Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 95

SEPTEMBER IS FOR SEQUELS GIVEAWAY HOP

 

Welcome to the 4th annual SEPTEMBER IS FOR SEQUELS GIVEAWAY HOP sponsored by Lisa Loves Literature.

I'm giving away a signed, hardback edition of THE LAST ENCHANTER, book 2 of The Celestine Chronicle series.


Here is a summary of both book 1, THE ROCK OF IVANORE, and book 2:

The annual Great Quest is about to be announced in Quendel, a task that will determine the future of Marcus and the other boys from the village who are coming of age. The wizard Zyll commands them to find the Rock of Ivanore, but he doesn't tell them what the Rock is exactly or where it can be found. Marcus must reach deep within himself to develop new powers of magic and find the strength to survive the wild lands and fierce enemies he encounters as he searches for the illusive Rock. If he succeeds, he will live a life of honor; if he fails, he will live a life of menial labor in shame. With more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is as it seems, this tale of deception and discovery keeps readers in suspense until the end.
In book 2, THE LAST ENCHANTER, months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.
To be eligible to win, please fill out the rafflecopter form below. U.S. residents only, please. And you must be 18 or over to enter. The giveaway will end on September 8th. For more chances to win, visit all the hop participants at:  http://misclisa.blogspot.com 
a Rafflecopter giveaway ');

BOOK REVIEW: HOODOO by Ronald L. Smith

 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is sponsored by Shannon Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe . For a complete list of today's participants, visit HERE .
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HOODOO
Ronald L. Smith
Clarion Books
Ages 10 - 14

Twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher was born into a family with a rich tradition of practicing folk magic: hoodoo, as most people call it. But even though his name is Hoodoo, he can't seem to cast a simple spell.     When a mysterious man called the Stranger comes to town, Hoodoo starts dreaming of the dead rising from their graves. Even worse, he soon learns the Stranger is looking for a boy. Not just any boy. A boy named Hoodoo. The entire town is at risk from the Stranger's black magic, and only Hoodoo can defeat him. He'll just need to learn how to conjure first.
Set amid the swamps, red soil, and sweltering heat of small town Alabama in the 1930s, Hoodoo is infused with a big dose of creepiness leavened with gentle humor.
“What a splendid novel. Reader, be prepared to have your foundations shaken: this is a world that is deeper, more wondrous, more spiritually charged than you may have ever imagined.”—Gary D. Schmidt, two-time Newbery Honor medalist and author of The Wednesday Wars
MY REVIEW: 

The moment I opened the package and held HOODOO in my hands, I knew I had to read this book. I love the cover. The Gothic spookiness in black and shades of blue and green along with that creepy crow reminded me of Poe and Du Maurier. I started reading and was instantly hooked by the wonderful voice of the 12-year-old protagonist, Hoodoo Hatcher. Hoodoo grew up in a magic-casting family, but he seems to lack the talent himself--until a mysterious, dangerous stranger comes to town wanting to take Hoodoo's hand.

Smith's writing is perfect. Though this is his debut children's novel, it's easy to tell he is an experienced and skilled writer. Hoodoo's world is vivid and lush with culture and an array of memorable characters. I'm already looking forward to reading whatever Smith writes next. I just hope I don't have to wait too soon.
I  received a copy of  HOODOO from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



CONTENT RATING:

Profanity:  None
Violence:  Mild
Sexuality:  None

BOOKS TO MOVIES GIVEAWAY HOP

 
http://www.bookhounds.net/2015/08/books-to-movies-giveaway-hop-october-2nd-to-10th-sign-ups-now-open.html

WRITER TO WRITER: WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?

Where do story ideas come from?
That's a question I often ask author during interviews for this blog or for Middle Shelf Magazine. More often than not, the answer is--real life.
Toni Gallagher, debut author of TWIST MY CHARM, about two girls who get into trouble by making wishes that affect other kids they know, said this:
"One time, a friend’s daughter was at my place, playing with…well, a voodoo doll.  It’s just a joke one, with things written on it like ‘weak chin’ and ‘tennis elbow.’  This girl said she would like to use it on some kids at school.  Being a wise adult I said, “Well, you shouldn’t do that…” but that’s when I thought, there could be a story here."
Louise Galveston's BY THE GRACE OF TODD was also inspired by real life:
 "When I was a girl, I became obsessed with Sea Monkeys. I totally believed they had personalities and named every last one of them. I even wore them to school in a special aquarium pendant necklace! I was the girl always on the lookout for fairies and leprechauns… So when my editor asked if I'd be interested in writing a story about a kid who finds a civilization on his sock, I jumped at the opportunity!"

