Kay LaLone's Blog, page 25

September 2014 $229/Kindle Fire Giveaway

September $229 Giveaway   It’s time for September’s $229 Kindle Giveaway Hosted by I Am A Reader. We are giving away 2 great prizes both valued at $229. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!   The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to those share this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.  
Win a Kindle Fire HDX 7", Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
Each of these bloggers/authors paid to help sponsor this giveaway.   Sponsor List I Am A ReaderFeed Your ReaderA & E Kirk, AuthorInspired KathyLori's Reading CornerTalia Jager, AuthorMother Daughter Book ReviewsKrysten Lindsay HagerEvery Free Chance BooksRomance Under FireI Love to Read and Review Books :)Christine's BlogElizabeth IsaacsAuthor Kimber Leigh WheatonPauline Creeden, AuthorAuthor - Cindy A ChristiansenMama Monkey CraftologyMoreThanaReviewMy Devotional ThoughtsAuthor Suzy TurnerJenn @ BookreviewsandgiveawaysToo-CleverDanielle @ Coffee and CharactersAuthor D.E. HaggertyC Family of 6Bella Street Weird RomanceBonnie Blythe's Pure RomanceSid FrostYA Author Fabio BuenoRead for your futureJennifer Laurens AuthorLaurie Here - Contemporary Fiction and MOREReviews from a BookwormHelen Smith (author)Author Deb AtwoodAuthor Claudia BurgoaStart PublishingElizabeth IsaacsTrue North PublishingWhiskey Creek PressDeanna Lynn Sletten, AuthorLuthando CoeurBette Lee CrosbyAgainst Idleness & Mischief (BOOKTUBE)BookBunnyPRVictoria Allred
Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 9/30/14 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 participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review Of Black Cats And Ballet Slippers By Iva Valentino

 Excerpt:

