Kay LaLone's Blog, page 17

My Review Of Bright Fire By M. J. Austin

 Synopsis

Delfia thought she was a normal girl about to turn sixteen until her adoptive parents are murdered by creatures from the underworld. Her life gets thrown into chaos as she teams up with her best friend, a strange guy, and a prophetess.

She soon discovers her biological father, Hades, ordered the attack on her and her family because a prophecy names her as the one to take him down. She must first complete a set of tasks to free Persephone, her mother, from the underworld and defeat Hades.

Will she be reunited with her mother or will she get sucked into the underworld?

*Book is geared towards readers that liked Percy Jackson Series, Need Series, etc.*



Excerpt
Mondays are the epitome of all evil. It's just a fact.
Do you ever get those feelings deep in the pit of your stomach? The ones that make you feel all queasy and anxious? Well, that’s how I feel right now. I am standing at my locker at a way too early hour, and I am in Dragon Bitch mode; which is surprising because today is my birthday.
Normally, I love my birthday. I officially turn 16 at 11:59 tonight, and instead of reveling in the excitement, am I staring at my locker without really seeing it. I just keep trying to figure out what’s causing this annoying pinch in my stomach. I jump when I hear the locker next to mine slam shut.
Lyla.
"Jeez, Lyla,” I huff. “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Now excuse me while I find a doctor to remove my heart from my nasal passage." I’m not in the mood for the early morning antics of Lyla Browning, even if she is my best friend.
"Soooorrry, but it seems to be the only way to get your attention. I say 'Happy birthday, Dell' and what do you do? You ignore me and stare at your locker. What is up with you?"
"Nothing, just a funny feeling."
She eyes me for a minute, then shrugs her shoulders and in a matter-of-fact tone tells me, "It's probably PMS."
“Yeah, maybe I dunno...” I trail off, the feeling still bugging me. I understand that she is trying to snap me out of it so I muster up some enthusiasm and sing, “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me.”
She perks up instantly, and before I can clamp my hand over her mouth she starts bellowing out “Happy Birthday” in the middle of the hall that is seriously starting to fill up. By the time she finishes, everyone is staring at us, and my face is burning red.
“Aww come on, you love me and you know it,” she beams.
I smile because I do love her. Lyla and I have been best friends since forever. We first met in kindergarten when this little twerp, Zach Moreno, decided to pull my hair, and she punched him square in the nose.
We’ve been joined at the hip ever since then.
“But hey, you should be thrilled you’re turning 16.” she nudges me in the ribs a little.
“Yeah, I know, but my parents still won't let me get my permit till I’m 18.”
“No offense, but your parents are a little...intense.” She says.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask getting a bit defensive.
“Well, it’s just that lately they seem to be taking your safety to the extreme. You can't have sleepovers anymore, a car or a life. I mean it’s sweet that they care, but I thought parents got more lenient the older you get.” She fidgets with her wavy blond hair, afraid that she has gone too far.
The truth is she’s not wrong. My parents are great people, and I love them, but lately they have been too over-protective. When I ask them about it they just tell me, “the real world is full of dangers, kiddo.”
and that’s the end of that conversation. “Yeah, I know, I’m sure that is just their way of showing me that they care.”
“By the way, are we still on for binge night Friday?” She sees right through my attempts to change the subject. Binge night has been happening every Friday since the 6th grade. We start off at the roller rink and end up at my place with a large bag of cheddar popcorn, candy, and cokes.
“Uh, duh.” She says rolling her eyes. She grabs her stuff out of her locker. “Come on, we have homeroom.”
I turn to grab my bag out of my locker when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Everybody gets those feelings now and then, but it was so intense I had to shiver to shake it off.
“Dude, what is your problem? Take a picture it lasts longer.” Lyla clicks her tongue, her usual reaction when something annoys her.
I whirl around to see who she is talking to and meet the gray eyes of Alec Hales, who is staring at me intensely like he’s waiting for something to happen. He would be the hottest guy in school if he weren't so weird. He continues to stare at me unabashed. I can’t help but stare back.
“Come on,” she grabs my arm. “This guy is freaking me out” She throws him the stink eye, and we head to class.
I spend the rest of the morning stumbling through class in a daze worried about that creepy stare. I’ve never seen anything like it.
What’s worse is that I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I had a chill that ranked 100 on the creep factor. OK, Dell get a grip, I tell myself as I walk into the cafeteria.
I do my normal scan and Lyla’s waiting for me at our usual table in the corner of the room, trays in tow. We are not the least popular students, but we are definitely not a part of the in-crowd. Lyla could be, but she sticks with me. Aside from her slightly crooked nose, she is the picture perfect replica of a Barbie doll, with her blond hair, green eyes, and mile-long legs. You get the picture. Me, on the other hand, my height is OK, not too short or too tall, but my drab brown hair and beanpole body are nothing special. The only thing I have going for me is my clear blue eyes. Lyla always calls them hypnotic.
“Ugggghhh,” she whines as she rolls her shoulders back and forth. “I think the teachers are secretly evil demons sent to torture teens with tests on Mondays. Seriously, who wants to take tests on Mondays?”
“Who wants to take tests at all?”
She throws a piece of lettuce at me. With a mouth full of food she asks, “What are your birthday plans?”
“Dinner with the family.”
“Same old, same old,” she laughs “maybe we can do something special for binge night like go shopping before the roller rink.”
“Yeah, that would be...” I trail off instantly when I feel the same eerie feeling I had by my locker. I lean into Lyla and whisper, “Is Alec staring at me?” She lifts her head up, and I pull her down. “Can’t you be discreet?” I hiss.
She subtly does a sweep of the cafeteria and relaxes, “Nope; nowhere in sight. Why do you ask?”
“I just got this creepy feeling earlier and again just now. I thought maybe it was his intense stare earlier.”
“Wow, I hope your weird doesn't rub off on me. Do you think it happens to everyone when they turn 16?” she jokes.
I laugh half-heartedly unable to shake the strange feeling.