I am working on a novel called THE STORYTELLERS about a girl whose father is dying of AIDS in the early 1990s. It is a historical novel with a twist of magical realism. The idea for it came from a single, brief event in my life many years ago. I was working as a receptionist in a clinic that treated kids with leukemia, and adults with hemophilia and HIV.
One afternoon, a family came in--a father and several young, toe-headed children. They all looked incredibly sad. I learned later that their mother had died of AIDS and the children all had to be tested for the disease. I was struck at how AIDS could traumatize this very sweet family, which was so different than what I was hearing from other sources, that AIDS was a "gay disease." I understood then that no one, no matter who they were, deserved to die like that.
That experience stuck with me for years until I finally started crafting a story about it. It has taken ten years to write this story, and I'm so happy to finally send it out into the world.
It really doesn't matter whether a story is realistic, science fiction, fantastical, or humorous. Our best ideas very often come from real life. Maybe it is a historical event or a person. Or maybe it's just something you spotted out your bedroom window or a song you heard on the radio.
Whatever it that little nugget, that seed of an idea is, an author's magic come from weaving into a story all their own.
What real life events inspire your stories?

BACK-2-BOOKS $250 GIVEAWAY HOP

 
Back to School - Back to Books $250 Cash Giveaway August 17th to September 7th 
Prize: Winner's choice of $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code
Giveaway Details: $250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code) Ends 9/7/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. 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 authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


 a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sponsor ListI Am A ReaderAuthor Martha ReynoldsUnshelfishThe Discerning ReaderRaven Haired GirlDS Venetta ~ Author middle grade fictionHeather @ Townsend HouseTalia Jager, YA AuthorKimber Leigh WheatonTMBA CorbettThe Page UnboundAuthor MK McClintockCarolyn CooperKindle and MeBook Nerd AddictLive Life BlogSimple WyrdingsKrysten Lindsay Hager authorRockin' Book ReviewsHere We Go Again...Ready?Ann Swann - Suspense and moreAuthor Inger IversenCrystal's Chaotic ConfessionsBella Street's Time Travel RomanceBonnie Blythe Pure RomanceTaylor Dean BooksEvery Free Chance BooksLeahSay's ViewsMy Book SelfA Tattered CopyGlistering Bs BlogLori's Reading CornerFree BooksterKelly's Lucky YouChicas Love to ReadHall WaysBound 4 EscapeBook Reviews and GiveawaysAuthor Wendi SotisMagicalCoolCatMysteriesLaurisa Reyes - Author  

Disabled Gymnast Beats the Odds in NO EXCUSES by Adam Kempler

NO EXCUSES: THE STORY OF ELITE GYMNAST AIMEE WALKER-PONDAdam U. KemplerImpact PublishingNon-fiction
No Excuses traces the gymnastics career of a girl born deaf and partially blind. Despite challenge after challenge and setback after setback, Aimee rose in the gymnastics world to compete for UCLA and BYU and at the level of International Elite—a feat no athlete with comparable disabilities has accomplished in the history of the sport.  
“Aimee’s not deaf. She just can’t hear. Why would she need two eyes, when she has one? She has no excuses.” (Valorie Kondos Field—Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach at UCLA who won six NCAA National Championships)
“Aimee has filled our hearts with the fire of warmth and love and inspired us all to become better.” (Bruno Grandi—President of the International Gymnastics Federation)
“Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” (John Wooden—Head Men’s Basketball Coach at UCLA who won ten NCAA National Championships)
For more details, pictures of Aimee, and social media links, please visit https://www.impact-publishing.com/.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactpublishing/Twitter: https://twitter.com/impact_publish Google+: https://plus.google.com/107112334086320882382/posts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/impactpublishInstagram: https://instagram.com/impactpublishingonline

BOOK REVIEW: THE GOOD LITTLE BOOK

 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is sponsored by Shannon Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe . For a complete list of today's participants, visit HERE .
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THE GOOD LITTLE BOOK
Kyo Maclear
Tundra Books
Ages 5 - 9


While banished to a dusty study one day "to think things over", a boy pulls a book off a shelf and with great reluctance begins to read. As the afternoon passes, the story nabs him and carries him away. Before long, this good little book becomes his loyal companion, accompanying him everywhere ... until, one day, the book is lost. Will this bad little boy get back his good little book? Will the good little book survive on its own without a proper jacket? A quirky, enchanting tale of literary love and loss -- and love found again -- that will win the heart of even the most reluctant reader.

MY REVIEW:

Adorable. Need I say more? But I will. Fans of THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MORRIS LESSMORE will discover a wonderful little gem in Maclear's new picture book. A little boy pulls the Good Little Book off a study shelf, and soon the book becomes his faithful companion. Kids will love the colorful and dynamic illustrations, and grown-ups will fall in love with this story about how people fall in love with stories. This is a keeper.