Okay, so something REALLY strange is going on. Boys are from a different planet, but right now a few of them at Middleton are acting like they’re from a different universe. (Wait. Does this make sense? Is there more than one universe? Ugh. Maybe I should have paid more attention last year in Astronomy.)So, by the time I got to Ms. Pruett’s class, I had already worked myself into a super version of “I Don’t Wanna Go To Class Because I’m Creeped Out!” mode. I walked into the Science Laboratory, and I swear I felt the cold of Building 400 smack me right in the face. I’m not kidding.Of course Ms. Pruett was at the door, acting like her sweet old lady self (ha ha, I know better), and was welcoming all the kids into the classroom. I just kept my head down and muttered a hello as I passed. Staying below the radar was the goal. Then I sat down at my lab table and shivered a bit.Joey sat down at the table just a second later. Normally he is really loud and obnoxious, cracking jokes, and calling to the other Soccer Jocks across the room. Today he was quiet.“Hey,” I said, trying to be friendly. I thought maybe we could commiserate on us both having spells cast on us. Joey responded with a “hey” but didn’t say much else. Hello? Was this the Joey I knew?“So, Joey, are you feeling okay?” I asked. “You know, after yesterday…”Joey didn’t say anything, but began writing on a piece of paper. He folded up the piece of paper and passed it to me. I gave him a questioning look. He gave me a weird look back that I couldn’t decipher. The note was as follows:     Hey Gemma,     Sorry I gave you a hard time yesterday about the “Cute Boy” list. It was kind of rude of me.     JoeyThat’s when it hit me that Joey hadn’t recovered from Ms. Pruett’s spell. For me it was just temporary, like a few minutes. But Joey was acting weird. It had to be the spell.“Um, thanks,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.” I then started taking out all my school stuff so that I could look busy and not have any more awkward moments with Joey until he felt better. He was taking longer to recuperate.After class I headed straight down toward the lunchroom. On the way there, I saw Trevor going in the opposite direction past me. Our conversation went like this:            Me: “Hi Trevor!” (with a big smile and enthusiasm)            Trevor: “Oh, hi Gemma.” (with zombie-like attitude)            Me: “Okay, have a good lunch!”            Trevor: “Okay, thanks. Bye.”            I wondered where he was going, in the opposite direction from the lunch room when it was lunchtime. It took me another couple of moments to realize that the ONLY classroom in that part of campus was Ms. Pruett’s room. He was headed back toward Building 400!            Yikes! I turned myself around in mid-stride and turned back the way I came. I knew there was no way possible that Trevor would be going to Ms. Pruett’s. Why would anyone in their right mind be going there by themselves?            I didn’t want Trevor to think I was stalking him, because of course I would never do that. But just in case that’s what it appeared to be, I used as much stealth as possible. I walked in the shadows and stopped to peek out behind bushes and building walls. I saw him up ahead…just before he ENTERED MS. PRUETT’S CLASSROOM.            My mouth fell open, and I just sort of stared at the door for a while.            Weird things are going on here at Middleton. And I think Ms. Pruett’s behind it all!My Review. I loved this book. Gemma is such a fun character. I enjoyed reading her diary and seeing the world through her eyes. I think it is funny how Gemma thinks her teacher is a witch and putting spells on students. Thanks, Iva, for an entertaining read. MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/black-cats-and-ballet-slippers-detail
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cats-Ballet-Slippers-Valentino-ebook/dp/B00ISW6BAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410125518&sr=1-1&keywords=Black+Cats+and+Ballet+Slippers
1. Tell us about your book and how the story came to be.
Black Cats and Ballet Slippers is a humorous tween chapter book. Gemma Mayfield, the main character, is a ballerina and middle school student. She is convinced her teacher is a witch. After her crush, Trevor, has a spell cast upon him, Gemma embarks on a mission to save Middleton Middle School from witchcraft!
The idea for Black Cats came about during my last year of teaching middle school. In the book, Gemma’s science teacher, Ms. Pruett, has a really creepy classroom. The classroom has a preproom with lots of “witchy” things, such as powdered unicorn horn and other ingredients for spells. In my classroom, I also had a big preproom. My classroom was actually very nice and not creepy at all, but over time my imagination took over. I started to envision this preproom as being Ms. Pruett’s. From there on, the rest of the storyline for Black Catsstarted to brew!
2. What three words best describe your main character?
Spunky, ballerina, super-tall
3. Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names, and what do you think makes them believable?
I spend a lot of time brainstorming my characters. I like to let the ideas for characters “marinate” in my mind for a bit. Then I’ll sit down and write as much as I can about them in a notebook, which I’ll keep with me in my purse. This way I have it handy whenever more ideas come to me. Once I’ve started writing the book, I’ll go more in depth. A strategy I’ve used before is to write a letter in the character’s own voice, or simply write a scene in which a particular character is doing something. Character names also just seem to pop out at me. I hardly ever change a character’s name! I’ve worked with kids in this age range for a long time, and I think that has helped me to keep my characters believable.
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 really like to outline and get a good idea of my character’s personalities before I write. But of course there are times in which I change things around a bit, or I decide to add in something I hadn’t thought of before. I definitely think characters can take on a life of their own! Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of writing and I’ll think, “Wouldn’t it be hilarious if so-and-so said or did THIS!?” And then this might affect the plot somewhat. I think overall it’s important to be flexible so the characters and plot seem realistic, but not diverge from the original idea so much that you end up  getting lost.  
5. Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you overcome it?
There are many times when I feel like I’m not being as productive in my writing as I’d like to be in a given day. Some days my writing seems great, and I think EVERYTHING sounds fabulous! And then there are other days in which I wonder if I’ve been sleeping while writing. I just try to be nice to myself.  On days that I don’t feel the writing is going well, I will just give myself a time limit, and try to do the best I can.
6. What types of books do you like to read?
I enjoy a variety of genres of books. I really love books that are funny. I tend to choose books that are part of a series. I get hooked on the characters, and then I want to keep reading more about them! I read a lot of YA novels, and recently I have been getting into more science fiction/fantasy.
7. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
I live in Tucson, Arizona, where it’s possible to do fun, outdoorsy things all year round. My husband and I frequently take our dog, Lupo, on hikes through the desert. I enjoy yoga, photography, and cooking. And I LOVE  dance—I don’t feel like my week is complete unless I’ve taken at least one Zumba class!
8. What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
I’m currently working on a sequel for Black Cats. This next book doesn’t involve a mystery, but the entire gang will be back for some more fun at Middleton Middle School. I’m looking forward to introducing some new characters!
Oh, good. I look forward to reading more about Gemma and her friends.
9. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Keep writing every day! Even if you don’t feel like it.
10. Where can readers find you and your books?
Please come visit me at the following sites!
Website: www.ivavalentino.com Blog: www.ivavalentino.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivaavalentino

My Review Of Black Cats And Ballet Slippers By Eva Valentine

 Excerpt:

Okay, so something REALLY strange is going on. Boys are from a different planet, but right now a few of them at Middleton are acting like they’re from a different universe. (Wait. Does this make sense? Is there more than one universe? Ugh. Maybe I should have paid more attention last year in Astronomy.)So, by the time I got to Ms. Pruett’s class, I had already worked myself into a super version of “I Don’t Wanna Go To Class Because I’m Creeped Out!” mode. I walked into the Science Laboratory, and I swear I felt the cold of Building 400 smack me right in the face. I’m not kidding.Of course Ms. Pruett was at the door, acting like her sweet old lady self (ha ha, I know better), and was welcoming all the kids into the classroom. I just kept my head down and muttered a hello as I passed. Staying below the radar was the goal. Then I sat down at my lab table and shivered a bit.Joey sat down at the table just a second later. Normally he is really loud and obnoxious, cracking jokes, and calling to the other Soccer Jocks across the room. Today he was quiet.“Hey,” I said, trying to be friendly. I thought maybe we could commiserate on us both having spells cast on us. Joey responded with a “hey” but didn’t say much else. Hello? Was this the Joey I knew?“So, Joey, are you feeling okay?” I asked. “You know, after yesterday…”Joey didn’t say anything, but began writing on a piece of paper. He folded up the piece of paper and passed it to me. I gave him a questioning look. He gave me a weird look back that I couldn’t decipher. The note was as follows:     Hey Gemma,     Sorry I gave you a hard time yesterday about the “Cute Boy” list. It was kind of rude of me.     JoeyThat’s when it hit me that Joey hadn’t recovered from Ms. Pruett’s spell. For me it was just temporary, like a few minutes. But Joey was acting weird. It had to be the spell.“Um, thanks,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.” I then started taking out all my school stuff so that I could look busy and not have any more awkward moments with Joey until he felt better. He was taking longer to recuperate.After class I headed straight down toward the lunchroom. On the way there, I saw Trevor going in the opposite direction past me. Our conversation went like this:            Me: “Hi Trevor!” (with a big smile and enthusiasm)            Trevor: “Oh, hi Gemma.” (with zombie-like attitude)            Me: “Okay, have a good lunch!”            Trevor: “Okay, thanks. Bye.”            I wondered where he was going, in the opposite direction from the lunch room when it was lunchtime. It took me another couple of moments to realize that the ONLY classroom in that part of campus was Ms. Pruett’s room. He was headed back toward Building 400!            Yikes! I turned myself around in mid-stride and turned back the way I came. I knew there was no way possible that Trevor would be going to Ms. Pruett’s. Why would anyone in their right mind be going there by themselves?            I didn’t want Trevor to think I was stalking him, because of course I would never do that. But just in case that’s what it appeared to be, I used as much stealth as possible. I walked in the shadows and stopped to peek out behind bushes and building walls. I saw him up ahead…just before he ENTERED MS. PRUETT’S CLASSROOM.            My mouth fell open, and I just sort of stared at the door for a while.            Weird things are going on here at Middleton. And I think Ms. Pruett’s behind it all!My Review. I loved this book. Gemma is such a fun character. I enjoyed reading her diary and seeing the world through her eyes. I think it is funny how Gemma thinks her teacher is a witch and putting spells on students. Thanks, Iva, for an entertaining read. MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/black-cats-and-ballet-slippers-detail
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cats-Ballet-Slippers-Valentino-ebook/dp/B00ISW6BAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410125518&sr=1-1&keywords=Black+Cats+and+Ballet+Slippers
1. Tell us about your book and how the story came to be.