My Review:  I like stories where I can connect with the characters and I connected with Dell. She is a fun, spunky character. Dell's adopted parents are murdered and she is thrown into a world she knows nothing about. "I feel like my life went from normal to jacked up in the blink of a eye." She finds out her real parents are gods, she's immortal, and she has this entire destiny mapped out for her. Danger. Romance. I really enjoyed reading this book.

About the Author:

M.J. Austin is the author of the Bright Fire series and NaNoWriMo 2014 winner. She has always found the world of fantasy preferable to the real world. She channels this love of mystical worlds and creatures into her writing. She is an avid reader and proud bookworm. She has a Master's Degree in Project Management, but her true passion is writing.

When she isn't working or writing she is diving into random projects as often as possible. She lives in Tennessee with three children, husband, and three dogs.

Stalk The Author

Blog: http://mjaustinbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mjaustinbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mjaustin
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/M.J.-Austin/e/B...

Buy Link: www.amazon.com/Bright-Fire-Book-ebook...


1. Tell us about your book and how the story came to be.  My book follows the life of a girl who finds out her parents are Hades and Persephone. She has to deal with a lot of struggles and come out on the other side. I always wanted to write a book and I was reading Everneath by Brodi Ashton and was inspired. 

2. What three words best describe your main character? Strong, Spunky, Loving

3. Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names and what do you     think makes them believable?I research name meanings and I try to use experiences to help build their personalities. 
4. Do your characters follow your plot path or do they take on a life of their own? Do you keep them in check?I think a little of both. I try really hard to keep them all on the same page so to speak, but they do tend to wander. 


5. Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you over come it?Yes. I usually start rewriting my plot idea or random words and then it starts flowing again. 


 6. What types of books do you like to read? 
Anything and everything. But I am partial to mystery and fantasy. 

7. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? If i’m not writing or working my full time job, I am reading or spending time with my family. 


8. What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?I am working on Bright Fire Book 2 and The Prophetess a novella featuring Cass.
9. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?Never give up. It is so easy to get discouraged and quit. It’s definitely harder to keep going. You just have to push yourself. 
10. Where can readers find you and your books?Amazon for now. Soon it will be available across the web. 

