 1st runner-up for the local writing contest, non-fiction category. Additionally, the agent I met with liked the sample of my manuscript she'd read, and she wants me to send it to her. In other words, there is still hope for me. But even so, it just felt great to be recognized. Whether or not I ever land that perfect agent or earn a massive book deal with Random House, I AM GOOD ENOUGH. My stories are good enough. I love writing, and I'm going to keep doing it as long as there are still stories inside me that need to be told.
March 13, 2016
BOOK REVIEW: THE DOGS by Allan Stratton
* $10 Amazon Gift Card & autographed book giveaway (ends 3/31/16)
* Book Review: SEEDS by Nancy Castaldo
* Book Review: EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU by Celeset Ng.
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE.____________________________________________
THE DOGS
Allan Stratton
Sourcebooks
Ages 12 - 17
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch something moving by the barn.
When I look, it disappears. Wait. There it is again, at the cornfield.
Some movement, some thing
Mom and I have been on the run for years. Every time he catches up with us, we move to a new place and start over. But this place is different.This place is full of secrets. And they won't leave me alone.
"Brilliant, page-turning, and eerie. Had me guessing to the very end." -Joseph Delaney, author of The Last Apprentice series
"It's about ghosts and terrifying danger and going mad all at once. I didn't know what was real and what was imagined until the very last page. I loved it!" -Melvin Burgess, Carnegie Medal and Guardian Prize winning author of Smack
Allan Stratton is an acclaimed internationally published playwright and author. His awards include a Michael L. Printz Honor award, multiple ALA picks, and the Independent Publisher Book Award.
MY REVIEW:
I got this book nearly a year ago from the publisher and set it aside, intending to read it. But time just gets away from me. I loved the cover--very creepy--and I have a soft spot for horror and suspense.
I finally read it this week, and it was worth the wait. This book is for young adult (teen) readers, so I wasn't expecting anything too scary or gory, of course. If I have one complaint, it was that The Dogs wasn't scary enough. While the book targets teens, the vocabulary and story line felt much more middle grade. It felt "safe." In fact, I think this is the ideal "break in" book for young readers interested in books that go bump in the night and make you want to look over your shoulder.
The Dogs is also the perfect pick for reluctant readers or boys who like a fast-past tale without being bogged down by a lot of unnecessary description. While a tad on the predictable side (due, I think, to my age & experience -- no flaw in the writing), The Dogs makes good on all its promises. I enjoyed it immensely and would feel confident giving this to someone as young as ten years old.
* Book Review: SEEDS by Nancy Castaldo
* Book Review: EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU by Celeset Ng.
Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE.____________________________________________
THE DOGSAllan Stratton
Sourcebooks
Ages 12 - 17
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch something moving by the barn.
When I look, it disappears. Wait. There it is again, at the cornfield.
Some movement, some thing
Mom and I have been on the run for years. Every time he catches up with us, we move to a new place and start over. But this place is different.This place is full of secrets. And they won't leave me alone.
"Brilliant, page-turning, and eerie. Had me guessing to the very end." -Joseph Delaney, author of The Last Apprentice series
"It's about ghosts and terrifying danger and going mad all at once. I didn't know what was real and what was imagined until the very last page. I loved it!" -Melvin Burgess, Carnegie Medal and Guardian Prize winning author of Smack
Allan Stratton is an acclaimed internationally published playwright and author. His awards include a Michael L. Printz Honor award, multiple ALA picks, and the Independent Publisher Book Award.
MY REVIEW:
I got this book nearly a year ago from the publisher and set it aside, intending to read it. But time just gets away from me. I loved the cover--very creepy--and I have a soft spot for horror and suspense.
I finally read it this week, and it was worth the wait. This book is for young adult (teen) readers, so I wasn't expecting anything too scary or gory, of course. If I have one complaint, it was that The Dogs wasn't scary enough. While the book targets teens, the vocabulary and story line felt much more middle grade. It felt "safe." In fact, I think this is the ideal "break in" book for young readers interested in books that go bump in the night and make you want to look over your shoulder.
The Dogs is also the perfect pick for reluctant readers or boys who like a fast-past tale without being bogged down by a lot of unnecessary description. While a tad on the predictable side (due, I think, to my age & experience -- no flaw in the writing), The Dogs makes good on all its promises. I enjoyed it immensely and would feel confident giving this to someone as young as ten years old.