Black Cats and Ballet Slippers is a humorous tween chapter book. Gemma Mayfield, the main character, is a ballerina and middle school student. She is convinced her teacher is a witch. After her crush, Trevor, has a spell cast upon him, Gemma embarks on a mission to save Middleton Middle School from witchcraft!
The idea for Black Cats came about during my last year of teaching middle school. In the book, Gemma’s science teacher, Ms. Pruett, has a really creepy classroom. The classroom has a preproom with lots of “witchy” things, such as powdered unicorn horn and other ingredients for spells. In my classroom, I also had a big preproom. My classroom was actually very nice and not creepy at all, but over time my imagination took over. I started to envision this preproom as being Ms. Pruett’s. From there on, the rest of the storyline for Black Catsstarted to brew!
2. What three words best describe your main character?
Spunky, ballerina, super-tall
3. Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names, and what do you think makes them believable?
I spend a lot of time brainstorming my characters. I like to let the ideas for characters “marinate” in my mind for a bit. Then I’ll sit down and write as much as I can about them in a notebook, which I’ll keep with me in my purse. This way I have it handy whenever more ideas come to me. Once I’ve started writing the book, I’ll go more in depth. A strategy I’ve used before is to write a letter in the character’s own voice, or simply write a scene in which a particular character is doing something. Character names also just seem to pop out at me. I hardly ever change a character’s name! I’ve worked with kids in this age range for a long time, and I think that has helped me to keep my characters believable.
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 really like to outline and get a good idea of my character’s personalities before I write. But of course there are times in which I change things around a bit, or I decide to add in something I hadn’t thought of before. I definitely think characters can take on a life of their own! Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of writing and I’ll think, “Wouldn’t it be hilarious if so-and-so said or did THIS!?” And then this might affect the plot somewhat. I think overall it’s important to be flexible so the characters and plot seem realistic, but not diverge from the original idea so much that you end up  getting lost.  
5. Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you overcome it?
There are many times when I feel like I’m not being as productive in my writing as I’d like to be in a given day. Some days my writing seems great, and I think EVERYTHING sounds fabulous! And then there are other days in which I wonder if I’ve been sleeping while writing. I just try to be nice to myself.  On days that I don’t feel the writing is going well, I will just give myself a time limit, and try to do the best I can.
6. What types of books do you like to read?
I enjoy a variety of genres of books. I really love books that are funny. I tend to choose books that are part of a series. I get hooked on the characters, and then I want to keep reading more about them! I read a lot of YA novels, and recently I have been getting into more science fiction/fantasy.
7. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
I live in Tucson, Arizona, where it’s possible to do fun, outdoorsy things all year round. My husband and I frequently take our dog, Lupo, on hikes through the desert. I enjoy yoga, photography, and cooking. And I LOVE  dance—I don’t feel like my week is complete unless I’ve taken at least one Zumba class!
8. What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
I’m currently working on a sequel for Black Cats. This next book doesn’t involve a mystery, but the entire gang will be back for some more fun at Middleton Middle School. I’m looking forward to introducing some new characters!
Oh, good. I look forward to reading more about Gemma and her friends.
9. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Keep writing every day! Even if you don’t feel like it.
10. Where can readers find you and your books?
Please come visit me at the following sites!
Website: www.ivavalentino.com Blog: www.ivavalentino.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivaavalentino

My Review Of Visions The Nightmare Series By Donna Jean McDunn

Back CoverEmily's psychic abilities have grown since the acceptance of her “gift” and the defeat of the father and son sociopaths, the Nelsons, whom she has sent away to prison for life.But when an old friend of her boyfriend, Tony, comes to Charles City, Emily is suspicious and fears things may not be as they seem. Something, or someone, a “Shadow” of darkness, appears to be taking over the bodies of new friends and old.Then Max, Emily’s murdered dog from her childhood, suddenly comes onto the scene. Emily is certain the ghost dog’s presence means big trouble is brewing.As her fears grow, the arrival of a young murder victim, adds to her stress, but she vows to find a way to help the child, no matter what.Her visions aren’t working and only adding to her confusion.A young man shows up, ostensibly to be of assistance. He claims to be her ‘soulmate’ of sorts. But is he? Or is he simply symbolic of more trouble on the horizon for Emily and her true love?Will Emily accept his help to protect those most important to her from an evil, vengeful ghost, and prevent him from turning the innocent into killers?And will she discover where the child’s body is hidden and who killed her, so the young girl and her family can finally have peace? Perhaps, in this case, only the “Shadow” knows.  My Review: I loved this book. Emotional. Emily can see and talk to ghosts. It's scary when an evil spirit takes over her boyfriend. She needs to solve the mystery behind a little girls death. Ghosts. Ghost dog. Evil spirit. Romance. Great friends. All these elements make this story a great read. I look forward to reading more books by Donna Jean McDunn.

The Survivors By Angela White

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 8/18/14 – 9/15/14
Genres: Fantasy, Action Adventure, Science Fiction
Tour Promo Price: Free









Blurb:

“This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?
“Hello? Is anyone out there?”

“The End of the world has given us a harsh, merciless existence, where nature tries hard to push mankind to the very brink of extinction. Everything is against us, between us… 

“Untold miles of lawless, apocalyptic roads wait for our feet, and the Future, cold and dark, offers little comfort. Without CHANGE, there will be no peace. Only Survivors.”

“Set along the lines of The Stand and The Postman, this is a chilling vision of the collapse of all society in the year 2012 and the rebirth of a nation by those who survived. It’s so much more than just another fantasy series.”  -The Review Shop

From dangerous trips into dark, apocalyptic cities, to patriotic rescues and furious revelations, Life After War is an action packed fantasy series where those left alive must come to terms with their mistakes in the old world, while fighting for a place in the new one. It’s the apocalyptic fantasy series that Stephen King fans have been searching for. This way, please…

Summary in 20 words or less
An action adventure quest, with a supernatural romance, and many other subplots, set during the aftermath of the apocalypse.

So what’s really in this series? Here’s a short list:

*The End of the World, right-up-close and full of apocalyptic horror.
*A government conspiracy that caused the apocalypse.
*An adventure into the wastelands to find family, supplies, and safety.
*A supernatural romance with a dangerous secret about a child’s parentage and a love strong enough to survive the end of the world.
*An invasion, ambushes, attacks from Nature and man – guns and magic.
*A refugee camp with very different laws, picking up those who’ve survived.
*A Hero you’ll love, even as you ponder the secrets that could lose him leadership.
*A Witch, a Doctor, a government Storm Tracker, a TV Star, and three Marines struggling to keep their people alive and together as they prepare to defend themselves against Cesar’s Slavers.
*A constant battle for survival that includes deadly trips into decaying American cities, insanity, relics of the past, and ghosts that stalk their every move.

Life After War. Magic and Reality blended into a post-apocalyptic fantasy series that you won’t ever forget.

The Survivors (book one) has been a bestseller on multiple retailers in fantasy series, dark fantasy, science fiction adventure, and romance series. It has sold, or been downloaded, more than 100K times.