My Review Of Reality Natalie By Katie Sparks

AbouttheBookTitle: Reality Natalie | Author: Katie Sparks | Publication Date: October 15, 2014 | Publisher: Firedrake Books LLC | Pages: 150 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 13
Book Summary: When the most popular kids’ TV show, Kidz Konnection, decides to hold auditions for a guest host spot, the show’s BIGGEST fan decides to audition.[Cue Natalie Greyson]Eleven-year-old Natalie is determined to overcome her habit of turning into a tongue-tied, air ball burping, runny-nose disaster whenever something embarrassing happens in front of an audience so she can audition for the coveted role. As the show’s biggest fan, no one could possibly deserve it more than her!Except a GIANT obstacle stands in her way: her parents deny her permission to audition.To make matters even worse, Natalie’s naturally talented best friend, Kailyn, decides to audition too, and will stop at nothing to win. With their friendship suddenly in question, Natalie turns to her blog, In A “Nat” Shell, to vent her frustrations, but Natalie’s emotional outpouring and lies only creates more anxiety for herself. With the stakes high, Natalie goes against her parent’s wishes and decides to audition, but Kailyn has her own secret plan to be Number One, even if it means doing so at the expense of her best friend. Can Natalie find a way out of the drama and into the spotlight? Or will the competitive pressure cause her to lose her ultimate dream along with her best friend?Amazon*Barnes&Noble*Smashwords*Goodreads
TheBuzzAbouttheBook“…Author Katie Sparks pleasantly surprised me with her well-written prose and spunky characters. Reality Natalie is about a young girl, Natalie Greyson, who has high ambitions and dreams…[and] wants to audition to be a guest host for a popular kid’s show. What really impressed me is the way Sparks handled the competition between friends. Sparks kept it real, she didn’t glamorize her characters…I highly recommend Reality Natalie. It teaches life lessons through fun and thoughtful prose. This is Sparks’ debut novel, but hopefully it won’t be her last.” ~ Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite“I like Natalie. She’s a real kid–the kind who’ll try to sneak a second cookie into her lunch, or get angry at a friend, or offer her second-best pencil to a classmate in need. She has issues with her parents, thinking she’s the odd-kid-out as they deal with the stress of twins and careers, but she has a good relationship with them, nonetheless. They talk. They work stuff out. Natalie knows she can voice her fears and be heard–when she tries find a good time for conversation, anyway.” ~ 5 Star Review, V. Rundell, Amazon“I loved how Sparks created characters with heart and soul. I cheered with Natalie when something went her way, and could feel her pain when things didn’t. Reality Natalie truly is a wonderful slice of everyday life, complete with annoying classmates, pesky siblings, and friends that don’t always do what you want. Great book filled with lots of surprises that will make readers everywhere clamor for more. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Kym B., Amazon
My Review:  Natalie wants to be the guest host on her favorite TV show. She has that chance when she enters the contest. What will it cost her to win? Natalie learns many lessons on her road to becoming a guest TV host. Natalie is a great, fun character. AbouttheAuthor:KatieSparks At a very young age, Katie Sparks discovered the magic of books. She counted on weekly library visits and treasured receiving her first library card at the age of five. At six, she wrote her first story called Baby Carrie (still in her collection today!) Katie knew then that writing would be in her future.By day, she is an editor for the parent consumer line at a non-profit medical association and enjoys working closely with authors and industry professionals. Immersed in the publishing industry in both her professional and personal life is a dream come true. On weekends you will often find her writing and sipping coffee at one of the many unique coffee shops in Chicago, spending time with family and friends, or curled up with a new book.Katie has been an active member of SCBWI for the past seven years. She lives in Chicago with her devoted and extremely vocal cat Moe.Website|Twitter|Facebook|Pinterest|Goodreads

My Review Of Bash And Lucy Fetch Jealousy

AbouttheBookTitle: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy | Authors: Lisa Cohn & Michael Cohn | Illustrator: Heather Nichols | Publication Date: December 6, 2014 | Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing | Pages: 39 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8
Book Summary: From an award-winning Mom-Son team featured on the Today Show, Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy is a contemporary boy-and-dog book. Bash’s dog, Lucy, helps coach his soccer team, and Lucy leads the team to the championships. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want her to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her? This is Book Two in the Bash and Lucy series, following Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, a Mom’s Choice Silver Award winner and finalist, USA Best Book Awards. Co-Author Michael Cohn, age 6, has appeared on the Today Show, on SiriusXM Radio, in Disney’s Babble, in The Oregonian and other media.Amazon*Goodreads My Review:Lucy is a dog who likes kids. Lucy is a coach for Bash's soccer team. Bash gets jealous with a boy who wants Lucy to coach his team. Lucy teaches Bash not to be jealous. Colorful, friendly pictures. I loved this picture book. It is a book I would enjoy reading to my granddaughter over and over again. EarlyBuzzAbouttheBook“This is a sweet story that teaches young readers not only about dealing with jealousy, but how dogs help kids with special needs. In the book, Bash, the boy who is the main character, learns how to help others, in spite of feeling jealous. Beautiful, expressive illustrations!” ~ 5 Star Review, Kristi H., Amazon“A well written children’s book. A heartwarming story on how children can overcome negative feelings they may have.” ~ 5 Star Review, Uwe D., Amazon“What a great read for parents to share with their children. It’s a must have, along with their first book, Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, on every parent’s book list for nighttime reading.” ~ 5 Star Review, KirkMango, Amazon
AbouttheAuthors:LisaCohnandMichaelCohn Writer Lisa Cohn and her 6-year-old son, Michael, have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, AM Northwest and Disney’s Babble, in addition to the Oregonian and other media. Their first book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” received a Mom’s Choice Silver Award and was a 2013 USA Best Book Award finalist. Book lover Michael reviews children’s books in taxis, gyms, lodges and parks and the Cohns post them on their YouTube channel!Here’s his latest review: http://youtu.be/p6JjXtd5XwgLisa and Michael’s aim is to share with children their love of dogs, books and writing! Learn about their school visits, dog blog and book reviews by Michael and friends by visiting www.BashAndLucy.comWebsite|YouTube|Twitter|FacebookGoogle+ |Pinterest|Goodreads