I received a copy of THE GOOD LITTLE BOOK from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



  

BOOK REVIEW: FUZZY MUD by Louis Sachar

 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is sponsored by Shannon Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe . For a complete list of today's participants, visit HERE .
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FUZZY MUD
Louis Sachar
Random House Children's Books
Ages 10 - 14

From the author of the acclaimed bestseller Holes, winner of the Newbery Award and the National Book Award, comes a new middle-grade novel with universal appeal. Combining horror-movie suspense with the issues of friendship, bullying, and the possibility of ecological disaster, this novel will intrigue, surprise, and inspire readers and compel them to think twice about how they treat others as well as their environment.

Be careful. Your next step may be your last.

MY REVIEW:

I loved HOLES. Who didn't? So I was excited to get my hands on Louis Sachar's newest book, FUZZY MUD. And it was good, definitely worth the read.
While running from the school bully, two friends find themselves deep in the local woods and deep in trouble. They stumble on some odd-looking mud puddles. Some of it gets on the girl's hand, and the result is an increasingly blistering, itching rash. And then the bully goes missing. Is he a victim of the mud, too?
The story is told from alternating points of view and is part mystery, part horror (on a kid level). It also has a neat way of teaching a little science, too. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't mention Sachar's reference to over population (an overt attempt to politicize the story and his young readers). As a parent, I didn't appreciate that. But he is Louis Sachar and can say pretty much whatever he wants in his books. 
Overall, I found FUZZY MUD thrilling and a lot of fun to read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.




CONTENT REVIEW:

Profanity: None
Violence: Mild - Moderate
Sexuality: None

BOOK REVIEW: MONEY MASTER THE GAME by Tony Robbins

MONEY: MASTER THE GAME
Tony Robbins
Simon & Schuster
Adult Non-Fiction

Tony Robbins has coached and inspired more than 50 million people from over 100 countries. More than 4 million people have attended his live events. Oprah Winfrey calls him “super-human.” Now for the first time—in his first book in two decades—he’s turned to the topic that vexes us all: How to secure financial freedom for ourselves and our families
Based on extensive research and one-on-one interviews with more than 50 of the most legendary financial experts in the world—from Carl Icahn and Warren Buffett, to Ray Dalio and Steve Forbes—Tony Robbins has created a simple 7-step blueprint that anyone can use for financial freedom.
Robbins has a brilliant way of using metaphor and story to illustrate even the most complex financial concepts—making them simple and actionable. With expert advice on our most important financial decisions, Robbins is an advocate for the reader, dispelling the myths that often rob people of their financial dreams
Tony Robbins walks readers of every income level through the steps to become financially free by creating a lifetime income plan. This book delivers invaluable information and essential practices for getting your financial house in order
MONEY Master the Game is the book millions of people have been waiting for.
MY REVIEW:

I have never read a Tony Robbins book before, nor viewed any of his self-help videos. I have heard of him and know a little of the influence he has over so many people. I picked up this book at my book store not because it was written by him, per se, but because I happened to be looking for a book that could help me plan for my financial future.
MONEY: MASTER THE GAME is a tome. That's because Tony does what, apparently, Tony does best. He talks. A lot. He tells a lot of stories. Gives a lot of background. Explains everything--in detail. Normally, I don't read self-help books, especially books about money or business. But when I dove into chapter one, I had a feeling that somewhere buried beneath all the excess words, Tony had something important to say. So I stuck with it. Took me a couple of months to get through the whole thing, but I really did glean some very helpful and important keys to building a secure financial future. I think, realistically, it could have been distilled into a fifty page booklet, but then Tony couldn't have charged $28.00 a copy for his efforts.
So, the bottom line -- is it worth buying and reading the book? Absolutely. In fact, I think it's a must. In a nutshell, Tony reveals some very simple investing secrets previously only enjoyed by the very rich but which are now, thanks to Tony, are available to everyone no matter how much or little you have to invest.
I will be honest, even with a Masters Degree in English, I had a tough time understanding everything. Perhaps if my degree was in fiance or economics, I would have grasped a little more than I did. But most of it is accessible, and even if you take away two or three of the tips he offers, you'll be ahead of the game.
It's a book I will probably refer to over and over again for years to come.

HALLOWED INK PRESS CLOSES ITS DOORS

I am sad to announce that Hallowed Ink Press, a small independent publisher that published three books in the past year (including mine) has closed its doors. Things weren't going as planned and the owners all have other interests at this point.
One result of this is that my book, CONTACT, is no longer available. I don't even have any print copies left myself. Sorry gang. I do, however, have digital download cards. If anyone would like one, send me an email. They are only $1.50. (laurisawhitereyes at yahoo dot com).
This is not the end. I plan to revise the manuscript and seek publication elsewhere. If that fails, I will release it through Skyrocket Press next year some time.