www.amazon.com/Survivors-Book-One-Life-After-ebook/dp/B0049B31FW



Watch the book trailer on Youtube

Excerpt:
Like most days, the sound of the ocean haunts me.
My name is Angela. I’m a mother, doctor, soldier, and now, in the year 2017, I am a leader of men. Thanks to the nuclear war that ended our world, I’ve become the guardian of an American refugee camp called Safe Haven.
Surrounded by carefully watching guards, I sit in front the immense Pacific Ocean as my people work and play nearby, confident my army will look after them while I tell you about the War, and about how we were forced to flee our beloved country in the awful aftermath. The apocalypse was a nightmare from which we couldn’t wake. Some of us still haven’t, and soon we’ll be at the water’s mercy again. In less than two months, we are going home.
The real America waits for us to reclaim and to rebuild, but mostly, simply, for us to return. Before we undertake that perilous journey, I have to get the three hundred fifty-seven souls here ready for the trip, and I only know one way it can be done—Adrian has to come back and lead us home, as he promised.
Adrian… That incredibly patriotic man has been exiled, even though he is the only reason we survived. His secret was the excuse the camp needed to turn on him, but I won’t do that. I can’t. I swore myself to him the same as the rest of his Council, and like them, I still believe.
I’ve gotten way ahead of myself, far beyond the beginning, when our future didn’t look as good is it does now. Most people here in New America won’t talk about the War or the long, ugly journey we made together. They say the memories have faded, but I know a lie when I hear one. Some horrors you never forget. Like our final battle with Cesar and his large band of ruthless Mexican guerillas.
It’s been five years, but I still see the deep red streams of blood running down rain-soaked trees. I still smell men burning alive in their metal coffins. I dream of it sometimes, of the cold, wet night when I was the bait, and I’m sure Adrian does too. It was the moment we knew our people would live—because of one man’s dream and his terrible lies.
Adrian kept us alive, gave us everything he had, and he always did what was best for the camp, no matter what it cost him personally. He taught us to be stronger than we thought we could be, to look out for each other and ourselves and through it all he lied by omission. He knew these scared, hurting survivors would never have trusted him, would never have given him a chance, if they’d known who he really was.
We came a long way together in the year after the War, thousands of miles of heartbreaking devastation, and it hurts those of us who remain loyal to see him accept their unfair judgment without a fight. It makes everything we went through seem less important than it was, weakens the magic somehow, and I can’t allow that.
I’ve been seeing open doors again, and that sly ocean cautions me, says the return trip will be just as hard as the one we undertook to get here. If there’s a storm headed toward the flock, it’s our Shepherd we’ll need to see us through it.
So, for Adrian and for those of us standing by him, still ready to die for him, and for the dreams he made me believe in from almost the first minute I set foot in his refugee camp, I will tell our story and leave nothing out. Maybe then, these people will realize what he did for our country, accept how much we owe him, and allow him to reclaim what’s rightfully his—us.
Before I tell you about our harsh, ugly journey, let me show you what happened on that day, what they did to us and what we did to each other. This is how America’s story of survival began…

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Smashwords
Kobo





About The Author:
Hello,
I’m Angie. (Pen name)
Little pleases me more than to explore the dark fantasy and horror stories in my head. Knowing other people like them, is second only to the magic of this new career I’ve chosen. As a die-hard Cincinnatian, I much prefer writing to the stresses of being a city Taxicab dispatcher. Thank you for making my dreams possible, and for looking at this page!
Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, lets you and I take a little stroll. There’s a story I need to let out of its cage and I think it’s one you need to hear. It’s about the end of the world as we know it…
Note: Many of my books were removed until the new editors, Kim and Sharon, and I, could get them into top shape. It was clear from the reviews, that we had a lot of work to do. We began in Feb. As of Oct., we now have 9 of 11 titles finished and back online for your reading pleasure. The remaining books will return as soon as we finish them.

Connect With The Author:
Website
Facebook

$200 September Blogger Appreciation Giveaway

 
Welcome to the $200 September Blogger Appreciation Giveaway 2014 hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews.   
* Giveaway Details * Prize: One winner will receive a $200 Amazon gift card or a PayPal cash prize (winner's choice) Contest Ends: September 30, 11:59 pm, 2014 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. The 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 a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored, 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