My Review Of The Aesir Kids

About the BookTitle: The Aesir Kids | Authors: James Grant Goldin & Charlotte Goldin | Publication Date: May, 2013 |Publisher: Basilisk Books | Pages: 384 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12
Book Description:They’re the children of the Norse gods, with incredible strength, magical weapons and monsters for pets. They’ve got problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants.And when Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction, it’s up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder…along with some very extraordinary friends…to save it.THE AESIR KIDS tells the story of…THRUD, the pre-teen daughter of Thor, who has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla…
FIRE, young master of flame, the son of the three mysterious Norns and perhaps the key to saving the Nine Worlds…
MAGNI AND MODI, Thrud’s younger brothers, whose strength is matched only by their knack for getting into trouble…
ULL, the greatest skier of the gods…except for, maybe,
SKADE, the four-year-old goddess of skiing…
TJALFI, the human boy who can run like the wind…
ROSKVA, Tjalfi’s sister, who can hear something happening many miles away…
FORSETI, the level-headed son of Balder, who’s as good with a bow as he is with a written test…
NOSS, the beloved daughter of the Goddess of Love…
HELA, the sensitive little girl who hates her destiny of growing up to be the Goddess of Death…Along with other gods, godlings, light-elves, trolls, dwarfs and creatures, these young heroes must find a way to save the universe…and find the core of courage within themselves. THE AESIR KIDS is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology. It’s the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.Amazon * Kobo Books * Goodreads
My Review: I loved this book. Excerpt from book:  That thought was to solve the riddle and find the mysterious treasure of Grymmer. It would be a great victory for Asgard, and it would show the older Aesir that Magni and Modi weren't just children, but your godlings who had to be taken seriously. Magni and Modi take up this secret quest and go on a adventure of danger and mystery. Fun characters. Surprise ending. 
The Buzz About the Book“This is a great novel for boys and girls aged 9-14. It is a fantasy story based on Norse mythology. It has a unique plot that sets it apart from other similar books. Kids who like the Percy Jackson and/or the Lord of the Rings series will enjoy this book. Highly recommended by my 11 year-old son who is a voracious reader.” ~ Hilary C., Amazon“Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings with a Norse twist, highly recommended.” ~ Shirley, Goodreads“I like my fiction to be fast paced, educational, humorous and free of immune system stimulators. Check x 4! A ripping good read.” ~ John B., Amazon“What a fun read. I’d recommend it to any tween or adult.“ ~ Autumn D., Goodreads“I really loved this book! It had plenty of adventure and action, and there were all sorts of characters. Anyone who likes Percy Jackson, Greek Mythology, or of course Thor/Avengers will like this book. I recommend it highly!” ~ Correne K., Amazon
About The Authors: James Grant Goldin & Charlotte GoldinJames Grant Goldin is a TV writer whose work has appeared on The History Channel, The Discovery Channel and elsewhere. He first became interested in Norse mythology as a child, and was lucky enough to eventually pass that interest on to his daughter Charlotte. They would make up games based on Norse myths, and those games were the basis of their first full-length collaboration, “The Aesir Kids.”Book Website | Facebook

Delicate Devastation Book Tour

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 2/11/15 – 3/11/15
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Free with Kindle Unlimited










Blurb:Book Three, The Endurers

Who knew the priest could be such a bad boy?

Peter Rynalt is every woman's sinful dream. The other Endurers might call him a priest, but there's nothing saintly about his seductive desires. He gets what he wants, but he sticks to one cardinal rule... he never goes back.

Kim Jones hasn't forgotten Peter since the night she made a play for him. He's the one man in New Orleans that she can't have. She doesn't think she'll see him again, but one night he rescues her from a demonic attack, and the heat between them can no longer be denied.

Demons are roaming the streets of New Orleans. To survive, Kim will have to remain with Peter, but it comes at a price. She'll have to pay for her protection with her heart...



About the Series:

Once upon a time, the world was just a black void. Then one day man came, but he wasn't alone. He was followed by an ancient evil, a scourge determined to steal his soul. Centuries passed. Humanity did all it could to protect itself against the evil ones, but they weren't equipped to fight this battle. Instead, all they could do was pray that Hell didn't set its eyes upon them.

It got to be too much. Something had to be done.

Born out of desperate need, warriors were chosen. Immortality was granted to those strong enough to fight the battle that would never end. No longer mortal, these men have stood in the path of dark and horrifying evil, bearing the load when there was nobody else that could.

It's all coming to an end. Time has ran out for humanity...

Excerpt:
“Why in the hell are you so damn thin? Are you sick, or have you been dieting?” He spat the last word out at her, as she pulled the towel free from her hair to comb through the silky strands.
He suspected it was the latter, and he couldn't understand why women were so obsessed with it. She was so damned beautiful, exuding a raw sexuality that was making the caveman in him roar to life. Desperately he fought the sensual weave she was unconsciously weaving, but it was a battle he was losing fast.
“You look like death, and you're way too slender. You're lucky to still be alive.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, as a look of irritation and something unidentifiable flickered across her face. Her arms crossed across her chest before she briefly looked away, her cheeks pink. When she turned back to him, she was completely in control.
“Get laid much, Peter? If that's your approach, I'm surprised you aren't a virgin. My weight isn't any of your business, so butt out. Besides, men love my body.”



Buy Link:Amazon 
About the Author: I've often been asked how I'm inspired to write about werewolves, immortals, and zombies. The answer is easy. I adore them.

Be it the Wolf Town Guardians or the Endurers, these characters have been a joy to write about. And why not? What woman wouldn't love a sexy immortal male or a long-lived werewolf that is destined to have them?

Not all of my books contain plus-sized heroines, but many of them do. I believe in true love and true love isn't based on a size tag. If you agree with this, I think you will enjoy my books.

 
Connect With The Author:Website AuthorRose Wynters – Uncensored Youtube Facebook Twitter 
Giveaway:Win an e-book copy of Delicate Devastation & a $10 Amazon GC (two winners will receive both) on the tour and giveaway! Open worldwide, enter 2/11/15 through 3/11/15 for your chance to win.

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Princess Madeline Cover Reveal Book Blast

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be hosting a Book Blast showing off the new covers of the "Princess Madeline Trilogy" by Kirstin Pulioff.  
About the BooksTitle: 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: Madeline, princess of Soron, awakens on her sixteenth birthday to find that her father has already made preparations for her betrothal. When she disappears unexpectedly, her suitors and knight champion rush to the rescue. But all is not as it seems, and the errant princess’s flight has put the kingdom at stake… Can Madeline find freedom or does it come with too high a price? 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  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: Princess Madeline rejected Prince Paulsen’s advances, but he’s not about to take it lying down. In the middle of Soron’s festival preparations, when his obsession jeopardizes the kingdom, mysterious figures from the kingdom’s past arrive. Can Madeline risk accepting their help or will their information about a family secret be too much for her to handle? Can Madeline trust anyone or will saving the kingdom come down to her own bravery?
Amazon    Title: The Dragon and Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #3) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: November 26, 2013 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 135 Recommended age: 10+ Summary: Princess Madeline is ready to celebrate. With the foundation of her future in place, it seems nothing can hurt her. Then the return of a mysterious green dragon threatens her kingdom and king. Will this challenge prove to be too much for Princess Madeline and Prince Braden or will they find the answers they seek hidden in cryptic messages from the past? Can Madeline save her kingdom from the dragon or is the real danger something else?
Amazon   
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[caption id="attachment_15513" align="alignleft" width="150"] Kirstin Pulioff[/caption] 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 the foothills of Colorado. When she’s not writing an adventure, she’s busy living one.
Website | Facebook | TwitterGoodreads | Amazon Author Page   
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: April 4, 11:59 pm, 2015 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