Ghostly Clues On Sale Sept 1 - 14 $1.99

 Back Cover:
The sweet scent of lilacs permeates the air around Grandma’s gravesite. Only Sarah Kay can smell Grandma’s favorite flower, and they’re not even in bloom.Sarah Kay and her best friend, Mary Jane, believe the lilacs are a sign from Grandma’s ghost. The girls follow one ghostly clue after another, uncovering a secret that Mom never wanted Sarah Kay to know.Grandma makes sure Sarah Kay gets the message even from the grave. As the evidence piles up, Mom still refuses to accept the possibility Sarah Kay’s father is alive.Sarah Kay finds Dad’s parents. A set of grandparents she didn’t realize existed. They make it clear her father is alive but days and miles separate the father and daughter reunion because Dad is a truck driver on a long haul.Sarah Kay waits. The news reports a fatal car accident involving a semi and Sarah Kay fears the worse. She runs away which leads to Dad and the truth, Mom wanted Dad to remain dead.Dad had faked his death so why not just stay dead.  The ghostly clues of Grandma wouldn’t allow Dad to remain dead to Sarah Kay.MuseItUphttp://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museityoung/ghostly-clues-detailAmazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Clues-Kay-LaLone-ebook/dp/B00AFGJRLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409682948&sr=8-1&keywords=ghostly+clues I’m Kay LaLone. Ghostly Clues is my first middle grade novel published by MuseItUp. I live in Michigan with my husband and teenage son (two older sons and a daughter-in-law live nearby) and two dogs and a cat. I love to get up every morning and write about ghosts, the paranormal, and things that go bump in the night. I write PB, MG and YA novels. No matter the books I write, I want my readers to feel like they have met a new friend. I’m an avid reader of just about any type of book (mystery, paranormal, and ghost stories are my favorite). I do reviews and post them on my website and blog. I love to collect old books, antiques, and collectibles. You can find many of my antiques and collectibles on sale on ebay or at the fleamarket. 

GHOSTLY CLUES IS ON SALE FOR A SHORT TIME. GRAB YOUR COPY NOW 

MuseItUP

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museityoung/ghostly-clues-detail

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Clues-Kay-LaLone-ebook/dp/B00AFGJRLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409682948&sr=8-1&keywords=ghostly+clues

Don't forget to leave a review.

Thanks,

Kay

My Review Of The Black Cane By Eilee Harris

 My Review: I loved this book. Amelia saves a boy name Marc who ends up changing her life. But he doesn't just change her life, but the lives of her bridge club. Amelia and her friends get thrown into solving a mystery on who this boy is and why these men are after him. But their involvement in mysteries doesn't end there, they start solving other mysteries, too.  Great, caring characters. I look forward to reading other mysteries this group of friends solve.
  Synopsis:
The decision to help one small boy turns eight elderly women's lives upside-down. Danger becomes a way of life. If the women are going to save the boy and stay alive, they are going to have to use skills that have been dormant way too long.
Book Links: Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... :http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cane-Dowa... e Press : http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/...
About the Author:
From living off the grid in the Arizona desert, Eileen has moved to the woods of upstate New York. She has authored a standalone adventure novel called Desert Shadow. She is also the author of Alicia Trent Series. The Black Cane : Dowager Diaries Book 1 is her latest release.


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Bumped Back In Time By Penny Estelle

September 13, 2014, marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry and the writing of what would eventually become the United States’ national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. 
But once again, historians have left out some important information.  Sammy (Samantha) Brown, a 7thgrader in Miss Wickware’s history class, played a key role in the whole process.  Without her, Mr. Key may have never been on the boat that gave him a bird’s eye view of the whole battle which prompted the famous poet to….maybe you just have to read the story yourself.
Bumped Back In Time Book 4 of The Wickware Sagas.  Take a look at
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82
http://www.amazon.com/Bumped-Back-Wickware-Sagas-ebook/dp/B00FGDS9MM
http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

ExcerptA full moon lit up the bedroom.  Sammy lay on the feather mattress in the dark, staring at the ceiling.  The window was wide open, a breeze stirring the curtains, though it did nothing to take away the mugginess of the night air.  The nightgown Sarah had given Sammy was drenched with sweat and it stuck to her like a second skin.
She got up and walked to the balcony.  Dr. Beanes had been right about his wife.  Sarah had sat Sammy down and got her a bowl of left over wild turkey and boiled sweet potatoes, which she inhaled.
The older woman tisked her tongue and her head shook in sympathy, distressed at the poor girl’s story.  “Your mother must be worried beyond belief,” Sarah said.
“Oh, I’m sure she’s freaking out all over the place,” Sammy snorted.  “And like she’ll ever buy this story!”
“I don’t understand.  You write stories to sell to your freakish mother?”
Sammy had to chuckle at that one. “No.  She’s just going to kill me.”
Outraged, the woman came to her feet.  “She will do no such thing.  William will make sure that you are safe!”
Staring into the night, Sammy smiled at the memory.  She had assured Sarah it was only a saying, but the woman did not seem convinced.
The sound of horses, riding up to the Beanes’ home, brought Sammy out of her reverie.  At least ten men, all in red coats, jumped off their horses and headed toward the house.                                      A serving girl tapped on Sammy’s door before opening it.  “Please ma’am, Mistress Beanes would like you to come to her room, quickly.”  She turned to lead the way without waiting for a reply, Sammy, hurrying to catch up.
The scene that greeted Sammy when the bedroom opened had the hairs on the back of her neck, not only standing straight out at attention, but screaming “run…hide…wake up!”  Goose bumps broke out on her sweaty body.
Dr. Beanes was sitting on a chair putting on his shoes while Sarah was wringing her hands and pale as the snow-white nightgown she was wearing.
Before Sammy could utter a word a BANG BANG BANG came from the door downstairs and that’s when all hell broke loose!