Raising Sleeping Stones Book Blast

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is very excited to be coordinating a Book Blast for a book that is taking reading in new directions. “Raising Sleeping Stones” by P.H.T. Bennet is a fantasy adventure whose story and app will help readers learn more about their own dreams. Read on for more information. About the BookTitle: Raising Sleeping Stones (The Orora Crona Chronicles, Book 1) | Author: P.H.T. Bennet | Publication Date: December 4, 2014 | Publisher: DreamKeeper Publishing | Pages: 364 (est.) | Recommended Ages: 9 to 14
You can purchase a copy of this innovative book/app for only 99 cents until April 2, 2015!Please note that the full functionalities of the app (e.g., music, hidden illustrations, and other interactive features) are not included in the e-book. The app is available through iTunes.Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooksKobo * Smashwords * Goodreads 
The Story ***Winner of a 2013 Newbury Comics Award!*** When sisters Kiva and DeeDee Stone discover a mysterious plot that threatens them and everything they care about, they have to take a crash course in the ancient art of DreamKeeping to survive. As two elder Dream Keepers lead them up the Varruvyen river to the Eyle of Return, they show the girls how to gain dream powers greater than anything they had ever imagined. But can they become strong enough to face the monsters that haunt their dreams at night, strong enough to fight the enemies that draw nearer each day? The answer lies somewhere in the broken history of Orora Crona, the Valley of Dreams lost centuries ago, and whoever can piece it together first will rule for centuries to come.  
The Experience THE APP: Raising Sleeping Stones has been released as an electronic book in app form because it will do what dreams do by weaving together a story, music, illustrations, and interactive features to create a richer, more layered reading experience. STORY: The adventures of Kiva and DeeDee will become clearer and richer if you pause at the end of a chapter to think about the new clues you could use to start unlocking the mysteries of the earlier chapters ... or to predict what will happen in the next ones. DREAM TECHNIQUES: Kiva and DeeDee meet the DreamKeepers who teach them how to not only remember and explore their dreams, but also how to use them to develop incredible super powers including flying, changing shape, traveling to the past, living underwater, creating impossible buildings, looking into the future, and more. This may be a fantasy series, but most of the dream techniques the characters use in the book really work, so readers can actually get better at dreaming by following what the characters do. STORYSCORE: The music tells the same story at the same time as the words, but adds additional musical cues to help you figure out what's happening between the characters or who might be involved in the plot against them. The closer you listen to the music, the more secrets you can uncover. DYNAMIC ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations represent the main characters and events in the story; but, if you answer the questions at the end of certain chapters, you can unlock hidden layers to the illustrations, layers that show what lies beneath the surface of the story. TUMBLER & FACEBOOK: Readers will be able to share their ideas, questions, drawings, and/or their predictions about the book on Tumblr and will be able to find sound clips, albums of drawings, updates, and other extras on Facebook as well.  
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About the Author: P.H.T. Bennet P.H.T. Bennet began exploring the world of the dreams when he was a child and never bothered to stop when he grew up. He had the good luck to have two daughters, Juliette and Paola, who not only served as the inspirations for DeeDee and Kiva, but also shared their dreams and helped him turn their family dreamwork sessions into this book. His lucky streak grew when he married his lovely wife, Mim, who tolerates his turning on a light in the middle of the night to write down ever-crazier dreams and talking about them in the morning as long as he lets her sleep in, first. Though flying dreams are his favorite, he also loves the challenge of rewinding, replaying, and revising nightmares until they have much more interesting (and less brutal) endings, the thrill of breathing and swimming at high speeds underwater, the surprise of creating new works of art, the dangers in meeting, battling, and learning from his Shadow as it changes forms, the delight of returning to Paris, where he lived for 5 years, for delicious meals, and the peacefulness he gets from dream visits with his father, who passed away four years ago. He can’t wait to hear what readers favorite dreams are and what dream skills they hope the book will help them develop. Readers can either share them with him at phtbennet(at)raisingstones(dot)com or with everybody reading the book at http://raisingsleepingstones.tumblr.com
Book Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: April 2, 11:59 pm, 2015 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, P.H.T. Bennet 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

My Review Of The Getaway Girls

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 2/9/15 – 3/9/15
Genres: Paranormal, Humor






Blurb:
Four girlfriends on a weekend trip to New Orleans attract the attention of flesh-eating Scavengers. The women must rely on their wits, a cocky Irish movie star, and a dodgy deal with vampires to survive the night during this wild adventure through the Big Easy.


Excerpt:
The clock struck midnight at the Columns Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. A mild, damp breeze stirred old Mardi Gras beads dangling from the heavy branches of the live oak trees shadowing the porch. Aging white columns framed a massive wooden keyhole door and laughter spilled out from an open window where patrons sipped Pimm’s cups in the dusty velvet-upholstered booths of what used to be a grand dining room. A streetcar rattled quickly past on St. Charles Avenue, leaving a flash of old trolley and the faint buzz of electricity lingering in the air.
Half a dozen tables sat vacant on the porch, chairs long since pushed back and the tops stripped bare of crumpled white table cloths. One lone table remained occupied by four women, laughing a little too loudly as they sat back in tipsy satisfaction; a cluster of empty glasses and a dirty crystal ashtray evidence of their evening’s entertainment.
Somewhere in the Garden District, a church bell tolled the late hour, causing the women to jump a little at the sound. A dark-haired woman in purple nodded toward the direction of the echoing bell and quipped, “Sounds like God wants a cocktail.”
The woman on her left, a short curvy blonde in a tight black dress snorted; spewing the remains of a dirty martini all over her friend.
“Damn,” said the brunette as she patted a tiny cocktail napkin uselessly around the table cloth, and then looked down the deep v-neck of purple jersey covering her breasts, now damp. “My dress is getting drunk.”
A third woman, slender and graceful with silky straight black hair drawled, “Audrey, stop bringing up God when you’re intoxicated. It’s tacky.” She eyed the blonde, adding, “And Beth, honey, don’t order martinis if you’re going to slop them all over the table. Sloppy girls don’t get asked to the prom, if you know what I mean.”
The fourth woman was tall and busty with skin the color of milky coffee. She wore a glossy candy apple red wig, a sparkly silver sheath, and fake python boots that gave an extra six inches to her already statuesque frame. She drained her glass before declaring, “Evie, we all passed prom more than twenty years ago, so drop the Junior League shit. Besides, sloppy women do get laid.”
Evie pursed her lips in disapproval. “Syd, do you always have to be so crude?”
“Fuck yeah,” the redhead snapped. “I’m on vacation.”
Evie winced.
“Oh, calm down,” Syd said with a wink. “You just need another drink.” She wiggled her fingers in the air and a young waitress seemed to magically appear from inside.
The waitress sighed as she surveyed the dirty table. “Ladies, you ready for another round?”
Syd beamed. “Honey, you read my mind.” She looked around at the otherwise empty porch, adding, “hope we haven’t chased away your customers.”
The waitress gave a tired smile and said, “No, you ladies are just fine.” She gathered up glasses and asked, “Y’all celebrating somethin’ tonight?”
Audrey looked up from the futile task of patting her dress dry. “Yeah. I just got a divorce and Syd here turned forty.” She pointed to the redhead and gave a low, vodka-loosened laugh. “Now we’re all over the fucking hill.”
Syd gave her an evil eye. “And that’s why we’ve had to buy our own drinks all weekend.”
“Sorry,” Audrey replied as she tossed the napkin on the table and resigned herself to wet cleavage.
“Hey girls,” the blonde yawned. “Weren’t we talking about something naughty before I made such a mess?”
“Ooh, thank you, Beth,” Syd replied with a nasty gleam in her eye. “The list!”
“Ah, the list,” Beth’s lips twisted in a wry smile as she pointed at Evie. “Your turn. Five celebrities you’d sleep with if you weren’t married.”
Evie groaned. “The list? Really, Syd. Aren’t we too old for this?”
Syd gave her a stern glance and answered, “Evie, we’re forty. The only thing we’re too old for is American Idol. The day I can’t get drunk and fantasize about hot guys I’m not married to, you can plan my funeral.”

My Review: I loved this book. Great characters you ca connect with. Gross visual descriptions. I could feel the fear the girls felt when they were confronted by these monsters. The girls had spunk and determination to stay alive. 


Buy Link:
Amazon




About the Author:
Deirdre H. Gage is a Texas writer who has claimed half a dozen other places as home, including Kentucky and Chicago – but her heart belongs to the Big Easy. She has been published in the Darker Times Anthology Volume Three, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Appalachian Heritage literary journal. The Getaway Girls: A New Orleans Tale of Monsters, Mayhem and Moms is her first novel, and book one in The Getaway Girls series.


Connect With The Author:Twitter 
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Giveaway:
Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon gift cards on The Getaway Girls: A New Orleans Tale of Monsters, Mayhem, and Moms Tour and Giveaway! Open WW 2/9/15 – 3/9/15.


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Lost & Scared By K. C. Sprayberry

When their younger twin siblings were murdered by their cold-blooded father, Shane and Keri’s own twin connection deepened. Their father shamed Shane and Keri into silence, and then went on to bring four more children into a house shuddering under the weight of his unpredictable temper. Ten years later, what should have been a regular visitation turns into a horrific nightmare. Trapped in the Superstition Mountains with an addicted and dangerous father, Keri’s faith and determination wavers, but she knows she must save her brothers and sisters and return all of them to the home they love.
She now faces one insurmountable obstacle. He can’t afford to let her go.