* * * *
Thanks to everybody for stopping by to take a look.  Bumped Back in Time is the fourth story in the Wickware Sagas.  There are five all together.
Billy Cooper’s Awesome NightmareRide of a LifetimeFlash to the PastBumped Back in TimeRiches to Rags
These are all short, time travel adventures involving seventh graders in Miss Wickware’s history class.  They must draw a name from a box and do an oral report.  SOMEHOW, they end up back in time to get up close and personal with their drawn subject!
I also have a printed version of the Wickware Sagas.  This can be found athttp://www.amazon.com/The-Wickware-Sagas-Penny-Estelle/dp/1499179502
 Due to the 200thanniversary of The Star Spangled Banner, MuseItUp is offering Bumped Back in Time for 99 cents for the first two weeks in September.  Check it out at
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82

My Review Of From The Magical Mind Of Mindy Munson By Nikki Benett

About the BookTitle: From the Magical Mind of Mindy Munson |  Author: Nikki Bennett |  Publication Date: June 26, 2014  | Publisher: Firedrake Books, LLC  |  Pages: 116  |  Recommended Ages: 7 to 12
Summary: Every house has a history. This House has a mystery.When the orphaned Munson kids move with their aunt to The House, Mindy Munson discovers strange creatures living there already. Ghosts. Dragons. Leprechauns. And a scary Thing lurking in the basement.Mindy’s older sister Susie is determined to find out where these creatures came from and why they’re living in the Munson’s house. With the help of the next-door neighbors and an old lady named Mrs. Wemberley, Susie, Mindy and their brothers unravel The House’s amazing secrets. And along the way, they discover some incredible secrets about themselves. My Review: I loved this book. Mindy has a great imagination. Is it only her imagination or are these creatures real? There are monsters and ghosts and spirits. Mindy is the one to see and actually know these creatures are there. Purple spider in the attic. The Thing in the basement. Abimal Snowman in the pump house. Mulberry Dragon. Ruby. These are just a few of the crazy creatures living in their yard. The thing they are afraid of is The Thing in the basement. These kids learn to deal with the tragic loss of their parents. Great book for ages 7 to 70. Excerpt From My Review For Mother, Daughter, and Son’s reviews, please CLICK HERE. MOM SAYSMy Bottom Line:  From  the Magical Mind of Mindy Munson  is a wonderfully told story that features sympathetic and richly developed characters; evokes a roller coaster of emotions; and provides both amusing and poignant moments.  While the underlying plot features a tragedy, the author deals with this by injecting magical elements and humor that will be enjoyed by children and their caregivers.  I highly recommend this little gem especially as a read-aloud book to children ages 7 to 12.  This has to be one of my favorite books this year.
About the Author: Nikki Bennett Nikki Bennett is an author and world traveler currently living in Japan. She loves traveling, and incorporates all the culture and folklore she can from the countries she visits into her stories.
Nikki has two books out right now. Her first book, FOUR FIENDS is a MG fantasy adventure and her book, MUKADE ISLAND is a YA adventure/fantasy (think Lord of the Flies meets LOST, it it was set on a different world!)Find out all about Nikki’s books at www.worldofnikki.comWebsite | Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook |Goodreads