Lost & Scared
Excerpt 1 ~ Shane
The window in my bedroom that I share with my two younger brothers overlooks Main Street. I angle my head, so I can attempt to see where my twin is.“See Keri?” Axe, my best bud, asks.“Nope. But I do see a bunch of cars leaving.” I face him and grin. “That means she’s on her way back.”“Great. We can leave now.”“Looks that way.”He and I race down the stairs. The normal noise of a large family during winter holiday break greets me, along with what can only be described as evil snickering. We come around the corner, shoving and pushing to see which one of us gets to the bottom first, with me gaining an inch on my bud.“Yes!” I pump a fist and hop down the last three steps, the satisfaction of proving once and for all that I’m the best pass receiver on our team.“I am so going to beat you one of these days,” he says.We knuckle bump and clown around.“Ready when you are, honey,” a strange female voice says.“Huh?” I turn around.A woman who looks like a million miles of bad road stands beside the open front door. Before I can ask who she is and what she’s doing in our house, a series of loud bangs precedes the sound of a cat yowling. That noise sends fear shivers through every inch of my body, and I don’t scare all that easily.“What the heck?” Axe pushes me aside. “What’s going on, Shane?”“Don’t know.” I point at the woman. “Who are you?”“Jake’s honey-poo,” she purrs.That response is wrong on so many levels, beginning with Jake is my dad’s name. The last time I checked he was still married to my mom.“Who are you two handsome hunks?”Gross. Sick. Yuck! She sounds just like Scooter when he catches a mouse.Just as I’m about to tell this loser from the wrong side of the tracks to get lost, Scooter races out of the kitchen. A mix of who knows what, he has gorgeous gray and white striped fur and I can only describe him as fat and slow.Slow comes nowhere close to describing that streak racing for safety. Scooter howls out his fear. His fur stands on end and his tail is so fluffy that it looks ten times its normal size.
Author Bio: Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in Northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond. She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Some of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, others in magazines. Three of her books (Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama’s Advice) are Amazon best sellers. Her other books are: Take Chances, Where U @, The Wrong One, Pony Dreams, Evil Eyes, Inits, Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates, The Call Chronicles 1: The Griswold Gang, The Curse of Grungy Gulley, Paradox Lost: Their Path, and Starlight. Additionally, she has shorts available on Amazon: Grace, Secret From the Flames, Family Curse … Times Two, Right Wrong Nothing In Between, and The Ghost Catcher. 
Book Trailer
Excerpt 2 ~ Keri
Carly and I sneak up the walkway to the backdoor of the house where I live with my parents and five siblings. We’ve done nothing wrong. There is no reason for us to be sneaking into my house, except one… him. “Are you sure about this?” she whispers.“Yeah.” I cast a guilty glance at the driveway. Shane’s truck isn’t here. He must still be hanging with his best bud, Axe. Heat rushes up my face whenever I think about that hunk. Axe not Shane. Big Bro is anything but a hunk. Well, he is kind of cute, and a lot of girls like him, but a hunk? Give me a break. None of the girls hot for him know that he stinks up a bathroom or dumps his clothes all over the place for me to pick up.I’ll forgive Carly for thinking like that. She’s good for Shane, if he’d just get over the “everybody will hate us for dating” thing. Big deal if she’s African American and we’re white. Nobody cares about that anymore.“Your dad will pop a cork if he catches me in the house,” Carly says. “You know he hates… you know.”We never talk about that. So what if my dad is the biggest bigot in the world? The rest of my family is totally cool with me having Carly around. They like her. She’s funny, and an awesome bestie. We both stop in front of the back door. I reach out a hand, but don’t turn the knob when I hear shouting.“Oh, shit.” I glance at Carly.“What now?” she whispers.Memories flood through me of a night I try so very hard to forget. Once upon a time, there was another set of twins in our house. Then they were gone. The reason they’re not with us anymore is too hard to think about. I don’t even talk about that night, but that’s because Shane and I made a sacred vow. We will always keep that secret. Telling now will cause so many problems for us. I have to tell someone, but that means I’ll go to jail. Won’t I? Isn’t that where liars go when they hide a crime?The anniversary of that particular act still haunts me, even though it was way back in August. December has usually been good, even if we’re sad because of whatever he is doing. To have such an innocent act end in the violence as that one did should never happen to anyone, especially a kid. To have the person responsible still walking around as if he did nothing wrong infuriates me, until I think about how I never told.Shane didn’t either. We should have told. It didn’t matter if we were only seven. It doesn’t matter now that we’re almost seventeen. We should have told.
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My Review Of Two Kids By Richard Levine

About the BookTitle: Two Kids * Author: Richard Levine * Publication Date: June 7, 2014 * Publisher: Firedrake Books LLC * Pages: 247 * Recommended Age: 10+Summary: Tall, gawky, and twelve, D.C. Blau stumbles into her cousin Becky’s birthday party wearing a neon yellow T-shirt so bright it could burn someone’s eyeballs out. Towering above the boys there and self-conscious about her height, she prefers to think that it’s the boys who are the outliers, that Becky has more “dwarf” friends than Snow White — but one among them catches her eye, Rob, a definite Bashful.Strangely, though they’ve never before met, the tall girl and the shy boy take to each other like long lost pals. So begins an unusual tweenage friendship, one that carries the two kids though a year both terrible and wonderful. There’s banter, and fun with fantasy. Ballplayers so huge they’re named after mountains. An island populated with up-chucking vampire birds. Freaky fortunes from a funky fortune-teller lady. A flukey fishing trip, and a rollicking, roller-coaster of a small plane ride. Father’s Day blues. And in the end, a climactic, life-changing event that spirals down from “out of the blue.”Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Goodreads
The Buzz About the Book“. . . delightfully dialogue-rich and character-driven portrayal of modern youth set in the New York suburbs. . . The book speaks to the resiliency of human nature–especially when we are young–and the stubborn belief that life will continue.” ~ CLARION RATING, FIVE STARS, Foreword Reviews“This is a nice story about friendship, fitting in and a little bit of innocent teenage crushes thrown in.  I think kids ages 10 to 14 (tweenies) will have no trouble feeling for the main characters and will sympathize with the uncomfortable situations that age group often has to deal with–not only their own bodies and friends, but also the strange oddities of parents and relatives.” ~ T.S. Drecker, Amazon“No [matter] how old you are, you will find a character you will relate to, no matter your age. You could be 6, 12, 17, 43. No matter what, this is a heartfelt book to read.” ~ Madison, Goodreads My Review: I loved this book. D.C. and Rob are the main characters. They take turns telling the story from their point of view. They build a friendship and encounter quite a few hardships through the story. Rob and D.C. are characters that the reader ca connect with. I know I did. About The Author: Richard Levine
Richard grew up in Jericho, Long Island, and practiced Diagnostic Radiology for many years before retiring. He and his wife have two daughters.